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Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees

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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 29561

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Prof. Bernard Dell

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Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
Interests: silviculture; diagnosis and correction of nutrient disorders; beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi; edible and medicinal forest mushrooms; forest protection (pest and disease); climate change and tree health; edible forest fungi; reforestation; valuable trees; urban forests; invasive species

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The incidence of abiotic and biotic stress in trees is increasing globally, leading to escalating concerns for forest protection, biodiversity, the provision of ecosystem services, biosecurity, economic production, and rural livelihoods. Tree declines are now present in most geographical regions in the world, extending from cold temperate to tropical forests. The objective of this Special Issue of Forests is to explore, using review articles and original research papers, the major abiotic and biotic stressors that have caused or incited significant tree decline and mortality in natural and planted forests over the past decade. It will also explore the recent drivers of change, global threats, risk management, and related topics.

Prof. Bernard Dell
Guest Editor

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Keywords

tree decline
climate change
pests and disease
forest management
biosecurity

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 1095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical and Kraft Pulping Properties of Young Eucalypt Trees Affected by Physiological Disorders

by Brunela Pollastrelli Rodrigues, José Tarcísio da Silva Oliveira, Braz José Demuner, Reginaldo Gonçalves Mafia and Graziela Baptista Vidaurre

Forests 2022, 13(4), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040504 - 24 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2358

Abstract

This study evaluated how Eucalyptus physiological disorder (EPD) affects wood quality and pulping performance. Although research advances have been made in forest management and tree improvement programs for eucalypt plantations, some areas of Brazil are still subject to abiotic stress, mainly due to atypical climatic patterns. Tree growth is affected by abiotic stress, and this can change the wood properties, which influence the pulping process. The Eucalyptus trees used in this study were three-and-a-half-year-old hybrid clones. In order to evaluate the impact of physiological growth disorder on the wood, trees were selected with higher and lower levels of symptoms caused by EPD. First, the density, chemical composition, and variables of the pulping process of each of these woods were compared. The higher levels EPD symptoms resulted in poorer wood quality for pulping. To reduce the negative impact of the pulping process, reference woodchip samples from the industrial process were mixed with these wood samples and evaluated again. The results show that EPD negatively affected the wood quality required for pulp production when trees from higher stress conditions formed wood with more extractives (60% greater) and 9% more of lignin content. Thus, the amount of reagent used was increased and the pulp yield decreased. One solution to minimize the problem is to combine the woodchips from higher EPD trees and stands (20%) with non-EPD-affected chips (80%). Thus, it appears that affected wood requires special management attention in the context of pulp production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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22 pages, 5012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Effects of Droughts and Cold Winters on the Growth of Scots Pine at Coastal Sand Dunes around the South Baltic Sea

by Karolina Janecka, Sandra Metslaid, Marek Metslaid, Jill E. Harvey and Martin Wilmking

Forests 2022, 13(3), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13030477 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2699

Abstract

Coastal dunes near the Baltic Sea are often stabilized by Scots pine forests and are characterized by a mild climate. These ecosystems are affected by water shortages and might be influenced by climate extremes. Considering future climate change, utilizing tree rings could help assess the role of climate extremes on coastal forest growth. We used superposed epoch analysis to study Scots pine responses to droughts and cold winters, with focus on frequency, timing, and duration. We measured ring widths (RW) and latewood blue intensity (LBI) on samples extracted from trees growing at dune ridge and bottom microsites at the south Baltic Sea. At the regional scale, we observed some similarities in tree responses to both extremes between RW and LBI within the same microsite type and region. At the local scale, RW and LBI were more frequently influenced by cold winters than droughts. RW and LBI from dune ridges were more frequently influenced by droughts than RW and LBI from dune bottoms. LBI from both microsites was more often influenced by droughts than RW. RW and LBI from both microsites were similarly often influenced by cold winters. At both scales, the response time of RW and LBI after droughts predominantly lagged by one year, while cold winters were recorded in the same year. The typical duration of growth reductions after both extremes was one year for both RW and LBI. Our study indicates that Scots pine from the Baltic Sea region is sensitive to climate extremes, especially cold winters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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12 pages, 1761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Exogenous Ethylene and Cobalt Chloride on Root Growth of Chinese Fir Seedlings under Phosphorus-Deficient Conditions

by Hui Zhang, Nemin Wang, Shanshan Zheng, Min Chen, Xiangqing Ma and Pengfei Wu

Forests 2021, 12(11), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111585 - 17 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2229

Abstract

Studying the effects of different concentrations of ethephon on morphological and physiological changes in the roots of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata Lamb. Hook.) seedlings under P deficiency can reveal the internal adaptive mechanisms of these plants under nutrient stress. Herein, we investigated the effects of different ethephon and cobalt chloride concentrations under normal P supply and P deficiency. A significant effect (p < 0.05) of exogenous additive application was observed on the development of Chinese fir root length, surface area, and volume. These root development indices showed maximum values when the ethephon concentration was 0.01 g kg⁻¹ under normal P supply and P deficiency, and they were significantly different from those under 0.04 g kg⁻¹ ethephon treatment. Similarly, the indices showed maximum values when CoCl₂ concentration was 0.01 g kg⁻¹ under P deficiency and was significantly different (p < 0.01) from those under 0.2 g kg⁻¹ CoCl₂ treatment. Under normal P supply, an increase in ethephon concentration caused superoxide dismutase (SOD; E.C. 1.15.1.1) activity to decrease and peroxidase (POD; E.C. 1.11.1.X) activity to increase gradually. Conversely, CoCl₂ addition (0.01 g kg⁻¹) promoted SOD and POD activities under P deficiency. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in malondialdehyde content of seedlings among ethephon or CoCl₂ treatments. In conclusion, ethylene plays a significant role in adaptative mechanisms underlying stress resistance in plants, prompting them to respond to P starvation and improving seedlings’ tolerance to P-deficient conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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17 pages, 4884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calcium Ion Richness in Cornus hongkongensis subsp. elegans (W. P. Fang et Y. T. Hsieh) Q. Y. Xiang Could Enhance Its Salinity Tolerance

by Qiang Lu, Ling Yang, Haowei Wang, Jiaqiu Yuan and Xiangxiang Fu

Forests 2021, 12(11), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111522 - 4 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

Cornus hongkongensis subsp. elegans (W. P. Fang et Y. T. Hsieh) Q. Y. Xiang has attracted much attention for its potential ornamental value and extensive adaptation to heterogeneous environments. In this study, seedlings were treated with four sea salt concentrations (0 (S0), 0.2 (S2), 0.3 (S3), and 0.4% (S4), w/w) by hydroponics. We determined that the degree of injury symptoms in the salinized seedlings increased with the rising salt concentration and with the extent of stress duration. Calcium ion (Ca²⁺) concentrations reached peaks of 22.00, 17.05, and 12.77 mg g⁻¹ in the leaves, stem, and root in the S4 treatment, respectively. As the salt concentration rose, calcium oxalate crystals in leaves were mainly enriched in the abaxial parenchyma of the main vein, as well as the palisade tissues and their junction with the spongy tissues of the mesophyll. The density of calcium oxalate crystals increased almost 1.6-fold in the leaves in the S4 treatment compared to the S0 treatment. Our results suggest that C. elegans could be cultivated in coastal areas with a salt concentration of 0.2%–0.3% in eastern China. In addition, a high Ca²⁺ supply in the field may be an effective strategy to enhance salinity tolerance in dogwoods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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20 pages, 3962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New and Emerging Insect Pest and Disease Threats to Forest Plantations in Vietnam

by Pham Quang Thu, Dao Ngoc Quang, Nguyen Minh Chi, Tran Xuan Hung, Le Van Binh and Bernard Dell

Forests 2021, 12(10), 1301; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12101301 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5233

Abstract

The planted forest area in Vietnam increased from 3.0 to 4.4 million hectares in the period 2010–2020, but the loss of productivity from pests and diseases continues to be a problem. During this period, frequent and systematic plantation forest health surveys were conducted on 12 native and 4 exotic genera of trees as well as bamboo across eight forest geographic regions of Vietnam. Damage caused by insects and pathogens was quantified in the field and laboratory in Hanoi. The threats of greatest concern were from folivores (Antheraea frithi, Arthroschista hilaralis, Atteva fabriciella, Hieroglyphus tonkinensis, Lycaria westermanni,Krananda semihyalina, and Moduza procris), wood borers (Batocera lineolata, Euwallacea fornicatus, Tapinolachnus lacordairei, Xyleborus perforans, and Xystrocera festiva), sap-sucking insects (Aulacaspis tubercularis and Helopeltis theivora) and pathogens (Ceratocystis manginecans, Fusarium solani, and Phytophthora acaciivora). The number of new and emerging pests and pathogens increased over time from 2 in 2011 to 17 in 2020, as the damage became more widespread. To manage these pests and diseases, it is necessary to further invest in the selection and breeding of resistant genotypes, improve nursery hygiene and silvicultural operations, and adopt integrated pest management schemes. Consideration should be given to developing forest health monitoring protocols for forest reserves and other special-purpose forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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19 pages, 4231 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Mangrove Dieback and Leaf Disease in Sonneratia apetala and Sonneratia caseolaris in Vietnam

by Huong Thi Thuy Nguyen, Giles E. St. J. Hardy, Tuat Van Le, Huy Quoc Nguyen, Duc Hoang Le, Thinh Van Nguyen and Bernard Dell

Forests 2021, 12(9), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12091273 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5508

Abstract

Even though survival rates for mangrove restoration in Vietnam have often been low, there is no information on fungal pathogens associated with mangrove decline in Vietnam. Therefore, this research was undertaken to assess the overall health of mangrove afforestation in Thanh Hoa Province and fungal pathogens associated with tree decline. From a survey of 4800 Sonneratia trees, the incidence of disorders was in the order of pink leaf spot > shoot dieback > black leaf spot for S. caseolaris and black leaf spot > shoot dieback > pink leaf spot for S. apetala. Approximately 12% of S. caseolaris trees had both pink leaf spot and shoot dieback, while only 2% of S. apetala trees had black leaf spot and shoot dieback. Stem and leaf samples were taken from symptomatic trees and fungi were cultured in vitro. From ITS4 and ITS5 analysis, four main fungal genera causing leaf spots and shoot dieback on the two Sonneratia species were identified. The most frequently isolated fungal taxa were Curvularia aff. tsudae (from black leaf spot),Neopestalotiopsis sp.1 (from stem dieback), Pestalotiopsis sp.1 (from pink leaf spot), and Pestalotiopsis sp.4a (from black leaf spot). The pathogenicity of the four isolates was assessed by under-bark inoculation of S. apetala and S. caseolaris seedlings in a nursery in Thai Binh Province. All isolates caused stem lesions, and Neopestalotiopsis sp.1 was the most pathogenic. Thus, investigation of fungal pathogens and their impact on mangrove health should be extended to other afforestation projects in the region, and options for disease management need to be developed for mangrove nurseries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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19 pages, 1494 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Interactions between Phytophthora cactorum, Armillaria gallica and Betula pendula Roth. Seedlings Subjected to Defoliation

by Justyna Anna Nowakowska, Marcin Stocki, Natalia Stocka, Sławomir Ślusarski, Miłosz Tkaczyk, João Maria Caetano, Mirela Tulik, Tom Hsiang and Tomasz Oszako

Forests 2020, 11(10), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11101107 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3383

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to better understand the interactive impact of two soil-borne pathogens, Phytophthora cactorum and Armillaria gallica, on seedlings of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) subjected to stress caused by mechanical defoliation, simulating primary insect feeding. This is the first experimental confirmation of silver birch seedling root damage (and in consequence shoot mortality) caused by the additive effect of defoliation stress and P. cactorum inoculation via soil. However, the most severe damage to roots occurred after A. gallica inoculation. One year after treatments, chlorophyll fluorescence measurement, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to analyze the photosynthetic activity in leaves, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the birch leaves, and chemical compounds from the roots. The cumulative effect of the two pathogens and partial defoliation reduced photosynthetic activity, suggesting dysfunction of photosystem PSII due to the applied stresses. In summary, it seems that the main differences in photosynthetic performance could be attributed to Armillaria infection. The birch leaves in seedlings exposed to 50% defoliation, and inoculation with P.cactorum and A. gallica, emitted more aromatic carbonyls and alcohols, as well as half as much aliphatic esters, compared to controls. In infected birch roots, the production of phenols, triterpenes, and fatty alcohols increased, but fatty acids decreased. Higher levels of aromatic carbonyls and alcohols in leaves, as well as phenolic compounds in the roots of stressed birches (compared to control) suggest an activation of plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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14 pages, 2675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Progress of Candeia Rust Caused by Puccinia velata in Clonal Candeia Plantation (Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) McLeisch)

by Renata C. M. Pereira, Maria A. Ferreira, Thaissa P. F. Soares, Mario F. C. M. Andrade, Cézar A. L. Filho, Edson A. Pozza, Maria L. M. Avelar and Lucas A. Melo

Forests 2020, 11(7), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11070720 - 29 Jun 2020

Viewed by 2311

Abstract

The temporal progress of candeia rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia velata, was monitored in an experimental field at Lavras municipality, Southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A plantation with 17 Eremanthus erythropappus clones was set at the site, and the temporal disease progress was analyzed based on visual assessments of disease severity on leaves. The disease was monitored monthly between September 2016 and August 2017. Progress curves based on disease severity were constructed and empirical models were fitted. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated, and the means test was applied to select clones resistant to the disease. The Pearson coefficient was used to assess correlations between disease severity and environmental variables. The model that best described disease progress over the assessment period was the Gompertz model. The mean AUDPC values were grouped into four groups of resistance levels according to the Scott–Knott test. There was a negative correlation between air temperature and disease severity. Considering that the disease occurred in all clones and that the climatic conditions of Southern Minas Gerais are favorable to the candeia rust, it is important to adopt measures for the selection of clones resistant to this disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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14 pages, 4720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Metabolite Accumulation in Different Tissues of Gleditsia sinensis under Water Stress and Rehydration Conditions

by Jia Liu, Rui Kang, Yang Liu, Ke-Xin Wu, Xue Yan, Ying Song, Li-Ben Pan and Zhong-Hua Tang

Forests 2020, 11(5), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11050542 - 12 May 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2425

Abstract

Gleditsia sinensis Lam. is a woody species that can tolerate various drought conditions and has been widely used in all aspects of life, including medicine, food, cleaning products, and landscaping. However, few reports have focused on the regulatory mechanism of the drought response in G. sinensis. To understand the metabolic basis of the Gleditsia sinensis drought response, different tissues were subjected to a rehydration/dehydration treatment and subsequently analyzed using untargeted and targeted metabolomics profiling depending on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass (LC-MS) analytical platforms, respectively. Eight sugars, twelve amino acids, and twenty phenolic compounds were characterized. Metabolites showing a significant increase or decrease under drought stress were considered to be the key metabolites of interest for a better understanding of the drought tolerance mechanisms. The GC-MS-identified compounds were shown to undergo tissue-specific regulation in response to drought stress. Moreover, the C6C3C6 and C6C3 structures were identified by LC-MS as phenolic metabolites, which revealed their drought-response association. Significant physiological parameters were measured, including overall plant development, and the results showed that antioxidant systems could not be completely restored, but photosynthetic parameters could be recovered. The results of this research provide insight into biochemical component information mechanism of drought resistance in G. sinensis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Forest and Plantation Trees)

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