Screening of xylophagous fungi associated with Platanus acerifolia in urban landscapes: Biodiversity and potential biodeterioration

Trees in urban landscapes provide a wide range of benefits to the environment; however, they are exposed to several stress factors that can make them vulnerable to decay by fungi. The presence and identity of wood decay Basidiomycetes affecting Platanus acerifolia, a common tree used in cities, were evaluated in sites with different levels of urban disturbances in order to analyze the relationships between human disturbance level, tree age, fungal pathogens and their degradative potential. We carried out morphological and cultural descriptions of the fungi detected, and studied their decay capacity. Eight species of Basidiomycetes were detected, being Inonotus rickii the most frequently isolated and the most widely distributed in the areas sampled. Bjerkandera adusta, although rarely detected, caused the greatest loss of dry weight. In some cases phylogenetic analyses were performed under both static and dynamic homologies. The age of the trees (estimated from DBH values) sampled seemed to be more important as a predisposing factor for decay than anthropogenic disturbance of sites. The correlation between tree age, presence and identity of fungi, degradative potential and environment conditions is discussed.

Research highlights▶ Age of trees predisposes wood decay more than anthropogenic disturbance. ▶ I. rickii would be the most harmful decay agent in trees in Buenos Aires City. ▶ I. rickii and B. adusta are difficult to detect in early stages of wood decay. ▶ P. laxitexta, a native fungal species, is able to colonize new introduced hosts.