European Regional Development Fund Operational Programme "Growth and Employment" Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 "To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure" Activity 1.1.1.2 "Post-doctoral Research Aid" project No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/2/18/238
This research project proposes to study fungal impact on health and sustainability of Norway spruce forest stands planted on former agricultural lands characterized by high wood productivity but with high infection risk of wood pathogens.
The study focuses on three aspects: i) a genet analysis of Heterobasidion root-rot infection and its spread among the trees; ii) assessment of economic losses caused by Heterobasidion root-rot; iii) analysis of fungal communities in roots and wood.
The results will contribute to forest management sector by providing deeper knowledge on risks of Heterobasidion infection in stands on former agricultural land; a better understanding on tree-fungi relationships; and, fungal functional diversity in this specific environment. The new knowledge generated would be important for future forest management in such areas. The data will also provide a better understanding of biology and ecology of Heterobasidion spp. and other fungi belowground.
Partner institutions are SLU (Sweden), LUKE (Finland) and Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences (Estonia), collaborating in the post-collection phase of data analysis and interpretation, enabling analysis of the data of root fungi using high throughput sequencing, which will provide unique and multiple data sets for Latvia. Valuable data obtained will thus be published in high-impact factor scientific journals and presented at international conferences, increasing recognition and visibility of the postdoctorate researcher and research team.