• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.548-565
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• 2023

Armillaria root disease affects forests around the world. It occurs in many habitats and causes losses in the infested stands. Weather conditions are important factors for growth and development of Armillaria species. Yet, the relation between occurrence of damage caused by Armillaria disease and weather variables are still poorly understood. Thus, we used generalized linear mixed models to determine the relationship between weather conditions of current and previous year (temperature, precipitation and their deviation from long-term averages, air humidity and soil temperature) and the incidence of Armillaria-induced damage in young (up to 20 years old) and older (over 20 years old) coniferous stands in selected forest districts across Poland. We used unique data, gathered over the course of 23 years (1987-2009) on tree damage incidence from Armillaria root disease and meteorological parameters from the 24-year period (1986-2009) to reflect the dynamics of damage occurrence and weather conditions. Weather parameters were better predictors of damage caused by Armillaria disease in younger stands than in older ones. The strongest predictor was soil temperature, especially that of the previous year growing season and the current year spring. We found that temperature and precipitation of different seasons in previous year had more pronounced effect on the young stand area affected by Armillaria. Each stand's age class was characterized by a different set of meteorological parameters that explained the area of disease occurrence. Moreover, forest district was included in all models and thus, was an important variable in explaining the stand area affected by Armillaria.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.2
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• pp.251-257
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• 2010

Influences of environment (indicated by plant associations) and forest management practices on the distribution of Armillaria spp. and genets (vegetative clones) were investigated. A total of 142 isolates of Armillaria was collected from various host trees on pristine and managed sites (thinned and/or fertilized) growing in relatively wet and dry environments in eastern Washington, U.S.A. The incidence of Armillaria spp. was significantly higher in the relatively wetter sites than the relatively drier sites, as indicated by plant associations. However, no differences in Armillaria occurrence were found among different forest management practices (control vs. thinned vs. thinned and fertilized) within both wetter and drier sites. Incidence of Armillaria was significantly different among conifer and shrub species. The highest proportion with Armillaria was found on grand fir (Abies grandis). Based on pairing tests and rDNA sequencing, the 142 isolates were comprised in a total of 20 genets representing three Armillaria species. More diverse Armillaria spp. were found in both relatively wetter and relatively drier sites within the undisturbed control plots, compared to plots disturbed by forest management practices. The results from this study provide baseline information toward understanding how environment and forest management practices influence incidence and diversity of Armillaria species and genets.