Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. is 8 das. Deparment ol Effects of Arceuthobium B=} Agriculture Be Service americanum on Twig Growth reneer'shion QF Pinus contorta Nancy Broshot, Lynn Larsen, and Robert Tinnin Abstract Patterns of branch growth in Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. (lodgepole pine) on the east side of the Cascade Range in Oregon were significantly altered by Arceuthobium americanum (lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe). There were decreases in the number, length, and mass of needles, as well as in the length and mass of twigs. These reductions were correlated with the infection status of individual branches. Generally, twigs from uninfected branches supported the greatest number, size, and mass of needles, as well as the greatest twig mass. Twigs from branches having localized infections were intermediate for these same characteris- ~ tics, whereas twigs from systemically infected branches were lowest. These dif- ferences suggest that changes in metabolic function of the host result from infection by dwarf mistletoe. The changes are probably among the factors that con- tribute to host decline correlated with increases in severity of infection. Keywords: Parasites (plant) (-forest damage, dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium americanum, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta. Introduction Arceuthobium/is a genus of flowering plants comprised of approximately 40 taxa. Members of this genus parasitize all of the genera of the family Pinaceae that oc- cur in the Pacific Northwest (Hawksworth and Weins 1972). Because the members of the genus Arceuthobium cannot obtain water and nutrients directly from abiotic sources and because they can provide only 25 to 30 percent of their own energy requirements through photosynthesis (Hull and Leonard 1964, Miller and Tocher 1975), essentially all their metabolic needs must be provided by their host. This contributes to changed growth patterns and to increased mortality rates for the host (Hawksworth and Weins 1972). Most coniferous species are valuable for timber, so the effects of Arceuthobium spp. are usually assessed in terms of damage to, or loss of, fiber or lumber. Although Arceuthobium spp. measurably reduce productivity of forests, little infor- mation is available about specific alterations of branch structure of the host (the sites of photosynthesis) that are caused by infection. Tinnin and Knutson (1980) reported that branches of Pseudotsuga menziesii, when heavily infected with “Common names are listed under ‘Scientific and Common Names.” NANCY BROSHOT is director of science laboratories, Depart- ment of Biology, Linfield College, Portland Oregon. She was a graduate student at Portland State University when this study was conducted. LYNN LARSEN is a supervising experimental biology technician, Department of Biology, Portland State Univer- sity, and was a graduate student when this study was conducted. ROBERT TINNIN is associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and professor of biology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. Methods A. douglasii, supported twigs that were longer and needles that were more numerous but had a lower individual biomass than similar parts from healthy branches. More detailed information about changes in branch structure resulting from infec- tion by Arceuthobium is needed to thoroughly describe the causes of decline in host trees. Hence, our Purpose was to quantify changes in the branch structure of Pinus contorta associated with infection by Arceuthobium americanum, as cor- related with local and systemic infection. We worked with P contorta because it shows the same general response to infection by Arceuthobium as do other host species, a loss of growth and an increased rate of mortality (Baranyay 1970, Baranyay and Safranyik 1970, Gill and Hawksworth 1964, Johnson and others 1980); because it is of convenient size for detailed work with crown parts; and because it typically supports both local and systemic infections of A. americanum. Two sample sites were chosen in which almost all the trees present were Pinus contorta and in which Arceuthobium americanum was found. Both sites were on the east side of the Cascade Range in Oregon. The Sisters site is 21 km (13 mi) south of the town of Sisters on USFS Road 16 (Reo Ei 6.S seomea 35) at an — elevation of about 2000 m (6,550 ft). The Crescent site is southeast of Crescent Lake and about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) south of highway 58 along USFS road 243-| (R. 7 E., T. 24 S., sec. 29) at an elevation of about 1750 m (5,750 ft). Each site was divided into nine 1-ha (2.47-acre) plots, from which three plots were randomly chosen. Within these plots, Study trees were randomly chosen from among the dominant and codominant individuals, excluding spike-topped and double-trunked trees. Each tree was given a dwarf mistletoe rating (d.m.r.) accord- ing to its level of infection by A. americanum—zero for no infection and six for heavy infection (Hawksworth 1977). An increment core was taken from each tree 1.4 m (4.5 ft) above ground level—diameter at breast height (d.b.h.)—to determine Stand age and growth characteristics, and tree height was determined with a clinometer. The trees at the Sisters site were moderately to heavily infected (d.m.r. 3-6) by A. americanum. The density of P contorta, all ages included, was 1.2 trees/m2 (4,850 trees/acre) with a density of 0.3 mature tree/mz (1,225 mature trees/acre). A random sample of mature trees exhibited an average age of 84 years, a d.b.h. of 25 cm (9.8 in), a height of 13 m (42.5 ft), and an estimated lateral growth rate of 0.6 cm (0.24 in) per year averaged over the 1977-81 period. The trees at the Crescent site were uninfected to moderately infected (d.m.r. 0-4) by A. americanum. The density of all age classes of P contorta was 1.8 trees/mz (7,275 trees/acre) with a density of 0.2 mature tree/m2 (800 mature trees/acre). A random sample of mature trees at this site had an average age of 88 years, a d.b.h. of 26 cm (10.2 in), a height of 14 m (46.0 ft), and an estimated lateral growth rate of 0.5 cm (0.20 in) per year averaged over the 1977-81 period. These stand data are summarized in tables 1 and 2. Table 1—Mean growth characteristics of sample trees from the Sisters, Oregon, site (+ standard error) Dwarf Mean Mean mistletoe age at breast Gebeitey, Mean Mean lateral rating Trees height, 1981 1982 height, 1982 growth, 1977-81 no. yr cm 1/ m 2/ cm/yr 1/ 3 6 5oAli2 2242 1141 0.7+0.09 4 8 83+ 8 2542 13+] alse dfs) 5 23 Bile 5 26+) 13+] POO 6 16 102+ 4 24+) 1241 Ge (OT) Total (mean) 53 84 25 13 .6 Table 2—Mean growth characteristics of sample trees from the Crescent, Oregon, site (+ standard error) Dwarf Mean Mean mistletoe age at breast deibraniers Mean Mean lateral rating Trees height, 1981 1982 height, 1982 growth, 1977-81 no. yr cm 1/ m 2/ cm/yr 1/ 0 3 64+ 8 2142 1240.3 0.8+0.10 1 6 93412 2544 1442 ox 05 2 6 84+ 6 2542 1442 shee (07 3 7 95+10 2842 15+1 eee alll 4 8 91+ 3 2842 1641 -4+ .04 Total (mean) 30 88 26 14 5) Twig samples were obtained from three branches on the southwest side of each study tree at a height of 6 m (20 ft) or less from the ground. Each sample was classified as being taken from an uninfected, a locally infected, or a systemically infected branch. A branch was considered locally infected when the infections were confined to a small portion of the branch, whereas a systemically infected branch had dwarf mistletoe growing throughout many or all of the twigs. Aerial shoots of A. americanum distributed over some distance along a twig was evidence of the , latter condition. Results and Discussion Samples were collected in 1981. Data on twig growth were recorded for the 1979 annual growth segment. This age class was selected because the segments were fully developed and vigorous at the time of collection. For each sample we meas- _ ured twig length, twig dry mass, needle number, needle length, and needle dry mass. Twig and needle lengths were measured to the nearest millimeter. Segment dry mass was recorded to the nearest 0.1 mg after the tissues were dried at 80 °C for 48 h. The data were analyzed by means of a two-level nested analysis of variance in which sample replicates were nested under source branch and source branch under branch infection class (Sokal and Rohlf 1969). For the growth segments sampled, we found a significant decrease in mean number, length, and biomass of needles and in the mean length and biomass of twigs from Pinus contorta infected with Arceuthobium americanum (table 3). In most cases Our measures showed the greatest growth for needles and twigs from uninfected branches, less growth for locally infected branches, and the least growth for systemically infected branches. Twig length is an exception to this pattern because locally infected branches show the least twig elongation. The trees at the Sisters site showed greater growth for each variable measured. The two sites are different in several ecologically important ways, so the difference — in growth of branch parts from the two sites is not surprising. The data in table 3 imply the action of certain mechanisms leading to host decline after infection. Although the data are not consistent for both sites, a reduction in the numbers and sizes of needles at either site, when correlated with infection, im- plies that infection affects the photosynthetic efficiency of branches. We presently have no reason to assume that the changed structure of infected branches com- pensates for the observed reduction in photosynthetic tissue on individual twigs. Table 3—Mean growth of branch parts of Pinus contorta in response to infec- tion by Arceuthobium americanum/ Site and Needles Dry mass Twigs branch Dry per Dry Dry mass classification Number Length mass needle Length mass per cm cm g g cm g g Crescent Lake: Uninf ected 5821) n=6 S358) 0.7818 0.13) 2.4 n=7 0.1773 0.0730 Local Nes NEW 268 . 3902 .0091 leSe anil .0857 0561 Systemic (55.01) m2. (Mot [.2730] {.0048] [4.0] n=2 edie] [.0441] Probability 2/ .05 NS -05 .05 .001 .001 .05 Sisters: Uninfected (84S en=2ee eee ee o Ban {.0202] [3.6] n=2 { .4260] [.1234] Local SOM =COMmORA .6840 .0130 1.9 n=20 1726 .0852 Systemic 46.9 n=9 2.1 -3224 .0065 2.7 n=9 - 1626 .0583 Probability 2/ NS .001 .01 .001 NS. NS .01 1/ Each element is the mean of all samples for a given classification; "n" is the number of trees sampled. Data in brackets were not considered during statistical evaluation because of small sample size. 1 cm = 0.39 in; 1 g = 0.04 oz. 2/ NS = not significant. Acknowledgments Scientific and Common Names Tinnin and Knutson (1980) reported similar data for the growth of branches of Pseudotsuga menziesii infected by Arceuthobium douglasii (table 4). They found no significant difference in total needle mass between healthy and infected twigs, but they did find that infected branches were much more massive than uninfected branches. In short, the equivalence of the photosynthetic potential of uninfected and infected branches is in question. Detailed comparative work is needed to elucidate the physiological response to infection by various host species. In addition to the significant changes in branch structure that result from the infec- tion of PR contorta by A. americanum, it is known that the starch content of needles increases (Broshot and Tinnin 1986), respiratory rates decrease (Wanner and Tin- nin 1986), and patterns of carbon allocation change (Leonard and Hull 1965). The many changes in structure and function that occur after infection are at least related to, if not part of, the mechanisms that cause host decline. Table 4—Comparison of branch characteristics for Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii infected with Arceuthobium Characteristic P. contorta 2/ P. menziesii 3/ Needle number 4/< > Needle length 4/< NA Total needle mass < ns Mass per needle ca < Twig length 4/< > Twig mass 4/< ns Twig mass per cm < < 1/< indicates significant decrease; >, significant increase; ns, no difference; NA, data not available --compared with twigs from uninfected branches. 2/ Data from current study. 3/ From Tinnin and Knutson (1980). 4/ The differences at only 1 sample site were Significant. This work was supported by the Research and Publications Committee at Portland State University and the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Symbiosis and Disease in Western Ecosystems project. The study sites were established with the cooperation of the Deschutes National Forest and the Cres- cent and Sisters Ranger Districts of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. We especially thank Jim Campbell, Morgan Hamilton, and Terry Schnarr for their help in collecting and processing data; and Clyde Calvin, Don Knutson, and Jim Wanner for their constructive review of the manuscript. This is En- vironmental Sciences and Resources Publication No. 186. Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engl. Arceuthobium douglasii Engl. Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe Lodgepole pine Douglas-fir References Baranyay, J.A. Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe in Alberta. Publ. 1286. Ottawa, ON: Department of Fisheries and Forestry, Canadian Forestry Service; 1970. 22 p. Baranyay, J.A.; Safranyik, L. Effect of dwarf mistletoe on growth and mortality of lodgepole pine in Alberta. Publ. 1285. Ottawa, ON: Department of Fisheries and Forestry, Canadian Forestry Service; 1970. 19 p. Broshot, Nancy E.; Tinnin, Robert O. The effect of dwarf mistletoe on starch con- | | centrations in the twigs and needles of lodgepole pine. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 16: 658-660; 1986. Gill, Lake S.; Hawksworth, Frank G. Dwarfmistletoe of lodgepole pine. For. Pest Leafl. 18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; 1964. 7 p. Hawksworth, Frank G. The 6-class dwarf mistletoe rating system. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-48. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; 1977. 7 p. Hawksworth, Frank G.; Weins, Delbert. Biology and classification of dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium). Agric. Handb. 401. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture; 1972. 234 p. Hull, Richard J.; Leonard, Oliver A. Physiological aspects of parasitism in mistletoes (Arceuthobium and Phoradendron). 2. The photosynthetic capacity of mistletoe. Plant Physiology. 39: 1008-1017; 1964. Johnson, David W.; Hawksworth, Frank G.; Drummond, David B. 1979 dwarf mistletoe loss assessment survey of National Forest lands in Colorado. Rep. 80-6. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Methods Application Group, Forest Pest Management; 1980. 18 p. Leonard, O.A.; Hull, R.J. Translocation relationships in and between mistletoes and their hosts. Hilgardia. 37: 115-153; 1965. Miller, J. Roger; Tocher, R.D. Photosynthesis and respiration of Arceuthobium tsugense (Loranthaceae). American Journal of Botany. 62: 765-769; 1975. Sokal, Robert R.; Rohlf, F. James. Biometry. San Francisco, CA: Freeman and Company; 1969. 776 p. Tinnin, Robert O.; Knutson, Donald M. Growth characteristics of the brooms on Douglas-fir caused by Arceuthobium douglasii. Forest Science. 26: 149-158; 1980. Wanner, Jim; Tinnin, Robert O. Respiration in lodgepole pine parasitized by American dwarf mistletoe. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. [In press]; 1986. 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