Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Heterobasidion species cause great economic loss the forest industry in the northern hemisphere.
The spread of infection takes two forms, the first is an airborne infection and the second is a
vegetative infection from infected root to healthy root. Much research has been done concerning the
Heterobasidion pathogen. Little research has however been done on young pine stands with a
previous generation of pine. Therefore the presence of Heterobasidion spp in such stands without a
known history of infection is unknown. 30 sites, between 4 and 6 years after planting in southern
Sweden were sampled. Using a transect and circular plots as proxies for the whole stand. Discs were
taken from all dead pine trees found in the transect and 6 randomly taken live trees from two circular
plots per stand. Results showed that 6.5% of the live tree samples were infected with Heterobasidion
spp, and 6.2% of dead trees sampled were infected. There was no significance in relation to age,
density, DBH or height to infection. Although infection presence is a small proportion of these
young stands now, with many years until harvest there is much vegetative and airborne infection
that could spread through the sites, potentially causing significant damage. The use of control
methods such as urea, Rotstop and silvicultural controls could be a way to reduce negative effects
of the Heterobasidion spp infection. Especially in a changing climate, it may be prudent to include
Heterobasidion spp. controls in forest planning.