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Pathogen-induced defoliation impacts on transpiration, leaf gas exchange, and non-structural carbohydrate allocation in eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

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Pathogen-induced defoliation resulted in a reduction in transpiration, an upregulation of photosynthesis in the early growing season, and no change in NSC reserves across stem, root, and foliar tissues.

Abstract

The defoliation of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) by native fungi associated with white pine needle damage (WPND) can substantially reduce foliar area for much of the growing season in the northeastern United States. Chronic defoliations in the region are known to have slowed growth rates in symptomatic stands, but the physiological impacts of WPND as it relates to tree water use and carbon assimilation are largely unresolved. We investigated how the severity of WPND defoliation influences transpiration throughout the course of a growing season. We also assessed leaf-level gas exchange between defoliation severity classes and needle age over time. Finally, we compared concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) between defoliation severity classes in five different tissue types over time. We found that trees experiencing a high-severity defoliation had 20% lower sap flux density compared to low-severity individuals. We found that rates of photosynthesis were significantly influenced by the needle age class and time of year, while instantaneous water use efficiency was higher across all needle age classes late in the growing season. Our findings suggest that the residual current-year foliage of high-severity defoliated trees compensated for the loss of mature second- and third-year foliage in the early portion of the growing season. This study found that soluble sugars and starch varied significantly over time and by tissue type, but defoliation severity had little effect on NSC concentrations. Together with reduced basal area increment in high-severity trees relative to low-severity trees, this indicates that WPND-affected trees are prioritizing NSC storage over secondary growth.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by USDA Forest Health Protection NA Grant 15DG-11420004-150 and the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. We are grateful for the cooperation of the USFS Northern Research Station, the Massabesic Experimental Forest, the Caroline A. Fox Research and Demonstration Forest, and the UNH Office of Woodlands and Natural Areas. The authors are also thankful for the field assistance from Steve Eisenhaure, Stephen Wyka, Connor Brenton, Sydney Snelling, and Katerine Sinacore.

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  1. Cameron D. McIntire

    Present address: USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, 271 Mast Rd., Durham, NH, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, 271 Mast Rd., Durham, NH, USA

    Isabel A. Munck

  2. Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, 56 College Rd., Durham, NH, USA

    Cameron D. McIntire & Heidi Asbjornsen

  3. Department of Biology, Bates College, 2 Andrews Rd., Lewiston, ME, USA

    Brett A. Huggett & Emma Dunn

  4. Earth Systems Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 8 College Rd., Durham, NH, USA

    Matthew A. Vadeboncoeur & Heidi Asbjornsen

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McIntire, C.D., Huggett, B.A., Dunn, E. et al. Pathogen-induced defoliation impacts on transpiration, leaf gas exchange, and non-structural carbohydrate allocation in eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). Trees 35, 357–373 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-020-02037-z

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