西南鸢尾种子萌发特性研究

为揭示西南鸢尾（Iris bulleyana）种子休眠特性，以野生西南鸢尾种子为试验材料，对种子活力、种子吸水性、萌发抑制物及光照和温度对种子萌发率的影响进行研究；采用低温层积、GA3及温水浸泡等方法，探索打破西南鸢尾种子休眠的方法。结果表明，西南鸢尾种子种皮吸水良好，92 h吸水率达125%；温度对种子萌发影响较大，30℃较适宜种子萌发；种皮醇提液明显抑制白菜（Brassica pekinensis）种子萌发。低温层积可促进种子萌发，4℃低温层积60天时，种子萌发率达63.33%。西南鸢尾种子种皮含有醇溶性萌发抑制物，是其种子产生生理休眠的主要原因之一；4℃低温层积60天可有效打破种子休眠，GA3和温水浸泡处理均不能打破休眠。     

樟树、檫树、闽楠种子的休眠和萌发特性

对樟科Lauraceae 3个属的代表性树种的种子休眠与萌发特性进行研究．结果表明:新采集的樟树Cinnamoumcamphora (linn．)Presl、檫树Sassafras Tzumu(Hemsl．)Hemsl和闽楠Phoebe bournei(Hemse．)Yang的种子胚形态发育正常,除檫树种子外,樟树和闽楠种子的离体胚能正常萌发,在黑暗条件下,3个树种的完整种子于15-35℃温度范围内,无论恒温和变温均不能萌发,闽楠种子仅在光照下30、35℃恒温和30℃日／20℃夜变温中较窄的温度范围内能萌发,但发芽迟缓、过程长、萌发率低;3个树种的种子均具生理休眠特性,种皮透气性差和存在发芽抑制物质是樟树种子休眠的原因,低温(5℃)层积80 d,不能完全解除休眠,在30℃日／20℃夜最适变温条件下．并给予适当光照,萌发率仅为41．00％;采用0．5％KNO3+0．10％GA3溶液浸种2 h后低温层积80 d,在光照条件下,萌发率可提高到74．00％;胚存在发芽抑制物质和种皮透气性差是引起檫树种子休眠的最初原因,经低温层积后,种皮防碍抑制物质向外渗透是种子不能完全解除休眠的关键因素,低温层积240 d,在25℃日／15℃夜最适温度下,光暗中的萌发率仅为59．00％-54．00％．而采用4％H2O2+0．10％GA3溶液浸种后低温层积．萌发率可高达87．00％;种皮透气性差,发芽要求特殊的温度和一定的光照是闽楠种子休眠的原因,低温层积60 d,在光照条件下,20、25℃恒温和30℃日／15℃夜变温适宜温度中,萌发率能达77．33％-85．33％．     

华南五针松种子休眠生理的初步研究

华南五针松(Pinus Kwangfungensis Hand)种子的胚分化明显且发育完善,但种子具生理休眠特性。种子内部酶的活性低,是引起种子休眠的主要原因,外种皮存在的抑制物质,种皮的透水、透气性差对种子休眠也有一定的影响。低温(5℃)层积60天能有效地解除种子休眠,最适的萌发条件是在光照下30℃(日)/20℃(夜)变温。     

短叶松种子发芽条件的研究

为适应扩大引种的需要,我们对短叶松种子通过层积时间、光照、温度等因子进行萌发效应的研究。优选出了短叶松种子发芽条件的规范。对短叶松种子的浸提液进行生物鉴定,并就其内外种皮对种子萌发的影响进行对比试验,结果表明短叶松种子有休眠期;休眠的主要原因是受胚的生理因素影响。试验表明:低温层积20—40天可解除休眠;在20/30℃变温加光照条件下也能解除休眠。从而为种子检验和场圃育苗提供了科学依据。     

塞罕坝野生花卉广布野豌豆种子萌发特性研究

以野生花卉广布野豌豆(Vicia cracca Linn)的种子为试验材料,对其萌发特性进行了研究,以期为引种栽培提供理论依据。结果表明:广布野豌豆的种子长约2mm,扁圆球形,种皮黑褐色,千粒重为8.524g,属于小粒种子;其种子的休眠是由硬实性引起的,属于强迫休眠,破除休眠可采用浓硫酸处理,以酸蚀30min效果最好,发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数最高,分别为91%、70%、18.85;其最适发芽温度为20～30℃;光照对其种子萌发有一定的抑制作用。     

檫树种子休眠生理的研究

檫树(Sassafrs tzumn Hemsl)种子具有休眠特性,对其休眠生理进行研究表明,该种子属于双重休眠,种子中存在高浓度的发芽抑制物,是其休眠的主要原因。经过冷(0～5℃)或暖层积处理,可导致90%以上的种胚解除休眠,但种子萌发率仍只有60%左右,改善种皮的透气性和消除种皮中的发芽抑制物,是提高檫树种子育苗成功率的关键。     

野生黄瑞香种子的休眠机制与破除方法

【目的】祁连山野生的黄瑞香生长在海拔2 500~2 600 m左右的半荫半阳的缓坡地带,为适应祁连山寒冷的冬季和凉爽的夏季气候,黄瑞香种子具有较强的休眠特性。探寻破除黄瑞香种子休眠的方法,可为其种子人工繁殖提供理论依据与技术支持。【方法】采用种子萌发抑制物的生物学鉴定、激素溶液浸种、低温层积、干藏等不同处理方法对黄瑞香种子的休眠类型、休眠原因及其破眠方法进行研究。【结果】1)新采收的黄瑞香种子生活力为84.6%,但不萌发,具有显著的休眠现象。种子吸水过程符合Logistic曲线,其种皮对种子吸水无严重阻碍作用。2)黄瑞香种子种皮和胚的醇提液、水提液对白菜种子的发芽率和胚根长均有不同程度的抑制作用。外种皮的水提液对白菜种子萌发和胚根长的抑制作用在相同浓度条件下比醇提液明显;种胚的醇提液和水提液在0.1,0.15 g·m L~(-1)的浓度下完全抑制白菜种子萌发,在0.05 g·m L~(-1)浓度下种胚的水提液对白菜种子萌发和胚根长的抑制作用显著低于醇提液;内种皮的醇提液在低浓度条件时已对白菜种子的萌发和胚根的伸长产生极其明显的抑制作用,但内种皮的水提液无论浓度高低对白菜种子的萌发抑制作用均较小。这些结果说明黄瑞香种子外种皮中存在的水溶性萌发抑制物、种胚中溶于有机溶剂和水的萌发抑制物、内种皮中溶于有机溶剂的萌发抑制物的共同作用是其种子休眠的主要原因。3)黄瑞香种皮的电镜结构显示未处理的种子的种皮表面细胞排列较规则紧密,种皮中长柱状细胞构成栅栏组织;经5℃温度条件下层积90天后,种皮表面已出现较多的"蚁穴"状孔洞,有利于种子萌发。【结论】将新采收的黄瑞香种子进行GA3和6-BA溶液浸种、低温干藏和暖温干藏处理,均不能有效提高黄瑞香种子的萌发,经5℃湿沙层积90天后黄瑞香种子萌发率近80%。新采收的黄瑞香种子为综合性休眠。     

领春木种子休眠与萌发特性

领春木种子(翅果)具生理休眠特性.对光和温度有特殊的要求,在光照条件下恒温和变温中均能萌发;在黑暗条件下,则仅能在变温中萌发.低温(5 C)层积40 d促进了种子的萌发,但仍不能使黑暗条件下恒温中的种子萌发.果翅存在抑制物质是引起种子休眠的主要因素,去掉果翅可使种子在光照下迅速而充分萌发.种子(翅果)最适的萌发条件是光照条件下15、20℃恒温和30℃日/20℃夜变温.     

枫杨种子休眠与萌发特性研究

为了确定枫杨种子的休眠原因及其打破休眠的方法,以枫杨成熟种子为材料,对种子透水性、种子浸提物的生物抑制作用、种子催芽处理效果以及种子在不同温度下的萌发能力进行研究。结果表明:枫杨种子种皮透水性良好,种子浸提液中存在发芽抑制物质,抑制物质的存在是造成种子休眠的主要原因。直接埋藏和混雪后埋藏解除枫杨种子休眠的效果不理想;低温层积解除种子休眠效果较好,层积时间达到120d时种子萌发率可以达到89%。温度显著影响枫杨种子的萌发,25℃的恒温条件下种子萌发能力显著高于其它温度条件。结论:枫杨种子不存在物理休眠,属于生理休眠类型,种子需要低温层积处理120d打破休眠,解除休眠种子的适宜萌发温度是25℃。     

珍稀濒危植物金丝李种子的萌发特性

【目的】揭示珍稀濒危植物金丝李种子的萌发特性和幼苗适宜生长条件,分析种子萌发过程中金丝李的致危因素,为其保护、引种驯化和高效种苗繁育提供理论支撑。【方法】从温度、光照、水分、基质、埋深和不同种群等可能影响其萌发的生态因子和种皮、种子质量等生物学特征研究其萌发特性,探讨金丝李种子萌发条件,推测其濒危机制。【结果】金丝李种子萌发缓慢且极不整齐;带内果皮和去种皮均会延缓种子的萌发,但对萌发率无影响,种皮对其萌发不存在抑制作用;25、32℃和室温条件下种子能萌发,32℃下能明显加快其萌发进程和生长速度,而18和37℃下种子均不萌发;种子在持续光照、持续黑暗、周期性光照条件下均能萌发,周期性光照下萌发速度最快、最整齐,但3种光条件下萌发率无显著差异,其为光中性种子;播种在河沙和泥炭土基质里的萌发率最高,在黏质壤土或石山土里萌发缓慢且萌发率较低,在泥炭土和蛭石基质里幼苗地上和地下部分生长均较好;40%~60%含水量的石山土较适宜萌发,80%含水量下萌发时滞较长,而20%含水量下种子不能萌发;播种在相同深度下时,以河沙为基质相比以石山土为基质,种子的发芽势和发芽率较高,且随着埋深增加,发芽势和发芽率均降低,以河沙为基质埋深0.5 cm的处理萌发速度最快、最整齐;在弄岗、安宁和胡润种群的种子中,胡润种群的萌发率最低,萌发速度最慢,弄岗种群的幼苗较细长,胡润种群幼苗较粗矮且根系较发达;4 g、4~5 g和5 g 3个质量级种子的萌发参数和幼苗生长量大多差异不显著,种子质量对金丝李种子萌发和幼苗生长无显著影响;已萌发的种子被摘除芽和根后再次播种,仍能萌发,其具有再生能力。【结论】金丝李种子存在休眠,萌发对温度的适应范围较窄,对基质通气透水性反应敏感,其种子的再生能力可防止种子成苗失败,加强它的生存能力,但其萌发及幼苗生长缓慢,不利于种群空间资源的迅速占据,加上种子萌发对土壤透气和水分要求较高可能是导致其种群衰落,成为濒危的重要原因。     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Seed Weight and Seed Type on Early Seedling Growth of Pinus sylvestris under Harsh and Optimal Conditions

The effects of seed weight and seed type on seedling growth of Pinus sylvestris (L.) were studied by seeding individually weighed orchard and stand seed in different mixtures under harsh (direct seeding in field) and optimal (seeding in nursery) conditions. In the nursery experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased the seedling height by 10-27% and total weight by 27-113%, and decreased the height/diameter ratio by 5-6% after 2 yrs. With elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 2% taller than stand seedlings in year 2. Without elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller. In the field experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased seedling height by 18-65%, stem volume by 81-274% and the number of top-buds by 23-34% in year 5. After elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller than stand seedlings and without elimination of seed weight effects 20-21% taller after 5 yrs. Even after elimination of both seed weight and genetic effects orchard seedlings were 3-9% larger than stand seedlings in the field experiment. In conclusion, the influence of seed weight and seed type on growth traits and slenderness is highly significant and the influence seems to be greater in harsh conditions.     

Modelling of adequate pretwist for obtaining straight timber

Abstract

Wood in general and wooden studs in particular are often distorted owing to uneven shrinkage during the drying process in the sawmill. Twist is often the most detrimental of all types of distortion, and it is caused by spiral grain in combination with variations in moisture content. For sawmills, the objective is to produce dried, straight boards, and one method of dealing with boards with excessive spiral grain is to sort them out and then dry them in a pretwisted position to obtain straight boards after drying. A model using the finite element (FE) method for the simulation of drying twist distortions was first calibrated against laboratory experiments in which boards were dried with and without restraints and pretwists. After the calibration, the FE results were compared with industrial test results for boards that were dried without restraints or with restraints with zero pretwist, i.e. straight restraints. The FE model used an elastic–ideally plastic material model to obtain permanent deformations. The calibration was to set the yield stresses so that there was a good match between FE results and results from the laboratory experiments. The comparison between the industrial test results and the FE results showed that the FE model is capable of realistic simulations of drying boards with and without restraints and presumably also pretwists.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Biogeochemical impacts of clearfelling and reforestation on blanket-peatland streams: II. major ions and dissolved organic carbon

Streams and drains in blanket-peatland forest in western Ireland were sampled weekly over 5 years, 1996–2000, using continuous, depth-proportional passive sampling. Analysis was for pH, alkalinity by Gran titration, anions by IC, metals by ICP, aluminium speciation by loaded-resin exchange, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by absorbance at 320 nm.

Effects of felling are identified graphically from two forest drains whose catchments (both about 1 ha) were clearfelled, and partial clearfelling of one larger catchment (somewhat over 1 km²), in summer 1999. Calcium concentrations and alkalinity were increased in the drain- and streamwater from the felled areas. The pH was increased in drains, while in the larger stream, pH range decreased while the mean increased. Phosphorus increased markedly with clearfell, in the absence of recent fertilising, and also increased with fertilising; these results are reported in an accompanying paper. Ammonium-nitrogen concentrations were increased in the two drains with felling, and temporarily decreased in the larger stream. Nitrate increased in some cases. Potassium and manganese concentrations also increased. Concentrations of DOC and organic monomeric aluminium increased gradually, subject to a continuing strong annual cycle. There were no clearfelling effects on concentrations of solphate, suspended solids or inorganic monomeric aluminium. In the two drains (fully clearfelled), concentrations of sodium, chloride and magnesium, and conductivity, were all reduced after felling. Fertilising effects other than for phosphorus were indistinct.

Effects of the combined clearfell–reforestation treatment were testable statistically, using randomised intervention analysis, between two larger streams (1 km²) as a treatment–control comparison. There were statistically significant positive responses in streamwater concentrations of nitrate, potassium, calcium, DOC and aluminium fractions. The implications for management practice depend on whether the loss of nutrients is sustainable for future crop productivity, and whether critical limits and loads of receiving ecosystems are exceeded.     

Effect of Drought on Growth and Mortality of Actively Growing Norway Spruce Container Seedlings Planted in Summer

Survival, root egress and height growth of 13-month-old actively growing Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings exposed to preplanting drying treatments (0, 4, and 8 days) and postplanting drought periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks) were studied in the field between 5 July and 18 August 1999. The mortality of seedlings increased and the height growth and root egress decreased throughout the postplanting drought period. Postplanting performance was also affected by preplanting drying treatments. The results indicate that no risk of excessive mortality and growth restrictions occurs when actively growing seedlings are planted in summer, provided that seedlings are well watered before planting and the drought period does not exceed 3 weeks.     

Rehabilitation of diseased cacao fields in Peru through shade regulation and timing of biocontrol measures

The objective of this case study was to test the effectiveness of biocontrol for the rehabilitation of abandoned, diseased (moniliasis, witches' broom and black pod) cocoa and to develop testable hypotheses regarding the effect of shade and biocontrol timing. Three trial fields differed in their shade regimes. Biocontrol was administered starting either at flowering or pod filling. Disease incidence and yield were compared with cultural control alone. Biocontrol reduced moniliasis from 49% to 25%, independent of the shading regime and application time. Witches' broom was most severe without shade and unaffected by biocontrol. No significant effects on black pod were observed. Although biocontrol increased percentage healthy fruit independent of shading and timing, only the shaded plot with biocontrol from flowering onwards responded with increased yield. Our hypothesis is: 'In the rehabilitation of abandoned cacao, only fields under sustainable shade management and early onset of biocontrol can realise their production potential.' This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

qPCR quantification of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from infected butternut trees under different release treatments

The use of a molecular assay for quantifying conidia of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum, the fungal pathogen responsible of butternut canker, was investigated. Purified DNA from conidia collected on glass fibre filters of a passive rain collectors was quantified using a TaqMan real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. The qPCR assay could specifically discriminate the target species from all other North American known species of Ophiognomonia, and it was sensitive enough to repeatedly detect one conidium. A linear relationship between numbers of conidia and qPCR C_t values was determined, and used to assess the sporulation of the pathogen under trees that were released to promote their vigour. In total, 977 samples of field‐captured conidia from 49 trees, at two locations, and from two successive growing seasons were analysed. No significant difference of sporulation was observed under control and release treatments. However, our results demonstrated that qPCR assay was reliable for detecting and quantifying O. clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from environmental samples, which will be useful to assess further control methods for this disease.     

The potential of alley cropping in improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia I. Chitemene and Fundikila

Three trials investigating the potential of alley cropping to improve the traditional systems of cultivation, chitemene and fundikila, in the Northern Province of Zambia are described. Flemingia congesta, Tephrosia vogelii, and Sesbania sesban, were grown in association with finger millet, groundnut, cowpea, and maize in various traditional cropping sequences. The indigenous species Tephrosia vogelii and Sesbania sesban were not able to withstand repeated pruning and the long following dry season, and were replaced with Calliandra calothyrsus, and Cassia spectabilis.Over a four year period, there was no benefit by alley cropping with any of the tree species on crop yields, and yields in alley crop treatments even dropped significantly below the control treatments in the fourth year, casting doubt on the potential of alley cropping for sustainable production. There was also no consistent effect on soil chemical characteristics in any of the trials. It was suggested that this lack of beneficial response to alley cropping was due to low tree biomass production low quality of prunings, and an inappropriate cropping sequence. There was no evidence that alley cropping contributed to enhanced nutrient recycling, despite substantial localised pools of soil nutrients, particularly in the chitemene, with which recycling could potentially occur.     

Toxicity of biocide GCSC-BtA on arthropod pests under different temperature conditions

The present research dealt with the toxicity of GCSC-BtA (Germany–China Scientific Cooperation-Bacillus thuringiensis-Abamectin), a new type biocide developed by conjugating a toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) with Abamectin from Streptomyces avermitilis, on arthropod pests under different temperature conditions. The results showed that GCSC-BtA possessed higher toxicity than B.t. crystal, Abamectin or Cypermethrin, with pest mortalities of 97.9, 93.7, 96.4, 82.3 and 96.7% for Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.) (Acari, Tetranychidae), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thys., Thripidae), Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hom., Aphididae), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) and Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić (Lep., Gracillariidae), respectively. Toxicities of GCSC-BtA to T. cinnabarinus and P. xylostella decreased significantly at the older developmental stage with an exception that egg stage had the highest tolerance, in which LC₅₀s of GCSC-BtA were 0.0001, 0.0019 and 0.0708 mg/ml for nymph, adult and egg of T. cinnabarinus, and that 0.0399, 0.2035 and 0.9033 mg/ml for the 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and egg of P. xylostella, respectively. Also, the biocide was more effective to the lower stage of A. fabae than the higher one with LC₅₀s of 0.0023, 0.0086 and 0.0171 mg/ml against 1st instar nymph, 3rd instar nymph and adult, respectively. In general, toxicity of the new type of biocide was positively related to temperature against all the tested pests, except against T. cinnabarinus, where it was almost similar at the three temperature conditions. GCSC-BtA displayed significantly lower toxicities at 15/20°C than 20/25°C or 25/30°C against F. occidentalis, A. fabae, P. xylostella and C. ohridella. However, no significant difference was found in the toxicities against F. occidentalis, A. fabae and C. ohridella above 20°C, whereas toxicity against P. xylostella increased as temperature raised. Therefore, to achieve higher efficacy in the field, application rate and time should be devised according to these factors.