Abstract
Root diseases are a primary cause of reduced forest productivity, decreased carbon sequestration, and impaired ecosystem function (e.g., Lockman & Kearns 2016). Armillaria altimontana and A. solidipes (as A. ostoyae) are soil fungi that frequently co-occur (McDonald et al. 2000) and are found in association with western white pine (Pinus monticola). Armillaria solidipes is well known as a virulent primary pathogen on diverse conifers within inland western regions of the contiguous USA (e.g., Lockman & Kearns 2016). Armillaria altimontana is often considered as a weak or secondary pathogen (Brazee et al. 2012). However, little has been documented about the impact of this species on tree health and growth in nature. The objective of this study were to i) identify Armillaria isolates associated with each planted western white pine at the species and genet (vegetative clone) level; ii) describe their demography and spatial distribution; and iii) assess the potential influence of each Armillaria species on tree growth and survival of western white pine.
Keywords
Armillaria altimontana,
Armillaria root diseases,
natural biological control,
western white pine
Citation
Warwell, Marcus V.; Hanna, John W.; McDonald, Geral I.; Kim, Mee-Sook; Lalande, Bradley M.; Stewart, Jane E.; Bright, Benjamin C.; Hudak, Andy T.; Klopfenstein, Ned B. 2020. Armillaria altimontana, a potential natural biological control against Armillaria root disease. In: Reynolds, Gregory J.; Wilhelmi, Nicholas P.; Palacios, Patsy, compilers. Proceeding of the 66th Western International Forest Disease Work Conference; 3-7 June 2019; Estes Park, CO. WIFDWC: www.wifdwc.org. p. 221-223.
