Phytophthora citricola was isolated from diseased seedlings of European beech and Silver fir taken from the most of surveyed nurseries. Fusarium species, Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani were also found in diseased plant tissues.Isoates of P. citricola fro mboth plants and additionally from heather and rhododendron colonised leaf blades, needles and stem parts of beech and fir. In greenhouse trials on inoculated 1-year-old seedlings necrosis spread about 2 mm/24 hr on beech stems whereas on fir about 1.5 mm/24 hr.

This paper analyses the influence of the applied microwave power output on the intensification of drying in the context of process kinetics and product quality. The study involved testing samples of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.). Wood samples were dried in the microwave chamber at: 168 W, 210 W, 273 W, 336 W and 378 W power output level. For comparison, wood was dried convectively at 40 ◦C and 87% air relative humidity. The analysis of drying process kinetics involved nonlinear regression employing the Gompertz model. Dried samples were subjected to static bending tests in order to specify the influence of the applied microwave power on modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rapture (MOR). The obtained correlations of results were verified statistically. Analysis of drying kinetics, strength test results and Tukey’s test showed that the applied microwaves of a relatively low level significantly shortened the drying time, but did not cause a reduction in the final quality of dried wood, compared with conventional drying.