Genetic identification of wood-destroying fungi in weakened Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests using DNA barcoding

Weakened forest stands provide a favorable environment for the development of saprotrophic and necrotrophic fungi. Traditional identification methods for these ecological groups of fungi are not always effective. However, modern DNA barcoding methods based on sequencing DNA regions of the studied fungal specimens and comparing them with the nucleotide sequences of previously classified organisms often allow for precise species identification. Thus, to identify fungi using barcoding in weakened Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in the Central Forest-Steppe of European Russia (Voronezh, Voronezh Region), 55 mycelium and fruiting body samples were collected from conifer litter and Scots pine damaged butt part of the trunk and roots. After morphological and ecological description and systematization of the collection, DNA extraction was successfully performed, and the ITS1 and ITS2 regions were sequenced in 14 samples. Among them 11 taxa were identified - six at species and five at genus levels, including species Trichaptum fuscoviolaceum (Ehrenb.) Donk, Gymnopilus penetrans (Fr.) Murrill, and Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. that infect living wood. The remaining eight representatives of the mycobiota were saprotrophic fungi involved in the mineralization of organic residues. Two phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, were identified, with the most samples belonging to Basidiomycota and the class Agaricomycetes with seven orders. The DNA barcoding method complements the results of morphological and ecological analysis.