Mechanism and pattern of spore release by Endocronartium harknessii

Hourly measurements of spore release by Endocronartium harknessii (J. P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka on Pinus contorta Doug. var. latifolia Engelm. were obtained during 2 years. Two spore traps were placed beside both of two sporulating galls and electronic data loggers were used to record environmental data. On rainless days, most spores were trapped between 0900 and 2200, when vapor pressure deficit, temperature, light intensity, and wind velocity were high. A similar pattern of spore release occurred under simulated daytime and nighttime conditions in a growth chamber. On rainy days, most spores were released, on average, over a longer time interval than on dry days. Within 9 h of being placed in a dew chamber, the previously intact peridia on a single gall had ruptured, presumably from pressure caused by spore production. Further evidence that spore production is stimulated by low vapor pressure deficit was obtained by moving 11 galls alternatively between humid and dry conditions. Thus, it is proposed that the diurnal periodicity of spore release on dry days results from the production of spores during the night and the subsequent passive release of those spores during the next day.