A conceptual model for the development of Phytophthora disease in Quercus robur

Here, a conceptual model is presented for the development of Phytophthora disease in pedunculate oak. The model is presented using the causal loop diagram tool and gives an overview of how various abiotic and biotic factors, such as soil moisture, nutrient availability and mycorrhizal colonization, may affect the reproduction and the infective capacity of soil-borne Phytophthora species, the susceptibility of the host and subsequent disease development. It is suggested that the link between the root damage caused by Phytophthora species and overall tree vitality is in the assimilation and allocation of carbon within the plants. The potential impact of environmental factors on these processes is discussed. The model is presented with reference to scenarios related to variation in soil moisture and nutrient availability. The need for species-specific validation of the model and the implications of the model are discussed.     

Quercus tuitensis (Fagaceae, Quercus sect. Lobatae), a new deciduous oak from western Jalisco, Mexico

Quercus tuitensis, a deciduous red oak known only from the Sierra El Tuito on the Pacific slopes of western Jalisco, Mexico, is described, illustrated, and compared toQ. praineana Trel. In addition,Q. aequivenulosa andQ. coffeaecolor are reaffirmed as synonyms ofQ. praineana.     

Resprouting of Quercus suber in NE Spain after fire

Abstract. Many Mediterranean species have evolved strategies that allow them to survive periodic wildfires. Quercus suber trees resprout after fire, some from stem buds and others from basal buds only. In the former case the canopy recovers quickly. In the latter case the stem dies but the tree survives and regrows from basal sprouts. The probability of stem death and the degree of height recovery were studied after a fire in a Q. suber forest in NE Spain using logistic regression analysis. The results suggest that most trees survive after fire; the probability of stem death is negatively related to tree diameter; and recovery is positively related to tree diameter and to bark thickness. Implication for management and conservation of cork-oak forests are discussed.     

LOCAL ADAPTATION AND AGENTS OF SELECTION IN A MOBILE INSECT

The deme-formation hypothesis states that selection can produce adaptive genetic variation within and among phytophagous insect populations. We conducted three field experiments and tested this prediction by transferring eggs and measuring performance of a mobile leafmining insect, Stilbosis quadricustatella. In Experiment 1, we compared the rate of mine initiation of leafminers transferred to natal and novel sites. In Experiment 2, we compared mine-initiation rate of leafminers transferred to natal and novel host-plant species. In Experiment 3, we compared the mine-initiation rate, mine-completion rate, and sources of mortality of miners transferred to neighboring natal and novel Quercus geminata trees. In the first, second, and third experiments, leafminer larvae initiated significantly more mines at the natal site, on the natal plant species, and on the natal Q. geminata tree, evidence for adaptive differentiation. Furthermore, plant-mediated mortality was significantly lower among miners transferred to natal Q. geminata trees. This result supports a key assumption of the deme-formation hypothesis: insects adapt to the defensive phenotypes of individual trees. However, natural-enemy mortality was significantly higher among miners transferred to natal trees, essentially reversing the plant effect. Therefore, rates of successful mine completion were similar on natal (19%) and novel (17%) trees. This experiment suggests that host plants and natural enemies may represent opposing forces of selection. Leafminers adapted to individual trees may realize a selective advantage only when natural-enemy densities are low.     

Impact of waterlogging on the N-metabolism of flood tolerant and non-tolerant tree species

The present study was conducted to characterize the N‐metabolism of important European tree species with different degrees of flooding tolerance. The roots of Fagus sylvatica (sensitive to flooding), Quercus robur (moderately flood tolerant) and Populus tremula × P. alba (flood tolerant) saplings were exposed to different flooding regimes and N uptake, amino acid, protein and chlorophyll concentrations as well as gas exchange were measured. The effects of these treatments on the tree species varied distinctly. In general, the N metabolism of beech was severely affected whereas less impacts were observed on oaks and almost no effects on poplars. The concentrations of amino compounds, particularly of Asp, Asn, Glu and Gln, were lower in the roots of flooded trees than in controls. By contrast, γ‐amino butyric acid concentrations increased. Root protein concentrations remained unaffected in oak and poplar but decreased in beech in response to flooding. The concentrations of pigments remained unaffected by flooding in all tree species investigated. However, photosynthesis and transpiration were severely affected in beech but much less in oak and poplar. The data obtained show a clear correlation between the different flooding tolerances of the trees investigated and the impacts of flooding on N uptake and N metabolism.     

Seasonal changes of leaf surface contamination in beech, oak, and ginkgo in relation to leaf micromorphology and wettability

The leaf surfaces of beech, oak and ginkgo have been investigated with respect to contamination with particles during one growing season. Based on the observation that particles are removed from water-repellent leaves by rain (Lotus effect) the three species were selected because they differ in leaf surface micromorphology and wettability. Leaves of beech are smooth, lacked wax crystals and were ±wettable. Those of ginkgo were rough because their cells were convex and were densely covered by wax crystals, resulting in permanent water repellency. Leaves of oak were covered by waxes and were water repellent when young, but, a few weeks after leaf expansion had ceased the waxes were rapidly eroded. These differences in wettability resulted in different amounts of contamination. Ginkgo collected a very small number of particles during the whole vegetation period. In beech the contamination was significantly higher, but fairly constant, whereas oak leaves accumulated particles with age.