Root architecture in relation to tree-soil-crop interactions and shoot pruning in agroforestry

Desirable root architecture for trees differs between sequential and simultaneous agroforestry systems. In sequential systems extensive tree root development may enhance nutrient capture and transfer to subsequent crops via organic pools. In simultaneous systems tree root development in the crop root zone leads to competition for resources.Fractal branching models provide relationships between proximal root diameter, close to the tree stem, and total root length or surface area. The main assumption is that a root branching proportionality factor is independent of root diameter. This was tested in a survey of 18 multipurpose trees growing on an acid soil in Lampung (Indonesia). The assumption appeared valid for all trees tested, for stems as well as roots. The proportionality factor showed a larger variability in roots than in stems and the effects of this variabilily should be further investigated. A simple index of tree root shallowness is proposed as indicator of tree root competitiveness, based on superficial roots and stem diameter.Pruning trees is a major way to benefit from tree products and at the same time reduce above-ground competition between trees and crops. It may have negative effects, however, on root distribution and enhance below-ground competition. In an experiment with five tree species, a lower height of stem pruning led to a larger number of superficial roots of smaller diameter, but had no effect on shoot:root ratios or the relative importance of the tap root.     

The role of competitors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomela lapponica</Emphasis>, a north Eurasian willow pest,in pioneering a new host plant

The Palaearctic leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica usually feeds upon willows in the northern region of its occurrence. However, in Central Europe, some populations are known that have specialised on birch. In this study, we investigated the significance of other herbivores occurring together on the same host plants as possible exploitative competitors of C. lapponica. Two populations were studied: a population from Finland specialised on the willow Salix borealis, and a population from the Czech Republic, specialised on the birch Betula pubescens. Abundances of folivorous and suctivorous insects on both host plants were recorded at both population sites. The willow leaf beetle Phratora vitellinae was the most abundant herbivorous insect at both study sites on willow. A field study was conducted to examine the effects of P. vitellinae on the performance of C. lapponica. The presence of P. vitellinae larvae on the same twig upon which C. lapponica larvae were feeding did not affect increase of body weight in C. lapponica larvae. Thus, the high resource availability of both willows and birches suggest that interspecific competition is unlikely to be a selection factor driving the evolution of host shift in C. lapponica.     

联结度指数构造模型及其应用

植物种间联结关系的研究约有 1 0 0年的历史 ,国内外学者提出了多种公式 :I1 =(ad-bc) (ad bc) (Yule ,1 91 2 ) ,I2 =2a (2a b c) (Dice ,1 94 5 ) ,I3 =(a b) (a c) a(Margalef,1 95 8) ,上述这些公式均没有考虑每一样方的种群数量 ,而只检查种是否出现 ;无疑这些指数受     

Influence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) intercropping and polyethylene mulching on early growth of walnut (Juglans spp.) in central Italy

Combined production of timber and forage species is considered to be a desirable land-use system to offset some of the current land management problems of Italy. This paper reports the early results of a study on intercropping young plants of walnut with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), with or without polyethylene mulching, in an experimental plantation in central Italy. Two genotypes of walnut were used:Juglans regia L. and the French hybrid NG23×RA. The seasonal changes of absolute and relative growth rates of walnut stem diameter and apical shoot length were investigated.During both growing seasons, alfalfa intercropping strongly decreased walnut growth, whereas polyethylene mulching promoted stem height and diameter growth. Stem growth of intercropped-and-mulched walnut was the same as that of sole walnut under clean cultivation management. The use of polyethylene mulching reduced or avoided the competitive effect of associated alfalfa on walnut growth. During both growing seasons, the intercropped-and-mulched walnut had higher relative growth rates than intercropped-unmulched walnut. The results show the effectiveness of polyethylene mulching in promoting early growth of walnut, even when intercropped with alfalfa during early stages of plantation establishment.     

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree(Bertholletia excelsa) is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production(kg dry weight),nutrient uptake and requirements(N,P,Ca,Mg,K) of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.     

采煤沉陷区苦草的生物学特性及其竞争机制

采煤活动所致的动态沉陷湿地具有动态性、高潜水位和生态脆弱性等特点,探明此类人工重构湿地的水生植物群落的生物学特性及其竞争机制,有助于为采煤沉陷区湿地水生植物群落修复提供科学依据.本研究以淮南潘集区人工构建的苦草群落(Ass.Vallisneria natans)为倒,采用样方调查法,研究苦草的生物学特性及其与其他水生植物的竞争机制.结果表明,1)沉陷区苦草的生物学特性与浅水湖泊较一致.主要表现在苦草的繁殖方式、传粉方式、生活史方面,但研究区苦草以有性繁殖为主.2)沉陷区苦草能与以种子萌发形成的水烛群丛(Ass.Typha angustifolia)共生,但生物量低;在与形成两年以上的水烛群丛竞争中处于劣势,在水烛群丛盖度达到90％时苦草逐渐消失.3)沉陷区苦草在与浮叶植物莕菜群丛(Ass.Nymphoides peltatum)、苹群丛(Ass.Marsilea quadrifolia)竞争中处于弱势,其盖度、株高、生物量等指标都明显下降.4)沉陷区苦草在与沉水植物竹叶眼子菜群丛(Ass.Potamogeton malaianus)竞争中处于劣势,苦草与沉水植物黑藻群丛(Ass.Hydrilla verticillata)、狐尾藻群丛(Ass.Myrioph yllum verticillatum)、大茨藻群丛(Ass.Najas marina)、金鱼藻群丛(Ass.Ceratophyllum demersum)占据不同水层空间,种间竞争不强烈,能较好地共存.总之,苦草较之于相似生长型的植物具有较明显的竞争优势,对于具有不同生活型,尤其是挺水植物和浮叶植物,处于竞争劣势.     

基于W_V_Hegyi竞争指数的杉木竞争生长模型研究——以湖南省福寿国有林场杉木生态公益林为例

根据湖南省福寿国有林场杉木生态公益林(幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林)复测数据,通过研究Hegyi,V_Hegyi,W_V_Hegyi三种竞争指数与胸径的相关性,选择相关性最强的W_V_Hegyi竞争指数,构建单木竞争生长模型。以此为基础,用加权平均树高作为胸径生长量的权重,重新构建了单木竞争生长模型,并对W_V_Hegyi竞争指数分布规律进行分析,利用回归分析方法构建径阶竞争指数预估模型和径阶生长模型。通过基于加权胸径生长量与W_V_Hegyi竞争指数构建径阶生长模型,以期为林木从单木到林分的模拟提供新途径。     

抚育间伐对小兴安岭天然次生林中云杉、冷杉的碳密度分配与竞争的影响

间伐改变林分环境,也对林木生长、森林碳储量及林木竞争关系造成一定影响,研究15%、25%、35% 3个间伐强度处理8 a后小兴安岭天然次生林中杉木的径阶分布、碳密度分配特征及竞争指数,对森林经营的指导和森林碳汇发展有重要意义。结果表明,35%抚育间伐强度均使杉木径阶分布频率偏离正态性;间伐改变了林木各器官碳密度的分配,其趋势是随着间伐强度的增大树干碳密度占总量的比例先减小再增加,而树枝生物量分配规律则呈逐渐减小的趋势;25%和35%间伐强度,杉木地上部分的生物量和碳密度均显著大于对照样地,其中25%间伐强度时生物量和碳密度最大,而15%间伐强度的杉木生物量与对照样地无显著差异,而碳密度却小于对照样地;同CK相比,T₁₅样地杉木的Hegyi竞争指数减少了2.05%,而T₂₅、T₃₅分别增加了36.07%和14.66%;冗余分析（RDA）结果表明,Hegyi竞争指数、间伐强度共同解释了碳密度变化的61.3%,且Hegyi竞争指数增长不利于林分碳密度增加,竞争压力通过改变各器官的碳密度来响应。     

广东南山保护区常绿阔叶林主要树种空间分布格局和空间关联

为深入研究广东始兴南山保护区的地带性植被亚热带常绿阔叶林的物种格局特征,在保护区设置了1 hm~2的固定监测样地,对样地主要物种的空间分布格局及其关联性进行了研究。结果表明:面积为1 hm~2样地中共有94个乔木树种,3 359个植物个体,在群落占优势的这4个物种为罗浮栲Castanopsis fabri、栲Castanopsis fargesii、华南木姜子Litsea greenmaniana和罗浮柿Diospyros morrisiana。华南木姜子和罗浮柿的分布格局主要呈现聚集分布,但罗浮栲和栲的聚集程度较低,物种的分布格局受物种特性和生境异质性的影响。群落主要物种的关联性不明显,整体竞争不明显,群落会继续演替。     

Testing Taylor's Power Law association of maize interplant variation with mean grain yield

Plant-to-plant variability is a crop stability component. The objective of this study in maize (Zea mays L.) was to test the validity of the theoretical background of the hypothesis that the coefficient of variation (CV) for grain yield per plant and mean yield are connected exponentially, following the Taylor's Power Law (TPL) Model. Field experimentation was conducted across two sites, two seasons, and two planting densities. Densities were the main plots, corresponding to the typical practice of 8.89 plants m^–2 (TCD) and the low-input optimal of 5.33 plants m^–2 (LCD), while hybrids were the subplots. Data from 26 subplots in the first site averaged CV values of 22.6% at the TCD and 21.9% at the LCD, and mean yields of 19.1 and 13.9 t ha^–1, respectively, following the TPL Model. The same was true for the second site, with average CVs and means of 41.5% and 14.3 t ha^–1 at the TCD and 36.8% and 11.5 t ha^–1 at the LCD. A test was performed on the simple correlation between the logarithms of variances and their respective means to investigate whether there is a systematic variance dependence on mean, thus questioning the reliability of TPL. The validity of TPL was verified in the first site. Nevertheless, there was a systematic dependence of yield variance on mean yield in the second site, implying that the CV-yield correlation might be not biologically meaningful. Conversion of the variance to remove its dependence on the mean did not validate the CV-yield negative relationship, meaning that caution is needed when interpreting the CV as a stability index for intra-crop variation. Whether the determinant factor of invalidity of TPL was the extensive intra-crop variation in the lower yielding second site can be assessed in future research.