Petroleum flotation technique upgrades the germinability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina equisetifolia</Emphasis> seed lots

The germination of Casuarina equisetifolia Forst seed lots is low (40–50%) even when freshly collected. This study aimed at upgrading the germination performance by removing non-germinable seeds using petroleum flotation technique. Seeds collected from 19 individual trees in seedling seed orchards in India were assessed using X-ray to determine the proportion of different seed lot fractions. The feasibility of petroleum ether as a separation medium was tested. Morphological characters of floating and sunken seeds were further studied using image analysis technique to examine their effects on the separation efficiency. The X-ray analysis revealed a large quantity of shrivelled, empty and insect-damaged seeds, altogether accounting 50%, which were the causes of low percentage germination of un-graded seed lots (48%). Petroleum flotation resulted in 90% germination in the sunken fraction and 4% in the floating fraction. The separation was distinct for most seed lots, except few seed lots that had relatively low germination in the sunken fractions and more than 10% germination in the floating fractions. As a whole, petroleum flotation appears to be a feasible technique to upgrade the germination of C. equisetifolia seed lots, and its efficacy is influenced by wing surface area, seed density and wing quotient of filled and empty seeds.     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus procera</Emphasis> seeds in response to stratification and smoke treatments,and detection of insect-damaged seeds with VIS + NIR spectroscopy

Seeds of Juniperus procera collected from five provenances across its geographic range in Ethiopia were subjected to cold-moist stratification at 5°C or 10°C for 6–12 weeks. The effect of aqueous smoke solution in overcoming the light requirement for germination, and the potential of visible (VIS) and near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy for sorting sound and insect-damaged seeds were also investigated. Highly significant differences in germination were detected among provenances (P < 0.0001) and stratification periods (P < 0.0001), but not between temperature regimes (P=0.111). Seeds from the south and southeast distribution ranges had higher percentage germination after 6 weeks of stratification than seeds collected from north, northwest and central ranges of distribution. The smoke treatment did not affect germination regardless of whether the seeds were exposed to light. Exposure to light increased germination capacity three fold. Sound and damaged seeds were distinguished with 90% accuracy using VIS + NIR spectroscopy. It can be concluded that dormancy in juniper seeds varies with provenances, and cold stratification for 6 weeks alleviates dormancy in some seed lots. Tentatively, smoke treatment seems ineffective in overcoming photo-dormancy in juniper seeds. VIS + NIR spectroscopy has demonstrated a great potential for sorting damaged seeds, thereby upgrading seed lot purity.     

Culling phenotypically inferior trees in seed production area enhances seed and seedling quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis>

Improvement in seed and seedling quality of Acacia auriculiformis after culling phenotypically inferior trees was studied in a 6-year old seed production area (SPA). A 5-ha plantation was identified, of which 2.3 ha was converted into SPA. The initial stocking, 1 612 trees·ha⁻¹, was thinned down to 982 trees·ha⁻¹ based on growth characteristics. The following fruiting season, seeds were collected from 10 randomly selected trees in culled and non-culled stands, and seed physical characters, germination and seedling traits were assessed. Seed weight, seed thickness and percentage germination increased by 32.1%, 4.43% and 22.37%, respectively in the culled stand compared to the non-culled stand. Culling also increased the speed of germination, seedling dry weight and seedling vigor index. Heritability values were high for seed weight (0.974) and seed thickness (0.948) while medium values were observed for percentage germination (0.577) and total dry weight (0.534). Predicted genetic gain was 11.13% and 11.22% for seed weight and percentage germination, respectively. The actual gain was 32.1, 51.9 and 22.9% for seed weight, percentage germination and total dry matter, respectively. In conclusion, SPAs established by culling inferior trees could serve as sources of good quality seeds for reforestation programs until genetically improved seeds are made available.     

Effects of biochar and litter on carbon and nitrogen mineralization and soil microbial community structure in a China fir plantation

To investigate the effects of biochar addition(1 or 3%)to the soil of a China fir plantation with or without litter,we conducted a 90-day incubation experiment.We also studied the C and N dynamics and the microbial community structure of the soil.In soil without litter,the application of biochar at a rate of 3%significantly decreased CO2 emissions,while addition of 1%biochar had no effect.Biochar application did not affect the net N mineralization rate but significantly reduced the NH4?concentration after 90 days.In litter-enriched soil,biochar application had no significant effect on total CO2 emissions;however,application of 3%biochar significantly reduced the net N mineralization rate.Biochar application to soil with or without litter immediately reduced the dissolved organic carbon(DOC)concentration independent of the application rate,which was primarily due to sorption of DOC by the biochar.Phospholipid fatty acid analysis demonstrated that both concentrations of added biochar to soil(with or without litter)altered the soil microbial community structure at the end of incubation,although the effect of biochar was not as strong as the effect of time or litter application.The effect of biochar addition alone on microbial community structure was inconsistent over time.Litter added to soil significantly increased fungi and reduced Gram-positive bacteria.In the presence of litter,biochar applied at both 1%and 3%significantly increased(p<0.05)the proportion of actinomycete only at day 90.Our results indicate biochar as a potentially effective measure for C sequestration in the test soil of a China fir plantation,even in the presence of litter.     

Recovery of secondary forests on swidden cultivation fallows in Laos

Species composition, structure and diversity of secondary forests recovered on abandoned swidden cultivation fields in the lowland of Laos were studied in relation to distance from the natural forest, fallow age and crop-fallow rotation cycle. All woody species with stem diameter ≥1 cm were identified, counted and their diameter at breast height (1.3 m, dbh) measured on 290 plots in 162 swidden fallows. Distance from the forest edge related non-linearly and explained 46%, 54%, 63% and 52% of the variation in species richness, stem density, basal area and Simpson's index, respectively. The basal area of secondary forests increased significantly (p < 0.0001) while stem density tended to decrease (0.05 < p < 0.1) with increasing fallow age, whereas species richness and diversity measures remained insensitive. Species richness, stem density, basal area and Shannon-Wiener index were reduced by 28%, 35%, 72% and 23%, respectively while the number of bamboo clumps increased significantly by 45% as the crop-fallow rotation cycle increased from one to three. The occurrence of bamboo had a negative effect on most of the vegetation characteristics analyzed. From forest production and biodiversity conservation viewpoints, it is recommended that the natural regeneration in fallows with a history of previous severe land use intensity should be supplemented with enrichment planting irrespective of its distance from the natural forest. Although the management objectives for secondary forests on swidden fallows are not clearly set, promoting the development of bamboo forests in fallows would be one management option, given its importance in rural livelihood.     

Seed germination and seedling establishment of Neotropical dry forest species in response to temperature and light conditions

A study was conducted to examine the germination requirements of Cedrela odorata, Guaiacum sanctum and Calycophyllum candidissimum seeds, and the effect of light intensity on survival and growth of C. Odorata and G. Sanctum seedlings planted on open, partially-open and beneath the canopy of a dry forest in Nicaragua. The results show that germination of C. Candidissimum seeds was significantly higher in light than darkness at constant temperatures ranging from 20–35oC. Both C. Odorata and G. Sanctum seeds germinated in light and darkness to a varying extent, and the optimal germination temperature was around 20-25oC. Alternating temperature regimes did not improve germination. Survival of G. Sanctum seedlings was 70% beneath the canopy and 80% in the open, and its relative growth rate in collar diameter was 1.88 mm/month in the open and 1.42 mm/month in the understory. Survival was generally poor for C. Odorata, particularly in the understory. We concluded that light is an absolute requirement for the germination of C. Candidissimum seeds while germination of C. Odorata and G. Sanctum seeds are more sensitive to temperature. Owing to its high survival rate on open site, G. Sanctum could serve as a candidate species for reforestation of degraded sites.     

尼加拉瓜废弃农田次生演替后的土壤种子库

定量分析了被废弃4年、9年和14年的农田地上派生的次生林土壤中种子组成和密度,从而检测在次生林演替形成过程中,土壤种子库是否能随着植物种群的集成而集成。分别在废弃了4年、9年和14年的农田地里（15cm&#215;15cm样方、9cm土层深）,掘取了18,37和48份土壤样品。在废弃了4,9和14年的农田地上,分别发现了3,5和9个物种。在这些不同的生命形态中,在9年和14年的迹地上,土壤种子树木占主要成分,分别为60%和33%,而4年废弃迹地主要被非木本植物所占领。三块废弃地里,4年废弃迹地植物种子的总数为327粒,相应可发育的种子密度为141粒/m2,14年废弃迹地种子的总数为46粒,相应的可发育种子的密度为26粒/m^2,指明种子数、种子密度随废弃地龄成下降趋势。在9年和14年龄废弃地上,土壤种子植物种类与立地木本植物种类的相似度较低,而4年龄地上两者比较则完全不同。我们认为：土壤种子库的物种构成是在次生演替过程中逐渐形成的,但是,所获得的总体种子密度太低,仅仅依赖于这些种子来实现树木自然再生是不可靠的。为了加快这些废弃地次生林的恢复,既要依靠自然集成的土壤种子库,还需要通过直播、所需物种的强化种植和设定人工生长环境以利于种子传播。     

西非布基纳法索共和国道路网干扰对路边环境Pteleopsis suberosa更新的影响

沿铺面道路和未铺面道路,调查了4种路边环境（缓变区,附近区,中间区和非缓变区）的Pteleopsis suberosa苗木种群结构和其更新机制。沿道路平行线调查了2m&#215;5m的203块样方,记录每个样方内的种苗总数和每个种苗的活枝数。通过评价基部和水平枝芽和挖掘地下根系来确定更新机制。结果表明,在4种路边环境中,单一主干和多主干苗木的总密度及各自密度都有明显的变化（p〈0.05）。所有苗木都是无性繁殖而来,根出条占98%,眠芽蘖和萌生各占1%左右。研究表明,铺面道路和未铺面道路缓变区中等水平土壤的干扰可以刺激Pteleopsis suberosa根出条更新 道路类型（铺面和未铺面）对苗木密度没有影响,但对路边立地的P.suberosa种群的萌生能力来说,道路类型是一个重要变量。P.suberosa是一个耐干扰的物种,受道路网干扰后可以通过根出条繁殖。