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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #251744
Title: Do climate and outbreak frequency affect levels of foliar phytochemistry in different lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands?

Author
item Wallis, Christopher
item HUBER, DEZENE - University Of North British Columbia
item LEWIS, KATHY - University Of North British Columbia

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2010
Publication Date: 8/7/2010
Citation: Wallis, C.M., Huber, D.P., Lewis, K.J. 2010. Do climate and outbreak frequency affect levels of foliar phytochemistry in different lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands?. Phytopathology. 100:S132.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden) is a widely distributed tree in North American forests and is found in a variety of environments, each with different levels of disease activity. We quantified the levels of defense-associated metabolites (including soluble phenolics, lignin, and terpenes) in the foliage of 13 distinct lodgepole pine stands scattered throughout British Columbia to test the hypothesis that different climates would result in different levels of these compounds. Precipitation levels were positively correlated with soluble phenolic and terpenoid levels. Temperature was negatively associated with foliar lignin levels, implying that this compound affects cold hardiness. We also determined the frequency of past outbreaks of the foliar disease Dothistroma septosporum (Dorog.) using dendrochronological techniques and historical records in five of these stands, and then correlated outbreak frequency with the levels of secondary metabolites present in the foliage. The levels of lignin, soluble phenolics, and monoterpenes increased in direct relationship to frequency of disease outbreaks. Thus, disease outbreaks select for the production of defense-associated secondary metabolites in lodgepole pine foliage.