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Influence of Light Availability on Tree Growth, Defense Wright State University CORE Scholar Browse all Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2020 Influence of light va ailability on tree growth, defense, and emerald ash borer (Agrlius planipennis) success in white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and black ash (Fraxinus nigra) Michael S. Friedman Wright State University Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all Part of the Biology Commons Repository Citation Friedman, Michael S., "Influence of light va ailability on tree growth, defense, and emerald ash borer (Agrlius planipennis) success in white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and black ash (Fraxinus nigra)" (2020). Browse all Theses and Dissertations. 2310. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all/2310 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Browse all Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFLUENCE OF LIGHT AVAILABILITY ON TREE GROWTH, DEFENSE, AND EMERALD ASH BORER (AGRILUS PLANIPENNIS) SUCCESS IN WHITE FRINGETREE (CHIONANTHUS VIRGINICUS) AND BLACK ASH (FRAXINUS NIGRA) A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science by MICHAEL S. FRIEDMAN B.S., Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 2017 2020 Wright State University WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL March 25, 2020 I HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY Michael S. Friedman ENTITLED “Influence of light availability on tree growth, defense mechanisms, and emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) success in White fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and black ash (Fraxinus nigra)” BE ACCEPTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE. _______________________ Don Cipollini, Ph.D. Thesis Director __________________________ David Goldstein, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Biological Sciences Committee on Final Examination: ________________________________ Don Cipollini, Ph.D. ________________________________ Megan Rúa, Ph.D. ________________________________ John O. Stireman III, Ph.D. ________________________________ Barry Milligan, Ph.D. Interim Dean of the Graduate School ABSTRACT Friedman, Michael S. M.S. Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 2020. Influence of light availability on tree growth, defense mechanisms, and emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) success in white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and black ash (Fraxinus nigra). White fringetree is a host for the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) despite being lower quality than black ash. Observations suggest that host trees grown in full sun are more resistant to EAB than those grown in shade, hoWever chemical defense mechanisms and the impact of environmental stress have not been assessed. We quantified constitutive and induced defenses and other characteristics White fringetree and black ash phloem tissue groWn under differential light conditions, and these traits Were related to EAB larval performance. White fringetree had significantly lower constitutive and induced activities of defense associated enzymes and lignin but higher phenolic, non-structural carbohydrate, and oleuropein concentrations compared to black ash. Light limitation did not impact measured defense traits or EAB larval performance, although it did impact groWth and photosynthetic efficiency. Our results suggest that phenolic profiles, metabolite abundance, and groWth traits are important in mediating White fringetree susceptibility to EAB infestation. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................................................viii INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1 Emerald ash borer-host tree system.........................................................................6 Ash species and EAB...............................................................................................9 White fringetree and EAB.....................................................................................12 SPECIFIC AIMS AND HYPOTHESES...........................................................................15 METHODS AND MATERIALS.......................................................................................17 Experimental design and location..........................................................................17 Growth and photosynthetic efficiency...................................................................18 Methyl jasmonate treatment...................................................................................19 EAB larval performance........................................................................................20 Protein extraction and activity assays....................................................................20 Total phenolic and lignin content..........................................................................22 Non-structural carbohydrate content......................................................................24 Oleuropein concentration.......................................................................................24 Statistical analyses.................................................................................................26 iv RESULTS..........................................................................................................................27 Growth and photosynthetic efficiency...................................................................27 Enzyme activity assays..........................................................................................28 Total phenolic and lignin content..........................................................................29 Non-structural carbohydrate content......................................................................30 Oleuropein concentration.......................................................................................30 Principal component analyses................................................................................30 EAB larval performance........................................................................................31 DISCUSSION....................................................................................................................32 LITERATURE CITED......................................................................................................59 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Terminal bud growth throughout the study, presented by species and light treatment....43 2. Total growth rate, presented by species and light treatment............................................44 3. Initial terminal bud growth by species............................................................................45 4. Photosynthetic efficiency by light treatment...................................................................46 5. Protein concentration by species and MeJA treatment....................................................47 6. Peroxidase, β-glucosidase, and chitinase activities.........................................................48 7. Polyphenol oxidase and trypsin inhibitor activities.......................................................50 8. Lignin, total phenolic, and non-structural carbohydrate concentrations........................51 9. Oleuropein concentration by species and MeJA treatment............................................53 10. PCA 1: Control v. MeJA treated black ash..................................................................54 11. PCA 2: control v. MeJA treated white fringetree........................................................55 12. PCA 3: control black ash v. control white fringetree...................................................56 13. PCA 4: MeJA treated black ash v. MeJA treated white fringetree..............................57 14: Emerald ash borer larval gallery width by species......................................................58 vi LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Impact of species, methyl jasmonate, and light treatment on defense-associated enzyme activities, three-factor ANOVA results..............................................................................42 vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my advisor and mentor, Dr. Don Cipollini, for taking me on as a student, for all of the laboratory training necessary to complete this study, and for the professional opportunities I have had over the past tWo years. I also need to include members of the Cipollini and Stireman labs including Emily Ellison, Dr. Donnie Peterson, Alicia Goffe, and Juan Manuel Perilla Lopez for assistance with lab and field Work when needed. Thank you to my committee members Dr. Megan Rúa and Dr. John Stireman III for alWays being available to ansWer my questions. And a huge thanks to all the undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty members of the Biological Sciences Department that have made my time at Wright State University incredible. Lastly, to my family and friends: thank you for all of the love and support you have
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