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Effects of the needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) on Norway spruce: implications for subalpine forests

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Abstract

Norway spruce trees in the subalpine forests of the European Alps are frequently attacked by the needle rust Chrysomyxa rhododendri. The obligate parasite undergoes a complex life cycle with a host shift between rhododendrons (Rhododendron sp.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karsten] and causes a yellowing and defoliation of the current-year needles in summer. Infected trees show several anatomical, morphological and physiological modifications, including a decrease in pigment content and net photosynthesis of infected needles, lower biomass production and reduced radial and height growth. The consequences are diminished timber yield and cripple growth. Because of repeated heavy infections in recent years, forest managers report increasing difficulties in both natural regeneration and afforestation at high elevation sites, where rhododendrons occur. This review gives a summary of the present knowledge about the effects of C. rhododendri infections on Norway spruce, including so far unpublished findings and with particular attention to the phenomena of resistant trees. Implications for subalpine forests and counter strategies are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financed by the alpS-project Adapt AF-C. Thanks go to the project partners Landesforstgärten, Landesforstdirektion and Waldpflegeverein Tirol for the kind support, to the Autonome Provinz Bozen and the Federal Research Centre for forests Austria for providing data, as well as to the anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Andrea Ganthaler, Helmut Bauer, Andreas Gruber, Walter Oberhuber & Stefan Mayr

  2. Institute of Sports Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Michaela Mayr

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  1. Andrea Ganthaler
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  2. Helmut Bauer
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  3. Andreas Gruber
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  4. Michaela Mayr
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  5. Walter Oberhuber
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  6. Stefan Mayr
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Correspondence to Andrea Ganthaler.

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Communicated by R. Matyssek.

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Ganthaler, A., Bauer, H., Gruber, A. et al. Effects of the needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) on Norway spruce: implications for subalpine forests. Eur J Forest Res 133, 201–211 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-013-0770-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-013-0770-6

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