Cystostereaceae

The Cystostereaceae family includes a group of basidiomycetous fungi that serve as agents of various wood decay types. These organisms belong to the corticioid fungi order and play an essential role in ecosystems as decomposers; however, in agroforestry and orcharding, they are classified as pathogens causing significant damage to trunks and branches.

The main crops susceptible to these fungi are broad-leaved trees: oak, beech, maple, and various types of fruit trees. In commercial orchards and forest nurseries, they infect weakened or damaged specimens by penetrating tissues through cracks in the bark or cuts made during pruning.

Symptoms of infection include the formation of specific fruiting bodies on the bark surface, which often appear as thin crusts or membranes. Internal signs include wood discoloration, loss of mechanical strength, and the development of white or brown rot, which eventually leads to the complete degradation of structural fibers and the death of the tree.

Pathogen development conditions depend directly on humidity levels and the availability of a substrate for nutrition. High air and soil moisture, combined with moderate temperatures, facilitate active spore germination. Mycelial spread occurs primarily through the air or via contact with contaminated tools during agricultural activities.

Protection measures are based on strict adherence to sanitary standards. It is crucial to remove affected plant parts in a timely manner, disinfect horticultural tools, and apply antiseptic pastes to seal wounds. Prevention involves maintaining high plant vitality and avoiding mechanical damage to the bark.