Mycosphaerella dearnessii found on Pinus nigra var. nigra in Austria
In Austria, the presence of Mycosphaerella dearnessii (anamorph Lecanosticta acicola – EPPO A2 List) was detected for the first time in 1996 (EPPO RS 99/135) on Pinus mugo subsp. mugo in 1 locality in Niederösterreich. Between 2009 and 2011, the disease was found in new localities in the länder of Niederösterreich, Oberösterreich, Steiemark, Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Salzburg on several hosts (Pinus mugo subsp. mugo, Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata, and Pinus sylvestris). As in other European countries, M. dearnessii has been mostly observed on ornamental pines and only occasionally in forest stands. In July 2011, M. dearnessii was detected on ornamental pines in the city of Gmunden (Oberösterreich) along the north-eastern coast of Lake Traun. The disease was initially found on 2 P. mugo subsp. mugo, and then on 2 Pinus nigra var. nigra (10 to 15-years old) growing in a private garden. As previous reports of M. dearnessii on P. nigra in Europe were considered doubtful, the authors noted that this is the first documented record of M. dearnessii on Pinus nigra in Europe. This finding might be explained by the combination of a heavy inoculum on nearby P. mugo subsp. mugo and climatic conditions which were conducive for fungal infections. It is also noted that the possible occurrence of M. dearnessii on Pinus nigra should be taken into account during survey and diagnostic activities.
Sources
Hinsteiner M, Cech TL, Hamschlager E, Stauffer C, Kirisits T (2012) First report of Mycosphaerella dearnessii on Pinus nigra var. nigra in Austria. Forest Pathology 42, 437-440.