Effects of Forest Management Practices and Environment on Occurrence of Armillaria Species

  • Kim, Mee-Sook (Department of Forestry, Environment and Systems, Kookmin University) ;
  • Klopfenstein, Ned B. (USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station) ;
  • Mcdonald, Geral I. (USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station)
  • Received : 2010.03.22
  • Accepted : 2010.04.27
  • Published : 2010.04.30

Abstract

Influences of environment (indicated by plant associations) and forest management practices on the distribution of Armillaria spp. and genets (vegetative clones) were investigated. A total of 142 isolates of Armillaria was collected from various host trees on pristine and managed sites (thinned and/or fertilized) growing in relatively wet and dry environments in eastern Washington, U.S.A. The incidence of Armillaria spp. was significantly higher in the relatively wetter sites than the relatively drier sites, as indicated by plant associations. However, no differences in Armillaria occurrence were found among different forest management practices (control vs. thinned vs. thinned and fertilized) within both wetter and drier sites. Incidence of Armillaria was significantly different among conifer and shrub species. The highest proportion with Armillaria was found on grand fir (Abies grandis). Based on pairing tests and rDNA sequencing, the 142 isolates were comprised in a total of 20 genets representing three Armillaria species. More diverse Armillaria spp. were found in both relatively wetter and relatively drier sites within the undisturbed control plots, compared to plots disturbed by forest management practices. The results from this study provide baseline information toward understanding how environment and forest management practices influence incidence and diversity of Armillaria species and genets.

Keywords

References

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