Effect of Soil Properties on the Spread of Heterobasidion Root Rot

The literature review focuses on the effect of forest soil properties on infection of coniferous trees and stumps by Heterobasidion spores and further growth of mycelium from tree to tree. Spread of the fungus is greater in alkaline soil. Forest plantations on former agricultural lands have an increased risk of infection, due to lack of antagonistic soil microorganisms. In Latvia, severe infection of spruce stands by Heterobasidion root rot has been observed on peat soils.