Impact of eastern dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum) infection on the needles of red spruce (Picea rubens) and white spruce (Picea glauca): oxygen exchange, morphology and composition

• DOI: 10.1093/treephys/26.10.1325
• Publication Date: 2011-11-18T19:22:53Z
• Authors: J. S. Reblin; B. A. Logan; D. T. Tissue
• Keywords: Sink (geography)

Eastern dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum Peck) is a hemiparasitic angiosperm that infects white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and red (P. rubens Sarg.) in northeastern North America. The effects of infection differ substantially between spruce, with suffering greater infection-induced mortality. In the present study, we sought to determine role species-specific differences needle-scale responses parasitism may play observed effect on host tree health. Based measurements made, most apparent was reduction needle size distal infections. magnitude this than spruce. sink for photosynthate spruce; however, there were no adjustments photosynthetic capacities either accommodate added demands parasite. Needle total nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations (TNC) also unaltered by infection. Red needles had higher TNC despite having lower overall capacities, suggesting be more limited therefore better able satisfy parasitic However, if carbon availability limits growth mistletoe, one expect extent would Yet field, generally Taken together, these results suggest not perturb balance species parasite cannot explain contrasting