Endophytic mycoflora of Cedrus atlantica: diversity patterns and determinism of the phytosanitary situation of Atlas cedar forests in Belezma massif (Algeria)

Endophytic mycoflora of Cedrus atlantica needles was studied in three selected sites from the Belezma National Park (Algeria). Colonization frequencies of needles are more important in the autumnal and spring periods for major identified fungi. In addition, a specific investigation revealed a high incidence of the symptomatic isolates of Lophodermium cedrinum in Tougurt site which presents the greatest width of Atlas cedar decline in the studied area. The symptomatic forms grow more quickly and have smaller and rudimentary conidia than those of the asymptomatic forms. In addition, the cellulolytic and pectinolytic activities are more important for symptomatic isolates of Tougurt and Telmet site, compared to those of Bordjem. The etiologic study thus helped us determine the ecological indication and the implication of L. cedrinum as a releasing element of the needle-cast symptoms within the syndrome of Atlas cedar forest decline in the Belezma mountains.