Female Salix viminalis are more severely infected by Melampsora spp. but neither sex experiences associational effects

• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1923
• Publication Date: 2016-01-25T17:19:28Z
• Authors: Kim K. Moritz; Christer Björkman; Amy L. Parachnowi...; Johan A. Stenberg
• Keywords: Salix viminalis

Abstract Associational effects of plant genotype or species on biotic interactions are common, not least for disease spread, but associational sex have largely been ignored. Sex in dioecious plants can affect with herbivores and pollinators; however, its plant–pathogen understudied unknown. In a replicated field experiment, we assessed Melampsora spp. leaf rust infection monosexual mixed plots Salix viminalis L. to determine whether has either direct severity. We found no differences severity among sexual monocultures mixtures our experiment. However, female were overall more severely infected. addition, surveyed previous studies S. clones reevaluated the after assigned clones. that females generally infected, as study. Similarly, survey sex‐biased plants, female‐biased infections pairs. conclude there was evidence neighboring conspecifics males Instead, act at an individual level. Our findings also suggest may general be affected by fungal pathogens than males.