Forest Protection

Forest Protection from Diseases and Pests

Forest protection in PE “Vojvodinašume” is implemented in accordance with legal regulations, planning documents and the instructions of the Forecast and Reporting Service (PIS). Through the implementation of the research and development project in forestry with the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, relating to the study and improvement of the vitality and production potentials of forests, as well as to the protection of forests managed by PE “Vojvodinašume”, specialist support has been ensured in the regular monitoring of the occurrence of diseases and pests of forest trees and in recommendations concerning the implementation of necessary protection measures.

The project is implemented through three thematic units; (1) Protection from harmful factors in nurseries, plantations, cultures, seed facilities and stands; (2) Research under the program of the Forest Protection Forecast and Reporting Service in the area of PE “Vojvodinašume”; (3) Research and control of weed vegetation in nurseries and poplar plantations and in regenerated pedunculate oak forests.

Within the framework of protection from harmful factors, all forest objects are regularly inspected, on the basis of which the presence and population levels of the most important diseases and pests of forest trees are determined. In accordance with the established condition, appropriate protection measures are prescribed as necessary, which are implemented by the enterprise’s expert services. From the group of forest tree pests, a significant number of species have been registered in forest objects, of which the following are listed: plant aphids Aphididae sp., leaf-rolling weevils Byctiscus sp., small poplar clearwing moth Paranthrene tabaniformis Rott., fall webworm Hyphantria cunea Drury, willow gall midge Helicomya saliciperda, ash weevil Stereonychus fraxini Deg., European pine sawfly Neodiprion sertifer Garffr., pine shoot moth Evetria buoliana Schiff., poplar leaf miner Leucoptera sinuella Rtti., poplar jewel beetles Agrilus suvorovi populneus Schaef. and Melanophila picta Pall., large poplar weevil Cryptorrhychus lapathi L., May beetle Melolontha melolontha L., owlet moths Noctuidae sp., poplar defoliators Curculionidae sp., gypsy moth Porthetria dispar L., winter moth Operophtera brumata L., mottled umber moth Hibernia defoliaria L., leaf beetles Chrysomelidae sp., and others.

Among plant diseases, the most frequently recorded are the following: Fomes annosus (Fr.) Cooke, Lophodermium seditiosum Minter, Staley & Millar, Cryptodiaporthe populea Sacc. et Br., Marssonina brunnea (Ell. et Ev.) P. Magn., Microsphaera alphitoides Griff. et Maubl., Dothistroma pini Hubl., Lonsdalea populi, and others.

The research under the program of the Forest Protection Forecast and Reporting Service includes all tasks and activities prescribed by the regulation for the operation of this service, which relate to the obligations of the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment as a regional centre and of the enterprise as the forest user. The program covers the following economically important diseases: Cryptodiaporthe populea Sacc. et Br., Scirrhia acicola (Dearn.) Siggers, Microsphaera alphitoides Griff. et Maubl., Marssonina brunnea (Ell. et Ev.) P. Magn., and Melampsora sp. The following harmful insects are included: Porthetria dispar L., Chrysomelidae sp., Erannis defoliaria L., Operophtera brumata L., and Scolytidae sp.

Overview of areas (ha) on which forest protection measures against gypsy moth and early defoliators were implemented by aerial treatment from 2002 to 2022

In addition to harmful insects and plant diseases, weeds also have a detrimental effect on the development of cultures and plantations. By their occurrence and development they represent competing vegetation to the cultivated tree species, both in terms of water and in terms of available nutrients in the soil, they limit the inflow of sunlight and at the same time hinder soil cultivation. Each weed species has a specific life cycle and biological characteristics, certain requirements regarding the external environment and specific reactions to changes in external environmental conditions. Weed plants have a high capacity to adapt to external conditions and produce enormous quantities of seed, which enables them to spread rapidly in space. Some perennial weed species reproduce by rhizomes, which develop in the surface layer of soil (Agropyron repens, Cynodon dactylon, etc.), while others have underground organs at greater depth (Convolvulus sepium, Sorghum halepense, etc.), which for the purpose of their suppression requires the application of different soil tillage methods.

If the characteristics of the present weed vegetation are not well known, the application of inappropriate suppression measures may have undesirable consequences, such as intensive spread and development of weeds. The main mass of weeds in nurseries predominantly consists of broadleaf species, such as: Chenopodium album, Convolvulus sepium, Datura stramonium, Cirsium arvense, Portulaca oleracea, Sinapis arvensis, Amaranthus retroflexus, Solanum nigrum, and others. Among narrow-leaved grass weeds, the most common are the following species: Echinochloa crus-galli, Sorghum halepense, Setaria glauca, Setaria viridis, Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria sanguinalis, and others.

In poplar plantations, as well as in naturally regenerated oak forests, in addition to herbaceous species, a significant presence of woody weeds has also been recorded. Woody species are very resistant and possess high regenerative capacity, and therefore are very difficult to suppress by mechanical means. In forest nurseries, poplar plantations and regenerated oak stands, weeds are mostly suppressed by mechanical means, although in recent times chemical protection measures using herbicides have been applied to a greater extent. However, when choosing herbicides, attention must be paid to the composition of the weed vegetation, bearing in mind the different effectiveness of certain herbicides against different weeds. Of particular importance is knowledge of the selectivity of certain herbicides in relation to the cultivated plants. Proper selection of herbicides, their possible combination and application in appropriate phases of weed and cultivated plant development are necessary conditions for the rational use of herbicides and effective weed suppression.

In the period 2002–2022, forest protection against insects was carried out on a total area of 40,244.97 ha. Depending on the type of pest, intensity of attack, age of the plantation and the size of the area, the method of application of the appropriate insecticide was determined. Thus, in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012, on an area of 19,928.17 ha, forest protection against gypsy moth and early defoliators was performed by aerial application of insecticides, in order to prevent the enormous damage that these pests can cause when overpopulated. Monitoring, i.e. regular observation of the occurrence and abundance of insects each year, makes it possible to prevent undesirable consequences and preserve forests from their harmful impact.

Forest Protection from Game and Domestic Animals

Protection from game and domestic animals is carried out in young forest cultures, plantations and regenerated natural forests, especially in enclosed hunting grounds with a high concentration of big game. Small game occasionally causes damage by bark peeling on young poplar and willow seedlings, particularly in winter when the ground is covered with snow.

Young forest cultures, plantations and regenerated natural stands are protected from big game by erecting high fences, as well as by individual protection with woven wire. In addition, repellents are applied to repel game and to prevent bud browsing and bark peeling on seedlings. Of particular importance is the preventive measure which implies maintaining the game population at an optimal level in accordance with the site quality.