Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most widespread coniferous species in boreal zones and it has a considerable economic importance in the Baltic countries. The impact of fungi on Scots pine has been known also historically, but it is predicted that it will increase in future due to climate changes that will have a positive effect on incidence and vitality of various species of fungi. The aim of the study was to characterize the occurrence of Lophodermium spp. in young stands of Scots pine in Latvia. Needle samples were collected from young pine stands (aged 1 – 14 years) located in all regions of Latvia. DNA extraction from needles was done using modified CTAB protocol, presence of Lophodermium in total extracted DNA was detected using a PCR method. Meteorological data – air temperature and precipitation – were obtained from all 34 observation stations of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. The presence of Lophodermium spp. was detected in all surveyed stands, and occurrence differences between the western and eastern regions were significant (p = 0.004). The occurrence of Lophodermium spp. in the eastern and western regions was affected by the meteorological conditions in autumn and winter of the previous years, as well as differences in the given years’ air temperature and precipitation. In 2016, the eastern region of Latvia had a higher May−August precipitation and, to a lesser extent, temperature, which correlated with a higher occurrence of Lophodermium spp.

In this study, antifungal properties of an organoclay additive were investigated. Two types of organoclay (red and white) were tested in Petri dishes to determine their toxicity against the brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana and the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Red organoclay was more efficient than the white one and, depending on the fungus, inhibited or stopped the fungal growth. Red organoclay was chosen as an additive to produce a new type of plywood product. Biological durability of this plywood product was determined according to the methods: NF B 51-295 (bending strength test) and LVS ENV 12038:2002 (mass loss test). The loss in bending strength exceeded 81% and 65% after exposure to brown and white rot fungi, respectively. The mass loss of the plywood product after the decay test was higher than 3%, which defined the material as not fully resistant against decay fungi. According to CEN/TS 15083-1:2005, the plywood product corresponded to the durability class 3 (moderately durable) to 5 (not durable) depending on the fungus.

Sterigmatocystin is a mycotoxin produced by fungi of many Aspergillus species and it is a biogenic precursor of aflatoxin B1. For analysis of various mycotoxins to clean up sample extracts, mainly solid phase extraction (SPE) is used. An elution of sterigmatocystin from Strata X and Strata C18 SPE columns by different acetonitrile-water and methanole-water solutions were checked in this paper. Acquired results showed a possible suitability of both columns for the analysis of sterigmatocystin.

The research of feed components of minks (frozen fish and meat offal, dried haemoglobin, dried protein, wheat, barley, wheat and barley meal), and ready-mixed mink feed were investigated by mycological method in Sabouraud's Agar and Czapek Agar. The mycological examination of mink feedstuffs veriffed its contamination with Acremoniella atra, Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Aureobasidium pullulans, Candida spp., Chaetomium spp., Cladosporium spp., Coremiella cubispora, Crysonilia sitophila, Curvularia spp., Fusarium spp., Gliocladium spp., Moniliella acetoabutans, Mortierella spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Sporothrix cyanescens, Stemphylium spp., Trichophyton terrestre, Zygosporium masonii, and Wangiella spp. Mycological examination of the mink liver, lungs and kidneys showed contamination with Acremonium spp., Actinomyces israelli, Arthrographis kalrae, Aspergillus spp., Aureobasidium pullulans, Candida spp., Chaetomium spp., Cladosporium bantianum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Conidiobolus coronatus, Curvularia spp., Emmonsia spp., Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Geotrichum candidum, Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Scedosporium prolificans, Sporothrix cyanescens, and Wangiella spp.

In Latvia, two European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) genetic resource forests (GRF) have been designated in Skrīveri and Bērvircava. However, as the degree of damage of ash by the pathogenic fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has increased, many stands have died and many do not comply anymore with minimum requirements for GRF. The aim of the present research was to evaluate and examine the quality of ash GRFs. In each forest unit, one 20×20 m plot was established, and the first (E3) and second (E2) layer projective cover of each species was determined in August 2014. All undergrowth and advance regeneration species were counted and the degree of ash damage by H. fraxineus was determined along a diagonal 25×1 m transect in each plot. In total, 101 plots were established. Quality evaluation was carried out according to the basic criteria for selection of GRF as well as based on criteria cited in other research. Their variation was established by using principal component analysis. Ash in layer E3 was better maintained in Skrīveri, but ash regeneration there was worse, as well as a higher degree of damage by H. fraxineus was observed. Ash regeneration density is significantly influenced by its cover on layers E3 and E2 as well as by tree species dominating the growth. The most valuable GRFs have been maintained in Skrīveri where 50% of units were rated of average quality and few of bad quality. In Bērvircava, 56% of forest units were of bad and very bad quality.

Major diseases occurring on flax crops in Lithuania are caused by Fusarium spp., Colletotrichum lini Manns et Bolley, Polyspora lini Laff. et Peth., Septoria linicola (Speg.) Gar. They can spread through seed, especially when the seed material does not meet quality standards. Microscopic fungi of other species can be found on flaxseed as well. Chemical seed treatment is one of the ways to control disease agents. When treated seed is sown, the seed treaters affect the indigenous micro-biota of the soil. The trial was carried out at the Upyte Research Station of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in 1999. The tested seed treaters are registered for cereals in Lithuania. Our experimental results suggest that chemical treatment of flaxseeds is an efficient method to control seed-borne diseases. The microscopic fungi on seeds and roots of seedlings were analysed at the Institute of Botany. The data on the effect of seed treaters on the diversity of pathogenic fungi of flaxseed and seedlings, and the impact of treatment on the seedling infection are discussed in this paper.