Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerb.) Morelet: Distribution in Serbia and Montenegro, significance and control

Abstract

Fungus G. abietina is one of the most dangerous pathogenic fungi occurring in conifer plantations and Pinus species are especially at risk. Among pines, the most susceptible species is Austrian pine, and particularly endangered plantations are between 8 and 25 years of age. This fungus was found in Serbia and Montenegro on Austrian pine, Scots pine and spruce, but it was only in mountainous regions (Kopaonik, Vlasina, Goč, Durmitor). G. abietina forms both stages (anamorph and teleomorph) in its development. The imperfect form is far more significant for the infection process, i.e. the pycnidial stage and generally all infections are caused by conidia (pycnospores). Apothecia will be formed on the bark only two years after tree dying. In the severely infected plantations, all dead trees should be felled and removed, and the remaining trees should be treated with copper fungicides.

Keywords

• Gremmeniella abietina
• Austrian pine
• Scots pine
• significance
• control