Distribution of the Arceuthobium oxycedri (DC.) M. Bieb. semiparasite and attack rate of Juniperus oblonga M. Bieb. plants in Dagestan
G.A. Sadykova, Z.M. Asadulaev, M.M. Mallaliev
Section: Population ecology
The distribution of the Arceuthobium oxycedri (DC.) M. Bieb. semi-parasite in Dagestan was studied. It is one of 42 species of the Arceuthobium genus, which has the widest distribution and a wide range of hosts. We found that semiparasite is sporadically distributed in the studied area and has a narrower range compared to the range of the main host. A high level of Juniperus oblonga M. Bieb. plants infection was noted in most of the studied localities. Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch individuals (the Red Data Book species) were singly parasitized. The altitudinal distribution range of A. oxycedri on juniper bushes has been established. The range limitation of A. oxycedri for a number of J. oblonga populations (Talginskoe gorge, juniper grove of the Sosnovka natural boundary in the north of Lowland Dagestan, Southern Dagestan populations) is associated with limiting climatic factors. A detailed analysis of the A. oxycedri effect on J. oblonga bushes was carried out in a degrading population on the southern macroslope of the Nukatlinsky Range, opposite the Charoda Village, where the parasitized individuals’ proportion was 45%. We assessed the A. oxycedri effect on J. oblonga individuals depending on sex, age and growing conditions. The predominance of biometric indicators of parasitized bushes, the semiparasite presence both on mature and late generative stages bushes, and on immature ones, the predominance of the number of affected individuals among female bushes with the previously established higher vitality of female individuals, suggests that the A. oxycedri semiparasite inhabites healthy juniper bushes with high vitality regardless of their age.
ISSN 1995-4301
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