Genetic diversity of the myrtle rust pathogen (Austropuccinia psidii) in the Americas and Hawaii: Global implications for invasive threat assessments

Since the myrtle rust pathogen (Austropuccinia psidii) was first reported (as Puccinia psidii) in Brazil on guava (Psidium guajava) in 1884, it has been found infecting diverse myrtaceous species. Because A. psidii has recently spread rapidly worldwide with an extensive host range, genetic and genotypic diversities were evaluated within and among A. psidii populations in its putative native range and other areas of myrtle rust emergence in the Americas and Hawaii. Microsatellite markers revealed several unique multilocus genotypes (MLGs), which grouped isolates into nine distinct genetic clusters [C1–C9 comprising C1: from diverse hosts from Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and USA‐Hawaii, and USA‐California; C2: from eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.) in Brazil/Uruguay and rose apple (Syzygium jambos) in Brazil; C3: from eucalypts in Brazil; C4: from diverse hosts in USA‐Florida; C5: from Java plum (Syzygium cumini) in Brazil; C6: from guava and Brazilian guava (Psidium guineense) in Brazil; C7: from pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) in Brazil; C8: from allspice (Pimenta dioica) in Jamaica and sweet flower (Myrrhinium atropurpureum) in Uruguay; C9: from jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) in Brazil]. The C1 cluster, which included a single MLG infecting diverse host in many geographic regions, and the closely related C4 cluster are considered as a “Pandemic biotype,” associated with myrtle rust emergence in Central America, the Caribbean, USA‐Florida, USA‐Hawaii, Australia, China‐Hainan, New Caledonia, Indonesia and Colombia. Based on 19 bioclimatic variables and documented occurrences of A. psidii contrasted with reduced sets of specific genetic clusters (subnetworks, considered as biotypes), maximum entropy bioclimatic modelling was used to predict geographic locations with suitable climate for A. psidii which are at risk from invasion. The genetic diversity of A. psidii throughout the Americas and Hawaii demonstrates the importance of recognizing biotypes when assessing the invasive threats posed by A. psidii around the globe.     

Photosynthetic responses of Scots pine to elevated CO(2) and nitrogen supply: results of a branch-in-bag experiment

Naturally seeded Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees, age 25-30 years, were subjected to two soil-nitrogen-supply regimes and to elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentrations by the branch-in-bag method from April 15 to September 15 for two or three years. Gas exchange in detached shoots was measured in a diffuse radiation field. Seven parameters associated with photosynthetic performance and two describing stomatal conductance were determined to assess the effects of treatments on photosynthetic components. An elevated concentration of CO(2) did not lead to a significant downward regulation in maximum carboxylation rate (V(cmax)) or maximum electron transport rate (J(max)), but it significantly decreased light-saturated stomatal conductance (g(sat)) and increased minimum stomatal conductance (g(min)). Light-saturated rates of CO(2) assimilation were higher (24-31%) in shoots grown and measured at elevated CO(2) concentration than in shoots grown and measured at ambient CO(2) concentration, regardless of treatment time or nitrogen-supply regime. High soil-nitrogen supply significantly increased photosynthetic capacity, corresponding to significant increases in V(cmax) and J(max). However, the combined elevated CO(2) + high nitrogen-supply treatment did not enhance the photosynthetic response above that observed in the elevated CO(2) treatment alone.     

Biological activity of soils under rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) affected by trunk phloem necrosis

Trunk phloem necrosis (TPN) is currently one of the most economically important diseases of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Investigations of the aetiology of the disorder have failed to identify any biotic causal agents but a multidisciplinary study has recently suggested that the disease may be caused by a combination of exogenous and endogenous stresses. These stresses can affect plant physiology and may also have an impact on soil biology and soil biochemistry. In this study, macrofauna diversity and soil enzyme activities were compared for the soils under trees affected by TPN and under healthy trees. Principal component analysis revealed associations between TPN and macrofauna diversity and soil enzyme activities. Groups of ants and termites were associated with the soil under healthy and trees affected by TPN respectively. Polysaccharidase (cellulase, xylanase and, particularly, amylase) activities were lower in the soil under trees affected by TPN whereas N‐acetylglucosaminidase activity was higher. These findings suggested that termite density and N‐acetylglucosaminidase activity are useful indicators of TPN, while lower values of polysaccharidases activities are the consequence of this disease. The impact of TPN on soil ecosystem was discussed.     

Biocontrol of Cytospora canker of poplar in north‐east China with Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Trichoderma isolate T05, collected and isolated from a poplar (Populus simonii × Populus nigra) stand in the province of Heilongjiang, China, was tested for its efficacy in controlling Cytospora chrysosperma in vitro and Cytospora canker of poplar in the field. Trichoderma isolate T05 was identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum in sect. Longibrachiatum based on both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) oligonucleotide sequences and the short intron of tef1. During dual culturing, the inhibitory effect of T. longibrachiatum T05 on C. chrysosperma increased over time, and inhibition up to 81% was observed 120 h after inoculation. Hyphae of T. longibrachiatum T05 grew alongside, coiled and sporulated around the pathogen hyphae, which were generally observed to be wrinkled, collapsed, disrupted and degraded. Culture filtrates of T. longibrachiatum T05 that were sterilized by either bacterial filtration or autoclaving suppressed the growth of the pathogen colony. Filtrate sterilized by filtration showed greater inhibitory activity than the autoclaved filtrate, which still had some inhibitory activity, demonstrating that some inhibitory substances were heat unstable and some heat stable. Cytospora chrysosperma C01 colony growth was also reduced by volatile antibiotics produced by T. longibrachiatum T05, with inhibition of 54% observed after 96 h. In a field trial, Cytospora canker on poplar trunks was controlled with efficacy similar to that of routine chemical control by applying a T. longibrachiatum preparation.     

Genetic diversity of Populus euphratica populations in northwestern China determined by RAPD DNA analysis

Five Populus euphratica Oliver populations in northwestern China were analyzed using RAPD DNA markers to determine genetic diversity among and within populations. One hundred-and-five polymorphic bands were observed, ranging in size from 250 bp to 1700 bp, using 10 primers. Only one population on the north side of the Tianshern Range had a unique band common to all individuals that was not found in individuals from populations in the Tarim River valley. Intra-population genetic diversity was high in two populations along the Tarim River and low in the other three populations. There was no significant correlation between genetic distances and geographic distances. The result of correspondence analysis shows that the individuals from the three populations with low genetic diversity are isolated from each other. The result of cluster analysis based on genetic distance shows that the population in the Tianshern Range is genetically distant from the other populations. These results suggest that the Tianshern Range population was genetically isolated from the other populations.     

Salt distribution in response to optical stratification porosity and relative windspeed in a coastal forest in Niigata, Japan

Wind velocity, vertical stand structure and seasalt distribution were measured at various heights inside a plantation of coastal pine forest, with thinning and unthinning, to assess whether any relationships exist between the wind profile, stand structure and seasalt distribution in the coastal pine forest. The vertical stand structure, i.e., optical stratification porosity (OSP), which is defined as vertical distribution of the proportion of sky hemisphere not obscured by tree elements inside a forest stand, was determined for each height by computer analysis of digital images taken with a hemispherical lens. The distribution of OSP in the coastal forest follows the Lambert-Beer's law with absorbency coefficient (). The relative windspeed within canopy can be described using the exponential form with the attenuation coefficient (). The sea-salt was collected using salt gauze (a surgical dressing of loosely woven cotton) both inside and outside the coastal forest, and the distribution of sea-salt within canopy was also in accordance with an exponential function. The relationships among windspeed, OSP and sea-salt indicate that the distributions of both sea-salt and windspeed within canopy were very closely correlated with the distribution of OSP. A linear relationship between OSP and sea-salt has been found. Additionally, linear regression between coefficients and has been obtained as well. Based on these relationships between OSP, wind and sea-salt in the coastal forest, the sea-salt distribution and wind profile within the canopy of the coastal forest can be predicted according to OSP. These results may therefore be useful in analyzing the effects of sea-salt on vegetation and evaluating the filter functions of coastal forests.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tree row spacing affected agronomic and economic performance of Eucalyptus-based agroforestry in Andhra Pradesh, Southern India

The 3 × 2 m spacing currently used for eucalyptus plantations in the state of Andhra Pradesh, southern India does not permit intercropping from the second year. This discourages small landholders who need regular income from taking up eucalyptus plantations and benefiting from the expanding market for pulpwood. Therefore, on-farm experiments were conducted near Bhadrachalam, Khammam district (Andhra Pradesh) for over 4 years from August 2001 to November 2005 to examine whether wide-row planting and grouping of certain tree rows will facilitate extended intercropping without sacrificing wood yield. Eucalyptus planted in five-spatial arrangements in agroforestry [3 × 2 m (farmers’ practice), 6 × 1 m, 7 × 1.5 m paired rows (7 × 1.5 PR), 11 × 1 m paired rows (11 × 1 PR) and 10 × 1.5 m triple rows (10 × 1.5 TR)] was compared with sole tree stands at a constant density of 1,666 trees ha^?1. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) was intercropped during the post-rainy seasons from 2001 to 2004, and fodder grasses (Panicum maximum and Brachiaria ruziziensis) were intercropped during both the seasons of 2005. At 51 months after planting, different spatial arrangements did not significantly affect height and diameter at breast height (dbh). Total dry biomass of eucalyptus in different spatial arrangements ranged between 59.5 and 52.9 Mg ha^?1, the highest being with 6 × 1 m and the lowest with 10 × 1.5 TR, but treatment differences were not significant. The widely spaced paired row (11 × 1 PR) and triple row (10 × 1.5 TR) arrangements produced 62–73% of sole cowpea yield in 2003, 59–66% of sole cowpea yield in 2004, and 79–94% of sole fodder in 2005. In contrast, the 3 × 2 m spacing allowed only 17–45% of sole crop yields in these years. The better performance of intercrops in widely spaced eucalyptus was likely because of limited competition from trees for light and water. Intercropping of eucalyptus in these wider rows gave 14% greater net returns compared with intercropping in eucalyptus spaced at 3 × 2 m, 19% greater returns compared with that from sole tree woodlot and 263% greater returns compared with that from sole crops. Therefore, in regions where annual rainfall is around 1,000 mm and soils are fairly good, eucalyptus at a density of 1,666 plants per ha can be planted in uniformly spaced wide-rows (6 m) or paired rows at an inter-pair spacing of 7–11 m for improving intercrop performance without sacrificing wood production.     

Involvement of Phytophthora species in white oak (Quercus alba) decline in southern Ohio

This study was initiated to investigate the possible role of Phytophthora species in white oak decline (Quercus alba) in southern Ohio at Scioto Trail State Forest. Surveys demonstrated the presence of four species of Phytophthora including one novel species. By far, the most common species was P. cinnamomi; P. citricola and P. cambivora were isolated infrequently. In few instances, P. cinnamomi was isolated from fine roots and necroses on larger roots. No special pattern of incidence was found, but P. cinnamomi was more commonly isolated from greater Integrated Moisture Index values suggesting moist lower bottomlands favour this Phytophthora species. When tree crown condition was examined relative to the presence of Phytophthora, no significant association was found. However, roots of declining P. cinnamomi‐infested trees had 2.5 times less fine roots than non‐infested and healthy trees, which was significantly different. The population densities of P. cinnamomi from declining trees were significantly greater than from healthy trees, suggesting increased pathogen activity that has the potential to cause dieback and decline and possibly the cause of a reduced fine root amount found on declining trees.