Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands invaded the secondary phloem of inoculated roots and stems of Eucalyptus marginata Donn. ex Sm. For 12 months after inoculation, lesion development was followed in coppice stems. As lesions extended, the phloem or inner bark became discoloured due to the accumulation and oxidation of polyphenols. Starch also was deposited in the necrotic phloem. The primary wall material of sieve tubes and associated parenchyma was hydrolysed but fibres were unaffected. Fungal spread was most rapid in the outer phloem tissue where cells were loosely packed and characterized by many expanded parenchyma cells. Fungal invasion of the inner phloem resulted in cambial kill. Roots were not girdled by the fungus in the first 12 months after inoculation, as they resisted tangential spread of the fungus more effectively than coppice stems. Lesions were contained once necrophylactic (wound) periderms formed in the bark. Although the necrophylactic periderm restricted fungal activity during winter and spring, the fungus did 'break-out' in summer and invade new areas of phloem in 50% of the inoculated roots and stems. Summer lesion extension was usually associated with kino production: a series of kino veins reflected the intermittent activity of the fungus. Once the characteristics of typical lesions were recognized, interpretation of root lesions resulting from natural infections was possible.
Water relations of selected tree and understorey species in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia were studied during summer drought and the results related to root morphology. Seasonal patterns of predawn water potential (Ψp) differed between species according to root depth and between sites according to average annual rainfall. Dawn water potentials fell most rapidly and by the greatest amount in plants with the shallowest roots. Dawn water potentials of medium and deep rooted species were not consistently different. Separation of Ψp between sites of different annual rainfall was less marked than was separation by root depth. Changes in Ψp, were consistent with a top-to-bottom drying of the soil profiles. We suggest that measurements of Ψp of plants of appropriate root depth can be used to monitor the drying of soils as an alternative to more expensive mechanical and electrical methods.
The rate and mechanism of the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Banksia woodland of the Bassendean Dune system north of Perth, Western Australia was studied. Aerial photographs were used to measure the spread of disease in fronts longer than 5 km over 35 years. Fronts in upper slope positions moved downhill and uphill at 1.01 and 1.13 m year-1, respectively, while fronts in low-lying positions moved downgrade and upgrade (with and against the direction of water table flow) at 1.30 and 1.20 m year-1, respectively. Fronts in low-lying areas spread significantly faster than those on upper slopes. Excavations to 2 m depth of the root systems of 21 dying plants of Banksia attenuata R.Br., an overstorey co-dominant, revealed that 28% (3.9 roots/tree) of all first-order roots were infected. Assessment of the proportion of roots infected revealed a significant (P < 0.01) departure from uniform distribution of disease down the profile in both upper slope and drained flat sites. In 14 trees on dune slopes, 6-40 m above the aquifer, infection rate was higher than expected in roots lying at 21-40 cm depth, but lower than expected in roots below 1 m. Seventy three percent of infected roots lay in the top 40 cm of soil. In seven trees on a drained flat, 2-3 m above the aquifer, infection rate was high in the 21-60 cm horizon and also in roots below 1 m. Even though Phytophthora cinnamomi was active in the vicinity of the water table in trees on drained flats, the slow, steady spread of the disease in all landscape positions suggested that the primary mode of fungal invasion was through roots of susceptible vegetation. No evidence was found of accelerated spread of disease caused by the dispersal of zoospores.
Roots were pruned from jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Smith) saplings to simulate the effects of root loss induced by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. Stomatal conductance was more sensitive to root loss than was leaf water potential. Stomatal conductances of trees on moist soils declined when more than 50% of roots were removed but were more variable and were affected more severely by root pruning when soils were dry. Predawn leaf water potentials were unaffected by removal of up to 80% of roots irrespective of whether surface soils were dry or moist. The effects of root pruning on midday water potentials were variable especially when soils were dry. Leaf shedding and efficient stornatal closure prevented severe water stress developing in leaves until nearly 90% of the roots had been removed. It is suggested that destruction of the deep 'sinker' roots by P. cinnamomi has greater effects on jarrah's water relations during summer than does loss of shallow roots. The deep roots are especially important as jarrah grows on highly developed lateritic soil profiles.
Armillaria luteobubalina is a widespread primary pathogen in the Eucalyptus marginata forest of south-western Australia. Over 200 infection centres were identified during the 5-year period between 1981 and 1985. The fungus sporulated during June and July, usually from roots but sometimes from stems (e.g. E. calophylla). Armillaria luteobubalina basidiomes were found originating from roots of 34 plant species, with greatest incidence on roots of E. marginata. Root systems were excavated and patterns of A . Luteobubalina invasion recorded. Rhizomorphs were not found and fungal spread between hosts was via root to root contacts, Variation in host species' susceptibility to the fungus was reflected in different patterns of xylem compartmentalisation and variable amounts of cambial damage. The degree of resistance expressed at the collar or lower stem determined the fate of individuals of the various species. Lack of resistance in Eucalyptus wandoo to tangential spread of A. luteobubalina often resulted in death by the time columns of decay had advanced into the lower stem or butt. Banksia grandis, E. calophylla, E. gomphocephala, and E. marginata resisted to varying degrees. Inverted V-shaped lesions, often mis- taken for fire scars, were evidence of the ability of E. gomphocephala and E. marginata individuals to resist tangential spread and prevent girdling of stems. In stems of E. calophylla, lesions did not have a definite V shape, decay penetrated deeper and the fungus persisted longer than in those of E. marginata. Host mortality following infection was greater in the intermediate- and low-rainfall zones of the eastern E. marginata forest than in the high-rainfall zone to the west.
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