ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Aesculus hippocastanum L. State Changes
in Lithuania
Vilija Snieskiene1, Antanina Stankeviciene1, Kęstutis Zeimavicius1, Ligita Balezentiene2
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1Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, Ž. E. Žilibero 6, LT-46324 Kaunas, Lithuania
2Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Akademija, LT-53341 Kaunas distr., Lithuania
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2011;20(4):1029-1035
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Common horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is an introduced plant and has been successfully
used for planting for a long time in Lithuania. The state of the A. hippocastanum growing in larger cities was
assessed in 1992-2009. Moreover, the assessment was carried out throughout the entire country during 2006-
09. The results of the research described the changing situation of A. hippocastanum during the investigative
period: the state was sufficiently good for separate periods, but it began to deteriorate in 1995-97, when a A.
hippocastanum was infected with fungi diseases (agents – Guignardia aesculi, Erysiphe flexuosa, and
Schizophyllum commune). Unfavourable environmental conditions had also made an influence, whereas
horse-chestnut leafminer (Cameraria ohridella) was the most harmful pest over all territory of Lithuania since
2005-06. This invasive pest is common in most European countries. Noteworthy of fallen leaves elimination
is the most effective mean restraining abundance of C. ohridella and the spread of fungi diseases.