Variation in Wood Density, Annual Ring, and Wood Fiber in Quercus brantii affected by Charcoal Disease

Oak charcoal disease caused by Biscogniauxia mediterranea is of most destructive factors in Zagros oak forests. We aimed to investigate the effects of charcoal disease on the wood density and some wood anatomical features of Persian oak (Quercus brantii L.) trees, especially on tree ring width and anatomical traits such as: fiber length, fiber wall thickness. The discs were taken from trunks of declined and healthy trees, the wood sample blocks were examined from the pith to the bark. The sections were prepared and were photographed at different magnifications. Results showed that the in wood density there was no significant difference between healthy and infected trees. Furthermore, a decrease was detected in the annual ring width and increase in fiber length and fiber wall thickness in near the bark of infected trees compared to healthy trees. Thus, it could be concluded that changes in anatomical features may imply the tree weakening and thus harms the trees health.

Keywords:

Charcoal disease , Biscogniauxia mediterranea , Wood density , Growth ring , Quercus brantii L. Fibers