Volumetric Spore Traps Are a Viable Alternative Tool for Estimating Heterobasidion Infection Risk

Prophylactic stump treatments against the conifer root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum s.l. should take into account airborne inoculum density of pathogen, in order to be economically feasible. Our objective was test if an automatic volumetric spore trap (AVST) could used as a sensitive alternative passive traps for quantifying airspora forest stands. The routinely wood disc exposure method (WDE) implemented simultaneously with AVST five coniferous monocultures and three near-natural stands without silvicultural management Czechia. Air sampling took place 24-h intervals months main sporulation period. atmospheric concentration H. spores (cHa) determined by qPCR generic species-specific primers. detected more target species than WDE on 77% occasions. When comparing relative abundance European WDE, parviporum abietinum were found overrepresented discs. cHa November significantly higher May June, confirming seasonal pattern typical temperate Europe. For accurate rapid estimation primary infection risk, usage is highly recommended.