Physiological impacts of beech leaf disease across a gradient of symptom severity among understory American beech

Beech leaf disease (BLD) damage is associated with the parasitic nematode Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii . Foliar symptoms manifest as darkened or chlorotic galls in interveinal portions leaf, which become leathery and crinkled under high severity of infection. Though nearly a decade has passed since discovery this disease, little known regarding impact BLD on function physiology. This study assesses variation gas exchange physiological traits among asymptomatic BLD-infected leaves across gradient symptom within natural forested stand central Connecticut, USA. Leaves are found to have significantly reduced carbon assimilation instantaneous water use efficiency, increased levels stomatal conductance progresses. Leaf response light manipulation also affected, an increase dark respiration compensation point banded leaves. Additionally, significant influence content, specific area, nitrogen content. Relationships between these yield linear correlations that used infer functional relationships impacted by disease.