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Effect of pruning intensity and season on Diplodia pinea infection of Pinus radiata stem through pruning wounds
Author(s) -
Chou C. K. S.,
MacKenzie M.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
european journal of forest pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.535
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1439-0329
pISSN - 0300-1237
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1988.tb00233.x
Subject(s) - biology , crown (dentistry) , pinus radiata , pruning , inoculation , wilting , botany , radiata , horticulture , vigna , medicine , dentistry
In a five‐year‐old Pinus radiata stand, trees were pruned to remove 50%, 40% or 25% of the crown and pruning stubs inoculated with Diplodia pinea . Infection occurred in 65–68% of the intensely pruned trees some of which also developed crown wilting and died, but in lightly pruned trees (25% crown removal) only 8% of the trees were infected and no mortality occurred. Pruning and inoculation every two weeks for a whole year cycle showed an infection peak in summer, but extremely low infection level during the rest of the year. A vertical gradient of resistance of infection was apparent along the stem with the basal part being extremely resistant, becoming more susceptible towards the top. Within limits infection also increased with increasing stub diameter.