ROOT AND BUTT ROT
The fungus Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. is the most destructive pathogen in boreal and temperate conifer forests of the northern hemisphere. In Sweden, as much as 15% of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees present symptoms of decay, and a tendency to increase has been observed.
Swedish forest landscape close to Sundsvall (photo: Jonàs Oliva).
The majority of decay is produced by H. annosum which causes annual losses to the forestry sector of 50-100 million euros. Thinning and final felling operations facilitate the introduction of the pathogen in a stand. Thinnings can be performed in summer with a relatively low risk of infection if stumps are treated immediately after thinning. Stumps can be sprayed with a urea or with a suspension of spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea, a non-pathogenic fungus. If the fungus is introduced in a stand it can spread into the next forest generation. In these cases, either stump removal or stump treatment during the final cutting is encouraged. The department has traditionally been performing leading research on Heterobasidion annosum for decades with the work of the Professors Martin Johansson and Jan Stenlid. The department´s vision in this area is a reduction of H. annosum damages in the Swedish forests. The department´s mission is to provide the forest sector with practical solutions based on a thorough understanding of the biology of the host-pathogen interaction.
People involved:
Jan Stenlid (Professor)
Åke Olson (Researcher)
Malin Elfstrand (Researcher)
Magnus Karlsson (Researcher)
Rimvydas Vasaitis (Researcher)
Karl Lundén (Researcher)
Mikael Brandström-Durling (Researcher)
Heriberto Vélëz (Post doc)
Jonàs Oliva (Post doc)
Mårten Lind (Post doc)
Jenny Arnerup (PhD student)
Kerstin Dalman (PhD student)
Kajsa Himmelstrand (PhD student)
Natalija Arhipova (PhD student)
Our projects:
Genomics of Heterobasidion annosum species complex
Contact persons: Jan Stenlid, Åke Olson and Mikael Brandström-Durling
Validation of the root rot model Rotstand of the disease caused by Heterobasidion annosum on pine and spruce stands Contact:
Jonàs Oliva and
Jan Stenlid
Epidemiology of Heterobasidion sp. on Norway spruce stands, with particular interest in inter-specific differences between H. parviporum and H. annosum s.s. Contact:Jonàs Olivaand Jan Stenlid
Effects of Heterobasidion annosum on tree growth
Contact:Jonàs Oliva, J.J. Camarero and Jan Stenlid
Practical control methods for H. annosum, with special focus on stump removal and stump treatment
Contact: Natalija Arhipova,Jonàs Oliva, Rimvydas Vasaitis and Jan Stenlid
Calibration and optimisation of the Rotfinder instrument for detecting decay in standing spruce trees
Contact: Jonàs Oliva, Carmen Romeralo and Jan Stenlid
Potential impact of high temperatures on the viability of the root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum under field conditions
Contact: Rimvydas Vasaitis and Jan Stenlid