“Candidatus Phytoplasma solani” associated with Eucalyptus witches’ broom in Iran

During summer of 2015, Eucalyptus camaldulensis plants showing witches’ broom, little leaf and general yellowing of the foliage were observed in west of Fars and Khozestan province of Iran. DNA from samples of 22 symptomatic and two asymptomatic trees was extracted and subjected to molecular analyses. Nested‐PCR test using R16F2n/R16R2 primers confirmed phytoplasma presence in 63% of symptomatic Eucalyptus plants. Sequence analysis along with virtual RFLP of the 16S ribosomal DNA allowed to classify three Eucalyptus witches’ broom strains into the “stolbur” (“Candidatus phytoplasma solani”) 16SrXII‐A subgroup. Comparison of the secA and secY gene sequences with sequences deposited in GenBank confirmed the phytoplasma identity. Real and virtual RFLPs of the amplified secY gene using HaeIII, MseI and RsaI restriction enzymes showed profiles indistinguishable from each other. This is the first study reporting E. camaldulensis as a new host species for “Ca. P. solani.”     

SEM-observations on the structural degradation of epistomatal waxes in Picea abies (L.) Karst.—and its possible role in the “Fichtensterben”

The structural degradation of the epistomatal waxes was studied with the scanning electron microscope in needles of five trees of Picea abies (L.) Karst. differing in their symptoms of decline. The shedding of needles was found to be related to the degree of occlusion of stomates and to occur when about 80 to 90 % of stomates became occluded by a flat and solid wax cover resulting from the structural degradation of the epistomatal wax crystalloids. While this structural degradation stage was not reached before the seventh year in the trees classified as healthy, degradation was dramatically accelerated in the declining trees. The physiological consequences of such structural obstruction could explain many results so far obtained in declining trees.     

Alterations of wood characteristics in Abies alba Mill. due to “fir–dying” and considerations concerning its origin

In the wood of trees of Abies alba Mill., which were affected by “fir–dying”, morphological and physiological alterations were examined in order to investigate the origin of the disease. In this context also the influence on the technological wood quality was considered.     

“Top-dying” of Norway spruce,Picea abies (L.) Karst., with special reference to Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii Bubák IV.

The height increment pattern of healthy and diseased Norway spruce over the period 1961–75 was studied to test the association of some climatic factors with height increment reduction and eventually foliar browning. Air temperature during December-March inclusive, high velocity wind (22->34 knots) duration during December-March incl. and rainfall during May-August incl. over the same period 1961–75 were examined. It was shown that the last outbreak of “top-dying” in Scotland started in 1971. A correlation analysis and a stepwise multiple regression analysis were conducted to find possible relationships between annual height increments and climate. Results suggested that the coincidence of extreme values of the three considered climatic factors during the period 1971–75 may be responsible for the sharp decline of height increments in 1971 and severe outbreak of the disease.     

No “Gadgil effect”: Temperate tree roots and soil lithology are effective predictors of wood decomposition

The “Gadgil effect” hypothesizes that root associations may slow down decomposition through pre‐emptive competition. In the context of recalcitrant litter decomposition, specifically coarse wood debris, it is uncertain as to what is the relative importance of soil communities associated with living roots when compared to those without roots. Here, it is hypothesized that the presence of live roots and active photosynthates will enhance wood decomposition. To test this hypothesis, the presence or absence of temperate tree roots was used in this study. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and white oak (Quercus alba) roots were manipulated at three sites of either limestone or shale parent rock residuum. At each site, wood substrate was placed in soils beneath the canopy of either A. saccharum or Q. alba, while in the presence of roots (root⁺). At the same time, wood substrate was placed in the same soil community, but live root exposure was eliminated by trenching (root^?). This eliminated active photosynthate supply to the soil microbial community. Results determined that live root exposure promoted faster decomposition and greater mycelial colonization of wood substrate. Also, sites of shale parent rock residuum had higher rates of decomposition in comparison with limestone parent rock residuum. Although additional work is needed to determine the extent in which roots and lithology can facilitate wood decomposition, these findings suggest that living roots impact decomposers and provide a pathway towards humus and soil organic matter formation.     

Zur Anatomic gesunder und “kranker” Feinstwurzeln von Fichten: Meristem und Differenzierungen in Wurzelspitzen und Mykorrhizen

On the anatomical features of well functioning and “damaged” rootlets of spruce: meristem and differentiation of root apices and mycorrhizae. The root apices of various developmental stages of Picea abies (L.) Karst. are described in detail and the differences between long- and short roots discussed.     

Migratory passerine birds in Britain carry Phytophthora ramorum inoculum on their feathers and “feet” at low frequency

In this study, we investigated whether birds could be vectors facilitating long‐distance spread of Phytophthora ramorum in Britain. Migratory bird species associated with the main sporangium‐producing host plants and most likely to pick up P. ramorum spores were considered. Swabs were taken from the flank and “feet” of 1,014 birds over a 12‐month period (April 2011–March 2012) in the west of Britain and subsequently analyzed for the presence of P. ramorum using nested PCR. Ten positive samples from 10 birds were identified: three in Cornwall, one in Devon, three in Gloucestershire, two in north Wales and one in Merseyside. Phytophthora ramorum was detected on samples from four species of thrushes (Redwing Turdus iliacus, Fieldfare T. pilaris, Blackbird T. merula and Song Thrush T. philomelos) and one species of warbler (Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita). All birds that tested positive were sampled in late autumn and winter (October–February), when long‐distance movements (over 100 km) would have stopped. The low incidence of P. ramorum found using PCR suggests that the incidence of inoculum, whether viable or not, on birds was low. The apparently low incidence of inoculum on birds suggests migratory passerine birds can carry P. ramorum inoculum on their feathers and “feet,” albeit at low frequency. The dates of positive samples indicate that birds would not have been moving long distances at the time but further work is needed to estimate the extent of their contribution to the spread of P. ramorum in Britain.     

Der Nachweis unsichtbarer („physiologischer”) Fluor-Immissionsschädigungen an Waldbäumen durch eine einfache kolorimetrische Bestimmung der Peroxidase-Aktivität

The detection of hidden F-injury of forest trees by a simple colorimetric determination of peroxidase actívity . The paper describes a simple routine method for determining colorimetrically peroxidase activity (p. a.) in foliage of forest tree species, including conifers. The effect of factors such as foliage age, F Content, external F dust, necrosis etc. on p. a. is investigated. Analyses of plants exposed at different distances to F exhalates of an aluminum plant show that with decreasing distance F content and p. a. increase. P. a. thus is an indicator of air pollution effects on tree physiology even in the range where no visible symptoms of injury occur.     

Über die Eignung von Phosphatase- und Esteraseaktivitätsbestimmungen an Fichtennadeln und Birkenblättern zum Nachweis „unsichtbarer physiologischer” Fluorimmissionsschädigungen

Measurement of phosphatase and esterase activity in Norway spruce needles and birch leaves to detect “hidden” F-injury . Potted Norway spruce and birch were exposed at various distances from an industrial fluoride source. The needles and leaves were analysed periodically during a year for their enzymatic activities. In contrast to phosphatase, increased esterase activities were found to be a possible indicator of “hidden” F-injury to the trees.     

Do “stakeholders” represent citizen interests? An empirical inquiry into assessments of policy aims in the National Forest Programme for Germany

Participatory National Forest Programmes (NFPs) intend to democratise forest sector policy, but they may suffer from a fundamental democratic legitimisation deficit since the stakeholders involved are neither democratically authorised nor accountable to the population. In order to scrutinise the empirical relevance of this problem in the case of the German NFP, it is analysed how the German population on the one hand and the NFP participants on the other hand assess central forest policy aims of the NFP, and how far both assessments coincide. Two surveys based on identical questionnaires are used as the data base. The respondents assessed the importance of the respective aims as well as at their implementation. Results show that the population considers the majority of the NFP aims to be generally relevant, but assesses the majority of the aims significantly differently from the stakeholders. The formal legitimisation deficit of the German NFP therefore also matters in terms of content. Discussing the NFP among the elected representatives and in the public seems indispensable.Moreover, the differences in the assessment of some policy aims are significantly dependent on how people judge the image of forest enterprises between the opposing poles of profit orientation and nature protection. Public acceptance of those aims could be furthered more appropriately by adjusting the partly incorrect image of forestry rather than by providing more information about the particular aims and their background.     

Osmotic potential of spruce,fir and beech as a contribution to water budget in connection with forest decline (“Waldsterben”)

Osmotic cell sap potentials of diseased and healthy spruce, fir and beech leaves, fine roots and cortes were determined with the aid of capillary cryoscopy. With one exception (fir needles) the diseased trees showed no reduction in osmotic potential compared to healthy trees.     

Biomass burning in Brazil's Amazonian “arc of deforestation”: Burning efficiency and charcoal formation in a fire after mechanized clearing at Feliz Natal, Mato Grosso

Estimates of greenhouse-gas emissions from deforestation are highly uncertain because of high variability in key parameters and because of the limited number of studies providing field measurements of these parameters. One such parameter is burning efficiency, which determines how much of the original forest's aboveground carbon stock will be released in the burn, as well as how much will later be released by decay and how much will remain as charcoal. In this paper we examined the fate of biomass from a semideciduous tropical forest in the “arc of deforestation,” where clearing activity is concentrated along the southern edge of the Amazon forest. We estimated carbon content, charcoal formation and burning efficiency by direct measurements (cutting and weighing) and by line-intersect sampling (LIS) done along the axis of each plot before and after burning of felled vegetation. The total aboveground dry biomass found here (219.3 Mg ha⁻¹) is lower than the values found in studies that have been done in other parts of the Amazon region. Values for burning efficiency (65%) and charcoal formation (6.0%, or 5.98 Mg C ha⁻¹) were much higher than those found in past studies in tropical areas. The percentage of trunk biomass lost in burning (49%) was substantially higher than has been found in previous studies. This difference may be explained by the concentration of more stems in the smaller diameter classes and the low humidity of the fuel (the dry season was unusually long in 2007, the year of the burn). This study provides the first measurements of forest burning parameters for a group of forest types that is now undergoing rapid deforestation. The burning parameters estimated here indicate substantially higher burning efficiency than has been found in other Amazonian forest types. Quantification of burning efficiency is critical to estimates of trace-gas emissions from deforestation.     

Salix tetradenia Hand.‐Mazz: a new natural plant host of ‘Candidatus phytoplasma’

This article reports Salix tetradenia Hand.‐Mazz as a new host of Candidatus phytoplasma and demonstrates its association with witches' broom disease on S. tetradenia plants. Plants exhibited typical visual symptoms of phytoplasma with virescence, abnormality of flowers and witches' broom, and phytoplasma bodies were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Products of 1.2 kb were amplified by nested PCR using phytoplasma universal primer pairs R16F2n/R16R2, but no amplification products were obtained from symptomless plants. The sequence analysis of three 16S rDNA isolates showed 99.84%, 99.68% and 99.76% identify, respectively, with the homologous gene (nc_005303) of member of ‘Candidatus phytoplasma asteris’ (16SrI) group. Phylogenetic and virtual computer‐simulated restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rRNA, tuf and rp gene sequences confirmed that this phytoplasma clustered in the 16SrI‐B subgroup. These results indicated that the diseased S. tetradenia plants were infected by a phytoplasma of the 16SrI group. This is the first report on the occurrence of phytoplasma disease on S. tetradenia worldwide.