The mycoflora in the needles of pines of various age ( Pinus sylvestris L.)

In the course of investigations of the mycoflora found in the needles of Pinus sylvestris L. in connection with needle cast or under different ecological conditions (such as air pollution), isolations were made from needles of different ages taken from pines of various age. The needles were attacked to varying degrees. Thirty‐two species of fungi were isolated, the most frequent of which were Lophodermium seditiosum, Sclerophoma pithyophila, Lophodermium pinastri, Cenangium ferruginosum, Naemacyclus minor, Coniothyrium fuckelii, Anthostomella rhemii and one species which did not sporulate in culture. The frequency of the occurrence of the fungi depended on the age of the needle, the age of the host tree and also on local conditions and peculiarities. The average number of isolated species increased with the age of the needles. Lophodermium pinastri occurred predominantly on older needles which could mean that this funga probably plays a secondary role. Observations in dual cultures led to the conclusion that there are great differences in the ability to influence the growth of other fungi. On an artificial medium Lophodermium pinastri and Cenangium ferruginosum showed distict activities in this respect.