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- Title
The effects of the smut fungus Microbotryum bistortarum on survival and growth of Polygonum viviparum in Svalbard, Norway.
- Authors
Tojo, Motoaki; Nishitani, Satomi
- Abstract
The effect of the smut fungus Microbotryum bistortarum (de Candolle) K. Vánky on Polygonum viviparum L. was investigated in the High Arctic region, Svalbard, Norway, from 2000 to 2004. Ninety-two plants in a field plot were monitored for disease occurrence, plant survival, and plant growth. The disease, initially identified in 20 plants, only spread to one additional plant in 4 years. Once infected, the plants remained infected. Although a few of the 71 uninfected plants disappeared or died without any apparent signs of disease, the majority remained healthy without smut throughout the study. The percent survival among smut-infected plants was significantly lower than that of healthy plants in 2004 (P < 0.001). The number of bulbils, the number of flowers, and the size of the largest leaves of smut-infected plants were significantly lower than those of healthy plants. These results suggest infection by M. bistortarum can negatively impact populations of P. viviparum in the High Arctic region by lowering plant growth and longevity. Teliospore surface characteristics and germination patterns of the High Arctic specimens of M. bistortarum were also documented.
- Subjects
SVALBARD (Norway); ARCTIC regions; SMUT fungi; POLYGONUM viviparum; PLANT growth; POLYGONUM; MORPHOLOGY; ARCTIC research; PLANT diseases; BOTANY
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Botany, 2005, Vol 83, Issue 11, p1513
- ISSN
0008-4026
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/b05-125