两种原始兰科植物生理生态特征的比较

金佛山兰 (Tangtsiniananchuanica)为国家二级保护植物 ,野外个体数量极稀少 ,仅见于重庆南川金佛山及附近的稀疏马尾松林下 ,并且仅与其亲源种金兰 (Cephalantherafalcata)生长在一起。对比研究了生长在温室内的金佛山兰和金兰的多项生理生态指标。结果表明 ,金佛山兰与金兰只在气孔导度、水分利用率及胞间CO2 浓度方面有显著差异。金佛山兰的净光合速率、暗呼吸速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2 浓度、光补偿点、光饱和点、光能利用率和水分利用率分别为 6.1 6(± 0 .4) μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、0 .47(± 0 .0 4) μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、2 .7(±0 .2 )mmol·m- 2 s- 1 、0 .1 1 4(± 0 .0 2 )mol·m- 2 s- 1 、2 0 6(± 2 9) μmol·mol- 1 、1 0 μmolphotons·m- 2 s- 1 、2 0 0μmolphotons·m- 2 s- 1 、9.6(± 0 .9) %、3 1 (± 0 2 )mmolCO2 ·mol- 1 H2 O ;金兰的各项值分别为 5 .8(±1 .1 ) μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、0 .45 (± 0 .0 6) μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、2 .6(± 0 .3 )mmol·m- 2 s- 1 、0 .1 0 1 (± 0 .0 3 )mol·m- 2 s- 1 、1 73 (± 5 1 ) μmol·mol- 1 、1 0 μmolphotons·m- 2 s- 1 、2 0 0 μmolphotons·m- 2 s- 1 、9.1 (± 1 .1 ) %、2 .7(± 0 .7)mmolCO2 ·mol- 1 H2 O。在温室内晴     

玉兰属5树种生理指标的对比研究

对玉兰属 (Yulania) 5树种 ,即望春玉兰 [Y .biondii (Pamp .)D .L.Fu]、紫玉兰 [Y.liliiflora (Desr.)D .L .Fu]、玉兰 [Y.denudata (Desr.)D .L.Fu]、腋花玉兰 [Y .axilliflora (T .B .Zhaoetal.)D .L .Fu]和舞钢玉兰 [Y .wugangensis (T .B .Zhaoetal.)D .L .Fu]的生理指标作了测定 ,结果表明 ,5树种光合曲线较为相似 ,其光补偿点约 1 0 .0 μmol·m- 2 s- 1 ,饱和光合有效辐射约 1 0 0 0 μmol·m- 2 s- 1 ,光呼吸平均为 2 .1 μmol·m- 2s- 1 。 5树种光合曲线的差异主要体现在最大光合速率pmax这一指标上 ,分别为 :望春玉兰 8.2 μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、紫玉兰 8.0 μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、玉兰 1 4.4μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、腋花玉兰 1 1 μmol·m- 2 s- 1 、舞钢玉兰 1 5 .3 μmol·m- 2 s- 1 。 5树种的CO2 补偿点分别为 :望春玉兰 1 2 7μmol·mol- 1 、紫玉兰 62 μmol·mol- 1 、玉兰 5 2 μmol·mol- 1 、腋花玉兰 1 0 6μmol·mol- 1 、舞钢玉兰 5 1 μmol·mol- 1 。叶片水分利用效率分别为 :望春玉兰 0 1 4%、紫玉兰 0 2 9%、玉兰 0 1 6%、腋花玉兰 0 2 0 %、舞钢玉兰 0 2 4% [molCO2 ·(molH2 O) - 1 ]。望春玉兰是辛夷的主要原植物 ,其水分利用效率较小、CO2 补偿点高 ,因此 ,丰产栽培时 ,要     

杉木人工林针叶光合与蒸腾作用的时空特征

对3个林分(密度A1 667株·hm-2;B3 233株·hm-2;C9 767株·hm-2)的测定和分析表明,树冠不同部位的同龄叶的光补偿点、光饱和点及其最大光合速率不同;树冠同一层内,成熟针叶光合速率依当年生叶、1 a生叶、2 a生叶递减.强光下,中层叶的蒸腾速率明显小于上层叶.弱光下,中层和下层叶具有较高的蒸腾速率,几乎等于甚至超过上层叶.一般而言,杉木针叶光合作用的光饱和点为1 000～1 900 μmol·m-2s-1,光补偿点很低,大致在4.780 ～30.114 μmol·m-2s-1范围.同一枝条不同部位不同年龄针叶光合和蒸腾的能力差异明显.枝条后部针叶净光合速率和蒸腾速率明显小于处于枝中、前部的同龄叶,却明显具有较高的量子利用效率或对弱光(以散射光为主)的利用效率,分别为当年生叶0.006 60 μmolCO2·μmol-1PAR;1 a生叶0.017 94 μmolCO2·μmol-1PAR;2 a生叶0.012 97 μmol CO2·μmol-1PAR. 针叶最大光合速率可达13.335 μmolCO2·m-2s-1 .同一枝条不同部位的杉木针叶的蒸腾效率变化于0.003 5 ～0.007 gCO2·g-1H2O,越靠近枝条后部,蒸腾效率越低.一般而言,阳生叶的光合能力是阴生叶的2～4倍.生长季中当年生针叶光合和蒸腾速率的日变化均有2个峰值,中部和下部当年生叶的变化幅度小于上部针叶.辐射强度、空气湿度或者叶片周围空气的水汽压,是决定叶片气孔导度、光合与蒸腾速率的主要环境因子.呼吸作用白天明显高于夜间,多呈中午单峰型;日变化规律主要受温度、叶片周围空气的水汽压大小控制.蒸腾和呼吸呈紧密线性负相关.3个林分中,无论是2 a生叶,1 a生叶或当年生叶,光合强度均是密度小的最大,密度大的最小.密度越大,叶平均N素含量越低,光饱和点越低,而光补偿点越高,偏向于利用较弱的光,生长也较弱.     

西藏林芝云杉针叶净光合速率对环境因子的响应

使用便携式光合系统仪Li 6200测定了西藏林芝云杉净光合速率的日变化及其对环境因子如量子辐射、相对湿度和CO2浓度的响应。研究结果表明:林芝云杉的净光合速率在11:00点左右达到最大值,然后逐渐下降,到19:00点左右净光合速率降到0以下,转入暗呼吸。林芝云杉树冠上层的针叶由于受光充分,净光合速率较下层针叶大;阴生叶与阳生叶的净光合速率,上层差别不大,下层以阴生叶为大。在气温20℃左右、相对湿度70%±5%、CO2浓度为305mg·kg-1条件下,林芝云杉的光补偿点约为107 5μmol·m-2·s-1,光饱和点约为770μmol·m-2·s-1;在光强800μmol·m-2·s-1、气温20℃左右、相对湿度70%±5%条件下,林芝云杉的CO2补偿点约为157 2mg·kg-1,CO2饱和点约为3811 33mg·kg-1。     

金矮生苹果蒸腾速率对光照和水分的响应研究(英文)

通过对不同光照和水分条件下金矮生苹果 (Maluspumilacv .Goldspur)的蒸腾速率研究表明 ,金矮生苹果蒸腾速率 (Tr)与光照强度 (PAR)和土壤含水率 (SWC)的相关性非常显著 .Tr随着PAR和SWC的改善而增大 .但是 ,当光照和水分任何一种环境胁迫存在时 ,另一条件的改善不会使Tr有较大程度的上升 ,只有当SWC >11%或PAR >4 0 0mol·s-1·m-2 时 ,Tr才能随PAR或SWC的增大有较大幅度的上升 ;但当SWC >15 %或PAR >10 0 0mol·s-1·m-2 后 ,Tr不会随PAR或SWC有较大的变化 .PAR和SWC影响到气孔阻力 (RS)、叶水势 (Ψl)的大小是Tr作出响应的根本原因 .光胁迫降低气孔开启度 ,严重光胁迫时 (PAR <10 0mol·s-1·m-2 ) ,气孔阻力较大 (RS >2 0s·cm-1) ,导致Tr较低 (Tr <5μgH2 O·s-1·cm-2 ) .在严重水分胁迫时 ,导致Tr小于 11μgH2 O·s-1·cm-2 ;当土壤水分充足时 ,Tr将大于 15 μgH2 O·s-1·cm-2 ,基本接近最大值 .11%～ 15 %SWC所对应的RS范围是Tr变化曲线从一种变化趋势向另一变化趋势过渡的“转折区” ,是实行土壤水分控制可考虑的范围 .     

木聚糖酶解反应与膜分离技术研究

过程耦合是应用技术领域研究的热点之一 ,膜及膜分离技术的开发促进了过程耦合技术的发展。如膜超滤、膜萃取、膜蒸馏、渗透蒸发。在超滤膜反应器中木聚糖酶解制备低聚木糖的条件 :酶体积用量1 0 % ,木聚糖质量浓度 3 0 .0 g/L ,稀释率 1h-1,pH值 5 .0 ,反应温度 48℃ ,酶解时间 1 3 5min。在该条件下 ,低聚木糖得率、木糖得率、低聚木糖生产能力及低聚木糖与总糖之比分别为 2 8.5 % ,4.1 % ,3 .80g/ (L·h)和0 .87,并比较了分批加料、浓缩酶、常规反应器中酶解反应效果 ,浓缩木聚糖酶酶解结果表明 :木糖得率很低(0 .2 % ) ,低聚木糖得率为 3 5 .9%。     

萃取—5—Br—PADAP法测定枣脯中微量铁的研究

研究了Fe(Ⅱ)-5-Br-PADAP络合物的结构、稳定常数、显色条件及测定枣脯铁的方法.结果表明,在pH3.6～10.0的吐温-80的介质中,络合物分子中Fe(Ⅱ)与5-Br-PADAP的摩尔比为1∶2,络合物的稳定常数为1.38×10~(10),吸光系数∑_764=2.79×10~4 L·mol~(-1)·cm~(-1);Fe(Ⅱ)在0～35ug/25ml范围内服从Beer定律.常见Cu~(2+),Zn~(2+),Cd~(2+),Hg~(2+),Mn~(2+),Ni~(2+)等阳离子和SO_4~2-,NO_3,PO_4~(3-)等阴离子均无干扰.本法具有简便,快速及灵敏度、选择性和准确性高等特点.用于测定枣脯中微量铁结果令人满意.     

在CO2浓度加富条件下马尾松针叶的生理生态响应

研究了在3种不同CO2浓度(360 μmol·mol-1、800 μmol·mol-1、1 200 μmol·mol-1)下马尾松针叶的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、水分利用效率的变化.结果表明:在当前CO2(360 μmol·mol-1)浓度下,当光强为1 000 μmol·m-2·s-1时,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度分别为3.46 μmol·m-2·s-1、0.273 mmol·m-2·s-1、0.0254 mmol·m-2·s-1,针叶的光饱和点和光补偿点分别为:(1 800±2) μmol·m-2·s-1和(24±2) μmol·m-2·s-1.当CO2加富到1 200 μmol·mol-1时,针叶的光饱和点降低了200 μmol·m-2·s-1,而光补偿点增加了4 μmol·m-2·s-1.在光照强度为50～2 000 μmol·m-2·s-1的条件下,不同CO2浓度下的水分利用率平均值分别为:1 200 μmol·mol-1浓度下的19.163 μmol·mmol-1,800 μmol·mol-1浓度下的12.912 μmol·mmol-1,360 μmol·mol-1浓度下的11.192 μmol·mmol-1.短期的CO2加富降低了植物叶片的蒸腾速率、气孔导度,而植物的水分利用效率则上升.     

HMC-60催化α-蒎烯异构化反应动力学研究

用HMC 6 0催化剂催化α 蒎烯异构化反应 ,考察了反应温度、反应时间和催化剂用量对反应结果的影响 ,研究了反应动力学。确定在 140～ 156℃范围α 蒎烯异构化反应均为一级反应。分别求出在 140、150和 156℃时的反应速率常数为 4 .4 1× 10 - 4、4 6 9× 10 - 4和 5.11× 10 - 4;表观活化能为 1.75kJ/mol,频率因子A =5.314×10 - 4。建立了反应速率方程式和反应速率常数与温度的关系式。     

黑樱桃与山樱桃幼苗光合作用的比较研究

用LI-6400便携式光合作用系统对美国黑樱桃、加拿大黑樱桃、中国山樱桃苗木的净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度等进行了比较测定,结果表明:(1)日平均净光合速率、气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度均是中国山樱桃最大、美国黑樱桃居中、加拿大黑樱桃最小.3种苗木的净光合速率分别为6.381 μmol·m-2·s-1、5.550 μmol·m-2·s-1、4.952 μmol·m-2·s-1,气孔导度分别为0.200 mol·m-2·s-1、0.151 mol·m-2·s-1、0.134 mol·m-2·s-1,胞间CO2浓度分别为251.7 μmol·mol-1、234.7 μmol·mol-1、230.1 μmol·mol-1.(2)3种苗木的净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度均有显著差异.(3)3种苗木净光合速率的日变化相似,都呈单峰曲线,但美国黑樱桃达到峰值的时间在上午10时,早于加拿大黑樱桃和中国山樱桃,后两者达到峰值的时间都在中午12时.胞间CO2浓度的日变化都是从早晨开始逐渐下降,到下午降低到最小值,然后又有所增加,所不同的是,美国黑樱桃苗木下降到最小值的时间较早,在14时,而中国山樱桃和加拿大黑樱桃则较迟,都在16时.气孔导度的日变化趋势相似.     

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.     

Growth of Phlebiopsis gigantea in wood of seven conifer species

Heterobasidion parviporum and Heterobasidion annosum are widely distributed root‐rot fungi that infect conifers throughout Europe. Infection of conifer stumps by spores of these pathogens can be controlled by treating fresh stumps with a competing non‐pathogenic fungus, Phlebiopsis gigantea. In this study, growth of three Latvian strains of P. gigantea and the biological control agent ‘Rotstop’ strain was evaluated in stem pieces of Norway spruce, Scots pine, lodgepole pine, Douglas‐fir, Weymouth pine, Siberian larch and Sitka spruce. The growth rates of one H. parviporum and one H. annosum isolate were also measured in the same stem pieces. The growth rate of P. gigantea varied greatly in wood of different conifer species. It was higher in the three pine species, lower in Norway spruce and lowest in Sitka spruce and Siberian larch, and in Douglas‐fir, this fungus did not grow. The largest area of wood occupied by P. gigantea was in lodgepole pine. Growth of Latvian isolates of P. gigantea in the wood of Pinus and Picea species was comparable to that of the Rotstop isolate. Consequently, stump treatment with local P. gigantea isolates should be recommended. However, our results suggest that Douglas‐fir stump treatment against Heterobasidion by P. gigantea may be ineffective and other stump treatment methods should be considered.     

Growth of Mixed Birch-Coniferous Stands in Relation to Pure Coniferous Stands at Similar Sites in South-eastern Norway

Mean age, mean and top heights and yield were studied in 20 mixed stands of birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth) and Picea abies (L.) Karst. and nine mixed stands of birch and Pinus sylvestris L. in south-eastern Norway. Each mixed stand and the adjacent pure coniferous stand (control) were growing under the same site conditions and had not been commercially thinned. There were no significant differences in mean age at breast height or in top heights between birch and conifers in the mixed stands, while mean height was significantly higher for birch than for spruce. A growth index was calculated based on total volume and age at breast height. For the spruce sites the growth in young mixed stands (birch < 17 m) was superior to that of pure spruce, while the difference was insignificant in older stands. The growth index correlated positively with the ratio between generatively and vegetatively regenerated birch trees, and negatively with the age of the oldest species in the mixture and with site quality. For the pine sites there was no significant difference in the growth index between mixed birch-pine and pure pine stands. A mixture effect of birch on the volume yield of spruce or pine could not be demonstrated.     

Defoliation by the Needle-shortening Pine Gall Midge,Thecodiplosis brachyntera,on Pines in Central Sweden

An outbreak of the needle-shortening pine gall midge, Thecodiplosis brachyntera , occurred on Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris (L.) and lodgepole pine, P. contorta (Dougl.) in central Sweden during 1995-1998. The larval feeding of T. brachyntera kills current-year needles and heavy infestation causes severe defoliation. A pattern of fluctuating defoliation among years and sites was found on both pine species. Defoliation was evenly distributed in the crown of P. sylvestris during years of high as well as low infestation; apical whorls had as much defoliation as basal whorls. In P. contorta , however, there was a tendency for defoliation to be concentrated on branches in the most apical whorls. Growth ring increments on P. sylvestris with high levels of defoliation (71%) did not differ from trees with moderate levels (26%) of defoliation. Shoot lengths were significantly shorter, however, on heavily infested trees the year after defoliation.