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Key message <p>This is the first study to investigate the success of inoculation&#xa0;of <i>Alnus incana</i> and <i>A. glutinosa</i> with <i>Inonotus obliquus</i> (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát, providing new insights about the potential cultivation&#xa0;of this valuable fungus&#xa0;under field conditions. Results show that conks developed slowly under natural conditions.&#xa0;The development of the fungus&#xa0;observed in <i>A. glutinosa</i> suggests that this species may be as suitable a host for <i>I. obliquus</i> than birches. Furthermore, visible stem symptoms proved unreliable for detecting infection, highlighting the importance of molecular diagnostics for accurate assessment.</p> Context <p><i>Inonotus</i><i> obliquus</i> (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát (commonly known as Chaga) is a medicinal fungus traditionally harvested from birch trees. Artificial cultivation is increasingly considered due to&#xa0;a rising commercial demand. However, our knowledge remains limited regarding infection dynamics and conk development on different host species.</p> Aims <p>We assessed the success of <i>I. obliquus</i> inoculation in <i>Betula pendula</i>, <i>B. pubescens</i>, <i>Alnus incana</i>, and <i>A. glutinosa</i> stands 2 years after inoculation in order&#xa0;to: (i) identify the most susceptible host tree species and the most effective <i>I. obliquus</i> strains for cultivation; (ii) assess the frequency of conk formation under hemiboreal conditions; investigate whether (iii) visible symptoms on stems resulted from <i>I. obliquus</i> infection and (iv) mechanical wounding influenced fungal establishment.</p> Methods <p>The experiment was conducted at two locations in Estonia, encompassing a total of six forest sites, with inoculation success assessed using species-specific qPCR. Sterile conk development was additionally monitored visually 4 years post-inoculation.</p> Results <p>Inoculation success differed between the two locations, with an infection rate of 18% observed at Järvselja and 3% at Võrumaa<i>.</i> Three fungal strains&#xa0;consistently achieved higher infection rates&#xa0;among the six tested ones. Conks developed only on <i>A. glutinosa</i> trees and with specific&#xa0;strains. Only the identity of the fungal strains resulted in a significant effect on infection ess. Visible stem symptoms, such as bleeding and bulging, were unreliable indicators of the infection rate.</p> Conclusion <p><i>I. obliquus</i> conks developed more rapidly on <i>A. glutinosa</i> compared to <i>B. pendula</i>, <i>B. pubescens</i>, and <i>A. incana</i>. Moreover, fungal strains play a crucial role in determining cultivation success.</p>

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Inoculation success of Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát in birch (Betula pendula Roth, B. pubescens Ehrh.) and alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench, A. glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in Estonia

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月16日

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  • Karin Kütt,
  • Kalev Adamson,
  • Katrin Jürimaa,
  • Annika Soomelt,
  • Rein Drenkhan

摘要

Key message

This is the first study to investigate the success of inoculation of Alnus incana and A. glutinosa with Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát, providing new insights about the potential cultivation of this valuable fungus under field conditions. Results show that conks developed slowly under natural conditions. The development of the fungus observed in A. glutinosa suggests that this species may be as suitable a host for I. obliquus than birches. Furthermore, visible stem symptoms proved unreliable for detecting infection, highlighting the importance of molecular diagnostics for accurate assessment.

Context

Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát (commonly known as Chaga) is a medicinal fungus traditionally harvested from birch trees. Artificial cultivation is increasingly considered due to a rising commercial demand. However, our knowledge remains limited regarding infection dynamics and conk development on different host species.

Aims

We assessed the success of I. obliquus inoculation in Betula pendula, B. pubescens, Alnus incana, and A. glutinosa stands 2 years after inoculation in order to: (i) identify the most susceptible host tree species and the most effective I. obliquus strains for cultivation; (ii) assess the frequency of conk formation under hemiboreal conditions; investigate whether (iii) visible symptoms on stems resulted from I. obliquus infection and (iv) mechanical wounding influenced fungal establishment.

Methods

The experiment was conducted at two locations in Estonia, encompassing a total of six forest sites, with inoculation success assessed using species-specific qPCR. Sterile conk development was additionally monitored visually 4 years post-inoculation.

Results

Inoculation success differed between the two locations, with an infection rate of 18% observed at Järvselja and 3% at Võrumaa. Three fungal strains consistently achieved higher infection rates among the six tested ones. Conks developed only on A. glutinosa trees and with specific strains. Only the identity of the fungal strains resulted in a significant effect on infection ess. Visible stem symptoms, such as bleeding and bulging, were unreliable indicators of the infection rate.

Conclusion

I. obliquus conks developed more rapidly on A. glutinosa compared to B. pendula, B. pubescens, and A. incana. Moreover, fungal strains play a crucial role in determining cultivation success.