Turkish Journal of Forestry (Dec 2019)
Fungi and water molds found on woody plants grown in the forest nurseries of the Marmara Region
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the presence of fungi and water molds in 13 state and 3 private nurseries in Sakarya, Kocaeli, Yalova, Bursa, Istanbul, Kırklareli and Edirne provinces where woody plants were produced. For this purpose, the coniferous and deciduous seedlings showing various disease symptoms, especially death and drying, were sampled together with their soil. Laboratory studies included microscopic investigations and isolation of fungi from diseased tissues and isolation of Pythiaceous species from soil samples of sampled seedlings. Two hundred twenty-seven deciduous and coniferous seedlings and 79 soil samples were taken from the nurseries. Totally 145 fungal and 57 Pythiaceous isolates were obtained. The isolates were grouped into morphotypes based on their morphological characteristics, and representative isolates were identified by ITS-based DNA analysis. Marssonina brunnea, Melampsora allii-populina on poplar and Dothistroma septosporum on pine were the fungal disease agents detected based on their morphological and microscopical properties. In addition to these species, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium irregulare, Pythium ultimum, Phytopythium vexans and Phytophthora syringae were among other important and common species identified. The surveys and laboratory studies conducted within the scope of this research showed that state nurseries host more fungal and Pythiaceous species than private nurseries. The amount and diversity of the obtained fungal and oomycete species draws attention to the risk that these microorganisms can be transported from one nursery to another and even to afforestation areas.
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