云南蓝果树种子休眠与萌发特性

云南蓝果树(Nyssa yunnanensis W.C.Yin)又名毛叶紫树,为蓝果树科蓝果树属落叶大乔木,主要生长于热带北缘季雨林,阳光较充足的溪边沟谷地段,为中国热带北缘的特有种[1],是国家一级保护植物[2],IUCN极度濒危种[3],目前仅在云南省西双版纳州景洪市普文镇发现2个天然种群(共8株)和1个人工种群(18株)[4].野外考察发现,云南蓝果树天然种群植株生长良好,现存8株中的3株挂果丰硕,但林下无幼苗和幼树,自然繁殖更新能力严重衰退,种子散落后不能萌发是导致云南蓝果树天然更新困难的关键因素.     

云南蓝果树的种群资源及分布现状

云南蓝果树是国家Ⅰ级重点保护植物,分布零星,数量极少,处于极度濒危状态。本项目基于1995年以来的多次调查,结合历史文献及标本记录,研究云南蓝果树目前的种群及群落分布现状。结果表明,20世纪90年代前,发现的采集点均在西双版纳州,共发现8株;20世纪90年代后,在德宏州发现云南蓝果树的新分布点,见于盈江芒允、瑞丽南畹河边及陇川龙江,先后发现6株。其中,仅瑞丽南畹河的分布点位于保护区内。云南蓝果树不仅数量稀少,而且主要分布在林缘、沟边、耕地边等人为利用程度高、干扰大的生境,林下更新幼苗极少,种群结构不连续,野外灭绝风险很高。因此,应加大云南蓝果树的保护力度。     

云南蓝果树两性花的花药发育机制

利用石蜡切片法观察极小种群植物—云南蓝果树两性花的小孢子发育过程,以明确小孢子败育的原因和败育时期,为进一步拯救保护和研究云南蓝果树奠定基础。结果表明:(1)云南蓝果树有一部分两性花小孢子正常发育,经过小孢子母细胞、减数分裂和四分体等时期,最后发育为成熟花粉粒;(2)败育的云南蓝果树两性花在形成四面体型四分体之前都能正常发育,在四分体时期不能分离或分离后不能正常发育,从而败育。研究认为,绒毡层细胞发育异常是云南蓝果树两性花小孢子败育的主要原因,败育的时期是四分体时期和单个小孢子时期。     

云南蓝果树保护小区——中国首个极小种群野生植物保护小区建设实践

设立保护小区开展就地保护是极小种群野生植物拯救保护的首选对策。基于极小种群野生植物云南蓝果树保护小区建设实践,详细介绍了云南蓝果树保护小区规划的原则、内容和程序,保护小区建设的内容及其工程指标要求,以及保护小区管理的机构设置和运行机制。保护小区规划遵循"针对性、科学性、及时性、有效性和可操作性"原则,包括功能区划、保护管理工程、恢复措施、监测方案等内容,分组建队伍和准备工作、组织考察和汇总资料、分析问题和初步设计、再次考察和落实保障、完善规划和评审实施5个步骤完成;保护小区建设主要包括保护工程、管理工程、种群恢复工程等内容;保护小区管理则涵盖保护管理、监测巡护、宣传教育和科学研究等内容。强调了保护小区的规划建设不仅要突出有效保护现存种群的重点,还要为种群恢复重建预留空间,方法上不仅要依托种群生态学研究结果和包含3S在内的先进技术,还要注重当地利益相关者的广泛参与。作为对全国首个建成的极小种群野生植物保护小区规划建设与管理的总结,本文为制定极小种群野生植物保护小区建设方案提供了指导和参考。     

云南生物多样性保护成效明显

进一步加快实施物种零灭绝行动。在继续实施2013年安排云南蓝果树和白眉长臂猿等9个极小种群物种拯救保护项目的基础上,2014年又安排861万元组织实施了亚洲象和景东翅子树等21个极小种群物种的拯救保护工作。为完成国际履约任务,组织实施了"全球大象非法猎杀监测(MIKE)"项目,提交项目监测数据,协助国家林业局在西双版纳召开项目交流会。为积极争取资金,组织编制了《国宝滇金     

乡土彩叶树种蓝果树研究进展

综述了优良乡土彩叶树种蓝果树的形态特性与分类学、森林培育、生理生态等方面的研究成果,并指出蓝果树未来研究的重点,可为蓝果树的资源开发利用和保护提供参考。     

观赏果树在园林绿化中应用前景展望

观赏果树是从传统果树中派生出来的一个特殊种群,这个种群在叶、花、果实、干形中某一方面或几方面更具有观赏性,更适合园林绿化之用。现就观赏果树的概念、国内外发展现状、发展观赏果树的优势、观赏效果、存在的问题及解决对策、前景展望等几个方面进行了阐述。     

云南蓝果树对种子萌发及幼苗生长的自毒效应

云南蓝果树为中国特有极度濒危一级保护植物,为探讨云南蓝果树濒危机理并进行有效保护,通过野外原位实验和室内受控实验相结合的方法,研究云南蓝果树对种子萌发及幼苗生长是否有自毒效应。结果表明:野外条件下,云南蓝果树的种子萌发受野外枯枝落叶和自身种皮的显著抑制;室内受控实验发现,云南蓝果树的根、茎、叶和种皮浸提液对种子萌发都有不同程度的显著抑制作用,其中,根的抑制作用最强(80.90%),种皮的抑制作用最弱(13.59%),而且云南蓝果树的根、茎、叶浸提液和根际土壤对幼苗生长(株高、叶片数和生物量)也表现出显著的抑制作用。     

武夷山香果树种群格局的分形特征——信息维数

采用信息维数对武夷山香果树(Emmenopterys henryi)种群进行空间分布格局的分形特征分析,结果表明:香果树种群信息维数值在1.0～1.7,香果树在各种群落中信息维数呈极显著线形相关(P0.01);不同群落类型的香果树种群间分形特征差异明显,而同一类型内部各样地间差异较小;香果树种群信息维数由高到低依次为:香果树纯林阔叶林毛竹林针阔混交林;香果树信息维数随海拔高度的变化波动幅度较大,香果树在海拔1 300 m左右,信息维数达最大值,格局尺度变化强烈,是香果树种群生存较理想的环境,海拔高于1 400 m或低于1 200 m信息维数较低,种群更新较差。提出了加强保护有结实能力的香果树母树,以促进其自然更新的建议。     

云南蓝果树

1997-2000年,国家林业局组织开展全国重点保护野生植物资源调查,在云南、调查到了一种总株数不足20株的极度珍稀濒危树种,那就是仅产云南的我国特有的云南蓝果树。云南蓝果树(Nyssa yunn an ensis)系蓝果树科、蓝果树属落叶乔木,其属名Nessa的拉     

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.