Sýkingarmætti grágeitarsveppsins Ophiostoma clavatum í fræplöntum skógarfuru

In this thesis the pathogenic potential of the blue stain fungus Ophiostoma clavatum in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings was explored. Following climate change, in recent decades, an increased severity of the bark beetle Ips acuminatus attacks on Scots pine has been observed, both in Finland and in the alpine regions of Europe. I. acuminatus vectors O. clavatum and these attacks have led to increased tree mortality. This research was designed to determine if O. clavatum alone had pathogenic potential and if it would be a contributor to Scots pine seedling mortality. The method used was to divide 90 Scots pine seedlings into: i) a control group, ii) a mock-inoculated control group, and iii) an inoculated group. The seedlings were kept in an incubator room at stable conditions so nothing bothered them apart from the infection and the mechanical wounding. The seedlings were then observed for 8 weeks before various growth components were measured in addition to being inspected for O. clavatum infection, and a visual infection class was given to those infected. The result was that there was no significant difference in the growth patterns between the groups, except in reduced total dry weight of the inoculated group compared the untreated control group, when small differences in initial seedling size had been accounted for. The main conclusion is, therefore, that O. clavatum does not have much significant pathogenic potential on its own on Scots pine seedlings. The harm observed in nature is most likely a combination of climate conditions and the intensity of the bark beetle attacks, with the blue stain infection assisting in the downfall rather than being the causal agent.

Author dc:creator

• Þórhildur Ísberg 1981-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands

• Barkarbjöllur
• Barrskógar
• Loftslagsbreytingar
• Heilbrigði skóga
• Ips acuminatus
• Pinus sylvestris

Language dc:language.iso

is

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/38859

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/38859