Molecular characterization of M’jej, decaying agent of cedar forests in Morocco

IRG/WP 06-10593

A Zaremski, S Bakkali-Yakhlef, C Chaintreuil, Y Abbas, Y Prin, M Abourouh, M Ducousso

Cedar wood is well appreciated since thousand years even though its economical importance is limited because of its world distribution restricted to some Mediterranean countries and Himalaya. The most important species, Cedrus atlantica have its biggest population in Morocco (130 000 ha) where it is submitted to fungal diseases. Among them, the locally named “M’jej” reduced notably saw mile harvest, with about 12 % infection rates. “M’jej” induced fibrous rot of heartwood. Among the various genera and species described as responsible for M’jej, all are synonyms of Phellinus chrysoloma or P. pini. Identified according to fruit bodies morphological, anatomical and ecological characters, both species would be responsible for M’jej. Molecular characterisation based on samples collected from infested trees and the comparison with reference data base sequences allowed us to evidence very close taxonomical relationships between these two species suggesting their putative synonymy.


Keywords: in situ molecular characterisation, cedar, ITS, Morocco, fibrous rot

Conference: 06-06-18/22 Tromsoe, Norway


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