Vitality and Inhibition Parameters in the Analysis of Dual Fungal Cultures as an Effective Tool in the Bio-Protection of Forest Ecosystems

Abstract

Using a pathogenic fungus and selected endophytic fungi of the ash tree, we propose a modified model of fungal dual cultures that allows us to obtain two new parameters particularly useful in the search for fungal pathogen control agents. The first of these, called the vitality parameter, is applicable to the study of both biotic and abiotic factors affecting fungal growth. It is measured as the ratio of fungal growth radius in the direction of a studied factor to the growth radius in the opposite direction. The second parameter, called the inhibition parameter, relates to biofactors and is the ratio of the vitality parameters of the two tested fungi in dual cultures. This parameter combines the information on the growth of both dual culture components, for the first time, as a one value. In order to correctly determine the values of both parameters, a required inoculation configuration in dual cultures and a method for calibrating the duration of such cultures have been developed. All this together creates a new tool for a more sophisticated look at the use of dual cultures in the search for means to control fungal pathogens, including those that threaten the stability of forest ecosystems.