The Imperata grasslands of tropical Asia: area, distribution, and typology

The rehabilitation or intensified use of Imperata grasslands will require a much better understanding of their area, distribution, and characteristics. We generated estimates of the area of Imperata grasslands in tropical Asia, and suggested a typology of Imperata grasslands that may be useful to define the pathways toward appropriate land use intensification. We conclude that the area of Imperata grasslands in Asia is about 35 million ha. This about 4% of the total land area. The countries with the largest area of Imperata grasslands are Indonesia (8.5 million ha) and India (8.0 million ha). Those with the largest proportion of their surface area covered with Imperata are Sri Lanka (23%), the Philippines (17%), and Vietnam (9%). Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh evidently all have similar proportions of their land area infested with Imperata (about 3 to 4%). Malaysia (< 1%), Cambodia (1%), and the southern part of China (2%) have but a minor proportion of their total land area in Imperata. The species was found widely distributed on the full range of soil orders. It occupied both fertile (e.g. some of the Inceptisols and Andisols) and infertile soils (Ultisols and Oxisols) across a wide range of climates and elevations. Imperata lands fall into four mapping scale-related categories: Mega-grasslands, itmacro-grasslands, meso-grasslands, and micro-grasslands. The mega-grasslands are often referred to as sheet Imperata. They are the large contiguous areas of Imperata that would appear on small-scale maps of say 1:1,000,000. We propose that this basic typology be supplemented with a number of additional components that have a key influence on intensification pathways: land quality, market access, and the source of power for tillage. The typology was applied in a case study of Indonesian villages in the vicinity of Imperata grasslands. We propose an international initiative to map and derive a more complete and uniform picture of the area of the Imperata grasslands. This should include selected studies to understand conditions at the local level. These are critical to build the appreciation of change agents for the indigenous systems of resource exploitation, and how they relate to local needs, values and constraints.     

Paraiso (Melia azedarach var. “Gigante”) woodlots: an agroforestry alternative for the small farmer in Paraguay

This paper describes the salient aspects and analyses the potential of the Paraiso Woodlot System, which is becoming popular as an agroforestry alternative to land use in the degraded acid sandy soils of the humid sub-tropical Guayaybi area of Paraguay. The system consists of a combination of paraiso (Melia azedarach var gigante) with other trees, especially Leucaena leucocephala, and annual crops.The fast growth habit, deep root system, addition of large quantities of organic matter through leaf and litter fall, compatibility with agricultural crops, high value of the sawlogs and production of substantial quantities of poles and firewood make paraiso an excellent species for agroforestry combination. Preliminary results of the trials indicate that the woodlots are successful and with increasing efforts of the extension agencies, they are being accepted as a viable alternative to traditional agricultural systems.Besides discussing the potential of these woodlots based on initial results, the paper identifies the constraints of the system and highlights the priority research areas.     

Effect of rhizobial inoculation methods and host plant provenances on nodulation and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia senegal</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis>

The purpose of this work was to determine the most efficient methods of inoculation to significantly improve nodulation and growth of Acacia senegal and Acacia nilotica, grown under greenhouse conditions. Our results showed that inoculation using dissolved alginate beads containing rhizobia significantly improved the growth of both acacia species better than the growth of plants in other treatments. The experiment with A. nilotica was conducted in two unsterilised soils from different areas. Plants grown in soil from Bel Air were well-nodulated and showed better growth than plants grown in soil from Sangalkam. However, no difference between these soils was shown between the several methods of inoculation and their effect on the nodulation and growth of plants. An interaction between A. senegal and A. nilotica provenances and the effect of inoculation with rhizobia was also demonstrated. Bel Air provenance of A. senegal, Dahra and RIM provenances of A. nilotica grew best of several provenances tested. These results suggest that (1) it may be possible to improve growth and yield of A. senegal and A. nilotica by careful selection of each symbiotic partner; and (2) nursery-grown seedlings of A. senegal and A. nilotica should be inoculated, just after sowing, with dissolved alginate beads containing a mixture of selected rhizobia. Résumé. Lobject de notre travail était de déterminer la méthodologie dinoculation la plus efficace pour améliorer significativement la nodulation et la croissance dAcacia senegal et dAcacia nilotica poussant dans des conditions de serre. Nos résultats ont montré que linoculation utilisant des billes dalginate dissoutes améliorait significativement la croissance des deux espèces dAcacia par rapport à celle des plantes des autres traitements. Lexpérience avec A. nilotica a été faite dans deux types de sol non stériles. Nous avons observé que les plants poussant dans le sol de Bel Air étaient plus nodulés et mieux développés que ceux poussant dans le sol de Sangalkam. Cependant, aucune différence significative entre les deux sols na été mise en évidence en termes deffet des différentes méthodologies dinoculation sur la nodulation et la croissance des plantes. Il a aussi été démontré lexistence dune interaction entre les provenances dA. senegal et dA. nilotica et leffet de linoculation avec rhizobium. Cest ainsi que les provenances Bel Air dA. senegal, Dahra et RIM dA. nilotica ont le mieux poussé parmi les différentes provenances testées. Lensemble de ces résultats suggèrent: ⁽¹⁾ il devrait être possible daméliorer la croissance et la production dA. senegal et dA. nilotica par une sélection des deux partenaires symbiotiques; ⁽²⁾ Les jeunes plantules dA. senegal et dA. nilotica produites en pépinière devraient être inoculées juste après le semis avec des billes dalginate dissoutes contenant un cocktail de souches sélectionnées.     

Early effects of four fast-growing tree species and their planting density on ground vegetation in Imperata grasslands

Ground vegetation development was studied under young plantations of Acacia mangium, A. crassicarpa, Gmelina arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria on an Imperata grassland site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study was based on two separate trials: 1) a species trial with a spacing of 3×3 m, and 2) a spacing trial with progressively decreasing planting density. Both trials were established by use of intensive site preparation, NPK-fertilization, and weeding during the first year. Two years after planting and one year after the last weeding, ground vegetation in the first trial was dominated by Imperata cylindrica grass and shrubs Chromolaena odorata and Clibadium surinamense. In the open area (control) only Imperata grass appeared. Significant differences in total ground vegetation biomass (t ha^–1) between the tree species were as follows: G. arborea (0.2) A. mangium (1.4) A. crassicarpa (4.2) < P. falcataria(9.6) open area (11.4). The early results from the spacing trial showed similar trends in the hardwood species' abilities in Imperata suppression. Highly significant linear relationships existed in regression analysis between the distance between planted trees and the ground vegetation biomass as follows: G. arborea (r²=0.75), A. mangium (r²=0.95), A. crassicarpa (r²=0.97), P. falcataria (r²=0.96). Tree species and their planting density should thus be critically considered in forest plantation establishment on Imperata grasslands, since ground vegetation development plays a decisive role in fire susceptibility, maintenance requirements and the promotion of native species in plantations.     

The dynamics of Imperata: historical overview and current farmer perspectives, with special reference to South Kalimantan, Indonesia

The paper reviews modern attitudes to and uses of imperata grasslands in parts of Southeast Asia, including government and NGO efforts at reforestation. It is argued that the perspective of small farmers has usually been inadequately considered in planning the rehabilitation of Imperata. A historical overview of the impact of changes in land use, population, vegetation dynamics and human adaptation on the creation, disappearance or persistence of Imperata provides a context for the present concerns and emphasizes the wide variability of the situation at the local level. Nine questions are proposed as needing consideration whenever changes are planned to a grassland-based system. They cover three main areas: 1) the origins, past and present uses of the grasslands (including the present land tenure position and variations in uses by ethnic group, socio-economic status and gender); 2) perceptions by farmers of the opportunities and constraints provided by local micro-environments, particularly vegetation types; 3) farmer suggestions for ways of improving their economic status and the potential benefits of agroforestry innovations. These questions are applied to one case study area, the Riam Kiwa valley of South Kalimantan, Indonesia.     

Effect of cutting position on rooting and shoot growth of two poplar clones

One-year-old shoots from stooling beds of Populus × deltoides Walker and Populus jackii Northwest were collected in late fall to determine the effect of cutting position on rooting and growth of hardwood poplar cuttings. Cuttings with a minimum diameter of 9.0 mm were obtained from basal, middle and distal locations on the poplar shoot. Rooting and shoot growth were assessed in the greenhouse and under field conditions. Walker poplar cuttings collected from basal portions of the shoot and planted in the field had 87.6% rooting and 103.8 cm growth compared to 78.8% and 103.4 cm and 67.6% and 88.8 cm for middle and distal locations respectively. For Northwest rooting and growth under field conditions was 84.4% and 94.7 cm for basal, 78.4% and 90.5 cm for mid and 64.4% and 84.3 cm for distal locations. Rooting in the greenhouse was superior to the field. Walker cuttings had fewer roots and buds per cutting than Northwest, however, growth of Walker in the field was superior.     

Absolute configuration of arylglycerol-β-aryl ethers obtained by asymmetric reduction of the correspondingα-ketonic compound with intactFusarium solani cells

When (±)--oxo-guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ether (1) is degraded byFusarium solani M-13-1, the-ketone is initially reduced to giveerythro andthreo guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ethers (2), arylglycerol--aryl ethers, both of which are enantiomerically pure. The absolute configuration in each2 was determined by Mosher's method; the products were converted to,-di-(R)--methoxy--trifluoromethylphenylacetates (MTPA esters) (3) oferythro (-)- andthreo (+)-veratrylglycerol--(methyl vanillate) ethers (3), whose¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were examined and compared with those of four di-(R)-MTPA ester (3) diastereomers from chemically synthesizederythro (±)-3 andthreo (±)-3. To assign the- and-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks, the¹H NMR scans of several compounds that have substructures of 3 and their 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl analogues were examined. When a racemic alcohol reacts with (R)-MTPA to give a pair of (R)-MTPA ester diastereomers, the value was defined as the absolute value of the difference in the¹H chemical shifts of the peak between the diastereomers. It was found that the values of-MTPA-OCH₃ were larger than those of-MTPA-OCH₃ owing to a shielding effect of the veratryl ring located on the-MTPA-OCH₃, and that the-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks in the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl compounds shifted downfield relative to those in the veratryl compounds. On the basis of the¹h NMR data of (R)-MTPA esters, the absolute configuration of the four chemically prepared diastereomers (3) were determined. The catabolicerythro 3 [fromerythro (-)-3] andthreo 3 [fromthreo (+)-3] were identical to (R, S, R)-erythro 3 and (R, S, S)- threo 3, respectively. An hydrogen species in the fungal reduction would attack the-ketone fromre-face of both (R)-1 and (S)-1, givingerythro (S, R)-2 andthreo (S, S)-2, respectively.Part of this paper was presented at the 33rd Lignin Symposium, Tsukuba, November 1988     

Inhibition ofTrichoderma cellulase activity by a stilbene glucoside fromPicea glehnii bark

The stilbene glucoside isorhapontin (5,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxystilbene-3--D-glucoside) is the major constituent of the ethyl acetate extracts fromPicea glehnii bark. Isorhapontin inhibited the hydrolytic activity ofTrichoderma cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I) for both bacterial microcrystalline cellulose and the soluble cellooligosaccharide celloheptaitol. The inhibitory effect for celloheptaitol, however, was more drastic than that for bacterial microcrystalline cellulose. The hydrolytic activity of the CBH I core domain for celloheptaitol was also inhibited by isorhapontin to a similar extent, suggesting that the interaction between isorhapontin and the core domain of CBH I is the reason for this phenomenon. The inhibition of CBH I activity by isorhapontin showed mixed noncompetitive and uncompetitive types in a concentration of the inhibitor of less than 125M. TheK _i andK _i values were estimated to be 57.2 and 33.3M, respectively. Whereas isorhapontin strongly inhibited CBH I activity, its aglycone isorhapontigenin (3-methoxy-3,5,4-trihydroxystilbene) showed almost no inhibition. Consequently, both the stilbenic and the-glucosidic structures in isorhapontin are essential for the inhibitory effect on CBH I activity. Isorhapontin also inhibited the activity ofTrichoderma endoglucanase I for celloheptaitol, whereas almost no effect was observed for the activities of both endoglucanases II and III.An outline of this work was presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

A new diterpene dimer from the bark ofChamaecyparis obtusa

This paper describes characterization of diterpenes of the bark of Japanese cypress,Chamaecyparis obtusa (S. and Z.) Endl, without the resinous stem canker to learn the difference between the cypress bark affected with the canker. A diterpene dimer and two diterpenes, 6,12-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one and 6,12-dihydroxyabieta-5,8,11, 13-tetraen-7-one, were firstly isolated from Japanese cypress. The dimer, 6-(abieta-6,8,11, 13-tetraenyl-12-oxy)-7-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-12-ol, was a new compound. It is a terpene indicative ofC. obtusa not infected with the resinous stem canker. Five known diterpenes were also isolated.     

Structure of xylan from culms of bamboo grass (Sasa senanensis Rehd.)

Xylan prepared from culms of kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis Rehd.), a representative species of bamboo grass, was hydrolyzed with-xylanase ofStreptomyces olivaceoviridis E-86. Four arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides and two glucuronoxylo-oligosaccharides were isolated from the enzymatic hydrolysate of the xylan by chromatography on a charcoal column, a Dowex 1-x8 column, a Toyo-pearl HW-40S column, and a LiChrospher 100 NH₂ column and on preparative paper chromatography. The results of the structural analyses of the saccharides showed that the isolated oligosaccharides had the structures of 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylobiose, 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylotriose, 3²--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylobiose, 3³--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylotriose, 2³--4-O-methyl-d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose, and 2³--d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose. From the structural analysis of the oligosaccharides derived from the xylan, kumaizasa xylan was concluded to be a kind of arabinoglucuronoxylan having not only stubs of singlel-arabinose and singled-glucuronic acid but also stubs of disaccharide units such as-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranose.     

Effects of stilbenes from bark of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea glehnii</Emphasis> (Sieb. et Zucc) and their related compounds against feeding behaviour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Reticulitermes speratus</Emphasis> (Kolbe)

The effects of stilbene glucosides and related compounds on termite feeding behavior were investigated using paper disc methods against the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus. The stilbene-rich fraction and isorhapontin (3-methoxy-3,4, 5-trihydroxystilbene-3--d-glucoside) from bark extracts of Picea glehnii showed avoidance by termites in choice tests. In the no-choice tests using compounds purified from the stilbene-rich fraction, the largest feeding deterrent effect was observed for piceid (3,4,5-trihydroxystilbene-3--d-glucoside), followed by isorhapontin, and astringin (3,3,4,5-tetrahydroxystilbene-3--d-glucoside), at the concentrations from 0.63 to 2.5µmol/disc. No change in activity was observed at retentions of more than 5.0µmol/disc. When the activities of isorhapontin and its aglycone derivative (isorhapontigenin: 3-methoxy-3,4,5-trihydroxystilbene) were compared with that of taxifolin (3,3,4,5,7-pentahydroxyflavanone) in the no-choice test, the stilbenes exhibited a larger antifeedant potential. Methylation of isorhapontigenin increased its termiticidal activity.Part of this study was presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the International Research Group on Wood Preservation, 2001     

Fallow enrichment of a traditional slash/mulch system in southern Costa Rica: comparisons of biomass production and crop yield

The slash and mulch system of frijol tapado or covered bean is a pre-hispanic system of bean production found throughout much of Central America. However, land use pressures have forced farmers to shorten the traditional fallow period, thus resulting in decreasing productivity. A potential solution is to enrich the fallow by using leguminous nitrogen-fixing trees. The enriched fallow systems evaluated in this study include both single and mixed species treatments: 1) Erythrina poeppigiana; 2) Calliandra colothrysus; 3) Gliricidia sepium; 4) Inga edulis; 5) Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana; 6) Inga edulis and Calliandra calothrysus; and 7) Inga edulis and Gliricidia sepium. Biomass production of the fallow vegetation is shown to be of greater quality and quantity in all fallow enrichment treatments. However, bean yields did not show a significant response to the fallow enrichment treatments.     

Vertikalbewegungen Rickettsiose-kranker Larven vonAmphimallon solstitiale (LINNAEUS),Anomala dubia aenea (DE GEER) undMaladera brunnea (LINNAEUS)(Col., Lamellicornia)

Zusammenfassung DurchRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP infizierte Maikäfer-Engerlinge wandern während des Spätherbstes und Winters im Freiland absterbend auf die Erdoberfläche. Als Begleitarten inMelolontha Larvenpopulationen kamen im Gebiet vor:Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) undMaladera brunnea (L.). MitR. melolonthae künstlich infiziert, zeigten sie im Orientierungsversuch die gleiche Aufwanderungstendenz wie kranke Maikäferengerlinge, am deutlichsten die vonM. brunnea. Auf dem Waldboden fanden sich kranke Larven dieser Art in einigen Fällen.

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Summary Larvae ofMelolontha spp. infested withRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP move during October– January to the top of the soil where they eventually die. Larvae ofAmphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) andMaladera brunnea (L.) are susceptible forR. melolonthae, too. In experiments, artificially infested individuals showed a similar tendency to move upward. This was most pronounced inM. brunnea, of which some infested larvae were found on the forest floor.

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Résumé Larves du hanneton, infectées parRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP, se rendent à la surface de la terre au fin de l'automme et dans l'hivers. Comme espèces accompagnant les populations larvaires deMelolontha nous avons trouvés:Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) etMaladera brunnea (L.). Ils out démonstré, après une infection artificielle avecR. melolonthae, la mème tendence dans les essais d'orientation comme les vers blancs malades deMelolontha. Le phé nomène etait le plus prononcé parmi les larves deMaladera. De cette espèce nous avons trouvés plusieurs larves malades à la surface de la terre en plein champs.

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Rickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) Philip Melolontha- . . Melolontha- :Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (De G.) Maladera brunnea (L.). R. melolonthae , Melolontha-, M. brunnea. .

     

Tropical red gums — a source of 1,8-cineole-rich Eucalyptus oil

Tropical provenances of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and E. tereticornis Smith were studied, in their natural habitat in Australia and in a 3.75-year-old progeny trial in Zimbabwe, for their potential to produce medicinal-grade essential oils. Substantial interand intra-specific variation in the contents of five prominent monoterpenes, 1,8-cineole, -pinene, -pinene, limonene and p-cymene was found. Plantations of E. camaldulensis established in the wet/dry tropics using seed from Petford in northern Queensland offer immediate potential for oil production. Other widely-planted Queensland provenances with oil potential are Gilbert River Bridge E. camaldulensis and, after some genetic improvement, E. tereticonis from Morehead and Kennedy Rivers. Select individual trees at Petford provide oil of enhanced quality, at about double the yield of average trees.     

5α-Reductase inhibitory component from leaves ofArtocarpus altilis

The inhibitory effects of 17 samples prepared from Thailand plants on 5-reductase activity were examined. The acetone extract of leaves ofArtocarpus altilis showed potent 5-reductase inhibitory activity. Fractionation guided by 5-reductase inhibition led to the isolation of 2-geranyl-2,3,4,4-tetrahydroxydihydrochalcone from the acetone extract of leaves ofA. altilis. This compound showed more potent inhibitory effect (IC₅₀=38M) than-linolenic acid known as a naturally occurring potent inhibitor.     

Zum Auftreten einiger Laus- und Käferarfen an Jungkiefern

Summary Larvae ofErnobius spp. and adults ofBrachyderes incanus were serious pests of shoots ofPinus silvestris andP. contorta at several localities of Rhine valley and near Meppen/Ems.In the same areas aphids(Lachninae) and their predators were very abundant.Protolachnus agilis Kltb. became very harmful on young pines in experiment field cages where predators had been excluded.Pineus sp. was frequent in the field cages and in young pine plantations near Meppen.

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Résumé En divers endroits de la vallée du Rhin et près de Meppen/Emsland, des larves d'Ernobius spp. et des adultes deBrachydeles incanus furent observés comme étant de sérieux pour les jeunes pousses dePinus silvestris et deP. contorta.Dans les mêmes régions des pucerons(Lachninae) et leurs prédateurs étaient très abondants.Protolachnus agilis Kltb. divint très nuisible aux jeunes pins placés dans des cages expérimentales où les prédateurs avaient été enfermés.Pineus sp. é tait aussi abondant dans cages expérimentales et dans les plantations de jeunes pins près de Meppen.

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Meppen/Emsland Eronobius spp. Brachyderes incanus, Pinus silvestris P. contorta. (Lachninae) Protolachnus agilis Kltb. , - .Pineus sp. - Meppen.

     

Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the midwestern USA: 3. Competition for nitrogen and litter decomposition dynamics

An experiment was conducted in an 11-year-old black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), maize (Zea mays L.) alley cropping system in the midwestern USA to examine the extent of tree-crop competition for nitrogen and decomposition dynamics of tree leaves and fine roots. A below-ground polyethylene root barrier (1.2 m deep) isolated black walnut roots from maize alleys in half the number of plots providing two treatments viz. barrier and no barrier. The percentage of N derived from fertilizer (%NDF) and fertilizer use efficiency (%UFN) were determined using ¹⁵N enriched fertilizer. Further, maize grain and stover biomass, tree leaf biomass, tissue N concentration, and N content were quantified in both treatments. The barrier treatment resulted in a significantly greater grain (67.3% more) and stover (37.2% more) biomass than the no barrier treatment. The %NDF in both grain and stover was higher in the no barrier treatment as a result of competition from tree roots for water and mineralized N in soil. Maize plants growing in the no barrier treatment had a lower %UFN than those in the barrier treatment due to their smaller size and inability to take up fertilizer. Analysis of tree leaf and fine root decomposition patterns revealed faster release of N (39% over 15 days for black walnut and 17.7% for red oak) and P (30% over 15 days for both species) from roots compared to the leaves of both species. Following an early release of P (11.3% over 45 days), red oak leaves exhibited significant immobilization for the rest of the incubation period. The data indicate that competition for N from fertilizer is minimal since nutrient acquisition is not simultaneous among black walnut and maize. However, competition for mineralized N in soil can exist between black walnut and maize depending on water availability and competition. Tree leaves and fine roots can enhance soil nutrient pools through the addition of soil carbon and nutrients. Tree fine roots seem to play a more significant role in nutrient cycling within the alley cropping system because of their faster release of both N and P as compared to leaves. Selection of tree species and their phenology will impact the magnitude and rate of nutrient cycling.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the midwestern USA: 2. Competition for water

A study was carried out in an alley cropping system in the Eastern Maize Belt of the United States with the objective of quantifying the competition for water between trees (black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). Spatial and temporal variation in soil moisture, tree and maize rooting patterns, tree and maize water uptake, and maize leaf area expansion were determined in three treatments; barrier (polyethylene root barriers separating maize and tree roots), trench (trenching without a polyethylene barrier), and no barrier (control). Significant temporal variation in soil moisture was observed in both black walnut and red oak alley cropping systems. The barrier and trench treatments resulted in higher soil moisture in the maize alley and lower soil moisture in the tree row than the no barrier treatment. Uptake of water by maize was higher in the barrier than the no barrier treatment. However, tree water uptake was higher in the no barrier treatment than in the barrier treatment because tree roots utilized water from the maize alley. Maize leaf area was negatively impacted by water stress in the no barrier treatment. Quantification of rooting patterns revealed that maize and tree roots were concentrated in the top 30 cm soil layer where water fluctuations were greatest. The barrier and trench treatments successfully eliminated the belowground root competition between trees and maize and resulted in greater leaf area and higher grain yields than the no barrier treatment. Thus, competition for water rather than competition for light seems to be critical in defining the productivity and sustainability of this alley cropping system.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The espinal: agroforestry systems of the mediterranean — type climate region of Chile

The Central Valley of Chile is largely occupied by a pseudo-savanna called espinal consisting of a single dominant tree species, Acacia caven (Mol.) Mol. (Leguminosae), and some 215 annuals, most of which were inadvertently introduced from the Mediterranean Basin. The probable origin and current distribution of the espino (Acacia caven) and the espinales in Chile are described. Predominant production systems of the espinal in both the semiarid and subhumid regions of Chile are outlined, with emphasis on the later region. Causes of the current low levels of productivity are discussed, and various strategies for long-term improvement of the espinal are presented.     

Holzangriff durch Larven der AmpferblattwespeAmetastegia glabrata Fall.(Hym., Tenthredinidae)

Zusammenfassung Die Altlarven 2. Generation der AmpferblattwespeAmetastegia glabrata Fall. sind im Obstbau als Schädling bekannt. Die Schäden entstehen bei dem Versuch der Larven, in Früchten Puppenkammern anzulegen.Üblicherweise verpuppen sich die Larven in den trockenen Stengeln der Nährpflanzen(Polygonaceae) oder anderem trockenem oder verholzten Pflanzenmaterial.Es wird über einen gesicherten Fall berichtet, in demAmetastegia glabrata-Larven in verarbeitetem Nutzholz (Plakattafel) schädlich geworden sind. Ein weiterer Fall konnte nicht völlig geklärt werden; jedoch waren auch hier Blaltwespen-Larven in einer Wohnung in verarbeitetes Nutzholz (Türrahmen) eingedrungen.Nach dem geringen Umfang der Schäden, die nur durch die Anlage kurzer Puppenkammern in weichen Holzteilen entstehen, istAmetastegia glabrata in die Gruppe der gelegentlichen Holzzerstörer einzureihen. Allerdings kann durch diese Art völlig gesundes Holz im Freiland angegriffen werden.Holzschutzsalze vom U-Typ genügen zur Vorbeugung nicht. Vorbeugungs- und Bekämpfungsmaßnahmen werden besprochen.

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Summary Attack on wood by larvae of the dock sawfly Ametastegia glabiata Fall. (Hym., Tenthiedinidae) Normally the mature larvae of the last brood of the dock sawfly bore themselves for pupation into dry stems of plants.By the gnawing efforts in certain years of appearance in masses, however, they may attack fruit too, especially apples, and cause considerable damage by numerous gnawing spots.Besides these known injuries on fruitA. glabrata has now been stated in two cases as an occasionally dangerous animal to dry timber too.The damage caused is described by word and picture; preventive and curative measures are discussed.

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Résumé Attaque du bois par des larves de la Tenthrenidé Ametastegia glabrata Fall. (Hym., Tenthredinidae) Normalment les larves adultes de l'A. glabrata se forent dans les tiges sèches des plantes pour la mé tamorphose.Cependant aussi des fruits, surtout des pommes, sont attaqués par le ronger pendant les anées quand ces insectes paraîssent en masse. Des dommages considérables sont provoqués aux points d'attaque nombreux.A côté de ces dommages connus aux fruits l'A. glabrata a été constaté en deux cas comme causeur de dommage par occasion en bois sec de construction.Les dommages sont décrits et figurés; des methodes preventives et curatives sont discutées.

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? Ametastegia glabrata Fall. (Hym., Tenthredinidae) . , , , . Ametastegia glabrata Fall. ( ) . , .

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Mitteilung aus dem Holzschutzlaboratorium der Farbenfabriken Bayer AG., Werb Uerdingen