Use the following information to answer the question.
Heterobasidion is a basidiomycete that contributes to mortality of trees. Kuhlman isolated 23 strains of Heterobasidion and applied them to 16 seedlings of 10 different tree species. Partial results of this experiment are shown in the table. (From Kuhlman, E. G. 1970. Seedling inoculations with Fomes annosus show variation in virulence and in host susceptibility. Phytopathology 60:1743-1746. https://www.apsnet.org/publications/phytopathology/backissues/Documents/1970Articles/Phyto60n12_1743.PDF)
% mortality of five host species from five Heterobasidion isolates

Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from these results?

Question

Use the following information to answer the question.
Heterobasidion is a basidiomycete that contributes to mortality of trees. Kuhlman isolated 23 strains of Heterobasidion and applied them to 16 seedlings of 10 different tree species. Partial results of this experiment are shown in the table. (From Kuhlman, E. G. 1970. Seedling inoculations with Fomes annosus show variation in virulence and in host susceptibility. Phytopathology 60:1743-1746. https://www.apsnet.org/publications/phytopathology/backissues/Documents/1970Articles/Phyto60n12_1743.PDF)
% mortality of five host species from five Heterobasidion isolates

Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from these results?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data in the table show that the percentage of mortality varies by host species and by Heterobasidion isolate. For example, isolate 209 killed 80% of oak seedlings but only 40% of beech seedlings. This variation in mortality rates suggests that Heterobasidion strains do not have equal lethality to all tree species and that different strains may vary in their effect on tree species. Therefore, choice C is the best conclusion. Choice A is incorrect because the data show that some tree species are less susceptible than others. Choice B is incorrect because the data demonstrate that different Heterobasidion strains have different effects on tree species. Choice D is incorrect because all data in the table show mortality rates greater than zero.

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