The effect of Loranthus europaeus Jacq. on certain morphological and chemical properties of Quercus infectoria G.Olivier wood

The outbreak of the hemiparasitic plant Loranthus europaeus poses a significant challenge to the protection and sustainable management of forest ecosystems, particularly oak forests in western Iran This study aimed to investigate the effects of L. europaeus on the morphological and chemical properties of Quercus infectoria wood in the northern Zagros region of Iran. In this research, 20 Q. infectoria trees (10 healthy and 10 infected) were selected. Trunk and branch samples from each tree were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. Fiber separation for morphological property assessments was conducted using Franklin’s method, and chemical composition analyses of the wood were carried out based on TAPPI standards. Data analysis involved checking normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, followed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test for comparisons. The results showed that the presence of L. europaeus significantly affected certain morphological properties, leading to reduced fiber diameter and cell wall thickness while increasing cell lumen diameter in both trunks and branches of the host. It had a significant impact on morphological coefficients, causing an increase in the flexibility ratio, and a decrease in the Runkle ratio. In terms of chemical properties, L. europaeus significantly decreased hemicellulose and increased lignin and extractives content, while its effect on other components was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that L. europaeus reduces fiber diameter, increases cell lumen diameter, and decreases cell wall thickness, resulting in diminished mechanical strength of the wood. Additionally, the reduction in hemicellulose and changes in extractive content significantly affect the industrial quality of Q. infectoria wood. This study demonstrates that L. europaeus infestation has profound impacts on both the structural integrity and industrial quality of Q. infectoria wood, providing key insights for sustainable forest management and utilization.