Wild Cherry Trees Research Articles

İstanbul İli Emirgan Korusu’nda Belirlenen Kabuk ve Ambrosya Böcekleri ile Avcı Türler

Dünyanın karasal yüzeyinin üçte birini oluşturan ormanlar, doğal yaşama alanı olarak pek çok canlı için hayati öneme sahiptir. Ekonomik katkısının yanında sağladığı biyolojik çeşitlilik, erozyonu önleme, kar-bon emilimi, su kaynaklarının sürdürülebilmesi, peyzaj ve estetik görünüm gibi birçok özellikler ormanla-rın hayati önemini artırmaktadır. Dünyanın geleceği için korunması gereken öncelikli alanlarından biri olan ormanlar biyotik ve abiyotik birçok faktör nedeniyle zarar görmekte ve bir bölümüde yok olma tehlikesi altındadır. Biyotik faktörlerden biri olan böceklerin ekolojik koşullara bağlı olarak bazı yıllar önemli dere-cede zarar oluşturduğu ve bazı fungal hastalık etmenlerine de vektörlük yaptığı bilinmektedir. Bu çalışma Türkiye’nin nüfus bakımından en büyük şehri olan İstanbul’un önemli mesire alanlarından Sarıyer ilçe-sindeki Emirgan Korusu’nun meşe ve yabani kiraz ağaçlarında kurumalara neden olan zararlı böcekler ile bu alanda rastlanan avcı böcek türlerini belirlemek amacıyla 2017 ve 2018 yıllarında yürütülmüştür. Ço-ğunluğunu saplı meşe (Quercus robur L.)’lerin oluşturduğu kuruyan ağaçlarının gövdesinde talaş çıkaran böcekler, yerden itibaren 2 metre yüksekliğindeki gövde kabuğu ve gövde içerisindeki galerilerden elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen böcek türlerinden Scolytus mali (Bechstein, 1805), Scolytus scolytus (Fabricius, 1775), Xyleborus monographus (Fabricius, 1792), Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg, 1837) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Platypus cylindrus (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Platypodidae) zararlı; Corti-ceus fasciatus (Fabricius, 1790) (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae), Aulonium ruficorne (Olivier, 1790), Colydium elongatum (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Colydiidae) ve Rhizophagus depressus (Fabricius, 1793) (Cole-optera: Rhizophagidae) Epuraea sp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) ise avcı türler olarak belirlenmiştir.

NEW SWEET CHERRY BELITSA VARIETY

The article provides a description of a new variety of sweet cherry called “Belitsa”. The Belitsa variety has no domestic and foreign analogues in the assortment released in terms of ripening period in conditions found in Belarus (a very early ripening – the second decade of June). It has high productive potential (26.0 t/ha), winter hardiness of wood and generative sphere, resistance to coccomycosis and monilial burn, medium-sized fruits (average weight 5.6 g), high taste qualities (tasting score – 4.8 points) and market values (marketability – 90 %). The variety is self-infertile. The best pollinator is the Syubarovskaya sweet cherry variety. On the seed rootstock of wild cherry trees of the Belitsa variety come into fruition in the 4th year after planting in the garden and rapidly increase the yield. It is recommended for use in commercial and homestead gardening. A unique genetic passport has been compiled using 10 SSR markers for the new sweet cherry Belitsa variety.

Intra and between population genetic relationships among wild cherries [Prunus avium (L.) L.] based on molecular markers

Wild cherries [Prunus avium (L.) L.] are considered typical trees of the Slovenian landscape and often form vigorous natural populations. The determination of genetic relationships among cultivated and wild cherry tree genotypes is important for scientific and economic reasons. Both old trees and young plants were included in our genetic analysis. Sampling took place at two different locations near Maribor, NE Slovenia. The aim of the study was to determine the genetic relationships and variability among plants belonging to the studied populations. We focused on young trees and seedlings growing around old trees, which could be their hypothetical parents. We also analysed genetic uniformity within populations and identified genetically distant plants that had likely migrated as seeds from other populations. Three microsatellite loci were taken into account, 38 genotypes were examined, and 19 polymorphic alleles were detected, corresponding to an average of 6.3 per locus. Genetic distances between the studied genotypes were calculated using the Jaccard’s coefficient and a dendrogram was constructed. Genetic structure was analysed using both Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and Bayesian model-based analysis. Our study showed that there were differences between the two populations, however, there was some “communication” between them. We observed genetic relatedness as well as a relatively high level of uniformity within each of the wild cherry populations.

Local perception of ecosystem services provided by symbolic wild cherry blossoms: toward community-based management of traditional forest landscapes in Japan

ABSTRACT Charismatic organisms are often used as symbols of nature-based community development. Understanding value perceptions of ecosystems services provided by symbolic species is important because such perceptions often influence land management and cultural associations between people and nature. Here, we aimed to characterize local perceptions of social values for ecosystem services of wild cherries in Sakuragawa city, Japan. The city has long been renowned for the beautiful traditional landscape of its flowering wild cherries and is involved in various conservation activities as a part of regional planning. We administered a questionnaire survey to three socio-cultural groups: local residents, tourists, and high school students; their responses were analyzed by using SolVES. Value perceptions of ecosystem services provided by wild cherries differed considerably among these groups. The residents and tourists ranked the value ‘aesthetic in spring’ as highest, whereas high school students ranked many values equally. In addition, most of the students confused wild cherry trees with the popular cultivar ‘Somei-yoshino’. The students’ more limited knowledge of wild cherries may have affected their value perceptions. Looking at the spatial distribution of perceived values, local residents and tourists highly valued the specific sites famous for their wild cherry scenery. In contrast, students did not value such sites and perceived more value in urbanized areas. Although symbolic species help to develop the perceived value of nature, filling a knowledge gap and sharing a variety of values within local communities is important for promoting community-based management of traditional forest landscapes characterized by wild cherries.

Genome Characterisation of an Isoprene-Degrading Alcaligenes sp. Isolated from a Tropical Restored Forest.

Simple SummaryIsoprene, a volatile hydrocarbon, is the second most abundantly produced climate-active gas, with largely indirect detrimental impacts, such as extending the residence time of the greenhouse gas methane. Isoprene is mainly emitted by plants and can be consumed by a range of microbes inhabiting diverse environments, including soil. Here, the ability of soil bacteria to degrade isoprene was investigated. Soil samples were taken from beneath wild Himalayan cherry trees in a tropical restored forest area, and an Alcaligenes sp. (strain 13f) was isolated. This isolate used isoprene as a sole source of carbon and energy (32.6% of isoprene was consumed in 18 days). A surprising finding from the genome analysis of Alcaligenes sp. strain 13f was that the well-characterised genes and genetic organisation typical of other isoprene-degrading bacteria were not observed. Thus, we propose that this strain uses a different metabolic pathway for isoprene degradation.Isoprene is a climate-active biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC), emitted into the atmosphere in abundance, mainly from terrestrial plants. Soil is an important sink for isoprene due to its consumption by microbes. In this study, we report the ability of a soil bacterium to degrade isoprene. Strain 13f was isolated from soil beneath wild Himalayan cherry trees in a tropical restored forest. Based on phylogenomic analysis and an Average Nucleotide Identity score of >95%, it most probably belongs to the species Alcaligenes faecalis. Isoprene degradation by Alcaligenes sp. strain 13f was measured by using gas chromatography. When isoprene was supplied as the sole carbon and energy source at the concentration of 7.2 × 105 ppbv and 7.2 × 106 ppbv, 32.6% and 19.6% of isoprene was consumed after 18 days, respectively. Genome analysis of Alcaligenes sp. strain 13f revealed that the genes that are typically found as part of the isoprene monooxygenase gene cluster in other isoprene-degrading bacteria were absent. This discovery suggests that there may be alternative pathways for isoprene metabolism.

Virtual pruning of 3D trees as a tool for managing shading effects in agroforestry systems

Light is a limiting resource for crops within integrated land use systems especially those including woody perennials. The amount of available light at ground level can be modified by artificially pruning the overstory. Aiming to increase the understanding of light management strategies, we simulated the pruning of wild cherry trees and compared the shading effects of the resulting tree structures over a complete growing season, with fine spatiotemporal resolution. Original 3D-tree structures were retrieved employing terrestrial laser scanning and quantitative structure models, and subjected to two pruning treatments at low and high intensities. By using the ‘shadow model’, the analogous tree structures created diverse shaded scenarios varying in size and intensity of insolation reduction. Conventional pruning treatments reduced the crown structure to the uppermost portion of the tree bole, reducing the shading effects, and thus, shrinking the shaded area on the ground by up to 38%, together with the shading intensity. As an alternative, the selective removal of branches reduced the shading effects, while keeping a more similar spatial distribution compared to the unpruned tree. Hence, the virtual pruning of tree structures can support designing and selecting adequate tending operations for the management of light distribution in agroforestry systems. The evidence assembled in this study is highly relevant for agroecosystems and can be strategically used for maintaining, planning and designing integrated tree-crop agricultural systems.

Modelling and Comparing Shading Effects of 3D Tree Structures with Virtual Leaves

Reduced solar radiation brought about by trees on agricultural land can both positively and negatively affect crop growth. For a better understanding of this issue, we aim for an improved simulation of the shade cast by trees in agroforestry systems and a precise estimation of insolation reduction. We present a leaf creation algorithm to generate realistic leaves to be placed upon quantitative structure models (QSMs) of real trees. Further, we couple it with an enhanced approach of a 3D model capable of quantifying shading effects of a tree, at a high temporal and spatial resolution. Hence, 3D data derived from wild cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) generated by terrestrial laser scanner technology formed a basis for the tree reconstruction, and served as leaf-off mode. Two leaf-on modes were simulated: realistic leaves, fed with leaf data from wild cherry trees; and ellipsoidal leaves, having ellipsoids as leaf-replacement. For comparison, we assessed the shading effects using hemispherical photography as an alternative method. Results showed that insolation reduction was higher using realistic leaves, and that the shaded area was greater in size than with the ellipsoidal leaves or leaf-off conditions. All shading effects were similarly distributed on the ground, with the exception of those derived through hemispherical photography, which were greater in size, but with less insolation reduction than realistic leaves. The main achievements of this study are: the enhancement of the leaf-on mode for QSMs with realistic leaves, the updates of the shadow model, and the comparison of shading effects. We provide evidence that the inclusion of realistic leaves with precise 3D data might be fundamental to accurately model the shading effects of trees.

Comparison of the incidence of viruses within germplasm, orchards and wild cherry trees in the Czech Republic

AbstractA survey targeting 19 viruses infecting sweet and sour cherry trees worldwide was conducted in germplasm, orchards and wild trees in the Czech Republic during 2014–2015. A total of 184 trees were screened (77 trees from a germplasm collection and 107 trees at 21 different localities in the South Bohemian region) using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. The following 10 viruses were detected: apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), apple mosaic virus (ApMV), cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV), cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV), cherry virus A (CVA), little cherry virus 1 (LChV‐1), little cherry virus 2 (LChV‐2), prune dwarf virus (PDV) and prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV). ApMV and LChV‐2 were detected in the Czech Republic for the first time. CGRMV and CNRMV were found only in imported trees within the germplasm collection. CVA, CLRV and PNRSV were the most frequently identified viruses in the germplasm collection, and PNRSV and PDV were the most abundant in orchards and wild trees. Of the 108 symptomatic trees, 68 were infected with one or more of the 19 viruses tested. On the other hand, 45 of the 76 samples from trees with no obvious symptoms were infected at the time of collection. Moreover, we did not find any significant association between symptom manifestation and detected virus presence. Next‐generation sequencing of six selected samples yielded major genome portions (71.7–99.9%) of ACLSV, CGRMV, CLRV, CNRMV, CVA, LChV‐1, LChV‐2, PDV and PNRSV, which were deposited in GenBank. In addition, we obtained the first complete coding sequences of a European PNRSV isolate (CZ‐Cig).

Morphological and molecular description of Longidorus behshahrensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from natural forests of Abbas Abad, north of Iran

Longidorus behshahrensis n. sp. is described and illustrated using morphological and molecular data. It was recovered from the rhizosphere of a wild cherry tree in Mazandaran province, northeastern Iran. The new species is characterized by having 6.8–8.4 mm long females, lip region separated from the rest of the body by a shallow depression, amphidial fovea pocket shaped not bilobed, guiding ring at 25–31 μm from the anterior end, 81–91 and 51–63 μm long odontostyle and odontophore, respectively, 109–130 μm long pharyngeal bulb, didelphic-amphidelphic reproductive system with long tubular bipartite uteri with sperm, vulva at 44–54%, tail bluntly conical, dorsally convex, ventrally concave with widely rounded terminus, hyaline region with discernible radial lines; males common with 50–60 μm long spicules and 9–11 ventromedian single supplements. Only the two latter juvenile developmental stages were recovered for the new species. Codes for identifying the new species are A3-B1-C23-D2-E1-F34-G23-H2-I2. Morphologically, the new species comes close to eight known species of the genus namely L. artemisiae, L. dunensis, L. elongatus, L. euonymus, L. goodeyi, L. iranicus, L. protae and L. tabrizicus. The morphological differences of the new species and the aforementioned species are discussed. In molecular phylogenetic analyses using LSU rDNA D2-D3 sequences, the position of the new species among closely related species was not resolved due to polytomy. In ITS1 phylogeny, the new species formed a clade with L. distinctus.

Multiscale spatial genetic structure within and between populations of wild cherry trees in nuclear genotypes and chloroplast haplotypes.

Spatial genetic structure (SGS) of plants mainly depends on the effective population size and gene dispersal. Maternally inherited loci are expected to have higher genetic differentiation between populations and more intensive SGS within populations than biparentally inherited loci because of smaller effective population sizes and fewer opportunities of gene dispersal in the maternally inherited loci. We investigated biparentally inherited nuclear genotypes and maternally inherited chloroplast haplotypes of microsatellites in 17 tree populations of three wild cherry species under different conditions of tree distribution and seed dispersal. As expected, interpopulation genetic differentiation was 6–9 times higher in chloroplast haplotypes than in nuclear genotypes. This difference indicated that pollen flow 4–7 times exceeded seed flow between populations. However, no difference between nuclear and chloroplast loci was detected in within‐population SGS intensity due to their substantial variation among the populations. The SGS intensity tended to increase as trees became more aggregated, suggesting that tree aggregation biased pollen and seed dispersal distances toward shorter. The loss of effective seed dispersers, Asian black bears, did not affect the SGS intensity probably because of mitigation of the bear loss by other vertebrate dispersers and too few tree generations after the bear loss to alter SGS. The findings suggest that SGS is more variable in smaller spatial scales due to various ecological factors in local populations.

Impact of wild boars on the feeding behavior of smaller frugivorous mammals

We examined the interspecific relationships among wild boars, raccoon dogs, and badgers with regard to the consumption of fallen fruits to assess how the presence of the largest mammal, the boar, affects the frugivory behavior of the two smaller species. In our 2-year survey, automatic cameras were set under the crown of wild cherry trees to observe frugivory; all mammals had access to the trees in the first year, but only wild boars were blocked access with a fence in the second year. The survey was conducted in a temperate broad-leaved forest in central Japan. All three species frequently visited those trees with abundant fruit production, and the presence of wild boars affected the feeding behavior of smaller badgers and raccoon dogs. When wild boars were present, the raccoon dogs partly shifted the time of day when they fed and tended to shift to places that the wild boars visited infrequently. In contrast, the badgers partly shifted the time of day when they fed and reduced their feeding time per visit. When wild boars were excluded from the area, raccoon dogs and badgers, which are generally nocturnal, consumed fruit under the crown not only at night but also during the day. The reason for this may be that the smaller species may not have yet responded to the sudden exclusion of the boar as a competitor. Our findings indicate that these three frugivorous mammals exhibit resource partitioning of fallen fruits on the forest floor.

Sap flow of a wild cherry tree plantation growing under Mediterranean conditions: Assessing the role of environmental conditions on canopy conductance and the effect of branch pruning on water productivity

In recent decades, wild cherry has been one of the species most widely used for reforestation in Europe. Studies aiming to select and improve trees to give them the best growth rates and wood properties have increased in response to growers’ demands. However, information relating to key physiological processes such as transpiration or stomatal conductance and to the effect of the common practice of pruning on plant–water relations is scarce. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of environmental conditions on canopy conductance dynamics. Its secondary objective was to examine the short- and medium-term effects of branch pruning on tree transpiration, growth and derived water productivity. To this end, we measured sap flow in an experimental plantation where trees were subjected to drip irrigation and rain-fed conditions and where variables characterizing climate, soil and tree growth were also monitored. The results demonstrated that the Jarvis–Stewart approach was appropriate for studying the responses of canopy conductance to environmental factors. As well as the role of vapour pressure deficit and net radiation in controlling the daily variations of canopy conductance, the single effects of decreasing soil water content (optimum relative extractable water, REW, higher than 0.4) and increasing air temperature (optimum of 21 °C), as summer conditions approached, were correctly incorporated into the modelling exercise. Soil water content exerted the greatest control on canopy conductance for trees growing under rain-fed conditions, while air temperature did for irrigated trees. Pruning significantly reduced transpiration to about 35% when pre- and post-sub-periods were compared, but also affected annual water productivity regardless of the irrigation treatment. To assess the long-term effects of pruning on water productivity, measurements in both pruned and unpruned trees would be desirable.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ КАЧЕСТВА МУЧНЫХ КОНДИТЕРСКИХ ИЗДЕЛИЙ С НЕТРАДИЦИОННЫМ РАСТИТЕЛЬНЫМ СЫРЬЕМ

The work’s objective was to study the quality indicators of cakes produced from wheat flour with added bird cherry flour. The advantages of bird cherry flour as compared to wheat flour is that it is gluten free, low-calorie, and has high content of phenolic substances, vitamins and minerals. A whole range of pharmacological effects was registered for bird cherry flour, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and other effects. All of it explains the possibility of using bird cherry flour to correct the content and expand the line of food products, including confectionery. Today, bird cherry flour is produced by drying and grinding berries of wild bird cherry tree. The practicability of using it for food production, including for confectionery, is also explained by the convenience of use and no need for any additional processing of bird cherry flour. Cake Stolichny is considered as the object of research for this article. The studies of the cake samples with different content of bird cherry flour (10 %, 15 %, and 20 % by replacing relevant amounts of wheat flour) are presented in the article. Using bird cherry flour allows to produce a new variety of cakes with new organoleptic characteristics, which thanks to the non-traditional raw material component, that of bird cherry flour, is more balanced in content and properties. Based on the organoleptic and physical and chemical indicators a conclusion may be drawn that it is reasonable to add bird cherry flour to the cakes’ content in the dosage of 10%, what will allow to expand the pastry product line, as well as improve their nutritional value; and that is a topical issue today.

Group planting of cherry (Prunus avium L.) fosters growth and tree quality is superior to conventional row planting in Germany

Wild cherry trees produce high-quality timber and provide multiple ecosystem services. However, planting and tending cherry stands in conventional rows are too costly. Therefore, low density group planting was trialled as an alternative to row planting. The mortality, growth, and quality of planted cherry trees were compared between the group and row planting. The influence of neighbourhood competition and light availability on growth and quality was studied. The group and row planting of cherry trees were established at a wind-thrown site in southwestern Germany in the year 2000. In group planting, five cherry seedlings and seven lime seedlings (Tilia cordata Mill.) were planted with a 1 × 1 m spacing. In total, 60 groups were planted per hectare with a 13 × 13 m spacing. In contrast, 3300 seedlings (2475 cherries and 825 limes) were planted per hectare in row planting with a 3 × 1 m spacing. Ten groups and plots (10 × 10 m) were randomly established in group and row planting stand, respectively. The survival rate, stability (height to diameter ratio), diameter, and height growth were significantly higher in group planting. In the group plantings, 40.5% of cherry trees had straight stems and 13.5% had a monopodial crown compared with 15% with straight stems and 2% with a monopodial crown in row planting. The proportion of dominant cherry trees in canopy was 49% in groups compared with 22% in rows. The length of branch free bole was significantly higher in cherries planted in groups than those grown in rows. Intra- and interspecific competition reduced the growth and stability of cherry trees in row planting, but not in group planting. Light availability did not cause any significant effects on growth and quality between group and row planting. This first study on cherry group planting indicates that the survival rate, growth, and tree quality were higher in groups than in rows at this early development stage. The competition by naturally born seedlings was an important reason for the difference in performance between group and row planting. This study will encourage forest practitioners to establish more cherry group planting trials on multiple sites to test the effectiveness of this alternative technique as a tool of regeneration and restoration silviculture.

High intra-host Cherry virus A population heterogeneity in cherry trees in Slovakia

Despite the absence of symptoms, next generation sequencing (NGS) of total RNAs from a wild cherry tree revealed a multiple virus infection. Besides prune dwarf virus (PDV) and little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2) the analysis revealed the presence of two genetically divergent cherry virus A (CVA) variants. Their complete genomes could be reconstituted, differing by 14% at the nucleotide level. The presence of these CVA variants in the original cherry tree was confirmed during three consecutive growing seasons by variant-specific RTPCR. The development of a polyvalent RT-PCR assay targeting the 3´ part of the CVA genome allowed the identification of the virus in several other cultivated, wild or ornamental cherries in Slovakia, and the analysis of CVA genomic variability in the amplified region. This has allowed regrouping of known CVA isolates into six major phylogenetic groups, some of which are only recently reported, further extending the known diversity of this virus. In addition, evidence was obtained supporting the recombinant nature of two Slovak isolates and for the presence of “non-cherry” group isolates of CVA in several cherry host plants. Further investigation of the intra-tree CVA variability in five unrelated cherry trees revealed a homogenous lineage in two trees (average nucleotide diversity 0.2-0.5%), while the CVA population in the other trees was composed of variants belonging to three to four different evolutionary lineages (average diversity 7.4-8.8%). The frequent presence of highly divergent molecular variants within the CVA population in single trees further highlights the complex and heterogeneous nature of viral populations infecting perennial hosts.

A preliminary study on distributions and oviposition sites of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and its parasitoids on wild cherry tree in Tokyo, central Japan

Distributions and oviposition sites of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) and its parasitoids on wild cherry tree were studied in early summer in a suburb of Tokyo, central Japan. Adults of D. suzukii occurred in the foliage layer as well as in the undergrowth layer. The number of D. suzukii that emerged did not significantly differ between wild cherry fruit collected from the foliage layer and those from the undergrowth layer. In addition, the number of D. suzukii that emerged per fruit decreased when fruit were left on the ground longer. It is therefore assumed that D. suzukii females rarely oviposit eggs in fallen wild cherry fruit. The suzukii-associated type of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) was the major parasitoid that emerged from D. suzukii in the study area. The rate of parasitism by this parasitoid did not significantly differ between larvae in fresh fruit from the foliage layer and those in fallen fruit from the undergrowth layer. This may also suggest that this wasp rarely attacks D. suzukii larvae in fallen fruit. Adults of the suzukii-associated type of G. brasiliensis, Asobara sp. TK1, and Leptopilina japonica that attack D. suzukii were mainly collected from the foliage layer. On the basis of the present results, some proposals for the control of D. suzukii were discussed.

Terrestrial laser scanning as a tool for assessing tree growth

Abstract: Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology is a powerful tool for assessing tree growth based on time series analysis, as it allows a level of scrutiny not achievable using established destructive techniques. We applied TLS technology to 21 wild cherry trees grown in a research plot near Breisach (southern Germany) in order to build quantitative structure models (QSMs) for each tree. Scans were carried out over three subsequent years (2012-2014), so that three QSMs per each tree were constructed. Using the above approach, we were able to assess the annual growth of the individual wild cherry trees in terms of diameter and height, stem and branch volume, and the merchantable timber fraction. In addition, the growth of single branches of sample trees was detected and quantified. The availability of QSMs based on TLS-derived data allowed the accurate determination of crown length and width, as well as the volume reduction as the result of the tree pruning applied after the first scan (2012). The aboveground biomass (AGB) was assessed for each tree based on the QSM-derived volume and published wood density values for wild cherry, and then compared with AGB values estimated with standard allometric methods, obtaining a very high correlation (r2adj = 0.941). We concluded that the proposed approach is an effective non-destructive technique to accurately assess the increase of tree biomass, and discuss its future application in the forestry sector.

S‐locus diversity and cross‐compatibility of wildPrunus aviumfor timber breeding

AbstractPrunus aviumis primarily cultivated for its fruit, sweet cherries. However, it is also used to produce high‐quality timber. In aP. aviumseed orchard, gametophytic self‐incompatibility is a restriction for free pollen flow and should be considered when establishing basic forest materials. In this study,S‐locus diversity and cross‐incompatibility of wild cherry individuals in clonal banks established for breeding for timber production were investigated. Wild cherry trees (140) with outstanding forest growth habit, collected in northern Spain, grafted and planted in two clonal banks, were genotyped at theS‐locus. The self‐incompatibilityS‐locus genes,S‐RNaseandSFB, were analysed byPCR. Twenty‐twoS‐haplotypes, resulting in 72 differentS‐genotypes, were identified. The genotypes were grouped into 33 incompatibility groups and 39 unique genotypes. This initialS‐locus analysis revealed large genetic diversity of wild cherry trees from the Spanish northern deciduous forest, and provides useful information for seed orchard design. WildP. aviumdisplays significantly more genetic diversity than what is detected in local cultivars, revealing a narrowing of genetic diversity during local domestication.

Sudden Phytophthora Dieback of Wild Cherry Trees in Northwest Hungary

Abstract During a regular survey of declining forests in 2011, sudden dieback symptoms were observed on scattered wild cherry trees (Prunus avium) in a mixed deciduous forest stand, located in the flood plain area of the Rába River, in northwest Hungary. In this study, we correlated both soil conditions and presence of Phytophthora spp. to dieback of cherry trees. Two Phytophthora species, P. polonica and P. plurivora, were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of the dying trees. By contrast, only P. polonica was recovered from the necrotic tissues of symptomatic roots. Stem and root inoculation tests on cherry seedlings showed pathogenicity of both species, although P. polonica proved to be more virulent. This is the first report of natural infections of P. polonica.

Factors affecting branch wound occlusion and associated decay following pruning – a case study with wild cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Pruning wild cherry ( Prunus avium L.) is a common silvicultural practice carried out to produce valuable timber at a veneer wood quality. Sub-optimal pruning treatments can permit un-occluded pruning wounds to develop devaluing decay. The aim of this study is to determine relevant branch, tree and pruning characteristics affecting the occlusion process of pruning wounds. Important factors influencing occlusion time for an optimised pruning treatment for valuable timber production utilising wild cherry are derived. 85 artificially pruned branches originating from ten wild cherry trees were retrospectively analysed. Branch stub length, branch diameter and radial stem increment during occlusion were found to be significant predictors for occlusion time. From the results it could be concluded that for the long term success of artificial pruning of wild cherry it is crucial to ( i ) keep branch stubs short (while avoiding damage to the branch collar), ( ii ) to enable the tree to maintain significant radial growth after pruning, ( iii ) to avoid large pruning wounds (>2.5 cm) by removing steeply angled and fast growing branches at an early stage.