Chestnut blight, or chestnut bark disease, is caused by an introduced fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica. The fungus enters wounds, grows in and under the bark, and eventually kills the cambium all the way around the twig, branch, or trunk. Sprouts develop from a burl-like tissue at the base of the tree called the ‘root collar,’ which contains dormant embryos .Sprouts grow, become wounded and infected, and die, and the process starts all over again.
Biological control for the chestnut blight was implemented in the chest forests of Athos (1998-2000) covering 70.000 Ha and had very positive eradication result. A similar biological control was also carried out in chest forests under the Forest Inspection of Achaia (2005-2007) and is already effective considering the hypovirulent rate is 60-70%.
The previous Rural Development Programme (3rd Period) biological control was implemented in the following Prefectures: Drama, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pellas, Pierias, Arta, Ioannina, Larisa, Karditsa, Aitoloakarnania, Evia, Evritania, Arkadia, Lakonia and Messinia.
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