Mycoflora of Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica M.) in Tazekka and Ifrane National Parks in Morocco

Cedar is a highly sought-after plant worldwide, due to its ability to adapt to a variety of living conditions: climate, adaptation to different types of soil and also due to its resistance to fire, the perfect quality of its wood and the unquestionable aesthetic value of its stands. Our study is interested in isolating fungi from the wood parts of cedar trunks and identifying these mycoflora. Samples were isolated from the cedar grove of Boutrouba forest located in Ifrane National Park and from Tazekka national park located in Taza. The culture and purification of the isolated fungus were done on a water agar medium and then on a Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. A molecular characterization identified more than ten mycotaxons, the bulk of which are taxonomically dominated by species known as saprophytes. Three of the fungal species are pathogenic and cause decay of cedarwood. Whereas the other identified species are known to be antagonistic fungi, which may provide an ecological solution to the problem of pathogenic cedar fungi.