Carbohydrate reserves as a competing sink: evidence from tapping rubber trees

Carbohydrate reserve storage in trees is usually considered a passive function, essentially buffering temporary discrepancies between carbon availability and demand in the annual cycle. Recently, however, the concept has emerged that storage might be a process that competes with other active sinks for assimilate. We tested the validity of this concept in Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg. (rubber) trees, a species in which carbon availability can be manipulated by tapping, which induces latex regeneration, a high carbon-cost activity. The annual dynamics of carbohydrate reserves were followed during three situations of decreasing carbon availability: control (no tapping), tapped and tapped with Ethephon stimulation. In untapped control trees, starch and sucrose were the main carbohydrate compounds. Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), particularly starch, were depleted following bud break and re-foliation, resulting in an acropetal gradient of decreasing starch concentration in the stem wood. During the vegetative season, TNC concentration increased. At the end of the vegetative season, there were almost no differences in TNC concentration along the trunk. In tapped trees, the vertical gradient of starch concentration was locally disturbed by the presence of the tapping cut. However, the main effect of tapping was a dramatic increase in TNC concentration, particularly starch, throughout the trunk and in the root. The difference in TNC concentration between tapped and untapped trees was highest when latex production was highest (October); the difference was noticeable even in areas of the trees that are unlikely to be directly involved in latex regeneration, and it was enhanced by Ethephon stimulation, which is known to increase latex metabolism and flow duration. Thus, contrary to what could be expected if reserves serve as a passive buffer, a decrease in carbohydrate availability resulted in a net increase in carbohydrate reserves at the trunk scale. Such behavior supports the view that trees tend to adjust the amount of carbohydrate reserves stored to the level of metabolic demand, at the possible expense of growth.     

Intra-annual variations in climate influence growth and wood density of Norway spruce

Intra-annual radial growth variations of two Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were monitored over 4 years, at four heights up the stem, by means of point-dendrometers. The trees were then felled and radial wood samples were cut from the radii that had been monitored by the dendrometers and analyzed for density. From the radial growth measurements recorded by the dendrometers, we related positions within the rings to dates, thus making possible investigation of the relationships between changes within the rings in wood density and fluctuations in climate or growth rate. Radial growth started in early April and ended, with large intra-annual differences, in August or September. Short-term variations in growth rate were related to fluctuations in climate parameters and soil water reserves. The sensitivity of radial growth to climate decreased with stem height. Wood density responded strongly to drought events, and a dry period in June 1996 induced false-ring formation. Wood density was relatively independent of growth rate and climatic conditions during the first part of the growing season, but increased with decreasing radial growth rate later in the growing season.     

亚硫酸盐酒糟醪液采脂对马尾松产脂量、木材生长量及木材物理力学性质的影响

作者通过七年的试验证明,亚硫酸盐酒糟醪液采脂其松脂产量比常法采脂增加27.2％;木材生长量比常法采脂少损失5.3％;木材物理力学指标,高于未采脂松树7—18％,而常法采脂基本上不改变松树木材的物理力学性质,不影响木材的利用价值。     

Growth performance and gum arabic production of Acacia senegal in northwest lowlands of Ethiopia

Despite the wide distribution of natural stands of Acacia senegal in Ethiopia, commercial exploitation of gum arabic is constrained by lack of tapping and development techniques. We evaluated the gum arabic yield from natural stands of A. senegal and the growth of 6 provenances in different parts of the country. For the gum yield evaluation from natural stands, four tapping positions and three tapping seasons were tested in a factorial RCB design. The second experiment in Metema evaluated survival and growth of six provenances. A. senegal trees in natural stands respond well to tapping if tapped during the appropriate season and at the correct position on the tree. The mean gum yield did not vary significantly by tapping season (p=0.63). Higher mean yield was, however, collected from trees tapped in October (96 g·tree^?1 per two harvests). The mean yield differed significantly (p=0.009) between the tapping positions. Mean separation (α=0.05) shows that trees tapped at mid stem gave higher yield (160 g·tree^?1 per two harvests). The interaction effect of tapping season and position was not significant. Higher mean yield ((70 ± 112) g·tree^?1) was recorded in mid October-mid stem in two harvests. The second experiment indicated statistically significant difference in mean survival (p=0.0298), height (p=0.000) and root collar diameter (RCD), (p=0.012) between the six provenances. Highest survival, height and root collar diameter growth was observed from Abderafi provenance (100%, (148±11) cm, (38±11) mm, respectively). We recommend October and mid-stem and branches as appropriate tapping season and position. We recommend planting of the Abderafi provenance for the study area due to its superior growth and survival. Our study contributes to the proper selection of provenances for plantation development and improved tapping technology for better production of gum arabic in the country.     

巴西橡胶树胶乳生理诊断的研究与应用

橡胶树胶乳生理诊断法是一批法国学者于20世纪80年代发展起来的,用于判断胶树代谢与健康状况的方法。在研究了巴西橡胶树胶乳的各种成分在胶树中的生理功能及其变化规律,以及这些成分与胶树产量之间的相关性后,可以将无性系划分为不同的代谢类型,并根据不同的代谢类型,安排不同的采胶方法;同时也可以根据随机抽样理论找到这些成分的标准参考值,用来判断开割胶树的健康状况,以指导采胶生产。现在胶乳生理诊断主要用于无性系代谢类型判断与采胶强度判断。     

Weather factors controlling growth of Oriental beech are on the turn over the growing season

A better understanding of the ecophysiological basis of wood formation by monitoring radial growth over the whole vegetation period may help to explain possible discrepancies between long-term average climate–growth relationships and short-term climatic impacts on tree growth. To understand how growth–climate associations of Oriental beech vary throughout a vegetation period, we studied seasonal growth patterns of high-elevation beech trees growing in the north of Iran by collecting wood anatomical micro-cores in 10 to bi-weekly intervals and measuring stem increment with high-resolution electronic dendrometers. Wood formation was for two consecutive years with contrasting inter-annual climate conditions (2011 and 2012). We divided the growing period into three equal time phases and related daily climate variability to the cambial growth in each phase. The pattern of climate–growth relationships varies over a complete growing season and between years: in both study years, trees responded homogenously at the beginning and at the end of the growing season, but showed opposing influence of relative humidity during spring and early summer (June and July). Temperature as the main driver of xylogenesis had a stimulating effect on growth at the beginning of the growing season, but had negative effects on radial increment during late June and July mainly due to the excess of ambient temperatures over an optimum threshold. Higher temperature in late June and July 2011 compared with those of 2012 led to a significantly narrower tree ring in 2011, despite the similar sums/means of annual climate parameters in these two years. Since regional climate change scenarios expect higher temperature and reduced moisture conditions in future, radial growth of beech in the north of Iran may be adversely affected.     

西双版纳橡胶树死皮病症状调查

调查西双版纳RRIM600和GT1两个品种橡胶树的不同割龄段死皮树的症状,根据排胶、割线颜色、树体状况三个方面的症状表现,死皮病典型症状可归纳为点状排胶或割线干涸,割线褐色、暴皮三种表现,其中RRIM600死皮树表现割线干涸和点状排胶的分别为41.7%和45.3%,割线表现内褐、褐皮平均分别为42.7%和35.2%,树体多数表现为块状暴皮,平均达44.8%;GT1死皮树症状以割线干涸为主,占61.9%,其次为点状排胶,占23.9%,割线表现为褐皮、内褐的分别占29.5%和44.9%,树体多数表现为短裂纹状暴皮,平均达34.1%。文章还对死皮病病程、诱因进行探讨。     

乙烯利刺激对橡胶树热研7-33-97幼龄开割树的乳胶生理影响

通过对未开割胶树进行2％乙烯利刺激,在刺激后的6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和CK （未用乙烯利刺激）割胶,分析对橡胶树无性系热研7-33-97幼龄开割树的乳胶生理影响。结果表明,乙烯利刺激稀释胶乳后72 h发生强烈稀释,蔗糖在刺激后48 h开始大量转运进入乳管;乙烯利刺激不同时间后割胶,与对照CK相比：随着割胶刀次递增,干胶含量递减,蔗糖、无机磷（除刺激24 h和72 h外）和硫醇含量在第2刀出现1个最低点,随后逐步升高。差异显著性分析表明,刺激72 h后割胶与短时间刺激干胶含量差异显著,长时间刺激（24 h）后割胶与短时间刺激（6～12 h）割胶蔗糖含量差异显著,72 h内刺激割胶无机磷含量差异不显著。故涂乙烯利刺激72 h后割胶较合适。     

不同季节漆树树皮结构与漆酚含量变化及其相关性

利用植物解剖学方法和分光光度法,系统观察、分析测定和统计分析陕西秦岭不同月份已割的和未割大木漆树以及已割的小木漆树的树皮结构、生漆中漆酚含量以及割漆季节中漆酚含量.结果表明:1)不同季节漆树树皮中有、无功能韧皮部厚度的比值,乳汁道平均直径、单位面积个数,石细胞平均层数和团数,射线细胞列数等均有变化,其中有、无功能韧皮部厚度之比、石细胞平均层数和团数在1年中出现2次降低;乳汁道分泌细胞及乳汁道腔内生漆贮存量也出现2次减少;2)不同季节漆酚含量总趋势呈上升,但中间出现2次低谷;割漆季节漆酚含量从7月中下旬到8月中下旬呈逐步上升并达到最高(67.321 43%);3)漆树树皮结构变化与生漆漆酚含量的变化存在密切相关.     

High resolution temporal variation in wood properties in irrigated and nonirrigated Eucalyptus globulus

? Environmental determinants of wood properties variation were examined in Eucalyptus globulus, a globally important hardwood plantation species, in southern Tasmania, Australia.

? Radial variation in wood properties, measured with the SilviScan system, were re-scaled from distance to time abscissa using stem radial growth data measured with dendrometers. With this re-scaled data it was possible to evaluate how water availability and temperature affected wood density, microfibril angle (MFA) and fibre and vessel transverse dimensions in irrigated and non-irrigated trees.

? Wood density, fibre radial diameter and MFA were sensitive to water availability. Wood density increased and fibre radial diameter decreased in response to reduced water availability. When high water availability was maintained, wood density was negatively correlated with temperature. Together, temperature and soil matric potential explained about 60% of temporal variation in wood density variation. In contrast MFA was not related to temperature but decreased with increasing water stress. Slower growing trees also had lower MFA than faster growing trees. Slower growing trees had a larger number of vessels per unit area of wood than faster growing trees within this even aged stand. However, vessel radius to the 4th power was significantly higher in faster growing trees than in slower growing trees.

? Overall, E. globulus wood properties were sensitive to temporal changes in environmental conditions (particularly water availability) and associated growth rates. The data provided support for the hypothesis that growth rates are hydraulically mediated.

     

Contrasting distribution and seasonal dynamics of carbohydrate reserves in stem wood of adult ring-porous sessile oak and diffuse-porous beech trees

We tested the hypothesis that broad-leaved forest species with contrasting wood anatomy and hydraulic system (ring-porous versus diffuse-porous) also differ in distribution and seasonal dynamics of carbohydrate reserves in stem wood. Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) reserves (starch and sugars) were measured enzymatically in the 10 youngest stem xylem rings of adult oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees during an annual cycle. Radial distribution of carbohydrates was investigated according to ring age. On all dates, oak trees had twofold higher TNC concentration than beech trees (41 versus 23 mg g(DM)(-1)), with starch accounting for the high TNC concentration in oak. Seasonal dynamics of TNC concentration were significantly (P < 0.05) more pronounced in oak (20-64 mg TNC g(DM)(-1)) than in beech (17-34 mg TNC g(DM)(-1)). A marked decrease in TNC concentration was observed in oak trees during bud burst and early wood growth, whereas seasonal fluctuations in TNC concentrations in beech trees were small. The radial distribution of TNC based on ring age differed between species: TNC was restricted to the sapwood rings in oak, whereas in beech, it was distributed throughout the wood from the outermost sapwood ring to the pith. Although the high TNC concentrations in the outermost rings accounted for most of the observed seasonal pattern, all of the 10 youngest xylem rings analyzed participated in the seasonal dynamics of TNC in beech trees. The innermost sapwood rings of oak trees had low TNC concentrations. Stem growth and accumulation of carbon reserves occurred concomitantly during the first part of the season, when there was no soil water deficit. When soil water content was depleted, stem growth ceased in both species, whereas TNC accumulation was negligibly affected and continued until leaf fall. The contrasting dynamics and distribution of carbohydrate reserves in oak and beech are discussed with reference to differences in phenology, early spring growth and hydraulic properties between ring-porous trees and diffuse-porous trees.     

Anatomical and FTIR analyses of phloem and xylem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetracentron sinense</Emphasis>

The fast growth of Tetracentron sinense is a potential valuable timber resource, but whether its anatomy and chemical components are suitable for timber is unknown. We used light microscopy and SEM to examine the anatomical structure and FITR to measure the chemical components of the phloem and xylem of this tree. Radial variations in growth ring width and tracheid dimensions were also evaluated. The sieve tube, phloem parenchyma cell and sclereids clusters were the main cells in phloem, and the tracheid was the fundamental cell in xylem. An unusual tracheid type, fiber-tracheids or vessel-liked elements was visible. Wood rays nonstoried, uniseriate and multiseriate, including heterogeneous II, occasionally I, and usually 3–6 cells wide. The mean growth-ring width was 2.53 ± 0.46 mm, and the percentage of late wood was over 60%. For radial variation, growth-ring width increased at an early growth stage, and reached the largest increment during years 11–15, then decreased. The maximum growth-ring width was 5.313 mm. During late growth (60–85 years), trees also maintained a high radial growth increment. Radial variation in the percentage of late wood was uniform, about 50–70%, throughout the growth years. Growth patterns in the length and width of early and late wood were similar as the trees aged. From the FTIR results, the chemical components differed significantly between xylem and phloem, hemicellulose in particular was higher in the xylem than in the phloem, where it was apparently absent. All of these suggest that the composition of phloem in T. sinense is very similar to that of hardwood, and it has higher growth ratio and uniform wood properties.     

Seasonal patterns of radial root growth and starch dynamics in plantation-grown Sitka spruce trees of different ages

Seasonal patterns of radial root growth within 1 m of tree stems were examined in Scottish plantations of Sitka spruce trees aged 9, 15 and 20 years. Results were compared with parallel measurements of shoot extension, radial growth of stems and amounts of starch stored in tissues external to root wood. Youngest trees produced the largest annual increments in root cross-sectional area and numbers of new cells along radial files of tracheids. Irrespective of tree age, new cells were present in roots before bud burst and the onset of radial growth occurred progressively later with increasing distances from the stems. At ages 15 and 20, both stem cross-sectional area and radial root growth up to 0.5 m from the stem base had a minor peak of activity preceding and a major peak following shoot elongation. Further than 0.5 m from the stem, root growth was frequently restricted to the period following shoot extension. Starch storage in the roots reached a maximum in April and May, which was greatest for 9-year-old trees and least for 20-year-old trees. At all ages, radial root growth in early spring occurred concurrently with increased starch storage. Later in the season starch reserves declined rapidly during the period of shoot elongation and root growth occurred whilst reserves were low. At all ages for positions on the root at the base of the stem and 0.25 m from it, starch depletion, at its maximum rate during June, accounted for less than the measured increment of root wood growth at that point. This indicates a substantial translocation of substrates to these zones during growth. At the same time, the reduction in starch concentrations at more distal points from the stem far exceeded that required for local root thickening.     

Scientific analysis of indigenous techniques for guggal （Commiphora wightii） tapping in India

Guggal, a threatened species that is endemic to western India, is tapped to extract medicinally important oleo–gum–resin(guggul). However, the plant dies after gum exudation. The indigenous tapping techniques used by local people were examined in Gujarat, India to discover the scientific basis behind these techniques: selection of gum inducer, season of tapping, and plant parts to be tapped. First, the presence of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. commiphorae(Xac) in the gum suspension used for tapping was established. This bacterium induces gum oozing from the tapped plants and later, causes them to die off. The population of Xac in gum was found to decrease with the age of the gum. With that, fresh gum increased the tapping success. Second, local people preferred tapping during the warm season, which we validated by determining that Xac growth was best at 30 °C. Tapping during September(mean temperature 25.7–30.0 °C) clearly favoured growth of the pathogen and yielded maximum guggul. Multiple tapping on a mature tree ensured maximum gum extraction before its death. Finally, application of indigenous technology under natural plant stands by the local people ensured availability of this important raw drug for consumption. Our study established that the age–old traditional methods have a strong scientific basis. However, it is imperative to formulate strategies based on contemporary scientific understanding to protect this natural resource before it becomes extinct.     

Optimizing Tapping-Tree Density of Rubber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis>) Plantations in South China

Tapping-tree density in rubber plantations affects the production of dry rubber. Farmers can estimate rubber productivity when they know with certainty the number of tapping trees within a plantation and can therefore increase productivity through optimized planting schematics. Historical data on planting distance between trees and between rows, planting density (trees/ha) and tapping-tree density (number of trees under tapping for latex harvest per hectare) from 1952 to 2014 have been collected for plantations in the Hainan, Yunnan and Guangdong provinces of South China. A plantation survey was conducted to collect more detailed data on current tapping tree and planting densities in various plantations in the three provinces. Planting density and row spacing are found to have increased with rubber tree planting time and plant spacing to have declined from 1952 to 2014. Tapping-tree density of rubber plantations from 1955 to 1995 in South China ranges from 270 to 345 tree/ha, averaging 300 trees/ha. Strong typhoons and cold snaps are important drivers of fluctuations in tapping-tree density. The factors driving tapping-tree density are similar across the three provinces but the degree of change differs between provinces. Tapping panel dryness (due to tapping beyond the natural limit of the rubber tree productivity), severe wind damage and cold damage are the major factors resulting in loss of tapping trees in plantations in South China. These results suggest that a combination of environmental management for extreme weather and targeted breeding could improve tapping-tree density in rubber plantation and therefore dry rubber yield per unit area.     

Effects of radial growth rate on selected indices for juvenile and mature wood of the Japanese larch

To examine the differences between juvenile and mature wood, 12 aged sample trees from two areas of Nagano Prefecture were harvested; and the radial development of tracheid length, the ring density, and the relation of the radial growth rate (observed by ring width) with some selected indices of ring structure were investigated. The results proved that the radial variation of tracheid length with ring number can be described by a logarithmic formula, and both plantations reached the demarcation of juvenile and mature wood at age 18. With the segmented regression method, we also analyzed radial variation of mean density and found that the demarcation of juvenile and mature wood was at age 15 for sample trees from Saku and at age 21 for those from Yabuhara. By using the results of estimates from juvenile and mature wood based on ring density, we found that high growth rates resulted when producing lower-density wood during the juvenile period, but these rates did not occur during the mature period. The basic reason for this phenomenon is the variation in patterns of earlywood and latewood in juvenile and mature wood, respectively. This result advised us that when managing plantations of Japanese larch it is necessary to take different measurements at different growth periods.     

Radial distribution patterns of the green moisture content in trunks of 46-year-old red cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis formosensis</Emphasis>)

Understanding the green moisture content and wood density is important for effective forest management. Radial distribution patterns in the green moisture content (MC) and basic density (BD) in stems of red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis) were investigated in 69 plantation trees that were 46 years old. An increment core was collected from each sample tree at breast height (1.3 m). Five radial positions were defined: pith piece (Pith), inner heartwood (IHW), outer heartwood (OHW), intermediate wood (TSH), and sapwood (SW). Results showed that the average MC was highly dependent on the individual tree. Average values of the MC obtained from the TSH were significantly lower than those for the other positions. The MC of heartwood was higher than that of SW. Distribution patterns of the MC in the radial direction varied among trees. Radial variations in MC and BD were greater than in between-tree variations. Six types of radial distribution patterns of MC were detected for sample trees. MC values increased with decreasing BD (except for the TSH). Positive correlations were found between adjacent sampling positions in both MC and BD.     

巴西橡胶新种质鉴定及利用研究初报

对从科特迪瓦和CIRAD -CP引进的 198个巴西橡胶新种质和 10个IRCA橡胶树新品种在云南植胶区的农业气象条件下进行适应性鉴定。这些新种质和新品种生长表现良好。经试割 ,新种质几乎无胶可收 ,新品种试割6个 ,有 4个产量超过RRIM60 0 ,抗寒能力普遍差。     

Comparison of physical and mechanical properties of tension and opposite wood from ten tropical rainforest trees from different species

On 10 trees from 10 species of French Guyana tropical rainforest in a clear active process of restoring verticality growth strains were measured in situ in order to determine the occurrence of tension wood within samples. Wood specimens were cut in the vicinity of the growth strains measurements in order to measure some mechanical and physical properties. As suspected, tensile growth strains was very much higher in tension wood zone, because longitudinal modulus of elasticity was slightly higher. Longitudinal shrinkage was also much higher in tension wood than in opposite wood.