Flowering Cherry Trees Research Articles

Effects of dinotefuran trunk injection against the red-necked longhorn beetle Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Japanese flowering cherry trees

ABSTRACT The control effects of a commercial-grade dinotefuran formulation “Wood-Star” applied via trunk injection against Aromia bungii larvae infestation in Japanese flowering cherry trees were evaluated. Twenty test trees were injected with this formulation in late April 2019, and the number of larval frass-excretion-holes with newly ejected frass (hereafter “active frass-holes”) in both treated and untreated trees was investigated weekly from April to May in 2019 and 2020. In addition, adult emergence-holes that occurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 on each tree were counted. The total number of active frass-holes decreased by 21.2% in treated trees and increased by 178.9% in untreated trees within 4 weeks after injection. The insecticidal efficacy of the formulation was estimated as 88.2% based on the decreasing number of active frass-holes in the treated trees. Generalized linear models for the number of active frass-holes and newly occurring emergence holes suggested that dinotefuran treatment decreased the larval activity for at least 4 weeks, resulting in the suppression of emerging adults in the next year of treatment. However, active frass-holes and newly occurring emergence holes were observed in some treated trees in the succeeding year of the treatment. This suggested the possibility that the injection treatment in late April was, at least partially, invalid to control A. bungii larvae that originated from the eggs deposited in the adult reproductive period (June to August) of the treatment year.

Comparison of the Ecological Traits and Boring Densities of Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Two Host Tree Species.

Simple SummaryThe red-necked longhorn beetle Aromia bungii is an invasive, wood-boring pest that infests Rosaceae trees. Its main host species in Japan are flowering cherry (Cerasus × yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’) and peach (Prunus persica) trees. We evaluated which species is more vulnerable to A. bungii by investigating the ecological traits of emerging adults and the boring density of larvae and pupae. The number of emerging adults per m3 of P. persica trunks was 10-times greater than from C. × yedoensis, and the numbers of grown larvae and pupae in the trunk were higher in P. persica logs. The number of eggs laid over the lifetime of female adults was larger for insects that emerged from P. persica. Body size, sex ratios, and adult life spans did not differ between the two host trees. This study elucidated that peach trees are more suitable hosts than cherry trees for A. bungii larvae. Although cherry trees, primarily C. × yedoensis, which are currently grown as street or ornamental trees in Japan, have been more severely affected by A. bungii to date, the greater risk in the long term is to P. persica, an agricultural species in the main producing areas surrounding the Kanto region.We investigated the ecological traits of emerging adults and the boring density in Aromia bungii-infested flowering cherry (Cerasus × yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’) and peach (Prunus persica) trees to evaluate their suitability as food resources for A. bungii, and their vulnerability to infestation. The number of adults per m3 that emerged from P. persica was 10-times larger than from C. × yedoensis, and the numbers of emergence holes, entrance holes, and pupal chambers were also larger in P. persica logs. The lifetime fecundity of adults that emerged from P. persica was also higher. Elytral length, sex ratios, and adult lifespans did not differ between the two host trees. Our results indicate that peach trees provide more suitable conditions than do flowering cherry trees for A. bungii larvae. Although flowering cherry trees, primarily C. × yedoensis, which are currently grown as street or ornamental trees in Japan, have been more severely affected by A. bungii to date, the greater risk in the long term is to P. persica, an agricultural species in the main producing areas surrounding the Kanto region.

First Report of Shot-Hole on Flowering Cherry Caused by Burkholderia contaminans and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

Shot-hole disease (SH) is one of the most common and important diseases affecting flowering cherry (FC; Prunus × yedoensis Matsumura; Somei-yoshino) trees in South Korea every year, resulting in premature defoliation and reduced flowering in the following year. However, pathogens associated with the disease remain unknown, which has rendered disease management challenging. Here, the pathogens associated with SH, their biochemical characteristics, and their host range were elucidated. Detached-leaf and in planta assays revealed that two biofilm-forming bacteria-namely, Burkholderia contaminans and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae-caused SH of FC trees. These pathogens were recorded for the first time as the causes of SH of FC trees in South Korea. Additionally, the two pathogens induced similar disease symptoms in several stone fruit belonging to the genus Prunus, including peach (Prunus persica), plum (P. salicina), and apricot (P. mume), with peach being the most susceptible. These results indicate that B. contaminans and P. syringae pv. syringae caused SH on FC trees and presented a broad spectrum of hosts. Furthermore, Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni, the causative agent of leaf spot on stone fruit, incited brown spots and shot holes on FC leaves. Therefore, FC trees are susceptible to infections by various pathogenic bacteria, including B. contaminans, P. syringae pv. syringae, and X. arboricola pv. pruni. These findings will be of great importance as a reference for effective management of SH in the face of possible cross-infection between Prunus spp. in the future.

Screening Ornamental Cherry (Prunus) Taxa for Resistance to Infection by Blumeriella jaapii

Ornamental flowering cherry trees are important landscape plants in the United States but are susceptible to several serious pests and disease problems. Cherry leaf spot, incited by the fungus Blumeriella jaapii, is characterized by defoliating susceptible trees in late summer, leading to weakening or even death of the tree. To identify resistant plants for use in landscape plantings and in our breeding program, we used a detached leaf assay to screen 69 diverse ornamental flowering cherry taxa for resistance to cherry leaf spot. We found clear differences in susceptibility among the accessions, with seven accessions developing essentially no symptoms at all. A variance decomposition showed that most of the variance (59%) occurred among accessions, indicating that genotype, even more than species, determined susceptibility. The detached leaf assay used in this study is an effective method for screening large numbers of plants for relative resistance to cherry leaf spot. These methods will be particularly useful to characterize germplasm and screen hybrids in breeding and selection programs.

Genomic clues to the parental origin of the wild flowering cherry Prunus yedoensis var. nudiflora (Rosaceae)

Prunus yedoensis Matsumura is one of the popular ornamental flowering cherry trees native to northeastern Asia, and its wild populations have only been found on Jeju Island, Korea. Previous studies suggested that wild P. yedoensis (P. yedoensis var. nudiflora) is a hybrid species; however, there is no solid evidence on its exact parental origin and genomic organization. In this study, we developed a total of 38 nuclear gene-based DNA markers that can be universally amplifiable in the Prunus species using 586 Prunus Conserved Orthologous Gene Set (Prunus COS). Using the Prunus COS markers, we investigated the genetic structure of wild P. yedoensis populations and evaluated the putative parental species of wild P. yedoensis. Population structure and phylogenetic analysis of 73 wild P. yedoensis accessions and 54 accessions of other Prunus species revealed that the wild P. yedoensis on Jeju Island is a natural homoploid hybrid. Sequence-level comparison of Prunus COS markers between species suggested that wild P. yedoensis might originate from a cross between maternal P. pendula f. ascendens and paternal P. jamasakura. Moreover, approximately 81% of the wild P. yedoensis accessions examined were likely F1 hybrids, whereas the remaining 19% were backcross hybrids resulting from additional asymmetric introgression of parental genotypes. These findings suggest that complex hybridization of the Prunus species on Jeju Island can produce a range of variable hybrid offspring. Overall, this study makes a significant contribution to address issues of the origin, nomenclature, and genetic relationship of ornamental P. yedoensis.

In Vitro Callus Induction from Adult Tissues of Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees and Two Cherry Rootstocks

Several in vitro biotechnological techniques have been developed, all of which require a reliable protocol to produce a responsive callus mass. One of these techniques is callus fusion in vitro, which is reliable for the early detection of (in)-compatibility of scions and rootstocks. In this paper, the possibility to obtain friable callus tissues was explored by callus induction of adult tissues of Japanese flowering cherry trees from the group Sato zakura (Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’, ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’) and two domestic cherry rootstocks – Prunus avium and Prunus ‘Colt’. The explants used in the research were: leaf petiole, leaf base with a part of a petiole, part of lamina with a midvein and a stem with an axillary bud. Among three plant growth media (MS, SH and WP) that were used in this study, the MS proved to be the most favourable for the majority of taxa during the callus induction process. For the sweet cherry tree and the cultivars ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Colt’, the SH plant growth medium was also acceptable. The best results in callogenesis were obtained for the majority of taxons with auxin at the concentration 2 mgL-1 NAA and cytokinin BAP 0.5 mgL-1. It is also possible to use 2.4-D at the same concentration as a substitute for the genotypes Prunus avium, Prunus ‘Colt’ and Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’, whereas IBA proved to be an inappropriate auxin for callus induction. The protocol described herein is proved to be efficient callus induction in a range of taxa of genus Prunus.

Comparative phylogenetic relationship between wild and cultivated <i>Prunus yedoensis</i> Matsum. (Rosaceae) with regard to Taquet’s collection

As an attempt to determine the identity of the old trees of flowering cherries planted in the yard of the Catholic Archdiocese of Daegu, we conducted comparative phylogenetic analyses between wild and cultivated Prunus yedoensis Matsum. We generated the phylogeny (MP) and haplotype network (TCS) of 25 individuals, including wild P. yedoensis, from Jeju Island, cultivated P. yedoensis `Somei-yoshino` from Korea and Japan, and P. spachiana f. ascendens (Makino) Kitam. from Jeju Island and Japan based on highly informative sequences of two cpDNA regions (rpl16 gene and trnS-trnG intergenic spacer). The wild and cultivated P. yedoensis were distinguished from each other in both the phylogeny and haplotype networks, and the old flowering cherry trees in Daegu had a cpDNA haplotype identical to that of the cultivated P. yedoensis `Someiyoshino`. Compared to the cultivated P. yedoensis `Somei-yoshino`, wild P. yedoensis appears to have greater haplotype diversity, presumably originating from the genetic diversity of P. spachiana f. ascendens that functioned as a maternal parent in the hybrid origin of wild P. yedoensis. A future detailed study requires extensive sampling of P. spachiana f. ascendens from Japan and Korea to determine their precise phylogenetic relationships relative to wild and cultivated P. yedoensis. We concluded that the old flowering cherry trees planted in the yard of the Catholic Archdiocese of Daegu are highly likely to be of cultivated origin rather than wild types from Jeju Island, as previously speculated.

Identification and molecular characterization of 16SrV group phytoplasmas with flowering cherry in China

SummaryFlowering cherry (Prunus serrulata) trees showing symptoms of excessive axillary growth, stunting, short internodes and decline were observed in Yantai City, Shandong province, China. The samples with the flowering cherry decline were designated as FcD‐YT phytoplasma. Sequencing results, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and phylogenetic analysis of sequences from the 1248‐bp R16F2n⁄R16R2 products and partial ribosomal protein operon genes revealed the FcD‐YT phytoplasma as a member of subgroup 16SrV‐B, rpV‐C. Two RFLP patterns were observed in recombinant colonies from the cloned 16S rDNA gene with endonucleases HpaII and MseI. To our knowledge, this is the first report of 16SrV group phytoplasma declining flowering cherry trees in China.

A time dependent behavior of radiocesium from the Fukushima-fallout in litterfalls of Japanese flowering cherry trees

Radiocesium (134Cs + 137Cs) concentrations, primarily derived from the Fukushima accident in March 2011, were measured in litterfalls and green leaves of Japanese flowering cherry trees (Prunus x yedoensis cv. Somei-Yoshino). The sampling was performed mainly during the defoliation season in 2011 and 2012 using traps to collect litterfalls before contact with the ground. The average radiocesium concentration in litterfalls in 2012 fell to one-third of that in 2011 (0.43 and 1.2 kBq kg-DW−1, respectively). Interestingly, the concentrations in litterfalls collected in late autumn in both 2011 and 2012 (0.68 and 0.19 kBq kg-DW−1, respectively) were significantly lower than those in litterfalls collected in the early autumn (1.7 and 1.1 kBq kg-DW−1, respectively). In addition, the reductions in radiocesium concentrations in the litterfall were nearly synchronous with those in potassium concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). On the contrary, radiocesium concentrations in green leaves were also correlated with potassium concentrations; however, the slopes of the regression lines between the radiocesium and potassium concentrations were very similar in the 2011 litterfalls and the 2012 litterfalls, while the slopes were significantly different between these litterfalls and the green leaves. Consequently, the correlation between potassium and radiocesium was clear but independently observable in each of the litterfalls and the green leaves. It is possible that the reduction in radiocesium concentration occurred as a part of physiological demand, a translocation of potassium from the leaves to the body/twigs.

Between success and failure: Lee Jong-wook and the global health agenda

Between success and failure: Lee Jong-wook and the global health agenda

Origins of early-flowering cherry cultivars, Prunus × kanzakura cv. Atami-zakura and Prunus × kanzakura cv. Kawazu-zakura, revealed by experimental crosses and AFLP analysis

Flowering cherry trees (Prunus subgenus Cerasus) are characterized by beautiful flowers along with the existence of hundreds of flower ornamental cultivars. The long history of cultivation of flowering cherries, however, has caused significant confusion over names and origins. We conducted experimental crosses and AFLP analysis to reveal the origins or parentages of early-flowering cherry cultivars, Prunus×kanzakura cv. Atami-zakura and Prunus×kanzakura cv. Kawazu-zakura. Multivariate analysis based on pairwise genetic similarity (principal coordinate analysis; PCoA), and Bayesian statistical methods to find genetic group (STRUCTURE analysis) and to classify samples into different hybrid classes (NewHybrids) clearly demonstrated that (1) Prunus×kanzakura cv. Atami-zakura is the F1 hybrid between P. jamasakura and P. campanulata, and (2) Prunus×kanzakura cv. Kawazu-zakura is the F1 hybrid between P. lannesiana var. speciosa and P. campanulata. The experimental crosses revealed the significant difficulty of generating these hybrids. In addition, 18 of 20 and six of six samples of Prunus×kanzakura cv. Atami-zakura and Prunus×kanzakura cv. Kawazu-zakura, respectively, are classified into a single AFLP genotype. It is apparent that the original trees or genets of these taxa have long been propagated by grafting over several tens to one hundred years.

南伊豆地域における早咲きザクラの探索，増殖，生態解明および観光資源としての利用への貢献

南伊豆地域における早咲きザクラの探索，増殖，生態解明および観光資源としての利用への貢献

‘Dream Catcher’ and ‘First Lady’ Flowering Cherry

Ornamental flowering cherry trees (Prunus L. species) are popular landscape plants, made famous in the U.S. by the historic Tidal Basin cherries planted in Washington, DC. Although planted primarily for their spring bloom, flowering cherries are also used as street or shade trees and are valued for their fall foliage as well as ornamental bark. Approximately 1.3 million flowering cherry trees are sold each year in the U.S. with an estimated total sales of $24.8 million (NASS, 1998). The U.S. National Arboretum has an ongoing breeding program aimed at developing new cultivars of ornamental cherry with disease and pest resistance, tolerance to environmental stresses, and superior ornamental characteristics. Breeding strategies include broadening the genetic base of ornamental Prunus by incorporating germplasm from diverse Prunus species into new cultivars, analyzing genetic diversity using molecular markers, and exploring the use of genetic engineering to increase disease and pest tolerance. This report documents the first two flowering cherry selections, Prunus Dream Catcher and First Lady , released from the flowering cherry breeding program at the U.S. National Arboretum.

(241) Genotyping of Ornamental Flowering Cherry Germplasm (Prunus species) using SSR Technology

Ornamental flowering cherry trees (Prunus species) are popular landscape plants that are used in residential and commercial landscapes throughout most temperate regions of the world. Most of the flowering cherry trees planted in the United States represent relatively few species. The U.S. National Arboretum has an ongoing breeding program aimed at broadening this base by developing new cultivars of ornamental cherry with disease and pest resistance, tolerance to environmental stresses, and superior ornamental characteristics. Knowledge of the genetic relationships among species would be useful in breeding and germplasm conservation efforts. However, the taxonomy of flowering cherry species and cultivars is complicated by differences in ploidy levels and intercrossing among species. We have used simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed for other Prunus species to screen a diverse collection of over 200 ornamental cherry genotypes representing 70 taxa in order to determine the genetic relationships among species, cultivars, and accessions. Data were generated from 9–12 primer pairs using an automated DNA genetic analyzer (ABI3770), and subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis. Extremely high levels of polymorphism were exhibited among the materials studied, thus indicating that ornamental flowering cherry germplasm has substantial inherent genetic diversity. This information, combined with traditional morphological characteristics, will be useful in determining genetic relationships among accessions in our collection and for predicting crossability of taxa.

Interaction between Japanese flowering cherry trees and some wild animals observed during physiological experiment in fields.

We have studied the weeping habit of Japanese flowering cherry tree in the field of Tama Forest Science Garden, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute at the foot of Mt. Takao. Since cherry trees at various age were the materials for our plant physiology experiments, our studies were conducted in the fields where we experienced certain difficulties. Even under such difficult environment that was rather unexpected and uncontrollable, we could obtain fruitful results on the growth of cherry tree, and found them scientifically significant, especially in terms of biological effects of gravity on earth. Moreover, a lot of interesting interactions of cherry trees with various kinds of animals were observed in parallel to the plant physiology.

Preservation and DNA Fingerprinting of the Historic Tidal Basin Cherries

Abstract The historic Japanese flowering cherry trees planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, were given to the United States in 1912 as a gift from Japan, yet only a small portion of the original trees remain. In cooperation with the National Park Service, the U.S. National Arboretum clonally propagated a portion of these trees. DNA from these and other P. x yedoensis plants obtained from domestic commercial nurseries were compared using RAPD markers. Twenty-one 10-nucleotide primers yielded 80 repeatable bands that were used to assess genetic distances among the accessions. The genetic distances ranged from 0.65 to 1.0, with thirteen accessions identical at all loci tested. The most genetically dissimilar trees were P. x yedoensis accessions that were collected as seed in Japan. Accessions obtained from commercial nurseries including ‘Afterglow’, ‘Akebono’, and Yoshino were also dissimilar to the Tidal Basin trees. This study indicated that most of the older trees planted around the Tidal Basin are genetically very similar, but that variability in P. x yedoensis exists, especially in accessions collected as seed from Japan.

086 Preservation and DNA Fingerprinting Historic Prunus × yedoensis Germplasm from the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

The historic Japanese flowering cherry trees planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., were given to the United States in 1912 as a gift from Japan, and have become a popular tourist attraction. Unfortunately, only a small portion of the original trees remain, and these trees are in various states of decline due to old age and stress. In cooperation with the National Park Service, we have propagated from cuttings nine trees that are known to be original and 10 trees that are thought to be original. DNA from these and other P. × yedoensis were compared using RAPD markers. Twenty-one 10-nucleotide primers yielded 80 repeatable bands that were used to assess genetic distance among the accessions. Twenty of these bands were monomorphic across all 28 accessions tested, so were not informative. The frequency of the remaining 60 bands varied from 0.04 to 0.96, with an average frequency of 0.58. Thirteen of the accessions, including six of the nine that are known to be original germplasm, were identical at all loci tested. Other accessions that are thought to be original trees were similar, with similarity values of 0.93 to 0.99. The most genetically dissimilar trees were P. × yedoensis accessions from our collection that were collected as seed in Japan. Accessions obtained from commercial nurseries including `Afterglow', `Akebono” and Yoshino were also dissimilar to the Tidal Basin trees. This study indicates that most of the older trees planted around the Tidal Basin are genetically very similar, but that variability in P. × yedoensis exists, especially in accessions collected as seed from Japan.

He Lifted His Eyes

I felt sour nausea rise at my first glimpse of the flowering cherry trees that line the hospital driveway. I had made this trip so many times in the last two years, silent child by my side. That first night, Valentine's Day, 1992, she was a pale, bruised 3-year-old with a white blood cell count of 240 000. Michelle had unfortunately joined the ranks of children with the most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. But today we had a different mission: port removal. Treatment had concluded, medically a rousing success. But the little girl huddled at my side, who didn't talk to most people and still had trouble with balance and sequential thought processes, wasn't feeling so lucky. She was scared. Weeks before, she had threatened to "slice that thing out of me with a knife." She hated the port. She hated the way it made her chest look,

Sap‐transmissible viruses in flowering cherry in New Zealand

Abstract Six sap‐transmitted viruses were identified during a study of 434 flowering cherries in the North Island of New Zealand. These included Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV), apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV), flowering cherry virus B (FCVB), strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRV), prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV), and flowering cherry virus I (FCVI). Of these, ApMV, FCVB, SLRV, and FCVI were new records for this host. FCVB and FCVI appear to be newly described viruses with characteristics of members of the bromovirus and ilarvirus groups respectively. The most common virus was PNRSV (30.6%); the other viruses ranged in incidence from 10.2% (FCVB) to 0.5% (PDV). A further 43 virus isolates were categorised into nine classes based on symptoms in Chenopodium quinoa and cucumber, and were not further characterised in this study. Repeated sampling of 30 flowering cherry trees during late winter and early spring showed that the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was more sensitive for detecting PNRSV infection of flowering cherries than sap transmission, but that neither method was absolutely reliable.