Identifying the factors that influence the spread of exotic species is essential for evaluating the present and future extent of plant invasions and for the development of eradication programs. We randomly established a network of 250 plots on an exotic Pinus radiata D. Don plantation on Tenerife Island in order to determine if roads and urban centers are favouring the spread of exotic plant sp...

Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) are known to be associated with fungi, especially species of Ophiostoma sensu lato and Ceratocystis. However, very little is known about these fungi in Spain. In this study, we examined the fungi associated with 13 bark beetle species and one weevil (Coleoptera: Entiminae) infesting Pinus radiata in the Basque Country of northern Spain. This study included ...

Six clones of radiata pine with known differences in growth rate were examined for clonal nutritional characteristics and for physiological determinants of clonal growth rate. We compared growth, foliar characteristics and nutrient, ¹³C and ¹⁵N concentration data for the six clones in 4- to 6-year-old field trials planted over a range of nutritionally contrasting sites. These data were also com...

Seedlings of a conifer (Pinus radiata D. Don) and a broad leaf angiosperm (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) were grown for 100 days in two growth cabinets at 45 or 65% relative humidity. The seedlings were exposed to treatments designed to modify carbon assimilation rates and capacities, stomatal conductance and transpiration to test conceptual models that attempt to clarify the interpretation of c...

Pitch canker, caused by Gibberella circinata Nirenberg & O’Donnell, is a problem for pines in both native and planted stands. The aerial phase of the disease results in shoot and canopy dieback, whereas soil or seedborne inoculum can cause damping off of emerging seedlings. Based on the extent of lesion development on inoculated shoots, families of Pinus radiata have been shown to differ signif...

We evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of a proanthocyanidin-rich extract (PAE) from Pinus radiata bark in Korean native chickens. In experiment 1, proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly enhanced in chickens administered 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of PAE for 2 wk once daily by oral gavage compared with no administration of PAE in vitro. Proliferation of splenoc...

Pitch canker, caused by the fungus Fusarium circinatum , is a disease affecting many pine tree species. In California, Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) is the principal pine host affected by pitch canker. This investigation into factors affecting infection frequency by F. circinatum of P. radiata examined the influence of: (i) wound size; (ii) relative humidity; (iii) time of inoculation; (iv) ino...

The enzyme hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT) is involved in the production of methoxylated monolignols that are precursors to guaiacyl and syringyl lignin in angiosperm species. We identified and cloned a putative HCT gene from Pinus radiata, a coniferous gymnosperm that does not produce syringyl lignin. This gene was up-regulated during tracheary element (TE) for...

One non destructive method of biomass quantization involves exploiting biophysical parameters of trees such as diameter at breast height (DBH), height, basal area, volume and stocking. Generally, these parameters are estimated through model functions or algorithms which transform a set of remote sensing observations into biophysical measurements. Several studies have investigated the estimation...

Bending strength of Pinus radiata (D.Don) poles is critical in a range of structural applications, such as retaining-walls. Pinus radiata poles in a wet, shaved and steamed condition were obtained from five suppliers located across the central North Island of New Zealand. This sample of poles met the stiffness (Modulus of Elasticity) value expected of normaldensity poles according to New Zealan...