Biotic agents associated with 'ozone-damaged' foliage of Pinus strobus in the northeastern U.S.
Merrill W and Wenner N. 1996. Biotic agents associated with 'ozone-damaged' foliage of Pinus strobus in the northeastern U.S.. Pages 61-67. In Cox R, Percy K, Jensen K, Simpson C (ed): Air pollution and multiple stresses, IUFRO 16th International Meeting for Specialists in Air Pollution Effects on Forest Ecosystems. Fredericton, New Bruswick, Canada. September 7-9, 1994. Canadian Forest Service. Fredericton, New Bruswick, Canada
'The tipnecrosis and blighting of succulent, elongating, current-year needles of Pinus strobus in the northeastern U.S., attributed by many to 'ozone-damage' is not due to ozone, nor does the pathological anatomy of affected needles resemble that of ozone injury. The pathological anatomy of affected needles is virtually identical to that described by Linzon (1964) as 'semimature-tissue needle blight'. Although a number of biological agents, including two insects and several fungi, can produce similar gross symptoms, the syndrome on affected trees in the field throughout the northeastern U.S. is consistently associated with the presence of an as yet undescribed species of needlecast fungus (Ascomycetes: Rhytismatales). This fungus is present in the mesophyll of both healthy-appearing and dying tissues of such needles before these needles have elongated to half their eventual mature size. The timing of fruiting body maturation sna spore liberation is consistent with the apparent timing of infection and symptom development. The pathological anatomy of needles infected by this fungus agrees with that described for most other needlecast fungi, beginning with Hartig's pioneering study in 1874.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Merrill, W.; Wenner, N.G.
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Acadia National Park, Fungi, Ozone (O3)