Pinus cembroides Zucc., Is a small evergreen tree that belongs to the Pinaceae family. This pine is popularly known as the pinyon or pinyon, and is widely distributed in semi-arid regions of North America.
This conifer can measure an average of 7.5 meters in height and forms a wide crown. In addition, P. cembroides develops leaves that are grouped in pairs or triads, which can measure between 2 and 11 cm in length.
Pinus cembroides. homeredwardprice
The pine nut is widely distributed in the Mexican territory, occupying almost nineteen states of this country. It is a species native to Mexico, also colonizing the southern states of the United States.
From the economic point of view, P. cembroides trees are widely used to obtain their seeds (piñón). This exportable raw material is obtained 90% from pinion trees. The wood of Pinus cembroides has little commercial value, however it is used as fuel.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae.
- Subkingdom: Viridiplantae.
- Infra kingdom: Streptophyte.
- Super division: Embriofita.
- Division: Tracheophyte.
- Subdivision: Eufilofitina.
- Infra division: Lignofita.
- Class: Spermatophyte.
- Subclass: Pinidae.
- Order: Pinales.
- Family: Pinaceae.
- Subfamily: Pinoideae.
- Genus: Pinus.
- Species: Pinus cembroides Zucc. (1832) - Mexican pine.
Pinus cembroides is part of a subgroup of the genus Pinus called Cembídos (Pinus subsect. Cembroides Engelm.). This group is characterized by late pollen release and small, resinous cones.
Some authors consider that the Cembroides subgroup is a paraphyletic group, if P. cembroides is included. In this way, the Balfourianae and Gerardianae subgroups are formed together with the Cembroids subgroup. The characteristics that differentiate one taxon from another depend largely on the number of needles and the presence of dorsal stomata.
Furthermore, some researchers consider the differences between the sister clades, P. cembroides and P. johannis, interesting. Both species are very similar, differing only by the color of the seeds. In this case, the two species of pine nuts are considered ecologically similar, being able to be sympatric or parapatric.
Meanwhile the synonyms for Pinus cembroides are: Pinus fertilis Roezl., Pinus futilis Sargent., Pinus claveana Schiede., Pinus osteosperma Engelm.
Uses and economic importance
Applications
P. cembroides is a species of pine that owes its importance basically to the production of pine nuts, which provides almost 90% of this item to the Mexican national market. This undoubtedly brings economic and social benefits to the rural population where this pine grows.
The seeds of Pinus cembroides are used as food for the Mexican Amerindian population. This seed has a very palatable flavor, which is why it is widely used in confectionery, therefore having a good price in the market.
Source: pixabay.com
For its part, the wood of the pinion has a soft and light consistency, and is used as sawn wood for locks, shelving, laminate and for the manufacture of packing boxes.
Although the wood has little commercial value, in rural areas it is often used for poles, fences, as fuelwood, and as Christmas trees.
In turn, the resin extracted from P. cembroides is used as a raw material in the manufacture of waterproof materials and as a homemade glue. Other valuable products obtained from pine nuts include pine oil and tar.
Likewise, the pinion is used recreationally and for watershed restoration as a soil protector. In turn, this pine is used for ornamental purposes in pots, gardens, and on the streets of urban areas.
Production
In general, the production of Pinus cembdamientos is restricted to natural distribution areas; because given the environmental conditions, this species of pine has a slow growth. However, under controlled conditions the pinion presents an optimal development.
When exploited for Christmas ornament, this species can fetch prices of $ 3 to $ 6 at the age of 3 to 4 years.
The production of the pinion basically consists of a collection activity by the inhabitants, without the need to use any special implement. Pine nut production is considerably high, and according to the FAO in 1976 2000 tons of pine nut seeds were harvested.
Diseases
Canker disease and twig blight can occur anywhere on the plant. Young individuals being the most prone to this disease, symptoms range from the appearance of a necrotic spot to the death of an entire branch. This disease can be caused by: Atropellis piniphila, Caliciopsis pinea, Diplodia sapinea, Fusarium carcinatum, among others.
Canker caused by Cronartium rubicola. USDA Forest Service - Ogden, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Cones and seeds can be affected by rot, caused by infection with Cronartium conigenum and C. strobilinum. Whereas vector insects can cause root black spot disease, and pine wilt.
Cronartium strobilinum forming a yellow mass on a swollen cone. Edward L. Barnard, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org
Foliar diseases can be caused by different strains of Bifusella spp., Which cause needle rust. The plague of the brown spot of the needles can be caused by Lecanosticta acicola and Dothistroma acicola. While the rot of the needles can be caused by Coleosporium asterum, Cyclaneusma minus, or Davisomycella spp., Among others.
Similarly, P. cembroides can be affected by parasitic plants, mainly by various species of dwarf mistletoe. In addition, the pine nut is affected by fifteen species of Phytophthora, which cause leaf damage and root rot. This last disease is also caused by several species of Armillaria, and by Phellinidium noxium, Coniferiporia sulphurascens, Diplodia sapinea, Rhizina undulata, among others.
The stem of the pinion can suffer fall if it is infected by the disease of the red ring, caused by Porodaedalea pini. Red root disease, caused by Stereum sanguinolentum, can also cause sudden stem drop.
Porodaedalea pini. caspar s
The stem can become rotten with Appalachian mold disease, caused by infection with Cronartium appalachianum. While other stem rots in P. cembroides are generally manifested by phytopathogens of the genus Cronartium.
References
- FAO (1998). Arboreal and Shrubby Species for the arid and semi-arid zones of Latin America: Pinus cembroides. Taken from: Fao.org
- Pinus cembroides Zucc. (1832). Flora (Jena), 15 (2): 93
- García-Aranda, MA, Ménez-González, J., Hernández-Arizmendi, JY 2018. Potential distribution of Pinus cembroides, Pinus nelsonii and Pinus culminicola in Northeast Mexico. Ecosist. Recur. Agropec, 5 (13): 3-13
- Hansen, EM, Lewis, KJ, Chastagner, GA 2018. Compendium of Conifers Diseases. The American Phytopathological society. Second edition. pp 188-191.
- Malusa, J. 1992. Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Pinyon Pines (Pinus Subcect. Cembroides). Systematic Botany, 17 (1): 42-66
- Romero-Manzanares, A., García-Moya, E., Passini, MF 2013. Pinus cembroides sl. and Pinus johannis from the Mexican highlands: a synthesis. Acta botánica Gallica, 143 (7): 681-693.
- Universal Taxonomic Services. (2004-2019). Taxon: Species Pinus cembdamientos Zucc. (1832) - Mexican pinyon (plant). Taken from: taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl.