Abstract
Flooding can increase tree susceptibility to root rot pathogens as well as attacks by ambrosia beetles attracted to stress-induced ethanol emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of a preventative fungicide treatment and root infection with Phytophthora cinnamomi on ambrosia beetle attacks in flood stressed trees. A fungicide (Pageant® Intrinsic®) was evaluated in two flood trials using Eastern redbud and tulip poplar trees with treatments including the fungicide with or without pathogen or no fungicide with or without pathogen. Fungicide treated trees had fewer ambrosia beetle attacks, particularly in trees without P. cinnamomi co-infection. In a follow-up experiment, ethanol content was evaluated in flooded redbuds to determine if the fungicide treatment reduced stress-induced compounds. All flood stressed trees began producing ethanol within 24 h post flooding, regardless of fungicide treatment or P. cinnamomi infection. We conclude that pre-treatments of a fungicide can provide protection from ambrosia beetle attacks during an extreme flood event, but that protection is reduced if a root rot pathogen is also present. Additionally, rejection of fungicide treated trees was not related to the absence of ethanol, as the fungicide-treated plants released ethanol in quantities similar to non-treated trees.
Highlights
Plants in nurseries are often exposed to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses simultaneously, but research and management strategies usually focus on individual crop–pest interactions.Environmental stress, flooding, predisposes trees to invasion by borers and root diseases, which often results in tree mortality [1]
Afterwards, nursery producers require management recommendations to mitigate the impacts of unexpected flood events on the woody ornamental crop
The main aim of this work was to investigate the interaction of a preventative fungicide treatment and a root rot pathogen on ambrosia beetle attacks under a simulated flood event
Summary
Plants in nurseries are often exposed to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses simultaneously, but research and management strategies usually focus on individual crop–pest interactions. Environmental stress, flooding, predisposes trees to invasion by borers and root diseases, which often results in tree mortality [1]. Nurseries in coastal areas of the southeastern. US experienced major flooding during Hurricane Matthew [2] and other unusual spring storm events. Nurseries have difficulty preparing for these events. Afterwards, nursery producers require management recommendations to mitigate the impacts of unexpected flood events on the woody ornamental crop. Management strategies that address multiple abiotic and biotic stressors and their interactions will provide better management recommendations for nursery crop pests and diseases than strategies that focus on only one stressor at a time
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