Pine Bark Research Articles

Management of Phytophthora cinnamomi Using Fungicides and Host Plant Defense Inducers Under Drought Conditions: A Case Study of Flowering Dogwood

Phytophthora cinnamomi is considered one of the most destructive pathogens of ornamental crops. Different fungicides and host plant defense inducers were tested for their efficacy in managing Phytophthora root rot in drought conditions. In this study, the drought conditions were maintained by evaluating the moisture-holding capacity of the pine bark in a 10.2-cm nursery container. Four controls and nine different treatments were used in two trials for this greenhouse study. All treatments were drench-applied as a preventative or curative treatment. Seedlings were artificially inoculated with P. cinnamomi. Regular irrigation was carried out using overhead irrigation for 1 month after inoculation. Irrigation was regulated by drip irrigation after the first month. A moisture level of 15% to 18% of total moisture-holding capacity was maintained using the gravimetric method throughout the drought period. Physiological parameters of the seedlings were recorded a week after seedlings were drought stressed. In both trials of preventative and curative treatments, all treatments were able to suppress the disease significantly except Orkestra Intrinsic. Orkestra Intrinsic had a disease severity statistically similar to the inoculated and stressed control in trial 1 of the curative treatment. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and leaf moisture potential were significantly greater in seedlings treated with Subdue MAXX, Signature Xtra, and Empress Intrinsic in both trials of preventative and curative treatments. Effective quantum yield of Photosystem II was significantly lower in the inoculated stressed control in both trials of preventative and curative treatments. Net chlorophyll content through the SPAD meter showed higher values for Subdue MAXX treated seedlings compared with the noninoculated nonstressed controls in trial 1 as both a curative and preventative application. In trial 2, Subdue MAXX and Signature Xtra were the best curative treatments, whereas Empress Intrinsic, Interface, and Subdue MAXX were the best preventative treatments for higher chlorophyll content. This case study will help growers perform successful management of Phytophthora root rot in woody ornamental crops during drought or water deficit conditions.

From the forest to the plate – Hemicelluloses, galactoglucomannan, glucuronoxylan, and phenolic-rich extracts from unconventional sources as functional food ingredients

This study aimed to characterise pressurised hot water (PHW) extracts from nonconventional sources of functional carbohydrates and phenolic compounds in terms of antioxidant capacity, antiviral activity, toxicity, and human erythrocytes’ protection antidiabetic potential. PHW extracts of Norway spruce bark (E1 + E2) and Birch sawdust (E3 + E4) contained mostly galactoglucomannan and glucuronoxylan. In contrast, samples E5 to E9 PHW extracted from Norway spruce, and Scots pine bark are rich sources of phenolic compounds. Overall, phenolic-rich extracts presented the highest inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase and protection against stable non-enveloped enteroviruses. Additionally, all extracts protected human erythrocytes from hemolysis. Cell-based experiments using human cell lines (IMR90 and A549) showed extracts’ non-toxicin vitroprofile. Considering the relative toxicological safety of extracts from these unconventional sources, functional carbohydrates and polyphenol-rich extracts can be obtained and further used in food models.

Empirically validated drought vulnerability mapping in the mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada

AbstractSevere droughts are predicted to become more frequent in the future, and the consequences of such droughts on forests can be dramatic, resulting in massive tree mortality, rapid change in forest structure and composition, and substantially increased risk of catastrophic fire. Forest managers have tools at their disposal to try to mitigate these effects but are often faced with limited resources, forcing them to make choices about which parts of the landscape to target for treatment. Such planning can greatly benefit from landscape vulnerability assessments, but many existing vulnerability analyses are unvalidated and not grounded in robust empirical datasets. We combined robust sets of ground‐based plot and remote sensing data, collected during the 2012–2016 California drought, to develop rigorously validated tools for assessing forest vulnerability to drought‐related canopy tree mortality for the mixed conifer forests of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks and potentially for mixed conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada as a whole. Validation was carried out using a large external dataset. The best models included normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation, and species identity. Models indicated that tree survival probability decreased with greenness (as measured by NDVI) and elevation, particularly if trees were growing slowly. Overall, models showed good calibration and validation, especially for Abies concolor, which comprise a large majority of the trees in many mixed conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada. Our models tended to overestimate mortality risk for Calocedrus decurrens and underestimate risk for pine species, in the latter case probably due to pine bark beetle outbreak dynamics. Validation results indicated dangers of overfitting, as well as showing that the inclusion of trees already under attack by bark beetles at the time of sampling can give false confidence in model strength, while also biasing predictions. These vulnerability tools should be useful to forest managers trying to assess which parts of their landscape were vulnerable during the 2012–2016 drought, and, with additional validation, may prove useful for ongoing assessments and predictions of future forest vulnerability.

Development of Pine Bark and Acacia Bark for Particleboard Adhesive Based on Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Organic adhesive particleboard has the opportunity to be developed to replace particleboard with formaldehyde adhesives which can be detrimental to health. Acacia bark (ATB), pine bark (PTB), and empty fruit bunches of oil palm (EFB) are by-products that have no economic value but have potential as raw materials for particleboard. This study aims to determine particleboard's physical and mechanical properties based on EFB with adhesive ATB and PTB and reduce using formaldehyde adhesive. The combination of using PTB and ATB powder for particleboard adhesive is a novelty in this research. The composition of the particleboard consists of 20-30wt% ATB and PTB powder with 80-70wt% EFB and 5−6% moisture content. The length of EFB fiber used is 0.1−2.0 cm, and the size of ATB and PTB powders is that it passes 40 mesh sieves and is retained by 50 mesh. Hot press time 15-25 minutes. Quality assessment is carried out using Japanese Industry Standard A 5908-2015 for panel products. The test results show that the particleboard meets the standard and prove that ATB and PTB can be used as organic adhesives and have great potential to replace non-organic adhesives.

Pinusthunbergii bark extract rich in flavonoids promotes hair growth in dorsal skin by regulating inflammatory cytokines and increasing growth factors in mice.

Korean maritime pine bark (Pinus thunbergii) has been used as an alternative medicine due to its beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. To date, the anti-inflammatory and hair growth-promoting effects of Pinus densiflora bark extract have remained elusive. Therefore, in the present study, Pinus thunbergii bark was extracted with pure water (100°C) and the extract was examined to determine its polyphenol and flavonoid content. C57BL/6 mice were used to assess the effects of the extract to promote hair growth. The extract (1, 2 and 4%) was topically applied onto shaved dorsal skin and hair growth was observed for 17 days. A significant increase in hair growth was observed with 2 and 4% extract. Based on this finding, the optimal dose of the extract for effective hair growth promotion was determined to be 2%. The mechanisms of hair growth promotion were investigated via immunohistochemical analysis of changes in inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the hair follicles following treatment with 2% extract. The treatment reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, which are pro-inflammatory cytokines, while it enhanced the levels of IL-4 and IL-13, which are anti-inflammatory cytokines, in the hair follicles. In addition, elevated insulin-like growth factor I and vascular epidermal growth factor were detected in hair follicles following treatment. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the extract of Pinus thunbergii bark may be utilized for hair loss prevention and/or hair growth promotion.

Can Seeds Storage Conditions Influence the Quality of Cedrela fissilis Seedlings?

Seeds vigor defined in the laboratory does not always reflect the final quality of seedlings produced under nursery conditions or even their survival in plantations. So, we studied the influence of Cedrela fissilis seed storage conditions on its emergence and the morphological quality of produced seedlings. Seeds were collected in October/2011, benefited, conditioned in closed glasses, and stored in three environments for a period of 515 days. Treatments consisted of: I - seedlings produced from seeds without storage (control); II - seedlings produced from seeds stored in a dry chamber; III - seedlings produced from seeds stored in a humid chamber; IV - Seedlings produced from seeds stored in an uncontrolled environment (laboratory). Sowing was performed in 50 cm³ plastic tubes filled with decomposed pinus bark and coconut fiber (50/50 v/v) and packed in a glasshouse. The study analyzed the percentage of seedlings emergence, mean seedlings emergence time, stem diameter, total height, the ratio between total height and stem diameter, shoot length, root length, total, root and shoot dry biomass, and Dickson quality index. Seed storage proved to be a negative factor for the emergence and vigor of C. fissilis seedlings, regardless of the storage environment. In addition, seeds vigor is a preponderant factor to increase seedlings' morphological quality, such as stem diameter and height.

Efficacy of synthetic lures for pine bark beetle monitoring

The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations in central Europe are currently damaged by a large-scale infestation by bark beetles (Scolytinae). Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus are among the most aggressive species causing infestations of pine trees that are currently simultaneously attacked by Ips typographus. In pine plantations prone to damage, it is therefore necessary to carry out the bark beetle monitoring. One of the used methods is the pheromone bark beetle trapping using synthetic lures. The efficacy of synthetic lures differs. We tested the efficacy of commercially available lures used in the protection of pine trees. In total, we deployed 10 trap series, each consisting of traps with eight different lures and two unbaited traps (controls). Ips acuminatus and I. sexdentatus were most abundantly captured in Pheagr-IAC- and Sexowit-baited traps. Interestingly, the spruce species I. typographus was also captured and most often found in traps with Pheagr-IAC and Erosowit Tube lures. The number of captured beetles was consistent with the gradation phase of bark beetles. Our results suggest the suitability of pheromone traps for bark beetle monitoring. The use of Sexowit can be recommended especially in southwestern Moravia, where I. sexdentatus occurs in high numbers in the long run. In other parts of the Czech Republic, Pheagr-IAC alone can be used with sufficient efficacy. The use of the Erosowit Tube lure is also suitable for I. typographus and I. sexdentatus monitoring.

Chemical Characterisation, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus pinea L. Bark Polar Extracts: Prospecting Forestry By-Products as Renewable Sources of Bioactive Compounds

Agroforestry by-products have gained rising attention in recent years as they represent inexpensive and abundant raw materials that are a source of added-value chemicals, e.g., for food and pharmaceutical applications, as well as for bioenergy generation. Pinus pinaster Ait. bark extracts are consumed worldwide for their cardiovascular benefits, whilst the health potential of Pinus pinea L. bark has not yet been deeply exploited. Therefore, this study highlights the chemical characterisation of Portuguese P. pinaster Ait. and P. pinea L. bark polar extracts, via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MSn) analysis, and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Quinic acid, an A-type procyanidin dimer isomer, protocatechuic acid, and quercetin were identified for the first time as P. pinea L. bark components. Moreover, this bark demonstrated a higher total content of identified polar compounds than P. pinaster Ait. bark, with quinic acid being the most abundant compound identified. Regarding antioxidant activity, the pine bark polar extracts exhibited strong reducing power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging effects compared to natural antioxidants. Moreover, the bactericidal actions of pine bark extracts were shown against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at a 3.13–25 mg mL−1 range. Globally, these promising insights can boost the sustainable exploitation of P. pinea L. bark, as already occurs with P. pinaster Ait. bark, for the food and biomedical fields.

Hylastes ater (black pine bark beetle)

Hylastes ater (black pine bark beetle)

Investigation of some physical and thermal insulation properties of honeycomb-designed panels produced from Calabrian pine bark and cones

Investigation of some physical and thermal insulation properties of honeycomb-designed panels produced from Calabrian pine bark and cones

In vitro propagation and conservation of Cattleya tigrina A. Rich

ABSTRACT: Cattleya tigrina A. Rich has been suffering heavy losses in its natural habitat and it is now included in the list of plants that are vulnerable to extinction. The development of in vitro propagation and conservation methodologies, as well as acclimatization, are considered important for species at the risk of extinction, as they promote the multiplication and conservation of the species, hence avoiding the loss of their genetic variability. The present study established the protocol of micropropagation and the in vitro conservation of C. tigrina. For the in vitro propagation, the study tested two volumes of the MS medium and two medium consistencies (stationary liquid and semi-solid). For acclimatization, the substrate mixtures containing pine bark, charcoal, vermiculite, and coconut coir were analyzed. For the in vitro conservation, different concentrations of the salts were tested in the MS medium, together with the osmotic regulators (sucrose, mannitol, and sorbitol), and at two temperatures (18 and 25 °C). The results obtained inferred that the semi-solid medium was superior to the stationary liquid medium in the variables of survival and the presence of roots, while the liquid medium was superior to the semi-solid medium in the number of shoots. For acclimatization, pine bark was the substrate where the plants developed an improved height, with sprouting, and rooting. The conservation was satisfactory and the plants remained viable for a period of 730 days, with the MS medium with 25% of the salts, and at temperatures of 18 ºC or 25 ºC. The plants were propagated in the stationary liquid MS medium (10 mL) and the semi-solid medium (25 mL), while they were acclimatized in pine bark and preserved in the MS medium with 25% of the salts (18 ºC or 25 ºC).

Use of sawdust and bark of Pinus radiata as substrates for Belgian Chrysanthemums grown for summer production

In search for alternative substrates for containerized ornamentals, potted Dgndranthema grandiflora (chrysanthemum) plants were grown in Maule Region for summer flowering, using pure fresh sawdust and sawdust plus pine bark (both from Pinus radiata) in mixes as growing media, with soluble fertilizer in fertigation. Rooted cuttings of cv. 'Marina' (Belgian type) were planted individually in 17 cm (diameter) x 14 cm (height) pots filled with different media. For 75 days, plants were kept in an unheated greenhouse under artificial long days and were fertilized weekly with a soluble fertilizer. After pinching, plants were taken outside the greenhouse to full sun conditions, and artificial short days were applied for 8 weeks. In a split plot design, 8 treatments were carried out: 4 media mixes (pure sawdust and sawdust: bark in ratios 1:1, 2:1 or 3:1 by volume), and 2 frequencies of watering with soluble fertilizer; daily and every 2 days (applying a solution of 200 ppm N, based on a soluble NPK fertilizer, with 3 replica per treatment. Plants showed a reduced growth in pure sawdust (25.5 cm height) as compared with sawdust: bark (30 to 35 cm). Media mixes and fertilization frequency affected diameter; plants in pure sawdust had a smaller diameter (34 cm) than plants cultivated in sawdust: bark (40 cm). Plants fertilized every 2 days had a smaller diameter (36 cm) than those fertilized daily (41 cm). Plants grown in pure sawdust had yellowish-green leaves, while the leaves of plants grown in sawdust plus bark showed colors close to dark green. Flowers showed different color as when grown in autumn (yellow vs. orange). Plants of all treatments bloomed on the same date. The pH of all media mixes in all measurements during cultivation time was close to 6.0. It is concluded that it is possible to grow potted chrysanthemum in all the tested media mixes, but in the case of pure sawdust, to avoid problems due to its low retention of irrigation solution, it is advisable to mix it with pine bark in a 3:1 ratio.

A Comparative Investigation of the Biodegradation Behaviour of Linseed OilBased Cross-Linked Composites Filled with Industrial Waste Materials in Two Different Soils

The biodegradation of polymeric biocomposites formed from epoxidized linseed oil and various types of fillers (pine needles, pine bark, grain mill waste, rapeseed cake) and a control sample without filler was studied during 180 days of exposure to two types of forest soil: deciduous and coniferous. The weight loss, morphological, and structural changes of polymer composites were noticed after 180 days of the soil burial test. The greatest weight loss of all tested samples was observed in coniferous forest soil (41.8%–63.2%), while in deciduous forest soil, it ranged between 37.7% and 42.3%. The most significant changes in the intensities of the signals evaluated by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, as well as morphological changes determined by scanning electron microscopy, were assessed for polymer composite with rapeseed cake and specimen without filler in coniferous forest soil and are in a good agreement with weight loss results. Whereas significantly lower changes in weight loss, morphology, and structure of polymeric film with pine bark were noticed in both soils. It was suggested that fungi of Trichoderma, Penicillium, Talaromyces and Clonostachys genera are the possible soil microorganisms that degrade linseed oil-based cross-linked polymer composites. Moreover, the novel polymer composites have the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based mulching films.

Análise fisiológica de mudas micropropagadas de bananeira ‘BRS Conquista’ aclimatadas em diferentes substratos com utilização de fertilizante organomineral

Abstract In the production of micropropagated seedlings, an important step is the exposure of plants to local environmental conditions, called acclimatization. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological response of banana ‘BRS Conquista’ cultivar, under different substrates and organomineral fertilizer doses during acclimatization. The experimental design used was a 3 x 5 factorial scheme (substrates x organomineral fertilizer doses), with five replicates and five seedlings per plot. The substrates used were: coconut fiber, pine bark and 100% natural mixed commercial formula. The organomineral fertilizer used was 4-14-8 at doses of 0, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 g m-3. At 60 days after seedlings transplant, evaluations were performed regarding radiation incidence (Qleaf), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (E), photosynthesis (A), mesophyll conductance (Gm), chlorophyll fluorescence (F), maximum leaf fluorescence in light (Fm) and leaf area index (LAI). It was observed that the pine bark substrate provided adequate physiological levels for the development of banana seedlings during acclimatization, as well as higher leaf area values. Intermediate organomineral fertilizer doses (1,000 to 3,000 g m-3) resulted in higher photosynthetic rates.

Direct Greenhouse Gas Emissions From a Pilot-Scale Aquaponics System

Highlights Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were measured in a decoupled aquaponics system. Solids concentration predicted methane emissions in the clarifier system. Lower pH in the plant system increased N2O emissions. Higher fish feeding rate increased CO2 and N2O emissions in the plant production system. Roughly half of direct GHG emissions were offset by carbon uptake during plant growth. Abstract. Agricultural production systems are known to be large contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and many studies have focused on the mitigation of GHG emissions from open-field and other traditional crop production practices. Little attention has been given to direct emissions from non-traditional production systems such as aquaponics. Here we determine direct GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) from a pilot-scale biofloc, decoupled aquaponics facility. We also determine how emissions from unit operations differ based on a set of environmental and operational parameters e.g. temperature, feeding rate, suspended solids, plant height, water flow rate, and nitrate levels. Major unit operations included a biofloc fish tank stocked with tilapia, a solids settling clarification system, and a climate-controlled greenhouse in which cucumber plants were grown in substrate culture. The study was separated into three seasons. In the summer of 2019, different pH treatments for cucumber irrigation water were tested. In the fall of 2019 and winter of 2020, emissions from perlite versus pine bark substrates were tested during cucumber production. Measurements indicated that aerial GHG emissions in intensively aerated areas of the fish tank were 4.7 to 46.8 times higher than those in areas with low-intensity aeration. High methane emissions (up to 44.8 g m-2 d-1) from the clarification system indicated anaerobic activity. Results from plant production showed a negative relationship between pH and N2O efflux (p=0.0001) while the choice of plant growth substrate had no significant effect on direct GHG emissions. Overall, carbon sequestration in plants could offset 40% to 62% of direct GHG emissions from the aquaponics system. This study provides insight into operational parameters that affect direct GHG emissions from aquaponics systems and provides data to support life cycle assessments. Keywords: Aquaculture, Carbon dioxide, Hydroponics, Methane, Nitrous oxide.

Tannin extract from maritime pine bark exhibits anticancer properties by targeting the epigenetic UHRF1/DNMT1 tandem leading to the re-expression of TP73.

Maritime pine bark is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds and is commonly employed as a herbal supplement worldwide. This study was designed to check the potential of maritime pine tannin extract (MPTE) in anticancer therapy and to determine the underlying mechanism of action. Our results showed that MPTE, containing procyanidin oligomers and lanostane type terpenoids, has an inhibitory effect on cancer cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Treatment with MPTE also induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner in human cancer cell lines (HeLa and U2OS), as evidenced by the enhanced activation of caspase 3 and the cleavage of PARP along with the downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Interestingly, human non-cancerous fibroblasts are much less sensitive to MPTE, suggesting that it preferentially targets cancer cells. MPTE played a pro-oxidant role in cancer cells and promoted the expression of the p73 tumor suppressor gene in p53-deficient cells. It also downregulated the protooncogenic proteins UHRF1 and DNMT1, mediators of the DNA methylation machinery, and reduced the global methylation levels in HeLa cells. Overall, our results show that maritime pine tannin extract can play a favorable role in cancer treatment, and can be further explored by the pharmaceutical industry.

A controlled clinical study of product PINOROX® (Pinus roxburghii bark extract) (PINOROX®) as dietary supplement for enhanced physical performance

Pinorox® is a standardized composition obtained from pine bark extract of Pinus roxburghii, rich source of natural polyphenols - Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) compounds that act as an antioxidant. Pinorox® has been expected to serve as potential natural supplement consumed to enhance the physical endurance in normal healthy or a sport person. Hence, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted for time period of 90 days to validate the effect of Pinorox® over physical and athletic performances in normal healthy as well as sports subjects. 50 eligible subjects were selected through screening and distributed into placebo and Pinorox® groups. The subjects utilized in the present study i.e., healthy individual and athletes received one of either 200 mg of Pinorox® or experimental control (placebo) for 90 days. Each subject was evaluated for increase in physical or athletic performances by observing changes from baseline in rate of oxygen consumption VO2 max (endurance) compared to placebo at baseline, assessment of anaerobic power and rate of fatigue by using Wingate test at baseline, changes in assessment values using 1-RM test and muscle grip strength assessment using handheld dynamometer at baseline and during the interval of 90 days. The observations discussed in the present study shows that people consuming Pinorox® displayed significantly advanced performances during exercising or performing given sports activities. Improvement in the VO2 max values, anaerobic power, rate of fatigue, muscular performance and muscle grip strength was observed in test results and the study did not report any adverse effect. Overall, the study demonstrates that Pinorox® is a safe, fast acting and effective natural dietary or sport supplement for enhancing physical and athletic performances.

Soil Nutrients and the Responses of Microbial Community Structure to Pine Bark and Vinegar Residues in Blueberry Cultivation

Soil Nutrients and the Responses of Microbial Community Structure to Pine Bark and Vinegar Residues in Blueberry Cultivation

New insights into the role of phytopathogenic fungi vectored by pine bark beetles in pine decline

The study presented was carried out in response to the alarmingly increasing number of outbreaks of bark beetles and associated fungi in European forests including Ukraine. Our study was aimed to generate new knowledge on bark beetles and understand the possible role of vectored fungi. The obtained data can contribute to the increased knowledge and will allow adequately responsing to an expected intensification of bark beetle disturbances, as well as may allow better understanding tree diseases and how to cope with them. In total, eleven ophiostomatoid fungi (Graphium sp., Leptographium sosnaicola, Grosmannia olivacea, Grosmannia penicillata, Ophiostoma bicolor, O. ips, O. canum, O. piceae, O. minus, O. nigrocarpum Graphilbum rectangulosporium) were found here in association with five species of bark beetles (Hylurgus ligniperda, Hylastes ater, Hylastes angustatus, Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus) on Scots pine trees infested by bark beetles. Scots pine seedlings were inoculated with ophiostomatoid fungi and sterile medium (control) to evaluate their pathogenicity. The inoculated seedlings were examined finally 6 months later after inoculation. Inoculation with Leptographium sosnaicola, Graphium sp and O. minus produced significantly large lesions and mortality of pine seedlings. In total, all the eight fungal-inoculated species caused resin exudation and staining on the bark around inoculations in Scots pine seedlings and different rate of the seedlings decline.
 It can be concluded that the studied bark beetles are vectors for different functional groups of fungi including aggressive pathogens, and that ophiostomatoid fungi are the most closely associated symbionts. Moreover, high virulence fungi can help bark beetles to overcome the tree resistance and may significantly contribute to tree mortality.

Сurrent condition of pine plantations of Kyiv Polisya under the influence of environmental factors

The article describes the climate change in the study region for the period 1968-2020. It was specified that over the past fifty-nine years there has been an increase in average annual air temperature by 2,5°C, a decrease in relative humidity by 6,0% and average annual rainfall by 5 mm. According to the analysis, it was determined that during the period 2009-2020 significant damage to pine plantations of Kyiv Polissya is caused by the pests like common pine sawfly (Diprion pini L.), pine bark beetle (Aradus cinnamomeus Panz), pine silkworm (Dendrolimus pini L.), pine weevil (Leucaspis pusilla Loew), and pine star weaver (Acantholyda nemoralis Matsumura). Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. has also caused a significant damage to pine forests over the past eleven years; the damaged area is of ​​12,8-15,9 thousand hectares.
 According to the hydrothermal analysis of the study area, it was determined that 2009 and 2015 were characterized as years of medium drought; 2010, 2016, 2017, 2020 were the years of low drought; 2011–2014, 2018, 2019 were the years of sufficient moisture supply. The analysis of the number W influence found that in the years of increased solar activity the number of phytopests increases, while in the years of minimal solar activity it decreases. Based on the statistical indicators, the analysis of CO2 emissions into the environment for the period 2009-2020 and it was found that since 2012 the amount of carbon dioxide emissions has decreased from 10,2 million tons to 3.7 million tons. Correlation analysis of all indicators showed the interaction between the area of ​​damaged trees by insect pests and the Wolf number, CO2 emissions into the environment, average annual precipitation amounts and hydrothermal moisture coefficient of Selyaninov G.T. There is also a correlation between the area of ​​damaged plantations by pine fungus and the average annual air temperature, relative humidity and CO2 emissions.