Phenology Differs among Norway Spruce Populations in Relation to Local Variation in Altitude of Maternal Stands in the Beskidy Mountains

An investigation of phenological and growth traits was conducted in a lowland plantation, comprised of 23 Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed stands from the Istebna region in the Beskidy Mountains of Poland. Significant differences were found among population in growth initiation, growth termination and the length of shoot elongation period. The two latter traits were highly correlated and were attributed to the altitude of the maternal stand. The tested populations were grouped based on phenology. Progeny of lower-alttitude stands ceased growth later, had a longer duration of shoot growth and greater current leader length compared to progeny of higher-altitude stands. Individual populations, however, did not differ in current-year growth and total tree height, implying higher within-population variation in growth traits than in phenology. The similar growth capacity of all tested populations suggests considerable gene flow between maternal stands, although differences in phenology imply the adaptation of progenies to the altitudinal environment of seed origin. These results suggest that within tested populations, selection is possible based on phenology alone, without considerable reduction of early height growth; final decisions, however, should be based on the environmental conditions of the planting site.     

Role of sodium bicarbonate on the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel

ABSTRACT:   In order to find out the role of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica , interactions were investigated between NaHCO₃ and various reagents (K⁺ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine [4-AP], ammonium chloride [NH₄Cl], sodium acetate and calcium chloride [CaCl₂]) that could regulate internal factors (intracellular K⁺, intracellular pH [[pH]_i] and intracellular Ca²⁺) in sperm motility. Contradictory effects of NaHCO₃ were observed (i.e. an inhibitory effect when 4-AP was absent and a promoting effect when 4-AP was present). Sodium bicarbonate inhibited the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel. However, NaHCO₃ restored the motility of immotile sperm that 4-AP inhibited. The inhibitory effect of NaHCO₃ disappeared with the addition of NH₄Cl, which raised [pH]_i, but the promoting effect was not affected by [pH]_i. Although NaHCO₃ recovered motility in the presence of 4-AP, this recovery was also observed with the addition of CaCl₂ instead of NaHCO₃. In the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel, two roles for NaHCO₃ are suggested: an inhibitory role relating to the regulation of [pH]_i and a promoting role relating to the uptake of another initiation factor, which could be Ca²⁺.     

Air layering and its potential in propagating Uapaca kirkiana: a fruit tree from the miombo woodland,Tanzania

The potential to propagate Uapaca kirkiana through air layering was investigated at Igumbilo forest, Tanzania. The objective was to determine the effect of time of setting air layers and use of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to promote rooting. Air layers were initiated on young shoots, 1-to 2-years old, growing on mature trees. After root initiation, they were detached, potted and reared at the nursery for a further three months. Thereafter they were harvested and assessed. Two factors were investigated: effect of time at which air layers were initiated (June, September and December), and influence of IBA at 50, 100 and 150 mg l^?1concentrations. Varied rooting successes were realised, being influenced by time at which air layers were initiated, IBA concentration or both. Optimal rooting of 82.5% was realised in June-initiated air layers treated with 50 mg l^?1 IBA. Air layers initiated in December and treated with the control had the poorest rooting (46.7%). Application of 100 mg l^?1 IBA during June significantly improved the number of roots, root length and root biomass produced. The increase in rooting ability during June is partly linked to better nutritive status, since most plants at this time have sufficient food reserves acquired during the active photosynthetic rainy period of January–May. The period is also associated with minimal plant developmental activities such as budding and flushing, which are usually antagonistic to rooting. Thus, air layering is a potential technique to propagate U. kirkiana, and can contribute effectively to capture desirable traits rapidly disappearing because of ongoing deforestation and maintain the desired fruit tree attributes once attained. Further studies are recommended to determine its cost effectiveness in relation to other vegetative techniques.     

播种期和品种对萝卜现蕾、抽薹和开花的影响

对冬性强弱不同的4个萝卜品种进行周年播种，以探讨其现蕾、抽薹和开花的响应。结果表明，从播种至现蕾、抽薹和开花所需的时间不仅品种间和播种期之间存在显著差异，而正品种与播种期之间的互作效应也达到极显著水平。播种后现蕾、抽薹时间越短，现蕾时叶片数也越少、初花期植株越矮小。在杭州的气候条件下，“白玉春”和“早春大根”周年播种在现蕾前均能够获得正常或基本正常的肉质根，但尽可能避免11月下旬至2月下旬；“一点红”只要在4月至11月初播种亦可在现蕾、抽薹前获得大小正常的肉质根；“短叶13”只有在6月下旬至9月下旬播种时方能在现蕾、抽薹前获得大小正常的肉质根。     

The inheritance of flowering time in garden stock (Matthiola incana R.Br.)

Summary The inheritance of flowering time (FT) in a cross between early-flowering (P1) and late-flowering (P2) Matthiola incana genotypes, was investigated. The distribution of FT in F1, F2 and BC1 generations indicated an additive genetic control with partial dominance of earlines alleles, particularly with regard to double-flowered plants. Single-flowered plants flowered earlier than double-flowered plants, averaged within both parental lines; however, the mean difference between singles and doubles was 16 days for P1 as compared with 6 days for P2. This flower-doubleness related delay in FT was found to be heritable, by analysis of F3 family means. The implications of these results on the breeding of stock cultivars is discussed.Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 1138-E, 1993 series.     

Testing a key assumption of wildlife buffer zones: is flight initiation distance a species-specific trait?

The distance at which animals flee an approaching predator is known as the ‘flight initiation distance’ (FID). Wildlife managers use FID to develop buffer zones to reduce human impacts on wildlife. Many variables have been demonstrated to influence FID leading one to question whether it can be viewed as a species-specific trait. We tested this critical assumption for developing buffer zones by experimentally approaching eight species of shorebirds found at six sites around Botany Bay, 15 km south of Sydney, Australia. Botany Bay encompasses a range of human impacted areas, from urban developments with high levels of human presence, through to National Parks and wildlife protection areas where human presence is significantly lower. We found that both species and site influenced the distance birds flew away from an approaching human. Importantly, however, there was no significant statistical interaction between site and species demonstrating that ‘flighty’ species were consistently flighty while more tolerant species were consistently tolerant. Taken together, these results suggest that FID can therefore be viewed as a species-specific trait for these shorebirds. The great variability in FID suggests that wildlife managers should be somewhat conservative in developing buffer zones, but they can use previously published FID data for a given species as guidelines for setting buffer zones.     

温度对马铃薯块茎形成膨大的影响

 本试验采用"771—56"(早中熟)和"疫不加"(中晚熟)两个品种,分春、秋作,共6个播种期研究马铃薯块茎形成膨大对温度的反应。结果表明:马铃薯各生育期的长短都需要一定的度·日温度积累。播期不同显著影响匐匍茎形成和块茎形成的早迟,但不影响度·日数的变化,品种和季节不同,度·日数也不同。块茎形成不仅要求一定的度·日温度,而且要在一定的温度(16℃左右)条件下,块茎膨大的适宜温度为14～22℃,而最适温度为17～19℃。     

白菜型油菜与甘蓝杂交子房培养再生苗生根及成活率的影响因素研究

以白菜型油菜和甘蓝杂交子房培养获得的再生苗为供体材料,研究影响再生苗生根和成活率的因素.试验表明,以MS为基本培养基,附加1.0 mg/L的BA和0.1 mg/L的NAA对再生苗生根效果最好,其中杂交组合715×6012再生苗的平均根数和根长分别达到了9.51条和4.7 cm,优于杂交组合714×6012和708×6012.再生苗培养14 d后,其根数和根长显著优于培养7 d的再生苗,当培养时间超过14 d,根数与根长则不再发生明显变化.试验表明,不同基因型和培养时间的再生苗其叶片数和最大叶宽差异不显著.将再生苗转移到炼苗室进行锻炼,炼苗8 d,再生苗的成活率可以达到80%以上,优于炼苗4 d再生苗的成活率.     

氮肥和高温对早稻淦鑫203产量、SPAD值及可溶性糖含量的影响

为探究氮肥和幼穗分化后期高温对水稻产量的综合影响,以杂交稻淦鑫203为材料,设置2个氮肥水平,于水稻幼穗分化后期37 °C高温处理4d,研究氮肥和穗分化后期高温对早稻产量、SPAD值及可溶性糖含量的影响.结果表明,高氮或是常氮下,与适温相比,高温降低了淦鑫203的结实率、单茎产量、SPAD值和可溶性糖含量.高温或适温下,与常氮相比,高氮增加了结实率、单茎产量和可溶性糖含量.高温高氮的结实率、单茎产量和单株产量高于高温常氮,说明适当增施氮肥可缓解高温的减产作用.