These defenses encompass resistance traits that enable plants to prevent, stop or reduce damage inflicted by insects, and tolerance traits that enable withstanding and recovering from damage. ![]() One potential strategy to reduce forest pest damage, which has received less attention, is to amplify the plant’s own defenses. 2019) thus, complementary and sustainable methods of seedling protection are needed. Even though various silvicultural practices and physical protective methods against the pine weevil are available, their effects are variable depending on site conditions (Nordlander et al. However, the use of insecticides in forest pest insect management is being phased out due to environmental and human health issues. 2011 Örlander and Nilsson 1999 Von Sydow 1997). Protective measures against pine weevil damage are necessary to prevent up to 100% mortality and to date, insecticide treatment has been one of the most prevalent methods in Northern Europe (Eidmann et al. In these newly planted forests, the pine weevil ( Hylobius abietis) is one of the most destructive insect pests because it consumes the stem cambium, often girdling seedlings (entire ring of bark removed), causing high levels of plant mortality (Hagner and Jonsson 1995 Långström and Day 2007). ![]() The problems caused by insects are usually more prominent in clear-cut forests as they are often regenerated through planting, and the seedlings are susceptible to insect herbivory during establishment. Insects are one of the major agents of damage to European forests (Matyjaszczyk et al. Our results indicated that MJ can be applied in line with nursery practices (before winter storage) and provides adequate protection for two growing seasons. MJ application before winter storage provided the most effective protection, and this reduction in damage was comparable to that provided by a currently used physical protection method against pine weevil feeding. We found that the timing and recurrence of MJ treatment affected the amount of damage inflicted by pine weevils in different ways, but these effects were consistent among age cohorts. ![]() Pine weevil damage was evaluated in a lab and field experiment. Norway spruce ( Picea abies) seedlings from two age cohorts (1 year and 1.5 years old) received four MJ treatments: MJ application before winter storage in the previous year, after winter storage but before spring/summer planting, repeated MJ application (both before winter storage, and before planting) or no MJ application at all. We examined if levels of pine weevil damage depend on seasonal timing and recurrence of MJ treatment, and if the observed effects depend on plant age. Few studies have addressed important practical issues regarding the use of MJ such as treatment incidence and timing, seedling age and its compatibility with plant nursery practices. Defense can be induced in conifer seedlings to reduce pine weevil ( Hylobius abietis) damage, by treatment with the plant hormone methyl jasmonate (MJ).
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