Hopp til hovedinnholdet

Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2002

Abstract

Determining the level of pathogenic fungi and other microorganisms during colonization of the host is central in phytopathological studies. A direct way is to monitor fungal hyphae by microscopic examination, but indirect chitin and ergosterol-based assays have been among the most applied methods in determining fungal biomass within host tissues. Recently real-time technology is increasingly receiving attention as a way to follow infection agents in host tissues.We study the molecular basis of host defense responses, using the coniferous host Norway spruce (Picea abies) infected with the basidomycete Heterobasidion annosum as the experimental system. This basidiomycete is the major root rot causing pathogens in conifers of all age classes.In order to screen host material for differential resistance towards H.annosum for both scientific and commercial reasons, it is a necessity to reliably quantify the fungal colonization of the host tissues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and compare the sensitivity of a real-time PCR assay to an ergosterol based method for determining the rate of colonization by H.annosum in inoculated spruce material. We also applied the methods to rank the infection level of the pathogen on the spruce tissue culture clones.We were able to develop a quantitative multiplex real-time PCR procedure that reliably detecting down to 1pg H.annosum DNA and 1ng host DNA in DNA extracted from infected tissues. There was a very high correlation between the fungal-biomass/total-biomass and fungal DNA-total DNA rankings obtained with ergosterol and real-time PCR respectively, strengthening the credibility of both methods.Based on both ergosterol and real-time PCR, it was clear that some spruce clones were faster and more heavily infected than others. These results indicate that both ergosterol and this real-time procedure can be useful methods to screen different spruce material for their relative resistance to the pathogen H.annosum.

Abstract

Regional and temporal growth variation of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and its dependence on air temperature and precipitation were compared in stands across latitudinal and altitudinal transects in southwestern and eastern Germany, Norway, and Finland.The temporal variation of radial growth was divided into two components: medium- and high-frequency variation, i.e. decadal and year-to-year variation, respectively. The medium-frequency component was rather different between regions, especially the southern and northern ones. However, within each region the medium-frequency growth variation was relatively similar, irrespective of altitudinal and latitudinal differences of the sample sites.A part of the high-frequency variation was common to all four regions, which suggests that some factors synchronising tree growth are common for the entire study area. The high-frequency component of growth was more strongly related to monthly air temperature and precipitation than was the medium-frequency variation. The limiting effect of low temperatures was more significant at northern as well as high-altitude sites, while the importance of precipitation increased in the south and at low altitudes.

Abstract

One of our main interests is to learn about the molecular basis of host defense responses, using the coniferous host Norway spruce infected with the pathogen Heterobasidion parviporum as the experimental system. This basidiomycete and the closely related pathogen H. annosum are the major root rot causing pathogens in conifers.To screen host material for differential resistance towards H. parviporum, it is a necessity to quantify the fungal colonization of the host tissues. Therefore, we aimed to develop and compare the sensitivity of a real-time PCR to an ergosterol based method for determining the rate of colonization. We developed a quantitative multiplex real-time PCR procedure that reliably detecting down to 1pg H. parviporum DNA and 1ng host DNA.There was a very high correlation between the fungal-biomass/total-biomass and fungal-DNA/total-DNA rankings obtained with ergosterol and real-time PCR, strengthening the credibility of both methods. The results indicate that this real-time procedure can be a useful method to screen different spruce material for their relative resistance to the pathogen H. parviporum.

Abstract

This dissertation addresses questions of timber quality in the interface between the forestry and the sawmill. The labour was carried out in an industrial environment for the benefit of the sawmill industry and - in a wider scope - for the entire wood chain. Specimens from a total of more than three thousand five hundred softwood sawlogs and trees were investigated for heartwood, spiral grain or log geometry. Applying analytic and statistical tools, several models for wood properties were built. For pine heartwood the samples spanned most growth conditions and forested areas in the Scandinavian Peninsula. Age was found to be the predominant factor in heartwood formation. A global model termed the Heartwood Age Law could be recognised: Heartwood age, at arbitrary height in the tree, equals the square root of cambial age less three, to the second power. This finding might be used for heartwood modelling. Based on temperature gradients between the sap- and heartwood, an algorithm for calculating the heartwood diameter fraction in an IR image was established. Used in conjunction with a scanner, the following model was established: Top end heartwood diameter might be calculated by multiplying top end diameter observed in a shadow scanner with heartwood diameter fraction estimated from an IR image of arbitrary end of the log. The observed temperature gradient between heart- and sapwood indicated the accuracy of the method. In the industry, IR heartwood detection might be applied in sorting sawlogs to produce timber of distinct properties. Further, correlation to properties like ring width and knots, and to time since harvest, was suggested. A constant change rate in grain angle was found for the mature part of spruce sawlogs. Albeit great variability in intercept and inclination, a linear pattern in grain angle to radial distance from the pith prevailed for specimens from both of the two separated Nordic samples. A combined model including the juvenile zone around the pith was suggested. Two parameters are sufficient to model the grain angle for the entire radial range from the pith to the mantle in any spruce specimen. The main impact of the finding might be for use in modelling and simulation. Derived from observations in a 3D scanner, four parameters describing the centroid of sawlogs were calculated. Based on these parameters several distinct crook types could be classified in an automated routine: First, straight logs were separated from crooked ones; then smooth and simple sweep (that might be accepted in sawlogs) were separated from abrupt crook. Even more specific crook classes could be identified. In an industrial application, this model might increase the speed and reliability of sawlog classification. Observing the log diameter on or under bark and the cross-sectional shape of a sawlog both have an impact on the yield. Optimal yield was only obtained after accurate observing the diameter under bark, integrated in the conversion process. Based on actually observed crosscut shapes, simulation indicated that this strategy might produce up to one tenth more main yield as compared to diameter observation in one direction before barking. Other methods were intermediate. Further investigations analysing the variation in crosscut shape along the stem and the accuracy of observation were recommended.

Abstract

Schistidium spinosum Blom Lth is described. It grows on siliceous rocks in hill and mountain areas in the western parts of continental Europe. It is placed in the confertum group, whereas the very similar S. liliputanum (C. Mll.) Deguchi has its closest relatives among species of the apocarpum group. Schistidium liliputanum is reported as new to North America where it is widespread in the eastern part of the continent.

Abstract

Several strong westerly storms hit Western Norway during the winter of 1986-87. We studied the uptake, loss and visible effects of sea salt aerosols in Scots pine and Norway spruce. Foliage of was sampled at distances 0-100 km from the coastline between 59¢ª and 65¢ª N, and analysed for chloride, sodium and other elements. The range of chloride and sodium concentrations in needles was 0.5-5.0, and 0.1-3.0 mg g-1, respectively. The local variation was very large close to the coast. The relation to distance from the sea was improved by using distance from the nearest fjord rather than from the outer coastline. Other elements were less variable and not related to distance from the sea, or to sea salt concentrations. Only 1-10% of the needles sea salt content could be removed by 2 minutes washing in distilled water, and still much less of other elements. The amount of sea salt removed by washing was less related to distance from the sea than was the total content. Visible damage to the foliage occurred at chloride concentrations above 1 mg g-1 in the needles. Our conclusions are that analysis of the needles chloride or sodium content is a robust method for confirming damage to tree foliage by sea salt aerosols. Fjords as well as the ocean are significant sources of sea salt aerosols. Large local variation in salt deposition and damage will occur at a rugged coast. Nutrients and other elements are not significantly affected by the sea salt deposition. The use of chloride or sodium as a tracer for dry deposition should take into account not only the enrichment of these elements in canopy throughfall, but also the accumulation in the needles.