Germination capacity ofThekopsora areolataaeciospores and the effect of cone rusts on seeds ofPicea abies
- 19 September 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
- Vol. 29 (1), 22-26
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2013.844851
Abstract
Mature Norway spruce (Picea abies) cones of different ages and colonized by Thekopsora areolata were collected in northern Finland 2009–2010. The germination capacity of aeciospores collected from intact aecia was measured on water agar and compared across cone age. Seed formation was investigated in healthy cones and those infected by T. areolata, Chrysomyxa pirolata, Chrysomyxa ledi, and seed germination was also measured for healthy cones and those infected by T. areolata. Unsporulated aecia of T. areolata occurred in 0- to 4-year-old cones. Aeciospores from current-year cones did not germinate and the germination capacity was significantly higher in one- to three-year-old cones than in older or current-year cones. However, a small number of aeciospores remained viable in four-year-old cones. Seed number and apparent health were significantly lower in cones infected by T. areolata and C. pirolata than in healthy cones or cones infected by C. ledi. Seed germination was significantly lower in cones infected with T. areolata compared to seeds from healthy cones. Our results suggest that infected cones more than one-year old continue to spread T. areolata for several years after the initial infection and fruiting, and thus promote the likelihood of epidemics and virulence of local outbreaks. Although cones infected by T. areolata and C. pirolata form significantly fewer seeds and of diminished viability, C. ledi does not appear to affect seed formation and health in Norway spruce. We recommend all rust-infected cones to be removed from orchards to improve stand health, reduce the risk of local outbreaks, and thereby increase the production and quality of Norway spruce seed.Keywords
This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:
- ThekopsoraandChrysomyxacone rusts damage Norway spruce cones after a good cone crop in FinlandScandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2013
- Chrysomyxaledi, a new rust fungus sporulating in cone scales ofPicea abiesin FinlandScandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2010
- Seasonal fruiting and sporulation of Thekopsora and Chrysomyxa cone rusts in Norway spruce cones and alternate hosts in FinlandCanadian Journal of Forest Research, 2009
- Real-Time PCR-Based Monitoring of DNA Pools in the Tri-Trophic Interaction Between Norway Spruce, the Rust Thekopsora areolata, and an Opportunistic Ascomycetous Phomopsis sp.Phytopathology®, 2008
- Variation in flowering abundance and its impact on the genetic diversity of the seed crop in a Norway spruce seed orchardSilva Fennica, 2000
- Inland spruce cone rust of black spruce: Effect on cone and seed yield, and seed qualityEuropean Journal of Forest Pathology, 1990
- Symptomology on Spruce Trees and Spore Characteristics of a Bud Rust PathogenPhytopathology®, 1984
- Tuomen merkityksestä kuusen tuomiruostesienen, Pucciniastrum padi (Kunze & Schm.) Diet., esiintymiselle kuusessaSilva Fennica, 1967
- NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF CHRYSOMYXACanadian Journal of Research, 1950