Fire-vegetation interplay in a mosaic structure of Quercus suber woodlands and Mediterranean maquis under recurrent fires

We examined the effects of fire recurrence on a mosaic structure of Quercus suber and Erica-Cistus shrubland communities of Southeastern France in order to improve the understanding of fire-vegetation interplay. Plant communities that were similar in 1959 (woodlands on shrublands called maquis on acidic soils) were compared along a gradient of fire recurrence, from 0 to 4 fires, with different time intervals between fires. The results showed that understory cover increased roughly with fire recurrence, whereas tree height, cover, density, stand basal area and litter depth decreased. Different fire recurrences along the past decades led to different vegetation types. High fire recurrence corresponded to maquis and sparse cork-oak woodlands while pure oak woodlands established in the absence of fire during the same period. In all, the diversity of tree diameter decreased with fire recurrence. High fire recurrence (3 or 4 fires in 50 years) led to a simple vertical structure of vegetation with a mono-layered shrub cover and few Quercus suber trees. In contrast, spatial connections between plants were maximal at longer time intervals, leading to a multi-layered vegetation. We finally discuss the potential implications of past fires on the behavior of future fires in the perspective of a sustainable management of these Mediterranean ecosystems.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur established for stand conversion from Picea abies

Efforts in Europe to convert Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations to broadleaf or mixed broadleaf-conifer forests could be bolstered by an increased understanding of how artificial regeneration acclimates and functions under a range of Norway spruce stand conditions. We studied foliage characteristics and leaf-level photosynthesis on 7-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) regeneration established in open patches and shelterwoods of a partially harvested Norway spruce plantation in southwestern Sweden. Both species exhibited morphological plasticity at the leaf level by developing leaf blades in patches with an average mass per unit area (LMA) 54% greater than of those in shelterwoods, and at the plant level by maintaining a leaf area ratio (LAR) in shelterwoods that was 78% greater than in patches. However, we observed interspecific differences in photosynthetic capacity relative to spruce canopy openness. Photosynthetic capacity (A₁₆₀₀, net photosynthesis at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1600 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) of beech in respect to the canopy gradient was best related to leaf mass, and declined substantially with increasing canopy openness primarily because leaf nitrogen (N) in this species decreased about 0.9 mg g⁻¹ with each 10% rise in canopy openness. In contrast, A₁₆₀₀ of oak showed a weak response to mass-based N, and furthermore the percentage of N remained constant in oak leaf tissues across the canopy gradient. Therefore, oak photosynthetic capacity along the canopy gradient was best related to leaf area, and increased as the spruce canopy thinned primarily because LMA rose 8.6 g m⁻² for each 10% increase in canopy openness. These findings support the premise that spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of beech through processes that determine N status of this species; leaf N (mass basis) was greatest under relatively closed spruce canopies where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing light harvesting mechanisms. Spruce stand structure regulates photosynthetic capacity of oak through processes that control LMA; LMA was greatest under open spruce canopies of high light availability where leaves apparently acclimate by enhancing CO₂ fixation mechanisms.     

我国栓皮栎分布及其生态学研究

栓皮栎作为广泛分布的树种之一,在全球气候变化的大环境下,成为研究树木生长应对气候变化的重要树种。文中分析了我国栓皮栎水平分布和垂直分布的特点及其与气候的关系,栓皮栎在不同地区的森林类型,主要包括栓皮栎纯林、松栎混交林、栎类混交林等类型;综述了我国对栓皮栎生态学、群落结构、更新等研究的最新进展和主要结论;提出今后开展栓皮栎研究的重点和方向,以期为栓皮栎生理生态学及其对气候变化响应研究提供参考。     

Effect of species and spacing of fast-growing nurse trees on growth of an indigenous tree, Hopea odorata Roxb., in northeast Thailand

We tested the effects of species and spacing of nurse trees on the growth of Hopea odorata, a dipterocarp tree indigenous to Southeast Asia, in a two-storied forest management system in northeast Thailand. Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia auriculiformis, and Senna siamea were planted as nurse trees in 1987 at spacings of 4 m × 8 m, 2 m × 8 m, 4 m × 4 m, and 2 m × 4 m in the Sakaerat Silvicultural Research Station of the Royal Forest Department, Thailand. Seedlings of H. odorata were planted in the nurse tree stands at a uniform spacing of 4 m × 4 m and in control plots (no nurse trees) in 1990. Stem numbers of some nurse trees were thinned by half in 1994. The stem diameter and height of all trees were measured annually until 1995 and again in 2007. The mean annual increment (MAI) in volume was estimated as 8.2–10.1 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for E. camaldulensis and 0.9–1.2 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for S. siamea, smaller than reported elsewhere. This suggests that the site properties were not suitable for them. The MAI of A. auriculiformis was 7.9–9.8 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, within the reported range. Survival rates of H. odorata in the S. siamea stands and the control plots decreased rapidly during the first 2 years but then stayed constant from 1992. In contrast, survival rates of H. odorata in the E. camaldulensis and A. auriculiformis stands were initially high (>70%), but then decreased after 1995. Stem diameter, tree height, and stand basal area of H. odorata were large in both the S. siamea stands and the control plots from then. The growth of H. odorata was largest in the 2 m × 8 m S. siamea stands. In contrast, it was restricted in the E. camaldulensis and A. auriculiformis stands owing to strong shading by their canopies. Thinning by 50% tended to facilitate the growth of H. odorata temporarily in the E. camaldulensis and A. auriculiformis stands. The stand basal areas of nurse trees and of H. odorata showed a trade-off. These results suggest that the growth of H. odorata was maximized in the S. siamea stands. We assume, however, that the growth of H. odorata could be improved even in the E. camaldulensis and A. auriculiformis stands by frequent or heavy thinning.     

秦岭西段锐齿栎群落林木个体大小分布特征及物种多样性

对秦岭西段小陇山林区腹地和林缘区的锐齿栎群落的大小分布和多样性进行了分析,结果表明:林区腹地分布区锐齿栎群落的个体较多,锐齿栎成年林木树高频度分布的峰值出现在7 - 19 m间,占总数的73.54%, 3 m以下的幼苗幼树占总数的18.43%,锐齿栎幼苗的萌发受中成林木、灌木的影响较大。在林缘分布区内,小于3 m以下的幼苗幼树与林区腹地分布相类似,但3 m以上各树高阶的数量都很少,特别是成熟林木较少,群落处于不稳定状态。林区腹地锐齿栎群落不同层次的物种组成丰富,物种数均高于林缘区,林区腹地锐齿栎群落多样性灌木层>草本层>乔木层,林缘区锐齿栎群落多样性草本层>灌木层>乔木层。     

小陇山不同经营措施下次生锐齿栎天然林物种多样性研究

采用固定样地和样方法调查了小陇山林区百花林场3个实施不同经营措施的锐齿栎天然林林分特征和物种组成,运用4种常用的物种多样性指数对调查林分的乔木层、灌木层和草本层的物种多样性进行对比分析,结果表明:3种类型锐齿天然林的灌木层相对于其乔木层和草本物种组成丰富,多样性高;长期封育后的锐齿栎天然林群落在3种天然林类型中物种组成最丰富,乔木层、灌木层和草本层的Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数和Margalef指数值在3个林分中最高;近自然技术单株经营后的锐齿栎天然林各层次的物种组成相对较少,多样性较低,但其林分中保留的乔木树种个体较大;结构优化抚育后的锐齿栎天然林的物种组成和多样性介于二者之间.抚育经营措施对林分的影响与抚育经营强度密切相关,适当的抚育经营强度能够促进林分多样性提高,否则会带来不利的影响,结构化森林经营技术是一种有效的经营方法.     

藏东南川滇高山栎群落物种多样性格局

通过样方调查,采用物种多样性指数和DCCA排序方法,并结合种间联结、种间协变和系统聚类分析,对藏东南川滇高山栎(Quercus aquifolioides)群落的物种多样性及其分布格局进行了研究。结果表明:1)川滇高山栎群落物种数(丰富度)随海拔增高而降低,一定程度的人为干扰(即中度干扰)、较大的林分郁闭度和较矮的林冠层有利于群落物种多样性的增加;另外干旱河谷现象对群落物种多样性格局也有影响。2)群落各层次间物种多样性呈现出草本层>灌木层>乔木层的特征。3)群落种间较高的正负关联比理论上说明川滇高山栎群落结构较为稳定,生态习性和分布差异造就了种间的联结和协变格局。海拔梯度和年均降水量是影响各种群空间分布的主要因素。4)结合种-环境DCCA排序结果、种间关系和聚类分析结果可将川滇高山栎群落中除川滇高山栎之外的48个主要物种划分为4个生态种组。     

Nepetalactone content in shoot cultures of three endemic Nepeta species and the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity

Rapid micropropagation of Nepeta rtanjensis, N. sibirica and N. nervosa was performed. Qualitative and quantitative nepetalactone content in methanol extracts of in vitro grown plants was analysed by reverse-phase HPLC coupled with UV and MS detection. Only trans,cis-nepetalactone was detected in shoots of N. rtanjensis, while cis,trans-nepetalactone stereoisomer was present in N. sibirica. No nepetalactone was observed in shoots of N. nervosa. The antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts, against eight bacterial and eight fungal species, was evaluated. All the tested extracts showed significant antibacterial and strong antifungal activity. However, N. rtanjensis extract exhibited the best antimicrobial potential.     

Predicting sapstain and degrade in fallen trees following storm damage in a Pinus radiata forest

Storm damage in production forests constitutes a major source of economic loss world wide, yet the retrieval of salvageable timber remains problematic. In particular, an inability to anticipate when sapstain and degrade will appear hampers the planning of log recovery operations. A study was conducted to monitor the deterioration of fallen trees following two winter storms causing wind and snow damage in a Pinus radiata plantation forest in the upper South Island of New Zealand. Percentage sapstain, incidence of basidiomycete decay fungi, and frequency of bark beetle infestation increased, while percentage sapwood moisture content decreased, over a period of 1 year. These changes proceeded more rapidly in fallen trees that were severed at stump height, to simulate breakage, than in those that were left partially rooted. There was little beetle activity at the time of the storms, but Arhopalus ferus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and Hylastes ater, Hylurgus ligniperda and Pachycotes peregrinus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), were collected in flight traps during the following spring and summer. The predominant fungal species associated with sapstain was Diplodia pinea, while Ophiostoma piceae and Grosmannia huntii were isolated near the end of the period. The main decay fungi obtained were Phlebiopsis gigantea, Stereum sanguinolentum, and Schizophyllum commune. A generalized linear mixed model was constructed to predict the development of sapstain in fallen trees for conditions prevailing during the study after a storm at the same time of year. According to the model, a 10 m long butt log of 22 cm mid length diameter will have minimal stain (<10% of the cross sectional area affected) when cut from severed stems up to 4 months after the storm; if taken from still-rooted trees this period will extend to 1 year. However, because of large between-tree variation, economically productive log recovery will also depend on the proportion of trees that lie below an acceptable sapstain threshold. Further research is needed to determine regional and seasonal influences on the development of sapstain in fallen trees.     

西藏色季拉山川滇高山栎种群结构与动态

采用种群大小级结构、生命表、生命曲线和秩相关分析对西藏色季拉山川滇高山栎种群的结构与数量动态以及种群高度—环境关系的研究得出:川滇高山栎种群总体呈增长型,不同地段种群的年龄分布差异较大(P<0.001),种群表现出林隙更新和阶段性更新的特征,迹地型种群以大量同龄或近同龄林出现,幼苗缺失,呈现出偏途顶极的特征,存在被其他树种替代的可能。川滇高山栎存活曲线介于DeevyⅡ与DeevyⅢ型之间,整个生命过程出现4次死亡高峰,以幼苗进入幼树时期最为强烈(死亡率77.3%),高死亡率会带来高的生命期望值,种内资源竞争是影响个体寿命和造成种群波动的主要原因。环境因子对川滇高山栎种群高度的影响程度排序为:土壤湿度>年降水量>坡位>坡向>坡度>海拔,土壤湿度和年降水量是影响川滇高山栎种群高度分化的显著因子,另外种群对海拔的适应幅度较宽,对坡度响应不强,水分格局是影响个体增长和种群发展的重要因素。     

Metabolic profiles of three related Salvia species

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is one of the most important and popular plant of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge f. alb have also been reported to have the same therapeutic effects as S. miltiorrhiza. To better distinguish between these species, the phytochemical profiles of three Salvia species were investigated by liquid chromatography. All the Salvia species were good sources of tanshinones, with the contents of phenolics being high in S. miltiorrhiza and S. miltiorrhiza f. alb, but not in S. castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib. These results pave the way for a better phytotherapy exploitation of these plants.     

不同种源蒙古栎种子表型性状与淀粉含量的变异分析

The study aims at compare and analyze the variation pattern of the phenotype characters and starch content of Quercus mongolica seed of different provenances. The length, width, length/width ratio, single kernel weight of Q. mongolica seeds from 16 natural distribution regions in China were measured and analyzed. The results showed that there were extremely significant differences among seeds from different region in seed characters. The length and width of seeds ranged from 14.76 mm to 21.08 mm and from 11.87 mm to 15.31 mm, respectively. The length/width ratio of seeds ranged from 1.21 to 1.49. The single kernel weight ranged from 0.60 g to 1.78 g and the contents of starch ranged from 4.42 g·kg^-1 to 5.48 g·kg^-1. The length of seeds has a extremely significant positive correlation with the width and weight of seed, and the width of seed had a significant positive correlation with the weight of seed. The seed width has a significant positive correlation with contents of starch. The width of seeds had a significant negative correlation with altitude, and had a positive correlation with July’s mean temperature. The weight of seed had a significant positive correlation with July's mean temperature too. The correlation of the other phenotypic character and starch content of Q. mongolica seed to geographical climate factors was not significant. According to the results of cluster analysis, sixteen Q. mongolica provenances could be divided into three groups with big fruit and high starch content, middle fruit and starch content, small fruit and low starch content, in which the provenances from Dailing of Heilongjiang Province, Benxi of Liaoning Province and Dayangshu of Inner Mongolia were the superior provenances.     

Factors controlling deadwood availability and branch decay in two Prosopis woodlands in the Central Monte, Argentina

Deadwood is an important resource commonly used by inhabitants in arid lands. However, the low wood productivity and the presence of multi-stemmed trees restrict the use. Prosopis flexuosa woodlands are protected and inhabited by pastoralists who have land rights to use natural resources. As in other forests in the world, dead branches are the most commonly used. The factors causing the death of branches these trees are unknown. As P. flexuosa is a highly heliophilous species, branch mortality may depend on the growth habit and orientation of dry branches under the tree crown. With the participation of inhabitants, we assessed the present availability of deadwood in two Prosopis woodlands of different structure (semi-closed and open woodland), and evaluated the formation of deadwood in terms of shape and cardinal location of dry branches under the crown. We developed and compared regression models to estimate the amount of deadwood for erect, semi-erect and decumbent trees, and for the north and south areas under the crown (n = 120 trees). In addition, to determine the period of growth decline and the factors determining branch mortality, we compared annual radial increment between live and dead branches (n = 30 trees; 10 for each tree shape). The total amount of deadwood in adult Prosopis trees is higher in the semi-closed than in the open woodland (8.6 and 4.4 Tn ha⁻¹, respectively). Only tree size determined the amount of deadwood present in each Prosopis tree, since we found no evidence related to the shape of the tree or the position of dry branches in the canopy. Branch decay was a large process of 18-20 years, and branch death appears to be the result of the action of climatic factors (dry period). The results suggest that the use of deadwood by the desert inhabitants is a tool that can potentially be used; however, the use of this resource taking into account the generation rates of deadwood has not been developed in arid lands. These practices at appropriate sites can contribute to a sustainable management of these woodlands, including the removal of deadwood in a model of local management on a site where potential productivity is relatively low.     

Demography and management of two clonal oaks: Quercus eduardii and Q. potosina (Fagaceae) in central México

Quercus eduardii and Q. potosina are the most abundant tree species of the temperate forests of Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico, in an area ranging between 2200 and 2600 m above see level. During the last century these clonal oaks were intensively exploited to obtain charcoal and firewood for local use; in addition, sections of the forest were transformed into grasslands for livestock. The effects of disturbance on the population dynamics of these species are poorly known. Therefore, a demographic study was carried out in order to: (a) evaluate the effects of disturbance on the population growth rate of these species; (b) assess the effects of inter-annual environmental variability on the long term population dynamics; (c) evaluate the relative importance of sexual reproduction and clonal propagation on population growth rate; (d) simulate the impact of different levels of tree harvesting on the population dynamics of these species, and (e) recommend a harvesting intensity, based on the information obtained above. Annual, mean and periodic matrices as well as stochastic simulations were used. These size-classified population matrix models also were employed to devise a schedule that maximizes the percentage of individual plants that can be harvested without affecting their population growth rates. For this reason specific entries of the matrices were modified to simulate different harvesting intensities. The study was carried out in two disturbed and two undisturbed sites during a 4-years period. Two plots were established inside each site; one plot was excluded from livestock and the other was left intact. Annual population growth rates were above or equal to unity in all sites, species and years, whereas mean, periodic and stochastic simulation matrix models showed no significant differences between species, years, sites or from unity, suggesting that logging and grazing did not have a negative effect on the population growth rate of these species. Both species produced clonal offspring during the 4 years of the study, but reproduced sexually only once, suggesting a masting reproduction. Elasticity analyses showed that the contribution of clonal propagation is more important than fecundity to the population growth rate of both species. Mean annual and periodic matrix models showed that extractions as low as 5% cause a population decline, while with stochastic simulations extractions of up to 5% are possible for both species; however, the environmental stochasticity will drive populations to local extinctions.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense-tree) dominated dry deciduous woodlands of Northern Ethiopia

This study assessed the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense-tree) dominated dry deciduous woodlands in relation to season, management and soil depth in Ethiopia. We studied 43 woody species in 52 plots in three areas. All woody species were colonized by AM fungi, with average root colonization being relatively low (16.6% – ranging from 0% to 95%). Mean spore abundance ranged from 8 to 69 spores 100 g⁻¹ of dry soil. Glomus was the dominant genus in all study sites. Season had a strong effect on root colonization and spore abundance. While spore abundance was higher (P < 0.001) in the dry season in all three study sites, root colonization showed a more variable response. Root colonization was reduced in the dry season in the site that was least subject to stress, but increased in the dry season in the harshest sites. Management in the form of exclosures (that exclude grazing) had a positive effect on spore abundance in one of the two sites considered. Spore abundance did not significantly differ (P = 0.17) between the two soil depths. Our results show that in this arid region all trees are mycorrhizal. This has profound consequences for rehabilitation efforts of such dry deciduous woodlands: underground processes are vital for understanding species adaptation to pulsed resource availability and deserve increasing attention.     

Drought matters - Declining precipitation influences growth of Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. in north-eastern Germany

For north-eastern Germany regional climate models project rising temperatures in combination with decreasing summer and increasing winter precipitation. The resulting overall drier conditions during the growing season will considerably impact forest growth there. We evaluate the consequences of increasing drought on the growth of the two locally most important broadleaf tree species common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). Three mixed forests of beech and oak were sampled along a west-east gradient of declining precipitation. In total we used 257 ring-width samples from 133 trees to build six species and site specific chronologies. Additionally, we modelled the soil water budget for each site. We performed continuous and discontinuous (pointer year) analysis of climate-tree-growth relationships with particular emphasis on inter-annual-variations and their dependence upon climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, soil moisture) and on the stability of the obtained relationships. Results of climate-growth correlations together with pointer year analysis indicate a strong dependency of growth of both species from water availability, especially during early summer (June and July). General correlation pattern between growth and climate are similar for both species, but climate sensitivity of beech is generally higher. We identified drought as the main driver of negative growth depressions in both species. Increasing drought stress along the gradient is expressed in higher correlations to climatic variables, higher sensitivity (variance) of growth, and a higher number of negative pointer years for both species. For beech we also found a significant trend of decreasing average growth rates along the gradient. Growth superiority of beech compared to oak declines with decreasing precipitation. The relationships were generally stable throughout the 20th century. A rise of sensitivity together with a higher frequency of negative pointer years during the last decades suggests that increasing climatic variability together with rising temperatures might be influencing growth of Fagus at the more humid sites. If we substitute space by time it seems that already small changes in precipitation regime can have considerable impact, especially on the growth of beech. Other, more drought tolerant species like oak might gain competitive advantages under the projected climatic changes.     

Relative susceptibility of four species of African mahogany to the shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the moist semideciduous forest of Ghana

We examined the relative susceptibility of four mahogany species, Khaya ivorensis, Khaya anthotheca, Entandrophragma angolense, and E. utile, to Hypsipyla robusta attack. Seeds were obtained from one to three parent trees for each species. The research was conducted in the moist semideciduous forest zone in Ghana and used a randomized complete block design. Tree height and diameter and height to first branch were measured until 24 months after out-planting in the field. H. robusta damage was assessed by counting the numbers of shoots attacked, branches, and dead shoots. Khaya spp. grew better but experienced more attack than Entandrophragma spp. The relative susceptibility to H. robusta attack, from most to least, of the four species was: K. anthotheca > K. ivorensis > E. angolense > E. utile. At 24 months, the mean number of shoots attacked per tree ranged from 1.0 for an E. utile seed source to 3.6 on for a K. anthotheca seed source. At 15 months, K. anthotheca and K. ivorensis started branching at about 1.5 m, but height of clear trunk increased over time due to self-pruning. As K. anthotheca grew taller, the number of H. robusta attacks per tree declined. This suggested that selection of genotypes and species that are tolerant of H. robusta attack based on infestation of young plants may not be appropriate. Genetic factors more completely reflecting the response of different species and genotypes to H. robusta attack may manifest themselves at later growth stages.     

Molecular characterization of Desmodium species — An important ingredient of ‘Dashmoola’ by RAPD analysis

Identification of medicinal plants by their molecular signature is a fast growing tool. The identification of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. (Shalparni, a constituent of Ayurvedic formulation “Dashmoolarishtha”) was carried out using genomic approach. Authentic samples of D. gangeticum(L.) DC., D. velutinum (Willd.) DC. and D. triflorum (L.) DC. were analyzed and compared to commercial samples of various origin. Within twenty primers used, eleven gave 223 RAPD fragments. RAPD profiles of three species showed very low similarity index (0.21–0.39), whereas market samples showed high similarity of 0.82–0.89 with authenticated D. gangeticum.     

Effects of defoliation by Eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus scutellatus, and chrysomelid beetles on growth of Eucalyptus globulus in southwestern Australia

Plantations of Eucalyptus globulus in southwestern Australia are defoliated by Eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus scutellatus, and a complex of chrysomelid and scarab beetles, yet there is no information on the impact of beetle defoliation to tree growth in southwestern Australia. To address this shortcoming, we used insect exclusion trials, to compare growth of insecticide treated (and thus relatively undamaged) trees with untreated (and thus defoliated) trees to determine whether defoliation by G. scutellatus and other beetles reduced the growth and harvest volume of E. globulus trees. Our results showed some evidence of beetle defoliation reducing growth of E. globulus. Mean defoliation levels of the growing tip of untreated trees ranged from 18% to 33% across the duration of the study and were significantly greater than mean defoliation levels of 5–16% on insecticide treated trees. Seasonal peaks in defoliation of 30–80% to the growing tip of untreated trees were recorded between late spring and early autumn. The greatest impact of defoliation on tree growth was evident during the 2.5 year period of insect exclusion, when higher relative growth rates were recorded for insecticide treated trees, which were significantly different from relative growth rates of untreated trees at two of the four plantations. However, our results showed only a limited impact of beetle defoliation on the total volume at harvest. Initially small trees tended to suffer more severe defoliation than initially large trees. Effects of insect exclusion treatment on harvest volume were modified by the initial tree size and the relationship between the initial tree size and levels of defoliation.     

马尾松谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶PmGPX6基因cDNA克隆及转化拟南芥耐旱性初步研究

[目的]克隆马尾松谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶基因,并对其进行功能研究。[方法]采用RACE技术克隆基因c DNA序列,实时荧光定量PCR检测基因在马尾松干旱胁迫下的表达模式,花序浸泡法转化拟南芥,并对转基因与野生型拟南芥的生长表型和根系生长进行分析。利用荧光显微镜技术对转基因拟南芥不定根进行GFP荧光检测。[结果]克隆到1个871 bp的GPX基因全长c DNA序列,命名为Pm GPX6。Pm GPX6包括513 bp的完整开放阅读框,编码170个氨基酸残基。Pm GPX6蛋白与油松Pt GPX蛋白同源性达95%。Pm GPX6在马尾松根中高表达,茎、叶中表达量低。在干旱胁迫下,Pm GPX6在根、茎、叶中的表达量均在第15天达到最大,随后出现下降趋势。过表达Pm GPX6与野生型拟南芥植株在正常水分条件下表型与根长差异不大,但在干旱胁迫下,转基因植株根系更长。转基因拟南芥根在蓝色光激发下能发出强烈的绿色荧光,表明Pm GPX6基因能高效表达。[结论]推测Pm GPX6可能参与马尾松干旱胁迫应答。