Sensitivity to Cladosporium species of the reactions of cultivars of Populus X euramericana to races of Melampsora larici-populina

All five species of Cladosporium tested were found to be antagonistic to the production of uredinia by three races of Melampsora larici-populina on leaf disks cut from four cultivars of Populus × euramericana. The Cladosporium spp. also colonised the uredinia produced on the leaf disks. Of the species employed, C. tenuissimum was the most active antagonist and coloniser of the uredinia. The significant race × Cladosporium spp. interaction in the data analysis indicates a degree of physiological specialisation in the relationship between the races of the rust and species of Cladosporium. The possible epidemiological significance of the results is discussed.     

Effect of Lecanicillium muscarium on Eretmocerus sp. nr. furuhashii (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Pathogenicity of Lecanicillium muscarium, against Eretmocerus sp. nr. furuhashii (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), was investigated under laboratory conditions to determine if the fungal infection of the whitefly host can effect the survival, longevity and fecundity of female parasitoid. The results indicated that the number of parasitized larvae surviving a L. muscarium treatment after 6 days of oviposition decreased with increasing concentrations of L. muscarium and in later stages of development (12 days post oviposition) were not affected by fungal application. There were no significant differences on adult parasitoid survivorship after 7 days among all treatments. Maximum survivorship (73.33%) was observed for control and it was minimum (60%) at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml. L. muscarium showed a non significant effect on longevity and next offsprings of female parasitoids. The percentage emergence of parasitoids from the whitefly nymphs produced by the females emerged from treated pupae was almost similar. Maximum emergence (69.77%) was observed at 1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml and it was lowest (61.02%) at conidial concentration of 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml. Maximum longevity of adult Eretmocerus sp. emerging from whitefly nymphs when treated after 12 days of postoviposition was observed for 1 × 10⁵ conidia/ml having a mean value of 5 days whereas the lowest longevity was 4.9 days observed at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml. The results mentioned above indicate that the interaction among biocontrol agents is positive to a greater extent with minimum risk hazards.     

利用幼虫粪粒数制定防治指标的研究

１９９２～１９９５年经过对枣步曲排粪规律、食叶量、枣树蓄叶量以及不同失叶水平对枣果产量影响的系统研究,建立了排粪量与平均气温的数量模型：Ｆ∧＝０．５６２９＋０．０１６２Ｔ,枣树蓄叶量估测模型：株蓄叶总面积＝株总枣股数×每股平均枣吊数×每吊平均枣叶数×平均枣叶面积,单位树冠面积下单位时间落粪粒数动态防治指标模型：Ｙ＝（２２６．１９４Ｘ３－３７３．７５４６）Ｘ－２３（０．５６５９＋０．０１６２Ｔ）,经林间验证,准确度在９０％以上。     

Development of Melampsora ciliata rust on nursery‐grown poplars in north‐western Himalayas

Development of leaf rust (Melampsora ciliata) in different species, hybrids and cultivars of poplar (Populus spp.) was studied in nursery‐grown plants. Five different criteria were used to assess the disease development. The mean disease index on 10 August was 9.4% which increased to 70.0% on 10 October. The lowest disease index (5.5%) was recorded in P. yunnanensis whereas the maximum was recorded in P. × euramericana‘Rubra‐Poiret’ (59.5%). The apparent infection rate per unit per day was highest in P. nigra × P. trichocarpa (9.7 × 10^–2) whereas the minimum occurred in P. maximowiczii × P. berolinensis‘Oxford’ (3.3 × 10^–2). The area under the disease progress curve was a maximum in P. × euramericana‘Rubra‐Poiret’ (26.7) and a minimum in P. yunnanensis (1.6). Complete defoliation by the first half of October occurred in P. nigra × P. trichocarpa, which also had the maximum apparent infection rate and area under the disease progress curve. Inoculum production was highest in P. nigra × P. trichocarpa and lowest in P. maximowiczii × P. berolinensis‘Oxford’.     

Effects of N, NP, and NPKS fertilizers applied to four-year old hybrid poplar plantations

Mineral fertilizers were applied to adjacent plantations of 2, 4-year old, hybrid poplars: clone 27 (Northwest, P. deltoides × P. balsamifera) and 794 (Brooks, P. deltoides × P. × petrowskyana), in north eastern Alberta. Fertilization was done in May 2003 to see whether growth rates could be increased and rotations shortened. Three fertilizers (N, NP and NPKS + Cu + Zn) were applied at each of three rates (supplying N at 0, 100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) in a factorial randomized block design to the two separate plantations. Fertilization with 200 kg ha⁻¹ N and 100 kg ha⁻¹ P increased volume growth of clone 27 by 1 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over 2 years. Clone 794 showed no volume response to fertilization, but produced 8.7 m³ ha⁻¹ more than clone 27. Leaf area, dry mass and nutrient concentrations of both clones increased in the first year after fertilization, showing that fertilizer uptake occurred. Decrease in leaf size between 2003 and 2004 was affected by fertilizer level in clone 794. There were differences between some nutrient concentrations in the soils occupied by the two clones, and clone 794 had higher leaf concentrations of N, K, Ca, S, Mn, Zn, B and Mo than clone 27. Fertilization of 4-year old plantations of either clone was unwarranted, and planting clone 794 would be likely to provide greater yield than planting and fertilizing clone 27.     

Accumulation of airborne fluorides in forest trees and vegetation

The accumulation of fluoride in natural vegetation exposed to emissions from five aluminium smelter plants in Norway was studied during the years 1990–93. About 2000 leaf, bark and twig samples of 60 plant species, collected mostly during the growing season, were analysed. Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) was widespread and common in the areas studied, and was used as a reference species. Fluoride concentrations in monthly samples of rowan leaves were linearly related to fluoride exposure (average fluoride concentration in ambient air × days since leaf emergence). The accumulation coefficient for rowan was estimated to be 1.7 m³/g dry wt. day. Most other species had values between 0.3 and 1.5; the median for all species was 0.8. The fern Dryopteris filix-mas was exceptional, containing on average three times greater fluoride concentrations man rowan. High background levels indicated that soil uptake contributed significantly to the fluoride accumulation in this species. The fluoride concentrations in bark and shoots of trees were mostly low compared with leaves, but the bark of Betula pendula and B. pubescens had very high concentrations.     

Leaves from grafted Meliaceae species affect survival and performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypsipyla grandella</Emphasis> (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae

In order to determine their effects on growth and mortality of instar II Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller), larvae were fed with leaf disks taken from shoots of susceptible species (Cedrela odorata L. and Swietenia macrophylla King) scions grafted onto resistant ones (Khaya senegalensis Desr. A. Juss and Toona ciliata M. Roem.), from their reciprocal grafts, and from both intact and autografted plants. In addition, crude leaf extracts from the susceptible and resistant plants, as well as from C. odorata grafted onto T. ciliata plants, were tested on C. odorata leaf disks. Mortality was evaluated 2, 10, and 25 days after starting the bioassay. Leaf area consumed and weight gain per larva were assessed 2 days after starting bioassay. Time to reach pupation, pupal weight and length 1 day after pupation, and time to adult stage and appearance of wings were determined at the end of the bioassay. Plant species significantly affected mortality (P ≤ 0.04) throughout the test. Eighty to 100% of larvae fed leaf disks from intact T. ciliata and its autograft, or C. odorata onto T. ciliata and its reciprocal graft died in the first 2 days of evaluation. All other factors measured, except pupal weight and length, were also affected (P ≤ 0.01) by the leaf disks. Intact resistant plants and reciprocal grafted plants reduced leaf consumption and caused larval weight loss. Larvae fed on K. senegalensis grafted onto S. macrophylla extended by 8 days the time to pupa and to adult stages and induced abnormal wing formation compared to larvae fed intact leaves of C. odorata. Crude extracts from resistant plants equally affected larval survival and performance compared to crude extract from C. odorata grafted onto T. ciliata plants, and these extracts were more detrimental to larvae than those from susceptible species. This study demonstrated that grafting borer-susceptible species on resistant rootstocks can affect the survival and performance of instar II H. grandella larvae.     

Temperature sensitivity of qualitative race-cultivar interactions in Melampsora medusae Thüm. and Populus species

Six mono-uredospore isolates (races) of Melampsora medusae Thiim. produced qualitatively distinct reactions, in vitro, when incubated at 15 °C on leaf disks of certain cultivars of Populus deltoides Marsh. The infection types in some race-cultivar combinations were very temperature sensitive with less distinct reactions when incubated at 20 or 25°C. The significance of differential race-cultivar-temperature interaction in the epidemiology of M. medusae is discussed.     

Analysis of differences in field performance of vegetatively and seed-propagated Eucalyptus varieties I: survival and leaf gas exchange

The aim of this study was to compare survival rates and leaf gas exchange of micro- and macro-propagated Eucalyptus grandis × E. nitens, and seed-propagated E. grandis and E. nitens, at a site in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where the conditions were suitable for cold-tolerant hybrid eucalypts. Fourteen months after planting, 50% of micropropagated E. grandis × E. nitens had survived, compared with 87% for macropropagated E. grandis × E. nitens, 53% for seed-propagated E. grandis and 93% for E. nitens. Differences in instantaneous leaf gas exchange and parameters derived from the light and CO₂responses of gas exchange were not significant between micro- and macro-propagated plants, but were significant between species. All trees used water more efficiently during photosynthesis at 16 months (winter; June 2004) than at 14 months (autumn; April 2004) after planting. However, micropropagation yielded plants that were most vulnerable to the combination of prolonged dry conditions and air frost     

Influence of synthetic plant growth substances on the survivorship and developmental parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spilarctia obliqua</Emphasis> Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

The nontarget effects of three plant growth stimulants (gibberellic acid, Siapton and triacontanol) and two plant growth retardants (chlormequat chloride and mepiquat chloride) on the survivorship and developmental parameters of Spilarctia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) were studied. For each compound, various concentrations (0.125×, 0.25×, 0.5×, × , 2× and 4×; × = labeled dose) bracketing the labeled dose were prepared by serial dilution and mixed with an artificial diet for the insect. Gibberellic acid caused an increase in the larval period at × − 4×, but no marked difference was observed in the pupal period or in larval survival at any concentration. Siapton induced a significant increase in larval period at the two highest doses but caused significant reduction in pest survival at × − 4×. Interestingly, triacontanol induced a significant reduction in pest survivorship at almost all doses. The LC₅₀ for triacontanol was 0.206% and LT₅₀ was 266.5 hours at the labeled dose. However, triacontanol did not cause any significant difference in larval or pupal periods at any dose tested. Chlormequat chloride and mepiquat chloride caused significant reduction of larval survivorship at concentrations higher than the labeled doses, and no effect on the larval period. Intriguingly, a significant reduction in pupal period was observed with chlormequat chloride at × and 0.25×. Based on the marked effect of triacontanol on pest survivorship, this study suggests incorporating triacontanol in integrated pest management modules for S. obliqua. Caution in the use of gibberellic acid and Siapton for pest infestations is also indicated.     

Efficacy of different concentrations of Rotstop® and Rotstop®S and imperfect coverage of Rotstop®S against Heterobasidion spp. spore infections on Norway spruce stumps

Two Rotstop^® preparations, one containing a Phlebiopsis gigantea strain from Finland (Rotstop F) and the other one from Sweden (Rotstop S), were used in different concentrations to treat thinning stumps of Picea abies against spore infections by Heterobasidion spp. in southern Sweden. Trees were cut on three sites during the summer of 2004, and 285 stumps were treated manually ensuring 100% coverage. Spore concentrations in the treatment suspensions were ca 5 × 10⁶ and 10 × 10⁶ spores/l, and approximately 10 ml of suspension was applied per 100 cm² of stump surface. An additional 31 stumps on one of the sites were treated mechanically with Rotstop S; in this treatment the spore concentration was high, about 20 × 10⁶ spores/l, but the coverage was incomplete. Three months later there was a significant reduction in frequency and relative areas of Heterobasidion spp. infections on stumps with manual treatment compared with the untreated stumps. However, there was no significant difference between the preparations or the concentration of active ingredient in terms of their reduction of Heterobasidion infection. Mechanical treatment with incomplete coverage failed to control infection. Therefore, in conditions of moderate Heterobasidion spore load in the environment there seems to be no reason to use higher concentrations of P. gigantea in the treatment of spruce stumps.     

Joint action of Beauveria bassiana and the insect growth regulators diflubenzuron and novaluron, on the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and sublethal concentrations of the insect growth regulators (IGR) diflubenzuron and novaluron were applied simultaneously and sequentially to second-instar Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Sauss.) to determine the interaction between these materials and an entomopathogenic fungus. Nymphs were fed on corn leaf disks treated with several concentrations of each IGR, and a constant dose of B. bassiana was applied topically. Additive interaction was demonstrated in all instances when second-instar nymphs were exposed to diflubenzuron or novaluron simultaneously with B. bassiana treatment, and when the fungus was applied first and IGR after 48 h. Additive interaction was also exhibited when novaluron was applied first and B. bassiana after 48 h. Antagonism was demonstrated when nymphs were fed diflubenzuron-treated corn leaves first, then after 48 h were treated with B. bassiana. The additive interaction that was observed in our experiments could still be useful to achieve efficacious levels of acridid control at low rates of an IGR along with a biological control agent such as an entomopathogenic fungus.     

CONTROL TECHNIQUE OF BACTERIAL CANKER OF POPLAR

The poplar bacterial canker caused by Erwinia sp is a serious disease spreading inmost parts of Northeast China,where poplars are cultivalted.The disease seriously infects thosepoplars belonging to section Aigeiros or the intersection hybrids of section Tacamahaca and section Aigeiros and their clones.Five fine poplar cultivars resistant to the bacterial canker have been ob-tained by screening tests.They are Lz_2(Populus simonii×nigra var.italica),A_(15)(P.×sp.)613(P.×sp.),A_(102)and A_(98)(P.simonii×sp.)T following chemicals are obviously effective,such as:50％DT germicide ,40％ XF-136 and 10％ C.C.M.A.or 12.5％ ramphencol and 50,000 ppm/mlvalidamycin,with which the stems or roots can be watered.     

Germination of Melampsora larici-populina uredospores on poplar leaves1

Using an electron scanning microscope the germination of Melampsora larici-populina ure dospores was observed on the lower leaf surfaces of a susceptible poplar clone Populus trichocarpa and a resistant one P. בSerotina de Poitou’. The observations were made from a few hours to more then a day after placing the uredospores on the leaf surfaces.     

Within- and between-site variations in leaf longevity in hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantations in southwestern Japan

We investigated mean leaf retention time in order to elucidate the factors affecting regional and local variations in stand-level leaf longevity in hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantations. Our study sites consisted of six stands at a low elevation (320–370 m a.s.l.) and 12 stands at a high elevation (850–970 m a.s.l.) in southwestern Japan. We also used published data on leaf longevity in stands at various elevations to clarify the regional-scale variations in leaf longevity and their relationships to environmental factors. At the regional scale, leaf longevity increased with increasing elevation and with decreasing air temperature, growing season length, and Kira’s warmth index across sites. Similar relationships were obtained for the variation in leaf mass. At the local scale, leaf longevity did not show a clear relationship with topographic position, soil water content, or soil C/N ratio. Contrary to our expectation, leaf longevity was negatively correlated with the leaf C/N ratio at both study sites, although the significance level was marginal. This indicates greater leaf longevity with better leaf nutrient status. Our results suggest that responses of leaf longevity in hinoki cypress stands to environmental factors would be more prominent at the regional scale than at the local scale, although large variation was detected at the local scale. Air temperature and growing season length appear to be the main drivers of the variation in leaf longevity at the regional scale, whereas the causal factors are unclear at the local scale.     

Rust resistance in Salix induced by inoculations with avirulent and virulent isolates of Melampsora larici‐epitea

Six Salix clones and four Melampsora larici‐epitea isolates were used in two leaf‐disc inoculation experiments to determine whether disease severity was affected by the presence of both virulent and avirulent rust genotypes. In the first experiment, an equal amount of urediniospores of a virulent isolate and an avirulent isolate was applied simultaneously using four levels of spore suspension. In the second, the willows were inoculated with one isolate first and then, after 3 days, with another using two spore concentrations. In the first experiment, overall rust spore production was reduced by 48.6% in inoculations with mixed inocula compared with that in the inoculations with single virulent isolates. In the second experiment, 20 of the 36 combinations involving pre‐inoculations with avirulent isolates showed significant reduction in spore production. The suppressive effects on rust sporulation were more obvious at the higher inoculum densities and on the clones S. × calodendron and S. × mollissima‘Q83’.     

Allelopathic effects of essential oil from Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla on pathogenic fungi and pest insects

This study on the allelopathic effects and chemical components of the essential oi l from Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla shows that the leaf oil emulsion of E. grandis × E. urophylla can inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Pyriculerie grisea, Glorosprium musa rum and Phytophthora capsici. Pupation and feeding of the pest insects Spodopteralitura Fabricius and Helicoverpa armigera Hubner are shown to be affected with restraining effects which increase with the increasing levels of oil concentration. A GC/MS analysis of the leaf oil indicated that the main components, with a relative content of ⩾3%, were alloocimene (43.22%), α-pinene (13.63%), γ-terpinene (5.49%), (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol (3.58%), β-fenchyl alcohol (4.58%), and 2-amino-3,5-dicyano-6-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-pyridine (3.67%). Terpenes played an important role in the inhibitory effects of E. grandis × E. urophylla essential oil on pathogenic fungi and pest insects. Poor biodiversity of eucalyptus plantations is a function of allelopathy. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2007, 26(6): 835–839 [译自: 生态学杂志]     

Physiological responses of Eucalyptus nitens × nitens under experimentally imposed water stress

This study reports on how a cold- and frost-tolerant clone of Eucalyptus nitens × nitens responds to drought stress. The aim was to identify physiological traits that contribute to drought acclimation. Macropropagated saplings were grown in a climate-controlled greenhouse in pots filled with coarse river sand supplied with a slow-release fertiliser. One group of plants was kept regularly watered (control), and another group was subjected to four cycles of water stress (drought) whereby water was withheld for periods lasting 6, 10, 10 and 14 d, with 4 d of regular watering (recovery) inbetween. A drought cycle was terminated once saplings showed signs of wilting. Daily responses in stomatal conductance (g _s) were similar between control and drought treatments, except on the day of termination of the cycle, when g _s was significantly depressed in droughted plants. During the fourth and most severe drought cycle, there was a physiological adaptation to water stress because g _s was similar between control and droughted plants. Stomatal conductance was significantly positively correlated with volumetric soil moisture content in the drought treatment, but not in the control treatment. Electron transport capacity (J _max) increased during each drought cycle, and the increase was significant during the fourth cycle. Other parameters derived from A/c _i response curves were similar between the treatments. Under experimentally imposed water stress, E. nitens × nitens reduced leaf area, increased assimilate rate per unit leaf area, and maintained high stomatal conductance until leaves wilted. After 46 d droughted plants had accumulated half the biomass of control plants. Therefore, a cold- and frost-tolerant clone of E. nitens × nitens may be tolerant to drought stress but at a reduced growth rate because of reduced leaf area.     

Biomass production and potential water stress increase with planting density in four highly productive clonal Eucalyptus genotypes§

The choice of planting density and tree genotype are basic decisions when establishing a forest stand. Understanding the interaction between planting density and genotype, and their relationship with biomass production and potential water stress, is crucial as forest managers are faced with a changing climate. However, few studies have investigated this relationship, especially in areas with highly productive forests. This study aimed to determine the interaction between biomass production and leaf water potential, as a surrogate of potential water stress, in different clonal Eucalyptus genotypes across a range of planting densities. Four clones (two clones of E. urophylla × E. grandis, one clone of E. urophylla, and one clone of E. grandis × E. camaldulensis) and four planting densities (ranging from 591 to 2 949 trees ha^?1) were evaluated in an experimental stand in south-eastern Brazil. Biomass production was estimated 2.5 years after planting and predawn (ψ_pd) and midday (ψ_md) leaf water potential were measured 2 and 2.5 years after planting, in February (wet season) and August (dry season) in 2014. For all clones, total stand stemwood biomass production increased and leaf water potential decreased with planting density, and their interaction was significant. Thus, wood biomass at tighter spacings was higher but exhibited lower leaf water potentials, resulting in a trade-off between productivity and potential water stress. These are preliminary findings and still need to be supported by more experimental evidence and repetitions. However, in light of the increased frequency of extreme climate events, silvicultural practices that are tailored to the potential productivity of each region and that result in low potential water stress should be considered.     

Severity of Xanthomonas axonopodis leaf blight on eucalypt cuttings under different levels of nutrients

Bacterial leaf blight of eucalypt, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis, occurs mainly in forest nurseries, but also affects young plants in the field. Avoidance of leaf wetness for long periods of time over the whole nursery and using drip irrigation for clonal hedges are, currently, the most effective measures for controlling bacterial leaf blight on eucalypt. However, as these techniques are very costly, alternative management measures are required. We hypothesized that the management of mineral nutrients could reduce disease severity on eucalypts. To examine this hypothesis, rooted cuttings of Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis were irrigated with nutrient solutions containing different concentrations of copper (Cu), boron (Bo), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and nitrogen (N) before inoculation with X. axonopodis 30 days after starting the nutrient solution treatments. Concentration of K higher than that recommended, commonly used in miniclonal hedges, reduced the severity of bacterial leaf blight. However, disease severity increased with an increasing of N/K ratio. The management of mineral nutrition solution, especially K, has great potential for integrated disease management of X. axonopodis in eucalypt nurseries.