Wintering ability of Calophoma complanata under the conditions of Saint Petersburg area

Abstract

Giant hogweed is one of the most widespread invasive alien species of the Baltic region. The pycnidial fungus, Calophoma complanata is being evaluated as a potential bioherbicide for control of Heracleum sosnowskyi. The aim of this work is to evaluate an ability of the potential mycoherbicide C. complanata MF-32.121 to overwinter in the conditions of Saint Petersburg area. Plants inoculated by C. complanata MF-32.121 successfully survives wintering in the conditions of Saint Petersburg area. Pearl barley covered by C. complanata MF-32.121 mycelium successfully survives wintering in the same conditions as well. When favorable conditions have arisen, the C. complanata MF-32.121 mycelium is capable to infecting young giant hogweed. Moreover, it was revealed that a change in the biochemical composition, namely, an increase in the level of trehalose, contributes to the manifestation of a greater tolerance of C. complanata MF-32.121 mycelium to temperature-humidity conditions.