Tomato mosaic virus infection of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain, New York: prevalence and potential impact

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1340-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Castello ◽  
George D. Bachand ◽  
Philip M. Wargo ◽  
Volker Jacobi ◽  
Donald R. Tobi ◽  
...  

Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the roots of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) on Whiteface Mountain, New York. Both virus incidence and concentration in the roots of red spruce vary by site and were greater in trees with little to moderate crown dieback than in trees with severe dieback. There was no significant association between virus incidence or concentration in the roots of red spruce and elevation on Whiteface Mountain. Multiple regression analysis of virus concentration in the roots, as the dependent variable, was performed against nine selected crown and root variables. In the final regression model, the number of live second-order nonwoody roots per length of first-order nonwoody root and length of the live crown were positively and negatively correlated, respectively, with virus concentration in the roots. These results suggest a complex epidemiology and a potentially significant impact of ToMV infection on the growth of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain.

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1415-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. LeBlanc ◽  
Dudley J. Raynal

Understanding the relationship between apical and radial growth decline can contribute toward the evaluation of hypotheses regarding causal mechanisms of red spruce decline. The etiology of red spruce decline in montane spruce-fir forests of the northeastern United States includes loss of foliage at branch apices, crown dieback, and unreversed radial growth decline since the 1960s. Demographic analyses of crown damage and radial growth decline for red spruce on Whiteface Mountain, New York, indicate that large, canopy-emergent trees with exposed crowns exhibit greater decline than codominant trees within an intact canopy. In this paper, radial growth decline is shown to have been coincident with decreased apical growth and increased incidence of injury to terminal leaders. Incidence of leader mortality is greatest for canopy-emergent red spruce or trees with exposed crowns, similar to patterns described for radial growth. This relationship suggests that the post-1960 decline of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain is caused, at least in part, by stresses that act directly on the crown.


1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 418 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Battles ◽  
Arthur H. Johnson ◽  
Thomas G. Siccama ◽  
Andrew J. Friedland ◽  
Eric K. Miller

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1132-1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedda Schlegel ◽  
Robert G. Amundson ◽  
Aloys Hüttermann

To determine the element distribution in fine roots of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) at a high-elevation decline site on Whiteface Mountain, New York, fine-root samples were collected and analysed by X-ray microanalysis. Aluminium was found in very high concentrations in the root cortex, but could not be detected in stelar tissues. In contrast, magnesium was found only in the central cylinder in low amounts. The calcium concentration in the cortex was low, but was higher in the stele. Aluminium has been shown to interfere with cation uptake by blocking exchange sites in the cortical apoplast. Thus these results strongly suggest that the low foliar magnesium and calcium contents of the declining red spruce trees are driven by aluminium-induced inhibition of magnesium and calcium uptake. Soil solution chemistry, ion distribution in fine roots, and foliar ion contents at Whiteface Mountain were compared with equivalent data from other forest sites as well as with data from controlled studies on spruce seedlings. These data suggest that aluminium toxicity contributes to red spruce decline at Whiteface Mountain.


1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian L. Hadley ◽  
Robert G. Amundson ◽  
J. A. Laurence ◽  
R. J. Kohut

Terminal bud mortality for shoots produced between 1982 and 1989 was measured for midcanopy branches of mature red spruce trees (Picea rubens Sargent) at two elevations on Whiteface Mountain, New York, U.S.A. Average terminal bud mortality ranged from 15 to 45% in different years, and there was no evidence for a biotic cause of bud mortality. Between branches on different trees, there was a negative correlation between frequency of terminal bud mortality for shoots produced between 1987 and 1989 and the percent change in current-year foliage biomass between 1987 and 1990. Branches with a high frequency of terminal bud mortality also tended to have a high proportion (> 50%) of 1990 shoots developed on adventitious branchlets. In late November 1990, terminal buds from most trees at 710–1120 m elevation were susceptible to freezing injury between −31 and −38 °C when cooled at 4 °C/h under laboratory conditions. Typical winter minimum temperatures at 700–1100 m elevation on Whiteface Mountain are within this range. In a recent controlled study of red spruce seedlings, high foliar nitrogen was associated with an increased risk of freezing injury to terminal buds in autumn. We found that red spruce on Whiteface Mountain had higher foliar nitrogen levels compared with red spruce at a much lower elevation in Maine. Based on these results, we advocate further research on the relationship between foliar nitrogen and bud freezing sensitivity in high elevation red spruce. Key words: Picea rubens, red spruce, bud mortality, freezing injury, nitrogen, red spruce decline.


1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2298-2298
Author(s):  
A.H. Johnson ◽  
T.N. Schwartzman ◽  
J.J. Battles ◽  
R. Miller ◽  
E.K. Miller ◽  
...  

not available


1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 919-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Jacobi ◽  
John D. Castello

Red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), and balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) seedlings were root inoculated with tomato mosaic virus, potted, and maintained in a cold frame. The virus was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in root extracts of several inoculated seedlings of each species 6–12 months postinoculation, and in root extracts of approximately 35–40% of both inoculated and noninoculated seedlings of each species 12–18 months postinoculation. Virus spread apparently occurred from the roots of infected to noninfected seedlings within the cold frame. The presence of virus in root extracts was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. The virus was not detected in the needles of any seedling at any time by either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunoelectron microscopy. A transitory needle chlorosis was observed in approximately 14% of the inoculated black spruce and 30% of the inoculated red spruce seedlings, but tomato mosaic virus was not detected in all plants with symptoms.


1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1422-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G. Warren ◽  
David C. LeBlanc

The compound growth function of Warren (W.G. Warren. 1980. Tree-Ring Bull. 40: 35–44) represented an attempt at developing a model-based approach that standardized tree ring width sequences and was more flexible than the monotonic functions that were then commonly used. While the idea was conceptually attractive, operational difficulties of fitting hindered its use as a practical tool. This paper describes the modifications, and what are believed to be improvements, that have recently been made to the method, and which have led to an interactive computer program by which the fitting of the model to any sequence of ring widths may be readily accomplished. The approach also permits the location of both positive and negative departures from a trend (releases and suppressions, respectively) and estimation of the rate of ring-width increase or decrease. For illustration it has been applied to a sample of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) cores from Whiteface Mountain, New York. Some synchrony in releases and suppressions was detected, with suppressions being very conspicuous since the late 1950s. Also, the recent reductions in growth rates are as great, or greater, than those previously exhibited by the trees of this sample.


1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1408-1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. LeBlanc

Detailed stem analysis and stand structure and history analyses are used to evaluate relationships between growth decline in populations of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) on Whiteface Mountain and elevation, tree age and size, and stand dynamics. The study sites are virgin, uneven-aged spruce-fir forests at 900 and 1100 m elevation. Most red spruce sampled exhibited substantial decreases in annual stem wood volume increment from 1964 to 1984, particularly large trees and trees from higher elevation. While larger trees exhibited more severe growth decline, there is no evidence of a direct causal link between tree age and decline. Inverse relationships between growth and competition indices are evident for periods prior to the onset of decline, but these relationships degrade during the period of growth decline; competition is not causally linked to decline. There is some indication that the decline-inciting stress was particularly severe for canopy-emergent and exposed red spruce, suggesting the action of an atmospheric stress.


1998 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1436-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
George D. Bachand ◽  
John D. Castello

ABSTRACT Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) infects red spruce (Picea rubens) and causes significant changes in its growth and physiology. The mechanism of infection and the pattern of virus concentration in seedling roots and needles were investigated. One-year-old red spruce seedlings were obtained from the nursery in April and June 1995 and August 1996 and tested for ToMV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Virus-free seedlings were divided into three treatments: control, root inoculated, and needle inoculated. Two control, five root-inoculated, and five needle-inoculated seedlings were sampled destructively at biweekly intervals for 3 months and then tested for ToMV by ELISA. ToMV was transmitted to seedlings by root but not by needle inoculation. The virus was detected in 67 to 100% of roots but in less than 7% of needles of root-inoculated seedlings. The percent infection of root-inoculated seedlings differed significantly between the April and June and between the April and August inoculation periods. Virus concentration in infected seedling roots increased initially, peaked within 4 weeks postinoculation, and steadily declined thereafter. Significant differences in ToMV concentrations in roots also were detected among inoculation periods and sampling dates. Early spring may represent the optimal time for infection of seedlings, as well as for assaying roots for ToMV.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Boyce

Winter injury to red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) after the winter of 1992–1993 was measured at an elevation of 1050 m at a site on Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Approximately 21% of the 1992 foliage was injured. Damage increased with height in the canopy (P < 0.0001), and was highest on the southern aspect (P < 0.0001), followed by the western aspect, which sustained more damage than the northern and eastern aspects (P < 0.0001). Damage was highest on trees whose canopy was fertilized with nitrogen, intermediate on ground-fertilized trees, and lowest on untreated trees, but differences were not significant (P = 0.45) and were confounded with stand structure differences. The strong aspect and height patterns of damage confirm earlier work showing that solar radiation plays an important role in causing the freezing injury that leads to winter damage in red spruce.


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