Coriolaceae fungi

Coriolaceae is a family of bracket fungi that function as primary agents of wood decay, specifically causing white rot. While they serve as essential decomposers in natural forest ecosystems, they are considered significant pathogens in managed orchards and plantations, as they degrade the lignin and cellulose structure of living trees.

The fungi primarily infect hardwood species, including a wide range of fruit-bearing trees such as apples, pears, and stone fruits. Entry usually occurs through open wounds, pruning cuts, or frost-damaged areas where the sapwood is exposed to airborne fungal spores, allowing the mycelium to colonize the tree's vascular system.

The hallmark of a Coriolaceae infection is the emergence of bracket-like, leathery, or shelf-shaped fungal fruiting bodies on the trunk or branches. Inside the tree, the infection manifests as white rot, where the wood becomes bleached, spongy, and structurally compromised, eventually leading to branch breakage, trunk hollows, and the premature death of the host plant.

Environmental conditions that favor the development of these fungi include consistently high humidity, stagnant airflow, and moderate temperatures. The mycelium aggressively spreads within the wood, breaking down structural components. Once established, the progression of the decay is often irreversible, significantly reducing the tree's lifespan and its commercial viability.

Effective management and prevention strategies are essential to protect orchard health:

• promptly seal pruning cuts and wounds with protective wound paints or fungicides;
• remove and safely dispose of any fungal fruiting bodies and decayed wood tissue;
• monitor orchard sanitation to remove dead or dying branches that could act as infection reservoirs;
• ensure optimal tree vigor through correct fertilization and irrigation practices.