The pollination mechanism of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii)

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1439-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Owens ◽  
Sheila J. Simpson ◽  
Guy E. Caron
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Diurnal Fluctuation ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
High Humidity ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Pollination Mechanism ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Pollination Drop

The pollination mechanism of Picea engelmannii (Parry) was studied on small potted scions under natural conditions and in controlled environment chambers. Six stages of conelet development were recognized and related to pollen receptivity. Cone-lets appeared receptive for about 2 weeks but were actually receptive for only about 1 week. Secretory droplets appearing on the micropylar arms collected pollen for several days before pollination drops formed. Pollination drops formed acropetally in the conelet and only once from each ovule. Pollination caused rapid recession of the pollination drop, whereas the drop remained for several days on unpollinated ovules. There was some decrease in size of pollination drops during midday and reemergence the following night. Pollination drops were secreted by the nucellar tip in a manner similar to nectaries. Secretory cells collapsed following secretion. The drop contained 4.3% glucose and 3.8% fructose but no sucrose. High humidity increased the longevity and decreased the diurnal fluctuation in size of pollination drops. Conelets from trees with low leaf water potential developed more slowly and produced smaller and more viscous pollination drops. Cones averaged 103 ovuliferous scales, 90% of which were fertile. However, usually less than 50% of the potential seed set was achieved. One of the major causes for low seed set is inadequate pollination. A better understanding of the pollination mechanism and the receptive period may improve seed efficiency in controlled and supplemental mass pollinations.

The pollination mechanism of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1136-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Owens ◽  
Margaret D. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Drop Formation ◽  
Winter Dormancy ◽  
Pollination Mechanism ◽  
Seed Cone ◽  
Pollination Drop ◽  
And Function

The development and function of the pollination mechanism and the optimal time for pollination are described for Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.). After winter dormancy, the rudimentary integument overgrew the nucellus and formed two long micropylar arms. Soon after seed-cone buds burst, the epidermal cells on the micropylar arms secreted mucilage droplets to which pollen adhered. The ultrastructure of mucilage droplet secretion is described. After 6–8 days a pollination drop formed from the nucellus. This filled the space between the micropylar arms and picked up any pollen which adhered to the arms or landed on the pollination drop. The pollination drop was then withdrawn carrying pollen into the micropyle. The secretory cells on the micropylar arms then autolyzed and a large mucilage plug sealed the micropyle and filled the space between the withered micropylar arms. Conelets closed and became pendant. Pollen germinated and pollen tubes formed about 2 weeks after pollination ended. Conelets enclosed in pollination bags were open and receptive for about 10 days, but the optimal time for pollination was 6 to 8 days after cone buds burst. This coincided with the time of pollination-drop formation.

Pollination mechanism of seed orchard interior spruce

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1434-1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. John Runions ◽  
Glenda L. Catalano ◽  
John N. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Correlation ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Pollination Mechanism ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Interior Spruce ◽  
Pollination Drop ◽  
Cone Development ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Natural Range

The pollination mechanism of interior spruce (white spruce, Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss, or Engelmann spruce, Piceaengelmannii Parry, and their hybrid) trees growing in a seed orchard was studied. Seed orchards are established in areas that are warmer and drier than the parent tree natural range. Hot, dry conditions during the pollination period adversely affected secretion of the pollination drop in unbagged seed cones as compared with bagged cones on the same tree. Unbagged cones remained open and apparently receptive for pollination for 5.3 ± 1.6 days (100 ± 31 h at >10°C), but pollination drops did not appear during this period. Pollination drops were secreted as cones began to close. The temporal correlation observed between cone closure and pollination drop secretion occurred as well in the higher relative humidity environment within pollination bags. Pollination drops in unbagged cones were smaller and did not persist as long as those in bagged cones. The micropylar arms, which capture pollen prior to pollination drop secretion, withered completely in unbagged cones before pollination drops were observed. Some withering of micropylar arms during cone receptivity is natural but complete withering means that the arms can not function in pollen capture throughout the period during which cones remain open. For this reason, supplemental mass pollination is best carried out early during the receptive period for trees growing in hot, dry environments. Overhead misting, used periodically during the receptive period to cool orchard trees, might slow seed-cone development and reduce micropylar arm withering, thereby increasing pollination success after supplemental mass pollination.

Pollen scavenging and rain involvement in the pollination mechanism of interior spruce

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. John Runions ◽  
John N. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Pollination Efficiency ◽  
Pollination Mechanism ◽  
Pollination Mechanisms ◽  
Seed Cone ◽  
Interior Spruce ◽  
Pollination Drop

Pollination drops are secreted from the ovules of interior spruce (Picea glauca or Picea engelmannii and their hybrid) as seed cones begin to close at the end of the pollination period. Secreted pollination drops persist within spaces surrounding the micropylar opening in closed seed cones. Saccate pollen floats into the micropyle within the pollination drop. Pollination drops become voluminous enough, within the enclosed spaces, to scavenge pollen adhering to the micropylar arms and other surfaces in proximity with the micropyle. Scavenging of pollen from cone surfaces adjacent to the integuments is sometimes facilitated by rainwater that can float pollen into the opening of the micropyle before cone closure and pollination drop secretion. In practice, periodic, light misting of seed orchard trees during seed cone receptivity might increase pollination efficiency by mimicking rainwater involvement in the pollination mechanism. Rainwater involvement in pollination of some modern conifers may reflect a similar situation in the pollination mechanisms of ancestral conifers. Environments with limited rainfall combined with the requirement for moisture in the pollination mechanism may have provided the selective pressure for evolution of the pollination drop. Keywords: pollination drop, Picea, conifer, sacci.

Comparison of Terpene Composition in Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) Using Hydrodistillation, SPME and PLE

2004 ◽  
Vol 59 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Mardarowicz ◽  
Dorota Wianowska ◽  
Andrzej L. Dawidowicz ◽  
Ryszard Sawicki
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Steam Distillation ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Enzymatic Reactions ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Pressurised Liquid Extraction ◽  
Conifer Trees ◽  
Spruce Needles

Abstract Terpenes emitted by conifer trees are generally determined by analysing plant extracts or essential oils, prepared from foliage and cones using steam distillation. The application of these procedures limits experiments to cut plant materials. Recently headspace techniques have been adopted to examine terpene emission by living plants. This paper deals with the application of solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) for the analysis of terpenes emitted by conifers foliage of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), including its seedlings. The compositions of SPME extracts obtained for destroyed and non-destroyed old and juvenile spruce needles were compared with the compositions of essential oils and pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) extracts corresponding to the same plant materials. No substantial differences have been found in the qualitative terpene composition estimated by analysing essential oil and PLE and SPME extracts from non-destroyed old and juvenile foliage. The disintegration of spruce needles results in the formation of a significant amount of myrcene in the case of the old conifer foliage and non-terpenoic compounds in the case of juvenile conifer foliage. This phenomenon can be attributed to enzymatic reactions occurring in the destroyed plant cells.

Factors influencing understory seedling establishment of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) in southeast Wyoming

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2753-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan K. Knapp ◽  
William K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Incident Radiation ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Northern Rocky Mountains ◽  
Medicine Bow Mountains ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Surface Drying

Although seedlings of Abies lasiocarpa are generally more abundant than those of Picea engelmannii in the understory of mature spruce–fir forests throughout the central and northern Rocky Mountains, little information exists concerning environmental or plant factors that may influence the establishment of these two conifers. Field measurements in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southeast Wyoming showed that seedlings of A. lasiocarpa had greater photosynthetic rates at low understory light levels and required lower levels of incident radiation for saturation of photosynthesis compared with those of P. engelmannii. However, both conifers occurred in understory locations where total daily solar radiation was equally low (<2 MJ∙m−2∙day−1) and thus, a lack of light did not appear to be responsible for the low number of P. engelmannii seedlings in the understory. In contrast, seedlings of P. engelmannii were substantially more abundant at locations with thinner litter layers compared with those of A. lasiocarpa. Also, laboratory studies showed that the smaller seeds of P. engelmannii germinated more rapidly and at lower temperatures than seeds of A. lasiocarpa although growth of tap roots on A. lasiocarpa seedlings was greater initially ([Formula: see text] longer in 2-week-old seedlings) as well as for 10-week-old seedlings (50% longer). The deeper penetrating tap root of A. lasiocarpa seedlings may enable this conifer to establish more abundantly on thick, rapidly drying litter layers that are characteristic of mature spruce–fir forests. In contrast, establishment of P. engelmannii seedlings may be limited to microsites without a thick litter layer such as disturbed areas or decomposing wood, where surface drying may occur more gradually throughout the summer. These results are discussed in terms of the potential effects of seedling establishment on the observed patterns in climax vegetation of central and northern Rocky Mountain subalpine forests.

scholarly journals Development of MILIONCAST, an Improved Model for Predicting Downy Mildew Sporulation on Onions

Plant Disease ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tijs Gilles ◽  
Kath Phelps ◽  
John P. Clarkson ◽  
Roy Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Temporal Pattern ◽  
Random Model ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
High Humidity ◽  
Potted Plants ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
Accuracy Of Prediction

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on Peronospora destructor sporulation on onion (Allium cepa) leaves were studied under controlled environmental conditions. Sporangia were produced most rapidly at 8 to 12°C after 5 h of high humidity during dark periods. The greatest number of sporangia was produced at 100% relative humidity (RH), and sporulation decreased to almost nil when humidity decreased to 93% RH. A model, named MILIONCAST (an acronym for MILdew on onION foreCAST), was developed based on the data from these controlled environment studies to predict the rate of sporulation in relation to temperature and relative humidity. The accuracy of prediction of sporulation was evaluated by comparing predictions with observations of sporulation on infected plants in pots outdoors. The accuracy of MILIONCAST was compared with the accuracy of existing models based on DOWNCAST. MILIONCAST gave more correct predictions of sporulation than the DOWNCAST models and a random model. All models based on DOWNCAST were more accurate than the random model when compared on the basis of all predictions (including positive and negative predictions), but they gave fewer correct predictions of sporulation than the random model. De Visser's DOWNCAST and ONIMIL improved their accuracy of prediction of sporulation events when the threshold humidity for sporulation was reduced to 92% RH. The temporal pattern of predicted sporulation by MILIONCAST generally corresponded well to the pattern of sporulation observed on the outdoor potted plants at Wellesbourne, UK.

Effects of Storage, Planting Date, and Shelter on Engelmann Spruce Containerized Seedlings in the Central Rockies

1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Roberts ◽  
James N. Long
Keyword(s):  
Planting Date ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Containerized Seedlings ◽  
Storage Methods ◽  
Survival Of Seedlings

Abstract Containerized Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) seedlings were treated with different nursery storage methods, planting dates, and amounts of overstory shelter after planting. Third-year survival of seedlings stored in refrigeration did not differ from that of seedlings maintained in a lathhouse prior to planting. Survival of seedlings planted in mid-June was about 70% compared to 48% for seedlings planted in late July. Survival was only 52% within strip shelterwood units and more than 72% in the more protected environment of uniform shelterwood units. Seedlings within strip shelterwood units were slightly taller after 3 years than those under a uniform shelterwood. West. J. Appl. For. 6(2):36-38.

Sexual reproduction in western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1376-1393 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Owens ◽  
M. Molder
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Female Gametophyte ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Insect Damage ◽  
Red Cedar ◽  
Pollination Drop ◽  
Micropylar Canal

Pollen cones and seed cones ended dormancy in mid-February, microsporogenesis occurred in late February, and pollination occurred for about 1 week in early March. Pollen was shed at the two-celled stage. Pollination drops were exuded from only a few ovules at one time. Pollen contacting the pollination drop was rapidly taken in. The pollination drop was withdrawn into the micropyle which was later sealed by enlargement of cells lining the micropylar canal. Megasporogenesis occurred in late February but female gametophytes did not mature and fertilization did not occur until late May. An archegonial complex formed containing seven to nine archegonia, of which several usually were fertilized. Proembryo development varied depending upon the size and shape of the archegonia. Usually, a 12-celled, three-tiered proembryo formed by mid-June. Cleavage polyembryony was not observed. Embryos were mature by mid-August and most seed was shed in September and October.The potential seed set was only 16 seeds per cone and filled seed averaged only 2.6 per cone. Most potential seed was lost because of early ovule abortion from unknown causes, insect damage, or low temperatures at or shortly after pollination. Some potential seeds were lost because the ovules were not pollinated or the embryos aborted. These seeds were soft but nearly normal appearing and contained spongy female gametophyte tissue. Methods of maximizing seed production are suggested.

Imbibitional chilling injury in cultivars of soybeans differing in temperature sensitivity to pod formation and maturation periods

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 2996-2998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winson Orr ◽  
A. I. De La Roche ◽  
J. Singh ◽  
H. Voldeng
Keyword(s):  
Water Uptake ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Chilling Injury ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Glycine Max L ◽  
Filter Papers ◽  
Environmental Temperatures ◽  
Irreversible Injury

The occurrence and extent of chilling injury during imbibition of seeds from five cultivars and four lines of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr) were tested. Seeds were imbibed and incubated at 2 °C for up to 72 h on moist filter papers and their ability to germinate when returned to 25 °C was recorded. Early-maturing varieties with the ability to form pods and seeds at lower temperatures were most susceptible to irreversible injury during imbibitional chilling. Rate of water uptake during low-temperature imbibition was measured, and seeds which were most susceptible to imbibitional chilling also had the highest rate of water uptake. In controlled-environment studies, seeds from the same cultivars that were set at different temperatures showed corresponding differences in susceptibility to imbibitional chilling injury. These results suggest that environmental temperatures during seed set or pod formation can play a role in chilling tolerance during seed imbibition.

Evaluations of Bole Injections for Protecting Engelmann Spruce from Mortality Attributed to Spruce Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Intermountain West

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-309
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Fettig ◽  
A. Steven Munson ◽  
Donald M. Grosman ◽  
Darren C. Blackford
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Emamectin Benzoate ◽  
Dendroctonus Rufipennis ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Spruce Beetle

Abstract Bark beetles are important disturbance agents in coniferous forests, and spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the more notable species causing landscape-level tree mortality in western North America. We evaluated the efficacy of bole injections of emamectin benzoate (TREE-äge®; Arborjet Inc., Woburn, MA) alone and combined with propiconazole (Alamo®; Syngenta Crop Protection Inc., Wilmington, DE) for protecting Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelmann (Pinales: Pinaceae), from mortality attributed to colonization by D. rufipennis. Two injection periods in 2013 (the spring and fall of the year prior to trees first being challenged by D. rufipennis in 2014) and distributions of injection points (7.6- and 15.2-cm spacings) were evaluated. Tree mortality was monitored over a 3-yr period (2014–2017). Emamectin benzoate injected in spring at a narrow spacing (7.6 cm) was the only effective treatment. Two (but not three) field seasons of protection can be expected with a single injection of this treatment. We discuss the implications of these and other results regarding the use of emamectin benzoate and propiconazole for protecting western conifers from mortality attributed to bark beetles, and provide suggestions for future research. A table summarizing the appropriate timing of treatments in different bark beetle/host systems is provided.

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