Micropropagation of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla [Raf.] Sarg.) from embryonic explants

An in vitro propagation protocol is described for western hemlock, an important forestry species in Canada. For shoot bud induction, embryonic explants were placed initially on one-third strength Schenk and Hildebrandt medium containing 5 M N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or 5 M BA in combination with either 5 M kinetin or 5 M 2-isopentenyl adenine for 14 days. The explants were transferred to basal medium without cytokinins for 3 weeks, and then to basal medium containing 0.05% activated charcoal. Elongating shoots were subcultured every 4 weeks on charcoal medium. Shoots, 10 mm in stem height, were rooted either in agar or sterilized peat/perlite (1:1). Up to 70% of the shoots formed roots when they were transferred to the latter, moistened with 1/2 strength Gresshoff and Doy medium containing 5 M -naphthaleneacetic acid. About 90% of the plantlets survived transfer to greenhouse conditions.     

Relationships of stem surface area to other stem dimensions for Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> D. Don) and Japanese cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> Endl.) trees

I investigated the relationships between stem surface area outside bark and other stem dimensions for Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) trees. The stem dimensions used here were the basal area and the product of diameter at breast height (dbh) and total tree height. The regression equation of the stem surface area s against basal area g was s = 184.216g for the cedar trees and s = 156.878g for the cypress trees. The slope of the equation was significantly different between the two species. For the same dbh, the cedar trees tended to have a higher total tree height than the cypress trees. The cedar trees also had a larger surface area of relative stem form than the cypress trees. These results indicated that the difference in the slope was produced by the differences in both the stem slenderness and tapering between the two species. On the other hand, the regression equation between the stem surface area and the product of dbh and total tree height dh was s = 1.937dh for the cedar trees and s = 1.921dh for the cypress trees, whereas no significant difference in the slope was found. The obtained slopes for the cedar and cypress trees seemed to be in accord with that for other coniferous species reported in earlier studies, suggesting that the variation in the slope among coniferous species would be small. The estimation from the basal area would provide a simpler means for estimating the stem surface area and would be useful in obtaining an approximation of the surface area. By contrast, the estimation from the product of dbh and total tree height would provide a more accurate and precise estimate as well as a wider applicable range, i.e., a parameter for physiological growth models. In conclusion, it could not be judged which regression equation examined in the present study was superior to the other, and thus it was important to select an appropriate equation depending both on the purpose and on the time and labor available.     

Tropical red gums — a source of 1,8-cineole-rich Eucalyptus oil

Tropical provenances of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and E. tereticornis Smith were studied, in their natural habitat in Australia and in a 3.75-year-old progeny trial in Zimbabwe, for their potential to produce medicinal-grade essential oils. Substantial interand intra-specific variation in the contents of five prominent monoterpenes, 1,8-cineole, -pinene, -pinene, limonene and p-cymene was found. Plantations of E. camaldulensis established in the wet/dry tropics using seed from Petford in northern Queensland offer immediate potential for oil production. Other widely-planted Queensland provenances with oil potential are Gilbert River Bridge E. camaldulensis and, after some genetic improvement, E. tereticonis from Morehead and Kennedy Rivers. Select individual trees at Petford provide oil of enhanced quality, at about double the yield of average trees.     

Moisture content-water potential relationship of red pine sapwood above the fiber saturation point and determination of the effective pore size distribution

Summary The pressure membrane and pressure plate techniques were used to establish the moisture content-water potential (M-) relationship of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) sapwood in desorption above the fiber saturation point. The moisture content-water potential relationship is required for the development of a model of drying considering the gradient of water potential as the driving force of moisture in wood. This relationship was established at 18, 56 and 85 °C for radial desorption. The results obtained demonstrate that water potential increases with temperature T at a given moisture content M. There is no significant variation of /T with temperature. Also, there is no plateau at intermediate moisture contents as was the case for the M- relationship of aspen sapwood established in a previous work. The effective integral and differential pore size distributions inferred from the M- relationship are also presented. The largest proportion of effective pore openings was found for a radius of 0.2 m. This value can be related to the pit membrane openings of red pine.This research project is currently supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under grant no. OGP0121954     

Susceptibility of adult trees of the endangered species Pinus armandii var. amamiana to pine wilt disease in the field

Adult trees of Pinus armandii var. amamiana (PAAm) and P. thunbergii grown in the field were inoculated with 100000 or 1000 of the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus to evaluate their susceptibility to pine wilt disease. PAAm trees inoculated with 100000 nematodes started to show disease symptoms 2 weeks after inoculation, and all died within 29 weeks. Although the PAAm trees inoculated with 1000 nematodes tended to show delayed disease symptoms compared with those inoculated with 100000 nematodes, all of them died within 33 weeks after inoculation. All P. thunbergii trees inoculated with 1000 nematodes had died 6 weeks after inoculation. In the nematode-inoculated PAAm trees, death of branches distal to the nematode inoculation site was the first visible symptom, followed by the systemic discoloration of needles, whereas the whole tree wilted simultaneously in P. thunbergii trees. In nematode-inoculated PAAm trees, the period from inoculation to death was longer than that in P. thunbergii. These results suggest that adult PAAm trees are susceptible to pine wilt disease, but are less vulnerable than P. thunbergii.     

Salt distribution in response to optical stratification porosity and relative windspeed in a coastal forest in Niigata, Japan

Wind velocity, vertical stand structure and seasalt distribution were measured at various heights inside a plantation of coastal pine forest, with thinning and unthinning, to assess whether any relationships exist between the wind profile, stand structure and seasalt distribution in the coastal pine forest. The vertical stand structure, i.e., optical stratification porosity (OSP), which is defined as vertical distribution of the proportion of sky hemisphere not obscured by tree elements inside a forest stand, was determined for each height by computer analysis of digital images taken with a hemispherical lens. The distribution of OSP in the coastal forest follows the Lambert-Beer's law with absorbency coefficient (). The relative windspeed within canopy can be described using the exponential form with the attenuation coefficient (). The sea-salt was collected using salt gauze (a surgical dressing of loosely woven cotton) both inside and outside the coastal forest, and the distribution of sea-salt within canopy was also in accordance with an exponential function. The relationships among windspeed, OSP and sea-salt indicate that the distributions of both sea-salt and windspeed within canopy were very closely correlated with the distribution of OSP. A linear relationship between OSP and sea-salt has been found. Additionally, linear regression between coefficients and has been obtained as well. Based on these relationships between OSP, wind and sea-salt in the coastal forest, the sea-salt distribution and wind profile within the canopy of the coastal forest can be predicted according to OSP. These results may therefore be useful in analyzing the effects of sea-salt on vegetation and evaluating the filter functions of coastal forests.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mangrove structure,litter and macroalgal productivity in a northern‐most forest of Florida

Rhizophora mangle L. dominated 10 overwash islands within Tampa Bay forming the northernmost mangrove forests on the west coast of Florida. The mean number of trees and basal area were 5040 trees ha^-1 and 20.5m²ha^-1, respectively. Basal areas ranged from 1.1 (Avicennia germinans (L.) Stern), to 2.6m²ha^-1 (Laguncularia racemosa Gaertner), to 16.8 (R. mangle). Cockroach Bay mangroves are small (5.8–7.0m tall) versus coastal forests of south Florida and the Caribbean. Total litter production for a 12 month period was maximal in September for fringing (7.4gdwtm^-2d^-1) and interior (8.7gdwtm^-2d^-1) areas with the two zones not being significantly different. Average litter fall (3.1gdwtm^-2d^-1) was similar to more tropical Caribbean mangals. Leaves accounted for 68 of the litter and reproductive material for 6, being similar to tropical riverine and overwash marine angiosperm communities on the Mexican coast. Although mangrove forests in Tampa Bay are small in stature and experience cold damage and occasional frosts, their litter fall is similar in biomass to that of more tropical mangals. However, their reproductive output is low based on litter fall versus more tropical mangals suggesting that the northern extension is less than optimum. Macroalgal diversity was low (10 species) as compared to Caribbean mangals. Macroalgal turf (0.8gCm^-2d^-1) and epiphyte communities of A.germinans pneumatophores (2.7gCm^-2d^-1) have productivity levels that are equal to or greater than those of Caribbean mangals.     

Role of asymptomatic carrier trees in epidemic spread of pine wilt disease

To determine why pine wilt disease caused by the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) recurs in the same pine stand even after thorough eradication of dead pine trees, the amount of oleoresin exudation from artificial wounds was measured from 72 Pinus koraiensis trees, highly susceptible to this disease, for 4 years. The amount of exuded oleoresin was rated from 0 to 4. All values obtained for each tree were summed at each measurement; thereby a cumulative curve was drawn to monitor the physiological condition of each test tree. Cumulative curves suggest that some pine trees that died had already been infected in the previous year or earlier and then had survived without any visible symptoms. If cessation of oleoresin exudation delays, and overlaps with activity of Monochamus alternatus, the vector beetle of pinewood nematodes, in the following season, such trees can be referred to as latent carriers or asymptomatic carriers. They could play a significant role as attractants for M. alternatus that could then transmit B. xylophilus to neighboring trees. Behavior of M. alternatus caged with several pine seedlings, only one of which acted as an asymptomatic carrier of B. xylophilus, confirmed this idea. The presence of asymptomatic pine trees, which harbored B. xylophilus nematodes or had reduced annual elongation, near stumps of newly dead trees in the study stand also substantiated this hypothesis.     

Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the midwestern USA: 2. Competition for water

A study was carried out in an alley cropping system in the Eastern Maize Belt of the United States with the objective of quantifying the competition for water between trees (black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). Spatial and temporal variation in soil moisture, tree and maize rooting patterns, tree and maize water uptake, and maize leaf area expansion were determined in three treatments; barrier (polyethylene root barriers separating maize and tree roots), trench (trenching without a polyethylene barrier), and no barrier (control). Significant temporal variation in soil moisture was observed in both black walnut and red oak alley cropping systems. The barrier and trench treatments resulted in higher soil moisture in the maize alley and lower soil moisture in the tree row than the no barrier treatment. Uptake of water by maize was higher in the barrier than the no barrier treatment. However, tree water uptake was higher in the no barrier treatment than in the barrier treatment because tree roots utilized water from the maize alley. Maize leaf area was negatively impacted by water stress in the no barrier treatment. Quantification of rooting patterns revealed that maize and tree roots were concentrated in the top 30 cm soil layer where water fluctuations were greatest. The barrier and trench treatments successfully eliminated the belowground root competition between trees and maize and resulted in greater leaf area and higher grain yields than the no barrier treatment. Thus, competition for water rather than competition for light seems to be critical in defining the productivity and sustainability of this alley cropping system.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of non-genetic factors on yield of monoterpenes in leaf oils of Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Sources of variation in yields (as a fraction of leaf weight) of 1,8-cineole, -pinene, -pinene and limonene in the leaf oils of young Petford Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees were studied. The oil yields of leaves up to 5 months of age were significantly affected by physiological changes associated with leaf maturation. The extent of these changes depends on genotype and on external influences such as soil moisture conditions. Prolonged drought stress reduced oil production in young leaves but did not affect greatly the equilibrium reached between synthesis and removal of oils at leaf maturity. Waterlogging prolonged peak oil production.Trends in oil yields with time differed markedly between individual trees. Although genotypic variation was great, there was detectable variation attributable to site, season and year. A relationship between seasonal patterns and climatic factors could not be established. Part of the observed variation in oil yields with time was attributable to variability in leaf maturity.The relative superiority in oil-yielding capacity of certain individuals in each experiment was maintained throughout, despite substantial variation from non-genetic sources. This consistency in ranking is of advantage to tree breeders wishing to make selections amongst plantations of differing age, on different sites and at different times of the year. However, even with careful sampling controls, absolute values will vary substantially and progeny testing will be necessary to further assess the potential of the initial selections.     

Dormancy induction in container-grown Abies seedlings: Effects of environmental cues and seedling age

Twelve-week-old container-grown seedlings of noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.) and Shasta red fir (A. magnifica A. Murr. var. shastensis Lemm.), both high-elevation species, were grown under controlled environments in a study of induction of terminal-bud dormancy. Eight treatment combinations of long (15 h) or short (11 h) photoperiods, warm (25°/20°C) or cool (18°/12°C) thermoperiods, and dry (–1.2 MPa) or wet (–0.6 MPa) moisture regimes were imposed upon seedlings for 12 weeks. Treatment factors significantly affecting the induction of dormancy in terminal buds of seedlings were identified over time. The results suggest that seedlings responded dynamically to dormancy cues. The warm/dry and cool/wet combinations induced dormancy in the first 2 weeks in noble fir and in the first week in Shasta red fir. Short-day/warm and long-day/cool combinations enhanced dormancy induction in weeks 3 to 4 in noble fir and in weeks 1 to 7 in Shasta red fir. Short days and cool thermoperiods independently hastened dormancy induction in noble fir in weeks 5 through 12.     

The distribution of lignin in sprucewood as determined by ultraviolet microscopy

The distribution of lignin in black spruce has been determined quantitatively by the study of 0.5 m transverse sections in a UV microscope. The average lignin concentration in the compound middle lamella was about twice that in the secondary wall. The lignin concentration of the middle lamella at the cell corners of adjacent tracheids was nearly four times that in the secondary wall but the volume of the secondary wall was much greater than the volume of the middle lamella. Thus, for earlywood, 72% of the total lignin was in the secondary wall leaving only 28% in the compound middle lamella and cell corner middle lamella regions. The corresponding values for latewood were 82% and 18% respectively. Use of oblique longitudinal sections of 0.1 m thick permitted the resolution of the compound middle lamella. The lignin concentration in the true middle lamella was found to be equal to that in the cell corner middle lamella and the primary wall lignin content to be about twice that in the secondary wall.

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Zusammenfassung Die Verteilung des Lignins in Fichtenholz wurde quantitativ durch Untersuchung von 0,5 m dicken Querschnitten unter dem UV-Mikroskop bestimmt. Die mittlere Ligninkonzentration war in der Mittelschicht etwa doppelt so hoch wie in der Sekundärwand. Die Ligninkonzentration der Mittelschicht war in den an die Tracheiden anstoßenden Zellecken annähernd viermal höher als in der Sekundärwand, wogegen das Volumen der Sekundärwand wesentlich größer war als das der Mittelschicht. Dagegen befand sich beim Frühholz 72% des gesamten Lignins in der Sekundärwand und nur 28% fanden sich in der Mittelschicht selbst und in ihren Zelleckbereichen. Die entsprechenden Werte für Spätholz betragen 82% bzw. 18%. Die Anwendung von schrägen Längsschnitten von 0,1 m Dicke erlaubte die Auflösung der Mittelschicht. Die Ligninkonzentration in der Mittllamelle war gleich groß wie in der in den Zellzwickeln befindlichen Mittellamelle und der Ligningehalt der Primärwand war etwa doppelt so groß wie derjenige in der Sekundärwand.

     

Absolute configuration of arylglycerol-β-aryl ethers obtained by asymmetric reduction of the correspondingα-ketonic compound with intactFusarium solani cells

When (±)--oxo-guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ether (1) is degraded byFusarium solani M-13-1, the-ketone is initially reduced to giveerythro andthreo guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ethers (2), arylglycerol--aryl ethers, both of which are enantiomerically pure. The absolute configuration in each2 was determined by Mosher's method; the products were converted to,-di-(R)--methoxy--trifluoromethylphenylacetates (MTPA esters) (3) oferythro (-)- andthreo (+)-veratrylglycerol--(methyl vanillate) ethers (3), whose¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were examined and compared with those of four di-(R)-MTPA ester (3) diastereomers from chemically synthesizederythro (±)-3 andthreo (±)-3. To assign the- and-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks, the¹H NMR scans of several compounds that have substructures of 3 and their 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl analogues were examined. When a racemic alcohol reacts with (R)-MTPA to give a pair of (R)-MTPA ester diastereomers, the value was defined as the absolute value of the difference in the¹H chemical shifts of the peak between the diastereomers. It was found that the values of-MTPA-OCH₃ were larger than those of-MTPA-OCH₃ owing to a shielding effect of the veratryl ring located on the-MTPA-OCH₃, and that the-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks in the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl compounds shifted downfield relative to those in the veratryl compounds. On the basis of the¹h NMR data of (R)-MTPA esters, the absolute configuration of the four chemically prepared diastereomers (3) were determined. The catabolicerythro 3 [fromerythro (-)-3] andthreo 3 [fromthreo (+)-3] were identical to (R, S, R)-erythro 3 and (R, S, S)- threo 3, respectively. An hydrogen species in the fungal reduction would attack the-ketone fromre-face of both (R)-1 and (S)-1, givingerythro (S, R)-2 andthreo (S, S)-2, respectively.Part of this paper was presented at the 33rd Lignin Symposium, Tsukuba, November 1988     

Effect of auxins (IBA and NAA) and season on rooting of juvenile and mature hardwood cuttings of Robinia pseudoacacia and Grewia optiva

Juvenile (2 year old trees) and mature hardwood (15 year old trees) cuttings of Robinia pseudoacacia and Grewia optiva were tested for their capacity to form roots. Cuttings were prepared in spring, monsoon and winter seasons and treated with different concentrations (250, 500 and 750 mg/l) of IBA and NAA. These were planted in a mist chamber maintained at 25±1°C with relative humidity >70%. Juvenile cuttings of both species rooted significantly better than mature hardwood cuttings in all three seasons, and the age effect was more pronounced in auxin treated cuttings. The highest rooting in juvenile (83.3%) and mature (66.6%) cuttings was observed with the NAA (500 mg/l) treatment in R. pseudoacacia during the spring season. In G. optiva, IBA (250 mg/l) in the monsoon season was most effective and yielding a maximum of 80% and 70% rooting in juvenile and mature cuttings, respectively. Auxin treatments also significantly enhanced the number of roots, root length, leaf number and leaf area. Statistical analysis of data revealed that interactions between age, season and treatments were significant at P <0.05 level for R. pseudoacacia and non-significant for G. optiva.     

Nitrogen use by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis> trees growing on a Mt. Fuji lava flow

To quantify the nitrogen (N) use by Pinus densiflora trees growing on an infertile lava surface, N pools, N requirement and N uptake through fine roots and N deposition from the atmosphere were estimated. The N requirement and the N uptake of fine roots were 55.5kgNha^–1year^–1 and 39.7kgNha^–1, respectively. Thus, the ratio of N uptake to N requirement of the fine roots was 71.5%. Including fine-root contribution, the total N requirement of the P. densiflora trees was 98.6kgNha^–1year^–1, and the total N uptake was 64.2kgNha^–1year^–1. Thus, the N uptake of the P. densiflora trees was 64.1% of the N requirement, indicating that P. densiflora trees growing on an infertile lava surface obtain some of their N from below-ground organic material layers every year and the contribution of N storage in trees for their growth is not any higher than indicated in previous reports that excluded fine-roots contribution. The wet N deposition of our research forest was only 5.8% of the N requirement of the P. densiflora trees and only 8.9% of the N uptake. Movement of the below-ground organic material layer N concentrations in the F- and L-layers coincides with needle development and fine-root growth, suggesting the possibility that P. densiflora trees extract N from the organic N of those layers for growth.     

Die Übertragung des Enationenvirus der Erbse durch verschiedene Morphen der BlattlausartenMacrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) undAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)

Zusammenfassung Unterschiedliche Vektoreignungen können zwischen Rassen, Morphen und Altersstadien einer Blattlausart auftreten. Es wurden verschiedene Morphen vonMacrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) undAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) hinsichtlich ihrer Übertragungsfähigkeit für das persistente Enationenvirus der Erbse geprüft. Dabei erwiesen sich ovipare Weibchen und adulte Männchen vonM. euphorbiae als ungeeignete Überträger, während die gleichen Morphen von zweiA. pisum-Populationen die Virose übertrugen. Auch die Fundatrix desA. pisum-BastardsTrifolium pratense rot XSarothamnus scoparius grün übertrug zu einem relativ hohen Prozentsatz. Ovipare Weibchen und Männchen der inaktiven RasseLotus uliginosus gelb konnten keine Infektion bewirken; die persistente Virusübertragungsfähigkeit ist im Falle vonAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) offenbar ein genetisch fixiertes Merkmal.

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Summary Different vector abilities may exist between races, morphs and development instars of a given aphid species. Several morphs ofMacrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and ofAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) were tested in their transmission ability for the persistent pea enation mosaic virus. Oviparous females and adult males ofM. euphorbiae proved insuitable for transmission, the corresponding morphs of twoA. pisum-populations, however, were successful in transmitting. The fundatrix of theA. pisum hybridTrifolium pratense red xSarothamnus scoparius green transmitted to a relatively high percentage. Oviparous females and males of the inactiv raceLotus uliginosus yellow failed completely in transmitting; in the present case ofA. pisum the transmission character of the persistent virus evidently is genetically fixed.

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Résumé Différentes aptitudes de vecteur peuvent se trouver entre les races, les morphes et les périodes d'âge d'une espèce de pucerons. Différentes morphes deMacrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) et deAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) ont été examinées en ce qui concerne leurs aptitudes de transmettre le virus persistant du pois(pea enation mosaic). En ce cas les femelles ovipares et les mâles adultes deM. euphorbiae se montraient impropres à la transmission, pendant que les mêmes morphes de deux populations deA. pisum transmettaient la virose. C'était la fondatrice du bâtard deA. pisum Trifolium pratense rouge avecSarothamnus scoparius vert qui transmettait à une pourcentage relativement haute. Les femelles ovipares et les mâles de la race «inactive» deLotus uliginosus jaune ne pouvaient pas effectuer d'infection; en cas deAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), l'aptitude persistante à transmettre le virus évidemment est un caractère fixé d'une façon génétique.

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, . Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) peaenation mosaic virus). M. euphorbiae , {A. pisum} . A. pisum-Trifolium pratense Sarothamnus scoparius . «» Lotus uliginosus ; Acrythosiphon pisum (Harris) .

     

The composition and abundance of microarthropod communities on arboreal litter in the canopy of Cryptomeria japonica trees

In a Cryptomeria japonica plantation, we examined the composition and seasonal abundance of microarthropods in communities associated with habitat substrates in the canopy (defined as dead leaves, dead branches, and living leaves) and compared them with those in soil communities. Habitat substrates and microarthropods were periodically collected by the branch-clipping and washing method from the canopy and by the Tullgren method from the soil. Oribatida, Collembola, and larvae of the Chironomidae, most of which are detritivorous or fungivorous, were dominant in the canopy. The dominant oribatid and collembolan families differed markedly between the canopy and the soil. Numbers of all microarthropods per unit dry weight of leaf or per unit area of branch ranged from 4.2 to 11.7g^–1 dry wt on dead leaves, 0.13–0.48cm^–2 on dead branches, and 1.3–6.4g^–1 dry wt on living leaves. In the soil, the number of individuals per unit ground area ranged from 24000 to 220000m^–2. The total abundances of microarthropods on dead leaves and dead branches were almost constant throughout the year. These results suggest that the arboreal litter characteristic of C. japonica canopies is utilized consistently by large numbers of detritivorous and fungivorous microarthropods, and that the decomposition of dead foliage and branches is initiated in the canopy.     

Paraiso (Melia azedarach var. “Gigante”) woodlots: an agroforestry alternative for the small farmer in Paraguay

This paper describes the salient aspects and analyses the potential of the Paraiso Woodlot System, which is becoming popular as an agroforestry alternative to land use in the degraded acid sandy soils of the humid sub-tropical Guayaybi area of Paraguay. The system consists of a combination of paraiso (Melia azedarach var gigante) with other trees, especially Leucaena leucocephala, and annual crops.The fast growth habit, deep root system, addition of large quantities of organic matter through leaf and litter fall, compatibility with agricultural crops, high value of the sawlogs and production of substantial quantities of poles and firewood make paraiso an excellent species for agroforestry combination. Preliminary results of the trials indicate that the woodlots are successful and with increasing efforts of the extension agencies, they are being accepted as a viable alternative to traditional agricultural systems.Besides discussing the potential of these woodlots based on initial results, the paper identifies the constraints of the system and highlights the priority research areas.     

Altitudinal and longitudinal variations in Pinus brutia (Ten.) of Crete Island,Greece: some needle,cone and seed traits under natural habitats

Four populations representing the entire natural distribution range of Pinus brutia (Ten.) in Crete (Greece) were sampled to determine: (1) Altitudinal variation within populations of Lassithi, Vorizia, Koustagerako, and Samaria, and; (2) Longitudinal variation among the four populations, based on morphological and anatomical differences in cone, needle and seed characteristics. Samples were collected from 10 trees per altitude, at three altitudes in each population. A total of 12 morphological and anatomical traits from needles, cones and seeds were analyzed to assess the altitudinal and longitudinal variations of the species in the island. The number of teeth per cm showed significant (P<0.01) differences between altitudes in Samaria, Vorizia and Lassithi, while needle length, width and the number of resin canals showed significant differences (P<0.01) between altitudes in Koustagerako. Cone width showed patterns of variation along the altitudinal gradient in Koustagerako, Samaria and Vorizia. Most traits had their highest means at the middle altitudes (650masl) in all the four populations. Overall, no clear altitudinal differentiation was detected, probably due to high rate of gene flow. Longitudinal variability showed a clear pattern of differentiation along the east–west climatic gradient. Needle length, width, sheath length, number of teeth per cm and the number of resin canals were the most useful traits for determining the climatic gradient clines.     

Hinweise zur Auswirkung biophysikalischer Umweltverhältnisse auf forstschädliche Insekten,untersucht insbesondere anLymantria monacha L.

Zusammenfassung Die Zentren des Schadauftretens verschiedener untersuchter forstschädlicher Insekten dürften nach zahlreichen Testungen Reizzonen umfassen, welche wieder als eine Kombination von elektrischen und magnetischen Feldern und durch diese freigelegte Metalleffekte erscheinen. Untersuchungen zur möglichen Wirksamkeit dieser Komponenten auf Vitalität und Fertilität vonLymantria monacha führten zu folgenden Ergebnissen. Es erscheint möglich, daß innerhalb von Reizzonen Sterblichkeit und Fruchtbarkeit vonLymantria monacha auch von niederfrequenten elektromagnetischen oder auch konstanten magnetischen oder elektrostatischen Feldern beeinflußt werden, die direkt oder auch über die Pflanze auf die Lebenskraft der Nonne von Wirksamkeit sind. Reizzonenbereich und Normalbereich zeigten hinsichtlich der Mortalität der Versuchstiere gegensätzliche Verhältnisse. Die Anfangsmortalität innerhalb von Reizzonen war gegenüber jener der Zuchten im Normalbereich erniedrigt, die Endmortalität vielfach erhöht. Futter aus Normalbereichen setzte in den Reizzonen, Reizzonenfutter im Normalbereich die Sterblichkeit herab und erhöhte im Normalbereich die Fruchtbarkeit. Im Normalbereich mit Normalfutter gezogene Nonnen wiesen die geringsten Zahlen an abgelegten Eiern auf, was sich besonders bei an Pflanzen eingebeutelten Tieren deutlich zeigte. Die wesentlich höhere Fruchtbarkeit von Nonnen an Pflanzen im Reizzonenbereich mag zusammen mit der hier erniedrigten Anfangsmortalität eine Erklärung zum gehäuften Auftreten vonLymantria monacha innerhalb von Reizzonen geben. Freigesetzte Metalleffekte könnten innerhalb von Reizzonen die Sterblichkeit aber auch die Fruchtbarkeit erhöhen.

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Summary The centres of damages by different forest insects, examined in this research, seem to be in zones of Earth radiations (Reizzonen), which again seem to be combinations of magnetic or electric fields and metal effects, set free by them. Examinations for possible influences of these components on vitality and fecundity ofLymantria monacha showed the following results: It seems possible, that inside of zones of earth radiations mortality and fecundity of this butterfly could be directed from magnetic or electric fields also of low frequency or electrostatic, which either directly or indirectly by the nutrients (plants) influence the vital power ofLymantria monacha. Zones of Earth radiations and normal zones showed different conditions in respect of the mortality. Mortality of larvae of first developmental stages inside of zones of Earth radiations was decreased, such of late stages increased contrary to larvae in normal zones. Plant-food of normal zones decreased the mortality of larvae in zones of Earth radiations and food of zones of Earth radiations decreased the mortality of those of normal zones and increased fecundity in the latter cases. Female butterflies reared in normal zones showed the lowest number of developed eggs, especially when reared encaged on living plants (spruce). The essentially higher fecundity ofLymantria monacha reared on plants inside of zones of Earth radiations together with the decreased mortality of first instar larvae there, may give an explantation for the increased population ofLymantria monacha inside of zones of Earth radiations. Metal effects set free inside of zones of Earth radiations could increase there the mortality but also the fecundity.

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Herrn Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. ERWIN SCHIMITSCHEK zum 75. Geburtstag.

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