%0 Research article
%T Factors influencing endophytic communities in poplar plantations
%A Martín-García, Jorge
%A Espiga, Elba
%A Pando, Valentín
%A Diez, Julio Javier
%D 2011
%J Silva Fennica
%V 45
%N 2
%R doi:10.14214/sf.40
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/40
%X The fungal species associated with leaves and twigs from stands of  Populus x euramericana in northern Spain were studied with the aim of  evaluating the effects of several factors on endophytic communities in  these plantations. Endophyte assemblages were analysed in 12 poplar  plantations (clone I-214), chosen according to a factorial scheme with  two factors: age and site quality. Crown condition, dendrometric  variables and foliar nutrients were recorded in each sampled tree to  evaluate their effects on endophytic communities. Fungal species  richness and relative isolation frequency (RIF) were higher in young  stands than in adult stands. Moreover, the age-related differences  depended on site quality, with the lowest richness levels observed in  adult stands located in poor sites. At stand level, endophyte  assemblages varied among stands according to site quality and, to a  lesser extent, stand age. On the other hand, crown discoloration, total  height and foliar concentrations of iron and zinc may be key indicators  of endophytic communities in poplar plantations, at tree level.