Incidence Of Butt Rot Research Articles

Incidence of butt rot of Japanese cypress in Gifu prefecture

Incidence of butt rot of Japanese cypress in Gifu prefecture

Fungal species associated with butt rot of mature Scots pine and Norway spruce in northern boreal forests of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu in Finland

Diversity of fungi was investigated in Scots pine and Norway spruce stumps showing symptoms of butt rot in managed coniferous forests located in the northernmost distribution area of Heterobasidion butt rot in Finland. During a survey of 101 recently clear-cut stands, a total of 479 stumps showing signs of decay were sampled. Fungi were isolated from wood chips taken at the transition zone between healthy and decayed wood. A subsample of 209 isolates from Norway spruce and nine from Scots pine was selected for sequencing ITS-DNA. In Norway spruce 59 species and in Scots pine six fungal species were detected based on ≥98% similarity and 62 genera based on ≥95% similarity with sequences in GenBank. Three sequences did not match to any identified sequence in GenBank. The majority of the isolates (74%) were Ascomycota while 18% were Basidiomycota and 6% Zygomycota. The dominance of Ascomycota over Basidiomycota was pronounced in spruce stumps of stands with a butt rot incidence above 20% and the decayed area was larger in sample discs from which only Ascomycota were isolated than in discs inhabited by Basidiomycota. The result suggests that there is a high site- and/or tree -specific variation of the mycoflora in the Norway spruce decaying butt. Based on these results no single fungal species can be suspected to act as causal agent of butt rot occurring in Norway spruce nor in Scots pine in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu counties.

Factors predicting incidence of butt rot and trunk rot in individual stems of main tree species in a cool-temperate natural mixed forest in Japan

ABSTRACTWe examined the incidence of heart rot (butt rot and trunk rot) in stems of each main tree species, with regard to the effects of individual and site characteristics, in the northern Japanese natural mixed forest. We addressed the hypotheses that incidences of rot are influenced by species identification, individual size, local vegetation, and topographic conditions. The proportions of tree individuals with heart rot (totally 36.7%) varied with tree species, with trunk rot having a significantly higher incidence in two broadleaved species (Quercus crispula and Betula ermanii) than coniferous species (Abies sachalinensis). However, butt rot incidence was similar among tree species, suggesting that each rot type appeared differently by species. The random forest classifications did not necessarily show high accuracy; it was suggested that heart rot incidence in stems of Acer mono and A. sachalinensis occurs randomly. However, in the models for both rot types of B. ermanii and trunk rot of Q. crispula, we revealed that diameter at breast height was highly important factor. Another important variable was sum of basal area of the neighboring trees, in which the incidence of both rot types tended to increase at low and high tree basal area. In addition, it was appeared that the butt rot incidence in B. ermanii was sensitive to steep slope.

Butt rot incidence in the northernmost distribution area of Heterobasidion in Finland

Heterobasidion butt rot causes considerable losses to forestry in coniferous forests in many parts of Europe including southern Fennoscandia. In northern Fennoscandia, including central and northern Finland, both Heterobasidion annosum and H. parviporum are rare. This study aimed to determine the incidence of butt rot in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) north of the area commonly infested by Heterobasidion spp. in Finland. The incidence of butt rot in these conifers was investigated in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu using two data sets: stump inspections in 101 regeneration cutting sites and the Finnish National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. According to stump inspections butt rot occurred in 1% of Scots pine trees and 10% of Norway spruce trees. In the most recent NFI data from 2009 to 2011 the incidence of trees with rot in mature managed stands of these two counties was 1% and 5% for Scots pine and Norway spruce, respectively. According to NFI, these values are nearly equal to the average incidence of butt rot in mature pines and spruces of the whole of Finland. Consequently, the low incidence of Heterobasidion butt rot in these parts of Finland does not mean lower occurrence of butt rot. Butt rot incidence varied greatly between sites: 0–24% of Norway spruce stumps in spruce dominated sites and 0–13% of Scots pine stumps in pine dominated sites were infected. High butt rot incidence in Norway spruce was associated with high site fertility, stand age, low organic matter content of soil and low temperature sum of the site. In Scots pine butt rot appeared after stand age exceeded 120 years while decay occurred already in 40–80 years old Norway spruces. High butt rot incidence in Scots pine was associated also with high flow accumulation of the site. Precipitation, plot slope, plot aspect, ditches, stand density and elevation were insignificant variables in models explaining decay incidence. During 1991–2013 butt rot incidence in Scots pine or Norway spruce has not changed in the study area. Similarly, to the more southern areas with high Heterobasidion risk, butt rot control in the North should focus especially on fertile mineral soil sites.

Ecological factors influencing frequency of Norway spruce butt rot in mature stands in Lithuania

We assess the influence of edaphic, climatic, stand structure and individual tree (stump diameter) factors on incidence of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) butt rot. The data used in the study come from 97 stands, originated from natural regeneration, which were clear-cut. The age of the stands varied between 71 and 130 years old. The climate continentality, site fertility, hydrotop (site humidity index), part of Norway spruce in the stand, stand stocking level (density index) and stump diameter were selected as the factors related with frequency of decay. The study material revealed that selected variables explain 34% of Norway spruce butt rot incidence in Lithuanian forests. Site fertility and stand age influence on butt rot incidence was weak. Higher incidence was related with low stand density, low site humidity (dry sites) and higher part of Norway spruce in stand. More frequent damages were recorded on higher diameter stumps. Our results showed longitudinal distribution of decay incidence in Lithuania—the frequency of decay increasing from West (coast) to East (continent).

Effects of precommercial thinning on the forest value chain in northwestern New Brunswick: Part 3 – Incidence of root and butt decay

The Green River precommercial thinning (PCT) trials were established between 1959 and 1961 in naturally regenerating balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)-dominated stands an average of eight years after overstory removal. Three nominal spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared to an unthinned control in six replicate blocks. In the fall of 2008, following completion of the ninth sequential evaluation of the study’s 48 permanent sample plots, three of the six replicates were clearcut harvested; butt rot data were collected immediately afterwards. To date, forest management research and goals have focused on the benefits of PCT, such as increased tree size and merchantable volume, shorter rotation ages, and better stem form and uniformity. Comparatively little attention has been placed on negative aspects of PCT, such as the incidence and development of root and butt rots, and their impact on fibre yields and wood product values. Results from the Green River study provide evidence that PCT may increase the incidence of butt rot in balsam fir, with incidence proportional to thinning intensity (p < 0.01). We also observed incidence and volume of butt rot to increase with stem diameter (p ≤ 0.05). The experiment suggests that factors such as stand age at time of thinning, and age at the time of harvest are important considerations when it comes to mitigating the impacts of butt rot through forest management.

Effects of precommercial thinning on the forest value chain in northwestern New Brunswick: A fifty-year legacy of forest research continues

Reduction of the stem density of young, naturally regenerating stands through precommercial thinning (PCT) is widely accepted as beneficial for controlling tree species composition, selecting crop trees and improving their growth, and preparing stand structure for subsequent commercial thinning. Less understood and accepted are the forest-level benefits associated with wood fibre yield and value as they relate to the financial returns of PCT. The Green River PCT trials were established between 1959 and 1961 in naturally regenerating balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)-dominated stands an average of eight years after overstory removal. Three nominal spacings of 4 ft (1.2 m), 6 ft (1.8 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) were compared to an unthinned control in six replicate blocks. In the fall of 2008, following completion of the ninth sequential evaluation of the study’s 48 permanent sample plots, three of the six replicates were clearcut harvested and data were collected to quantify the effects of PCT on the forest value chain. This paper is the introduction to a series of six papers that quantify the rotation-length effects of PCT on: 1) stand dynamics and the yield of roundwood products; 2) harvesting and wood handling costs; 3) root and butt rot incidence, severity, and effects on volume recovery; 4) lumber and fibre-based panel recovery and value; 5) pulp and paper recovery and value; and 6) the overall integration of these costs and benefits.

Incidence of butt rot in Norway spruce seed stands in Poland’s mountain regions assessed with sonic tomography

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Molecular characterization of basidiomycetes associated with the decayed mangrove tree Xylocarpus granatum in Thailand

This study reports the frequency of decay (stem/butt rot) of Xylocarpus granatum trees at Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, Nakhonsithammarat province, and other locations in Thailand, and the identification of purported causal basidiomycetes based on morphological and molecular analyses. Four survey plots at Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park were established and the incidence of butt rot determined. Percentage stem/butt rot incidence of X. granatum trees varied from 40.9 to 94.4 % with an average of 85.5 % along all four Plots. Trees in Plot 2 supported the heaviest incidence rate (94.4 %), with the lowest rate in Plot 3 (40.9 %). Ninety-two basidiomes were collected, and 46 fungal strains (50 %) isolated into axenic culture, the majority associated with tree roots (68.5 % of all collections) with 31.5 % from the tree trunks. Molecular results, based on LSU and ITS1, 2, 5.8 S rDNA analyses, confirmed that all samples belonged to the poroid genus Fulvifomes in the Hymenochaetaceae within the Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota. The 43 specimens sequenced grouped into three clades; one clade comprised specimens isolated from only the trunks and branches (14 strains), while the remainders were from roots (29 strains) and shown to be salt tolerant. The stem/butt rot strains formed unique phylotypes which did not group with other known Fulvifomes species.

Relationship of soil hardness or soil permeability to the incidence of butt-rot on larch : Study case on a larch stand in Hitsujigaoka, Sapporo, northern Japan

Relationship of soil hardness or soil permeability to the incidence of butt-rot on larch : Study case on a larch stand in Hitsujigaoka, Sapporo, northern Japan

Butt rot incidence, causal fungi, and related yield loss in Picea abies stands of Latvia

Root and butt rot is the most destructive disease of conifers in the Northern Hemisphere, but little is known about the dynamics of yield loss in stands of different ages, site types, and species composition. This study aimed to estimate butt rot incidence, causal fungi, and related wood yield loss in Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. stands in Latvia. A total of 24 745 stumps were examined on 318 forest sites, and 21.8% of them contained rot. There was a positive correlation between stand age and butt rot frequency. Proportion of other tree species in a stand had no influence on incidence of the rot, but significant differences were observed among different forest site types. The length of decay columns in 114 stems analysed was 6.6 ± 2.6 m on average. Based on the observed butt rot frequencies in Latvian P. abies stands of different age classes, volumes of decay-degraded wood in a fully stocked stand would comprise about 19.7 m3·ha–1 at the age of 40 years, 57.4 m3·ha–1 at 60 years, 54.9 m3·ha–1 at 80 years, 63.1 m3·ha–1 at 100 years, and 91.8 m3·ha–1 at 120 years, corresponding to 6%–16% of a total standing volume.

Comparison of stump diameter between the butt-rotted and healthy larch with the verification of or butt-rot incidence among the size of stump diameter within the same stands

Comparison of stump diameter between the butt-rotted and healthy larch with the verification of or butt-rot incidence among the size of stump diameter within the same stands

Difference of butt-rot incidence among coniferous plantations at the foot of Mt. Tarumae, Hokkaido, northern Japan

Difference of butt-rot incidence among coniferous plantations at the foot of Mt. Tarumae, Hokkaido, northern Japan

Incidence of butt rot at final felling and at first thinning of the subsequent rotation of Norway spruce stands in south-western Sweden

The incidence of butt rot in Norway spruce stands at final felling and at first thinning of the subsequent rotation was investigated at 20 sites in south-western Sweden. There was a negative correlation between the incidence at first thinning and the basal area of decayed trees at final felling. Using incidence of decay or basal area of decayed trees to predict disease transfer between rotations is difficult and requires the inclusion of several factors, making predictions uncertain. The level of infection found at final felling in this study varied between 7 and 71.8%, indicating that the risk of spore infection transfer to the next rotation was probably quite low. Long-term experiments are required to reveal the effect of stump treatment on disease transmission between rotations.

Assessing the incidence of butt rot in Norway spruce in southern Finland

The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of butt rot damage to Norway spruce in different parts of southern Finland and to quantify the associated loss of quality. The data used in the study are from the 9th National Forest Inventory and consist of 5998 sample plots and 8007 spruce sample trees of saw-timber size. To predict the probability of damage to stands and trees, logistic regression models were constructed. Separate models were made for the whole study area, for the area where the general risk of Heterobasidion root and butt rot damage is high and for the area where the damage frequency is relatively low. In the high-risk area, the probability of damage decreased with increasing elevation and increased with increasing temperature sum. In addition, damage was more common on fertile sites and less common on peatlands; and thick peat layer decreased the risk of damage. The probability of damage was also higher in stands where special or selective cuttings had been carried out. In the sample tree data, the probability of damage increased slightly with increasing diameter and age of the tree. In the low-risk areas, elevation was the only variable that explained the probability of damage to a spruce tree. Site fertility and previous cuttings (more than ten years ago) explained the probability of damage to stands only weakly. For spruce damaged by butt rot, the saw-timber volume was reduced, on average, by 60% both in the high-risk area and in the low-risk area.

Sensitivity of Picea abies to butt rot in pure stands and in mixed stands with Pinus sylvestris in southern Sweden

Repeatedly sampled data from permanent experimental plots in southern Sweden were used to model butt rot development in Norway spruce growing in pure stands and in mixed stands with Scots pine. The data come from 29 sites with pure spruce, altogether 100 plots, and from 15 sites of mixed spruce and pine, altogether 22 plots. A logistic model provided the best fit to the data. The study material revealed that in mixed stands the proportion of spruce trees with butt rot is lower than in pure Norway spruce stands. The difference in the incidence of butt rot cannot be explained by silviculture or windthrow since both factors are accounted for in the study. The most significant effect on butt rot development in Norway spruce by an admixture of Scots pine, was found when the Scots pine admixture was 50%. In order to reduce the incidence of butt rot in Norway spruce, the study material indicate that there is little to be gained by increasing the Scots pine admixture to much more than 50%.

Incidence of Root and Butt Rot in Consecutive Rotations of Picea abies

The incidence of butt rot in two consecutive rotations of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in 28 permanent sample plots at four different sites in Denmark was evaluated. Incidence of butt rot was estimated by visual examination of stumps at final felling of the previous rotation and by examination of bore cores taken at the butt from a random sample of trees before first thinning of the subsequent rotation. There was no correlation between the incidence of butt rot at final felling of the previous rotation of Norway spruce and the incidence of butt rot at first thinning of the subsequent rotation of Norway spruce. The incidence of butt rot at final felling was between 19 and 100%, and at first thinning between 0 and 20%. The S-form of Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. was the most commonly found decay-causing organism at all sites. Root systems of 28 trees without decay at stump height in the present rotation were excavated to estimate the incidence of root rot. Heterobasidion annosum was found in only one root. Resinicium bicolor (Alb. & Schw. ex Fr.) Parm. was found in 25% of the excavated root systems. The result of the study shows that the incidence of butt rot at first thinning of Norway spruce is not necessarily higher on sites where the previous rotation was heavily infected than on sites where infection in the previous rotation was low.

Transfer of the P‐type of Heterobasidion annosum from old‐growth stumps of Picea abies to Picea abies and Larix×eurolepis

SummaryThe infection of Picea abies and Larix x eurolepis by Heterobasidion annosum was studied in felled trees in Sweden. Thinnings were carried out in two stands of L. x eurolepis, 15 and 20 years old, and in a 25‐year‐old stand of P. abies, established on a site heavily infected by H. annosum. The 15‐ and 20‐year‐old L. x eurolepis stands exhibited the greatest incidence of butt rot with infections amounting to 38 and 57%, respectively, of removed trees. The incidence of butt rot in the P. abies stand was only 5%. Heterobasidion annosum was the main butt rot causing fungus. All isolates of H. annosum were of the P‐intersterility group. Transfer of H. annosum from old‐growth P. abies stumps to trees felled in the thinning of the next generation was demonstrated by somatic incompatibility tests. However, the majority of infections could not be connected with decay already established in the previous generation. In L. c eurolepis, rot columns were frequent, including also several genotypes in the same stem, and typically positioned in the inner sapwood. The few infections of P. abies were situated in the heartwood.

Incidence of Heterobasidion annosum in precommercial thinning stumps in coastal British Columbia

SummaryConiferous stumps in 83 stands in coastal British Columbia were sampled 3‐5 years after precommercial thinning. The percentage of stumps and surface area colonized by Heterobasidion annosum were determined for 25 stumps of each species in each 5‐cm diameter class present in each stand. There were significant differences among species in the percentages of stumps and surface area colonized, with Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) having the lowest values, amabilis fir (Abies amabilis) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) the highest and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) being intermediate. For stumps of each species 5–20 cm in diameter, both the percentage of stumps and surface area colonized increased with increasing diameter. In stumps that were grafted to an adjacent tree, there was decreased incidence of H. annosum for Douglas‐fir and Sitka spruce and increased incidence for western hemlock and amabilis fir. There were trends in the percentage of stumps and area colonized for season of thinning and biogeoclimatic subzones with the values for most species decreasing as the amount of precipitation increased. Colonization of precommercial thinning stumps by H. annosum occurs throughout the coastal region of British Columbia, and this will increase the amount of inoculum and will likely increase the incidence of butt rot. The results of this study suggest that the increase in inoculum can be minimized by thinning before age 15, by cutting only trees less than 10 cm in diameter and by thinning during low risk seasons.

Incidence of Butt Rot in a Tree Species Experiment in Northern Denmark

The susceptibility to infections by Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. was examined in a 28 - year - old tree species experiment in northern Jutland, Denmark. Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), Caucasian fir (Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach), grand fir (Abies grandis (Dougl) Lindl.), noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.), Japanese larch (Larix koempferi (Lamb.) Carr.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) were planted after shelterwood felling of a mountain pine (Pinus uncinata Mill. ex Mirb.) stand that had been infected by H. annosum. Douglas fir and noble fir showed the greatest mortality due to H. annosum during the first 5 years after planting. At first thinning the highest incidences of butt rot were recorded in noble fir, Japanese larch and Sitka spruce, with 44%, 43% and 36% of the thinned trees infected, respectively. Silver fir and Caucasian fir were almost free from infections. Maximum extension of H. annosum rot columns were in Japanese larch (18 dm). Heterobasidion annosum was found to be the most important decay causing fungus. Mating tests assigned all isolated strains of H. annosum to the P - intersterility group.