New reports of Melampsora rust (Pucciniomycetes) on the Salix retusa complex in Balkan countries

Milos Stupar,Dmitar Lakusic,Milica Ljaljevic-Grbic,Jelena Vukojevic

doi:10.2298/botserb2001089s

Abstract

Melampsora epitea, known to cause rust on the complex of Salix retusa prostrate willows distributed in the subalpine and alpine belt of the mountains of Central Europe, is here documented for the first time in Montenegro and North Macedonia growing at six localities. It is not new for Serbia, but the records come from a newly reported host, namely Salix serpyllifolia. The pathogen?s distribution presumably is wider than initially believed, and further surveys need to be conducted.

Highlights

Melampsora epitea, known to cause rust on the complex of Salix retusa prostrate willows distributed in the subalpine and alpine belt of the mountains of Central Europe, is here documented for the first time in Montenegro and North Macedonia growing at six localities
During field investigation of the complex of Salix retusa on the Balkan Peninsula, six populations with many individuals infected with rust fungus were documented (Fig. 1)
The systematic positions and geographical distribution of these taxa are not fully resolved and are still disputed (Kosiński 2017, 2019). He states that S. retusa is common on the Balkan Peninsula in the Dinarid, Scardian and Rila Mts., a number of prostrate willows with smaller leaves than those of typical S. retusa are found commonly and have been classified as S. serpyllifolia

Summary

Introduction

ABSTRACT: Melampsora epitea, known to cause rust on the complex of Salix retusa prostrate willows distributed in the subalpine and alpine belt of the mountains of Central Europe, is here documented for the first time in Montenegro and North Macedonia growing at six localities. During field investigation of the complex of Salix retusa (family Salicaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula, six populations with many individuals infected with rust fungus were documented (Fig. 1).

Results

Conclusion