Shoot damage effects on starch reserves of Cedrela odorata

The effects of shoot damage on starch concentrations in large roots and lower boles of the tropical timber tree, Cedrela odorata, were measured over a 30-day period following mechanical shoot removal. The degree of damage was based on amounts typically destroyed by Hypsipyla grandella. a serious lep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biotropica 1995-03, Vol.27 (1), p.71-77
Main Authors: Rodgers, H.L. (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.), Brakke, M.P, Ewel, J.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ALMIDON
AMIDON
ANATOMIA DE LA PLANTA
ANATOMIE VEGETALE
BOLES
CEDRELA ODORATA
CONCENTRATION
COSTA RICA
DAMAGE
DANOS
DEFENSE MECHANISMS
DEGAT
Fire damage
Flood damage
HYPSIPYLA GRANDELLA
INSECT PESTS
INSECTE NUISIBLE
INSECTOS DANINOS
Leaves
Maple sugar
PEST INSECTS
PLANT ANATOMY
Plant roots
Plants
RACINE
RAICES
REBROTE
REGROWTH
REPOUSSE
ROOTS
STARCH
Starches
STEMS
TALLO
TIGE
Tree trunks
Trees
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Summary:The effects of shoot damage on starch concentrations in large roots and lower boles of the tropical timber tree, Cedrela odorata, were measured over a 30-day period following mechanical shoot removal. The degree of damage was based on amounts typically destroyed by Hypsipyla grandella. a serious lepidopteran pest of C. odorata. From 14-month-old plantations at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, three treatments were established based on the length of shoot and number of leaves removed: controls (no tissue removed), moderate damage, and severe damage. Initial starch concentrations were compared with concentrations observed 18 to 30 days following shoot removal using enzymatic starch hydrolysis and colorimetry. Root starch concentrations increased in undamaged trees, decreased slightly in the moderately damaged trees, and decreased markedly in severely damaged trees during the sampling period. Starch concentrations in lower boles did not decrease following shoot damage, suggesting a specific role of root starch reserves in responding to aboveground carbon requirements. The dry weights of regrown shoots were similar for the moderately and severely damaged trees, but severely damaged trees produced numerous basal shoots while moderately damaged trees produced only one or two terminal shoots near the point of excision. Decreases in root starch concentrations following shoot damage and rapid shoot regrowth suggest that starch remobilization in roots of C. odorata might provide a survival mechanism after attack by H. grandella.
ISSN:0006-3606
1744-7429
DOI:10.2307/2388904