Effect of galls induced by Endocronartium harknessii on stem hydraulic conductivity and growth of lodgepole pine

To better understand the phenomenon of growth "stagnation" in high-density lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. ex Loud.), leaf area and its relationship with sapwood cross-sectional area were examined on both an individual tree and stand basis. Leaf areas of individual trees in a 22-year-old stand varied from 30.8 m2 (dominants in stands of low stocking) to 0.05 m2 (suppressed trees in stands of high stocking). Leaf area indices ranged from 13.4 to 2.3 m2 m−2 between low and high stocking levels, respectively. Over the same stocking range, the ratio of leaf area to sapwood cross-sectional area was reduced from 0.3 to 0.15 m2 cm−2. Intraring wood density profiles showed that ovendry density increased from 0.52 to 0.7 g cm−3 and the proportion of early wood decreased over a stocking level range of 6500–109 000 trees/ha. A reduction in hydraulic conductivity in the stems of stagnant trees, suggested by the greater proportion of narrow-diameter tracheids present, may lead to a greater resistance to water transport within the boles of trees from stagnant stands, leading to low leaf areas.

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Lodgepole pine provenances differ in chemical defense capacities against foliage and stem diseases

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x10-178 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 40 (12) ◽

pp. 2333-2344 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Christopher M. Wallis ◽

Richard W. Reich ◽

Kathy J. Lewis ◽

Dezene P.W. Huber

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Quantitative Resistance ◽

Foliar Diseases ◽

Seed Sources ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

Foliar Concentrations ◽

Foliar Pathogens

Maximization of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) growth in a future climate with increased pest activity requires an understanding of the natural variability of quantitative resistance to disease. Foliar and bark secondary metabolites from different lodgepole pine provenances (populations) were quantified and correlated with severity of foliar diseases caused by Lophodermella spp. ( Lophodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker or Lophodermella montivaga Petre.) or Elytroderma deformans (Wier) Darker and bark diseases caused by Elytroderma or Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka. Greater foliar concentrations of lignin, tannins, and some phenolics were associated with increased resistance to single or multiple foliar pathogens. Bark secondary metabolites levels were generally unassociated with resistance to bark diseases. Provenances appearing to originate in ecosystems where lodgepole pine are not the dominant species generally were more susceptible to foliar diseases and had less foliar defense-associated compounds than trees from areas where pines were the dominant species, yet clear trends proved to be elusive. Regardless, pine provenances with greater foliar levels of identified defense-associated compounds should be preferred seed sources for replanting forests in areas in which foliar disease is expected to be increasingly prevalent.

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Predicting survival of lodgepole pine stands infected with western gall rust

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x05-296 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 878-885 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J M Wolken ◽

P V Blenis ◽

I Duncan

Keyword(s):

Pinus Contorta ◽

Management Strategy ◽

Tree Mortality ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Main Stem ◽

Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

Stem Gall ◽

Pine Stands

The probability of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) having main-stem galls caused by western gall rust, Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka, surviving to rotation is unknown. To evaluate survival, 400 galled trees with at least one stem gall and 400 trees without stem galls were measured in 1992 in two precommercially thinned stands approximately 20 years old. The survival of trees was assessed in 2003. Nonlinear regression using iteratively reweighted least squares was employed to estimate the survival of galled trees as a function of the proportion of the main stem encircled by galls. Galls encircling >79% and >91% of the stem in the two stands increased the risk of mortality relative to non-galled trees, with the risk increasing steeply with percent gall encirclement; smaller stem galls did not cause tree mortality. The 11-year pattern of survival of galled trees was similar for infections that occurred on the main stem and those that had reached the stem from a nearby branch infection. Based on an earlier model of gall expansion, 38%–43% of stem-galled trees would be expected to survive until age 80. Scribing of stem galls to prevent their expansion does not appear to be a feasible management strategy.

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Comparative assessment of genetic variation of young high-elevation lodgepole pine for height and western gall rust resistance across two sites in Alberta

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x98-015 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 478-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rong-Cai Yang ◽

Narinder K Dhir ◽

Leonard K Barnhardt

Keyword(s):

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

High Elevation ◽

Comparative Assessment ◽

Family Interactions ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

Sib Families ◽

Natural Stands ◽

Similar Site ◽

Interaction Variance

A total of 456 half-sib families of superior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) trees found mostly in high-elevation natural stands in west-central Alberta were outplanted in 1990 at two geoclimatically different sites, Norris and Redrock, Alberta. The trials were measured at age 6 for survival, height, and incidence and severity of western gall rust (WGR) (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka). Survival at both sites was very similar (85-87%). Mean family height at Redrock was almost 10 cm higher (60.5 cm) than that at Norris (51.0 cm). Mean family WGR incidence was 25% with a range of 0-76% at Norris, but only 1.6% with a range of 0-27% at Redrock. A similar site difference was also observed for WGR severity. Strong site x family interactions were detected for height growth and WGR infection. The interaction for WGR infection did not seem to involve a change in family ranks because there was very little contribution to the interaction variance from lack of perfect genetic correlation between the two sites. The contrasting patterns of family variation in WGR infection across the two sites may be the outcome of epidemiological (environmental) or genetic causes or both.

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Stability of resistance to western gall rust and needle cast in lodgepole pine provenances

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x98-009 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 439-449 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Harry X Wu ◽

Cheng C Ying

Keyword(s):

Pinus Banksiana ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Jack Pine ◽

Needle Cast ◽

Geographic Patterns ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

Stability Of Resistance ◽

Site Evaluation

Stability of 76 interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia Engelm.) provenances in resistance to western gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. More) Y. Hiratsuka) and needle cast (Lophodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker) was investigated from 19 and 23 sites in the British Columbia interior, respectively. Provenances, sites, and provenance by site interaction had significant effects on severity level of infection of both diseases. Susceptible provenances contributed mainly to the interaction. The resistant provenances to both diseases were very stable and essentially homeostatic across sites (regression coefficient approaching 0). Resistant provenances were concentrated in the jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) - lodgepole pine hybrid zone and adjacent areas, and provenances from the low-elevation interior wetbelt were also very resistant to needle cast. Geographic patterns of provenance variation revealed that the closer a lodgepole pine provenance is to the limit of jack pine distribution, the higher and more stable is its resistance to western gall rust and needle cast. The current multiple-site evaluation supports for the hypothesis that jack pine introgression influences pest defence in lodgepole pine and suggests genetic selection can be effective.

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Xylem in galls of lodgepole pine caused by western gall rust, Endocronartium harknessii

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b76-171 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 54 (13) ◽

pp. 1586-1590 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Harry Zalasky

Keyword(s):

Early Stage ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Central Point ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

Ray Parenchyma

Xylem in galls of lodgepole pine (P. contorta var. latifolia) caused by Endocronartium harknessii consists of unusually short, hyperplastic and hypoplastic aggregates of tracheids. The member pairs have random branching, shapes, and sizes. Some pairs and individual members or portions of them are atrophied in the early stage of differentiation. Others appear as strand tracheids. Ray crossings and coiled and reticulate patterns of aggregation in tracheids indicate that ray parenchyma fill multidirectional spaces and fan out spirally from a central point in the wood. The expanded rays consisting of isodiametric and cylindric ray parenchyma, and ray tracheids are connected to randomly spaced pit members at ray crossings that feature variable shapes and sizes of pit canals and chambers. The structure of the galls has many features in common with frost burls and frost ribs, i.e. chimeral nature, nodulations, abundance of rays, and hyperplastic and hypoplastic tissues.

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Reduction in branch sapwood hydraulic permeability as a factor limiting survival of lower branches of lodgepole pine

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x00-054 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 30 (7) ◽

pp. 1088-1095 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Clark G Protz ◽

Uldis Silins ◽

Victor J Lieffers

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Stomatal Conductance ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Hydraulic Permeability ◽

Low Light ◽

Sapwood Area ◽

Canopy Trees ◽

Closed Canopy ◽

Eventual Death

Branch sapwood hydraulic permeability, tracheid size, and earlywood to latewood ratio of annual rings were examined in lower and upper branches of closed-canopy and open-grown lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) trees. Hydraulic permeability, expressed on either a leaf area or sapwood area basis, was lower in lower branches (0.16 × 10-5 and 5.82 × 10-5 m2, respectively) than upper branches (0.26 × 10-5 and 10.47 × 10-5 m2, respectively) and was related to narrower tracheids in the sapwood of lower branches. Earlywood/latewood ratio declined in the lower branches of shaded trees. The hydraulic conductivity of upper and lower branches in closed canopy trees was reduced by drilling small holes radially through the stem. Stomatal conductance was lower, and after a growing season there was greater foliage mortality in drilled lower crown branches than in similarly treated upper branches, suggesting that the hydraulic conductivity of lower branches was closer to the lower limit required to maintain foliage than in upper branches. These data suggest that high foliage mortality and eventual death of lower branches does not occur solely because of low light but also from reduced stomatal conductance and photosynthesis resulting from shade-initiated reductions in earlywood, tracheid diameter, and branch hydraulic conductivity.

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Hard pine stem rusts on lodgepole pine at a site-preparation study in sub-boreal British Columbia: effects over 24 years

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2014-0388 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 411-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Richard W. Reich ◽

Jean L. Heineman ◽

Amanda F. Linnell Nemec ◽

Lorne Bedford ◽

Jacob O. Boateng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Site Preparation ◽

Volume Loss ◽

Blister Rust ◽

Stem Infection ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

A Site ◽

The Relationship

Site preparation can improve lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) survival and growth; however, we lack information regarding possible interactions between treatment effects and the impacts of western gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hirats.) and comandra blister rust (Cronartium comandrae Peck). Mechanical and burning techniques examined over 24 years at a sub-boreal British Columbia site did not significantly increase rust infection rates or characteristics relative to an untreated control. Most infection occurred before age 10 years and at heights <2 m. By age 24 years, 22% and 10% of pine had sustained at least one western gall rust or comandra blister rust stem infection, respectively, but only 4% of western gall rust infected trees were dead, compared with 60% of comandra blister rust infected trees. Exploratory regression analysis of the relationship between tree volume and percent stem encirclement and infection height suggested that volume of 24-year-old pine infected with western gall rust averaged 8% less than the corresponding volume of uninfected trees. Over 24 years, estimated stand-level, rust-related volume loss was 8.4%, with the majority due to mortality from comandra blister rust. One-fifth of estimated volume loss was provisionally attributed to growth reductions among live western gall rust infected pine.

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BIOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF EPURAEA OBLIQUUS HATCH (COLEOPTERA: NITIDULIDAE) ON WESTERN GALL RUST

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent128177-2 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 128 (2) ◽

pp. 177-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Cameron R. Currie ◽

John R. Spence ◽

W. Jan A. Volney

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Late Summer ◽

Natural Control ◽

Larval Instars ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe life cycle, phenology, and abundance of Epuraea obliquus Hatch was studied near Hinton, Alberta. Most of the life cycle occurs on galls of Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka (western gall rust) infecting lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var latifolia Engelm.). Both adults and larvae feed on the spores of the fungus. Individuals of this beetle were found on most galls sampled. Adults overwinter in the soil. They emerge in the spring to seek out and colonize galls. Eggs are laid on the surface of galls, mainly under the periderm, and larvae feed on the fungus, developing through three larval instars. Larvae in the last instar drop from galls to pupate in the soil. Adults leave the soil in late summer and return to feed on inactive galls before overwintering in the soil. The phenology of E. obliquus is closely synchronized with the timing of rust sporulation and the impact of beetle feeding may be an important natural control of western gall rust.

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Susceptibility of Pinus contorta - Pinus banksiana complex to Endocronartium harknessii: host-pathogen interactions

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b99-095 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 77 (7) ◽

pp. 1035-1043 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rong-Cai Yang ◽

Zhihong Ye ◽

Yasu Hiratsuka

Keyword(s):

Pinus Banksiana ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Rust Fungus ◽

Jack Pine ◽

Natural Hybridization ◽

Host Group ◽

Group Interactions ◽

Endocronartium Harknessii ◽

Rust Susceptibility

Lodgepole (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Lound.) and jack (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) pines occur sympatrically and hybridize in central and northwestern Alberta, providing opportunities for studying unique ecological and evolutionary interactions. We conducted a greenhouse inoculation experiment to investigate interactions between 40 populations of lodgepole and jack pines and their putative hybrids across this hybrid zone and two sources of the western gall rust fungus, Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka, one from lodgepole pine and the other from jack pine. Rust susceptibility and height were assessed when the seedlings were 6 months and 1 year old. Lodgepole pine and the hybrids were significantly more susceptible to the rust infection than jack pine. Jack pine grew significantly faster than the hybrids and lodgepole pine. In addition, the seedlings infected with spores from lodgepole pine grew significantly slower than those with spores from jack pine. While the overall rust scores indicated that spores from lodgepole pine was more virulent to the hosts than those from jack pine, both spore sources were better adapted to their own host species, causing significant spore source × host group interactions. However, such host specificity in the western gall rust is far from stabilized (equilibrium) because of continued gene exchanges among the two parental species and their hybrids.Key words: Pinus contorta - Pinus banksiana complex, western gall rust, natural hybridization, coevolutionary genetics.

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