Influence of Elevated CO₂, Nitrogen, and Pinus elliottii Genotypes on Performance of the Redheaded Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei

Authors

Milam E. Saxon, USDA-ARS , National Soil Dynamics Laboratory
Micheal A. Davis, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Seth G. Pritchard, College of CharlestonFollow
G. Brett Runion, USDA-ARS, National Soil Dynamics LaboratoryFollow
Stephen A. Prior, USDA-ARS, National Soil Dynamics LaboratoryFollow
Hank E. Stelzer, University of MissouriFollow
Hugo H. Rogers, USDA-ARS, National Soil Dynamics LaboratoryFollow
Roland R. Dute, Auburn UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2004

Department

Biological Sciences

Abstract

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) seedlings were grown in open-top chambers receiving ambient or elevated atmospheric CO₂ (-365 or -720 μL.L^-1). Seedlings received low or high soil nitrogen treatments (0.02 or 0.2 mg N.g^-1) and represented three families varying in resistance to fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum (Berk.) Miyabe ex Shirai f. sp. fusiforme (Hedgc. & N. Hunt) Burdsall & G. Snow). Following 18 months of exposure to treatment conditions, current-year needles were fed to larvae of the redheaded pine sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch)). Needle N concentration and water content were lower in elevated-CO₂ and in low-N treatments. Total phenolics increased under high-CO₂ and low-N conditions and were highest in the resistant family. Condensed tannins did not vary on the basis of CO₂ or N but were higher in needles from the resistant family. Alterations in needle chemistry were associated with variations in sawfly growth and development. Larvae performed most poorly on the family most resistant to fusiform rust, suggesting that the mechanism for resistance was similar in both cases. Relative consumption rates increased with CO₂-enriched needle diets but were depressed for resistant needles, suggesting deterrence from the higher total phenolics in this family. Diets using CO₂-enriched needles or resistant needles or needles from low-N fertilization treatments resulted in lower relative growth rates for the larvae. Days to pupation increased for larvae fed CO₂-enriched and low-N needles. These results suggest that the redheaded pine sawfly could suffer as the level of atmospheric CO₂ continues to rise.

Publication Title

Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne de Recherche Forestiere

Volume

34

Issue

5

First Page

1007

Last Page

1017

Recommended Citation

Saxon, M. E., Davis, M. A., Pritchard, S. G., Runion, G. B., Prior, S. A., Stelzer, H. E., Rogers, H. H., Dute, R. R. (2004). Influence of Elevated CO₂, Nitrogen, and Pinus elliottii Genotypes on Performance of the Redheaded Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei. Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne de Recherche Forestiere, 34(5), 1007-1017.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/8621