Influence of fly ash mixtures on early tree growth and physicochemical properties of soil in semi-arid tropical Alfisols

The beneficial effects of planting mixtures comprising of fly ash at the rate of 66%, 33% and 17% by soil volume were assessed for the early growth of two economic tree species, teak (Tectona grandis) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) in rainfed Semi-Arid Tropical (SAT) Alfisols in India. Measurements of tree growth were made at six monthly intervals over a 3-year period. Fly ash at 66% by soil volume of the planting pit significantly increased the diameter of teak at breast height (dbh). In leucaena, application of fly ash at 17% by soil volume was found to be effective in increasing dbh during most of the study period. Changes in soil physicochemical properties (bulk density, water retention at 0.033 and 1.5 MPa, profile moisture content, pH, soluble salt content and organic carbon) were simultaneously studied. Among these soil properties, plant available water (PAW) and organic carbon (OC) contents explained variations in diameter at breast height (dbh) in teak during most of the sampling period, while none of the soil properties significantly explained dbh in leucaena. The highest dose of fly ash applied (66% by volume) decreased bulk density (BD) and increased PAW in teak and to an extent in leucaena during the first 2 years of tree growth. Higher profile moisture content was noted in pits treated with 66% fly ash during the dry period of November (after the end of seasonal rainfall which occurred from June to October) during the first and second year after application. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Effects of calcium, boron and nitrogen fertilization on the growth of teak (Tectona grandis) seedlings and chemical property of acidic soil substrate

Many teak plantations are established on acidic soils with low nutrient availability. There is also poor documentation of nutrient budgets for teak, therefore, a pot experiment with optimal hybrid regression design (Roquemore R311A) was implemented with calcium, boron and nitrogen treatments with teak seedlings (Tectona grandis L.f.) planted in acidic lateritic red soil substrate. Seedling growth, biomass production and root development, and soil pH, and exchangeable Ca and Al concentration were measured. Plant height, root collar diameter, biomass of leaves, stems and roots, root volume, taproot length, number of lateral roots of teak seedlings were significantly and positively correlated with soil exchangeable Ca, pH and Ca/Al molar ratio, and negatively correlated with exchangeable Al. All growth traits were significantly affected by calcium, nitrogen and their interaction, but B fertilizer and other interactions had insignificant effects. To effectively cultivate teak seedlings in acidic soil substrates, 1.68 g kg⁻¹ quicklime (CaO) and 0.65 g kg⁻¹ urea was suggested to be added to neutralize soil acidity, and enhance soil exchangeable Ca content and Ca/Al molar ratio. Urea should not be added without quicklime.     

Site factors associated with the performance of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and Sesbania sesban (L.) Merill in pure and mixed stands in the northern highlands of Rwanda

Alley cropping with leguminous tree hedgerows planted on contours is an emerging practice in the northern highlands of Rwanda where field slopes range from 4 to 76% and loss of soil fertility due to erosion is the principal impediment to food production. Sesbania sesban and Leucaena Leucocephala, the two woody species recommended for alley cropping in the region, do not perform equally well across sites: Sesbania is faster growing, But is more sensitive to pruning than Leucaena. We tested the hypothesis that the two species could be grown together to make the best use of their relative advantages. Species were planted in pure and 1:1 mixed stands at 26 sites to give a range of altitudes, slopes, azimuths and soil fertility levels representative of the region. During two cropping seasons’ growth spanning 19 months, in pure stands, Sesbania produced more biomass, grew taller and had thicker stems than Leucaena: for the same species, stem diameter and height were not different in pure and mixed stands. Biomass and number of poles from 1:1 mixed stands of Sesbania and Leucaena were equivalent to biomass and pole numbers from Sesbania in pure stands. However, mixed stands produced more biomass and pole numbers than Leucaena in pure stands. Growth of S. sesban was positively correlated with soil pH, potassium and altitude; whereas, growth of L. leucocephala was positively correlated with soil phosphorus, but negatively correlated with field slope. All other soil and site variables tested were nonsignificant. The study suggests that farmers can plant S. sesban and L. leucocephala in 1:1 mixtures in an alley cropping setting and retain levels of biomass production and bean pole numbers equivalent to those from S. sesban alone without compromising future growth and production by Leucaena. As well, the impact of pH, K and P on growth and production of Sesbania and Leucaena as a function of field slope and altitude should be determined before extending their use to other regions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

柚木菌根及其对苗期生长影响的研究

在广东、广西、云南 7个点进行采样调查的结果表明 ,在自然条件下 ,7个柚木根系样品全部感染AM菌 ,感染率达 4 0 %　 70 % ,感染指数达 11 6 7　 19 17;4个AM菌对 12个不同地理种源柚木苗人工接种的结果表明 ,全部处理均形成感染 ,感染率达 70 %　 10 0 % ;利用 3个AM菌对 4个柚木无性系进行人工接种 ,感染率达 86 %　 10 0 % ,感染指数达 2 8 33　 5 2 5 0 ;接种株苗高比对照增加 5 4 0 %　4 0 8% ,地径增加 5 %　 4 30 % ,生物量增加 116 4 %　 2 5 74 8% ;统计结果表明 ,无论无性系、菌种或无性系×菌种在苗木高、地径及生物量上与对照的差异均为极显著 ;综合比较 ,3个菌种对柚木生长均有接种效果 ,以G90 0 4效果最好 ,G6 0 0 8菌株次之 ,再次是G30 0 6菌株     

Nitrogen fixation in L. leucocephala L. as affected by rooting volume and competition with E. camaldulensis

Fast growing trees, in particular nitrogen fixing trees, are essential for the establishment of sustainable agroforestry practices by resource-poor and/or environmentally conscious aarmers. An important selection factor for trees is therefore high N₂ fixing capability. This study was conducted to examine biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in Leucaena leucocephala L., as affected by growth in pots containing 4, 10, 15 and 30 kg soil and when grown together with Eucalyptus camaldulensis. BNF was measured by the ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique. Leucaena and Eucalyptus were grown either sole (SL, SE) or in two mixtures (1:1 - L1:E1 and 1:2 - L1:E2) for a period of 6 months. Planting pattern influenced (P < 0.05) dry matter and N content of shoot and roots of Eucalyptus, as the sole planted trees gave the highest yield. Dry matter, N content and total amount of N fixed by Leucaena significantly decreased with decreasing rooting volume. Also, the smaller the rooting volume (or soil weight), the higher was the proportion (%) of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) by leucaena. For each rooting volume, the sole or mixed planting pattern did not significantly influence either the proportion (%) or amount of N fixed by leucaena. For these trees, therefore, rooting volume rather than cropping pattern influenced the proportion and amount of nitrogen fixed.     

两种培育方式对辣木苗生长的影响

以辣木一年生实生苗为实验材料,研究了两种不同的栽培方式——气雾栽培和土壤栽培,对辣木苗高、冠幅、地径、根茎直径和株重等生长指标的影响。结果表明：在苗高、冠幅、地径、根茎直径和株重方面,气雾栽培是土壤栽培的166．5％、147．2％、179．7％、163．3％、802．7％。与传统的土壤栽培相比,气雾栽培能大幅度促进辣木的生长,是一种应用前景广泛的新型栽培技术。     

Characterisation of juvenile wood in teak

Juvenile wood properties are studied in a ring-porous tropical hardwood – teak (Tectona grandis L. F), to assess the utilisation potential of short rotation timber. Compared to mature wood, it is characterised by wide rings, short fibres, small diameter, low vessel percentage, high cell wall, wide microfibrillar angle and relatively low or almost similar mechanical properties. While the average modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture in juvenile wood are 85% and 82% respectively of the mature wood value, the longitudinal compression strength is similar. With relatively small fibrillar angle of 15° and the scope for genetic selection of individual trees, teak juvenile wood has potential for desired dimensional stability. The segmented regression models and visual interpretation of radial patterns of variation in anatomical properties reveal that juvenility in plantation grown teak extends up to 15, 20–25 years depending on the property, growth rate and individual tree and plantation site. The fitted regression models, to explain the age-related variations in juvenile wood properties range from simple, linear to exponential, reciprocal and quadratic equations. Fibre length, microfibrillar angle, vessel diameter/percentage and ring width appear to be the best anatomical indicators of age demarcation between juvenile and mature wood, although maturation age often varies among the properties. The projected figures for proportion of juvenile wood in plantation grown teak at breast height are 80–100% and 25% at ages 20 and 60 years respectively. Received 3 November 1998     

Evaluation of early growth performance of 41 clones of teak(Tectona grandis Linn. f.) at four microsites in Purwakarta,Indonesia

Teak(Tectona grandis Linn. f.), one of the mostvalued tree species in the world, is slow-growing with a long period until it can be harvested;therefore, ensuring that only high-quality seedlings or clones are selected for planting is critical. The main objective was to determine performance and repeatability of selected clones in terms of growth and survival rates in different micro-environments. A 2-year clonal trial using 41 clones and a local seedling of teak as a control were grown at 4 microsites differing in spacing, soil fertility and alley crops to assess tree height, diameter and survival rate that was evaluated in Purwakarta, West Java, Indonesia using a randomized complete block design with four replicates of each clone at each microsite. Teak growth was influenced by clone(p < 0.01), microsite(p < 0.05) and clone 9 micrositeinteraction(p<0.01). The interaction clone 9 microsite resulted in several potential superior clones that differed in terms of growth rates at each microsite. On the basis of diameter only, superior clones(nos. 14, 18, 24, 30 and 37)were identified. Repeatability estimated was Rc2= 0.84 for diameter and Rc2= 0.77 for height. Growth performance of teak trees varied among microsites. Repeatability values for diameter and height characters were high. The effect of variable growth on each clone was influenced by genetic factors, environmental factors and the interaction of genetics 9 environment. Microsite significantly affected growth of teak clones. Clone 9 microsite interaction significantly affected growth of clones and led to the growth of superior clones at each microsite.     

柚木人工林疏伐试验研究

对闽南山地柚木人工林开展不同强度疏伐试验,结果表明,在Ⅲ类立地和初植密度1335株,hm2的条件下,7．5a生左右时即可开始进行疏伐;在疏伐强度10％-40％范围内,随着疏伐强度的加大,林分生长量、土壤肥力、光合作用强度等也趋于提高。根据生产实际,若以年均树高生长量达1．3m、胸径达1．5cm以上为目标,并结合生态效益,则适宜的首次疏伐强度为20％～40％,保留密度为750～1000株/hm2。     

OBSERVATIONS OF A VISITOR ON TIMBER DRYING IN SOUTH AFRICA

The final results are presented of a comprehensive N, P,K and dolomitic lime factorial experiment with Eucalyptus grandis planted on a fully cultivated Mispah soil series. On this marginal site, fertilising had a marked effect on the growth of E. grandis as measured at clearfelling at eight years and three months. The response to single fertiliser elements was greatest for potassium, followed by phosphorus and nitrogen, dolomitic lime having a depressive effect. The best N:P elemental fertiliser ratio was 3:1, while that for P:K was 1:3. Overall, an elemental N:P:K mixture of 3:1:3 was superior, increasing growth with rate of application. Fertilising with 100 g LAN (26% N), 100 g single superphosphate (8,3% P) and 50 g potassium chloride (50% K) increased yields at clearfelling from 56,7 t/ha for no fertiliser to 85.0 t/ha, an improvement of 49,8%. This fertiliser application is recommended for planting E. grandis on shallow soils derived from Ecca shale. Fertiliser treatments also affected form factor significantly, ranging from 0,370 to 0,411 and resulting in volume differences of 11.1% for trees with the same D.B.H. and height. Not only was the response to fertilising highly profitable in itself, but it also rendered the establishment of E. grandis to be viable on an otherwise uneconomically suitable site.     

Heartwood, sapwood and bark content of teak trees grown in Karnataka, India

We evaluated heartwood, sapwood and bark content in teak trees. A total of 27 sample plots were laid out in teak plantations raised by State Forest Department in Karnataka covering different age groups...     

柚木幼林生长表现初报

于1996年和1999年2次在海南省儋市雅里林场进行柚木引种试验，初步结果表明：柚木很适合在该地区栽培，首次引种林木5年生，树高和胸径生长量分别达到7．60m和8．54cm，年平均生长量为1．52m和1．171cm，其树高和胸径的生长曲线趋势还处于上升阶段；第二次引种林木2年生，树高和胸径平均生长量分别为4．53m和4．33cm，年平均生长量在2．0m和2．0m以上。目前两个林分子长势非常旺盛。     

Carbon allocation and nitrogen acquisition in a developing Populus deltoides plantation

We established Populus deltoides Bartr. stands differing in nitrogen (N) availability and tested if: (1) N-induced carbon (C) allocation could be explained by developmental allocation controls; and (2) N uptake per unit root mass, i.e., specific N-uptake rate, increased with N availability. Closely spaced (1 x 1 m) stands were treated with 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) of time-release balanced fertilizer (50N, 100N and 200N) and compared with unfertilized controls (0N). Measurements were made during two complete growing seasons from May 1998 through October 1999. Repeated nondestructive measurements were carried out to determine stem height and diameter, leaf area and fine-root dynamics. In October of both years, above- and belowground biomass was harvested, including soil cores for fine-root biomass. Leaves were harvested in July 1999. Harvested tissues were analyzed for C and N content. Nondestructive stem diameter and and fine-root dynamic measurements were combined with destructive harvest data to estimate whole-tree biomass and N content at the end of the year, and to estimate specific N-uptake rates during the 1999 growing season. Shoot growth response was greater in fertilized trees than in control trees; however, the 100N and 200N treatments did not enhance growth more than the 50N treatment. Root biomass proportions decreased over time and with increasing fertilizer treatment. Fertilizer-induced changes in allocation were explained by accelerated development. Specific N-uptake rates increased during the growing season and were higher for fertilized trees than for control trees.     

柚木组培苗移植技术研究

对柚木组培苗进行炼苗时间、生根剂浸泡、基质营养及根外施肥等方面研究，并对移植成活率和植后生长情况进行测定。结果表明：筛选出最大成活率及有利于植后高生长的参试指标分别是炼苗时间为20-30天；生根浸泡液为IBA100mg/L IAA100mg/L NAA50mg/L；基质营养为每100kg土中加挪威复合肥15-30g、磷肥25-35g、钾肥30-60g。实现上述参试指标，组培苗移植成活率可达96%，植后第一个月苗高生长可达7.6cm。在基质营养不足时，追施2-5g/L尿素和挪威复合肥可使苗高生长提高2倍。     

Assessment of enrichment planting of teak (Tectona grandis) in degraded dry deciduous dipterocarp forest in the Central Highlands,Vietnam

After years of unsustainable logging, dry deciduous dipterocarp forest (DDDF) has become poor in timber stocks and has been converted to industrial crops such as rubber. The objectives of this study were to assess teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) tree establishment under degraded DDDF conditions and to determine factors that influence the suitability of teak as a forest enrichment tree species. A set of 64 experimental plots of 4 900 m² each was set up and observed for 4–5 years for testing enrichment planting with teak under various combinations of two groups of factors: ecological conditions and forest status. Weighted, non-linear, multivariate regression models were used to detect key factors that influenced the suitability of teak. The results showed that at the age of 4 years the average dominant tree height (defined as 20% of the tallest trees in the experimental plot) reached 11.2, 7.8, 5.3 and 3.8 m for very good, good, average and poor suitability levels, respectively. Survival rates of planted teak from average to very good suitability levels were over 90%. Six key factors that affected the suitability of teak were waterlogging during the rainy season, altitude, stand volume of the degraded DDDF, soil type, percentage of sand and concentration of P₂O₅ in the soil. Under the extreme ecological and environmental conditions of the DDDF, enrichment planting with teak gave promising results.     

The effects of species mixture on the growth and yield of mid-rotation mixed stands of Scots pine and silver birch

The effect of tree species mixture on stand volume yield and on tree-species-specific diameter and height growth rates were analysed in managed mixed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Ehrn.).Data were obtained from 14 repeatedly measured stands located in Southern Finland on mineral soil sites with varying admixture of Scots pine and silver birch. Statistical analysis was carried out for studying the effect of species mixture on the development of stand characteristics. For the analysis, the plots were categorised into three groups (plot types) according to the species dominance. In order to analyse species-specific growth rates, individual-tree mixed linear growth models for tree diameter and height growth were developed for both tree species.The results clearly show that the yield of the managed mid-rotation, mixed stands was greater for stands dominated by Scots pine than for stands dominated by birch, and the stand volume increment decreased with an increasing proportion of silver birch. Analysis of diameter and height growth by tree species revealed that the main reason for this pattern is the negative impact of birch competition on the growth of pine trees. The increase in diameter of pine was clearly hampered if the proportion of birch was high. An abundance of birch also slightly decreased the growth in height of Scots pine, although the effect was less than on diameter growth. Species mixture did not affect the diameter growth of birch but did have a significant effect on height development. Height growth of birch was considerably greater in pine-dominated stands than in birch-dominated stands. In pine-dominated mixed stands, the height growth of birch was quite close to that of dominant pine trees, and birches can endure in competition with pines for light.The results apply for even-aged and single-storey managed stands, where stocking density and structure are controlled with pre-commercial and commercial thinnings. The results are not applicable to unmanaged mixed stands undergoing self-thinning. This study provides new information on mixed stands from a silvicultural perspective, which can be applied in decisions involving the management of mixed stands.     

氮磷配施对云南松实生苗生长的影响

为解决云南松苗期生长缓慢问题,采用3×3回归设计,并汲取拉丁方和随机排列的特点进行氮、磷配合喷施试验．结果表明：生长量及生物量与氯、磷用量之间的关系符合二次抛物线方程,反应曲面为典型凸形曲面,即各生长指标均存在一个产量峰值．峰值以前,各生长指标随氯、磷用量的增大而提高;峰值以后,各生长指标随氮、磷用量的增大而下降．根据肥料效应方程求解,得到苗高、地径生长量以及根、干和叶片生物量最大时的氮、磷以及最佳N：P的用量．对应的最高理论产量分别为10．08cm、0．53cm、1．211g、0．387g和1．217g,分别较对照提高了39．55％、14．97％以及78％、75．1％和34．5％．其中,施肥对根系发育的作用最明显,而且各构件对肥料用量及比例的响应规律不同．较高的氮肥比例有利于促进树干的粗生长和根系发育,较高的磷肥比例有利于促进树干的高生长和各构件生物量的积累．     

氮素营养对闽楠幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

设置0、50、100、150、200、300、400、600 mg·株-1 8个N处理,通过盆栽试验研究氮素对闽楠苗生长及光合特性的影响.结果表明:随着供氮量的增加,闽楠苗高、地径、叶面积和根、茎、叶及整株生物量均呈现先增加后降低的趋势,其中,苗高、地径和叶面积均在供氮量100 mg·株-1时最高,而各器官生物量及整株生物量均在供氮量150 mg·株-1时最大;根冠比则随着供氮量的增加呈现单调递减趋势;闽楠苗光合特性与生长表现是契合的,随供氮水平的提高,闽楠苗叶绿素a、b及总量先升高后降低,净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间二氧化碳浓度和蒸腾速率值也均呈先仰后抑之势,恰在供氮量100 mg·株-1时,以上光合参数值均达最高,且不同氮素处理间闽楠光合气体交换参数和蒸腾速率差异均显著.综合闽楠苗各生长及光合指标的分析结果,100～150 mg·株-1的供氮量为闽楠苗温室培育的适宜范围.     

适于金沙江干热河谷造林用的6个树种的育苗施肥试验

对适于金沙江干热河谷造林用的川楝、墨西哥柏、圆柏、新银合欢、苏门答腊金合欢、山合欢等6个树种进行了育苗施肥试验。结果表明:复合肥能明显提高各树种苗木的株高、地径和生物量,其中以施用1%复合肥的效果最佳,一般以施用0.5%~1.0%为宜;尿素对这些树种苗木的生长也有促进作用,尤其是对川楝、新银合欢、苏门答腊金合欢苗木的增长效果更为显著,生产中用量以0.3%~0.5%为宜;过磷酸钙在这些树种的育苗生产中以1%的用量更为适合。试验结果还表明,育苗期间采用1%的过磷酸钙 1%的复合肥 0.5%的尿素,是此6个树种苗期施肥的最佳组合。合理施肥能缩短苗木出圃的时间,墨西哥柏、圆柏2个树种一般可提前1~2个月出圃,而对于川楝、新银合欢、苏门答腊金合欢3个树种可培育出优质苗木。     

以松皮粉为基质的西南桦容器苗培育技术

采用7种不同配比的容器基质(其中包括2种有不同比例马尾松树皮粉组成的基质)进行西南桦容器苗培育试验,用不同基质的苗木平均地径、苗高和容器重等指标对育苗效果进行综合评价,结果表明:不同基质配比的平均苗高、地径和生物量生长均达到显著差异;G处理(黄心土50%+松皮粉25%+表土25%)育苗效果最好,其次是E处理(黄心土75%+松皮粉25%)、F处理(黄心土50%+松皮粉50%),D处理(黄心土50%+泥炭50%)育苗效果最差。建议在西南桦生产育苗过程中使用适当比例的松皮粉作为容器苗基质。