Summary: | Giant hogweed is one of the most widespread invasive alien species of the Baltic region. The pycnidial fungus, Calophoma complanata is being evaluated as a potential bioherbicide for control of Heracleum sosnowskyi. The aim of this work is to evaluate an ability of the potential mycoherbicide C. complanata MF-32.121 to overwinter in the conditions of Saint Petersburg area. Plants inoculated by C. complanata MF-32.121 successfully survives wintering in the conditions of Saint Petersburg area. Pearl barley covered by C. complanata MF-32.121 mycelium successfully survives wintering in the same conditions as well. When favorable conditions have arisen, the C. complanata MF-32.121 mycelium is capable to infecting young giant hogweed. Moreover, it was revealed that a change in the biochemical composition, namely, an increase in the level of trehalose, contributes to the manifestation of a greater tolerance of C. complanata MF-32.121 mycelium to temperature-humidity conditions.
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