Maximum effective lumen and pit pore sizes of the earlywood and the latewood of never dried loblolly pine sapwood

Summary Measurements of the air pressure required to initially displace a saturating liquid and allow a slow continuous stream of air bubbles to pass through wood cross sections of different thickness, together with the equilibrium surface tension of the saturating liquid, make it possible to calculate the maximum effective opening radii. Previous measurements were made for wood as a whole over complete annual rings. Measurements reported here were made separately for earlywood and latewood. Extrapolating plots of the maximum effective opening radius-cross section thickness, for thicknesses below the maximum fiber length, to zero thickness gave maximum lumen radii of 16 m for the earlywood and 10.3 m for the latewood. The values are only slightly greater than the calculated average values. Extrapolating the plots in the opposite direction to zero opening radius gave approximate maximum lumen or fiber lengths for the earlywood of 6 mm and for the latewood of 5 mm. The maximum effective opening radii for cross sections thicker than the maximum fiber length give maximum effective communicating pore radii. These values continue to decrease, with increasing thickness of the cross sections due to the decreasing probability of the largest openings falling in any one series path through the structures. The maximum effective pit pore radius for passage through fifty pits in series was 0.8 m for the earlywood and 0.28 m for the latewood.Paper No. 3787 of the Journal Series of North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Releigh, N. C.     

Studies on opposite wood in conifers part II: Histology and ultrastructure

Summary A study has been made of the histology and ultrastructure of opposite wood in Larix laricina, Picea rubens, and Pinus resinosa. The width of the growth rings varied considerably, in one case from 0.1–1.0 mm, with the wide rings containing a much higher proportion of latewood than the narrow ones. The earlywood tracheids were square in outline and more regularly arranged than in normal wood. In the latewood they were sometimes irregular and distorted. The S₃ layer in the tracheids was 0.2 m thick in the earlywood and 0.4–0.8 m in the latewood, as compared to a thickness in normal wood of 0.1–0.2 m in both zones. The S₃ was often buckled in the latewood and was terminated towards the lumen by a spiral thickening. The cell wall structure of the tracheid pit border was described. Normal coniferous wood might be regarded as an intermediate between opposite wood and compression wood.This paper is dedicated to Dean Edwin C. Jahn in honor of his 70th birthday.     

Cross sectional dimensions of wood pulp fibers from softwood fiber counts

Summary There are, on the average, about 300 fibers or tracheids per centimeter in both the tangential and radial directions in cross sections of softwoods when the counts are made over complete annual rings with the extremes varying from about 200 fibers per centimeter for redwood to about 400 fibers per centimeter for Alaska yellow cedar. Fiber widths, including half of surrounding middle lamella, range from about 50 m for redwood to 25m for Alaska yellow cedar, averaging about 33 m. Average lumen widths vary but slightly with changes in the specific gravity of the wood whereas the double cell wall thickness varies directly with the specific gravity. Effects of pulping to different pulp yields on the fiber dimensions are calculated with the use of two newly developed equations. The theoretical thickness of completely collapsed pulp fibers is equal to their double cell wall thickness. Complete collapse rarely if ever occurs as it requires double fractures of the cell wall. In practice, collapse of fibers is incomplete so their thickness is usually two or more times the theoretical minimum.Emeritus Robertson Professor of Wood and Paper Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., U.S.A.     

Structure of cellulose microfibrils and the hydration effect in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>: a small-angle X-ray scattering study

The nanometer scale structure of cell walls in sugi wood (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and the hydration dependence were examined by the small angle X-ray scattering technique. Disk-shaped scattering patterns were observed for sugi wood. The radial average of two-dimensional data from the cross section could supply the scattering intensity with statistical accuracy much higher than that obtained from the sector average of the streak-shaped scattering pattern, and both the scattering intensities provided similar structural information. The scattering patterns from the cross section of the wood are characterized by rhombic or cross-shaped isointensity curves for the lower q region and by circularly symmetric isointensity curves for the higher q region. This shows that the disk-shaped scattering has two different kinds of scattering origins. The microfibril radii in the cell wall were determined by fitting the model scattering function of cylindrical fibrils to the scattering data. Values of 12.3 ± 0.3 and 12.2 ± 0.3 were obtained for the fibril radii of the neighboring earlywood and latewood, respectively, in dry specimens. A drastic structural change of the cell walls was detected with increasing water content from 40% to 100%. A low q rise in the scattering intensities below 0.1^–1 became weak and changed into a flat pattern, and the rhombic isointensity curves changed to cross-shaped patterns in the two-dimensional scattering from the cross section. The calculated radii R increased from 12.2 ± 0.3 to 13.3 ± 0.1.Part of this report was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, Japan, April 2002     

Stress-strain state of wood at kiln drying

Summary A model has been suggested which allows the calculation of stresses arising in kiln drying and humidification of wood, as well as the total residual strain, i.e. set strain _s, consisting of purely residual strain _r and the so-called frozen strain _f. Frozen strains arise under the operating influence of loading when the stiffness is increased because of a decrease in moisture content (or temperature) of the wood. The process of formation of set strains _s has been shown to depend on the history of loading, variations of the moisture content of the wood, as well as cooling of the section before the measurement of _s. The possibility of using set strain as a parameter of the state of stress of wood in kiln drying has been noted.Presented at the VIII. International Symposium on Fundamental Research of Wood. Warsaw, Poland, October 1990     

A simple model for density of annual rings

Summary A simple model for density distribution within an annual ring is proposed. The model originates from the concept that a tree has two growing modes early and late wood mode respectively and that during a growing season there is transition from the first to second. An annual ring is described by six parameters. The use of the model is discussed and a number of possible measures are suggested. The advantages and limitations of the model is also discussed.     

Exact analysis of shear strain in wood

Summary An analysis is given which enables the shear strain in a piece of timber to be specified in terms of the difference between tangential and radial strain, herein termed the angular strain. The angular strain is then evaluated in terms of the orientation of two lines at right angles prior to deformation. The equations involved are simple and facilitate the evaluation of strain parameters which would otherwise require numerical computation.Symbols a, b, c length parameters, Fig. 2 - C half chord length - k constant of proportionality - r radial coordinate (distance from pith) - x length coordinate (board) - , angle parameters, Fig. 1 - shear strain - width of segment - angular strain - #x025B; tangential strain - _r radial strain - ₁, ₂ components of shear strain, Fig. 1 - angle parameter, Fig. 2 - angle parameter, Fig. 3 - angle parameter, Fig. 2 The author wishes to thank Mr. J. W. Sutherland for his assistance with the presentation of this paper.     

Collapse and internal checking in the latewood of Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell

Summary Tangential shrinkage was measured on longitudinal-tangential slices of separate earlywood and latewood from one board of Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell. at various temperatures. Large amounts of collapse shrinkage were measured in the latewood slices, and lesser amounts in the earlywood slices. Collapse shrinkage in the earlywood was found only when the slices were dried at temperatures above a minimum temperature (the collapse threshold temperature). End-coated board sections approximately 200 mm long were rapidly dried at dry-bulb temperatures below the collapse threshold temperature for earlywood. Incipient internal checks were found in the latewood of these boards. Board sections dried at higher temperatures showed internal checks starting in both early and latewood. A non-linear drying simulation model was modified to take the heterogeneous nature of wood into account. This model predicted that internal checks would form in this wood even if it were dried sufficiently slowly to avoid surface checking.Symbols D Diffusion coefficient - e_c Creep strain - e_i Instantaneous strain - e_m Mechano-sorptive strain - e_n Net strain - e_u Unconfined shrinkage strain - EW Earlywood - FSP Fibre saturation point - LW Latewood - L-T Longitudinal-tangential slice - MC Moisture content (kg water/kg dry wood) - q Moisture concentration - R-T Radial-tangential slice - t Time - y Depth in board The author is pleased to acknowledge the assistance of Emeritus Professor A. R. Oliver, Associate Professor P. E. Doe, University of Tasmania, and the Australian Furniture Research and Development Institute     

Zur Tagesdynamik des Harzdruckes und der Harzabsonderung sowie ihre Bedeutung für den Befall der Kiefer durch den TriebwicklerRhyacionia buoliana Schiff. (Lep., Tortricidae)

Zusammenfassung Es wurden in Kiefernkulturen Untersuchungen über die Tagesdynamik des Harzdruckes und der Intensität der Harzabsonderung geführt und die Ergebnisse in Beziehung zum Befallsgrad des KiefernknospentriebwicklersRhyacionia buoliana Schiff. gesetzt.Im Verlauf eines Tages variierte der Harzdruck wenig, die Intensität der Harzabsonderung dagegen stark. Die höchste Harzfluß-Intensität fällt in den Zeitraum zwischen 13 und 16 Uhr. Die Flugzeit des Wicklers, nach 18 Uhr, liegt somit außerhalb der Zeit des stärksten Harzflusses.Weder der Index der Harzfluß-Intensität noch jener des Harzdruckes zeigten eine Beziehung zur Stärke des Wicklerbefalls. Sie sind daher als Kriterien der Widerstandsfähigkeit einer Kulturkiefer gegenRh. buoliana, zumindest unter den Verhältnissen der Süd-Ukraine, nicht verwendbar.

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Summary Studies on the diurnal rhythm of resin pressure and resin secretion in connection with the degree of pine-infestation byRhyacionia buoliana Schiff.In the course of one day pines in the age of 15 years showed only a small variation in resin pressure but a great one in secretion of resin. The maximal intensity of secretion was observed early in the afternoon. The moths ofRh. buoliana are flying after this time when the secretion of resin is low.There was no connection between resin pressure and secretion of resin on the one hand and the degree of pine-infestation byRh. buoliana on the other. The two factors are not suitable for indicating the degree of pine-infestation by this tortricid.

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Nahrungsaufnahme und Natalität bei palaearktischen Simuliiden (Diptera) 1. Blutfütterung vonBoophthora erythrocephala De Geer 1776 undWilhelmia lineata Meigen 1804 am Kaninchen

Zusammenfassung Während mehrer r Monate wurden Weibchen vonBoophthora erythrocephala undWilhelmia lineata am Kaninchenohr gefüttert und die Überlebensrate während der Eireifungsphase,

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Nutrition and Reproduction in Palaearctic Blackflies (Simuliidae: Diptera). I. Bloodfeeding ofBoophthora erythrocephala De Geer andWilhelmia lineata Meigen on RabbitsFemales of the mammalophilic species,Boophthora erythrocephala andWilhelmia lineata, feed on cattle and horses in the field. When fed on the rabbit's ear under laboratory conditions, they differ considerably in bloodsucking activity, in mortality during digestion of blood, natality, and hatching rates of first instar larvae. InB. erythrocephala 641 wild-caught- fed in 74,1% without seasonal variation. When females were kept up to four days before feeding their bloodsucking activity did not decrease. Laboratory-emerged- usually fed in even higher rates (416/533) and 4–6 days old flies fed more frequently than younger or older females. Survival rates during digestion of blood in 4 days were 60% in wild-caught, 40% in laboratory-emerged-, and 74% in cattle-fed-. Only 29% of wild-caught and the cattle-fed- but 50% of the laboratory-emerged flies could be induced to lay eggs on wet substrate. Natality of cattle- (219 eggs/) and laboratory-emerged fed on the rabbit (225 eggs/) were significantly higher than in wild-caught rabbit-fed- (191 eggs/). The number of eggs developing to first instar larvae generally was low (42%). InW. lineata wild-caught- fed less successfully (162/407) and showed considerable seasonal variation. The best results were obtained in September and October. Keeping them in the laboratory for 1–4 days reduced the bloodsucking activity. In laboratory-emerged- the best feeding result (347/724) were obtained with 4–6 day old flies but their survival during maturation of eggs remained low (55%). It was higher with wild-caught (67%) and cattle-fed- (78%). In all cases 60% of them could be induced to oviposit. The rabbit-fed wildcaught or laboratory-emerged flies produced significantly more eggs (183 resp. 197 eggs/) than cattle-fed ones (138 eggs/). Most egg batches contained only 16% fertilized eggs. In laboratory-emerged- ofB. erythrocephala andW. lineata the potential natality was highest in spring, lowest in summer and increased again in autumn. The number of eggs/ was affected by the blood volume. Starting with laboratory-emerged flies fed on the rabbit a production factor of 10.9 is calculated forB. erythrocephala and of 5.4 forW. lineata rearing from the imago to the first instar larva. When the larvae are reated to adults with 44% efficiency a reproduction of 2.4 resp. 1.2 per generation of females results.

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Mit 4 Abbildungen und 4 Tabellen     

Rüsselkäferschäden an verschiedenen Nahrungspflanzen

Zusammenfassung Das Ausmaß des Fraßes vonHylobius abietis L. und die dadurch verursachte Sterblichkeit wurde in Zwingern und einem Feldversuch an verschiedenen Pflanzentypen studiert. In beiden Versuchen waren die größ eren Pflanzentypen häufiger befallen als die kleineren Pflanzen. Im Zwingerversuch war auch der durchschnittliche Fraß an den größeren Pflanzen stärker. Kiefern und Fichten waren im Gesamtdurchschnitt gleich häufig und gleich stark befallen. Dagegen war die Sterblichkeit unter den Kiefern wesentlich höher als unter den Fichten. Die Empfindlichkeit verschiedener Pflanzentypen für Fraßschäden wurde als Index aus der prozentualen Sterblichkeit und dem mittleren Ausmaß des Fraßes pro befallener Pflanze bestimmt. Danach waren die kleineren Pflanzen im allgemeinen wesentlich empfindlicher als großere Pflanzen und Kiefern empfindlicher als Fichten. Zucht der Pflanzen während einer Vegetationsperiode im Treibhaus erhöhte nicht ihre Anfälligkeit für Russelkäferschäden.

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Summary In cages and a field experiment the degree of feeding by the pine weevilHylobius abietis L. and the plant mortality caused by the attack were studied in different types of conifer plants. The plants of the larger types were more often attacked than the smaller plants in both experiments. In the cages the mean degree of feeding was also higher for the larger plants. In the total mean Scots pine and Norway spruce were attacked with the same frequency and in the same degree. The plant mortality, however, was considerably larger in pine than in spruce. The sensitivity of different plant types to feeding damage was determined as an index from the percentage plant mortality and the mean degree of feeding per attacked plant. The index showed a generally higher sensitivity in smaller plant types than of larger ones. Pine was more sensitive than spruce. Breeding of plants in a plastic greenhouse during one vegetation period did not raise their disposition towardsHylobius-attack.

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Résumé Le dégré de nutrition de l'Hylobius abietis L. et la mortalité due à l'attaque ont été étudiés en cages et dans une expérience en plein champ chez différentes espèces de conifères. Dans les deux expériences, les plus grandes plantes ont été attaquées plus souvent que les moins grandes. Dans les cages la quantité moyenne de nutrition a aussi été plus considérable pour les grandes plantes. La fréquence et la force des attaques ont été les mmes chez les pins et les épicéas. Par contre la mortalité a é té notablement plus élevée chez les pins. La sensibilité des différentes plantes aux dégâts de nutrition a été exprimée comme un index et determinée à partir du taux de mortalité des plantes et du degré moyen de nutrition par plante attaquée. L'index a montré en général une plus grande sensibilité chez les moins grandes plantes que chez les plus grandes. La sensibilité du pin a été plus grande que celle de l'épicéa. La culture des plantes en serre pendant une période de végétation n'augmente pas leur disposition aux attaques des hylobies du pin.

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, ,Hylobius abietis L., , . , . , . , . , . () . ó , , . .

     

Adsorption capacities and related characteristics of wood charcoals carbonized using a one-step or two-step process

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonlca D. Don) wood powder was carbonized at varying temperatures by a onestep process up to 1000C and a two-step process using wood charcoal as the raw material up to 1600C. This study was conducted to evaluate the adsorptive properties of wood charcoal and discuss the mechanism of its adsorptive function in relation to the physical and anatomical characteristics of wood after carbonization. Anatomical characteristics of carbonized wood materials were directly observed under heating using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM); the cell wall structures were analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The largest weight losses were observed at the highest temperatures, in both the one-step and twostep processes but leveled off above 800C. Shrinkages in the tangential, radial, and longitudinal directions increased with carbonization temperature, peaking at 1000C. Direct observations by ESEM showed distinct shrinkage at around 400C. The first trial observations by HRTEM on the changes in the ultrastructure of cell walls of wood charcoals were done, and it was assumed to affect the formation of micropores. Adsorption was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model. With the one-step carbonization process, the iodine adsorption capacities of the carbonized wood powders increased with increasing carbonization temperature, peaking at 800C, but decreased at higher temperatures. The wood powder carbonized at 1000C with the two-step process showed the highest capacity, but further heating up to 1400C drastically decreased the adsorption. The shrinkage of cells was related to the increases and decreases in its specific surface area. Specific surface area and total pore volume were evidently related to the adsorptive properties.Part of this paper was presented at the Second International Wood Science Seminar, Indonesia, November 6–7, 1998     

Extraction and analysis of the tangential arrangement of cambial cells in Japanese hardwood species

Arrangement of the cambium and marginal zone of xylem were illustrated by drawing the outlines of fusi-form cells and tissue on serial tangential sections inZelkova serrata andRobinia pseudoacacia with storied cambium and inAlbizia julibrissin with non-storied cambium. The comparison of cambium drawings with parenchyma drawings revealed that the lengths and arrangement of parenchyma strands correspond closely with those of corresponding fusiform initials in all three species with storied or non-storied cambium. Based on this result, we deduced the correlation between length and variation of length and arrangement of the fusiform initials in 20 species of Japanese hardwoods using parenchyma drawings instead of cambium drawings. The species with a smaller variation of length tend to exhibit a storied arrangement regardless of the length of the fusiform initial. Thus, it is suggested that the variation of the length of the fusiform initial has more influence than the length itself on the development of the storied arrangement.     

Gamma radiation sensitivity of larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribolium castaneum</Emphasis> Herbst

In this study, the susceptibility of larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to gamma radiation was investigated in the laboratory in Turkey. Gamma radiation was applied at 6 dose levels between 20 and 200Gy to 13–15day-old adults and at 5 dose levels between 20 and 180Gy to 18–20day-old larvae of T. castaneum. All experiments were performed in growth chambers maintained at 27±1°C and 70±5% r.h. The larvae proved to be the more susceptible stage, survival to the adult stage being prevented by exposure of the eggs to 100Gy; the adult stage was less susceptible. LD₅₀ and LD₉₉ values were determined as 19,75 and 42,97Gy for larvae and 33,21 and 64,50Gy for adult stage, respectively. It was concluded that 100Gy is the effective dose for both larval and adult stages.     

Compressive deformation of wood impregnated with low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin I: effects of pressing pressure and pressure holding

The deformation behavior of low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin-impregnated wood under compression in the radial direction was investigated for obtaining high-strength wood at low pressing pressures. Flat-sawn grain Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) blocks with a density of 0.34g/cm³ were treated with aqueous solution of 20% low molecular weight PF resin resulting in weight gain of 60.8%. Oven-dried specimens were compressed using hot plates fixed to a testing machine. The temperature was 150°C and the pressing speed was 5mm/min. The impregnation of PF resin caused significant softening of the cell walls resulting in collapse at low pressures. The cell wall collapse was strain-dependent and occurred at a strain of 0.05–0.06mm/mm regardless of whether the wood was treated with PF resin. Thus, pressure holding causing creep deformation of the cell walls was also effective in initiating cell wall collapse at low pressure. Utilizing a combination of low molecular weight PF resin impregnation and pressure holding at 2MPa resulted in a density increase of PF resin-treated wood from 0.45 to 1.1g/cm³. At the same time, the Youngs modulus and bending strength increased from 10GPa to 22GPa and 80MPa to 250MPa, respectively. It can be concluded that effective utilization of the collapse region of the cell wall is a desirable method for obtaining high-strength PF resin-impregnated wood at low pressing pressures.     

Moisture content-water potential relationship of red pine sapwood above the fiber saturation point and determination of the effective pore size distribution

Summary The pressure membrane and pressure plate techniques were used to establish the moisture content-water potential (M-) relationship of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) sapwood in desorption above the fiber saturation point. The moisture content-water potential relationship is required for the development of a model of drying considering the gradient of water potential as the driving force of moisture in wood. This relationship was established at 18, 56 and 85 °C for radial desorption. The results obtained demonstrate that water potential increases with temperature T at a given moisture content M. There is no significant variation of /T with temperature. Also, there is no plateau at intermediate moisture contents as was the case for the M- relationship of aspen sapwood established in a previous work. The effective integral and differential pore size distributions inferred from the M- relationship are also presented. The largest proportion of effective pore openings was found for a radius of 0.2 m. This value can be related to the pit membrane openings of red pine.This research project is currently supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under grant no. OGP0121954     

Sensory evaluation of carpet cleaner containing essential oil and the effect on mites

We prepared carpet cleaners containing three wood oils extracted from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., and Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Masamune et Suzuki and studied their effects on mites and perfumerists' impressions. The oil concentrations were set at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%. The effects on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart were investigated. The sensory evaluations were conducted by seven male perfumerists using the SD method and they were asked to describe freely their impressions of the scents. These results showed that: (1) all three types of wood oil had a significant effect on making D. pteronyssinus inactive at 0.1% concentration; and (2) the wood oil of T. dolabrata evoked refreshing, natural, rich, and intellectual feelings; C. obtusa oil evoked vivacious, rich, and intellectual feelings; and C. taiwanensis evoked refreshing, natural, rich, rough, masculine feelings. According to the test subjects, T. dolabrata evoked woody and earthy impressions; C. obtusa evoked woody, citrus, and pine-resin impressions; and C. taiwanensis evoked woody, citrus, and medical impressions. Many issues remain to be investigated, but the inclusion of wood oil in carpet cleaners offered both good mite control and a pleasant aroma to humans. This study suggests a new potential for using these wood oils.     

Examination of within-tree variations and the heights representing whole-tree values of derived wood properties for quasi-non-destructive breeding of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus globulus as quality pulpwood

Within-tree variations of derived wood properties of Runkel ratio, Luces shape factor, slenderness ratio, and solids factor were examined for Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus globulus trees and the tendency difference in the within-tree variations between individuals and between species, in both radial and axial directions by statistical data analysis. These properties are important for quality breeding of pulpwood. In both species, within-tree variations were generally observed as higher values in the upper and outer parts compared with other parts of the trunk for Runkel ratio and Luces shape factor. In E. camaldulensis, within-tree variations were observed as higher values in the upper and outer parts compared with other parts of the trunk for slenderness ratio and solids factor. In E. globulus, within-tree variations were observed as higher values in the outer parts compared with other parts for slenderness ratio and solids factor. However, significant difference of tendency was observed in radial variation between individuals of E. globulus for Runkel ratio and in both radial and axial variations between species for solids factor. Furthermore, within-tree variations of derived wood properties were analyzed to determine a sampling height in the trunk which can be used to represent whole-tree values. Representative heights of derived wood properties from two trees were found to be 2.8m in E. camaldulensis (except for Runkel ratio and Luces shape factor) and 1.8m in E. globules (except for Runkel ratio), regardless of differences in tree height (growth rate) and in tendency of within-tree variation of derived wood properties.     

Dormancy induction in container-grown Abies seedlings: Effects of environmental cues and seedling age

Twelve-week-old container-grown seedlings of noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.) and Shasta red fir (A. magnifica A. Murr. var. shastensis Lemm.), both high-elevation species, were grown under controlled environments in a study of induction of terminal-bud dormancy. Eight treatment combinations of long (15 h) or short (11 h) photoperiods, warm (25°/20°C) or cool (18°/12°C) thermoperiods, and dry (–1.2 MPa) or wet (–0.6 MPa) moisture regimes were imposed upon seedlings for 12 weeks. Treatment factors significantly affecting the induction of dormancy in terminal buds of seedlings were identified over time. The results suggest that seedlings responded dynamically to dormancy cues. The warm/dry and cool/wet combinations induced dormancy in the first 2 weeks in noble fir and in the first week in Shasta red fir. Short-day/warm and long-day/cool combinations enhanced dormancy induction in weeks 3 to 4 in noble fir and in weeks 1 to 7 in Shasta red fir. Short days and cool thermoperiods independently hastened dormancy induction in noble fir in weeks 5 through 12.     

5α-Reductase inhibitory component from leaves ofArtocarpus altilis

The inhibitory effects of 17 samples prepared from Thailand plants on 5-reductase activity were examined. The acetone extract of leaves ofArtocarpus altilis showed potent 5-reductase inhibitory activity. Fractionation guided by 5-reductase inhibition led to the isolation of 2-geranyl-2,3,4,4-tetrahydroxydihydrochalcone from the acetone extract of leaves ofA. altilis. This compound showed more potent inhibitory effect (IC₅₀=38M) than-linolenic acid known as a naturally occurring potent inhibitor.