Heterobasidion root rot in forests on former agricultural lands in Poland: Scale of threat and prevention

This paper describes the specifics of forests on former farmlands in Poland and their protection as well as preventive measures taken. The review refers to polish literature on the threat by root rot caused by Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. to pine and spruce plantations established on postagricultural lands on an area of more than 1400 000 ha. In Europe, the latter presents an outstanding example of only one of its kind operation towards increasing the forest cover both at a country and continent level. Currently, economic problems due to the fungus concern an area of about 200 000 ha yearly. During the past 30 years, PgIBL ® preparation with Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich was regularly applied in Poland’s Scots pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.) to effectively prevent and control the spread of root rot disease, yet it has not been registered by the European Commission. In literature on root rot in Europe, there is scarce information with regard to this topic.