Urban distribution of Rhytisma acerinum (Pers.) Fries (tar spot) on sycamore

This study examined ecological aspects of the distribution of tar spot disease caused by the fungus Rhytisma acerinum (Pers.) Fries on Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore). The host is abundant in Edinburgh and surrounding areas yet no tar spots were found in the city, although they were abundant on sy...

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Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1979. - 108(1988), 2 vom: 20. Feb., Seite 175-181
1. Verfasser: Leith, I D (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Fowler, D
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 1988
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article Key words: Rhystisma acerinum (tar spot) distribution of infection sulphur dioxide sycamore tar spot index
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This study examined ecological aspects of the distribution of tar spot disease caused by the fungus Rhytisma acerinum (Pers.) Fries on Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore). The host is abundant in Edinburgh and surrounding areas yet no tar spots were found in the city, although they were abundant on sycamore in the surrounding countryside, especially at sheltered sites. The vertical distribution from a localized source of leaf litter from infected sycamore showed an approximately linear relationship between tar spot index of attached leaves (TSI = no. of tar spots per 100 cm2 of leaf) and the log of height of such infected foliage above the ground. The distribution of tar spots was controlled primarily by the presence or absence of overwintered sycamore leaves infected with R. acerinum. In Edinburgh these leaves are actively removed by man and passively by wind, so reducing the potential source of inoculum by the following spring. The presence of SO2 was unimportant in the distribution of R. acerinum. An experiment to study the relative importance of current air concentrations of SO2 on the incidence of infection by R. acerinum showed that the average SO2 concentration of < 50 μg m-3 hail no effect. The observed distribution of tar spot throughout the city and surrounding countryside could be explained entirely by distance from the nearest source of inoculum without involving a role for air pollutants
Beschreibung:Date Revised 20.04.2021
published: Print
Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1988.tb03694.x