L. Peacock et al., Does host genotype diversity affect the distribution of insect and diseasedamage in willow cropping systems?, J APPL ECOL, 38(5), 2001, pp. 1070-1081
1. Planting of willow genotype mixtures for biomass production has been sug
gested as a non-chemical strategy for pest management. Basic information on
spatial dynamics of important insects and pathogens is necessary for the e
ffective deployment of host genotypes in a plantation. In 1998 and 1999 the
degree and spatial distribution of damage by Melampsora spp. and Phratora
vulgatissima were studied concurrently in a field trial containing monocult
ures of willow Salix genotypes with different willow rust and beetle suscep
tibilities, and two design mixtures (random or regular) of three or five ge
notypes.
2. For both years, there was more rust and beetle damage on plants in monoc
ultures than in mixtures. There were significant differences in the vertica
l distribution of beetle damage along stems between plantation designs for
the 2 years, yet only in 1999 for rust. Rust severity along stems was signi
ficantly correlated between leaves, indicating localized spread of disease.
In contrast, beetle damage severity along stems was weakly correlated betw
een alternate leaves and leaves farther apart, suggesting beetle movement f
rom tree to tree.
3. In 1998, spatial distribution of rust was aggregated in 67% of plots stu
died and in 40% for beetles. There was no significant difference in the dis
tribution of beetle damage between planting design, but rust was aggregated
in 75% of mixtures and 33% of monocultures. While beetle damage distributi
on was similar between years, rust was aggregated in all monoculture plots
but in only 8% of mixtures in 1999. The difference between years and design
for rust was probably because of the later stage of rust development in 19
99 and the delaying effect of mixtures on this development.
4. In 1998, there were significant negative correlations between the extent
of rust and beetle damage on individual trees. However, only 20% of plots
showed a significant spatial dissociation between these two types of damage
. There were fewer discernible interactions in 1999.
5. Plantation design provides the basis for integrated control of rust and
beetle damage within willow cropping systems by delaying the spread and dev
elopment of both organisms. Both pest and disease can be assessed successfu
lly simultaneously under field conditions, a major saving in human resource
s. Initial selection of willow mixture configuration should primarily take
into account the effects of spatial design on rust development.