Efficacy of synthetic lures for pine bark beetle monitoring

The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations in central Europe are currently damaged by a large-scale infestation by bark beetles (Scolytinae). Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus are among the most aggressive species causing infestations of pine trees that are currently simultaneously attacked by Ips typographus. In pine plantations prone to damage, it is therefore necessary to carry out the bark beetle monitoring. One of the used methods is the pheromone bark beetle trapping using synthetic lures. The efficacy of synthetic lures differs. We tested the efficacy of commercially available lures used in the protection of pine trees. In total, we deployed 10 trap series, each consisting of traps with eight different lures and two unbaited traps (controls). Ips acuminatus and I. sexdentatus were most abundantly captured in Pheagr-IAC- and Sexowit-baited traps. Interestingly, the spruce species I. typographus was also captured and most often found in traps with Pheagr-IAC and Erosowit Tube lures. The number of captured beetles was consistent with the gradation phase of bark beetles. Our results suggest the suitability of pheromone traps for bark beetle monitoring. The use of Sexowit can be recommended especially in southwestern Moravia, where I. sexdentatus occurs in high numbers in the long run. In other parts of the Czech Republic, Pheagr-IAC alone can be used with sufficient efficacy. The use of the Erosowit Tube lure is also suitable for I. typographus and I. sexdentatus monitoring.

Formica rufa ants have a limited effect on the abundance of the parasitic fly Ernestia rudis in Scots pine plantations

Red wood ants (the Formica rufa group) are important predators which affect animal communities in their territory. Therefore, they are useful in forest protection. On the other hand, they also prey on beneficial organisms. We have asked whether Formica rufa L. affects the abundance of the parasitic flies Ernestia rudis (Fallén). Ten anthills situated in about 40-year- old pine plantations were used for the study. The presence of E. rudis cocoons was assessed in eight soil samples excavated in the surrounding of each nest at a distance of 2–17 m. Our results show a considerably lower abundance of E. rudis only to 4.5 m from the nests. The occurrence of Formica rufa ants therefore had no significant effect on the beneficial E. rudis population in plantation forests, where ants populations are low.

Сurrent condition of pine plantations of Kyiv Polisya under the influence of environmental factors

The article describes the climate change in the study region for the period 1968-2020. It was specified that over the past fifty-nine years there has been an increase in average annual air temperature by 2,5°C, a decrease in relative humidity by 6,0% and average annual rainfall by 5 mm. According to the analysis, it was determined that during the period 2009-2020 significant damage to pine plantations of Kyiv Polissya is caused by the pests like common pine sawfly (Diprion pini L.), pine bark beetle (Aradus cinnamomeus Panz), pine silkworm (Dendrolimus pini L.), pine weevil (Leucaspis pusilla Loew), and pine star weaver (Acantholyda nemoralis Matsumura). Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. has also caused a significant damage to pine forests over the past eleven years; the damaged area is of ​​12,8-15,9 thousand hectares. According to the hydrothermal analysis of the study area, it was determined that 2009 and 2015 were characterized as years of medium drought; 2010, 2016, 2017, 2020 were the years of low drought; 2011–2014, 2018, 2019 were the years of sufficient moisture supply. The analysis of the number W influence found that in the years of increased solar activity the number of phytopests increases, while in the years of minimal solar activity it decreases. Based on the statistical indicators, the analysis of CO2 emissions into the environment for the period 2009-2020 and it was found that since 2012 the amount of carbon dioxide emissions has decreased from 10,2 million tons to 3.7 million tons. Correlation analysis of all indicators showed the interaction between the area of ​​damaged trees by insect pests and the Wolf number, CO2 emissions into the environment, average annual precipitation amounts and hydrothermal moisture coefficient of Selyaninov G.T. There is also a correlation between the area of ​​damaged plantations by pine fungus and the average annual air temperature, relative humidity and CO2 emissions.

Ipid bark beetle population assessment and threats to weaken pine stands in Central Russia

The data on the ipid bark beetle population growth in pine plantations of Central Russia in 2020 was recorded. The formation of favorable weather conditions for the development of this depredator in some regions was recorded, which greatly influenced the successful development of the insect population in plantations, in particular in the Pskov, Vladimir, Moscow, Bryansk, Lipetsk, and Ryazan regions. In some areas, a medium and low spread of the bark beetle was revealed. The influence of meteorological conditions on the flight activity of the insect and the probability of the mass reproduction foci formation under the 2020 weather conditions were analyzed. The results of the study formed the basis for the forecast preparation of the sanitary and forest health state. It is recommended to use the materials of the article to determine the optimal period for carrying out measures to protect pine plantations from the ipid bark beetle.

Evaluation of Siberian Stone Pine Plantations at the End of the First Age Class

The 40-year-old plantations of Siberian stone pine laid out as a permanent seed plot have been studied. The research purpose is to study the integrity, state and main forest inventory parameters of the Siberian stone pine plantations on the southern line of the species range at the end of first age class; to determine the role of natural renewal of trees and shrubs on the development of the Siberian stone pine plantations; to improve process solutions for efficient renewal of high-value biological resources. The research uses the methods generally accepted in forestry, forest science and forest inventory. It is found that the integrity of Siberian stone pine on the site is about 31 % (678 pcs/ha), wherein 406 pcs/ha are without damage to the trunk. Only about 25 % of Siberian stone pine trees grow under low shade, the rest of them are constantly shaded by natural renewal and have varying degrees of suppression. No generative organs were found in 44-year-old Siberian stone pine trees. At the initial stage of plantations growth, the main factor negatively affecting the integrity and state of trees is the damaging of Siberian stone pine by moose. Traditional improvement thinning with leaving stumps that produce many shoots of deciduous species attracts moose to the site in winter, where they use young growth of deciduous species and the covered with needles part of Siberian stone pine as forage. Subsequently, in the absence of tending, natural renewal negatively affects the Siberian stone pine trees, inhibiting growth and formation. It is necessary to remove the negative influence in the mixed biocenosis in order to prevent further deterioration of the Siberian stone pine state. This requires completely different technological solutions for forestry activities such as ringing or injection of trees of natural renewal, causing drying at the root, which significantly reduces or eliminates the emergence of deciduous young growth. This will decrease the attractiveness of the site for moose and minimize their impact on Siberian stone pine. The clear drying of surrounding trees will enhance the illumination of Siberian stone pine crowns and improve their soil nutrition, ensuring good root, trunk, and crown growth and accelerating the beginning of the formation of generative organs. These technical solutions can be used throughout the forest zone for the artificial cultivation of the high-value species – Siberian stone pine. For citation: Terekhov G.G., Andreeva E.M., Stetsenko S.K. Evaluation of Siberian Stone Pine Plantations at the End of the First Age Class. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 6, pp. 56–68. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-6-56-68

Prospects of using pine in agriculture on agricultural land in Polissia of Ukraine

Goal. Study of peculiarities of growing pine stands and prospects of their use in agroforestry of Zhytomyr Polissia on the example of agricultural lands of Malyn Vocational College. Methods. Field, laboratory, analytical, statistical. Results. On sod-podzolic sandy soils of Zhytomyr Polissia pine seedlings after three years of cultivation were 55.7 ± 3.43 cm in height. The maximum increase in height was observed during the third year of cultivation of the plantation, when at the beginning of the growing season with herbicide Targon Plus the impact of cereal vegetation reduced to a minimum, resulting in improved seedling growth conditions. The high preservation of pine plants and their intensive growth allow us to make optimistic forecasts about the feasibility of growing them as a forest component of agricultural landscapes, especially given the presence of biotically stable 15-year-old pine plantations created by similar agricultural techniques. They were laid at an initial density of 7.1 thousand seedlings per 1 ha, and later thinned to 2982 and 1691 plants/ha, respectively. With almost the same productivity indicators, higher tree height (by 17.0%) and larger average diameter (by 23.8%) allow thinner plantations to have a more positive impact on adjacent agricultural lands, grow more intensively and have higher productivity in the future. This indicates the expediency of pine plantations in the region of research as a forestry component of agrolandscapes a density at the age of 15 years of about 1700 trees per 1 ha.