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Relationships between the crown health, fine root and ectomycorrhizae density of declining Eucalyptus gomphocephala

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Abstract

The fine roots and ectomycorrhizae system of 18 declining Eucalyptus gomphocephala trees, in the Yalgorup region, approximately 100 km south of Perth, Western Australia, were exposed using an air spade and the relationships between the crown health and the fine root and ectomycorrhizal total density scores (TDS) were determined. Crown health was significantly correlated with the fine root and ectomycorrhizal TDS and trees with crown decline symptoms had significantly fewer fine roots and ectomycorrhizae than trees with healthy crowns. In addition, E. gomphocephala seedlings were grown in-situ within the exposed fine root mats adjacent to the 18 woodland trees and the relationships between seedling and tree health was assessed. Seedling survival, height and foliar health were significantly correlated with the crown health of the adjacent woodland trees. Seedling survival was also significantly correlated with the ectomycorrhizal TDS of the adjacent woodland trees. The relationships between reduced seedling health and reduced crown health and ectomycorrhizal density of the woodland trees indicates that decline symptoms may be associated with the absence of ectomycorrhizae. The study demonstrates new techniques for assessing the fine root and ectomycorrhizal densities of large woodland trees and their relationships to crown health.

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Acknowledgements

The Australian Research Council for project funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia

    P. M. Scott, B. L. Shearer, P. A. Barber & G. E. St. J. Hardy

  2. Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia

    P. A. Barber & G. E. St. J. Hardy

  3. Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Australia

    B. L. Shearer

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  1. P. M. Scott
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  2. B. L. Shearer
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  3. P. A. Barber
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  4. G. E. St. J. Hardy
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Correspondence to G. E. St. J. Hardy.

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Scott, P.M., Shearer, B.L., Barber, P.A. et al. Relationships between the crown health, fine root and ectomycorrhizae density of declining Eucalyptus gomphocephala . Australasian Plant Pathol. 42, 121–131 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-012-0152-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-012-0152-4

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