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Contrasting ozone × pathogen interaction as mediated through competition between juvenile European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies)

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Abstract

Based on the growth-differentiation balance theory (GDB) and the influence of tropospheric ozone (O3) on plants, we hypothesized that pre-conditioning with elevated O3 reduces adverse effects of the root rot pathogen Phytophthora citricola Sawada. To this end a 2-year phytotron study with juvenile European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) grown in mixture was performed. The hypothesis was tested on phenological, leaf and root morphological as well as physiological aspects of plant performance. Contrasting with spruce, elevated O3 limited leaf and root biomass development, photosynthetic performance and N uptake of beech. The growth limitation by O3 conveyed increased resistance in beech against the pathogen. Conversely, spruce displayed enhanced susceptibility in the combined O3/P. citricola treatment. The hypothesis was supported in the case of beech rather than spruce. Nevertheless, conclusions support GDB regarding the trade-off between growth and stress defense, although compliance appears to be species-specific.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are indebted to Drs. H.-D. Payer and H. Seidlitz (Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health) and their technical staff for excellent and unstinting support during the experiments. Dr. F. Fleischmann (Pathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität München) is thanked for his phytopathological advice and the introduction of the P. citricola treatment. We gratefully acknowledge the skilful assistance by H. Lohner, J. Lebherz, D. Roller, I. Süß, P. Kuba, T. Schmidt and Ing. T. Feuerbach. The investigation was funded through SFB 607 “Growth and Parasite Defense — Competition for Resources in Economic Plants from Agronomy and Forestry, Project B5” by the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” (DFG). G. Luedemann was sponsored by a fellowship from CAPES, Brasília, Brazil in cooperation with DAAD, Germany.

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  1. Ecophysiology of Plant, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences, Technische Universität München, Am Hochanger 13, D-85354, Freising, Germany

    G. Luedemann, R. Matyssek & T. E. E. Grams

  2. Institute of Soil Ecology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    J. B. Winkler

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  1. G. Luedemann
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  2. R. Matyssek
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  3. J. B. Winkler
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  4. T. E. E. Grams
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Luedemann, G., Matyssek, R., Winkler, J.B. et al. Contrasting ozone × pathogen interaction as mediated through competition between juvenile European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Plant Soil 323, 47–60 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-9945-9

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