Relationship between abundance/infection intensity of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium oxycedri (DC.) M. Bieb.) and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the host tree, physiographic conditions, and soil erosion

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Graduate of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Department of Arid Land Forestry, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

Abstract

     Dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium oxycedri) has a worldwide range of distribution amongst the dwarf mistletoe species. To investigate the effects caused by dwarf mistletoe infection on juniper trees, this study was conducted in an area of 400 hectares in the Parvar protected area, Semnan Province. Sampling was carried out using 60 quadratic plots with the area of 20×20 m2 in a randomly-systematic manner. The discriminant analysis showed that the characteristics of herb canopy cover, individual gender, slope (%), and even aspect direction are not substantially deterministic for infection intensity of dwarf mistletoe. In contrast, the highest correlation was observed in traits like root exposure, collar diameter, crown area, altitude, and tree height. The lowest frequency of infected individuals and the lowest severity of infection were observed in upper elevation class (2500-2700 m a.s.l.), low rate of soil erosion, and trees without root exposure. Moreover, the proportion of infected individuals to total trees are little on the 30-60% slopes and in north and west slope aspects. The results suggest that trees with broader canopy, higher collar diameter, and taller height are more prone to this parasite. In addition, the maximum severity of the infection is observed on larger trees, especially if the trees are located at lower elevations, faced with the degraded ecosystem and soil erosion that leads to root exposure and tree weakness. Therefore, in the case of the continuation of the spread of dwarf mistletoe in juniper forests and the lack of a non-destructive strategy to control the population of this parasitic herb, these communities would be expected to be partly degraded in the near future especially, for the higher sensitivity areas (such as lower habitats of juniper communities.

Keywords

References

- Achakzai, K., Firdous, S., Bibi, A. and Khalid, S., 2016. Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. BIEB) forest of Ziarat in danger of vanishing: a review. American-Eurasian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 16(2): 320-325.
- Adams, R.P., 2014. Junipers of the World: The Genus Juniperus. 4th Edition, Trafford Publishing, Vancouver, 422p.
- Derakhshanpour, Z., Hojati, V. and Abbaspour, H., 2016. Faunistics study of the snakes of Parvar protected area in Semnan province. Journal of Animal Environment, 8(2): 249-258 (In Persian).
- Fallahchaei, M.M., Torabian, Y., Maani, M. and Ahmadi, F., 2011. The effect of infection of Arceuthobium oxycedri on Juniperus excelsa species in North West forests of Iran. Plant Protection Journal, 3(3): 235-246 (In Persian).
- Hawksworth, F.G. and Wiens, D., 1996. Dwarf Mistletoes: Biology, Pathology, and Systematics. Agricultural Handbook 709, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 410p.
- Hill, R., Loxterman, J.L. and Aho, K., 2017. Insular biogeography and population genetics of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum) in the Central Rocky Mountains. Ecosphere, 8(5): e01810.- Hosseini, S.M., Kartoolinejad, D., Mirnia, S.K., Tabibzadeh, Z., Akbarinia, M. and Shayanmehr, F., 2007. The effects of Viscum album L. on foliar weight and nutrients content of host trees in Caspian forests (Iran). Polish Journal of Ecology, 55(3): 579-583.
- Hosseini, S.M., Kartoolinejad, D., Mirnia, S.K., Tabibzadeh, Z., Akbarinia, M. and Shayanmehr, F., 2008. The European mistletoe effects on leaves and nutritional elements of two host species in Hyrcanian forests. Silva Lusitana, 16(2): 229-237.
- Kartoolinejad, D., Hosseini, S.M. and Mirnia, S., 2008a. Introduction of two methods for determining mistletoe infection intensity and their comparison in Noor Forest Park. Journal of Environmental Studies, 34(46): 57-64 (In Persian).
- Kartoolinejad, D., Hosseini, S.M., Mirnia, S.Kh. and Shayanmehr, F., 2008b. The effect of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) on four nutrient elements Mg, Zn, Mn, Na and leaf area and weight of host trees in Hyrcanian forests. Pajouhesh and Sazandegi, 20(4): 47-52 (In Persian).
- Kartoolinejad, D. and Moshki, A., 2014. Changes in Juniperus polycarpos community in response to physiographical factors (Hezarmasjed Mountain, Iran). Austrian Journal of Forest Science, 131(4): 215-232.
- Khoshnevis, M., Teimouri, M., Sadeghzadeh Hallaj, M.H., Matinizadeh, M. and Shirvany, A., 2017. Effect of maternal tree phenotype and irrigation on survival and growth of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. B.) seedlings in Sirachal research station. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 25(3): 506-515 (In Persian).
- Korori, S.A.A., Khoshneviss, M. and Matinizadeh, M., 2011. Comprehensive Studies of Juniperus Species in Iran. Pooneh Publication, Tehran, 560p (In Persian).
- Krasylenko, Y.A., Janošíková, K. and Kukushkin, O.V., 2017. Juniper dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium oxycedri) in the Crimean Peninsula: novel insights into its morphology, hosts, and distribution. Botany, 95(9): 897-911.
- Matinizadeh, M., Khoshnevis, M., Teimouri, M. and Shirvany, A., 2012. The effect of preservation on soil enzymes activities in Juniperus excelsa plantation of Chahartagh. Journal of Water and Soil Resources Conservation, 1(4): 45-52 (In Persian).
- Matinizadeh, M., Korori, S.A.A., Khoshnevis, M. and Teimouri, M., 2006. Identification and abundance of mycorrhizal fungi symbiosis with Juniperus excelsa. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 13(4): 385-400.
- Mozaffarian, V., 2005. Trees and Shrubs of Iran. Farhang Moaser, Tehran 1082p (In Persian).
- Orhan, I.E., Senol, F.S., Ercetin, T., Kahraman, A., Celep, F., Akaydin, G., Sener, B. and Dogan, M., 2013. Assessment of anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties of selected sage (Salvia) species with their total phenol and flavonoid contents. Industrial Crops and Products, 41: 21-30.
- Queijeiro-Bolaños, M., Cano-Santana, Z. and García-Guzmán, G., 2014. Incidence, severity, and aggregation patterns of two sympatric dwarf mistletoe species (Arceuthobium spp.) in Central Mexico. European Journal of Forest Research, 133(2): 297-306.
- Queijeiro-Bolaños, M.E. and Cano-Santana, Z., 2016. Growth of hartweg’s pine (Pinus hartwegii) parasitized by two dwarf mistletoe species (Arceuthobium spp.). Botanical Sciences, 94(1): 51-62.
- Ramón, P., De la Cruz, M., Zavala, I. and Zavala, M.A., 2016. Factors influencing the dispersion of Arceuthobium oxycedri in Central Spain: evaluation with a new null model for marked point patterns. Forest Pathology, 46(6): 610-621.
- Ravanbakhsh, H., Hamzeh'ee, B., Etemad, V., Marvie Mohadjer, M.R. and Assadi, M., 2016. Phytosociology of Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb. forests in Alborz mountain range in the north of Iran. Plant Biosystems-An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 150(5): 987-1000.
- Ravanbakhsh, H., Marvi Mohajer, M.R., Zahedi, Gh. and Shirvani, A., 2010. Forest typology in relation with altitude gradient on southern slopes of Central Alborz Mountains (Latian Dam watershed). Journal of Forest and Wood Products, 63(1): 9-22 (In Persian).
- Rezanezhad, A.R., 2017. Investigating the infection of Juniper trees (Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb.) to dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium oxycedri (D.C.) M. Bieb.) in northern forests of Semnan (Parvar protected area). MSc. Thesis, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, 58p (In Persian).
- Sabeti, H., 1976. Forests, Trees and Shrubs of Iran. Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Tehran, 810p (In Persian).
- Sadeghzadeh Hallaj, M.H., Keneshloo, H., Khoshnevis, M., Hassani, M. and Parhizkar, P., 2018. Effects of various water storage methods on plantation of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. B.). Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 25(4): 622-632 (In Persian).
- Sarangzai, A.M., Ahmed, M., Ahmed, A., Leghari, S.K. and Jan, S.U., 2012. Juniper forests of Baluchistan: A brief review. FUUAST Journal of Biology, 2(1): 71-79.
- TPL (The Plant List), 2013. Version 1.1. Available at: http://www.theplantlist.org/.
- Van Auken, O.W., 2007. Western North American Juniperus Communities: A Dynamic Vegetation Type (Vol. 196). Springer–Verlag, New York, 316p.
- Watson, D.M., 2001. Mistletoe—a key stone resource in forests and woodlands worldwide. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 32(1): 219-249.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics