Antrodiella semisupina

Antrodiella semisupina is a species of polypore fungus within the Polyporaceae family. In the field of plant pathology and forestry, this organism is recognized as a causal agent of white wood rot. As a saprotrophic fungus, it specializes in breaking down complex organic polymers such as lignin and cellulose, which are fundamental components of the woody structural integrity of trees.

The host range of this fungus includes various deciduous tree species, including fruit trees found in orchards. Infections typically start when the fungus colonizes tissues that are already weakened by abiotic stress, frost cracks, or improper pruning cuts. Once established, the mycelium spreads throughout the heartwood, progressively degrading the structural framework of the tree.

Symptoms of infestation are marked by the appearance of perennial or annual fruiting bodies on the bark or wood surface. These fruiting bodies are characteristically white to cream-colored, resupinate, and have minute pores. Inside the wood, the infected zones show distinct symptoms of white rot: the wood tissue loses its hardness, becomes light-colored or yellowish, and eventually assumes a spongy or stringy texture.

The development of the fungus is highly dependent on humidity levels and ambient temperatures. Spores are primarily wind-dispersed, entering the tree through bark wounds or unsealed pruning sites. Development is accelerated in environments with high moisture, where the internal temperature of the woody tissue provides a stable substrate for the fungal hyphae to expand and cause further damage.

Effective management and prevention of this pathogen rely on maintaining the physiological health of the trees and minimizing entry points for the fungus:

• perform regular sanitary pruning to remove dead or diseased wood;
• ensure all pruning cuts larger than 2 cm are sealed with protective wound paint;
• remove and destroy fruiting bodies to limit the local inoculum source;
• avoid mechanical damage to trunks during cultivation or maintenance.