Factors influencing the incidence of Rosellinia necatrix Prill. in poplars1

Tests were carried out in controlled environments to ascertain the effects of some physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil on the spread of Rosellinia necatrix and on the development of its infection in poplars. Following the results obtained, cultivation techniques have been suggested which could prevent the diffusion of the fungus or reduce the damage it causes.     

Phytophthora citrophthora,a new pathogen causing decline on horse chestnut in Turkey

Dieback symptoms were observed on horse chestnut trees planted approximately 40 years ago in Ankara, Turkey. Lesions at the stem bases of the affected trees were similar to those of ink disease on sweet chestnut. A Phytophthora sp. was isolated from the fine roots and soil samples collected around the stem bases by baiting using chestnut leaves. The pathogen was identified as Phytophthora citrophthora based on several morphological features and DNA sequences of the ITS region. Pathogenicity of P. citrophthora was tested by stem inoculation on 3‐year‐old horse chestnut saplings. P. citrophthora produced large cankers in 20 days and killed 40% of the saplings. This is the first report of P. citrophthora causing dieback on horse chestnut.     

A new model to analyze water retention characteristics of forest soils based on soil pore radius distribution

The soil water retention model proposed by Kosugi was modified to have a relatively simple functional form. The resulting water retention model (the lognormal distribution model) contains two parameters which have physical significance on the water retention curve and are related directly to the statistics of the soil pore radius distribution functiong(r). The observed retention data sets of 282 undisturbed forest soils taken from Mashimo were analyzed using the lognormal distribution model, and it was shown that the model performs fairly well for every data set. The estimated parameters of the model indicated that the water retention characteristics of the undisturbed forest soils are related to the soil structure more closely than to the soil texture. Many crumb-structure forest soils have greater median ofg(r) than the crumb and granular-structure soils. Disturbed loamy soils have smaller median ofg(r) than many of the undisturbed forest soils and disturbed sandy soils have smallerg(r) width than the forest soils. The brown forest soils taken from A-horizon generally have the greater median ofg(r) than the brown forest soils taken from B-horizon. Some of the brown forest soils have the greater width ofg(r) than the black soils. The median ofg(r) of brown forest soil taken from A-horizon generally becomes greater as the soil moisture condition becomes wet.     

毛竹扩张对常绿阔叶林土壤性质的影响及相关分析

[目的]为探讨毛竹向邻近常绿阔叶林扩张对土壤性质的影响。[方法]本研究选取江西大岗山森林生态定位站常绿阔叶林、2∶8竹阔混交林、8∶2竹阔混交林和毛竹纯林为研究对象,对土壤有机碳、密度、孔隙度、持水量和贮水量等土壤性质和水分特征进行研究。[结果]常绿阔叶林在毛竹扩张过程中,土壤碳元素含量呈先增后降的趋势。相关分析表明:土壤有机碳与非毛管持水量和现有贮水量呈极显著相关,与土壤密度和总孔隙度呈显著相关,各指标相互作用共同影响了土壤有机碳含量在扩张过程中的变化特征。[结论]常绿阔叶林表层土壤密度、孔隙度和持水量等特征综合优于混交林和毛竹纯林,这为竹鞭扩张后竹笋萌发创造了条件;当常绿阔叶林演替到毛竹纯林时,10 60 cm土壤物理性质和持水能力都有所改善,但有机碳含量降为4个林分最低值,大量竹鞭虽然优化了土壤物理性质,但无性繁殖导致土壤碳元素大量消耗,加之择伐和挖笋等人工干扰,毛竹纯林土壤有机碳含量较低。调节土壤碳含量以及土壤结构和水分特征可能是今后控制毛竹林扩张,维持群落生态系统稳定性的重要生态策略。     

Effects of differences in forest floor and canopy vegetation on ectomycorrhizas ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica: A test using seedlings planted into soils taken from various sites

Effects of different forest floor vegetation types in secondary forest and of conversion to plantation on the quality and quantity of ectomycorrhizas are mostly unknown.Betula platyphylla var.japonica seedlings were used for bioassays of ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum using soils from four 50-year-oldB. platyphylla var.japonica forests that had different types of forest floor vegetation: two with shrub types, one with aSasa type, and one with a grass type. Seedlings were also grown in soil from a nearby monospecific plantation ofChamaecyparis obtusa. Ectomycorrhizas formed 13 to 26% of root length of seedlings grown in soil from the five different sites. The maximum percentage of ectomycorrhizal formation was obtained from the grass-type forest. The dominant type of ectomycorrhiza in the two shrub-type forest soils was the same as that in theSasa-type forest soil. The dominant types of ectomycorrhizas in the grass-type forest soil and in theC. obtusa plantation soil were different from that in the two shrub-type forest soils and in theSasa-type forest soil. The results of this investigation suggest that the type of forest floor vegetation, accompanied with changes in thickness of the A₀ horizon, might affect the ectomycorrhizal fungi in the soils ofB. platyphylla var.japonica forests. Establishment of artificial plantations ofC. obtusa might change the ectomycorrhizal fungi that could associate withB. platyphylla var.japonica seedlings in soil.     

林地土壤及其真菌对毛红椿种子发芽及幼苗保存的影响

[目的]通过不同群落毛红椿天然林林地土壤及其真菌对种子萌发和幼苗存活影响的研究,探讨影响毛红椿天然更新的障碍因素。[方法]在江西九连山国家级自然保护区内的3个毛红椿天然优势群落中,分别取距离毛红椿母树3个不同距离(2.5、5.0、7.5 m)处的根区土壤和远离毛红椿母树(25 m以外)的非根区土壤,以非林地土为对照开展室内模拟播种和以根区土壤真菌的水或根系分泌物悬液对毛红椿幼苗进行灌根接种,观察种子萌发、幼苗存活和幼苗感病情况。[结果]各群落土壤中种子发芽均呈先上升后下降规律,且基本在第8 10天达到高峰;林地土与非林地土种子发芽率差异不显著,但林地根区土幼苗的存活率极显著低于非林地土和林地非根区土;距母树3个不同距离根区土的幼苗存活率差异不显著。灌根接种不同处理间幼苗存活率差异极显著,具体表现为接种RS2、RS5根区真菌的幼苗感病率显著高于根系分泌物及无菌水空白对照,且RS2真菌的根系分泌物悬浮液幼苗感病率显著高于其无菌水悬浮液。[结论]毛红椿种子萌发不受土壤环境的影响,但幼苗建成受根区范围内土壤的影响,根系分泌物和致病菌的互作显著降低幼苗保存率。由此推断,毛红椿根区土壤内存在幼苗的潜在致病菌及根系分泌物可增强其致病性。     

长白山两种森林类型土壤颗粒有机碳和黑碳分布特征

[目的]量化长白山原始阔叶红松林和杨桦次生林土壤颗粒有机碳和黑碳含量及分布特征,为研究东北森林土壤有机碳分布和积累提供依据。[方法]采用粒径分组方法测定原始阔叶红松林和杨桦次生林土壤表层(A_(11))和亚表层(A_(12))颗粒有机碳(POC)和黑碳(BC)含量,分析其与土壤基本性质(有机质、含水量、p H值、粘粒和团聚体等)的关系。[结果]表明:(1)两种森林类型土壤A_(11)和A_(12)POC含量分别为31.89 88.00、5.25 19.45 g·kg~(-1),BC含量分别为8.43 22.40、3.39 12.10 g·kg~(-1),二者随土壤深度增加而显著下降(p0.01)。(2)森林类型显著影响土壤POC和BC,表现为杨桦次生林原始阔叶红松林。(3)两种森林类型土壤POC与土壤有机质、含水量、水稳性团聚体均显著相关,与p H值、粘粒相关性不显著;BC与土壤p H值、粘粒和团聚体相关性均不显著,与含水量显著相关,与有机质仅在A_(11)显著相关。(4)土壤POC和BC显著相关(p0.01)。[结论]在长白山地区森林类型显著影响土壤POC和BC含量,杨桦次生林土壤POC和BC显著高于原始阔叶红松林,很大程度上与森林的采伐和火烧有关。两种森林类型土壤POC和BC分布格局是土壤物理化学性质综合作用的结果。     

The importance of wild plant species as potential inoculum reservoirs of white root rot disease

Rosellinia necatrix is a soilborne plant pathogenic fungus belonging to the phylum Ascomycota. The fungus is distributed widely in temperate zones and often causes huge economic losses on numerous crop plants. To determine the potential for wild plants to serve as inoculum reservoirs of white root rot disease, eight woody and two herbaceous plant species belonging to nine families were inoculated with two R. necatrix isolates. The species used were Actinidia polygama, Broussonetia kazinoki, Camellia sinensis, Castanea crenata, Hydrangea serrata, Magnolia obovata, Pteridium aquilinum, Petasites japonicus, Quercus serrata and Rosa multiflora, all common flora in the cool temperate forests of Japan. The mortality of plants varied between species, independent of the effect of fungal isolates. Although some of the plants survived fungal infection, all plant species tested were more or less susceptible, having rotting lesions on the inner bark and cortex. For the woody plants, most of the mycelial strands in the diseased tissues became plumose mycelia, growing compressed between the outer and inner barks. However, mycelia found in diseased tissues of the two herbaceous plants were not in the form of plumose mycelia. All plant species harboured mycelial strands on the surface of their root systems and underground main stem, and the amount of the mycelial strands did not correlate with the mortality of the plants. Even if plants exhibited no external symptoms, some of them harboured abundant mycelial strands. In conclusion, wild plants can serve as alternative host plants for R. necatrix and function as persistent inoculum reservoirs, irrespective of their apparent health status. Thus, assessments of such latent host plants must be considered in the course of managing white root rot.     

Water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity in sandy cambisols: impacts of forest transformation on soil hydrological properties

Soil hydrological properties like infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity have important consequences for hydrological properties of soils in river catchments and for flood risk prevention. They are dynamic properties due to varying land use management practices. The objective of this study was to characterize the variation of infiltration capacity, hydraulic conductivity and soil organoprofile development on forest sites with comparable geological substrate, soil type and climatic conditions, but different stand ages and tree species in terms of the effects of forest transformation upon soil hydrological properties. The Kahlenberg forest area (50 km northeast of Berlin in the German northeastern lowlands) under investigation contains stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) of different age structures forming a transformation chronosequence from pure Scots pine stands towards pure European beech stands. The water infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity (K) of the investigated sandy-textured soils are low and very few macropores exist. Additionally these pores are marked by poor connectivity and therefore do not have any significant effect on water infiltration rate. Moreover, water infiltration in these soils is impeded by their hydrophobic properties. Along the experimental chronosequence of forest transformation, the thickness of the forest floor layer decreases due to enhanced decomposition and humification intensities. By contrast, the thickness of the humous topsoil increases. Presumably, changes in soil organic matter storage and quality caused by the management practice of forest transformation affect the persistence and degree of water repellency in the soil, which in turn influences the hydraulic properties of the experimental soils. The results indicate clearly that soils play a crucial role for water retention and therefore, in overland flow prevention. There is a need to have more awareness on the intimate link between the land use and soil properties and their possible effects on flooding.     

Impact of land use on physico-chemical and hydrological properties of ustifluvent soils in riparian zone of river Yamuna,India

Land use influences physico-chemical and water transmission properties of soil, which ultimately determine the suitability of land for different purposes. In present study, impact of different land use (forest and agriculture) on selected physicochemical and hydrological properties of soil was evaluated and compared with a reference site (uncultivated ravinous wasteland). Land use influenced infiltration rate, bulk density, mean weight diameter of aggregates and plant available water of soils. After 25 years of plantation of forest species, soil organic carbon content increased by more than twofold and mean weight diameter of aggregates by 2- to 6-fold in comparison to reference site. Significant reduction in soil bulk density (4–18%) and increase in steady state infiltration rate (1.5–2 times) was observed under the forest land use system. Conversion of ravine to forest system resulted in significant improvement in moisture retention capacity of soil. Conversion of ravine landform to agriculture adversely affected the soil bulk density and infiltration rate. The study provided practical information regarding rehabilitation potential of different tree species (Prosopis juliflora, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia nilotica and Azadirachta indica) that could be used for restoration of ustifluvent soil susceptible to gully erosion in the semi-arid region.     

Effects of root damage associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi on water relations,biomass accumulation,mineral nutrition and vulnerability to water deficit of five oak and chestnut species

The effects of root damage associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi on water relations, biomass accumulation, mineral nutrition and vulnerability to water deficit were investigated in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), red oak (Quercus rubra) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) saplings over two years. Comparison was made with sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), a susceptible species to infection by P. cinnamomi, and with a resistant hybrid chestnut (Castanea crenata × C. sativa). Trees were inoculated in 1998 and were subjected to water shortage in 1999. All inoculated sweet chestnuts died before the application of water shortage. Hybrid chestnut, pedunculate oak and red oak displayed low root susceptibility to P. cinnamomi. In these species, water relations, aerial growth and mineral nutrition were slightly affected by inoculation. By contrast, holm oak was the most susceptible oak species to P. cinnamomi as inoculated well‐watered trees displayed the highest root loss (67%) and a 10% mortality. Root loss was associated with a decrease in predawn leaf water potential, a 61% reduction in stomatal conductance, a 55% reduction in aerial biomass, a decrease in leaf carbon isotope discrimination and reduced leaf N and P contents in comparison with controls. In hybrid chestnut and pedunculate oak, water shortage resulted in a similar decrease of predawn leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and aerial biomass in inoculated and non‐inoculated trees. In red and holm oaks, soil volumetric water content of inoculated trees subjected to water shortage remained high. The effects observed in those trees were similar to those of inoculated well‐watered trees and were probably the result of root infection only.     

Examination of low-pathogenicity isolates of Armillaria mellea from natural stands of Picea abies in Middle-Europe

In certain indigenous Picea abies Karst. stands in the Thuringian Forest (Middle-Europe), the incidence of butt rot and die-back of saplings caused by Armillaria mellea (Vahl ex Fr.) Karst. is conspicuously low in spite of a general spread of this fungus on stumps of clear-fellings. The majority of 43 isolates of A. mellea recovered from 13 highland infection centres were unable to form the brown type of rhizo-morphs (BR) in soil but could form the white type rhizomorphs (WR) on sterile substrates. In contrast, 17 isolates from lowland hardwood stands of average disease incidence produced both types of rhizo-morphs on both substrates. Results of inoculation of excised stem and root sections of Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica L. and saplings of P. abies associated with soils of different fertility levels indicated that the low disease index of certain P. abies stands is caused by the dominance of low-pathogenicity strains of A. mellea which lack the ability to form BR and penetrate non-injured bark of roots. Moreover, the poor podzolic highland soil types may contribute more to increase the survival rate and resistance of transplanted P. abies saplings than to reduce the spread of A. mellea.     

Land‐use changes influence the sporulation and survival of Phytophthora agathidicida,a lethal pathogen of New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis)

Phytophthora agathidicida is the accepted causal agent of dieback in remnant stands of long‐lived indigenous New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis) and poses a significant threat to the long‐term survival of this species. Little is known about the effect of key soil physicochemical characteristics on the growth of P. agathidicida. In this study, we investigated the growth of P. agathidicida in soils collected from adjacent areas under original kauri forest, short rotation pine (Pinus radiata) plantation forest and grazed pastures. A growth response assay was used to quantify asexual (sporangia) and sexual (oospore) spore counts over 8 days in soils sampled from each land‐use. Significantly higher numbers of sporangia (p < 0.001) and oospores (p < 0.01) were found in pasture and pine forest soil within 2 days of the growth assay trials, suggesting these soils may favour asexual/sexual reproduction in the early stages of P. agathidicida establishment compared to kauri forest soils. Additionally, oospore production significantly increased over 8 days in pine forest soil, suggesting that with an increase in inoculum loads, these soils potentially act as pathogen reservoirs. The soil physicochemical properties (e.g., pH, C and N, phosphorus content and electrical conductivity) investigated in this study did not significantly correspond to spore count data between land‐uses, suggesting that differences in growth response are driven by other edaphic factors not explored in the present study.     

Effect of soil air volume change on CH4 consumption in brown forest soil

The relationship between soil air volume and CH₄ consumption in brown forest soils was investigated. The CH₄ consumption was negatively affected when the soil air volume decreased in experiments carried out bothin situ and in the laboratory. A strong dependence of the CH₄ consumption on the soil air volume was found in the laboratory experiment. These results indicate the possibility that the soil air volume is the primary rate-limiting factor for the CH₄ consumption in forest soil. Thus our work suggests that the other factors by which CH₄ consumption might be affected should be examined under the same air volume condition in the soil. To obtain accurate data, we need to be careful not to change the air volume by trampling or disturbing during the measurement of the natural methane fluxin situ.     

Deciduous trees affect small-scale floristic diversity and tree regeneration in conifer forests

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the effects of deciduous trees on biodiversity, soil processes and long-term productivity in boreal, conifer-dominated forests. This study investigated whether individual birch trees allowed to grow to maturity in the coniferous forest can have a local effect on floristic richness and regeneration of tree saplings. The ground vegetation was compared in 2?m radius plots around the stem under the canopies of matched conifer–deciduous trees in a mature, conifer-dominated forest, and included in the analysis variables that could potentially mediate the tree effect (soil pH, cover of lichens, bryophytes, leaf and needle litter). The field layer vegetation was more species rich under birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) than under conifers (Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris), and several vascular plant species (including saplings of tree species) occurred more often under birch than under conifers. However, when the effect of the number of subordinate trees was taken into account the difference between birch and pine was not significant. The number of tree regenerations (saplings) was lowest under pines, but did not differ between spruce and birch. There were no effects of the canopy species on soil pH or on cover of lichens and bryophytes. The difference in diversity may be caused by the different effects of leaf and needle litter, and it is also likely that canopy structure has an influence via interception and throughfall and by affecting the light and microclimate.     

Involvement of Phytophthora spp. in chestnut decline in the Black Sea region of Turkey

Chestnut blight caused by Cryphonectria parasitica is a serious disease of Castanea sativa in the Black Sea region of Turkey. During disease surveys, dieback and decline symptoms were observed on trees without apparent blight and ink disease symptoms. Black necroses, similar to those caused by Phytophthora infections, were noted on some of the chestnut coppices and saplings in one nursery in Ordu and led to an investigation into this disease complex. Only symptomatic plants showing dieback symptoms were investigated. Soil samples together with fine roots were collected from two directions, north and north‐east, approximately 150 cm away from the main stems. Phytophthora spp. were baited with young chestnut leaves. Three Phytophthora spp., P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi and P. plurivora, were identified from 12 soil samples collected from 73 locations, while from the nurseries, only P. cinnamomi was obtained. Phytophthora cinnamomi was the most common species, obtained from seven locations in five provinces and from four nurseries having similar symptoms mentioned above in different locations. Phytophthora cambivora and P. plurivora were less frequently obtained, from three to two stands, respectively. Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. cambivora were the most aggressive species when inoculated at the stem base on 3‐year‐old chestnut saplings, killing six saplings of eight inoculated in 2 months. The three Phytophthora species were first recorded on chestnut in Black sea region of Turkey with the limited samples investigated in a large area about 150 000 ha chestnut forest.     

Tree Regeneration and Sapling Damage of Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur in a Grazed Forest in Galicia, NW Spain: A Comparison of Continuous and Rotational Grazing Systems

Forest grazing has been recognised as being a useful tool in fire-risk reduction, in addition to having the potential to preserve or enhance forest biodiversity if managed correctly. Concern for natural regeneration of forest trees in Europe has also prompted interest in the effects of large herbivores on seedling and sapling growth and mortality. An investigation was carried out into sapling damage and density of natural regeneration of oak (Quercus robur) in a mature, pony-grazed, Pinus radiata forest in Galicia, NW Spain under two different grazing regimes (continuous and rotational). In all treatments significantly more oak seedlings and saplings were recorded in areas of grass sward than areas dominated by taller ground flora species. Damage to oak saplings was assessed from the form (height and canopy) relative to stem diameter. The height and average canopy diameter of similar-aged saplings were found to be significantly greater in ungrazed (control) than both continuous and rotationally grazed treatments. Height and canopy diameters of similar-aged oak were not significantly different between the two grazing treatments. Significant differences were observed in tree form, with unbrowsed saplings having the greatest height to canopy width ratio and those in the continuously browsed plots having the smallest. An obvious decrease in the goodness of fit (R²) of regression analyses were found in continuously grazed areas compared to rotational and control plots for both height and canopy data. The differences in damage observed were not significantly different enough to suggest one method of grazing over the other as being better for minimising sapling damage. Management requirements are more likely to dictate grazing regime. Overall, stock density is likely to have a more significant effect on damage than stocking system.     

Evolution of soil microbial biomass in restoration process of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in an eroded environment

Vegetation recovery is a key measure to improve ecosystems in the Loess Plateau in China. To understand the evolution of soil microorganisms in forest plantations in the hilly areas of the Loess Plateau, the soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration and physical and chemical properties of the soil of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations were studied. In this study, eight forest soils of different age classes were used to study the evolution of soil microbial biomass, while a farmland and a native forest community of Platycladus orientalis L. were chosen as controls. By measuring soil microbial biomass, metabolic quotient, and physical and chemical properties, it can be concluded that soil quality was improved steadily after planting. Soil microbial biomass of C, N and P (SMBC, SMBN and SMBP) increased significantly after 10 to 15 years of afforestation and vegetation recovery. A relatively stable state of soil microbial biomass was maintained in near-mature or mature plantations. There was an increase of soil microbial biomass appearing at the end of the mature stage. After 50 years of afforestation and vegetation recovery, compared with those in farmland, the soil microbial biomass of C, N and P increased by 213%, 201% and 83% respectively, but only accounting for 51%, 55% and 61% of the increase in P. orientalis forest. Microbial soil respiration was enhanced in the early stages, and then weakened in the later stage after restoration, which was different from the change of soil organic carbon. The metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was significantly higher in the soils of the P. orientalis forest than that in farmland at the early restoration stage and then decreased rapidly. After 25 years of afforestation and vegetation recovery, qCO₂ in soils of the R. pseudoacacia forest was lower than that in the farmland soil, and reached a minimum after 50 years, which was close to that of the P. orientalis forest. A significant relationship was found among soil microbial biomass, qCO₂ and physical and chemical properties and restoration duration. Therefore, we conclude that it is possible to artificially improve the ecological environment and soil quality in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau; a long time, even more than 100 years, is needed to reach the climax of the present natural forest. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2007, 27(3): 909–917 [译自: 生态学报]     

Infiltration characteristics of water in forest soils in the Simian mountains, Chongqing City, southwestern China

Spearman rank-correlation analysis and grey relational grade analysis were used to study infiltration characteristics of water in different forest soils in the Simian mountains, Chongqing City. The results indicate that the soil bulk density, contents of coarse sand, and porosity of macropores were significantly correlated with saturated hydraulic conductivity. Porosity of macropores and contents of coarse sand were positively correlated with soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil bulk density negatively. Based on the initial infiltration rate, the stable infiltration rate, time required for infiltration to reach a stable state, and cumulative infiltration, all of which are crucial parameters determining soil infiltration capacity, the results of grey relational grade analysis showed that the grey relational grades of the different forest soils were listed from high to low as broad-leaved forest (0.8031) > Phyllostachys pubescens forest (0.7869) > mixed conifer-broadleaf forest (0.4454) > coniferous forest (0.4039). Broadleaf forest had the best ability to be infiltrated among the four soils studied. The square roots of the coefficients of determination obtained from fitting the Horton infiltration equation, simulated in our study of forest soils, were higher than 0.950.We conclude that soils of broad-leaved forests were the best suited for infiltration processes of forestry in the Simian mountains. __________ Translated from Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2008, 22(4): 95–99 [译自: 水土保持学报]     

Leaf water relations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis> Sieb. et Zucc. on different soil moisture conditions

To elucidate the differences in the leaf water relations of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. growing in different soil moisture conditions, we examined the pressure-volume curve and the diurnal changes in the stomatal conductance, the transpiration rate, and the leaf water potential. The leaf water relations were compared using field-grown 40-year-old pine trees growing on the upper and lower parts of a slope. We also compared the leaf water relations of potted 4-year-old saplings growing at pF 4.2 and pF 1.8 soil moisture levels for almost 1 year. The values of the ratio of symplasmic water at turgor loss point to symplasmic water at saturated point (V_p/V_o) and bulk modulus of elasticity () of both the adult trees on the upper part of the slope and the potted saplings growing on pF 4.2 soil moisture were higher than those values of both the adult trees on the lower part of the slope and the potted saplings growing on pF 1.8 soil moisture, respectively. The field-grown adult tree and the potted saplings growing under long-term water stress tended to reduce their stomatal conductance in response to the acute soil drying. It is suggested that P. densiflora growing under long-term water stress rapidly closed its stomata in response to soil drying and avoided losing water, and could also rapidly absorb water with reducing water loss because of the decrease in the leaf pressure potential derived from the high values.