SEASONAL ACQUISITION OF MINERAL NUTRIENTS BY A CHALCID GALL ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY

Seasonal accumulation of various mineral nutrients by galls of the cha lcid Hemadas nubilpennis on lowbush blueberry were examined in various phases of gall development. Levels of copper, nickel, iron, and zinc were higher in tissues of galls in initiation phase compared to tips o f ungalled shoots and in general were higher than galls in growth and maturation phases. Levels of manganese and magnesium in gall tissues d ecrease throughout the season compared to ungalled shoots. Levels of c alcium are less in gall tissues in initiation phase compared to ungall ed shoots, and elevated in maturation phase. Patterns of mineral conce ntration within galls at various phases of development are related to known physiological roles of minerals in plant nutrition; however, we conclude that patterns are variable and their significance in gall phy siology requires further study.