Pathogenic fungus Dothistroma Septosporum distribution in west and central parts of Lithuania

Abstract

Dothistroma septosporum is a pathogen of Pinus spp. and some species in the genera Larix, Pseudotsuga and Picea. This pathogen causing red band needle blights of pine also known as Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), is a serious needle disease across the globe. Disease causes needle necrosis and premature needle loss, resulting substantial growth loss. At present Dothistroma septosporum has a worldwide distribution. In Lithuania the first report appeared in 2005. In late autumn of 2015 infected needles of Pinus sylvestris, Pinus mugo, Pinus nigra were collected in west and central parts of Lithuania. Needle samples were collected from each Pinus spp: 8 trees, from each tree 8 needle pairs collected from a single tree. Our main idea of this work was to compare infection frequecy in Pinus spp. in the different parts of Lithuania. Research was made in Vytautas Magnus University plants and animals laboratory and Nature Research center, Botanical institution. Molecular analysis was performed with classical PCR and real-time PCR. Samples were analysed and results show that in Lithuania western part most infected was Pinus sylvestris, than Pinus mugo and least Pinus nigra. In Lithuania central part most infected was Pinus nigra, than Pinus mugo and least Pinus sylvestris.