Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This bachelor's thesis presents findings from the first year of a study by the SLU Forest Damage Centre on the effects of overstory density in shelterwood systems on the incidence of Lophodermium needle cast disease. Using needle samples collected for the two-year project, this work investigated how foliar fungi communities vary with shelterwood density and needle disease symptoms. Both in vitro culturing techniques and molecular identification were employed. Results showed that both average overstory density and needle symptom type had significant effects on fungal community composition. These findings contribute to a body of research on the foliar fungal communities of Scots pine in northern Europe, while highlighting the need for more comprehensive sampling.