Mycena strobilicola

Mycena strobilicola is a fungal species belonging to the Mycenaceae family. Although primarily acting as a saprotroph that decomposes forest litter, this fungus holds significance for forest managers and nursery specialists due to its ability to colonize spruce cones, affecting seed quality and harvest potential.

The causal agent is a basidiomycete fungus that specializes in degrading lignified plant tissues. Its biology is strictly tied to the presence of spruce cones (Picea abies) that have fallen onto the forest floor or were left in storage under humid conditions.

The disease primarily impacts spruce plantations and seed orchards. While not a parasite of live trees, the fungus causes substantial damage to fallen cones, which are essential for natural regeneration or seed collection processes, rendering them unsuitable for silvicultural use.

Symptoms include the emergence of small, delicate fungal fruiting bodies on the scales of the cones during early spring. As the mycelium spreads, it causes structural decay of the cone, leading to the softening of scales and the eventual breakdown of the cone's internal integrity.

Optimal conditions for development include high moisture levels and mild temperatures following the winter season. Prevention relies on sound agrotechnical practices, such as the prompt collection of cones before spring, maintaining proper aeration during storage, and preventing water accumulation in seed processing areas to inhibit fungal growth.