Colonization and lignin decomposition of pine needle litter by Lophodermium pinastri

The colonization and lignin decomposition of pine (Pinus thunbergii and Pinus densiflora) needle litter by an endophytic fungus, Lophodermium pinastri, was examined with field observations, a field experiment and laboratory experiments. In pine needles collected from the field, needle mass per length and lignin content were lower in needle portions bearing Lophodermium fruiting bodies than in the remaining needle portions, whereas total carbohydrate content was not different between them. Total and live hyphal lengths were greater in needle portions bearing Lophodermium fruiting bodies than in the remaining needle portions. Lophodermium fruiting bodies were not formed on sterilized needles after a 6‐month incubation on the forest floor, whereas they formed on 20% of non‐sterilized needles, indicating that this fungus can only colonize live needles on the branch. In pure culture decomposition tests, mass loss of lignin was detected for several isolates of L. pinastri, but was variable among isolates and between the needles of two pine species. A comparison of the rDNA‐internal transcribed spacer sequences between L. pinastri isolates of P. thunbergii and P. densiflora indicated that the two groups were phylogenetically separated. This study is the first to show that L. pinastri has the ability to decompose lignin in dead pine needles.     

Two biotypes of Lophodermiul11 pinastri in Scotland

Two biotypes of Lophodermium pinastri, perhaps differing in their pathogenicity, were recognised on Pinus sylvestris in NE Scotland. These biotypes are described in artificial culture and are shown to be associated with definite habitats on pines, both in the plantation and in the nursery. In the discussion it is suggested that the present results might help to explain the difficulty many workers have experienced in trying to infect artificially young pine needles with L. pinastri.     

Identification of Lophodermium seditiosum and L. pinastri in Swedish forest nurseries using species‐specific PCR primers from the ribosomal ITS region

Lophodermium seditiosum is a serious needle pathogen on pine, particularly in nurseries, and there is a need to detect the pathogen during its latent phase. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA of L. seditiosum and L. pinastri were amplified with universal primers and sequenced. Sequence comparisons of the two species allowed the design of species‐specific primers for the ITS regions. The primers were between 18 and 24 bp long with a minimum of 3 bp differences between the species. These primer pairs did not give any amplification of DNA from any other of the examined fungal species or from healthy Pinus sylvestris needles. It was also possible to identify either L. seditiosum or L. pinastri in infected needles with and without signs of infection using these primer pairs. The method was found to be very useful for detection of latent infections of L. seditiosum in P. sylvestris needles in nurseries.     

Lophodermium pinastri and an unknown species of Teratosphaeriaceae are associated with needle cast in a Pinus radiata selection trial

Spring needle cast (SNC) in Tasmania is defined by the early casting of pine needles and appears in 6‐ to 7‐year‐old pine plantations after canopy closure. The severity of SNC can vary significantly among trees growing within the same plantation. Fungal communities were surveyed in a Pinus radiata family trial, using DNA extraction from needles, PCR with fungal‐specific primers and sequencing to detect the presence of fungal species. Samples were taken at the same time as the trees were scored for disease severity. Trees with contrasting levels of SNC disease severity have significantly different needle fungal communities, but family pedigree and different ages of needle are not clearly distinguished by their fungal communities. All common fungal pathogens previously implicated in causing SNC were identified from the study, but of these, only Lophodermium pinastri was correlated with high levels of disease. Several species of Teratosphaeriaceae were detected, and one of these was also strongly associated with needle cast.     

Sources of inoculum of Lophodermium seditiosum on Pinus sylvestris1

A survey of the incidence of Lophodermium seditiosum, L. pinastri and L. conigenum in plantations of Pinus sylvestris in north-east Scotland showed that L. seditiosum predominated on fallen cones and on young needles which tell prematurely in early summer. L. pinastri predominated on old senescent needles which fell in autumn. The incidence of L. conigenum was low on fallen cones and needles and it is not thought that tins species could effectively replace L. seditiosum. It is concluded that the main source of L. seditiosum inoculum for infections in plantations and nearby nurseries is young infected fallen needles on which ascocarps form in late summer and autumn.     

Lophodermium pinastri in submerged culture

The growth and morphology of Lophodermium pinastri under submerged conditions is described. Submerged cultures are shown to be suitable for the laboratory screening of the effectiveness of different fungicides which may be used in forestry against Scots pine needle-cast.     

The development of Lophodermium pinastri in conifer nurseries and plantations in North America

The recent outbreak of Lophodermium needlecast in North America first appeared in 1966 in forest nurseries on red pine (Pinus resinosa) and Scotch pine (P. sylvestris). Dispersal of infected nursery stock throughout North America has created a serious needlecast problem in Scotch pine Christmas tree plantations. Two biotypes of L. pinastri are present. The pathogenic strain may be a recent introduction. The fungicides maneb and chlorothalonil are being used for control.     

油松毛虫产卵、取食偏嗜行为及油松针叶内含物测定

[目的]为明确油松毛虫在油松上的产卵和取食部位以及可能机理,为未来害虫发生预测模拟提供基础信息数据。[方法]通过室内模拟试验,统计油松毛虫在盆栽油松幼苗不同部位上的产卵量和取食不同油松针叶的偏嗜情况及死亡率;测定油松针叶内含物含量并与油松毛虫偏嗜行为进行了相关性分析。[结果]在一年生油松针叶上平均产卵块数最多(3.10±0.28),显著高于二年生针叶和三年生针叶;取食一年生油松针叶的油松毛虫数量最多(13.40±0.91)、死亡率最低(13.60%±4.87%),显著优于取食二年生油松针叶和三年生油松针叶的幼虫。油松毛虫幼虫取食选择、成虫产卵选择和幼虫体长与油松针叶内含水量成显著正相关(P0.01);与寄主总酚含量(P0.01)和碳氮比(P0.05)成显著负相关。[结论]油松毛虫对一年生油松针叶具有明显的产卵和取食偏嗜行为。一年生油松针叶内含水量最高、总酚含量最低、有机碳含量最低可能是造成寄主偏嗜行为的原因。     

Pathogenicity of three Lophodermium species on Pinus sylvestris L.

The pathogenicity of Lophodermium pinastri, L. conigenum and L. seditiosum on 14-month old transplants was investigated in Scotland. While L. seditiosum was found to be a serious pathogen, L. conigenum and L. pinastri were not. Under outdoor conditions, L. seditiosum was found to kill needles five months after inoculation.     

Susceptibility of Healthy and Ozone-injured Needles of Pinus strobus to Invasion by Lophodermium pinastri and Aureobasidium pullulans1

Lophodermium pinastri and Aureobasidium pullulans were the fungi most often associated with foliar symptoms, including those caused by ozone, on Pinus strobus in the field. Following artificial inoculation of ozone-fumigated and untreated foliage on pine seedlings, L. pinastri was Isolated without relation to visible symptoms of ozone injury. A, pullulans was isolated only from tissues killed by ozone. No evidence of additive or interacting effects of ozone and the fungi was found.     

Responses of Pinus massoniana and Pinus taeda to freezing in temperate forests in central China

Abstract

Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.), a native species widely distributed in temperate forests in central China, and Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), an exotic tree species introduced to China from southeastern United States, are dominant evergreen conifers that play a pivotal role in maintaining forest structure and functions for the region. We examined the effects of freezing on these species with chlorophyll fluorescence and electrolyte leakage using both field- and laboratory-based experiments in September 2009 and January 2010, respectively. We found that freezing could cause a greater impact on the Loblolly pine than the Masson pine. Although the two species showed similar values of F _v /F _m and electrolyte leakage before freezing, the Masson pine needles showed lower F _v /F _m and higher electrolyte leakage ratios than those of the Loblolly pine when treated in low temperatures (?15 to 0°C). We also found that cold-acclimation was crucial for both species to adapt to low temperatures with the F _v /F _m ratio decreased approximately by 80% in the first freezing hour for the non-acclimated needles of both species while the cold-acclimated needles showed little changes in the F _v /F _m ratio. This finding is also supported by our measurements of electrolyte leakage. These results suggest that the Loblolly pine could be more susceptible to freezing damages than the Masson pine in central China.     

The effects of long‐term exposure to simulated acid rain on the development of pine wilt disease caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

To elucidate the synergetic effects of acid rain on the development of pine wilt disease, we measured the sap flow rate in the stems and the chlorophyll content in the needles of 10‐year‐old Japanese black pine trees, Pinus thunbergii and 12‐year‐old Japanese red pine trees, Pinus densiflora, after exposure to simulated acid rain (SAR, pH 3) or tap water (TW, pH 6.3) as a control. The heat pulse method was used for the estimation of the sap flow rate. No apparent difference was found in the sap flow rate between the trees exposed to SAR and TW, but the chlorophyll content of needles at the end of the treatment was significantly higher in the trees exposed to SAR than in those exposed to TW. When the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease, was inoculated onto the Japanese black pines that had been exposed to SAR repeatedly for 1 year, the period to death was shortened. Japanese red pines that had been exposed to SAR for 2 years, however, did not show any development of symptoms after the nematode inoculation, suggesting that acid rain only affects pine wilt disease slightly, if at all.     

Damage caused by Lygus rugulipennis Popp. (Heteroptera,Miridae), to Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings

The tarnished plant bug (Lygus rugulipennis) and occasionally L. punctatus were found to feed on pine seedlings in central Finland. Both the nymphs and adults of Lygus bugs injured the apical meristem of the seedlings. This led to the death of the apex, and the opening of the lateral buds, resulting in a seedling with multiple leaders. L. rugulipennis may also oviposit on pine seedlings and the development from egg to adult on pine alone is possible. In laboratory experiments it was shown that the main factor in the apical meristem injury is the mechanical damage caused by the bug's stylet. The feeding damage and artificial mechanical damage caused by needles to the apical meristem of pine seedlings resulted in increased numbers of multiple‐leader seedlings and reduced shoot length and dry weight of the shoot and root.     

Fungi associated with Cyclaneusma needle cast in Scots pine in the west of Poland

Needles of Pinus sylvestris with and without symptoms of Cyclaneusma needle cast, from the west of Poland, were examined for abundance and diversity of fungi using Illumina sequencing. Fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota (93.6%–98.6% of OTUs). Basidiomycota and non‐culturable fungi were less frequent. Needles were colonized by 260 taxa. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Glomeromycota were represented by 149, 39 and 1 taxa. Abundance of fungi was least in 1.5‐year‐old needles attached to twigs and greatest in fallen 2‐year‐old needles. Fungal communities had least diversity in 1.5‐year‐old needles and most diversity in 0.5‐year‐old needles of current growth. It was found that (a) the most common fungi were the needle pathogens Cyclaneusma minus, Lophodermium spp. and Sydowia polyspora; (b) less common potential pathogens were Cenangium ferruginosum, Coniothyrium complex, Desmazierella acicola, Neocatenulostroma germanicum and species in the genera Neodidymelliopsis, Pestalotiopsis, Phoma, Pleurophoma and Pyrenochaeta; (c) common primary or secondary saprotrophs included species of Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Beauveria, Cladophialophora, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Exophiala, Lecanicillium, Penicillium, Cryptococcus and Kwoniella; (d) Lophodermium was represented mostly by Lophodermium pinastri which occurred 4–72 times more frequently than Lophodermium seditiosum; (e) frequencies of C. minus and C. ferruginosum were lower in the 0.5‐year‐old symptomless needles, increased in the symptomatic and symptomless 1.5‐year‐old needles and decreased after needle fall; (f) frequency of L. seditiosum was highest in 0.5‐year‐old needles; (g) frequency of L. pinastri increased with needle age whereas S. polyspora increased after needle fall; (h) lower frequency of L. pinastrii was associated with higher frequency of S. polyspora. It was concluded that Cyclaneusa needle cast in Poland may be caused by C. minus accompanied by C. ferruginosum, L. seditiosum, L. pinastrii and S. polyspora. Participation of Coniothyrium spp., Epicoccum nigrum, Pestalotiopsis spp. and Phoma spp. in the disease progress cannot be excluded.     

The biology of Lophodermella conjuncta Darker on Corsican pine needles

The biology of Lophodermella conjuncta on Corsican pine needles was studied. Results of a spore exclusion experiment and histological examination of needles indicated that infection of young current years needles occurred and that the fungus first colonized only the endodermis. Infection remained latent until symptoms developed, from hyphae penetrating the mesophyll from the endodermis, in July of the year following infection. Ascocarps were produced on second year needles by mid-August. Aseospores were trapped throughout the year.Infected needles were cast prematurely during the third season. The phenomenon of latent infection of pine needles by some pine needle fungi is discussed.     

Veränderung der Krankheitsdisposition von Forstpflanzen durch Herbizide1

Modification in discase-sensibility of forest plants by herbicide treatment. I. Field trials with Lophodermium pinastri. The effect of two herbicides TOP-KH (salt of 2,4,5-T) and Casoron G (Dichlobenil) on incidence of Lophodermium pinastri on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrií L.) was investigated in field trials with potted plants. Treatment with TOP-KH led to increase in infection with higher herbicide concentrations and to higher numbers of severely infected plants in comparison with controls. Differences were greatest in spring. With Casoron G, however, smaller numbers of sevcrely infected plants were seen in spring and at the end of the growing season the damage was not much greater than in the controls. Possible reasons for changes in degree of infection are discussed as well as effects that could be expected on the epidemiology of pine needle cast.     

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) needles in northern Finland

The superoxide dismutase (SOD EC 1.15.1.1) activity in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) needles in urban and rural trees of northern Finnish populations was studied. Enzyme activity was higher in pine than in spruce needles. Two pine clones from eastern Finland and Lapland revealed great differences in specific SOD enzyme activity.     

Pine canker fungus,Lachnellula pini,and L. flavovirens in Finland

The distribution of Lachnellula pini, cause of pine canker and Lacbnellula flavovirens, occurring on pine needles and branches killed by snow blight, was studied in Finland.     

Effect of damaged pine needles on growth and development of pine caterpillar larvae

Chinese pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus tabulaeformis) larvae were fed with pine needles of different degrees of damage to evaluate the effects of pine needles on the growth and development of larvae. The results showed that the nutritional index of the larvae declines after feeding on the damaged pine needlings. The lowest amount of food ingested and voided feces, the lowest nutritional index, slowest development, lightest pupae and most mortality were found in those pine caterpillar larvae fed with pine needles which were 50% damaged. The damaged pine needles significantly affected the population dynamics of Chinese pine caterpillars. The nutritional indices of larvae fed with 25% and 75% damaged pine needles were similar. The nutritional index of the dark morphs was higher than that of the tinted morphs, however, their mortality was lower than that of the tinted morphs. This phenomenon was reversed at the later stage of development when the larvae were fed on 50% damaged pine needles. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(6): 83–88 [译自: 北京林业大学学报, 2005, 27(6): 83–88]     

Über Sukzession und pathogene Eigenschaften Kiefernnadeln bewohnender Pilze

Succession and pathogenic properties of fungi inhabiting pine needles . Isolates from healthy and dying pine needles of various age permit conclusions about the relationship of some needle fungi to their host. Of the six most prevalent fungi, only Lopbodermium seditiosum has a pathogenic nature.