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Abstract
Resistance to
Cryptococcus fagisuga, a primary component of the beech bark disease (BBD) complex, is heritable. Reportedly about 1-2 percent of American beech (
Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) are genetically resistant to
C. fagisuga. This project is designed to identify environmental factors contributing to BBD incidence and severity. Plots were established in stands with endemic BBD and a disease-free beech component. To date 1,479 beech trees have been sampled; 55 percent were scale-free or have trace infestation, and 79 percent were free of
Neonectria infection. Twenty parameters were evaluated for correlations with infestation/infection. Correlation matrices identified factors possibly contributing to infestation and infection. The strongest correlations with infestation were slope (r= -0.235) and species composition of the canopy (r = -0.187). Beech height and
Neonectria infection had the strongest correlation (r = 0.420); slope had the strongest negative correlation with infection (r = -0.344). Regression analyses estimated scale infestation was affected only by canopy composition (p = 0.034). Infection was impacted by beech height (p = 0.031), slope (p = 0.033), and ground coarse woody debris (CWD) species (p = 0.0001). Results indicate BBD-free beech appear on the landscape at rates much greater than expected, suggesting that environmental factors may influence disease incidence and severity.
Parent Publication
Citation
McCann, David P.; MacDonald, William L. 2013. Preliminary report of ecological factors influencing incidence and severity of beech bark disease in the Appalachian region. In: Miller, Gary W.; Schuler, Thomas M.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Brooks, John R.; Grushecky, Shawn T.; Spong, Ben D.; Rentch, James S., eds. Proceedings, 18th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2012 March 26-28; Morgantown, WV; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-117. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 169-181.
