Hyphodermella

Hyphodermella is a genus of fungi belonging to the Basidiomycota, which causes destructive processes in plant wood. This pathogen is typically classified as an agent responsible for white rot or corticioid infections that affect the bark and woody tissues of perennial trees and shrubs.

The primary hosts for fungi of the Hyphodermella genus include various species of woody plants, including orchard trees. The fungus enters the plant tissues through mechanical bark damage, frost cracks, or pruning wounds, initiating the decomposition of lignin and cellulose, which eventually leads to tissue softening.

Symptoms of infection manifest as the development of characteristic fungal fruiting bodies, appearing as thin, film-like, or crust-like coatings on the bark surface. Often, a discoloration of the wood, necrosis of the cambium, and the gradual dieback of individual branches or the entire tree canopy are observed around the infection site.

The development of the disease is most intense under conditions of high humidity and moderate temperatures. Dense planting, lack of sanitary pruning, and unmanaged wounds on trunks facilitate infection. Fungal spores are disseminated by wind, rain splashes, or pests, easily establishing themselves on weakened plants in the orchard.

Protection measures include strict adherence to proper agricultural practices: regular sanitary pruning of infected branches, tool disinfection, and immediate cleaning of wounds followed by the application of fungicidal pastes or wound sealants. It is crucial to maintain overall plant vigor by avoiding soil waterlogging and ensuring timely fertilization.

• Conduct annual pruning.
• Use copper-based products for prevention.
• Protect trunks from sunscald and cracks.
• Remove infected plant debris from the orchard.