The development of a more virulent strain of Scleroderris lagerbergii in New York State

Scleroderris canker has recently killed several thousand hectares of large red and Scotch pine trees in northern New York State. The disease pattern indicates that a new more virulent strain of S. lagerbergii is now present in North America.     

Long-term effect of different planting proportions on forest landscape in Great Xing’an Mountains, Northeast China after the catastrophic fire in 1987

A landscape model (LANDIS) was used to study the long-term forest dynamics under five planting types (100% larch (P₁); 70% larch and 30% Mongolian Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) (P₂); 50% larch and 50% Mongolian Scotch pine (P₃); 30% larch and 70% Mongolian Scotch pine (P₄); 100% Mongolian Scotch pine (P₅)), which were also employed in severely burned area under current planting intensity, and under natural regeneration (as a comparison) in Tuqiang Forest Bureau in the northern slopes of Great Xing’an Mountains after the catastrophic fire in 1987. Results showed that different planting types had a significant influence on the abundance of larch, Mongolian Scotch pine and white birch. The abundance of larch increased with time, whereas the abundance of Mongolian Scotch pine was in a converse way. The abundance of larch and Mongolian Scotch pine under these planting scenarios was higher than that under natural regeneration. Under these planting scenarios, the abundance of larch increased with the increasing proportion of larch, and the abundance of Mongolian Scotch pine was in a similar way. Contrary to larch and Mongolian Scotch pine, white birch had higher abundance under natural regeneration than that under these planting scenarios. Also, the different proportions of larch and Mongolian Scotch pine had an influence on the abundance of white birch. White birch had higher abundance with the increasing proportion of Mongolian Scotch pine. As for the total abundance of larch and Mongolian Scotch pine, the difference was not significant under P₂, P₃ and P₄ scenarios, but was higher than that under P1 and P5 scenarios, which indicated that individual-species planting should not be used in the forest landscape. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006, 17(5): 855–861 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

Pedicularis and Castilleja are natural hosts of Cronartium ribicola in North America: a first report

White pine blister rust disease, caused by the introduced pathogen Cronartium ribicola, has severely disrupted five‐needled pine ecosystems in North America. A 100‐year effort to manage this disease was predicated in part on the premise that the pathogen utilizes only species of Ribes (Grossulariaceae) as alternate hosts on this continent. The current study presents the first conclusive demonstration that some species in the family Orobanchaceae (Pedicularis racemosa and Castilleja miniata) are functioning as alternate hosts in a natural ecosystem of North America. This finding has implications for improving our understanding of epidemiology, pathogen adaptation and host–pathogen interactions within white pine blister rust.     

Effects of afforestation on microbial biomass C and respiration in eroded soils of Turkey

ABSTRACT

Soil erosion is a major socioeconomic and environmental problem in Turkey. Almost 86% of the land in Turkey has suffered various degrees of soil erosion. The objective of this study was to determine whether differences in tree species affect soil characteristics and microbial activity in degraded soils. Results from this study showed that organic C (C_org) was highest in the black locust soil at 0–20 cm depth and lowest in the bare land. Microbial biomass C (C_mic) increased in the order black locust > Scotch pine > bare land at two soil depths. One-way ANOVA demonstrated that afforested soils contain significantly higher microbial biomass C than those in the bare land soils. Microbial quotient (C_mic/C_org) of soils are positively influenced by afforestation as the bare land soils exhibited lower microbial quotient than the associated Scotch pine and black locust soils. Microbial communities in black locust soils were energetically more efficient—had a lower metabolic quotient (qCO₂)—with a higher C_mic/C_org compared to those in Scotch pine soils. However, the microbial quotient in our study was still below range and cannot reach equilibrium again 15 yr after afforestation. Restoration of degraded lands could be a long-term process from microbial activity in the observed regions.     

In vitro test of virulence in the progeny of a Heterobasidion interspecific cross

Annosum root rot, caused by Heterobasidion annosum s.l., is the economically most devastating disease of coniferous forests in the northern hemisphere. We have analysed virulence of the progeny isolates of a H. annosum interspecific cross between one S and one P homokaryotic isolate from North America. Virulence was measured as mortality rate among 29 pine (Pinus sylvestris) or 58 spruce (Picea abies) seedlings per homokaryotic progeny isolate. The assay showed a wide range of virulence among the 97 progeny isolates on pine and segregated as a continuous character. The heritability of virulence on pine was estimated to be 0.088 in this study. A strong correlation between virulence on pine and spruce was also found, although the range of virulence between isolates on spruce was smaller than that on pine. No correlation between high virulence and either fast radial growth rate on malt extract agar or high wood decay capacity was found.     

Intersterilitätsgruppen und Klone von Heterobasidion annosum-Isolaten aus Koniferen- Wurzel- und -Stammfäulen

Intersterility groups and clones of Heterobasidion annosum isolates from root and butt rots of conifers 69 H. annousum heterokaryons from scots pine, Douglas fir, Norway spruce and larch belonged to the P group, three heterokaryons from Norway spruce to the S group. The results of a study with clones of H. annosum isolates from roots of Scotch pine trees in close neighbourhood suggest colonisation by H. annosum (partly) via root contacts.     

Proactive intervention to sustain high-elevation pine ecosystems threatened by white pine blister rust

Only recently have efforts begun to address how management might prepare currently healthy forests to affect the outcome of invasion by established non-native pests. Cronartium ribicola, the fungus that causes the disease white pine blister rust (WPBR), is among the introductions into North America where containment and eradication have failed; the disease continues to spread. Ecosystem function is impaired by high rust-caused mortality in mature five-needle white pine forests. This paper evaluates five proactive management options to mitigate the development of impacts caused by white pine blister rust in threatened remote high-elevation five-needle pine ecosystems of western North America. They are: reducing pest populations; managing forest composition; improving host vigor; introducing resistant stock with artificial regeneration; and diversifying age class structure to affect the natural selection process for resistance. Proactive intervention to manage and facilitate evolutionary change in the host species may sustain host populations and ecosystem function during pathogen naturalization.     

Larval performances and life cycle completion of the Siberian moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrolimus sibiricus</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), on potential host plants in Europe: a laboratory study on potted trees

The Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus, Tschtv. is the most harmful defoliator of coniferous forests in North Asia. The pest has already spread over the Urals and continues moving westwards. Recently, it has been recommended for quarantine in member countries by European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). The performances of the pest on coniferous species planted in Europe were assessed on a range of potted trees corresponding to the spectrum of economically important conifers in the EU: European larch Larix decidua, Norway spruce Picea abies, Scots pine Pinus sylvestris, European black pine Pinus nigra, and the North American species: Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii and grand fir Abies grandis. Larvae showed a potential to survive and complete the development on all these host tree species. Favorable hosts were grand fir, European larch, and Douglas fir that allowed higher survival, better larval development, and as a result, yielded heavier pupae and adult moths with higher longevity. Black pine was a poor host but, however, could still support larval and pupal development. Norway spruce and Scots pine had an intermediate behavior. If accidentally introduced to Europe, the Siberian moth may become especially damaging in forest stands predominated by European larch and by the North American firs. Norway spruce and especially the two-needle pines will be less prone to intensive defoliation by this species. The fact that the pest may damage the range of economically important coniferous species should be taken into account in the pest risk assessment for Europe and also for North America where the Siberian moth occurrence is considered likely.     

Epidemiology of Scleroderris lagerbergii

The epidemiology of S. lagerbergii is discussed in four parts: (1) mode of infection, (2) production of inoculum, (3) dissemination of inoculum, and (4) development of epidemics. Scleroderris canker caused by S. lagerbergii is described as the most serious disease present in red pine plantations in North America.     

Adaptation of tropical and subtropical pine plantation forestry to climate change: Realignment of Pinus patula and Pinus tecunumanii genotypes to 2020 planting site climates

Abstract

Pinus patula and Pinus tecunumanii, two pines native to Mexico and Central America, are important plantation species for the forestry sector in the tropics and subtropics. In recent decades, members of the International Tree Conservation & Domestication Program (CAMCORE), North Carolina State University, have established large, multisite provenance trials for these pine species. The data provide valuable information about species and provenance choice for plantation establishment in many regions with different climates. However, since climate is changing rapidly, it may become increasingly difficult to choose the right species and provenance to plant. The aim of this study is to test the suitability of seed material under changing climate of two P. patula varieties (P. patula var. patula and P. patula var. longipedunculata) and two P. tecunumanii ecotypes (highland and lowland). For each variety and ecotype, a site quality model was developed that statistically relates growth to environmental factors and couples the predictions to the average 2020 climate prediction of four general circulation models. Three developed models were significant and robust. Provenances of P. tecunumanii from lowland areas in Central America are expected to be most productive in 2020 because of their promising performance under rather hot and wet climates.     

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.     

Responses of conifer species of the Great Lakes region of North America to inoculation with the pitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum

Five conifer species grown in the Great Lakes region of North America were examined for their susceptibility to Fusarium circinatum, (syns. Fusarium subglutinans f. sp. pini and F. moniliforme var. subglutinans), the causal agent of pitch canker. Three‐year‐old (3‐0) seedlings of red (Pinus resinosa), jack (P. banksiana) eastern white (P. strobus), Scots (P. sylvestris) and Austrian (P. nigra) pine were planted in 4 l pots in a greenhouse at Auburn University in November 1998. In April and June 1999, seedlings were inoculated by removing a needle fascicle approximately 5 cm from the terminal bud and placing a drop containing F. circinatum conidia on the wound. Resin production, canker length and seedling mortality were recorded 12 weeks later. Jack, Scots and eastern white pine were the most susceptible with Austrian and red pine more resistant to the fungus. F. circinatum was re‐isolated from 37% to 96% of inoculated seedlings. The susceptibility of jack, Scots and eastern white pine indicates a potential risk to these important species of the region if F. circinatum were to be introduced into the area.     

Field ready: Development of a rapid LAMP-based colorimetric assay for the causal agent of white pine blister rust,Cronartium ribicola

The invasive fungal pathogen Cronartium ribicola causes white pine blister rust which is considered one of the most destructive diseases of five-needle (white) pines in North America. The disease has a life cycle that requires two hosts: white pines and Ribes spp., although other non-Ribes species, including Castilleja and Pedicularis, have been demonstrated as alternate hosts as well. Detection of this disease can be difficult because of the ephemeral nature of sporulation on pine hosts with ambiguity in other symptoms, and the alternate hosts for C. ribicola can also be an alternate host for other pine rust species. We used the previously published C. ribicola genome and species-specific real-time PCR assay to develop a field-ready loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) specific colorimetric assay for this pathogen. Specificity results across regionally identified pine rust pathogens showed the assay is highly specific to C. ribicola and can detect as little as 40 pg of pathogen DNA. We also developed a simple DNA extraction method that works with several tissue types (bark/phloem, aeciospores, and urediniospores/telia) to prepare the DNA samples for the LAMP assay. The DNA extraction and LAMP assay take ~70 min to complete and require a relatively small investment in equipment. This tool enables quick and efficient detection of white pine blister rust.     

Gegenwärtige Projekte der biologischen Bekämpfung verschleppter Forstschädlinge

Summary Current projects of biological control of introduced forest insects. (Third report on the activities of the European Station, Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control).The report covers the period of 1965 to 1970 dealing briefly with nine forest pests of European origin introduced into North America or East Africa. Research in Europe on the natural enemies of these pests is described and the present status of biological control operations is dicussed. The pest species dealt with are: the larch sawfly (Pristiphora erichsonii Htg.), the European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertiferGeoff.), the birch leaf-mining sawfly (Fenusa pusilla Lep.), the birch case-bearer (Coleophora fuscedinella Hb.), the larch case-bearer (Coleophora laricella Zell.), the pine shoot moth (Rhyacionia buoliana Den. & Schiff.), the elm bark beetle (Scolytus multistriatus Marsh.) and the woolly aphidsDreyfusia piceae Ratz. andPineus spp.     

An inoculation experiment of Japanese <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bursaphelenchus</Emphasis> nematodes on Japanese black and red pine, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus thunbergii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. densiflora</Emphasis>

The pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is an invasive pathogen that was introduced from North America to Asian countries and Portugal and is devastating native pine forests. Some native European and Asian Bursaphelenchus nematodes also have weak to moderate pathogenicity to native pine species. To evaluate the potential risk of native Bursaphelenchus species, we inoculated ten Japanese Bursaphelenchus species into native pine species (the dominant forest species) in Japan, and evaluated their pathogenicity using mortality and tracheal tissue damage as indices. Inoculation was conducted on August 3, 2007, and the symptoms were observed every 2 weeks until February 1, 2008. None of the inoculated trees, excluding the pathogenic PWN inoculated control, showed external disease symptoms; however, four species [a less pathogenic PWN isolate, B. luxuriosae, Bursaphelenchus sp. NK215 (undescribed), and NK224 (undescribed)] caused tracheal tissue damage in inoculated seedlings and showed weak pathogenicity. Therefore, we conclude that there are some potentially pathogenic native species of nematodes distributed in Japan. Interestingly, two of these weakly pathogenic species, B. luxuriosae and NK215, are not associated with Pinaceae trees, suggesting that nematode pathogenicity may be a pre-adaptive character. More experimental studies under different conditions are necessary to accurately evaluate the potential risk of these pathogens.     

Leptoglossus occidentalis and Diplodia pinea: a new insect‐fungus association in Mediterranean forests

Leptoglossus occidentalis, an insect native to North America, was inadvertently introduced into Italy about 1999. The insect damages the cones of conifer trees, especially Pinus pinea (Italian Stone pine). Pinus pinea is also affected by Diplodia pinea, a fungus native to Italy, which is becoming an increasing threat because pine trees are becoming more susceptible to it as a consequence of global warming. Because the insect and the fungus both have the pine cones as a common habitat, a possible interaction between them has been postulated. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether L. occidentalis and D. pinea interact on P. pinea cones. The interaction was studied using real‐time PCR on a group of naturally infected insects collected from a forest, and a group raised in the laboratory and artificially inoculated with D. pinea conidia. Molecular analysis showed that D. pinea DNA occurred on both naturally infected and inoculated insects, but with significant differences between the two groups. The rapid and sensitive molecular technique made it possible to detect D. pinea DNA on the bodies of the insects, and to show that the native D. pinea occurred on the exotic insect.     

A Proposed International Program for Testing White Pine Blister Rust Resistance1

A two-stage, international blister rust resistance test program proposed by the IUFRO Committee on (resistance to) White Pine Blister Rust is described. First, there would be a reevaluation of “naturally” resistant Eurasian white pines from near the original white pine: Cronartium ribicola gene center(s). Next, there would be more sophisticated testing of North American white pines developed by artificial selection and controlled crossing. Key test centers are needed in Siberia, south-central Asia, the Baltic-North Sea countries, and in eastern and western North America. Initial Committee inquiries indicate that 5 of the core cooperators could commence testing in the near future.     

Histopathology of primary needles and mortality associated with white pine blister rust in resistant and susceptible Pinus strobus

White pine blister rust caused by Cronartium ribicola is a damaging non‐native disease of five‐needled pines in North America. Efforts to control the disease and mitigate damage to date have been only somewhat effective. Recent efforts to improve the health of eastern white pine and reestablish the tree as a dominant species in the North Central United States have focused on identification and propagation of disease‐free eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) growing in areas with a high incidence of blister rust. Many of these selections have been shown to resist infection following artificial inoculation with C. ribicola. In this study, 13 eastern white pine families derived from controlled pollination of selections previously determined to possess putative resistance as well as susceptible selections were inoculated with C. ribicola. Mortality data from inoculation studies show superior survivability in three families with over 60% of seedlings able to survive the 52 week post‐inoculation monitoring period compared to 0–10% survival of the most susceptible families. Primary needles were collected for histological analysis from all inoculated families 4 weeks after inoculation and from selected families 6.5 weeks and 38 weeks after inoculation. Histological observations of infection sites show distinct resistance reactions in the families more likely to survive infection based on mortality data. Analysis of the reactions in susceptible families revealed extensive hyphal colonization of the vascular bundle and adjacent mesophyll cells that appear uninhibited by tree responses. In resistant families, collapsed cells adjacent to infection sites, heavy deposition of phenolic compounds and abnormal cell growth were documented more frequently and appear to play an integral role in the ability of these eastern white pine families to impede growth of C. ribicola in primary needle tissue.     

Parasitoids associated with Monochamus galloprovincialis (Oliv.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) within the pine wilt nematode-affected zone in Portugal

Until recently, the pine sawyer Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier) (Coleoptera; Cerambycidae) was considered a secondary forest pest in Portugal. Its pest status changed when it was found to be the main vector of the recently introduced pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Bührer) Nickle (Nematoda; Aphelenchoididae). A survey in three locations within the PWN-affected zone was conducted in order to identify parasitoids associated with immature stages of the beetle and to evaluate their importance. No parasitoid was found associated with the insect eggs whereas 10% of the larvae were found parasitised by three Braconidae. Cyanopterus flavator Fabricius was the most numerous species; Iphiaulax impostor (Scopoli) and Coeloides sordidator Ratzeburg were the other species present. A review of the parasitoids associated with Monochamus in Europe, eastern Asia and North America was made, and the possibility of using the local species in future biological control programmes in Portugal is briefly discussed.     

Stammfaulen in Douglasien-, Kiefern-, Fichten-Mischbestanden1

Butt rot in mixed conifer stands. 70 years old Pseudotsuga menziesii trees on sandy soil, grown together with Pinus syhestris, Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica were analysed for butt rot. 73 % resp. 70 % of the Douglas fir, 13% resp. 28% of the Scotch pine and 82% resp. 84% of the Norway spruce showed decay. The most frequent fungi in Pseudotsuga were Heterobasidion annosum, Calocera viscosa, Sparassis crispa, in Pinus Sparassis crispa and in Picea Heterobasidion annosum. In a neighbouring stand with 85 years old Pseudotsuga menziesii - more often thinned than the 70 years old stand - only 23 % of the trees were with decay.