Population Dynamics of Dwarf Mistletoe on Young True Firs in the Central Sierra Nevada, California

Download or read book Population Dynamics of Dwarf Mistletoe on Young True Firs in the Central Sierra Nevada, California written by Robert F. Scharpf and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Young red firs (Abies magnifica A. Murr.) and white firs (A. concolor [Gord. & Glend.] Lindl. ex Hildebr.) on the Stanislaus National Forest, California, were inoculated with seeds of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietinum) for 5 successive years. Only 3 to 4 percent of about 7000 seeds placed on branches resulted in infections. Second-generation infections developed and populations of the parasite built up on some trees but not on others after 17 years. Variables that appeared to regulate population increases included an 8- to 9-year average between inoculation and fruiting of plants, low rate of fruit production among female plants, low proportion of plants producing abundant fruit (100 or more/year), and irregular production of fruit on plants over the years, Death of infected branches also helped keep populations of the parasite in check. In vigorous, well-managed stands of young firs, dwarf mistletoe populations may not build up rapidly enough to result in serious losses.