1. Vaidotas LygisRemigijus Bakys Biocontrol of Robinia pseudoacacia, an invasive tree species in fragile coastal ecosystems LITCOAST

3. Why Robinia ?

4. Introduced to the Curonian Spit ~100 years ago

5. In Lithuania, and especially in the Curonian Spit (UNESCO heritage site) Robinia pseudoacacia is recognized as an alien invasive species of high aggressiveness

6. We are used to this picture...

7. Or this...

8. This?...

9. In Lithuania, and especially in the Curonian Spit (UNESCO heritage site) Robinia pseudoacacia is recognized as an alien invasive species of high aggressiveness Indigenous tree species and natural habitats are pushed out: - by extensive root systems – fast spread - by high competitiveness (drought tolerance, ability to thrive on poor sandy soils)

10. Intensive spread following forest fires

11. A burned mountain pine forest, ~250 ha Fire in Smiltyne, May 2006

12. Smiltyne, September 2007 Cut and cleaned. Needs replanting. A.S.A.P!

13. The FUTURE...

14. ?

15. Dreams...

16. Poor establishment and survival The PROBLEM 2007

17. Poor establishment and survival The PROBLEM 2008

18. Self – regeneration...

19. You think it will continue this way ?

20. Sorry...

21. Distribution of R. pseudoacacia on the fire site (after Dr. Z. Gudzinskas, 2007)

22. HELP!..

23. Why biocontrol ?

24. NOT EASY TO FIGHT WITH!

25. Very efficient regeneration by stump sprouting and production of root suckers

26. X Mechanical means of control are not effective (cutting) or too costly (removal of the whole plants and the root systems)

27. X Chemical control (application of herbicides) might be effective, however the application is strictly prohibited in the Curonian Spit !

28. Biological control a logical solution

29. Candidate No. 1 – fungus Chondrostereum purpureum

30. Chondrostereum purpureum:  Widely spread fakultative parasite of deciduous trees  Can be used to control regeneration of unwanted deciduous trees

31. - Causes plant cell necroses - Spreads by airborne spores - Excretes toxins that unbalance the function of plant water ducts - Can infect trees only through mechanical wounds Chondrostereum purpureum:

32. Preparates of Ch. purpureum are used as an alternative to chemical herbicides  to control unwanted vegetation under power lines  to balance the competition by deciduous self- regenerating trees in forest plantations

33. Commercial preparates of Ch. purpureum : Biochon – registered in Holland. Ecoclear – registered in Canada. Myco–Tech – registered in Canada. Preparates are produced in form of a liquid or a dope and are easy to use. Effectiveness : in many cases sprout production stops on more than 90 % of the treated stumps.

34. Advantages of the Ch. purpureum preparates: Naturally occurring pathogen with long-lasting effect

35. Advantages of the Ch. purpureum preparates: Naturally occurring pathogen with long-lasting effect Non-polluting, harmless to animals

36. Advantages of the Ch. purpureum preparates: Naturally occurring pathogen with long-lasting effect Non-polluting, harmless to animals Rather low level of pathogenicity

37. Advantages of the Ch. purpureum preparates: Naturally occurring pathogen with long-lasting effect Non-polluting, harmless to animals Rather low level of pathogenicity Can infect only through mechanical damages – harmless to healthy trees

38. Advantages of the Ch. purpureum preparates: Naturally occurring pathogen with long-lasting effect Non-polluting, harmless to animals Rather low level of pathogenicity Can infect only through mechanical damages – harmless to healthy trees Effective. Can be used to control target tree species

39. Research goes on but no published testing on R. pseudoacacia so far…

40. There is a need for a local preparate, most suitable to use in Lithuanian conditions – commercial preparates are not always working properly! The challenges

41. There is a need for a local preparate, most suitable to use in Lithuanian conditions – commercial preparates are not always working properly! We must find Ch. purpureum strains that are the most aggressive to R. pseudoacacia The challenges

42. Our experiment (July 2009)

43. 2 types of formulation preparation (Finnish and Canadian protocols) water suspensions of fungal mycelia mixed with different drying out-preventing media – xanthan gum and AgroAquaGel® THE EXPERIMENT

44. 2 types of formulation preparation (Finnish and Canadian protocols) 11 strains of Ch. purpureum THE EXPERIMENT

45. 2 types of formulation preparation (Finnish and Canadian protocols) 11 strains of Ch. purpureum 23 study plots THE EXPERIMENT

46. 2 types of formulation preparation (Finnish and Canadian protocols) 11 strains of Ch. purpureum 23 study plots 50 trees in each plot cut and stumps treated THE EXPERIMENT

47. Young (up to 10-yr-old) regeneration of R. pseudoacacia Young (up to 10-yr-old) regeneration of R. pseudoacacia on a burned site

49. RESULTS To be scored in the following 1-2 years

50. RESULTS To be scored in the following 1-2 years Yesterday’s observation – no results so far (stump sprouting goes on)

51. Another candidates for the biocontrol ?

52. Future work  Isolation of fungi from wilting twigs of R. pseudoacacia

53. Future work  Isolation of fungi from wilting twigs of R. pseudoacacia  Possibly pathogenic species will be tested in new inoculation experiments

54. Future work  Isolation of fungi from wilting twigs of R. pseudoacacia  Possibly pathogenic species will be tested in new inoculation experiments  The most promising ones will be used for a broader stump treatment experiment together with known pathogens:

55.  Phellinus robiniae

56.  Trametes robiniophila

57.  Phomopsis oncostoma

58. The work goes on…

59. Acknowledgements

60. “Post-Fire Forest Management in Southern Europe” Action FP0701

61.  Management of coastal forests of Lithuania: sustaining and enhancing forest health through silviculture PROJECT LITCOAST MARIE CURIE HOST FELLOWSHIPS FOR TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK)

62. Thank YOU !