Carlos Colinas

• University of Lleida

Chestnut Red Stain (CRS) is a heartwood discoloration that widely affects Castanea sativa Mill. productive coppice stands in the northeast of Spain. At the early stages of infection, the structural properties of the wood are not affected, but still its economic value drops up to 70% due to the rejection of this wood. This disease is caused by the f...

Castanea sativa is a high-value tree species whose stands have faced significant threats over the past century. The occurrence of one such threat, Chestnut Red Stain-a heartwood discoloration caused by the fungus Fistulina hepatica-has recently increased. This disease devalues the timber by up to 70% due to the rejection of stained wood by the indu...

El hongo causante del escaldado del alcornoque Diplodia corticola se asocia al decaimiento y pérdida de productividad de los rodales de alcornoque (Quercus suber L.). La no renovación por parte de la Unión Europea de los químicos usados hasta el momento en la prevención y control del hongo ha acelerado la búsqueda de alternativas efectivas y respet...

Black truffles and white truffles are widely studied around the world, but their effects on plant growth and physiological responses, and on the mycorrhizosphere bacterial community of the host plant remain unclear. Here, mycorrhizal colonization of Castanopsis rockii by Tuber indicum (Chinese black truffle) and T. lijiangense (Chinese white truffl...

The canker disease caused by Diplodia corticola is one of the most important emerging pathologies of cork oak (Quercus suber) in western Europe. The fungus is dispersed by borer insects, although it is also thought that the spores can be dispersed by wind and rain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of airborne inoculum of D. cortic...

An introduction of exotic or non-native trees may fail due to a lack of suitable fungal partners. We planted exotic Pinus radiata in Xifeng, Guizhou Southwest China. Strategies to introduce P. radiata seedlings either colonized with an ectomycorrhizal fungus (EcMF), Lactarius deliciosus, or expect them to form familiar/new associations with local E...

Background Yunnan is rich in fungal diversity and cultural diversity, but there are few researches on ethnomycology. In addition, extensive utilization of wild edible fungi (WEF), especially the ectomycorrhizal fungi, threatens the fungal diversity. Hence, this study aims to contribute to the ethnomycological knowledge in Pu’er Prefecture, Yunnan,...

Los hongos, cuyo número de especies se estima entre 2,2 a 3,8 millones, de las que solo entre el 3 y el 8 % tienen nombre, son el reino más diverso de la Tierra. A su papel como elemento clave en el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas, se les suma otros servicios ecosistémicos proporcionados por estos organismos y que son cada vez más apreciados por...

BACKGROUND Botryosphaeria canker (causal agent: Diplodia corticola) is considered one of the most important diseases of cork oak (Quercus suber) stands since it necrotizes the subero‐phellodermic layer preventing cork regeneration after harvesting. One of the most intriguing etiological issues of this disease is its plausible spreading through trun...

The oak pinhole borer, Platypus cylindrus F., mainly colonizes oaks (Quercus sp.), and it is considered among the most serious pests of cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Despite being traditionally considered as a secondary pest in thermophilic oak woodlands, outbreaks seem to be more frequent throughout the Mediterranean Basin thus becoming a growing f...

Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) M.E. Barr (Sordariomycetes, Valsaceae) is the causal agent of chestnut blight. This disease is a major concern for chestnut cultivation in Europe. The fungus colonizes vascular tissues and evolves generating cankers causing severe dieback and the death of the tree. Excised and debarked well-lignified shoots of 28...

Black truffle plantations are established on the basis that Tuber melanosporum Vittad. spreads from artificially inoculated trees. Although truffle cultivation has progressed tremendously over the past 30 years, the ecological processes underlying T. melanosporum mycelium expansion and its interactions with the rest of the fungal community over tim...

Understanding whether the occurrences of ectomycorrhizal species in a given tree host are phylogenetically determined can help in assessing different conservational needs for each fungal species. In this study, we characterized ectomycorrhizal phylogenetic composition and phylogenetic structure in 42 plots with five different Mediterranean pine for...

Cork is a renewable resource mainly produced in Mediterranean countries thanks to sustainable management of cork oak (Quercus suber) stands. The infection caused by the ascomycete fungus Diplodia corticola promotes the occurrence of cankers that reduce cork regeneration devaluating the stands. In this article, we tested the hypothesis that the tree...

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the current situation of the truffle sector in the main producing countries of the Mediterranean area. Additionally, we identified the challenges for the future and the priority actions to develop the truffle sector in the region. Methods: We used a Delphi process approach, and we selected a to...

Botryosphaeria canker of Quercus suber (causal agent: Diplodia corticola) poses a major threat for cork production along the western Mediterranean Basin. Infection by D. corticola induces cankers, which reduce tree vigour and compromise phellem regeneration. European policies in forest health advise the use of environmentally friendly methods, such...

Soil fungi are fundamental drivers of forest ecosystem processes. Soil physico-chemical parameters and vegetation features such as host type or stand structure can affect soil fungal communities. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies describing the relative importance of niche processes (soil physico-chemistry and forest structural driv...

The black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.) and the summer truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) are two of the most appreciated edible fungi worldwide. The natural distributions of both species partially overlap. However, the interspecific interactions between these truffles and how irrigation and mulching techniques impact the dynamics between them...

Aim of study: We aimed to i) evaluate the effects of mulching on Tuber melanosporum mycelium biomass and seedling growth (i.e. root collar diameter and seedling height) and ii) unravel the relationship between growth in root collar diameter and mycelium abundance, in a T. melanosporum plantation. Area of study: The experimental plantation is locat...

A new Rhizopogon species associated with Pinus was discovered at local wild mushroom markets and Pinus armandii forests from March to July in Southwest China where it is considered a delicacy. Based on morphological and molecular phyloge-netic analyses, the collections were described as Rhizopogon songmaodan sp. nov. belonging to the subgenus Versi...

Black truffles are a highly valued non-wood forest product. The success of truffle plantations is raising the interest to establish orchards within forest settings. One main concern is that the forest may act as a source of ectomycorrhizal fungi that could displace Tuber melanosporum in plantations and impair truffle production. We studied the effe...

Research Highlights: Mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) promote mycorrhization processes and are commonly found in the mycorrhizosphere of fungi, such as the edible hypogeous fungus Tuber melanosporum Vittad. Background and Objectives: The effectiveness of MHB in promoting the mycorrhization process and the root development of Portuguese oak (Quercu...

Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are gaining in importance and recognition in recent decades, both in the EU and in Spain, mainly due to the relevance they may have for rural development as generators of employment and as ecological products with a high added value. Currently, the basic information on each of the products is atomized, it is difficu...

Black truffles are a highly valued non-wood forest product. The success of truffle plantations is arousing the interest to establish orchards within forest settings. One main concern is that the forest may act as a source of ectomycorrhizal fungi that could displace Tuber melanosporum in plantations and impair truffle production. We studied the eff...

The palm borer moth (Paysandisia archon, Burmeister) is a member of the Castniidae family originally from South America and is currently included in the A2 list of the OEPP/EPPO. This moth was introduced to Europe in 2000 through ornamental palms. Since its accidental introduction, it has become a major threat for natural stands of native palms, as...

Fa deu anys que es van iniciar els estudis de micologia al Paratge promoguts per Anton Vallvey, director del Paratge en aquell mo- ment. Des del començament es va establir una estreta col·laboració entre els gestors/ treballadors/ores del PNIN i els recercadors en micologia forestal del CTFC/UdL que, a dia d’avui, perdura. Aquesta col·laboració ha...

Castanea sativa forests in north‐eastern Spain have historically been healthy and have been good producers of timber and non‐wood forest products. In the last quarter of a century, Fistulina hepatica has gained relevance in this ecosystem and is believed to be responsible for Chestnut Red Stain (CRS), which inflicts heart rot in trees and causes se...

Predicted changes in global climate might negatively affect the soil microbiome and associated ecosystem processes in Mediterranean forests. Forest treatments, such as forest thinning, have been suggested to mitigate climate change impacts on vegetation by reducing competition between trees, thus increasing water availability. Studies addressing th...

En los últimos 15 años, 3 millones de hectáreas de bosques se han convertido en matorrales o pastizales en los países mediterráneos de la Unión Europea, siendo el fuego y la sequía los principales motores de esa deforestación. Se analiza la deforestación inducida por los efectos conjuntos del fuego y la sequía en tres escalas jerárquicas: resistenc...

Over the past 15 years, 3 million hectares of forests have been converted into shrublands or grasslands in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union. Fire and drought are the main drivers underlying this deforestation. Here we present a conceptual framework for the process of fire-induced deforestation based on the interactive effects of fi...

Over the past 15 years, 3 million hectares of forests have been converted into shrublands or grasslands in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union. Fire and drought are the main drivers underlying this deforestation. Here we present a conceptual framework for the process of fire-induced deforestation based on the interactive effects of fi...

Agriculture and forestry traditionally focus on improving plant growth traits based on an anthropocentric point of view. This paradigm has led to global problems associated to soil overexploitation such as soil losses, reductions of the C stock in soils, and the generalized use of fertilizers, which particularly increases the costs of production an...

Cultivation of truffles in managed orchards has become an important agricultural alternative in rural Mediterranean regions. The declines of wild Tuber melanosporum throughout its natural range, its high market value and the development of nursery and cultivation techniques have encouraged its successful cultivation during the last several decades....

In Europe, fungal pathogens have reduced the overall productivity of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) stands and continue to threaten the economic viability of forestry operations. Chestnut Red Stain (CRS) in north-eastern Spain, locally referred to as Roig, is capable of decreasing the market value of chestnut timber to the point of rendering ches...

Lactarius deliciosus is a widely marketed non-wood forest product in Spain but little is known about silvicultural treatments that would enhance the production of this valued mushroom in the forests. Estimating a fungal crop by collecting sporocarps is expensive. Therefore we tested quantifying soil extraradical mycelium as a more efficient alterna...

http://www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/92431/en/ Mediterranean forests are characterized by their rich biological diversity exemplified by the large number of species as compared to other European forest ecosystems. The large variation of environmental conditions and a climate with moist and cool autumns and winters, coupled with dry and hot summers, li...

Tuber melanosporum belongs to the genus Tuber that only includes mycorrhizal fungi living and fruiting underground within the soil environment. T. melanosporum prefers sites in ridges or slopes, where water does not accumulate, and fractured parent materials where water can drain well. Rocky soils with crumb or subangular blocky structure, whose ag...

p> Aim of study: To explore the diversity of soil fungi found in black truffle ( Tuber melanosporum ) plantations following the introduction of the mycorrhizal-colonized host tree, ( Quercus ilex ), through the development of the brûlé and production of mature sporocarps. Area of study: This research was carried out province of Teruel, Aragon (cen...

Tuber melanosporum belongs to the genus Tuber that only includes mycorrhizal fungi living and fruiting underground within the soil environment. T. melanosporum prefers sites in ridges or slopes, where water does not accumulate, and fractured parent materials where water can drain well. Rocky soils with crumb or subangular blocky structure, whose ag...

Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill.) Barr is a necrotrophic fungus that affects European chestnut populations. In Catalonia (NE Spain), this fungus is widely spread affecting chestnut stands. In addition to vegetative compatibility (VC) types of the fungus, knowledge of the Cryphonectria hypovirus (CHV) occurrence is important to implement a biocont...

Context Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) cultivation is a promising agro-forestry alternative for Mediterranean rural areas, but adequate weed control at seedling establishment still remains a challenge in black truffle plantations. Aims The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of several weed control strategies on early development of Qu...

In April 2012, a forest owner from Sant Hilari Sacalm (Girona, NE Spain) reported chlorosis and defoliation symptoms in a twelve-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) plantation located at 41º 52' 30'' N, 2º 28' 4'' E (Fig. 1). Black and globose pseudothecia were observed on the undersides of the needles. Pseudothecia were 50-...

Aim of study: The program “Typology of truffle stations in the Pyrenean Regions” aimed to define the ecological conditions and culture practices that favor Tuber melanosporum growth and fruiting in this area. Area of study: Navarra, Catalonia, Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon. Material and methods: The program was based on the survey of 212 w...

Successful cultivation of black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) requires a long-term investment and the maintenance of the symbiosis throughout its preproductive and productive years. Monitoring the symbiosis over time is challenging, as it requires methods that can detect the belowground proliferation of the fungus associated with its host tree. In t...

In Mediterranean climate, young truffle-oak orchards are subjected to drought episodes that can compromise the development of Tuber melanosporum. We investigated the responses of T. melanosporum to water supply in three periods: May to July, August to October, and May to October. In each period, five water doses were established: 0, 25, 50, 75, and...

Cultivating black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.) is highly profitable in sites suitable for its development. Land use history is an important factor when choosing suitable habitat, and lands with non-ectomycorrhizal host species are recommended when introducing T. melanosporum-inoculated seedlings in order to reduce competition from native, s...

Interest in conversion of marginal agricultural lands to small oak woodlands for the production of black truffles (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.) is increasing in the native black truffle areas of France, Spain and Italy as well as suitable or amended sites throughout the world due to high economic returns for gastronomically valuable truffles. Succes...

To determine the component(s) of transfer soils responsible for increased seedling survival and growth, we inoculated planting holes with forest, plantation, and clear-cut soils that were (i) treated with fertilizer to test for effects of nutrients; treated with biocides to test for effects of (ii) microarthropods or nematodes, (iii) protozoa, (iv)...

Although successful cultivation of the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) has inspired the establishment of widespread truffle orchards in agricultural lands throughout the world, there are many unknowns involved in proper management of orchards during the 6-10 years prior to truffle production, and there are conflicting results reported for fertil...

Multiple-use forestry requires comprehensive planning to maximize the utilization and sustainability of many forest resources whose growth and productivity are interconnected. Forest fungi represent an economically important nonwood forest resource that provides food, medicine, and recreation worldwide. A vast majority of edible and marketed forest...

Mushrooms are an important product of the pine stands of the Central Pyrenees of Catalonia. In places where the microclimate is reasonably moist, the value of mushrooms may be clearly higher than the value of timber production. This study examines the optimal economic management for both timber and mushrooms in even-aged Scots pine and Black pine s...

en las masas tratadas y se estudió la dispersión de CHV1 dentro y fuera de las parcelas tratadas. Los resultados muestran que la diversidad de GCV en Cataluña es baja, con tan solo 13 GCV descritos. Asimismo, el GCV EU-2 es en la mayoría de casos el dominante. La presencia de cepas hipovirulentas anteriores a las inoculaciones era baja (<4%) y en l...

In the last two decades, stand decline and increased mortality has affected silver fir (Abies alba) forests in the Spanish Pyrenees. Simultaneously severe occurrences of the root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum s.l. and of the mistletoe Viscum album have been reported. We aimed to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of both pathogens in...

Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forests. Habitats Management Handbooks. In the framework of a cooperation agreement between the "Diputació de Barcelona" and the "Obra Social de la Caixa" has been carried out the preparation of the management of forest habitats handbooks. The manuals compile information about numerous aspects that affect the c...

A comprehensive study of the population biology of Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, is required to understand the spread of the epidemic in Europe and its natural regulation by the Cryphonectria hypovirus-1 (CHV-1). With this objective in mind, the diversity in vegetative compatibility (vc) types and mating types of C....

Commercial black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) plantations have been promoted in Europe with the intention of benefiting rural economies while conserving biodiversity through the expansion of oak woodlands. In this context, a socioeconomic study was conducted around the town of Sarrión in eastern Spain, where government subsidies have supported oak...

Relative quantification of DNA from Tuber melanosporum mycelia was performed by conventional and real-time PCR in soil from trees in three truffle orchards of different ages to determine: (1) whether burn appearance is related to the amount of T. melanosporum mycelium in soil, and (2) whether productivity onset and truffle production are related to...

Mushroom picking has become a widespread autumn recreational activity in the Central Pyrenees and other regions of Spain. Predictive models that relate mushroom production or fungal species richness with forest stand and site characteristics are not available. This study used mushroom production data from 24 Scots pine plots over 3 years to develop...

En un context de mercat, caracteritzat per la globalització, el sector agrari, a l’igual que altres sectors econòmics, necessita de la recerca d’alternatives productives que tinguin capacitat per competir. Aquesta competència es pot basar en la capacitat d’oferir al mercat preus molt ajustats per a productes de gran consum o en l’oferta de producte...

In december 2007, Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato was observed in a Pinus nigra plantation located in Loarre (Huesca, Spain), associated with tree mortality and defoliation. Collected isolates were typed as H. annosum sensu stricto by means of molecular techniques. Molecular typing was confirmed by pairing tests with homokaryotic tester strains....

We describe the distribution and the ecology of three Armillaria species observed in silver fir (Abies alba) forests of the Pyrenees.• We surveyed the presence and abundance of Armillaria above and belowground in 29 stands. Isolates were identified by the PCR-RFLP pattern of the IGS-1 region of their ribosomal DNA. We measured several ecological an...

Edible and medicinal fungi have become increasingly important non-wood forest products in Spanish forests. Annual mushroom collections increase the economic value of forests and provide income to local collectors and marketers. Most of the species are ectomycorrhizal fungi that are essential for seedling establishment and long-term nutrition of the...

The present study examines the influence of ecological conditions and silvicultural practices on the health of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) stands, with special attention to the implications of Viscum album, Armillaria and Heterobasidion annosum. Health of individual trees was estimated by measuring defoliation, chlorosis, needle retention, cone p...

Melampsorella caryophyllacearum is a heteroecious fungus that produces disease on silver fir resulting in galls that depreciate the value of trees. Currently, little is known about its epidemiology. The purpose of this study was to identify those site or management factors associated with fir broom rust infection. A 29-plot systematic sampling was...

This paper synthesizes and reviews literature concerning climate change effects on Mediterranean forest ecology and management as well as the restorative techniques necessary to maintain forest health, forest yield and biodiversity. Climate change compounded with trends of rural abandonment are likely to diminish forested areas within the Mediterra...

El objetivo de esta monografía es determinar las zonas de Cataluña más adecuadas para el cultivo de la trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum Vitt.). Para conseguir este objetivo, se han considerado los rangos de valores adecuados para el desarrollo de la trufa negra de los parámetros seleccionados: la precipitación media anual, la precipitación en los me...

Cultivation of black truffle, Tuber melanosporum Vitt., has become an important agricultural alternative in rural Mediterranean regions due to its success in relatively harsh conditions, its high market value and diminishing production in natural areas. In addition, truffle cultivation requires relatively low agricultural inputs, promotes reforesta...

Our objectives were (i) to develop a molecular method to detect mycelia of Tuber melanosporum (black truffle) in soil and (ii) to test for mycelial distribution around two truffle-bearing Quercus ilex trees in a truffle orchard. Isolation of total DNA from soil was performed, followed by PCR amplification with T. melanosporum-specific primers and r...

Due to increasing economic interest in forest fungi as important non-wood forest products, autumn mushrooms from Pinus sylvestris forests of the Spanish Pyrenees were collected for three consecutive years to examine the relationships between forest age and aspect on the sporocarp production of epigeous edible and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Fresh weight...

Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of the chestnut blight, has been responsible for con -siderable damage in chestnut ecosystems in several European countries in the last three decades. Vegetative compatibility types (vc types) were characterized in three countries as a tool to assess C. parasitica diversity in Europe and because hypovirule...

Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr is presently the most important pathogen affecting Castanea sativa and C. dentata. Control of this fungal disease is based on the introduction of hypovirulent strains of the fungus and on breeding of blight-resistant hybrid chestnut trees. Presently, the only method to measure resistance of new hybrids is by di...

El cultivo de la trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum) se introdujo en España a principios de los años 70, experimentando un aumento constante en cuanto a número de plantaciones. En este trabajo presentamos los requerimientos necesarios para su cultivo y un cálculo de rentabilidad.

summaryInoculation of planting holes with small amounts of soil from a mature forest or a plantation can improve formation of ectomycorrhizas on Pseudotsuga mensiesii (Mirb.) Franco seedlings in degraded eleareuts in southwestern Oregon. To determine the component (s) of transferred soil responsible for increased ectomycorrhiza formation, we treate...

Oxytetracycline-penicillin (combined), captan, fumigillan and dimethoate-carbofuran (combined) were applied to forest soils to test their effects on soil populations of active and total bacteria, active and total fungi, protozoa, nematodes and microarthropods. All biocides significantly reduced the populations of target organisms, except dimethoate...