Login | Registration | List of contributors

Mycosphaerella pini

Dothistroma blight, Red band needle blight
 
Mycosphaerella pini Rostr. (anamorphic stage - Dothistroma septosporum)
 
Species description
 

Dothistroma (Red band needle) blight is one of the most severe diseases of the assimilative organs of pines. This pathogen was introduced to Slovakia in the mid-90s of the 20th century.

Mycosphaerella pini is the teleomorphic stage of the fungus Dothistroma septosporum (Dorog) Morelet. The sexual stage of fungus Mycosphaerella pini Rost. in Munk is rarely occurring in our conditions.

The first symptoms are pale yellow to brown spots, reminiscent of insect wounds. In November, the infected needles are already brown. By the end of December, brownish-red spots appear on the browned needles up to the transverse stripes (hence the name "Red band needle"). Pycnidia are black pustules that pierce the epidermis, forming conidia in the spring. 

 
Bionomy - infection cycle 
 
Red band needle blight occurs from the beginning of April to the end of September. The release of spores from the fruiting bodies occurs mainly during rainy weather. The critical period is primarily the first half of the vegetation period, from mid-May to the end of June. The incubation period can range from one month to half a year. Compared to the anamorphic stage, the teleomorphic stage of Mycosphaerella pini occurs exceptionally. The ascospores of the fungus Mycosphaerella pini are released a little later. In our conditions from mid-June to the end of September.
 
Symptom
 
Red stripes are typical disease symptoms on the needles; black fruiting bodies are in their vicinity. The symptoms are fully visible in the autumn (September to November). In November, the infected needles are already brown. By the end of December, reddish-brown spots grow into a band, encircling the needle (hence the name "Red band needle"). The needles dry from the tip, gradually they change to yellow-brown; the needle base may remain green. As a result of the infection, the needles are necrotized and later fall off. Although all stages of needles are prone to the disease, older needles fall first. With repeated infestation, the growth of trees slows down or even dies.
 
Infested black pine by the fungus Dothistroma septosporum
Photo: R. Leontovyč
Infestation of black pine seedlings by the fungus Dothistroma septosporum Photo: R. Leontovyč
  

Infestation of black pine assimilation bodies by the fungus Dothistroma septosporum. Photo: R. Leontovyč

 Common signs of infestation by
 Dothistroma septosporum. Photo: S. Rell
 
Endangered woody plants
All the species of genus Pinus are endangered. However, there are differences in the susceptibility within the genus and based on geographic location. In addition to pines, it also attacks other coniferous woody plants from the genus Abies, Cedrus, Larix, Picea, Pseodotsuga, Tsuga, etc.
 
Damaged plant parts: Assimilation organs
 
Significance: Very significant
 
Origin and distribution:
 
The origin of the spread is not fully specified. However, it is assumed that the pathogen originated in Central America, from where it has been spreading to other continents. It is widespread in Europe, from the south up to Scandinavia. The disease was recorded in our territory in the mid-90s of the 20th century. It is assumed that it arrived in Slovakia from Hungary.
 
Endangered stands and areas:
 
Within Slovakia, the whole area is endangered, forest stands, and vegetation in the urban environment.
 
     
  Map of Pinus nigra sites where the presence of Mycosphaerella pini on assimilation organs was confirmed (2015 - 2018)    

Prevention:
 
It is crucial not to move and transport seedlings with visible signs of infestation, red stripes, and black dots on the needles. Keep sufficient spacing when planting, removing weeds to avoid creating favorable moisture conditions suitable for the formation of conidia.
 
Monitoring:
 
Continuous control of the symptoms listed above. The most endangered are forest tree nurseries, new plantings, and pine stands up to 20 years.
 
Pest control:
 
Defense methods are used mainly in forest nurseries and plantations of Christmas trees. Systemic and also contact fungicides against this pest can be applied. Spraying should be carried out from the beginning of the growing season (April, May) until autumn. After that, applications of fungicides must be repeated at 2-3 week intervals, depending on climatic conditions. Prevention is also important, compliance with quarantine regulations, only planting seedlings without signs of attack on assimilation organs.
 
Pest category: Fungi
 

Found in Slovakia: Yes

 

Invasive species: Yes

 

Similar species:

 

Some species of genus Lophodermium cause similar symptoms on pines in our conditions. One of the identifying features is a red band on the needles when attacked by Dothistroma (Red band needle) blight.

  
Literature:

Adamčíková, K., Hečková, Z., Ondrušková, R., 2015: Ochorenie borovíc spôsobené hubami Dothistroma septopora a Dothistroma pini.  In: Aktuálne problémy v ochrane lesa 2015, zborník referátov  z medzinárodnej konferencie, ktorá sa konala 29. a 30. januára 2015 v Novom Smokovci, NLC Zvolen, s. 83–87.

Barnes, I., Kirisits, T., Wingfield, M. J., & Wingfield, B. D., 2011: Needle blight of pine caused by two species of Dothistroma in Hungary. Forest Pathology 41: s. 361–369.

Barnes, I., Cortinas, M. N., Wingfield, M. J., Wingfield, B. D., 2008: Microsatellite markers for the red band needle blight pathogen, Dothistroma septosporum. Molecular Ecology Resources 8:  s. 1026–1029.

Barnes, I., Crous, P. W., Wingfield, M. J., Wingfield, B. D., 2004: Multigene phylogenies reveal that red band needle blight of Pinus is caused by two distinct species of Dothistroma, D. septosporum and D. pini. Studies in Mycology. 50: s. 551–565.

Bassett, C., 1969: Larix decidua a new host for Dothistroma pini. Plant Disease Reporter 53: s. 706.

Bednářová, M., Palovčíková, D., Jankovský, L., 2006: The host spectrum of Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup – new hosts of Dothistroma needle blight observed in the Czech Republic. Journal of Forest Science 52: s. 30–36.

Bednářová, M., Bodejčková, I., Palovčíková, D., Jankovský, L., 2007: The Contemporary Situation of Dothistroma Needle Blight Outbreak in the Czech Republic. Acta Silvativa and Lingaria Hungarica, Spec. Edition s. 17–21.

Bradshaw, R.E., 2004: Dothistroma (red-band) needle blight of pines and the dothistromin toxin: a review. Forest Pathology 34: s. 163–185.

Brown, A.,– Rose, D., Webber, J., 2003: Red band needle blight of Pine. Forestry Commission Edinburgh: Information note.

Butin, H., Richter, J., 1983: Dothistroma – Nadelbräune, eine neue Kiefernkrankheit in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Nachr.- -Bl. Dtsch. Pfl.-Schutzdients 35: s. 129–131.

Drenkhan, R., Adamson, K., Jürimaa, K., Hanso, M., 2014: Dothistroma septosporum on firs (Abies spp.) in the northern Baltics. For. Path. 44: s. 250–254.

Dubin, H.J., Walper, S., 1967: Dothistroma pini on Pseudotsuga menziesii. Plant Disease Reporter 51: s. 454.

Gibson, I.A.S., 1972: Dothistroma blight of Pinus radiata. Annual Review of Phytopathology (10): s. 51–72.

Ioos, R., Fabre, B., Saurat, C., Fourrier, C., Frey, P., Marcais, B., 2010: Development, comparison, and validation of real-time andconventional PCR tools for the detection of the fungal pathogens causing brown spot and red band needle blights of pine. Phytopathology 100: s. 105–114.

Jankovský, L., Bednářová, M., Palovčíková, D., 2004: Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup, a new quarantine pathogen of pines in the CR . Journal of Forest Science 50: s. 319–326.

Jankovský, L., 2007: Červená sypavka borovice Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup běžným patogenem? Lesnická práce 16: s. 12.

Karadzić, D., 1989: Scirrhia pini. Life cycle of the fungus in plantations of Pinus nigra in Serbia. European Journal of Forest Pathology 19: s. 231–236.

Karadzić, D., 1988: Dothistroma septospora (Dorog.) Morelet: rasprostranjenje, biljke domacini i znacaj [Dothistroma septospora: distribution, hosts and importance]. Glasnik Sumarskog Fakulteta, Univerzitet u Beogradu 70: s. 133–144.

Kapitola, P., Růžička, T., Kroutil, P., 2011: Karanténní škodlivé organismy na lesních dřevinách. Státní rostlinolékažská správa Praha. 63 pp.

Kowalski, T., Jankowiak, R., 1998: First record of Dothistroma septospora (Dorog.) Morelet in Poland: a contribution to the symptomology and epidemiology. Phytopatologia Polonica 16: s. 16–29.

Krstić, M., 1958: Nezabeležene fitopatološke pojave u rasadnicima i šumama Srbije. [Unnoted phytopathological phenomena in nurseries and forests of Serbia]. Zaštita bilja 45: s. 75–79.

Kunca, A., Foffová, E., 2000: Ohrozenie porastov borovice čiernej fytokaranténnym patogénom Dothistroma septopora (Dorog). Morelet. In: Aktuálne problémy v ochrane lesa 2000, zborník z referátov z celoslovenského seminára, 17.–18. apríla 2000 v Banskej Štiavnici, Zvolen, LVÚ Zvolen, s. 136–139.

Landmann, G., 2000: Forest health in France: assessment for 1998 and new facts. Revue Forestiere Francaise 52: 9–22.

Murray, J.S., Batko, S., 1962: Dothistroma pini Hulbary: A new disease on pine in Britain. Forestry 34: s. 57–65.

Parker, A.K., Collis, D.G., 1966: Dothistroma needle blight of pines in British Columbia. The Forestry Chronicle 42: 160-161.

Petrak, F., 1961: Die Lecanosticta Krankheit der Föhren in Österreich. Sydowia 15: 252–256.

Szabó, I., 1997: A Dothistroma septosporum (Dorog.) Morlet fellése feketefenyö ültetvényeken [Occurrence of Dothistroma septosporum in Austrian pine plantations]. Erdészeti Lapok 132: s. 44–45.

Watt, M. S., Kriticos, D. J., Alcaraz, S., Brown, A. V., Leriche, A., 2009: The hosts and potential geographic range of Dothistroma needle blight. Forest Ecology and Management 257: s. 1505–1519.

Woods, A., 2011: Is the health of British Columbia’s forests being influenced by climate change? If so, was this predictable? Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 33: s. 117–126.

Zúbrik, M., Kunca, A., Turčani, M., Vakula, J., Leontovyč, R., 2006: Invasive and quarantine pests in forests in Slovakia. OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 36: s. 402–408.

Back to top