Frequency of Armillaria species in woody substrates in Latvian Norway spruce stands

This study aimed to identify and quantify the presence of Armillaria species associated with various woody substrates in 48 Norway spruce forest stands growing on different soil types across Latvia. We collected 241 samples of Armillaria rhizomorphs, which were identified at the species level using molecular tools. The results showed that A. cepistipes is the dominant species in the wood substrates of Norway spruce in Latvia, followed by A. borealis. The impact of the observed Armillaria species on Norway spruce forests is discussed.