Date of Award

12-2021

Degree Name

MS in Environmental Sciences and Management

Department

Natural Resources Management

College

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Advisor

Deidre Sommerlad-Rodgers

Advisor 2

Douglas Piirto

Advisor Department

Natural Resources Management

Advisor College

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) is a closed cone conifer tree native to California. Although it is an ecologically and economically valuable tree, there are only five remaining native populations, including, the Año Nuevo stand along California’s central coast. All the remaining native populations have faced threats to their survival, none more than the non-native disease pitch canker (Fusarium circinatum). This fungal infection causes lesions, dead branches, tree top death, and can be potentially fatal to infected trees. This paper is a continuation of a study beginning in 2001, aimed at evaluating the impact of silvicultural management practices on pitch canker infection, seedling growth, and mortality in the native Año Nuevo stand at Swanton Pacific Ranch in Davenport, CA. Using the data collected throughout this long-term study, the intention of this paper is to understand how plot, plot location, treatment, plot size, and genetic resistance rating impacted the development of pitch canker, and time of death in the native Monterey pine stand. This was carried out through the use of chi-square analysis, logistic regressions, ANOVA testing, and Cox-proportional hazard modelling. Pitch canker presence and symptom development were found to be significantly impacted by location, plot, genetic resistance, and plot size. Resistance, plot size, treatment, and plot were all found to be significant predictors for death time in Monterey pine.

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