毛白杨纤维素合酶基因PtCesA_4的克隆、表达及单核苷酸多态性分析

组合利用生物信息学和RT-PCR方法,首次从毛白杨未成熟木质部cDNA中分离出PtCesA4cDNA全长,并进行测序和序列分析,结果表明克隆的毛白杨PtCesA4 cDNA片段总长为3 757 bp,基因内部含有完整的开放阅读框架,大小为3 129 bp,可编码长度为1 042个氨基酸残基的蛋白质,所推导的蛋白质氨基酸序列与拟南芥AtCesA4、水稻OsCesA,和火炬松PtCesA2的蛋白质氨基酸序列同源性分别为80.3%,78.9%和75.6%.组织特异性Realtime-PCR结果显示,PtCesA4基因在杨树根、茎、叶片和顶端分生组织中均有表达,但其表达模式却不同:PtCesA4在成熟叶片、未成熟木质部和成熟木质部中表达丰度最高,在根部和顶端分生组织表达丰度中等,在树皮和韧皮部有少量表达,在形成层中表达丰度最低.在此基础上,组合利用MEGA3.1和DnaSP4.50.4软件对毛白杨40株基因型个体的PtCesA4序列进行比对和分析,检测到153个单核苷酸多态性(sinsh nueleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点,SNP频率为1/35 bp,多样性指数π/0.005 02.其中51个是常见SNPs,102个为罕见SNPs.在这些SNPs中,有118个属于转换,35个属于颠换.在外显子区域,共检测到69个SNP位点,其中59个为同义突变,10个为错义突变.对PtCesA4基因内SNPs进行的连锁不平衡分析结果显示,随着核苷酸序列长度的增加,SNPs的连锁不平衡在基因内部迅速衰退,因此,在毛白杨中,基于PtCesA4基因的连锁不平衡作图是可行的,而基于整个杨树基因组的连锁不平衡作图是不可行的.也是不必要的.研究结果为毛白杨PtCesA4基因的连锁不平衡作图及其基因辅助毛白杨木材纤维性状的分子育种提供了理论依据.     

毛白杨干细胞决定基因Wuschel的克隆及其单核苷酸多态性分析

Wuschel(Wus)转录因子基因在维持干细胞群数量上具有关键性的调控作用.以模式植物拟南芥Wus为信息探针,在杨树基因组中共检测到2个Wus候选基因,并设计了基因特异的引物,从毛白杨形成层cDNA中分离得到长度分别为922 bp和956 bp的2个cDNA,其分别含有编码258个和264个氨基酸残基的完整开放阅读框.所推导的蛋白质氨基酸序列在结构功能域区域分别与拟南芥Wus蛋白的同源性为76.O%和74.9%,故将其命名为PtWus1和PtWus2.在此基础上,组合利用MEGA3.1和DnaSP4.0软件对毛白杨36株基因型个体的PtWus1和PtWus2序列进行比对和分析,分别检测到58个和51个单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点,多样性分别为1/27 bp和1/30 bp.对于PtWus1,共检测到24个常见SNPs和34个罕见SNPs,其中43个属于转换,15个属于颠换;在外显子区域,共检测到21个SNP位点,其中16个为同义突变,4个为错义突变,1个为无义突变.而对于PtWus2,基因内部含有28个常见SNPs和23个罕见SNP,其中36个属于转换,15个属于颠换;在编码区域检测到的26个SNPs中,同义突变和错义突变均为13个.对PtWus,和PtWus2基因内SNPs进行的连锁不平衡分析结果显示,随着核苷酸序列长度的增加,SNPs的连锁不平衡在基因内部迅速衰退,因此,在毛白杨中,基于候选基因的连锁不平衡作图是可行的,而基于整个杨树基因组的连锁不平衡作图是不可行的,也是不必要的.本研究为毛白杨Wus蛋白转录因子基因的连锁不平衡作图及其基因辅助毛白杨木材纤维性状的分子育种提供了理论依据.     

小叶杨GA20氧化酶基因的克隆、表达及单核苷酸多态性分析

利用RT-PCR方法,首次从小叶杨未成熟木质部cDNA中分离出PsGA20Ox cDNA全长及其基因组DNA,并进行测序和序列分析.结果表明:克隆的小叶杨PsGA20Ox cDNA片段总长为1 403 bp,基因内部含有完整的开放阅读框架,大小为1 155 bp,编码区可编码长度为385个从残基,所推导的蛋白质氨基酸序列与拟南芥和水稻GA20Ox蛋白的同源性分别为66.0%和57.0%.组织特异性RT-PCR结果显示,PsGA20Ox基因在杨树茎、叶片和顶端分生组织中均有表达,但其表达模式却不同:PsGA20Ox在成熟木质部中表达丰度最高,在未成熟木质部和嫩叶中表达丰度较高,在顶端分生组织中有少量表达,在形成层组织中表达丰度极低.在此基础上,组合利用MEGA4.0和DnaSP4.50.4软件对小叶杨36株基因型个体的PsGA20Ox基因组DNA序列进行比对和分析,检测到49个单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点,频率为1/35 bp.其中,15个是常见SNPs,34个为罕见SNPs.在这些SNPs中,37个属于转换,12个属于颠换.在外显子区域,共检测到26个SNP位点,其中23个为同义突变,3个为错义突变.对PsGA20Ox基因内SNPs进行的连锁不平衡分析表明,随着核苷酸序列长度的增加,SNPs的连锁不平衡在基因内部就迅速衰退,因此,在小叶杨中,基于候选基因的连锁不平衡作图是可行的,而基于整个杨树基因组的连锁不平衡作图是不可行的,也是不必要的.     

日本落叶松咖啡酸-O-甲基转移酶基因 LkCOMT的克隆及单核苷酸多态性分析

依据日本落叶松转录组数据库检测到的咖啡酸-O-甲基转移酶(COMT)基因ESTs序列设计引物,分离得到一个编码该酶的新基因。其cDNA克隆全长为1 350 bp,包含长度为1 092 bp的开放阅读框,可编码364个氨基酸残基。序列分析显示,所推导的蛋白质氨基酸序列包含COMT基因5个所特有的保守元件,与海岸松PpCOMT的蛋白质氨基酸序列同源性达94%。在此基础上,利用DnaSP5.0软件对日本落叶松40株基因型个体的LkCOMT序列进行了单核苷酸多样性SNPs分析,共检测到92个SNP位点,SNP发生频率为1/17 bp,多样性指数π_T为0.007 80。在这些SNPs中,65个属于转换,27个属于颠换。在外显子区域,共检测到58个SNP位点,其中37个为错义突变,21个为同义突变。研究结果为日本落叶松基因标记辅助育种提供了理论基础。     

光皮桦BlSPL1转录因子基因的克隆、表达及单核苷酸多态性分析

Squamosa promoter binding protein like genes(SPLs)对植物开花具有重要的调控作用.基于转录组序列并利用RACE技术从光皮桦中分离获得BlSPL1基因,其cDNA序列全长1 825 bp,包含开放阅读框长1 170 bp,编码389个氨基酸,与桃PpSPL1(EMJ10405)的同源性最高(67％),属于陆地植物SPLs基因家族的group VⅧ分支.表达分析显示BlSPL1在光皮桦芽、雌花、雄花、幼苗中均有表达,在雄花和幼苗中表达量较低,但在芽发育成雌花过程中明显上调,推测其可能对早期的雌花形成起调控作用.同时,从57个不同的光皮桦无性系中克隆BlSPL1的基因组序列,进行单核苷酸多态性(SNP)分析,共检测到98个SNP位点,SNP频率为1/26 bp,多样性指数π为0.007 12.在外显子区域,共检测到28个SNP位点,其中11个为同义突变,17个为错义突变.进一步的连锁不平衡分析显示,随着序列长度的增加,不同光皮桦群体BlSPL1内的SNPs连锁不平衡在基因内部迅速衰退.     

欧洲山杨叶片衰老与光周期候选基因SNPs的关联分析

利用自然更新的欧洲山杨群体,以光周期途径基因为候选基因,通过连锁不平衡作图,对候选基因中能够引起氨基酸改变的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与欧洲山杨秋季叶片衰老相关指标进行关联分析.结果表明:光敏色素A中第291个核苷酸A和G的转换,导致了3个基因型叶片衰老指数有显著差异(P=0.018,经Bonferroni修正后,P=0.04);光周期候选基因中的SNP、叶片衰老持续时间基因型值间无显著差异,SNP与叶片衰老持续时间之间不存在线性相关;同样是光敏色素A中位于第291个核苷酸位点的3种基因型,其叶片衰老起始时间的基因型值差异显著,但是经Bonferroni修正后的显著水平P>0.05,差异又不显著,反映了欧洲山杨秋季叶片衰老起始时间的复杂性.     

马尾松纤维素合成酶基因PmCesA2的克隆及其植物表达载体的构建

为了探究马尾松木材形成的分子机制,以马尾松嫩枝的总RNA反转录得到的cDNA为模板,利用反转录PCR和RACE技术克隆得到马尾松CesA2基因的全长cDNA序列(命名为PmCesA2),序列长度为3 500 bp,包含一个长为3 174 bp的开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF),编码1 057个氨基酸.序列分析表明:PmCesA2序列与已报道的火炬松CesA2基因(AY789651.1)的相似性达98％.将全长基因克隆到载体pBI121质粒的SnaBI,Sacl双酶切位点之间,构建正义表达栽体pBI121-PmCesA2.     

杉木NAC转录因子基因ClNAC1的克隆、表达及单核苷酸多态性分析

【目的】克隆与杉木次生壁形成相关的Cl NAC1基因,在组织表达特异性分析基础上开展该基因的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)及其连锁不平衡(LD)分析,以期为深入解析该基因功能和开展LD作图提供重要依据。【方法】基于杉木根、茎、叶等混合样本转录组测序获得的相关数据,分离杉木Cl NAC1的c DNA序列,进行同源比对和进化树构建分析。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术(q PCR)检测Cl NAC1的表达模式。通过MEGA 6.0和Dna SP 5.0分析Cl NAC1在40个杉木无性系的SNP变异,以及LD衰减程度。【结果】分离到Cl NAC1基因c DNA序列1 286 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长度为1 092 bp,编码蛋白质在N端含有1个由128个氨基酸残基组成的NAC结构域。相应基因组序列长2 546 bp,有3个外显子和3个内含子,且第1个内含子位于5'非翻译区(UTR)。系统进化树分析表明,Cl NAC1蛋白位于B分支,与拟南芥的NST1/2/3、毛果杨的Ptr WND2A/B等聚在一起,属于次生生长相关的NAC转录因子类别。Cl NAC1在雄球花中的表达量最大,在当年生成熟叶中最小;该基因在当年生半木质化茎中的表达量是未木质化茎的2.8倍,且在去年生茎木质部中的表达量比皮层大3倍左右。利用来自6个地理种源的40个无性系发现Cl NAC1内存在104个常见SNP位点,平均发生频率为1/24 bp,多样性水平达到0.012 53。编码区域有32个SNP位点,其中25个属于同义突变,7个属于错义突变。SNP多样性指数πtot、πsil、πs、πn在6个群体间的差异不显著,且不同群体的非同义突变多样性πn皆小于同义突变多样性πs。LD分析显示,当r20.1时,在6个群体中LD衰退序列长度在1 025~2 460 bp间变化,在基因内部LD水平已衰退至不显著。【结论】杉木Cl NAC1基因可能参与次生壁的发育。Cl NAC1在不同无性系间存在丰富的SNP变异,且在进化中主要受纯化选择作用。不同杉木群体中Cl NAC1基因SNP位点间的LD皆在较短序列长度内迅速消失,表明基于候选基因的LD作图策略在杉木关联作图研究中是可行的。     

杨树热激转录因子HsfAld的克隆、表达及单核苷酸多态性分析

利用RT-PCR方法,首次由小叶杨受热激胁迫后构建的cDNA文库中扩增获得一热激转录因子HsfAldcDNA克隆,测序结果表明克隆的PsHsfAld cDNA片段总长为2 036 bp,基因内部含有完整的开放阅读框架,大小为1 449 bp,可编码长度为482个氨基酸残基的蛋白质,所推导的蛋白质氨基酸序列在HSF DBD结构功能域与拟南芥AtHsfAld和水稻OsHsfAl蛋白的相似性分别为86.3%和87.4%.组织特异性Realtime-PCR结果显示,Ps HsfAld主要在杨树叶片和根部组织中高丰度表达.非生物胁迫、激素及糖诱导表达表明,PsHsfAld不仅受高温、干旱与盐诱导表达,还受到激素中GA3与ABA,及葡萄糖与蔗糖信号的上调表达.组合利用MEGA4.0和DnaSP4.50.7软件对小叶杨36株基因型个体的PsHsfAld序列进行比对和分析,共检测到207个单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点,SNP频率为1/16 bp,多样性指数π为0.007 72.在编码区域,共检测到69个SNP位点,其中37个为同义突变,31个为错义突变,1个为无义突变;非同义突变与同义突变的比率0.132＜1,推测在小叶杨物种演化过程中,纯化选择是该基因内同义SNP位点主要的进化驱动力.     

日本落叶松杂种及亲本 4CL基因的克隆和SNP多态性分析

以日本落叶松(Larix kaempferi)不同杂交组合为材料,依据转录组测序信息,成功获得了11种日本落叶松材料的4 CL基因的编码区序列,该序列长1 537 bp,包含完整ORF片段1 368 bp,编码455个氨基酸。qRT-PCR结果分析表明,除日本落叶松Larix16×Larix61组合外,Larix82×Larix13、Larix40×Larix10和Larix82×Larix61子代的表达均高于双亲,推测4 CL基因差异表达与落叶松杂种的木质素生物合成有关。进一步采用SNP标记方法和DNAMAN软件对不同日本落叶松杂种和亲本组合的单核苷酸多态性进行分析。共检测到66个SNP多态性位点,表明日本落叶松4CL 具有丰富的遗传多样性。66个SNP变异中,属于三突变1个;转换类型45个,占总变异的68.18%;20个属于颠换类型,占总变异的30.30%,转换:颠换=9:4。在转换类型中,A/G和C/T转换分别占28.79%和39.39%;颠换类型中A/C、A/T、G/C、G/T分别占4.55%、9.09%、9.09%和7.58%。采用NJ 聚类法对克隆片段的氨基酸序列进行了遗传多样性分析。     

Antimicrobial activity of some endemic plants growing in the Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey

The Eastern Black Sea Region has an extensive flora because of ample rainfall lasting all year. In this study, antimicrobial effects of 74 crude extracts of 22 endemic plants were investigated. Among the 30 active crude extracts, water-insoluble crude extracts from Betula medwediewii, Heracleum platytaenium, Primula longipes, Anthemis cretica ssp. argaea and Centaurea helenioides were the prominent ones with their MIC values.     

Aromatic plant-derived essential oil: an alternative larvicide for mosquito control

Five aromatic plants, Carum carvi (caraway), Apium graveolens (celery), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Zanthoxylum limonella (mullilam) and Curcuma zedoaria (zedoary) were selected for investigating larvicidal potential against mosquito vectors. Two laboratory-reared mosquito species, Anopheles dirus, the major malaria vector in Thailand, and Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in urban areas, were used. All of the volatile oils exerted significant larvicidal activity against the two mosquito species after 24-h exposure. Essential oil from mullilam was the most effective against the larvae of A. aegypti, while A. dirus larvae showed the highest susceptibility to zedoary oil.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur established for stand conversion from Picea abies

Efforts in Europe to convert Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations to broadleaf or mixed broadleaf-conifer forests could be bolstered by an increased understanding of how artificial regeneration acclimates and functions under a range of Norway spruce stand conditions. We studied foliage characteristics and leaf-level photosynthesis on 7-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) regeneration established in open patches and shelterwoods of a partially harvested Norway spruce plantation in southwestern Sweden. Both species exhibited morphological plasticity at the leaf level by developing leaf blades in patches with an average mass per unit area (LMA) 54% greater than of those in shelterwoods, and at the plant level by maintaining a leaf area ratio (LAR) in shelterwoods that was 78% greater than in patches. However, we observed interspecific differences in photosynthetic capacity relative to spruce canopy openness. Photosynthetic capacity (A₁₆₀₀, net photosynthesis at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1600 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) of beech in respect to the canopy gradient was best related to leaf mass, and declined substantially with increasing canopy openness primarily because leaf nitrogen (N) in this species decreased about 0.9 mg g⁻¹ with each 10% rise in canopy openness. In contrast, A₁₆₀₀ of oak showed a weak response to mass-based N, and furthermore the percentage of N remained constant in oak leaf tissues across the canopy gradient. Therefore, oak photosynthetic capacity along the canopy gradient was best related to leaf area, and increased as the spruce canopy thinned primarily because LMA rose 8.6 g m⁻² for each 10% increase in canopy openness. These findings support the premise that spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of beech through processes that determine N status of this species; leaf N (mass basis) was greatest under relatively closed spruce canopies where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing light harvesting mechanisms. Spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of oak through processes that control LMA; LMA was greatest under open spruce canopies of high light availability where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing CO₂ fixation mechanisms.     

Antibacterial activity of plant extracts from Brazilian southeast region

A screening was conducted with 26 plants collected in the Brazilian southeast region, to identify plant extracts with antibacterial properties against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Initially, the agar diffusion method was employed. Then, those extracts presenting activity were submitted to a broth microdilution assay to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). It was observed that 13 of the tested extracts showed antibacterial activity. The best results were obtained with those from Lantana lilacina and Phyllanthus tenellus.     

利用三种梢栖真菌生物防治落叶松枯梢病的研究

从落叶松梢栖真菌筛选出对落叶松枯梢病病原菌有抑制作用的菌株,对落叶松枯梢病进行生物防治。将自落叶松梢部分离到的11种梢栖真菌与落叶松枯梢病病原菌进行对峙培养,根据被覆盖程度、抑菌率、拮抗系数和防治预试验的结果,综合评价后发现:粪生粪壳、深绿木霉和球毛壳3种梢栖真菌对落叶松枯梢病有良好的拮抗作用。利用这3个菌株在黑龙江省勃利县通天一林场国富沟进行林间防治试验,结果表明:防治效果为粪生粪壳>代森锰锌400倍液>深绿木霉>球毛壳;深绿木霉和粪生粪壳喷洒浓度50%和球毛壳喷洒浓度75%时,真菌多样性最多,梢栖真菌系统较其他浓度更为稳定,与化学防治相比,既达到了防治目的又具有不污染环境的优势。     

Growth and physiological response of six Australian rainforest tree species to a light gradient

An understanding of growth and photosynthetic potential of subtropical rainforest species to variations in light environment can be useful for determining the sequence of species introductions in rainforest restoration projects and mixed species plantations. We examined the growth and physiology of six Australian subtropical rainforest tree species in a greenhouse consisting of three artificial light environments (10%, 30%, and 60% full sunlight). Morphological responses followed the typical sun-shade dichotomy, with early and late secondary species (Elaeocarpus grandis, Flindersia brayleyana, Flindersia schottiana, and Gmelina leichhardtii) displaying higher relative growth rate (RGR) compared to mature stage species (Cryptocarya erythroxylon and Heritiera trifoliolatum). Growth and photosynthetic performance of most species reached a maximum in 30–60% full sunlight. Physiological responses provided limited evidence of a distinct dichotomy between early and late successional species. E. grandis and F. brayleyana, provided a clear representation of early successional species, with marked increase in A_max in high light and an ability to down regulate photosynthetic machinery in low light conditions. The remaining species (F. schottiana, G. leichhardtii, and H. trifoliolatum) were better represented as falling along a shade-tolerant continuum, with limited ability to adjust physiologically to an increase or decrease in light, maintaining similar A_max across all light environments. Results show that most species belong to a shade-tolerant constituency, with an ability to grow and persist across a wide range of light environments. The species offer a wide range of potential planting scenarios and silvicultural options, with ample potential to achieve rapid canopy closure and rainforest restoration goals.     

Predisposition to bark beetle attack by root herbivores and associated pathogens: Roles in forest decline,gap formation,and persistence of endemic bark beetle populations

Bark beetles are largely known for their ability to undergo intermittent population eruptions that transform entire landscapes and pose significant economic hardships. However, most species do not undergo outbreaks, and eruptive species usually exert only minor disturbances. Understanding the dynamics of tree-killing noneruptive species can provide insights into how beetles persist at low densities, and how some spatiotemporal patterns of host predisposition may more likely favor breaching eruptive thresholds than others. Elucidating mechanisms behind low-density populations is challenging, however, due to the requirement of long-term monitoring and high degrees of spatial and temporal covariance. We censused more than 2700 trees annually over 7 years, and at the end of 17 years, in a mature red pine plantation. Trees were measured for the presence of bark beetles and wood borers that breed within the primary stem, root weevils that breed in root collars, and bark beetles that breed in basal stems. We quantify the sequence of events that drive this decline syndrome, with the primary emergent pattern being an interaction between below- and above-ground herbivores and their fungal symbionts. This interaction results in an expanding forest gap, with subsequent colonization by early-successional vegetation. Spatial position strongly affects the likelihood of tree mortality. A red pine is initially very likely to avoid attack by tree-killing Ips beetles, but attack becomes increasingly likely as the belowground complex spreads to neighboring trees and eventually make trees susceptible. This system is largely internally driven, as there are strong gap edge, but not stand-edge, effects. Additional stressors, such as drought, can provide an intermittent source of susceptible trees to Ips beetles, and elevated temperature slightly accentuates this effect. New gaps can arise from such trees as they subsequently become epicenters for the full complex of organisms associated with this decline, but this is not common. As Ips populations rise, there is some element of positive feedback, in that the proportion of killed trees that were not first colonized by root organisms increases. This positive feedback is very weak, however, and we propose the slope between beetle population density and reliance on host stress as a quantitative distinction along a gradient from noneruptive through eruptive species. Almost all trees colonized by Ips were subsequently colonized by wood borers, likely a source of negative feedback. We discuss implications to our overall understanding of cross-scale interactions, between-guild interactions, forest declines, and eruptive thresholds.     

Growth and production varies between pair-wise mixtures and monoculture plantations in North Viet Nam

The potential benefits of species mixture were investigated using pair-wise comparisons of four timber tree species in northern Viet Nam. Chukrasia tabularis, Canarium album, Michelia mediocris and Eucalyptus urophylla were grown in monocultures and in pair-wise mixtures. The trial was established as a randomized block design with each treatment replicated four times. Volume production gain or loss in mixtures was assessed by calculating a mixture index, which is defined as Relative Yield Total (RYT). At age 48 months, the trial indicated mixed performance with both positive and negative impacts of growing some species in mixtures compared to monocultures. The largest gain was shown in the mixture of a shade-intolerant species, Chukrasia with a more shade-tolerant species, Michelia (47% gain in relative yield), and Eucalyptus with Michelia (45% gain in relative yield) at the first 38 months. The other three mixtures tested, and which were not successful (i.e. had lower relative yields) at 38 months, was the mixture of all shade-intolerant species, including Chukrasia with Canarium, Canarium with Eucalyptus and Chukrasia with Eucalyptus. This suggests that species with different shade tolerances can form complementary pair-wise mixtures, but this changed significantly (P < 0.05) over the following 10 months. At age 48 months the RYT of Chukrasia with Michelia increased by 12%, those of Michelia with Eucalyptus decreased by 20% at 48 months compared to 38 months, suggesting that Eucalyptus should be thinned at around year 5 years. Likewise, the RYT of Michelia with Canarium declined significantly by 23% at 48 months. The RYT of other tested mixtures remained almost unchanged over time.     

Ungulate herbivory of regenerating conifers in relation to foliar nutrition and terpenoid production

Ungulate browsing greatly influences regeneration dynamics of some forest ecosystems, yet the relationship between browse susceptibility and foliar chemistry of forest tree seedlings is not well understood. We applied field fertilization (15N-9P-10K controlled-release fertilizer at 0, 20, 40, and 60 g per seedling) and investigated how subsequent changes in terpenoid production and foliar nutrition influence ungulate browse preference for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Raf. Sarg.), and western redcedar (Thujaplicata Donn ex D. Don) seedlings across four sites in northwestern Oregon, USA. Fertilization increased foliar N concentration of all three species, but above-ground growth of only Douglas-fir and western hemlock. Foliar monoterpene concentrations for western hemlock and western redcedar also increased at higher fertilization rates, while Douglas-fir monoterpene production was not affected by fertilization. Regardless of monoterpene levels, ungulate browse preference was greater for fertilized western hemlock seedlings. The opposite response, however, was observed for western redcedar at two of the four study sites where the likelihood of browse was greater for non-fertilized than fertilized seedlings. Differences in browse preference among species may depend on the type and amount of individual monoterpenes manufactured in response to fertilization. Western redcedar produce α- and β-thujone, oxygenated monoterpenes known to promote gastroenteritis and possibly inhibit microbial rumen activity, which were absent from Douglas-fir or western hemlock. Higher concentrations of α- and β-thujone associated with increasing fertilizer rate provide a plausible explanation as to why ungulates preferred non-fertilized western redcedar. Our results illustrate species-specific adaptation in browse avoidance and selective ungulate browsing behavior of individual trees as linked to foliar chemistry.