Transcriptomic changes during the establishment of long-term methyl jasmonate-induced resistance in Norway spruce.

Norway spruce (Picea abies) is an economically and ecologically important tree species that grows across northern and central Europe. Treating Norway spruce with jasmonate has long-lasting beneficial effects on tree resistance to damaging pests, such as the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus and its fungal associates. The (epi)genetic mechanisms involved in such long-lasting jasmonate induced resistance (IR) have gained much recent interest but remain largely unknown.

Cytological and enzymatic responses to aluminium stress in root tips of Norway spruce seedlings.

•  Aluminium (Al) stress reduces plant growth. However, some species such as Norway spruce (Picea abies) seem to tolerate high Al concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics possibly involved in Al tolerance in Norway spruce seedlings.

Effects of Rhizoctonia infection and drought on peroxidase and chitinase activity in Norway spruce (Picea abies).

Seedlings of Norway spruce were exposed to fungal infection and drought in order to investigate differences in their stress responses on the enzymatic level. Six-week-old seedlings were infected with the root rot fungus Rhizoctonia, or subjected to drought, respectively. Changes at the enzymatic level were more rapid and significantly higher in infected plants in comparison with drought-stressed spruce plants.