Effects of Acidic Precipitation and Ectomycorrhizal Inoculation on Growth,Mineral Nutrition,and Xylem Water Potential of Juvenile Loblolly Pine and White Oak

Abstract

Individual and interactive effects of simulated acidic rainfall and mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and nutrient and water relations of loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) and white oak (Quercus albaL.) grown in a loam soil were examined. Seedlings of each species inoculated with basidiospores of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius(Pers.) Coker and Couch, a known my-cobiont of both loblolly pine and white oak, and uninoculated control seedlings received two simulated rains per week of either pH 3.6, 4.2, or 4.8 for 26 weeks. Higher acidity rainfall reduced the growth but increased mycorrhizal colonization of loblolly pine, while both loblolly pine and white oak exposed to these rains exhibited greater foliar injury. Inoculation with P. tinctoriusincreased growth and reduced foliar injury of both species. Foliar concentrations of P, S, and Cu in loblolly pine and white oak, Ca in loblolly pine, and Fe and Zn in white oak decreased with increasing rain acidity while the Al concentration of both species increased. Higher rainfall acidity also reduced soil pH and Ca and Mg concentrations while increasing soil AI. Foliage of inoculated seedlings of both species had higher N and P concentrations and lower Al concentrations than control seedlings. Following the final rain applications, a drought cycle was simulated by withholding irrigation for two weeks during which seedling xylem pressure potential and soil water potential were measured. One day after cessation of irrigation, xylem pressure potential of loblolly pine that had received pH 3.6 rains was lower than that of other treatments. Thereafter, xylem pressure potential and soil water potential of the inoculated treatment decreased below those of the control treatment in both species. These results suggest that acid deposition is detrimental to juvenile loblolly pine and white oak, but the magnitude of this effect is less than the positive response to ectomycorrhizal inoculation.     

Growth and water potential of j-rooted loblolly and eastern white pine seedlings over three growing seasons

The effects of j-rooting on water stress and growth of loblolly (Pious taeda L.) and eastern white pine (Pious strobus L.) were examined over three growing seasons in the field. Seedlings were planted in an area with severe herbaceous competition with either their roots planted straight or bent into a j shape. All seedlings were planted with their root collars placed at the soil surface. During the first year j-rooted seedlings consistently had lower water potentials but never statistically significant. Since both treatments were planted with the root collar at the soil surface, this trend was likely due to an initial shallower root system in j-rooted seedlings. In year three no differences in water potential were significant and no trends were evident. Growth did not differ significantly by treatment at any time but, by year three, j-rooted plants were consistently larger for both species.     

Phosphorus fertilizer,soils, and site preparation influence loblolly pine productivity

Growth and yield of 12-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations were compared among five subsoil textures, seven site preparation methods, with and without phosphorus fertilizer. Phosphorus broadcast before planting increased the mean size of the loblolly pine trees. However, soil differences significantly influenced stand survival, and the method of site preparation significantly affected total stand yield. Therefore, the influence of phosphorus on total stand yield depended on soil type and site preparation method. The site preparation-fertilizer combinations yielding the most volume per soil type were: on the Lucy, Ruston, and Wagram soils, shear-windrow site preparation with phosphorus; on the Kirvin and Shubuta soils, chop-burn-harrow site preparation without phosphorus; on the Calloway and Henry soils, double chopping without phosphorus; on the Sawyer soil, chopburn-harrow site preparation with phosphorus; and on the Boswell, Cadeville, Gore, and Susquehanna soils, shear-windrow-harrow site preparation without phosphorus. Soil differences and phosphorus fertilization influenced the incidence of fusiform rust in 12-year-old stands of loblolly pine.     

Influence of elevated CO2 and mycorrhizae on nitrogen acquisition: contrasting responses in Pinus taeda and Liquidambar styraciflua

An understanding of root system capacity to acquire nitrogen (N) is critical in assessing the long-term growth impact of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) on trees and forest ecosystems. We examined the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and elevated [CO2] on root ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) uptake capacity in sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Mycorrhizal treatments included inoculation of seedlings with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith in sweetgum and the ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungus Laccaria bicolor (Maire) Orton in loblolly pine. These plants were then equally divided between ambient and elevated [CO2] treatments. After 6 months of treatment, root systems of both species exhibited a greater uptake capacity for NH4+ than for NO3-. In both species, mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased uptake capacity for NO3-, but not for NH4+. In sweetgum, the mycorrhizal effect on NO3- and NH4+ uptake capacity depended on growth [C02]. Similarly, in loblolly pine, the mycorrhizal effect on NO3- uptake capacity depended on growth [CO2], but the effect on NH4+ uptake capacity did not. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly enhanced root nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in both species, but elevated [CO2] increased root NRA only in sweetgum. Leaf NRA in sweetgum did not change significantly with mycorrhizal inoculation, but increased in response to [CO2]. Leaf NRA in loblolly pine was unaffected by either treatment. The results indicate that the mycorrhizal effect on specific root N uptake in these species depends on both the form of inorganic N and the mycorrhizal type. However, our data show that in addressing N status of plants under high [CO2], reliable prediction is possible only when information about other root system adjustments (e.g., biomass allocation to fine roots) is simultaneously considered.     

Root growth and hydraulic conductivity of southern pine seedlings in response to soil temperature and water availability after planting

Comparison of the root system growth and water transport of southern pine species after planting in different root-zone environments is needed to guide decisions regarding when, and what species to plant. Evaluation of how seed source affects root system responses to soil conditions will allow seed sources to be matched to planting conditions. The root growth and hydraulic conductivity of three sources each of shortleaf, loblolly and longleaf pine seedlings were evaluated for 28 days in a seedling growth system that simulated the planting environment. Across species, an increase in root-zone temperature alleviated limitations to root growth caused by water stress. In the coldest temperature, longleaf pine maintained a higher hydraulic conductivity compared to shortleaf and loblolly pine. Without water limitation, the root growth and hydraulic conductivity of shortleaf and loblolly pine were superior to that of longleaf pine, but as water availability decreased, the root growth of longleaf pine surpassed that of loblolly pine. Hydraulic conductivities of the seed sources differed, and differences were attributed to either new root growth, or an increase in the efficiency of the root system to transport water.     

Preliminary studies on establishment of genetic transformation system in loblolly pine

A transformation system was established for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) mature zygotic embryos usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene coding for the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was introduced into loblolly pine tissues and its transient expression was detected with histochemical staining. The influences of different genotypes.Agrobacterum concentrations. and cocultivation time on GUS expression and kanamycin resistant callus and shoot regeneration were investigated. The results showed that the highest GUS expression frequency (16.3%) and shoot regeneration frequency (78%) were obtained from genotype 9–1003 withAgrobacterium concentration decreased 9 times and cocultivation time of 56 hours respectively. GUS expression was obtained in all genotypes tested. The successful expression of the GUS gene in different genotypes suggested that it will be a useful transformation system for loblolly pine. (Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai)     

Prescribed burning and hexazinone herbicide as release treatments in a sapling hardwood-loblolly pine stand

To compare release treatments, a randomized complete block study was established in a 7-year-old hardwood-loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stand in central Louisiana established using chopping and burning. There were 5 blocks of 3 treatments each: (1) check, (2) hexazinone applied once, and (3) prescribed backfiring applied twice. The first burn in December 1985 (7 years after site preparation) had a fire intensity of 90 kJ/s/m. The hexazinone herbicide was applied in April 1986 (the 8th year after site preparation) with a metered spotgun applicator at a rate of 3.0 kg active ingredient/ha. The second burn in March 1989 (the 11th year after site preparation) had a fire intensity of 106 kJ/s/m.The two prescribed burns increased the number of stems less than 1.5 m tall from 1,380 to 2,960/ha red maple (Acer rubrum L.), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica var. bifora), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.). Burning reduced the number of loblolly pines less than 2.0 m tall, which resulted in a significant increase in average loblolly pine height and diameter. Loblolly pine comprised 62 and 59% of the basal area on the check and burn treatments, respectively, 11 years after site preparation. Hexazinone reduced the number of blackgum, sweetgum, and oak (Quercus spp.) from 6,100 to 4,560 stems/ha and resulted in significantly less hardwood tree basal area than found on the check or burn treatments. Therefore, the herbicide treatment resulted in principally a loblolly pine stand (over 80% of the total tree basal area was pine) four years after hexazinone application.     

Relative effects of irrigation and intense shade on productivity of alley-cropped tall fescue herbage

The relative effects of irradiance and soil water on alley-cropped herbage are poorly understood. Our objective was to determine effects of irrigation on herbage productivity when tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] was grown in two sites, a meadow and a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) alley (620 trees ha⁻¹), near Booneville, Arkansas. Three tall fescue entries were space planted in the meadow and pine alley with or without irrigation. Herbage mass and nutritive value were determined at 8-week intervals for 2 years. Mean daily PAR was 33.9 (2004) and 37.5 mol m⁻² d⁻¹ (2005) in the meadow, while the pine alley received 5.6 mol m⁻² d⁻¹ (17% of the meadow) in 2004 and 4.3 mol m⁻² d⁻¹ (11% of meadow) in 2005. Effect of tall fescue entry tended to be small relative to site and irrigation. Irrigation compensated for evapotranspiration in the meadow, but not in the pine alley when summer rainfall was about normal (2004) or low (2005). Nevertheless, site (PAR) had a greater effect on herbage specific leaf weight, leaf elongation rate, tillers plant⁻¹, mass tiller⁻¹, and total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration than soil water. Irrigation might have had greater impact on herbage productivity if more water had been applied or if canopy cover had been less extreme. Silvicultural practices should be imposed to improve penetration of solar irradiance to the alley crop.     

Herbage response to spacing of loblolly pine trees in a minimal management silvopasture in southeastern USA

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) silvopastures often are established and maintained on sites of poor soil fertility and minimal fertilizer input. Our objective was to determine whether row spacing affected yield, quality, and botanical composition of minimally managed herbage in loblolly pine early in the tree rotation. Plots were randomly located equidistant from bordering tree rows in each of eight alley width treatments that were 2.4, 3.6, 4.9, 7.3, 9.7, 12.2, 14.6 m wide, and no trees. Row spacing affected the yield, quality, and botanical composition of pasture five to six years in the rotation especially at densities exceeding 840 trees ha^–1. Botanical composition shifted from predominantly cool-season to warm-season grasses between annual first- and second-harvests, respectively, which caused seasonal differences in several yield and quality traits. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) production appeared to be unsustainable under minimal management. Herbage yield generally increased, but quality and minerals (crude protein, IVDMD, Ca, and P) tended to decrease with spacing. The 4.9 m row spacing was minimally acceptable for herbage yield and quality. System design should seek to balance tree-crop yield and quality within the context of management constraints and site productivity.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth and photosynthetic responses of four Virginia Piedmont tree species to shade

To determine the effects of shade on biomass, carbon allocation patterns and photosynthetic response, seedlings of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) were grown without shade or in shade treatments providing a 79 or 89% reduction of full sunlight for two growing seasons. The shade treatments resulted in less total biomass for all species, with loblolly pine showing the greatest shade-induced growth reduction. Yellow-poplar was the only species to show increased stem height growth in the 89% shade treatment. The shade treatments increased specific leaf area of all species. Quantum efficiency, dark respiration and light compensation point were generally not affected by the shade treatments. Quantum efficiency, dark respiration, maximum photosynthesis and light compensation point did not change consistently between the first and second growing seasons. We conclude that differences in shade tolerance among these species are not the result of changes in the photosynthetic mechanism in response to shade.     

Influences of antibiotics on plantlet regeneration via organogenesis in Ioblolly pine （Pinus taeda L.）

Three antibiotics ampicillin, carbenicillin, and cefotaxime were evaluated for their effects on induction, growth, and differentiation of organogenic calli, as well as rooting of regenerated shoots of three Ioblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) genotypes. Of the antibiotics administered, cefotaxime maximally increased the frequency of callus formation and growth rate of organogeni ccalli, carbenicillin maximally increased the frequency of shoot regeneration and the average number of adventitious shoots per piece of organogenic callus, ampicUlin maximally decreased the rooting frequency of regenerated shoots and mean number of roots per regenerated shoot, in comparison with antibiotic-free media. Compared with the control, ampicillin minimally increased the frequency of callus formation, cefotaxime minimally increased the frequency of shoot regeneration, and carbenicillin minimally decreased the rooting frequency of regenerated shoots in three Ioblolly pine genotypes tested. All three antibiotics increased the frequencies of callus formation and shoot regeneration, and reduced the rooting frequency ot regenerated shoots suggested that the establishment of an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol for stable integration of foreign genes into Ioblolly pine need to select a suitable antibiotic. This investigation could be useful for optimizing genetic transformation of conifers.     

Juvenile diameter distributions of loblolly pine characterized by the two-parameter Weibull function

Diameter distributions of juvenile loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were characterized utilizing a two-parameter Weibull distribution to aid in forecasting and simulation of young stands. Juvenile diameter distributions were studied to gain insight into the effects of various stand-level factors. Results show that diameter distributions in juvenile loblolly pine stands can be successfully characterized with the two-parameter Weibull function. Repeated measures analysis detected significant planting density, age, and age by planting density interaction effects for the scale and shape parameter estimates from the two-parameter Weibull distribution. Using parameter recovery techniques, estimated diameter distributions were derived from easily attainable stand-level characteristics (i.e. basal area per hectare, planting density, age, and quadratic mean diameter). A thorough understanding of juvenile diameter distributions should prove especially useful for operational planning of stands on short rotations that require estimates of productivity at early ages.     

Okra production with pine straw mulch

Conventional planted okra in Booneville, Arkansas and Lorman, Mississippi were mulched with loblolly pine straw (Pinus taeda L.) and longleaf pine straw (P. palustris Mill.), respectively, at a rate of 11 t/ha or left bare. At Booneville, plant stand, season yields (18.6 t/ha), pod weight (16.3 g), plant dry weight (2.3 kg), or stem diameter (3.5 cm) were not affected by the loblolly pine mulch. However, mulch application increased pod number (1.22 vs. 1.06×10⁶/ha) and plant height (1.5 vs. 1.6 m), while reducing weed competition (0.05 vs. 0.40 t/ha) and visible plant stress, during periods of soil moisture deficits. Soil temperatures at 5 and 15 cm depth were reduced by mulch until mid-August when plant canopies covered the rows. Seasonal moisture at 30 and 45 cm depths was similar between mulched and bare soils, based upon unreplicated neutron probe measurements. At Lorman, season okra yield (29.8 vs. 24.6 t/ha), number of pods per ha (1.24 vs. 1.07×10⁶) and weed competition were reduced and soil pH lowered 0.56 units by longleaf pine straw mulch. Mulch reduced early season yield at both locations.     

Loblolly and slash pine height and diameter are related to soil drainage in winter on poorly drained silt loams

Soil drainage characteristics in winter and the heights and diameters of 10-year-old loblolly and slash pines (Pinus taeda L. and P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) were measured on three poorly-drained silt loam sites that had been bedded, furrowed, or disked before planting. Quadratic response functions were used to determine the relationship between depth to water table or volume of drained soil in winter and mean tree height or diameter. These quadratic response functions (species × height or diameter: drainage characteristics) showed that diameter and height were significantly related to soil drainage in winter on these silt loams soils. Slash pines grew better than loblolly pines under more poorly drained conditions while loblolly pines grew better under the better drained conditions. On unbedded silt loams, the soil drainage in winter needed to maximize tree height was 42 cm for loblolly and 49 cm for slash pine. Pines planted on beds did not generally grow better than those on flat-disked plots because where bedding would be most benefical the practice did not form enough additional drainage to significantly influence pine development.     

Loblolly pine and slash pine responses to acute aluminum and acid exposures

In response to concerns about aluminum and HCl exposure associated with rocket motor testing and launches, survival and growth of full-sib families of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) were evaluated in a nursery bed experiment. Each species was exposed to a single soil application of aluminum chloride (0.33 M AlCl(3), pH 2.5), hydrochloric acid (0.39 M HCl, pH 0.6) or water, with or without mycorrhizal inoculation with Pisolithus tinctorius (Coker and Couch). After 20 weeks without inoculation, survival in AlCl(3) and HCl treatments averaged 52% for loblolly pine and 72% for slash pine. Inoculation improved survival of loblolly pine, receiving HCl from 49 to 73%, and of those receiving AlCl3, from 55 to 90%. Inoculation also resulted in improved survival and growth of individual families in AlCl(3), but not in HCl treatments. Results illustrate the relative resistance of both pine species to the acute treatments supplied, the improvement in resistance associated with mycorrhizal inoculation and the importance of field testing, following hydroponic screening, to verify the resistance to soil-supplied stresses.     

Herbicides and planting date affect early performance of container-grown and bare-root loblolly pine seedlings in Alabama

The survival of bare-root and container-grown loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings exceeded 90% when outplanted in March at two sites in Lee County, Alabama. At both sites, soil moisture and seedling survival were greater in March than in May. A March herbicide application reduced weed biomass by 75–80% at both sites. At the moist site, herbicide application did not affect survival. However, at the drier site, a reduction in weed biomass increased both the percent soil moisture and the survival of May-planted bare-root seedlings. When soil moisture at planting time was less than 13% on a dry weight basis container-grown seedlings survived better than bare-root seedlings. At both sites, reduced weed competition resulted in greater seedling heights and diameters.Alabama Experiment Station Journal Series No. 9-85802.     

Field survival of containerized red and jack pine seedlings inoculated with mycelial slurries of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Red pine and jack pine seedlings growing in styroblocks were inoculated 8 wk after sowing with mycelium/agar slurries of 3 mycorrhizal fungi (Laccaria bicolor, Scleroderma citrinum, and an unidentified basidiomycete), and one suspected mycorrhizal fungus (Cantharellula umbonata). Seedlings inoculated with L. bicolor developed mycorrhizae earlier and in greater numbers than the other inoculation treatments, with red pine out-performing jack pine in both respects. At 34 wk following sowing, seedlings were outplanted on a cleared xeric site in Baraga Co., in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Seedlings inoculated with C. umbonata failed to form mycorrhizae and were not outplanted. Inoculation treatments did not affect shoot or root weight at outplanting. Red pine inoculated with L. bicolor averaged 21% and 19% greater survival compared with control seedlings after one and two years in the field, respectively. Other inoculation treatments failed to increase seedling survival for either tree species. Jack pine demonstrated higher overall survival than did red pine for both years in all corresponding inoculation treatments.     

火炬松施肥当年效应初报

在福建省上杭县进行的火炬松施肥试验表明,造林时施肥当年就有明显肥效,单施磷肥高生长增加22%—38%,地径增加28%—41%;单株理想的施肥量为71g过磷酸钙,氮磷配合的肥料效果最佳,高生长增加81%,地径增加80%;火炬松造林当年不必施钾肥。     

Ozone,Acid Deposition,and Mycorrhization Effects on Loblolly Pine and White Oak

Abstract

Above- and below-ground responses of juvenile loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) and white oak (Quercus albaL.) to tropospheric ozone (0.0, 0.06, and 0.12 μL L^-1 O₃), acid precipitation (pH 4.8, 4.2, and 3.6), and induced ectomycorrhizal colonization (Pisolithus tinctorius [Pers.] Coker & Couch vs. natural mycobiont), alone and in combination, were examined. After 30 weeks, the filtered air treatment (ozone 0.0) reduced foliar injury but also produced smaller stem diameters, lower total foliage and total shoot dry weights, decreased needle density, and shorter root systems in inoculated pine, growth responses not found in uninoculated pine. Height growth of inoculated oak was increased by the filtered air treatment while leaf density was reduced by 0.12 μL L^-1 O₃, results also not found in uninoculated oak. Ectomy-corrhizal colonization percentages in pine decreased with increasing O₃ concentration regardless of mycorrhizal treatment, and the filtered air treatment produced the highest infection percentages in inoculated oak as well. Rains of pH 4.2 stimulated height growth in inoculated pine while diameter decreased in inoculated oak but increased in uninoculat-ed oak with declining pH. Also, pH 4.2 rainfall increased root weight in inoculated oak while that of pH 4.8 reduced foliar injury but also shoot weight in oak regardless of mycorrhizal treatment. Generally, the my-corrhization response to increasing rainfall acidity was reduced colonization. Independent of the other treatments, inoculation produced a substantial increase in above- and below-ground growth of both pine and oak, and also increased foliage density but reduced specific root length in each species. Overall, these results indicate that the growth responses to O₃ and acid deposition of loblolly pine and white oak are strongly influenced by mycorrhization, but that the magnitude of these responses is exceeded by those to mycorrhization alone. However, the propensity revealed here for both O₃ and acid precipitation to suppress mycorrhizal colonization in these two species may indicate the potential for a gradual reduction in long-term forest productivity in the southeastern United States.     

Durability of selected mulches,their ability to control weeds,and influence growth of loblolly pine seedlings

Several mulches of natural, synthetic, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers were tested around newly planted loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings on a sheared and windrowed site in central Louisiana, USA. The vegetation was primarily winter annuals, some residual grasses and forbs, and sparse woody regrowth. Study 1 was rotary mowed just prior to planting in March 1992, and 35 mulches and an untreated check were established. In Study 2, 15 mulches and an untreated check were established in a 1-year-old rough in March 1993. In both studies, a single loblolly pine seedling formed each plot established in a randomized complete block design, with 10 blocks as replicates. Each block was planted with a separate open-pollinated loblolly pine family.Nearly all mulches had deteriorated to some extent after three growing seasons. Synthetic mulches were generally more durable than the natural or natural/synthetic mulches. Mulching eliminated the established vegetation and germinants, and vegetation did not readily reestablish following the deterioration of a mulch. The soil seed bank apparently was not sufficient to regenerate areas that were once covered with mulch and many of the natural materials deteriorated into a fibrous cover that acted like a natural litter layer. Both of these residual weed control effects -- insufficient soil seed bank and formation of a fibrous cover -- were important in stopping vegetation from reestablishing after a mulch had deteriorated. After three growing seasons, the loblolly pine seedlings generally grew better if mulches were used.