Response of Japanese red pine to inoculation with a blue stain fungus,Ceratocystis piceae

To confirm the pathogenicity of a blue stain fungus,Ceratocystis piceae (Münch) Bakshi to the Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.), the responses of healthy young pine trees and stressed trees which were girdled by the half-circumferential girdling technique were investigated by the fungal inoculation test. Although neither of the pine trees inoculated withC. piceae in the non-girdled treatment nor the controls died, mortality of the trees girdled and inoculated withC. piceae was 28.6%. In the pine trees inoculated withC. piceae, the mean area of the necrotic lesion of the sapwood was significantly larger than that of the controls, and the mean of the water pressure potential of the xylem decreased, regardless of the girdling treatment. TheC. piceae was reisolated from the wood pieces near the inoculation points on the inoculated trees, but not from the controls. These results suggest that under strongly stressed conditions, the Japanese red pine trees might have been killed by heavy infestations ofC. piceae carried by bark beetles. A part of this paper was presented at the 103rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1992).     

Turkish Heterobasidion abietinum is pathogenic to inoculated Abies nordmanniana ssp. nordmanniana and ssp. bornmülleriana

Four‐year‐old seedlings of Abies nordmanniana ssp. bornmülleriana and 5‐year‐old seedlings of Abies nordmanniana ssp. nordmanniana were inoculated on the lower stem with 28 Heterobasidion abietinum isolates originating from four different regions of Turkey. Replicate seedlings were incubated in greenhouse and growth chamber. After 7 weeks, infection incidence, mortality, lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in the sapwood were examined. Infection incidence in different host–incubation combinations ranged between 70.5 and 79.5% and the average mortality rate was 4.2%. Average lesion lengths varied between 8.4 and 33.9 mm, and average fungal growth between 18.7 and 34.8 mm. There was a significant positive correlation between lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in sapwood on both hosts and conditions. Clear differences in virulence between H. abietinum isolates originating from different regions were not found. The results indicate that H. abietinum is pathogenic on both investigated subspecies of A. nordmanniana. Both lesion length and fungal growth were greater on ssp. bornmülleriana, indicating that it would be more susceptible than ssp. nordmanniana.     

Risk from Sirococcus conigenus to understory red pine seedlings in northern Wisconsin

Interest in development of multicohort stands of red pine (Pinus resinosa) in the Great Lakes region of North America prompted an investigation of the potential impact of the shoot blight pathogen Sirococcus conigenus (syn. S. strobilinus) on understory red pine seedlings. In May 2002 and 2003 healthy, 1‐year‐old red pine seedlings were planted in the understory of a maturing red pine plantation in northern Wisconsin in an area with a history of presence of this pathogen. Occurrence of shoot blight symptoms was recorded periodically during the summer, and in each year seedlings were harvested in fall and examined for signs of shoot blight pathogens. By fall 2002 and 2003, respectively, shoot blight incidence was 89% and 98% and most seedlings were dying. Pycnidia with conidia of S. conigenus were present on almost all of the symptomatic seedlings. The conifer shoot blight and canker pathogen Diplodia pinea (syn. Sphaeropsis sapinea) was also detected, though less frequently. Pycnidia of S. conigenus tended to be found more frequently on symptomatic current year's shoots than symptomatic previous year's shoots; the opposite was true for pycnidia of D. pinea. Risk from S. conigenus to understory red pine seedlings should be considered in any plans for development of multicohort red pine stands in areas where the pathogen is present.     

Identification of gram-positive bacteria isolated from initial stages of wound-initiated discoloration of red maple

Similar gram-positive bacteria in the genera Bacillus and Actinomyces were isolated from sapwood and stage-one discolored wood of red maple. These isolates are unlike those previously reported from red maple wood in advanced decay.     

Tree establishment and growth using forage ground covers in an alley-cropped system in Midwestern USA

The integration of forage crops in an alley-cropped system was examined as a method of encouraging tree planting to increase farm income, improve soil quality, and enhance biodiversity on Midwestern U.S. farms. Crop and tree performance were evaluated in an alley-cropped system using four forage intercrops grown in tree alleyways to simulate a potential hay crop – oat (Avena sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.); oat, red clover, and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.); oat, red clover, and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.); and oat and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) – compared to a herbicide, mowing and control (no management) treatment. Five tree species, divided into fast-growing hardwoods of two poplar (Populus spp.) clones [Crandon (P. alba L. × P. grandidentata Michx.) and Eugenei (P. deltoids Bartr. × P. nigra L.)], and silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) were compared with two high-value, slow-growing hardwoods planted from seed and as seedlings: red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and black walnut (Juglans nigra L.). Tree survival in the first year was greater for the fast-growing species, and by the fourth year, tree height among the four forage treatments was equivalent for all upland locations. The oat/hairy vetch ground cover was associated with the shortest trees in the bottomland site. Herbicide-treated trees were taller than the average of the four forage treatments for all four planting conditions. Tree height in the mowing and the control treatments was not significantly different for all four planting conditions. The nutritive value of the forage crop was excellent in the second year of tree establishment, with crude protein content and digestibility at 17 and 71%, respectively, in the oat/red clover/red fescue treatment, suggesting the viability of forage crops as alternatives to herbicides in alley-cropped systems.     

Pathogenicity to alder of Phytophthora species from riparian ecosystems in western Oregon

Described as one of the most destructive pathogens of agricultural crops and forest trees, Phytophthora is a genus of microorganisms containing over 100 known species. Phytophthora alni has caused collar and root disease in alders throughout Europe, and a subspecies has recently been isolated in North America. Reports of canopy dieback in red alder, Alnus rubra, prompted a survey of their overall health and to determine whether P. alni was present in western Oregon riparian ecosystems. Over 1100 Phytophthora isolates were recovered, representing 20 species and 2 taxa. Phytophthora‐type cankers were observed in many trees, and their incidence was positively correlated with canopy dieback. High levels of mortality for red alder were not observed, which suggests these Phytophthora species are not aggressive pathogens. To test this hypothesis, three stem wound inoculations and one root dip were conducted on red alder seedlings using 13 Phytophthora species recovered from the riparian survey. Ten of the 13 Phytophthora species produced significant lesions in at least one pathogenicity test. Phytophthora siskiyouensis produced the largest lesions on red alder from the two stem wound inoculation tests conducted under summer conditions, while P. taxon Pgchlamydo caused the largest lesions during the winter stem wound inoculation test. Phytophthora gonapodyides, P. taxon Pgchlamydo and P. siskiyouensis have previously been found associated with necrotic alder roots and bole cankers in the field, and with the pathogenicity results reported here, we have established these species as causes of Phytophthora root disease and Phytophthora bole canker of alder in Oregon. While none of the Phytophthora species were especially aggressive towards red alder in the pathogenicity tests, they did cause localized disease symptoms. By weakening the root systems or boles of alders, the Phytophthoras could be leaving alders more susceptible to other insects and pathogens.     

Seasonal effect on infection and development of lesions caused by Cryphonectria parasitica in Castanea sativa

Seasonal variation in the development of chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was investigated by inoculating in situ chestnut trees and in vitro excised chestnut segments, at either monthly or 3‐monthly intervals throughout 30 months. Inoculations were made with conidia and mycelium of a virulent isolate and with mycelium of a hypovirulent isolate. Conidial inoculations of living sprouts or excised segments between May and July resulted in the greatest incidence of infection whereas inoculations in autumn and winter, in vitro as well as in situ, did not reveal any visible disease. However, from these symptomless inoculated stems, C. parasitica was isolated 3 months after inoculation. Inoculations with the mycelium of the virulent isolate always resulted in lesions, except in January 1999, and the greatest rate of lesion development occurred for inoculations made in the spring and summer. There was a significant seasonal effect on lesion development. Lesions caused by the hypovirulent isolate, smaller than those caused by the virulent isolate, followed a similar seasonal pattern. The same seasonal variations were observed for inoculations in vitro of excised segments. Relative water content (RWC) of chestnut bark significantly varied with bark sampling date. The rate of lesion development in sprouts significantly correlated with average minimum (ATn) and maximum (ATx) temperatures and the sum of rainfall during inoculation period, with the rate of lesion development measured in excised segments 10 days after inoculation (R10d) and with RWC measured on the day of inoculation. In multiple regression models, variables ATx and R10d best explained variation in lesion development.     

不同光质处理对枫香幼苗叶色的影响

[目的]从生理生化角度揭示不同光质处理对枫香家系叶色变化的影响,为探索枫香叶色对光质的响应机理提供参考。[方法]以2个枫香家系的1年生幼苗为试验材料,测定其在不同光质处理下叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、花青素、可溶性糖、类黄酮和苯丙氨酸解氨酶的含量并分析其相关性。[结果]结果表明:试验后2个枫香家系叶色较处理前有一定程度的变化。红光处理组枫香幼苗叶片叶绿素含量显著高于其它处理组,而蓝光处理组叶片叶绿素含量则显著低于其它处理组。蓝光处理后,2个枫香家系叶片花青素含量较对照有显著提高,而红光处理则减少了叶片花青素含量。同时蓝光处理能显著提高枫香幼苗叶片类胡萝卜素、可溶性糖和类黄酮含量以及苯丙氨酸解氨酶活力,红光处理效果较对照无显著差异。方差分析表明,不同光质处理对枫香幼苗叶片叶绿素含量影响显著,而对花青素量和类胡萝卜素含量影响不显著。[结论]2个枫香家系叶色在光质处理下有相同的变化趋势,红光处理可以促进枫香幼苗叶片叶绿素合成;蓝光处理可以促进枫香幼苗叶片积累更多的花青素。     

Evaluation of the resistance of 36 Hevea clones to Microcyclus ulei and relation to their capacity to accumulate scopoletin and lignins

Thirty-six Hevea clones were inoculated with conidia of Microcyclus ulei, the causal agent of South American Leaf Blight in an air-conditioned chamber. Components of disease resistance such as latent period, infectious period, lesion size, percentage of damaged leaf area, number of lesions, spore production and stromatic generation period were studied during a single infection cycle. The clones were easily separated on the basis of these characters that were evaluated under controlled conditions. The main components that were highly correlated were the spore production, lesion size and number of lesions with the percentage of damaged leaf area. Others, such the stromatic generation period, were slightly correlated with all other components; latent period and infectious period was slightly correlated with the lesion size; and lesion size was slightly correlated with lesion density. For screening of varieties, damaged leaf area and spore production were the two components that should be considered the most important. Furthermore, the clones were tested for their capacity to produce scopoletin, a phytoalexin of Hevea, and to produce lignins in their infection sites. A strong correlation was observed between scopoletin accumulation and clone resistance. Moreover, strong lignin accumulation was often associated with a longer stromatic generation period. These two physiological reactions could interfere by limiting fungal development in several clones. However, neither scopoletin nor lignin accumulation could individually explain the behaviour of all clones.     

Effective concentration of phosphite in controlling Phytophthora cinnamomi following stem injection of Banksia species and Eucalyptus marginata

The effect of phosphite concentration on lesion development by Phytophthora cinnamomi in stems and roots of Banksia grandis and Eucalyptus marginata and in stems of Banksia coccinea was assessed during a 4.3 year period after stem injection of phosphite. Lesion length 6 weeks after inoculation was significantly less in roots of B. grandis trees that had been stem injected with three concentrations of phosphite (50, 100 and 200 g phosphite/l) at two rates (1 and 2 ml/cm of stem circumference) compared with the not‐injected control. With the exception of B. grandis trees injected with 50 g phosphite/l, lesion length for the high rate was not significantly different to the low rate. In roots of E. marginata, lesion development in response to phosphite was different to that in roots of B. grandis; lesion length in roots did not differ significantly between phosphite concentration and rate. Lesion length and girdling in stems of B. grandis and E. marginata was significantly less in those injected with phosphite than in not injected stems. One year after injection, callus tissue had contained lesions in stems injected with phosphite. By 4.3 years after injection of both hosts there was a steep significant negative linear relationship between phosphite concentration and either lesion length or girdling, with greatest lesion development in not injected stems and least in stems injected with 100 g phosphite/l. Recovery of P. cinnamomi from lesion margins 1 year after injection, was significantly less in trees injected with phosphite than in not injected trees. The amount of plant death reflected containment of lesion extension and girdling, and reduction of recovery of P. cinnamomi with phosphite concentration; 4.3 year after injection there was a steep significant negative linear relationship between phosphite concentration and percentage of plant death. In contrast to B. grandis and E. marginata, there was a U‐shaped non‐linear relationship between phosphite concentration and effectiveness of phosphite in controlling lesion extension and girdling in B. coccinea. Containment of lesion extension and girdling with time was greatest for B. coccinea stems injected with 25 g phosphite/l, least for stems not injected, and intermediate in stems injected with 50 and 100 g phosphite/l. As in B. grandis and E. marginata, containment of lesion extension and girdling in B. coccinea with phosphite concentration was reflected in the amount of plant death. The non‐linear response to phosphite of some plant species indicated that injected concentration for B. coccinea should not exceed 50 g phosphite/l, whereas injected concentrations of up to 100 g phosphite/l could be recommended for B. grandis. Longevity of action of phosphite for 4–5 years in native plant species after one injection makes phosphite injection a practical control option for the control of P. cinnamomi disease front extension and the protection of threatened flora. Research into the effect of factors affecting longevity of action of phosphite would facilitate optimization of timing of injection.     

Variation in growth of Heterobasidion parviporum in a full-sib family of Picea abies

Abstract

Heterobasidion parviporum (Fr.) Niemelä & Korhonen and Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. sensu lato are some of the major forest pathogens in the northern hemisphere causing root and butt rot to conifers. The relative susceptibility to H. parviporum was investigated in a full-sib family of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] by inoculating a set of 252 cloned progenies from a controlled cross. Four ramets of each progeny were used and the 2-year-old rooted cuttings were incubated for 6 weeks under greenhouse conditions. The condition of the cuttings was assessed visually and all the plants were in excellent vigour with no mortality recorded during the experiment. To score the relative susceptibility, lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in the sapwood were measured. Among the progenies, significant differences were found for fungal growth in the sapwood (p<0.0005). There was no significant difference for lesion length; however, there was a significant positive correlation between fungal growth and lesion length. The broad-sense heritability was 0.11 for fungal growth. This shows that the genetic component for susceptibility to H. parviporum can be detected even within a full-sib family of Norway spruce and that there is a potential for mapping quantitative trait loci for this trait in Norway spruce.     

Susceptibility of red fir and white fir to fir dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietinum) in California

Fir dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietinum, Viscaceae) is a damaging parasite of true firs (Abies spp.) in California. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, fir dwarf mistletoe consists of two special forms (formae speciales, f. sp.) which are morphologically similar, but exhibit a high degree of host specificity: A. abietinum f. sp. concoloris whose principal host is Sierra white fir (Abies lowiana) and A. abietinum f. sp. magnificae which only parasitizes red fir (Abies magnifica). Although field observations and cross‐inoculation studies have consistently supported the extreme host specialization demonstrated by these special forms of fir dwarf mistletoe, little quantitative data from mixed red fir/white fir stands infested with fir dwarf mistletoe have been available. Therefore, I sampled 20 mixed conifer stands dominated by red and white fir and infested with f. sp. concoloris (8 stands) or f. sp. magnificae (12 stands) from near Mount Shasta to the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains near Sherman Pass. Infection of red and white fir was evaluated using temporary circular plots (0.012 ha) established around large, severely infected trees and with rectangular transects placed within fir dwarf mistletoe‐infested stands. In each plot and transect, live trees >5 cm in diameter at breast height were assigned a dwarf mistletoe rating (6‐class system). A total of 55 plots and 51 transects were established in the 20 stands, and over 1,900 red firs and 1,700 white firs were sampled. Ninety‐nine per cent of the red firs and 98% of the white firs were infected in stands infested with f. sp. magnificae or f. sp. concoloris, respectively. In contrast, no infection of red fir was observed in stands infested with f. sp. concoloris and no infected white firs were observed in stands infested with f. sp. magnificae. These data provide further support that the special forms of fir dwarf mistletoe are extremely host specific in California.     

LED光质对油茶苗生长和光合特性的影响

[目的]探寻适合油茶苗培育的最佳LED光质配比。[方法]以2年生长林4号油茶扦插苗为试材,LED白光为对照,研究LED红光、蓝光及其复合光对油茶苗生长和光合特性的影响。[结果]表明:L1(红光)处理下,油茶苗高生长量最大,但表观量子效率、光补偿点和胞间CO2浓度最小;L7(蓝光)处理下,油茶苗光补偿点最高,但高生长量、干物质含量、壮苗指数、气孔导度和蒸腾速率最小;L6(10%红光+90%蓝光)处理下,油茶苗地径生长量、干物质含量、壮苗指数、光合色素含量、表观量子效率、最大净光合速率、暗呼吸速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、实际光能转换效率和相对电子传递速率均最大;L4(50%红光+50%蓝光)处理下,油茶苗地径生长量、光合色素含量、最大净光合速率、实际光化学效率和相对电子传递速率均最小,且非光化学淬灭系数最大。[结论]与对照及其它处理相比,L6(10%红光+90%蓝光)处理更利于长林4号油茶苗生长和光合能力的提高,是培育油茶壮苗较为理想的光质。     

An effective medium for isolating Sphaeropsis sapinea from asymptomatic pines

The pathogen Sphaeropsis sapinea can persist in stems and branches of asymptomatic pines and can later induce disease when triggered by host stress. Several experiments were conducted to test if:(i) medium amended with tannic acid (TA) can increase the frequency of cultural detection of this shoot blight and canker pathogen from asymptomatic red pine (Pinus resinosa) stems, and (ii) S. sapinea can persist in asymptomatic red pine in the field following artificial inoculation. TA (0.5% w/v) in 2% (w/v) water agar proved to be the best medium for isolation of S. sapinea among a larger number of tested media. The addition of TA had little or no effect on the growth of two group A and two group B isolates of S. sapinea. However, when TA was added, 11 other fast‐growing fungal isolates from stems/branches of red or jack pines (P. banksiana) were inhibited and grew more slowly (p < 0.05) than both S. sapinea groups. The TA‐amended medium improved cultural detection of S. sapinea from 2‐year‐old, asymptomatic red pine nursery seedlings compared with two other methods used for the cultural detection of S. sapinea (32%vs. 8.5% and 18% recovery; p < 0.001 and p = 0.031, respectively). A field test using the TA‐amended media established that S. sapinea can persist asymptomatically in red pine trees for at least 1 year. This medium significantly reduces the frequency of false‐negatives from asymptomatic field material.     

Effects of moisture content and specific gravity on static bending properties and hardness of six wood species

This study was designed to investigate the effects of moisture content (MC) and specific gravity (SG) on the bending strength and hardness of six wood species including Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), red meranti (Shorea spp.), Selangan batu (Shorea spp.), and red oak (Quercus spp.). The experimental results are summarized as follows: Effects of MC and SG on the strength (MOR), stiffness (MOE), and hardness (H _B) could be represented by a multiregression formulas. A negative correlation existed between these properties and MC, whereas a postive correlation showed between them and the SG. The changing rate of these properties induced by 1% MC changes varied with the wood species: 2.6% change in MOR was observed in Japanese cedar, China fir, western hemlock, red meranti, and Selangan batu; and 3.9% was found in red oak. For MOE, a 0.58% change was observed in Japanese cedar, China fir, and red meranti; western hemlock and Selangan batu exhibited 1.2% and red oak 2.5%. For hardness, a 1.1% change was observed in Japanese cedar, western hemlock, and red oak; red meranti and China fir exhibited 3.3%; and Selangan batu 1.8%.A part of this report was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Shizuoka, Japan, April 3-5, 1998     

Identification and distribution of Armillaria species associated with an oak decline event in the Arkansas Ozarks

Forests in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas recently experienced a widespread oak decline event. Armillaria, a root rot fungus, has been associated with other oak decline events and may have been an important contributing factor to tree mortality in this event. Although Armillaria has been identified from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, it has never been investigated in the Arkansas Ozarks. Molecular diagnostic techniques were used in this study to identify species of Armillaria present on roots removed from dead trees of two common oak species, northern red oak, Quercus rubra L., and white oak, Q. alba L., from three geographic areas and on three topographic positions – ridges, south‐ and west‐facing benches. Armillaria(A. mellea, A. gallica or A. tabescens) was identified from 31% of root samples taken from 102 trees in seven of nine sample plots. Armillaria mellea, occurred most often (20 samples, both oak species on seven plots) followed by A. gallica (10 samples, northern red oak only on four plots), and A. tabescens occurred twice (on northern red oak in a single plot). Thus, all three Armillaria species occurred on northern red oaks while A. mellea was the only species recovered from white oaks. Results varied by topographic position with samples from tree roots on ridges having the fewest positive identifications, one of 29. West‐facing benches had the highest positive samples with 20 of 41 testing positive and trees on south‐facing benches were intermediate with 11 of 32 samples from infected trees. This study documents the occurrence of three species of Armillaria in the Arkansas Ozarks and their association with oak mortality resulting from an oak decline event coupled with a red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus, outbreak. Further, it documents some potential variation in host/pathogen combinations and forest site conditions.     

不同光质对三叶崖爬藤生长及有效成分含量的影响

[目的]研究不同光质处理下三叶崖爬藤生长及有效成分含量变化,以确定适宜三叶崖爬藤生长的最适光质条件。[方法]以2年生三叶崖爬藤为材料,用不同颜色的滤光膜(红色、黄色、绿色、蓝色和白色)进行光质处理,测定三叶崖爬藤叶片的叶形指标、生理指标、生物量及块茎中总黄酮含量。[结果]表明:红光处理下的三叶崖爬藤在叶形指标、生理指标、生物量和总黄酮含量上均得到改善,而其余光质处理结果仅对其中某一指标有所改善。[结论]红光处理下的三叶崖爬藤块茎的产量和质量均较佳,在三叶崖爬藤人工栽培中可以利用红光提高其产量及有效成分含量。     

Grass and legume seeding on a scarified coastal alluvial site in northwestern British Columbia: response of native non-crop vegetation and planted Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seedlings

The success of various grass-legume mixtures in controlling competing vegetation, and their effect on subsequent survival and growth of Sitka spruce seedlings was studied on a coastal alluvial site in northwestern British Columbia. Mechanically scarified (bladed) strips were hand seeded to pure and combined mixtures of legumes, bunchgrasses, and sodforming grasses. An unseeded control (bladed but not seeded) was also established.Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) was the most successful legume species. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), big bluegrass (Poa ampla Merr.), and creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) were the most successful grass species. Red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) density and height were lower in legume-seeded treatments. Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa L.) and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis Pursh.) were effectively reduced by blading and have reestablished slowly. A combination of blading and early establishment of either sodforming grasses or bunchgrasses effectively decreased reinvasion by thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus Nutt.).Growth of Sitka spruce was best in the unseeded control treatment or in the treatments with legumes but no sodforming grasses. Presence of sodforming grasses decreased both diameter and height growth. Sitka spruce diameter decreased with increasing red alder density. After 5 growing seasons, spruce has outgrown all competitors except red alder.     

Foliar susceptibility of eastern oak species to Phytophthora infection

Seven different Phytophthora species were used to test the foliar susceptibility of the common eastern US oak species and understory plants to Phytophthora infection. The Phytophthora species employed were Phytophthora cambivora, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora europaea, Phytophthora quercetorum, Phytophthora quercina‐like and Phytophthora sp1. Inoculation of detached‐leaves with agar plugs containing mycelia of Phytophthora provided an estimate of their relative susceptibility. Lesions were always greater when foliage was wounded and young. On deciduous plants, lesion sizes were considerably reduced with the increasing foliar age, although with evergreen plants lesion sizes remained similar regardless of foliar age when more aggressive isolates were tested. Infections seldom resulted when foliage was not wounded. With young and mature foliage, P. citricola usually produced the largest lesions. Young foliage of Quercus rubra was the most susceptible to infection followed by Castanea dentata for both wounded and non‐wounded inoculations. Mature foliage of Hamamelis virginiana, Kalmia latifolia and Quercus alba were the most susceptible to wound and non‐wound inoculations.     

Histopathology of loblolly pine needles infected by Mycosphaerella dearnessii,the brown-spot needle disease pathogen

The histopathology of green Pinus taeda needles infected with Mycosphaerella dearnessii was investigated. Cellular abnormalities observed were predominately the collapse of mesophyll cells within the limits of the symptom lesions. The epidermis, hypodermis, endodermis, transfusion tissue, and the vascular system within the lesions were not affected. Resin ducts exhibited cell necrosis and dissolution within and distal from the visible limits of lesions. An intercellular interface was present in non-collapsed mesophyll cells at lesion limits, and the lateral extension of the interface usually corresponded to the effects observed in resin ducts distal from the lesions. Non-stromatic hyphae were rare in and distal from lesion tissue, indicating the host tissues were affected in advance of the pathogen. The production of a toxin by M. dearnessii is suspected.