Variation in the root bark phenolics/sugar ratio of Douglas-fir grown in two plantations in northern Idaho

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer H Myszewski ◽  
Lauren Fins ◽  
James A Moore ◽  
Marc Rust ◽  
Peter G Mika

Several studies have linked high phenolics/sugar ratios in the inner root bark tissue of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to decreased susceptibility to Armillaria spp. While these studies have identified environmental factors that influence root chemistry, none have examined whether the phenolics/sugar ratio is genetically controlled. In this study, we investigated the effects of genetics and environment on the root bark chemistry of 20 families of 15-year-old Douglas-fir planted in two sites in northern Idaho. Only sugar concentrations varied significantly among families, but site was a significant source of variation for phenolics and the phenolics/sugar ratio. Family × site interactions were significant for the concentrations of all measured root bark compounds as well as for the phenolics/sugar ratio. Phenotypic correlations between height and the phenolics/sugar ratio and between height and sugar concentrations were not significant. However, families with superior height growth and below-average sugar concentrations could be found at both sites. Should a high phenolics/sugar ratio prove effective in selecting genotypes for resistance to Armillaria infection, these results suggest that gains could be made more efficiently by selecting for low sugar concentrations.

Author(s):  
David Carter ◽  
Robert A. Slesak ◽  
Timothy B. Harrington ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato

The invasive shrub Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link) is a pervasive threat to regenerating Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) stands in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Field observations indicate that the susceptibility of areas to Scotch broom invasion and dominance can vary by site. We selected ten sites throughout the western Pacific Northwest that spanned a gradient of soil textures and other factors to test the site-specific susceptibility of Douglas-fir to overtopping by Scotch broom. We expected to find that the ability of Scotch broom to dominate a site was mediated by site-level factors, particularly those influencing soil water – the most limiting factor to growth in the region. We found Scotch broom and Douglas-fir were inversely affected by site-level factors. In general, Douglas-fir absolute height growth rates were more competitive with those of Scotch broom on fine-textured soils than on more coarsely textured soils. We also found Douglas-fir to have a more dramatic response to increasing down woody material than Scotch broom. Scotch broom height growth approached an asymptote at 3 m. Sites with fast-growing Douglas-fir were able to surpass this height six to seven years after planting and appear likely to avoid suppression by Scotch broom.


1989 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-88
Author(s):  
James L. Vander Ploeg ◽  
James A. Moore

Abstract Stem analysis data from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) collected throughout the inland Northwest were used for testing height growth and site index equations. The equations performed well in northern and central Idaho, northeast Oregon, and northeast Washington on vegetative types similar to those sampled in model development. However, if the equations were applied on drier sites outside the original geographic study area, overestimates of height growth and under-estimates of site index could result. Therefore, revised height growth and site index equations are presented for western Montana and central Washington. West. J. Appl. For. 4(3):85-88, July 1989.


1964 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Mitchell

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantations on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, were examined to determine the effect of animal feeding upon height growth.Length of internodes and evidence of past leader damage were recorded and cumulative average height-age growth curves compared for undamaged trees and for trees suffering various intensities of damage.The average reduction in tree height attributable to animal feeding in heavily browsed plantations varied from one-half to two feet over a period of 8 to 10 years. It is unlikely that either tree volume or quality at rotation age would be seriously affected.Exposed trees were browsed more heavily than those protected by vegetation or logging slash.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1269-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymund S Folk ◽  
Steven C Grossnickle ◽  
Paige Axelrood ◽  
Dave Trotter

The effects of seed lot, nursery culture, and seedling bud dormancy status on root electrolyte leakage (REL) of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were assessed to determine if these factors should be considered when interpreting REL for seedling quality. The relationships of REL to survival, net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gwv), mid-day shoot water potential (Ψmid), root growth capacity (RGC), and relative height growth were determined for each factor. Nursery culture had no effect on the relationship between REL and all other measured attributes. Seed lot affected the relationship between REL and Pn, Ψmid, and survival. However, critical REL (i.e., lowest value associated with detectable root damage) and PS80 REL (i.e., level associated with an 80% probability for survival) were similar between seed lots. Bud dormancy status affected the relationship between REL and survival, RGC, and relative height growth. Control levels of REL, critical REL, and PS80 REL decreased as the number of days required for 50% terminal bud break declined. Thus, terminal bud dormancy status must be known before REL can be used to assess seedling quality. If the bud dormancy status of Douglas-fir populations is known, then critical and PS80 REL levels may be useful as indices of root damage.


1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 869-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Barton

A new C-methyl flavanone, 7-O-β-D-glucosyl-3′,4′,5-trihydroxy-6-methyl flavanone, has been obtained from healthy Douglas-fir [Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco] root bark in a high yield of 2.6%. Its structure was elucidated by high resolution and mass spectrometry together with a variety of chemical and physical tests and confirmed by synthesis of its methylated aglycone. Pathological testing of this new glucoside against Poriaweirii Murr. is being undertaken.


1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. G. Smith ◽  
L. Heger ◽  
J. Hejjas

Widths of earlywood and latewood in each annual ring, measured on an average radius on a disk taken halfway between each branch whorl, were analyzed to define their variation in 18 Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Distribution of ring width and percentage latewood also was investigated in these trees which had from 20 to 50 whorls above stump height. Multiple regression and correlation analyses showed that number of rings from pith, and its reciprocal, square, or logarithm accounted for most of the variation in radial growth. Number of rings from pith influenced thickness of both earlywood and latewood much more than the climatic differences reflected by variations in annual height growth and in widths of earlywood and latewood formed at breast height in the same calendar year. Since earlywood and latewood are distributed differently and controlled by different factors, they should be studied separately within annual rings. The statistical methods used in this study provide a simple, efficient, and comprehensive basis for thoroughly describing growth patterns, and for objectively analyzing factors that govern growth.


2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Collier ◽  
E.C. Turnblom

Abstract In theory, pruning is an attractive silvicultural technique because there is a great potential for increased production of clear wood after its execution. Much of the currently available literature on the pruning of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) concerns the effects of pruning on diameter and height growth. Other aspects of the pruning response need to be considered, because clear wood production cannot be guaranteed merely because the trees were pruned. The Stand Management Cooperative, headquartered at the University of Washington, conducted a regional study to examine how Douglas-fir trees respond to pruning. Epicormic branching responses are reported here. Some anecdotal observations, as well as some intuitive ones, are confirmed. Epicormic branching was most severe on the south and west sides of trees. When epicormic branching was severe, sprouts occurred both at nodes (or whorls) and along internodes. Less severe or moderate sprouting tended to originate mainly in nodes. The risk of epicormic branching is minimal as long as the pruning treatment does not reduce the live crown by more than 40% and the stand has 500 or more stems/ha. The highest risk of epicormic branching was found to be when the live crown is reduced by more than 40%, and the stand carries less than 500 stems/ha. West. J. Applied For. 16(2):80–86.


2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank C. Sorensen

Abstract Leaders of 3- through 7-yr-old Douglas-fir seedlings were left unclipped or were clipped for 1 to 4 consecutive years. Terminal removal reduced height increment in a significantly linear fashion and was about 19 cm for each year clipped. All treatments had comparable height increment in the 4 yr after clipping, and the initial depressing effect on height was still present at age 23. Diameter increment was reduced but not significantly. West. J. Appl. For. 17(2):75–77


1986 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Hsiung Tung ◽  
Jim Batdorff ◽  
David R. DeYoe

Abstract Two vegetation management methods, paper mulching and spot-spraying with glyphosate, were combined with a root-dipping treatment, Terra Sorb®, to test effects on seedling survival and height growth on a harsh site in Oregon. Survival of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings was significantly higher after the third growing season when competing vegetation had been controlled with mulch or glyphosate during the first two growing seasons. Seedlings retreated with paper mulch and glyphosate before the second growing season had 36 and 25% higher survival than those that were not retreated. None of the seedlings was retreated before the third season; after this season, survival of seedlings treated twice with glyphosate was 26, 23, and 21% higher than seedlings receiving one glyphosate treatment and one or two mulch applications, respectively. There were no differences in seedling height growth among treatments. Rootdipping with Terra Sorb® did not influence survival or growth. West. J. Appl. For. 1:108-111 Oct. 86.


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