diversity of microfungi in fruit forests of ili - Poznań

*Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan 

**Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Almaty, Kazakhstan 

DIVERSITY OF MICROFUNGI IN FRUIT FORESTS 

OF ILI-ALATAU NATIONAL PARK (KAZAKHSTAN) 

*E. Rakhimova, *Z. Byzova, *B. Valiyeva and **L. Dernovskaya 

Abstract 

Microfungi diversity has been investigated in the fruit forests of Ili-Alatau National 

Park.180 species of micromycetes were found to be associated with trees 

and bushes in the fruit forests.Results of present studies showed that there was a 

great diversity of fungi associated with wild apple trees (Malus sieversii).39 species 

were identified.Apple scab was the dominant disease in forests.The diversity recorded 

on rowanberry trees, Lonicera spp., Crataegus spp.and Berberis spp.was 27, 

31, 22, 19 species, respectively.16 fungal species were present on Rosa spp.15 species 

of microfungi were collected from Armeniaca vulgaris, among them 

Clasterosporium carpophylum had highest abundance.14 fungal species were associated 

with Ribes spp.12 species of micromycetes were present on bird cherry, six 

fungal species were collected from buckthorn (generally from leaves). 

Key words: micromycetes, pathogens, wild fruit forest, microfungi, diversity 

Introduction 

Ili-Alatau National Park is located at the southeastern region of Kazakhstan, 

near from Almaty.Its territory includes the part of the Trans Ili-Alatau (Zailiysky 

Alatau) – central range of the Northern Tien Shan mountain system.The noticeable 

feature of this range is a presence of small-leaved forests’ belt, consisting of 

apple-trees, apricot, and aspen. 

In central region of the Trans Ili-Alatau the wild fruit forests are located within 

1000–1300 (1600) m a.s.l. Usually, they grow as small woods on slopes and along 

ancient river terraces.The dominant species of these forests are apple (Malus 

sieversii (Ledeb.) Roem.) and apricot (Armeniaca vulgaris Lam.) trees, which cover 

over 4364 ha (Dzhangaliev 1977).The individual trees vary in habitus, form and 

Phytopathol. Pol. 35: 203–213 

© The Polish Phytopathological Society, Poznań 2005 

ISSN 1230-0462

204 E. Rakhimova, Z. Byzova, B. Valiyeva and L. Dernovskaya 

colour of fruit, limits of fruit maturity, and susceptibility to fungal pathogens.Rowan 

(Sorbus tianschanica Rupr.), barberry (Berberis heteropoda Schrenk), currant 

(Ribes meyeri Maxim), bird cherry (Padus avium Mill.), buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica 

L.), different species of hawthorn (Crataegus almaatensis Pojark., C. korolkowii 

Henry, C. songorica Koch.), rose (Rosa alberti Regel, R. beggeriana Schrenk, R. laxa 

Retz., R. platyacantha Schrenk), honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica L., L. altmanii Regel, 

L. stenantha Pojark.) are observed together with apple and apricot trees. 

The micromycetes of wild fruit forests have been described in several reports 

(Kravtzev 1948, Kleiner 1958, Kalymbetov 1969, Kazenas 1971).The investigators 

have noted some fungal species on trees and bushes, but mycological biodiversity 

studies have never been undertaken.Currently there is a great interest in 

biodiversity issues, especially in relation to conservation of biodiversity, not least 

in the mycological world (Hawksworth 1991).There is also a recent interest in the 

fungi associated with wild fruit trees and bushes due to their increasing role for the 

selection for immunity. 

The purpose of our investigations was to determinate the fungal diversity of 

wild fruit trees and bushes in Ili-Alatau National Park in order to increase knowledge 

on the contribution of microfungi to the fungal diversity of wild fruit forests. 

Material and methods 

The data in this study were compiled from various sources.Records of fungi reported 

in the literature on trees and bushes in the Trans Ili-Alatau were utilized 

(Byzova et al. 1956–1981, Kalymbetov 1969). 

Leaves, fruits, and shoots with visible symptoms of various diseases, and 

healthy symptomless parts of plants were collected from trees and bushes in fruit 

forests of Trans Ili-Alatau mountains.The fungi associated were identified immediately, 

where possible.All samples were examined under a microscope within a 

short period.Specimens of fungi were mounted in water for examination with 

Nomarski differential interference contrast microscopy.The fungi were identified 

using keys and relevant references (Byzova et al.1956–1981).All examined samples 

bearing fungi identified (dry materials) were deposited in Herbarium Department 

(Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction).Non-sporulating material was 

kept in humid boxes at ambient temperature and examined regularly for fungal 

growth for five weeks.Some fungi were isolated and cultured on malt-yeast extract 

agar medium (2% malt extract, 0.2% yeast extract, 1.5% agar) at 23°C for 5–30 

days for morphological examination. 

Results 

180 species of micromycetes were found to be associated with trees and bushes 

in the fruit forests (Table 1).Results of present studies showed that there was a

Diversity of microfungi in fruit forests... 205 

Table 1 

List of species of micromycetes found on trees and bushes of fruit forests 

in Ili-Alatau National Park: Malus sieversii (M), Armeniaca vulgaris (A), Sorbus 

tianschanica (S), Crataegus spp. (C), Rosa spp. (R), Padus avium (P), Lonicera spp. 

(L), Ribes meyeri (Ri), Rhamnus cathartica (Ra), Berberis heteropoda (B) 

No.Fungus 

M A S 

Host plants 

C R P L Ri Ra B 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

1 Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. + 

2 Alternaria mali Roberts + 

3 Alternaria tenuis Nees + 

4 Anthostoma xylostei Sacc. + 

5 Ascochyta mali Ell. & Ev. + 

6 Aspergillus glaucus Link + 

7 Botrytis cinerea Pers. + + + 

8 Calosphaeria kriegeriana Niessl. + 

9 Camarosporium polymorphum (De Not.) Sacc. + 

10 Cercospora cerasella Sacc. + 

11 Cercospora mali Ell. & Ev. + 

12 Cercospora ribicola Ell. & Ev. + 

13 Cicinnobolus cesatii Sacc. + 

14 Cladosporium herbarum (Pers.) Link + + + 

15 Cladosporium stenosporum B. & C. Narth. + 

16 Cladosporium trichophilum Greene + 

17 Clasterosporium carpophilum (Lev.) Aderh. + + 

18 Coniochaeta ligniaria (Chev.) Mass. + + 

19 Coniochaeta niesslii (Auers.) Arx. & Muller + 

20 Coniothecium epidermidis Cord. + 

21 Coniothecium intricatum Peck + 

22 Coniothecium olivaceum McAlp. + + 

23 Coniothecium pulverulentum Karst. + 

24 Coniothecium ribes Karst. + 

25 Coniothyrium berberidis Fautr. + 

26 Coniothyrium olivaceum Bon. + 

27 Cucurbitaria acervata (Fr.) Ces. + 

28 Cucurbitaria berberidis (Fr.) Gray + 

29 Cucurbitaria crataegi (Schw.) Ell. & Ev. + 

30 Cucurbitaria delitescens Sacc. + 

31 Cucurbitaria ribis Niessl. + 

32 Cucurbitaria sorbi Karst. + 

33 Cucurbitaria subcespitosa Otth. +


Table 1 – cont. 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

34 Cucurbitaria vestita Jacz. + 

35 Cylindrosporium brevispina Dearn. + 

36 Cytospora capitata Sacc. & Schulz. + 

37 Cytospora carphosperma Fr.+ 

38 Cytospora cincta Sacc. + 

39 Cytospora microspora (Cda.) Rab. + + 

40 Cytospora oxyacanthae Rab. + 

41 Cytospora personata Fr. + 

42 Cytospora rosarum Grev. + 

43 Cytospora rubescens Fr. + 

44 Daldinia concentrica Ces. + 

45 Dendrophoma pulvis-pyrius Sacc. + 

46 Diaporthe cryptyca Nits. + 

47 Diatripe stigma (Fr.) Fr. + + + 

48 Diatripella verrucaeformis (Ehrh.) Nits. + 

49 Didymosphaeria oxycedri Fabre + 

50 Diplodia griffoni Sacc. + 

51 Dothiorella berengeriana Sacc. + 

52 Dothiorella pyrenophora (Karst.) Sacc. + 

53 Dothiorella sorbina Karst. + 

54 Entomosporium maculatum Lev. + + 

55 Euthypella padi (Karst.) Sacc. + 

56 Fumago vagans Pers. ex Sacc. + 

57 Fusicladium lonicerae Vassjag. + 

58 Fusicladium orbiculatum (Desm.) Thum. + 

59 Gloeosporium crataeginum Sacc. + 

60 Gloeosporium ribis (Lib.) Mont. + 

61 Gloeosporium sorbi Rostr. + 

62 Gymnosporangium confusum Plowr. + 

63 Gymnosporangium juniperinum (L.) Mart. + + 

64 Hendersonia sarmentorum West. + 

65 Hymenoscypha virgaltorum (Vahl.) Rehm + 

66 Lasiobotrys lonicerae (Fr.) Kunze + 

67 Lasiosphaeria hirsuta (Fr.) Ces. & De Not. + 

68 Leptostroma herbarum Link + 

69 Leptothyrium pomi Sacc. + 

70 Leucostoma auerswaldii (Nits.) Hoehn. + 

71 Leucostoma persoonii (Nits.) Hoehn. + 

72 Lophiostoma vagans Fabre +



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

73 Lophodermium hysterioides (Pers.) Sacc. 

74 Macrosporium commune Rab.+ 

+ 

75 Marssonina lonicerae (Harkn.) Magn. + 

76 Marssonina rosae (Lib.) Died. + 

77 Melanomma rulinum Karst. + 

78 Melasmia lonicerae Jacz. + 

79 Melomastia mastoidea (Fr.) Schroet. + 

80 Microsphaera berberidis (DC.) Lev. + 

81 Microsphaera friesii Lev. + 

82 Microsphaera lonicerae Winter + 

83 Microsphaera magnusii Blumer + 

84 Mollisia lignicola Phiel. + + 

85 Monilia cinerea Pers.+ + 

86 Monilia crataegi Died. + 

87 Monilia fructigena Pers. + 

88 Monilia linthartiana Sacc. + 

89 Mucor mucedo L. + 

90 Mycosphaerella cerasella Aderh. + 

91 Mycosphaerella grossulariae (Fr.) Lind. + 

92 Mycosphaerella pomi (Pass.) Link + 

93 Mycosphaerella ribis (Fuck.) Feltg. + 

94 Mycosphaerella rosigena (Ell. & Ev.) Stev. + 

95 Nectria cinnabarina (Fr.) Fr. 

96 Nectria galligena Bres.+ 

+ 

97 Nectria ribis (Tode) Rab. + 

98 Oedocephalum globuliferum Bref. + 

99 Ovularia berberidis Rab. + 

100 Penicillium communis Rob. + 

101 Penicillium expansum Fr. + 

102 Phoma aucupariae Bres. + 

103 Phoma crataegi Sacc. + 

104 Phoma minutula Sacc. + 

105 Phoma xylostei Cke. & Harkn. + 

106 Phragmidium devastatrix Sorokin + 

107 Phragmidium disciflorum (Tode) James + 

108 Phragmidium kamtschatkae (Anders.) Arth. & Cumm. + 

109 Phragmidium rosae-acicularis Liro + 

110 Phragmidium rosae-lacerantis Dietel + 

111 Phragmidium tuberculatum J. Muller +



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

112 Phyllactinia suffulta Sacc.f.mali Kalymbetov + 

113 Phyllactinia suffulta Sacc. f. oxyacanthae Sacc. + 

114 Phyllactinia suffulta Sacc. f. ribesii Jacz. + + 

115 Phyllosticta berberidis Rab. 

116 Phyllosticta briardi Sacc.+ 

+ 

117 Phyllosticta mali Prill. & Del. + 

118 Phyllosticta michailowskoensis Elenk. & Ohl. + 

119 Phyllosticta rhamnicola Desm. + 

120 Phyllosticta rosarum Pass. + 

121 Platystomum compressum (Pers.) Trev. + 

122 Pleospora delicatula (Vest.) Wehm. + 

123 Pleospora herbarum (Fr.) Rab. + 

124 Pleospora infernalis (Niessl.) Wehm. + 

125 Pleospora orbicularis Auers. + 

126 Pleospora oxyacanthae Wallr. + 

127 Pleospora scrophulariae (Desm.) Hohn. 

128 Podosphaera leucotricha Salm.+ 

+ 

129 Podosphaera oxyacanthae de Bary f. crataegi Jacz. + 

130 Podosphaera oxyacanthae de Bary f. sorbi Jacz. + 

131 Podosphaera tridactyla de Bary f. padi Jacz. + 

132 Polystigma ochraceum (Wahl.) Sacc. + 

133 Polystigmina ochraceum Sacc. + 

134 Polystigmina rubra (Desm.) Sacc. + 

135 Puccinia coronifera Kleb. + 

136 Puccinia festucae Plowr. + 

137 Puccinia graminis Fuckl. + 

138 Puccinia longirostis Komar. + 

139 Puccinia ribesi-corilis Kleb. + 

140 Ramularia lonicerae Vogl. + 

141 Rhabdospora lonicerae (Cke. & Ell.) Sacc. + 

142 Rhabdospora xylostei Lamb. & Fautr. + 

143 Rhytisma lonicerae P. Henn. + 

144 Rosellinia rosarum Niessl. + 

145 Sclerotium pirinum Fr. + 

146 Septoria aucuparicola Oud. + 

147 Septoria crataegi Kickx. + 

148 Septoria crataegicola A. Bond. & Tranz. + 

149 Septoria ribis Desm. + 

150 Septoria sorbi Lasch. ex Sacc. + 

151 Septoria xylostei Sacc. & Wint. +



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

152 Sphaerotheca pannosa Lev. var. rosae Woron. 

153 Spilocaea pomi Fr.+ 

+ 

154 Stigmina carpophila (Lev.) M. Ellis + 

155 Strickeria cerasi Feltg. + 

156 Strickeria megastegia (Ell. & Ev.) Frol. + 

157 Strickeria melanospora Kirschst.+ + 

158 Strickeria patellaris (Karst.) Byzova + 

159 Tapesia rosae Pers. + + 

160 Taphrina padi (Jacz.) Mix. + 

161 Thecopsora padi (Kze. & Schm.) Kleb. + 

162 Thyridaria pulveraceae (Karst.) Sacc. + 

163 Thyronectria berolinensis (Sacc.) Seaver + 

164 Trematosphaeria errabunda Fabre + 

165 Tremella mesenterica Retz. ex Fr. + 

166 Trichothecium roseum Link + + 

167 Tubercularia confluens Pers. + 

168 Tubercularia libertiana Paola + 

169 Tubercularia liceoides Fr.+ 

170 Tubercularia minor Link + 

171 Tubercularia persicina (Ditm.) Sacc. + 

172 Tubercularia rhamni Paoli + 

173 Tubercularia sarmentorum Fr. + 

174 Tubercularia vulgaris Fr. + + + 

175 Valsa ambiens (Fr.) Fr. + + 

176 Valsa leucostoma Fr. + 

177 Venturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint. + 

178 Vermicularia mali (Woronich.) Vassil. + 

179 Xylaria hypoxylon (L.) Grev. + 

180 Zignoella pulviscula (Curr.) Sacc. + 

great diversity of fungi associated with apple trees.39 species belonging to 36 genera 

were identified (Fig.1).Most of them were collected from the leaves, and 

Spilocaea pomi Fr.(apple scab fungus) was widely distributed.This species attacked 

leaves and fruit of host, resulting in light olive-brown spots gradually expanding 

on the surface of apple leaves or fruits.Infected plants that were weakened in this 

way tended to be susceptible to secondary pathogens.Sometimes apple scab 

caused defoliation.Scab fungus was the most common pathogen on apple trees in 

all gorges of the Trans Ili-Alatau.90% of wild apple trees were infected by scab fungus.Occurrence 

and intensity of disease varied depending on climatic conditions


Fig. 1. Number of fungal species and genera associated with trees and bushes in fruit forests 

during the growing period, the aggressiveness of pathogen, and the susceptibility 

of individual host plant. 

Apple trees were also affected by rust disease (causal agent – Gymnosporangium 

juniperinum (L.) Mart). The initial indications of rust infection on apple leaves were 

the presence of dark orange spots.Spermogonia and aecia were observed on apple 

leaves soon after beginning of summer. Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell.& Ev.) Salm. 

(powdery mildew fungus) damaged apple leaves, which became white, dry, and 

mildewed.Like apple scab, powdery mildew caused defoliation of susceptible 

forms.Infected trees were found in all gorges.Hyperparasite Cicinnobolus cesatii De 

Bary was found occasionally in hyphae of powdery mildew fungus. Mycosphaerella 

pomi (Pass.) Link, Cercospora mali Ell.& Ev., Phyllosticta mali Prill.& Del., Ascochyta 

mali Ell.& Ev., and species belonging to the genus Alternaria attacked mainly (or 

only) leaves of apple.Leaf spots were circular to irregular, necrotic, yellow, brown, 

or gray-brown with dark brown margin.Conidiomata of Phyllosticta and Ascochyta, 

and ascomata of Mycosphaerella were visible as dots, scattered within the leaf spot. 

Most of other fungi identified were found occasionally. 

The diversity of fungi on honeysuckle was 31 species.Powdery mildew fungi 

(Microsphaera lonicerae Winter, M. magnusii Blumer) were the dominant species on 

honeysuckle leaves.The occurrence of Rhytisma lonicerae P.Henn., Puccinia 

longirostis Komar., P. festucae Plowr., Septoria xylostei Sacc.& Wint., Melasmia 

lonicerae Jack., Marssonina lonicerae (Harkn.) Magn., Fusicladium lonicerae Vassjag.was 

associated with leaf spots of host.


27 species of micromycetes were found to be associated with rowan.The most 

important fungal pathogens of rowan were Gymnosporangium juniperi Link and 

Fusicladium orbiculatum (Desm.) Thum., causing rust and scab, respectively. 22 fungal 

species on hawthorn were identified, among them Phyllactinia suffulta Sacc.f. 

oxyacantha Sacc. and Gymnosporangium confusum Plovr. were widely distributed. 

The fungal diversity recorded on barberry, rose, and apricot was 19, 16, 15 species, 

respectively.Powdery mildew was the dominant disease on barberry leaves. 

Most of other fungi identified were found occasionally.Rust and powdery mildew 

were the dominant diseases on rose leaves. Phragmidium, Sphaerotheca, and 

Marssonina were the dominant genera with high abundance. Phragmidium was also 

the genus with the most number of species: there were six species of this genus. 

Phragmidium devastatrix Sorokin, P. disciflorum (Tode) James., P. kamtschatkae (Ander.) 

Arth., P. rosae-acicularis Liro, P. rosae-lacerantis Diet., P. tuberculatum Muller were collected 

from leaves, stems and fruits of host plant, P. disciflorum being predominant. 

Sphaerotheca pannosa Lev.var. rosae Wor.(anamorph – Oidium erysiphoides Fries.), 

powdery mildew fungus, was the common pathogen of Rosa species attacking leaves 

and young stems of host plants.Widespread species, Marssonina rosae (Lib.) Died, attacked 

only senescent leaves of host plant, resulting in radial and stellate black (or 

purple brown) spots with various sizes.Among fungal species collected from apricot, 

Clasterosporium carpophyllum Aderh.had the highest abundance. 

The diversity of fungi associated with currant was 14 species, among them 

Puccinia ribesi-corilis Kleb.and Cercospora ribicola Ell.& Ev.were dominant.Both species 

attacked mainly (or only) leaves of currant. 

12 species of micromycetes were present on bird cherry. Polystigma ochraceum 

Sacc.was dominant, attacking only leaves of host plant.Leaf spots were circular 

and orange-red with a prominent margin.Six fungal species were collected from 

buckthorn (generally from leaves). 

Discussion 

Overall 180 species of microfungi occurring on trees and bushes in wild fruit 

forests of Ili-Alatau National Park were identified, whereas Kazenas (1971) was 

able to identify 80 different species and Kalymbetov (1969) described 131 species. 

In another investigation of neighbouring territories, Mosolova (1987), analyzing 

micromycetes on trees and bushes in Kirghizia, found 133 species, among them 

seven species were collected from apple, 21 species – from roses, 11 species – from 

apricot, 15 species – from hawthorn, four species – from bird cherry, 11 species – 

from rowan, 15 species – from barberry, 13 species – from currant, 33 species – 

from honeysuckle, three species – from buckthorn.It is remarkable that so few 

micromycetes were found on apple trees, bird cherry and buckthorn in Kirghizia, 

considering that they were so frequently recorded on the same plants in 

Kazakhstan.The dominant fungi on different host plants were similar in 

Kazakhstan and in Kirghizia.For example, Spilocaea pomi Fr.was commonly found


on apple trees, Phragmidium species – on roses.But other fungi associated with 

trees and bushes were significally different in Kazakhstan and in Kirghizia.For example, 

six species of Phragmidium was commonly found on roses in Kazakhstan, 

while Mosolova (1987) reported four species of this genus in Kirghizia.Some parts 

of these differences regarding fungal species composition on different trees and 

bushes may be due to natural factors such as climate, microclimatic and edaphic 

characteristics, altitudinal zonality, others to anthropogenic influences. 

The results of the present study showed that several fungal species were common 

to more than one host.Some of species such as Botrytis cinerea Pers., Diatripe 

stigma (Fr.) Fr. and some species of Tubercularia, were not host specific and were 

collected from different host plants.Host-specific species were primary linked to 

living leaves, and were then represented by obligate, biotrophic pathogens. 

Acknowledgements 

Authors are grateful to D.Korenev from Institute of Microbiology and Virology, 

Almaty, Kazakhstan, for technical assistance. 

Literature 

Byzova Z.M., Vasyagina M.P., Deeva N.G., Kalymbetov B.K., Pisareva H.F., Shvarzman S.R., 

1956–1981: Flora sporovykh rasteniy Kazakhstana. Vol. 1, 3, 5, 7–9, 12. Nauka, Alma-Ata. 

Dzhangaliev A.D., 1977: Dikaya yablonya Kazakhstana. Nauka, Alma-Ata. 

Hawksworth D.L., 1991: The fungal dimension of biodiversity: magnitude, significance, and conservation. 

Mycol. Res. 95: 641–655. 

Kalymbetov B.K., 1969: Mikoflora Zailiyskogo Alatau. Nauka, Alma-Ata. 

Kazenas L.D., 1971: Bolezni dikikh plodovykh i yagodnykh rasteniy. Kaynar, Alma-Ata. 

Kleiner B.D., 1958: Bolezni dikikh plodovykh derev’ev. Dokl. Sredneaziatsk. nauchn.-issled. inst. lesa 

(Tashk.) 1: 133–138. 

Kravtzev B.T., 1948: Gribnye bolezni dikoy yabloni. In: Trudy Almatinskogo zapovednika. Nauka, 

Alma-Ata: 135–144. 

Mosolova S.N., 1987: Mikromytzety derev’ev i kustarnikov Chuyskoy doliny i severnogo sklona 

Kirgizskogo khrebta. Ilim, Frunze. 

Authors’ addresses: Dr Elena Rakhimova, 

Dr Zoya Byzova, 

Dr Balsheker Valiyeva, 

Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, 

ul. Timiryazeva 36 D, 

480-090 Almaty, 

Kazakhstan 

e-mail: evrakhim@mail.ru

Accepted for publication: 30.03.2005 


Dr Ludmila Dernovskaya, 

Institute of Microbiology and Virology, 

ul. Bogenbay-Batyr 103, 

480-100 Almaty, 

Kazakhstan

diversity of microfungi in fruit forests of ili - Poznań

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