Anna Napierała-Filipiak, Antoni Werner
Antagonism of higher fungi to Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. in laboratory conditions
Dendrobiology 2000, vol. 45: 65-81
Abstract: Interaction between 42 higher fungi and six strains of Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref., representing P and S intersterility groups were studied in vitro. Part of the higher` fungi was represented by strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi indigenous to old disease centres caused by H. annosum in pine stands. Variation in antagonism to the pathogen was observed both within and between the species. The antagonism was dependent on growth rates of fungi in control. Fungi growing faster displayed a greater ability to arrest the development of the pathogen mycelia. The same tendency was observed in the strains of H. annosum, which generally grew faster and their growth was restricted less than that of higher fungi. Two strains of an ectedomycorrhizal fungus Mrg X, accompanied by a helper bacteria reduced mycelial extension of H. annosum by 72% and 76%. Among ectomycorrhizal fungi, the most effective antagonists were strains of Xerocomus subtomentosus, Amanita muscaria, A. citrina and Laccaria laccata. Three various types of interaction between the studied fungi were observed. Inhibition zone between interacting mycelia appeared often, however the fungi displayed this antagonistic property not to all strains of the pathogen. Although mycelia of H. annosum invaded colonies of the other fungi frequently, in none of the treatments growth of the higher fungus over the opposing colony of the pathogen was observed.
Additional key words: antagonism, mycorrhizal fungi, Heterobasidion annosum, paired cultures.