Protection of Scots Pine Planting Stock and Forest Plantations against Diseases and Pests in Belarus

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this research is the monitoring of diseases of Scots pine in the plantings and forest stands in the Republic of Belarus depending on the species composition of pests, their biology and the effectiveness of various methods of plant protection. Significant loss of plants for planting is associated with the spread of pathogens causing damage to seedlings, mainly from the genus Fusarium, Alternaria and Botrytis. The most abundant pests of Scots pine are Coleoptera and Lepidoptera groups representing 16 and 8 species, accordingly. Numerous species represent Curculionidae, Scarabaeidae and Tortricidae family. The main components of an effective system of measures, as an integral part of the technology of growing of planting material of Scots pine in containers, are pre-sowing seed treatment with fungicides, stimulating the growth and development of seedlings. The elaborated system of protective measures of forest plantations is based on the prevalence, phenology of pests, estimation of phytopathogenic load, monitoring of diseases and seasonal climatic conditions.