Effects of drought stress and severe pruning on the reaction zone induced by single inoculations with a bark beetle associated fungus (Ophiostoma ips) in the phloem of young Scots pines

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The objective of this study was to test the effect of water stress and pruning on the resistance of young Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) to a bark beetle associated fungus. Six-year-old potted trees were either pruned (70% of needles removed) or subjected to several successive episodes of severe water stress, prior to inoculation of inner bark with the fungus Ophiostoma ips (Rumb.) Nannf., which is usually associated with the bark beetle Ips sexdentatus Boern. Well-watered, nonpruned trees served as controls. Predawn needle water potential reached -2.5 MPa and net CO2 assimilation rates were reduced to almost zero during each water stress episode. The length of the reaction zones around inoculation points reached 3-4 cm after 3 weeks. It was higher during Spring than during Autumn. Impact of water stress on the length of the reaction zone was very limited and independent of the number of drought episodes that had been imposed prior to inoculation. The only visible change was a slight decrease when the inoculation was done during the period of maximum water stress intensity. Growth of the pathogen in the phloem was not affected by water stress. Correspondingly, pruning had no effect on either of these two parameters. Induced reaction zones accumulated monophenolic compounds that were undetectable in unwounded phloem. These included pinocembrin and pinosylvin and its monomethylether known to contribute to the defence against the fungus. Neither drought nor severe pruning induced any change in the nature or concentrations of these compounds in the unwounded phloem or in the reaction zone.