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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao European Journal of ...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
European Journal of Forest Pathology
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
Data sources: Crossref
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Beech Leaf Disease Impairs Growth and Carbohydrate Storage in Fagus grandifolia

Authors: Cameron D. McIntire; Andrew L. Loyd; Chad M. Rigsby; Patrick Lemis; Elena Karlsen‐Ayala; Caitlin Littlejohn; Aaron Bergdahl; +1 Authors

Beech Leaf Disease Impairs Growth and Carbohydrate Storage in Fagus grandifolia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a foliar disease of American beech ( Fagus grandifolia ) that manifests as gall symptoms in leaves caused by infestations from Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii, a plant‐parasitic nematode. As the disease progresses, infestations lead to bud abortion, crown deterioration and branch dieback. While BLD is known to impair leaf function, the impacts of the disease on tree carbon allocation and growth are unresolved. Here, we sampled three forest stands across a gradient of disease severity to assess how BLD influences the storage of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) across different tissue pools (root, bole and twigs), used tree rings to estimate growth declines associated with the onset of BLD infestation and evaluated the fine root ectomycorrhizal communities. Our data show that BLD can negatively impact NSC storage across tissue pools in stands exhibiting both low‐ and high‐severity infestation. Diminished starch content with respect to the asymptomatic stand was shown to precede any reduction in growth, measured via post‐infestation basal area increment at the low‐severity stand (1–2 years of infestation). Growth reductions at the high‐severity stand (3+ years post infestation) were significant and coincided with low NSC content, though mortality was not observed among any mature trees. Root‐associated fungal community composition differed significantly among sites, with a trend towards reduced diversity in more severely impacted trees. Our results suggest that BLD disrupts carbon allocation and storage in beech trees, potentially compromising their resilience to future stressors. The complex interplay between nematode infestation, fungal community shifts and altered carbohydrate dynamics highlights the multifaceted nature of BLD and its potential long‐term consequences for beech forests.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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