The Most Important Parasitic and Saprophytic Fungi on Flowering Ash (Fraxinus ornus) in Parks of Serbia and Montenegro

Abstract

In order to fulfil the gap in domestic literature about biotic causes of flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus) decline in urban conditions, this paper presents the results of a five-year investigation of the most important parasitic and saprophytic fungi on this tree species in parks of Serbia and Montenegro. In total, 21 fungal taxa were recorded. Within recorded taxa, 2 taxa were found on leaves, 1 taxon was found on root, thin branches and bark, while 16 taxa were found on the trunk. On leaves Ascochyta spp. was recorded. The most significant fungi were Armillaria mellea, Phellinus igniarius aff. and Inonotus hispidus. Species Meripilus giganteus and Schizophyllum commune were the main successive fungi and were often found on substrate damaged by the most significant fungi or abiotic disorders. Species Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was recorded on single trees, as well as taxon Neonectria spp. The majority of recorded taxa, including invasive pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus were for the first time found on flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus) in Serbia and Montenegro, especially in urban conditions of these countries. Better protection strategies of flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus) in this part of the region could be achieved based on these results.