Canadian Forest Service Publications
Lesion formation and host response to infection by Armillaria ostoyae in the roots of western larch and Douglas-fir. 2001. Robinson, R.M.; Morrison, D.J. European Journal of Forest Pathology 31: 371-385.
Year: 2001
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 19448
Language: English
Availability: Not available through the CFS (click for more information).
Abstract
The process of lesion formation and host response to natural infection by Armillaria ostoyae were studied in the roots of western larch (Larix occidentalis) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii ssp. glauca) trees in the three age classes, 6-8, 18-19 and 85-95 years. The characteristics of lesions on infected roots were recorded and bark samples were dissected from infection points and lesion margins in the field and stored in liquid nitrogen for macroscopic study in the laboratory. Infection in the roots of 6- to 8-year-old trees advanced freely, overcoming any host resistance, quickly girdling the root collar and killing the trees. In 18- and 19-year-old trees, however, 43% of infections on western larch and 27% of the infections on Douglas-fir roots were confined to lesions bounded by necrophylactic periderms with multiple bands of phellem. Host response was similar in 85- to 95-year-old trees, but the percentage of confined lesions was higher than in younger trees. The results suggest that larch shows resistance to A. ostoyae at a younger age and with greater frequency than Douglas-fir.