First record of Biscogniauxia mediterranea (De Not.) Kuntze on Quercus rubra L. in Bulgaria

Abstract

The endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea, a causal agent of charcoal canker disease, was established for the first time on red oak (Quercus rubra) in Bulgaria. Symptomatic trees were found in 2023-2024 in the field protective forest belts planted in the State Hunting Enterprise Balchik (Sokolovo and Trigortsi villages) and State Forest Enterprise Dobrich (Kozloduytsi Village) in northeastern Bulgaria. Water stress during the last growing seasons seems to reduce red oak trees’ resistance and predispose them to be infected with the pathogen B. mediterranea. The disease has caused dieback of infected trees and increased their vulnerability to attacks by xylophagous insect pests.

Keywords

• biscogniauxia mediterranea
• bulgaria
• charcoal canker disease
• quercus rubra