Abstract
The paper reports on a widespread needle cast occuring mainly in older Norway spruce stands in southern Germany which corresponds to the "Nadelröte" disease as described by Hartig (1889), Nobbe (1893) and Neger (1924). Severe needle losses have been observed at least since autumn 1981, and this disease seems to be responsible for the increase of the area of damaged spruce forests from 1982 to 1983. Premature shedding of older spruce needles is mainly caused by the needle parasites Lophodermium piceae, L. macrosporum, and Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii a. o. There are no correlations between the occurrence and intensity of the needle cast on the one hand and parent rock, the regional climatic conditions, soil type, site unit, nutritional status of the stands, or the degree of pollution on the other hand. There is evidence for this disease being predominantly determined by weather factors. A working hypothesis about the causes and the development of this disease is put forward.
| Translated title of the contribution | On the "Nadelröte" disease of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) in southern Germany |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 248-262 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Forstwissenschaftliches Centralblatt |
| Volume | 103 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1984 |
| Externally published | Yes |