This tree has some biotic and abiotic factors that cause disease. Which one of the abiotic factors (temperature, nutrients, stresses and even botanical, genetic, physiological,...) are involved in this condition that said above (when the separate and split shrubs of pine tree die)?
It seems that the sense of the question is not completely distinct. A disease cannot be caused by abiotic factors; but the latter may contribute to the pathogenesis. In the pine wilt disease (pathogenic agent: the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) models such factors are: average temperature of the hottest one or two months and the soil moisture of the same period.
Hi
Sorry to disagree, Alexander, but some diseases are indeed due to abotic factors. Poisoning by heavy metals, radiation effects or nutrient deficiency all cause disease, if the definition of disease is the one accepted by most, that is ' an abnormal condition of a living organism, resulting from physioological alteration and recognised by signs or symptoms'.
You need to explain what you mean by "separate and split shrubs". Can you describe a tree in which this is happening?
Thanks for the previous comments.
Dear Dr. Ronald
I mean it is tree that some of its branches in the middle and slightly higher were dried out with no particular reason. Perhaps, this attached picture would clear the issue.
It appears that scattered branches are dying. If this is a "whole tree problem" such as root damage or damage to the main stem, branches will continue to die, and the tree will die. If no more branches die, then the problem is restricted to those branches, and the tree will survive. If the dried needles are from older growth only, the tree will survive. Look for physical damage at the base of the dead branches, such as the bark being torn or missing. Also look at the dead needles for evidence of fungus spores or insect feeding.
These problems are hard to diagnose from a distance!
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