Abstract

GARCIA BUJ, Nuria; PAJARES ALONSO, Juan Alberto  and  DIEZ CASERO, Julio Javier. Fungi associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic tissues of Populus x cerratensis. Bioagro [online]. 2009, vol.21, n.3, pp.157-164. ISSN 1316-3361.

Populus x cerratensis is a hybrid with a germplasm of P. tremula and P. canescens found in the central area of Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla y León of Spain. This hybrid grows in calcareous soils, which are typically not adequate for most of the poplars, and constitutes an interesting tree to establish plantations in places unsuitable for the genus. Currently, Populus x cerratensis is highly threatened and grows in scarce stands close to farmer areas. To determine the fungal populations associated with this poplar, we sampled symptomatic and asymptomatic plant material such as leaves, branches and bark from the seven stands located at Palencia Province. Samples were analyzed in the lab using the moist chamber and culture media techniques. We identified 34 fungal, mostly saprophytic, species colonizing the plant tissues. Leaves were the most highly colonized plant part. Among the fungi, it was found Pollacia radiosa, the poplar leaf necrosis pathogen, which is causing damages in some of the stands. This is the first work related to fungal communities of Populus x cerratensis.

Keywords : Poplar; Cerrato; fungal endophytes; forest pathology; mycoflora.