Some properties of the bacterial wetwood (watermark) in Salix sachalinensis caused by Erwinia salicis

Abstract

Some properties of bacterial wetwood (watermark) in Salix sachalinensis caused by Erwinia salicis were investigated. Vessel-ray parenchyma and interfibre pit membranes were often damaged or absent. Hence, they could serve as effective pathways for water transport resulting in water accumulation. Osmotic potentials (ΦΠ) were substantially lower than those in healthy sapwood. 13C-NMR spectroscopy revealed that E. salicis produced levan in the watermark, which is suspected to be a causal agent of low ΦΠ. These data support the concept that levan production decreases ΦΠ, leading to water accumulation.