Innovations in Diagnosis and Management of Wood-Rotting Fungal Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 947

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Horticulture, Mendeleum-Institute of Genetics, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: high-throughput sequencing; bioinformatics; plant pathology; metagenomics; small RNA; grapevine trunk pathogens
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Horticulture, Mendeleum-Institute of Genetics, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: plant genetics; berry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wood-rotting fungal diseases represent a significant threat to the health and productivity of woody plants in both natural and managed ecosystems worldwide. Traditional approaches to diagnosis and management often fall short due to the complex biology and ecology of these pathogens, as well as the often cryptic nature of early infections. This special issue brings together the latest research and technological advancements in the field of wood-rotting fungal diseases, with a focus on innovations that enhance our ability to detect, monitor, and control these pathogens. Topics covered include the development and application of advanced molecular and imaging techniques for early and accurate diagnosis, novel strategies for integrated disease management, and the use of biocontrol agents and environmentally sustainable approaches. The issue also highlights recent progress in understanding pathogen diversity, host-pathogen interactions, and epidemiology, which underpin improved management practices. By showcasing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, this special issue aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and inform effective policies for the protection of forest, orchard, and vineyard health against the growing challenges posed by wood-rotting fungi.

Dr. Ales Eichmeier
Dr. Milan Špetik
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fungal pathogens
  • wood-rotting
  • mycology
  • diagnosis
  • novel strategies
  • biocontrol

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 5162 KB  
Article
Annual Dynamics of Mycobiota in Symptomatic Century-Old Trees of Aesculus hippocastanum, Fagus sylvatica, Populus alba, and Quercus robur
by Milan Spetik, Lucie Frejlichova, Jana Cechova, Pavel Bulir, Lenka Miksova, Lukas Stefl, Pavel Simek and Ales Eichmeier
J. Fungi 2026, 12(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12010050 - 11 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 615
Abstract
This study investigated the composition and temporal dynamics of wood-inhabiting fungal communities in four aging tree species in Lednice Castle Park (Czech Republic), located within the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Forty wood cores were collected from 20 trees at [...] Read more.
This study investigated the composition and temporal dynamics of wood-inhabiting fungal communities in four aging tree species in Lednice Castle Park (Czech Republic), located within the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Forty wood cores were collected from 20 trees at two time points (2023 and 2024). The hosts included horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.), copper beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’ L.), oak (Quercus robur L.), and poplar (Populus alba L.), each exhibiting visual signs of decline. Fungal assemblages were profiled using ITS2 high-throughput amplicon sequencing. Ascomycota dominated across all hosts (72–89% of reads), while Basidiomycota contributed 8–24%, largely represented by Agaricomycetes in F. sylvatica. Alpha diversity varied significantly among hosts (Shannon: F3,36 = 10.61, p = 0.001 in 2023; F3,36 = 10.00, p = 0.001 in 2024). Temporal shifts were host-dependent: F. sylvatica exhibited the strongest year-to-year decline in richness (Chao1: −83%, p = 0.007) and increased beta dispersion, while A. hippocastanum and P. alba showed significant increases in diversity (+65% and +42%, respectively). Community composition was shaped by host species (PERMANOVA Bray–Curtis: p = 0.001) and shifted over time (Jaccard: p = 0.001), with F. sylvatica showing the highest temporal turnover. Functional guild analysis revealed consistent dominance of saprotrophs (29–41%) and mixed pathotroph–saprotroph guilds (23–36%) across hosts, indicating active degradation processes inside functional xylem. These results indicate that, within the studied system, the wood mycobiome of aging trees is host-dependent and temporally dynamic rather than static or functionally neutral. Short-term temporal turnover observed between sampling years may contribute to shifts in fungal community composition and succession within wood, with potential implications for tree decline processes in managed historical park landscapes. Full article
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