Destructive Effects of a Mycoparasite T richoderma atroviride SS 003 on Aeciospores of C ronartium ribicola

The white pine blister rust caused by C ronartium ribicola is one of the most severe diseases of P inus armandii F ranch in Y unnan P rovince, C hina, and controlling the disease is very difficult. A mycoparasite ( T richoderma atroviride P . K arsten SS 003) we isolated can effectively destroy aeciospores. Microscopic analysis showed that aeciospore warts started to fall off 3 days after SS 003 inoculation, and the outer wall of the aeciospores was deformed and completely broken 5 days after treatment. SS 003 treatment indoors and in the field was effective against C . ribicola . SS 003 mycelium grew well on aeciospore piles, and the outer walls of most aeciospores were broken when examined by microscope. The average efficacy of SS 003 against A rmandii pine blister rust reached 71.85% after continuous treatment for 1.5 years in the field. Additionally, safety tests showed that P . armandii seedlings experienced no side effects when they were inoculated with either conidial suspensions or mycelium solution of SS 003. Our results suggest that T . atroviride SS 003 is a promising mycoparasite for controlling A rmandii pine blister rust.