Physiological needle droop
- French disease name: Affaissement physiologique des aiguilles
- Pathogen name: Plicatura anomala gymnospermae Nature
- Class: Torridae
Distribution
Canada
Damage, symptoms and biology
Physiological needle droop is a condition caused by high temperatures usually in combination with warm, drying winds. This set of conditions results in excessive water loss by immature conifer needles at a rate that exceeds the plant's ability to replace the moisture. The end result is the death of the succulent new tissue of the needles under the needle sheath. The needles collapse and droop downward.
Canadian Forest Service Publications
Information on host(s)
This condition commonly occurs in young red pine plantations.
Main host(s)
Conifer, red pine