酸性土壤上不同钙肥及用量对柚木苗生长的影响

为确定酸性土壤上柚木适宜的钙源肥料及用量,采用裂区设计,分别在广西酸性赤红壤和紫色土上,开展了3种钙肥和4个钙量的柚木苗期大田施肥试验。结果表明:施肥6个月时,两种土类上不同钙肥和钙量处理对柚木苗高和地径影响显著。酸性赤红壤上,氧化钙是促进柚木苗高和地径生长的有益钙肥,其次为硝酸钙,最差为硫酸钙,株施566g氧化钙的苗高和地径的生长量最大,分别比对照提高了27.7%和22.6%。酸性紫色土上,硝酸钙是促进柚木苗高和地径生长的有益钙肥,其次为氧化钙,最差为硫酸钙,株施2 240g硝酸钙的苗高和地径的生长量最大,分别比对照提高了25.7%和14.2%。酸性赤红壤较酸性紫色土更适合柚木的生长,此类土壤上培育柚木,应适量增加钙的施入,以氧化钙为钙源肥料,避免使用硫酸钙。     

不同基质对越南抱茎茶容器苗生长的影响

研究不同栽培基质对越南抱茎茶生长的影响,结果表明:基质4作用下的越南抱茎茶的地径、苗高、叶数等生长状况表现最好,其次为基质3和基质2;不同配比栽培基质作用下,基质4能显著促进苗木高生长,其次是基质3和基质2.不同基质配比对苗木叶量的生长差异影响不显著.综上所述,基质4(V河沙∶V椰糠=2∶1)基质配比较适合越南抱茎茶的生长,其次为基质3(V赤红壤∶ V椰糠∶ V泥炭土=5∶4∶1)和基质2(V赤红壤∶V泥炭土=2∶1).     

外源Ca2+对南林895杨扦插苗生长及稳定同位素δ13C,δ15动态分布的影响

利用形态检测与稳定同位素技术,分析不同质量浓度外源Ca2+(eaCl2)处理下,南林895杨扦插苗株高、地径、生物量的变化情况以及各营养器官δ13 C,δ15N值的动态变化.结果表明:不同质量浓度的外源Ca2+均能不同程度地促进苗木的生长.外源喷施Ca2+后,扦插苗株高、地径、生物量均优于对照,其中以200 mg·L-1质量浓度的Ca2+处理效果最好,其单株平均株高、地径、生物量分别比对照增加14.82%,18.01%,19.7%.随着Ca2+质量浓度(0,2,20,100,200,300 mg·L-1)的升高,南林895苗木叶、茎、根中δ13 C,δ15 N值均呈现逐渐上升然后缓慢下降的趋势,且最大值出现在Ca2+质量浓度为200 mg·L-1处.δ13 C,δ15 N值在植株中的分布遵从"库"器官大于"源"器官的规律.相关性分析表明:"源"器官δ13 C,δ15 N值与株高、地径呈显著性负相关,与生物量呈正相关;"库"器官δ13 C,δ15 N值与株高、地径、生物量均呈显著正相关.不同营养器官δ13 C,δ 15 N值的动态变化在一定程度上可以反映南林895杨扦插苗"源""库"器官间光合同化物积累与再分配格局对外源Ca2+质量浓度的响应.     

血水草营养元素含量及贮量特征研究

采用样方法和取样法,对血水草的生物量、土壤营养元素含量、植株各器官营养元素含量及贮量特征进行了研究.结果表明:血水草生物量为1 744.70 g·kg-1,以地下根系生物量最高,占总生物量的73.3％.血水草生长的土壤呈酸性,pH为5.53,有机质含量为52.74 g·kg-1,N 2.67 g·kg-1,P0.66 g·kg-1,K5.68 g·kg-1,Ca和Mg分别为1.73 g·kg-1和7.78 g·kg-1.血水草体内有机营养成分中,总糖含量为46.59 g·kg-1,蛋白质为291.17 g·kg-1,脂肪37.74 g·kg-1,纤维素303.58 g·kg-1;矿质营养元素含量中,N 36.08 g·kg-1,P 1.33 g·kg-1,K 29.89 g·kg-1,Ca 15.13 g·kg-1,Mg 7.80 g·kg-1,S 2.88 g·kg-1.营养元素总贮量为106.99 kg·hm-2,其中叶贮量占23.0％、茎占14.0％、根占63.0％.研究结果,可为进一步深入地研究血水草的生态功能,评价血水草的经济、社会和生态效益,科学保护和利用血水草资源,提供科学依据.     

氮磷钾配比施肥对桢楠幼苗生长及生物量积累的影响

采用3因素3水平正交试验设计,研究了N、P、K3种大量元素配方施肥对1a桢楠幼苗生长和生物量积累的影响,为桢楠苗期的科学施肥提供参考.结果表明,不同施肥处理对桢楠幼苗苗高、地径和各器官生物量的影响差异均显著,其中N2P3K1组合(尿素2 g·株-1、过磷酸钙8 g·株-1,氯化钾0 g·株-1)条件下植株苗高、地径及各器官生物量均处于最高水平,该组合植株生长表现最佳.N、P、K对桢楠幼苗生长和生物量积累的影响效应不同,主次顺序均表现为N>P>K,其中N元素影响最大,P元素和K元素影响较小.     

N、P、K营养元素不同配比对马占相思苗期生长的影响

采用N、P、K 3营养元素 5个水平配比试验 ,分析不同配比对马占相思苗期生长的影响 ;通过正交试验 ,确定马占相思苗木对各营养元素的实际需求水平。结果表明 ,P素对马占相思苗期生长影响最大 ,其次为K素 ,而N素的影响相对较小。不同水平的N、P、K配比对试验苗有不同的影响 ,其中 ,N∶P∶K最佳配比为 :190∶2 5∶16 0 (mg·L- 1)。     

控释肥和灌溉方式对栓皮栎容器苗苗木质量及造林效果的影响

[目的]探讨控释肥和灌溉方式对栓皮栎(Quercus variabilis Bl.)容器苗生长、养分含量、基质电导率(EC)及2年造林效果的影响,为培育高质量苗木提供参考。[方法]以栓皮栎容器苗为研究对象,采用双因素完全随机试验设计,设置5个施肥水平(以N元素含量为基准,5个施肥水平分别为:25、75、125、175、225 mg·株~(-1))和2种灌溉方式(上方喷灌(O)、底部渗灌(S)),测定栓皮栎容器苗形态指标、养分含量、根系生长、基质EC值及连续2年造林效果。[结果]表明:(1)施肥量和灌溉方式二者对苗木形态指标影响存在交互效应,225-O处理的苗木地径、根生物量、单株生物量最大,但根生物量、单株生物量在225-O、125-S、175-O处理之间差异不显著。225-S处理的苗高、茎生物量、茎根比最大,茎生物量在225-S与225-O之间差异不显著。(2)苗木茎、根的氮磷钾浓度和含量随施肥量的增加而增大,施肥量125、175、225 mg·株~(-1)处理之间的根氮、磷含量及单株磷含量差异不显著。(3)增加施肥量促进苗木根系的生长,施肥量为125、175、225 mg·株~(-1)处理之间的根系表面积、体积差异不显著。(4)基质EC值随施肥量的增加而增大,底部渗灌显著提高了基质上层、下层的EC值,基质上层、下层的最大EC值分别为4. 69、0. 56d S·m-1,没有对苗木生长产生不利影响。(5)和上方喷灌相比,底部渗灌显著地促进造林第1年幼树的树高、地径生长;造林第1年、第2年的树高和地径均随施肥量的增加而增大,造林第2年,施肥量125、175、225 mg·株~(-1)处理之间的树高、地径差异不显著。[结论]底部渗灌提高了栓皮栎容器苗体内的养分含量,促进了造林第1年幼树树高、地径的生长。施加控释肥有利于苗期苗木质量的提高及造林后苗木的快速生长。综合考虑苗木质量、经济效益、环境利益,培育栓皮栎容器苗可选择底部渗灌和控释肥量为125 mg·株~(-1)的组合(以N元素含量为基准)。     

配方施肥对圆齿野鸦椿幼苗形态和叶片生理指标的影响

为研究氮磷钾配方施肥对圆齿野鸦椿幼苗形态和叶片生理指标的影响,以1年生圆齿野鸦椿盆栽苗为研究对象,采用正交设计L9(33)研究N、P、K不同配比施肥对幼苗生长和叶片可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖及叶绿素含量等生理指标的影响.结果表明:配方施肥可以改善苗木的生长特性,优化苗木的生理指标.其中,处理5的苗高、地径增长量和可溶性糖积累量最高,分别为72.67％、130.44％、6.94％,处理3的叶绿素含量最高,为37.17 mg·g-1,处理1的生物量和可溶性蛋白累积量最高分别达到7.52 g和45.02 mg·g-1.分析可知N、P、K配比保持在中低浓度对生理指标改良促进效果较好,有利于提高圆齿野鸦椿幼苗的各方面质量.     

丛枝菌根对大青杨苗木生长的影响

利用5种丛枝菌根真菌,在不同肥态、肥力水平下对大青杨实生苗进行接种。结果表明:5种真菌都与大青杨形成了菌根,在不施肥情况下Glomusintraradices、G mosseae、G versiforme3个菌种的苗木在苗高、地径、总干生物量上都与对照表现出差异极显著,与菌根侵染率呈正相关。丛枝菌根能增加苗木对难溶性P肥的吸收和利用,特别是G sinuosa与施过磷酸钙(Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O)在有效成分(P2O5)含量0 06g·kg-1土水平下的组合对苗木有良好的促生效果,生物量积累是对照处理的3 58倍;使用G mosseae或G intraradices与施可溶性P肥磷酸氢二钾(K2HPO4),在有效成分(P2O5)含量0 03g·kg-1土水平下的组合时对苗木的促生效果达到最佳,但随着可溶性P浓度增加,丛枝菌根对苗木生物量的积累却有抑制作用;丛枝菌根同样促进苗木对硝态N和铵态N的吸收、利用,G ver -)含量0 08g·kg-1土水平下和G mosseae、siforme、G intraradices与施硝酸钾(KNO3)在有效成分(NO3 )含量0 08g·kg-1土水平下,对苗木都有良G intraradices与施硫酸铵((NH4)2SO4)在有效成分(NH4好的促生效果,总干生物量是对照处理的2 91、2 56和2 70、2 40倍;试验结果同时也表明,根际营养状况是决定菌根侵染率的重要因素之一。     

缓释肥N/P养分配比及加载量对3种珍贵树种大规格容器苗生长的影响

[目的]研究缓释肥N/P养分配比及加载量对南方红豆杉、浙江楠和浙江樟苗木生长发育的影响,以科学指导大规格容器苗的高效培育。[方法]试验采用析因设计,研究N/P养分配比(1.75∶1、2.25∶1、2.75∶1和3.25∶1)及其加载量(1.5 kg·m~(-3)、2.5 kg·m~(-3)、3.5 kg·m~(-3)和4.5 kg·m~(-3))对3种珍贵树种2年生容器苗生长、株高生长节律、干物质积累及叶片SPAD值等影响。[结果]缓释肥N/P养分配比及加载量对3个树种容器苗生长及SPAD值影响不一。南方红豆杉、浙江楠和浙江樟干物质积累及根冠比在不同N/P养分配比间差异不大,浙江樟苗木生长受N/P养分配比影响较小,随着N/P养分配比增加,明显促进了浙江楠容器苗生长,却抑制了南方红豆杉的生长。缓释肥加载量对3个树种2年生容器苗生长和干物质积累的影响均达到极显著水平,随着缓释肥加载量增加可明显地促进3种树种株高、地径生长及干物质积累,增加了浙江楠地上干物质积累及南方红豆杉地下干物质积累,而对浙江樟根冠比影响未达统计学显著水平,但均显示加载量在3.5 kg·m~(-3)时达到最大值。N/P养分配比及与加载量的互作对3个树种苗木生长和干物质积累影响不明显,说明N/P养分配比对3个树种容器苗生长和质量的影响不因加载量的改变而变化或变化不大,反之亦然。随着缓释肥N/P养分配比的增加,可明显地延长南方红豆杉苗木株高的线性生长期,提高浙江楠株高的线性生长量,但对浙江樟株高的线性生长影响不明显。3种树种苗木叶片SPAD值差异很大,N/P养分配比及加载量并未改变3种树种叶片SPAD值动态变化规律,但随着N/P养分配比提高使南方红豆杉和浙江樟叶片SPAD值的起伏强度增大,3个树种SPAD值动态变化均随加载量增加而增大。[结论]南方红豆杉大规格容器苗培育较适宜的N/P养分配比为A1(1.75∶1)或A2(2.25∶1),而浙江楠和浙江樟为A3(2.75∶1),加载较高量的缓释肥F3(3.5 kg·m~(-3))可明显促进3种树种大规格容器苗的生长及SPAD值的提高,但加载量超过一定限度后,反而影响苗木的生长发育。     

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.     

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.