Biotic factors damaging forest stands in Gornata Koria and Chuprene Reserves in Western Balkan Range, Bulgaria

Assessment and monitoring of health status in deteriorated forest stands in Gornata Koria and Chuprene Reserves in Western Balkan Range (Bulgaria) were conducted in 2017. An integrated approach (based on remote sensing technologies and terrestrial validation) was applied. A series of subsequent terrain observations were carried out in both protected areas mainly in dead or in poor health status stands. As a result, sixteen insect species were identified in Gornata Koria and nine pests in Chuprene Reserves. The predominant number of pests included bark beetles and weevils (Curculionidae), longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), etc. Attacks caused by the European bark beetle (Ips typographus) formed the main disturbance in the Norway spruce forests in both reserves. Ten parasitic and ten saprophytic fungi were identified in the stands of the Norway spruce (Picea abies), silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Among the parasitic fungi, six species were identified as destructive (Armillaria sp., Heterobasidion annosum, Fomitopsis pinicola, Fomes fomentarius, Ramaria flava and Pholiota squarrosa).

Substrate-Specific Differential Gene Expression in the Brown Rot Fungus Fomitopsis pinicola (Retracted and Republished from: “Substrate-Specific Differential Gene Expression and RNA Editing in the Brown Rot Fungus Fomitopsis pinicola ”)

All species of wood-decaying fungi occur on a characteristic range of substrates (host plants), which may be broad or narrow. Understanding the mechanisms that allow fungi to grow on particular substrates is important for both fungal ecology and applied uses of different feedstocks in industrial processes.

Mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata, Oribatida) in the red belt conk, Fomitopsis pinicola (Polyporales), in Polish forests

The fruiting bodies of bracket fungi are a specific microhabitat colonized by various invertebrates of which mites (Acari) are rarely studied, and if they are, the study is usually faunistic. The aim of the research was to determine whether the diversification of mite assemblages (Mesostigmata, Oribatida) inhabiting the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. (Polyporales) are connected with the character of the forests and/or the degree of decay (DD) of the fruiting bodies. The research was conducted at Białowieża National Park (BNP), in forests close to natural ones and in Karkonosze National Park (KNP) which was affected by a large-scale forest dieback in the 1980s. Eighty fruiting bodies (40 at each study site) of F. pinicola belonging to four DD categories were collected. In total, 4,345 individuals of 120 mite species were recorded at BNP, and 13,912 individuals of 96 species were recorded at KNP. Analyses revealed that the sample dispersion at each study site was comparable, nevertheless the samples from each study site were clearly grouped into slightly overlapping sets which allow observation of the differences between them. In the less decayed fungi (DD 1 and 2) there were fewer mite species and individual mites than in the more decayed samples (DD 3 and 4). There were also significant differences between the fauna of the fungi in each particular DD: the fauna of DD 1 differed from all others, whereas the fauna of heavily decayed fungi (DD 3 and 4) was more comparable.

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CRUDE EXTRACTS OF Euphorbia tirucalli; ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ONE OF ITS BIOACTIVE PRINCIPLES TIRUCALLOL

Antifungal properties of extracts from Euphorbia tirucalli against some wood decay fungi were studied. E. tirucalli fresh sample was harvested, cleansed and chipped into chips of 3 x 2 cm length and breadth. Chipped sample (846.3 g) was macerated in 1000 mL of ethyl acetate, n hexane and methanol solvents, respectively. Column chromatography experiment on E. tirucalli was carried out and antifungal screening was done according to standard method for 7 days to observe zones of inhibition of fungi growth. Broth dilution method was adopted to determine the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of E. tirucalli extracts and fraction. Results show that Fibroporia vaillantii, Fomitopsis pinicola, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Rhizopus sp. and Serpula lacrymans were sensitive to ethyl acetate, n’ hexane and methanol E. tirucalli extracts at concentration of 200 mg/mL with zone of inhibition of 18-26 mm and methanol extract had the highest value of 26 mm. The fraction had zone of inhibition of between 18 and 20 mm which are not significantly different (p<0.05) from 29-35 mm obtained from antibiotics. The MIC of 10 mg/mL and MFC of 20 mg/mL were recorded for extracts against the test fungi while MIC of 50 µg/mL and MFC 200 µg/mL were noted for fraction (Et15), respectively. Fraction (Et15) obtained from E. tirucalli was characterised as tirucallol compound. In conclusion, E. tirucalli extracts and fraction have proved to be effective in the control of wood decay fungi and may serve as control of diseases caused by the test fungi

The IR Fourier spectroscopy of pine wood, struck with red belt fungus (Fomitopsis pinicola)

Методом ИК Фурье спектроскопии в пределах одного ствола были изучены изменения древесины cосны обыкновенной (Pínus sylvéstris) в результате ее биологического поражения и деструкции окаймленным трутовиком – грибом Fomitopsis pinicola (Schw. ex Fr.) Karst. Исследование проводили на спектрометре Prestige-21 фирмы Shimadzu в области волновых чисел 4000– 400 см–1 с разрешением 4 см–1 (20 сканов). Спектры поглощения снимали с использованием приставки диффузионного отражения (ДО). Показано, что биодеструкция древесной ткани сосны отражается на ИК Фурье спектрах. Изменения наблюдаются в областях спектра поглощения, характеризующих валентные колебания гидроксильных, метиленовых, карбонильных групп, скелетные колебания ароматического кольца. Глубокая деструкция древесины в центре ствола сопровождается батохромным сдвигом (1734 см–1 до 1719 см–1) и значительным увеличением интенсивности полосы поглощения валентных колебаний карбонильных групп (1719 см–1), а также изменением контура спектра поглощения в области от ~1719 до ~1100 см–1. В спектре деструктированной древесины интенсивности полос поглощения в этой области уменьшаются, в спектрах образцов с периферии и центра ствола, сохранивших морфологическую структуру древесины – увеличиваются. В деструктированной древесине отмечено существенное увеличение интенсивности полосы поглощения при 1601 см–1, которая становится несколько большей, чем интенсивность полосы с максимумом 1508 см–1, что не характерно для ИК спектра здоровой хвойной древесины, в которой отношение интенсивностей этих полос поглощения противоположное. Сhanges of the Scots pine wood (Pínus sylvéstris) within a single tree trunk caused by its biological destruction made by red belt fungus Fomitopsis pinicola (Schw. ex Fr.) Karst were studied by use of the IR Fourier spectroscopy method. The wood was cut in Syktyvdin region of the Komi Republic. From the trunk about 36 сm in diameter a sample was sawed about 15 cm thick. Three samples were selected for spectra: 1 – light brown non-destructed wood from the centre of the trunk, 2 – dark brown, adjacent to the completely destroyed wood; 3 – from the periphery of the trunk not clearly affected by rot. The research was made by use of spectrometer Prestige-21 produced by Shimadzu company in the field of the wave numbers 4000–400 сm–1 with a resolution of 4 cm–1 (20 scans). Absorption spectra were examined by using a diffusion reflector (DR). It is shown that bio destruction of the wood fiber of pine is reflected on the IR Fourier spectra. Changes are observed in the absorption spectrum that characterize the valence oscillations of hydroxyl, methylene, carbonyl groups, and skeletal oscillations of the aromatic ring. A deep destruction of wood in the centre of the trunk is accompanied by a bathwater drift (1734 сm–1 to 1719 сm–1) and a significant increase in the absorption band of the valence oscillations of carbonyl groups (1719 сm–1), as well as change of the spectra contour of the absorption from ~1719 to ~1100 cm–1. In the spectrum of the disrupted wood, the intensity of the absorption bands in this area decreases, and in the spectra of the samples from the periphery and the center of the trunk that have preserved the morphological structure of the wood increases. There is a significant increase in the absorption band in the disrupted wood 1601 сm–1, that becomes bigger than, band intensity maximum 1508 сm–1, that is not typical for the IR spectrum of healthy coniferous wood, in which the ratio of the intensity of these absorption bands is the opposite.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Fomitopsis pinicola Complex With Descriptions of Six New Species From East Asia

Fomitopsis pinicola is a common brown-rot fungal species found in northern hemisphere. It grows on many different gymnosperm and angiosperm trees. Recent studies show that it is a species complex; three species from North America and one species from Europe have been recognized in this complex. In the current study, six new species in the Fomitopsis pinicola complex were discovered from East Asia, based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses inferred from the sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF). Detailed descriptions of the six new species are provided. Our results also indicates that species of the F. pinicola complex from East Asia usually have limited distribution areas and host specialization.

Use of Different Types of Biosorbents to Remove Cr (VI) from Aqueous Solution

This article summarizes the results of a research study that was focused on the possibility of removing Cr (VI) from aqueous solution, using low-cost waste biomaterial in a batch mode. A set of seven biosorbents was used: Fomitopsis pinicola, a mixture of cones, peach stones, apricot stones, Juglans regia shells, orange peels, and Merino sheep wool. Three grain fractions (fr. 1/2, fr. 0.5/1.0, and fr. 0/0.5 mm) of biosorbents were studied. The aim was to find the most suitable biosorbent that can be tested with real samples. The influence of other factors on the course of biosorption was studied as well (chemical activation of the biosorbent, pH value, rotation speed during mixing, temperature, and the influence of biosorbent concentration). The use of chemical activation and adjustment of the pH to 1.1 to 2.0 make it possible to increase their sorption capacity and, for some biosorbents, to shorten the exposure times. Two kinetic models were used for the analysis of the experimental data, to explain the mechanism of adsorption and its possible speed control steps: pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model seems to be the most suitable for the description of the experimental data. The thermodynamic parameters suggest that the biosorption was endothermic and spontaneous. In the biosorption equilibrium study, the adsorption data were described by using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The Langmuir model was applicable to describe the adsorption data of all biosorbents. Both models are suitable for chemically treated sheep fleece and peach stones.