Suckering response of aspen to traffic-induced-root wounding and the barrier-effect of log storage

In a growth chamber, we tested how the seasonal timing of placing a physical barrier (simulating a possible effect of log storage) and inflicting root damage impacted aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) root systems and their suckering capability. Roots from 4-year-old saplings were used, and one half of these root systems had the above-ground portion cut in the winter (dormant) while the other half was cut during the growing season in the summer. Damage was inflicted to the roots by driving a large farm tractor over them, and a covering treatment was applied using a polystyrene board to prevent suckers from emerging from the soil. Soil temperatures for the winter-cut root systems were kept at 5 °C over the growing season, using a water bath, while for the summer-cut root systems soil temperatures were maintained at 17 °C over the growing season. In the winter-cut root systems, both log storage and root wounding caused a 40% reduction in living root mass and carbohydrate reserves, as well as reducing sucker numbers and their growth performance. In the summer-cut root systems log storage and root wounding reduced living root mass by approximately 35% as well as sucker growth, but had less of an impact on the number of suckers produced.     

Regeneration dynamics of planted seedling-origin aspen (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tremuloides</Emphasis> Michx.)

Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is a foundational tree species of the North American boreal forest. After disturbance, clonal aspen stands quickly achieve canopy closure by sending up numerous clonal shoots (root suckers) from their lateral root system. Controlled aboveground disturbance will commonly induce prolific root suckering and thereby increase stem density in clonal aspen stands, but it is unclear if increases in stem density will be observed in planted seedling-origin aspen stands. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) overall root suckering response of planted aspen to aboveground disturbance; (2) if different cut heights of the stem or infliction of root damage impact the number of root suckers produced. We found that planted aspen regenerated readily after disturbance, averaging five root suckers per cut tree. However, individual response was highly variable, ranging from zero to 29 root suckers per root system. Of the cut trees, 75% produced at least one root sucker and 60% produced at least one stump sprout. Cutting trees close to the soil surface produced more root suckers than leaving a 25 cm stump. While root system size (mass and length) was well correlated with aboveground measures of planted aspen, root suckering was not related to root system size. As a result of increased forest reclamation efforts in the boreal forest region the planting of aspen has become a more common practice, necessitating a better understanding of the regeneration dynamics and root suckering potential of these planted and seedling-origin aspen forests.     

Signals controlling root suckering and adventitious shoot formation in aspen (Populus tremuloides)

We determined the effects of removal of leaves, stem axillary buds, or the entire shoot on root suckering (adventitious shoot formation by roots) and basal stem sprouts in 3- and 4-year-old potted seedlings of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). The greatest number of root suckers (67.9 +/- 8.5 per plant) emerged after excision of the entire shoot. Defoliated and debudded stems were the major source of inhibitory agents for root suckering, although axillary buds and developing new leaves also exerted a significant inhibitory effect. Removal of mature leaves had only a minor effect on root suckering. Removal of a continuous band of bark (girdling) at the base of the stem consistently stimulated growth of adventitious shoots from the stem below the girdle and occasionally promoted root suckering. Exogenous application of indole-3-acetic acid to excised stumps inhibited root suckering and basal stem sprouting. Naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), an auxin polar transport inhibitor, had no effect on root suckering or stem sprouting when it was applied to the bark of the basal stem. However, NPA significantly increased root suckering when it was applied to the exposed surface of xylem after girdling. These results suggest that polar transport of auxin in the xylem parenchyma is an important inhibitor of root suckering. On decapitated stems, vacuum extraction of xylem sap from the root system lowered the frequency of root suckering compared with decapitation alone, indicating that substance(s) originating in the root system also play a significant role in controlling root suckering.     

Root growth potential, seedling morphology and bud dormancy correlate with survival of loblolly pine seedlings planted in December in Alabama

First-year survival of December-planted loblolly pine seedlings sampled from 20 nurseries ranged from 36 to 86%. Various characteristics of the seedlings including root growth potential (RGP), shoot/root ratio, root weight and stem length were correlated with survival. A regression model using the number of new roots >/= 0.5 cm and the shoot/root ratio accounted for 80% of the variation in first-year survival. Alone, the number of new roots >/= 0.5 cm accounted for 76% of the variation in survival. Foliar nutrients were not correlated with survival. Seedlings with a high proportion of quiescent buds at planting had a higher RGP and better survival than seedlings with dormant (endodormant) buds. The data suggest that seedlings with dormant buds should not be planted on sites where rapid new root growth is needed for survival.     

Development of suckers by two‐year‐old birch (Betula pendula Roth) at different temperatures and light intensities

Two‐year‐old seedlings of Betula pendula Roth of three provenances were cut to stump heights of 0 and 10 cm. The birch stumps were exposed to different light levels (25–400 μEm^?2s^?1) and temperatures (6–24°C) for 100 days in climate chambers. Birches were also cut down to seven stump heights (0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm) and exposed to light intensity 25 and 200 μEm^?2s^?1 at 12/6°C for 100 days in climate chambers. In the third experiment 10 cm stumps of birch were exposed to different light intensities (10–400 μEm^?2s^?1) for 30 days in a greenhouse at 20°C. Starch content in root systems was analyzed before and after treatment. Ten stumps per treatment were used in the experiments except the third experiment where 15 stumps were used. The number of sprouting stumps was correlated with light intensity and temperature. None of the stumps exposed to 6 or 9°C produced suckers. At stump height 0 cm fewer sprouting stumps were produced than at 10 cm. The mean height of suckers was higher the higher the temperature both on 0 and 10 cm stumps. There were differences between provenances in height growth. The number of suckers per sprouting stump was not related to temperature or light intensity. Starch content in root systems of 10 cm high stumps was 4.0% compared with 14.7% in root systems of non‐stumped birch plants after 30 days in the greenhouse. Starch content decreased from 4.0 to 3.0% with decreasing light intensity (400–10 μEm^?2S^?1). The number of suckers and their mean height were correlated with starch content depending on light intensity.     

Photosynthesis and root respiration of Pinus sylvestris and picea abies seedlings after different root freezing and storage temperatures

Photosynthetic performance and root respiration were measured for seedlings of Scots pine and Norway spruce under constant conditions in an open gas exchange system in the laboratory. Measurements were carried out after root exposure to ‐20, ‐5 and 0°C and subsequent longtime storage in darkness at +1 or +4°C. Stomatal conductance in relation to net photosynthetic rates was also investigated after the same treatment of seedlings. Root respiration was low for seedlings whose root system had been exposed to ‐20°C, Scots pine showing lower rates than Norway spruce. This was probably an indication of root damage. At least for one provenance of Scots pine, respiration rates were higher for seedlings stored at +1 than at +4°C. Photosynthetic performance was also lowest for seedlings whose roots had been exposed to +20°C compared to higher temperatures, the difference being more clear‐cut for Norway spruce than for Scots pine. Storage at +1 gave slightly higher photosynthetic rates than at +4°C. There was a close relation between stomatal conductance measured on individual needles and photosynthetic performance measured on the whole seedling.     

Root carbohydrates and aspen regeneration in relation to season of harvest and machine traffic

Season of harvest has often been suggested as a driver for the erratic success of aspen (Populus tremuloides) sucker regeneration, partially due to root carbohydrate reserves and soil conditions at the time of harvest. A field experiment in western Manitoba, Canada, assessed root suckering and root carbohydrates of aspen in response to season of harvest and machine traffic. Six sites (120 m × 120 m) were selected within two large mature aspen stands slated for summer harvest. Plots (50 m × 50 m) were hand-felled (without machine traffic) in mid-summer, late summer, winter, and one plot was left uncut as a control. Season of cut with no traffic had no effect on sucker density, height or leaf dry mass per sucker. During the dormant season, root starch reserves were highest in the winter cut plots, however, just prior to suckering, this difference in carbohydrate reserves among the three seasons of harvest disappeared and by the end of the first growing season root reserves in all three seasons of cut had recovered to near control levels. Adjacent plots that were conventionally harvested in the summer and impacted by logging traffic had similar sucker densities but had 19% less height growth of suckers and 29% less leaf dry mass per sucker compared to suckers in plots harvested at the same time without traffic. After one growing season, root carbohydrate levels were similar whether or not machine traffic was used; however, the reduction in leaf dry mass in plots with machine traffic could have negative implications for carbohydrate accumulation and growth. The study suggests that the phenological state of the mature aspen plays a very small role in aspen regeneration and that harvesting practices and site conditions are likely the main drivers of aspen regeneration success.     

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。     

Sprouting of Populus tremula L. in spruce regeneration areas following alternative treatments

We investigated the efficiency of three different methods to restrict sprouting in European aspen (Populus tremula L.) in regeneration areas of spruce in Finland. The methods compared were (1) traditional method (cutting at 10?C15 cm height) (2) cutting at 1 m height, and (3) fungus treatment (cutting at 10?C15 cm height, and mycelium of a white-rot fungus, Chondrostereum purpureum [Pers. Ex Fr.] Pouzar was applied to freshly cut stumps). The results indicated that the fungus treatment can restrict the emergence and growth of stump sprouts better than other methods, whereas cutting at 1 m seemed to yield the lowest numbers of root suckers. However, differences between the treatments were not significantly different (P values were > 0.05). For future experimentation, we suggest that the cutting of higher stumps to control the number of root suckers should be combined with application of C. purpureum to restrict the emergence and growth of stump sprouts. We also suggest developing more efficient C. purpureum isolates to control European aspen stump sprouting.     

Beech regeneration of seed and root sucker origin: A comparison of morphology, growth, survival, and response to defoliation

American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) reproduces sexually, and vegetatively by root suckers. Although many studies have investigated its regeneration response, most did not account for differences that may exist between its two modes of reproduction. This study was performed in an old-growth Acer - Fagus forest in southern Quebec, where beech bark disease had only a minor effect at the time of the study. We compared the density and frequency of occurrence of beech seedlings and root suckers (height < 30 cm), as well as their morphology, growth, survival, and response to experimental defoliation. Root suckers accounted for 13% of beech regeneration at our site. Density and frequency of occurrence were greater for seedlings than suckers, but did not vary with light availability, which was low at our study site (mean: 2.9%). Seedlings and suckers did not differ in leaf characteristics, but several differences were observed in terms of plant morphology, growth, and survival. Root suckers showed more lateral growth than height growth, and had a lower leaf area index than seedlings. Root suckers had both a greater growth in height and diameter, and a higher survivorship than seedlings (height and diameter growth were, respectively, five and two times greater for suckers than seedlings, and 74% of suckers survived more than 1 year, compared to 52% for seedlings). Defoliation treatments, which included levels of defoliation of 50% and 100% (1) did not affect current-year extension growth of seedlings and suckers; (2) did not affect seedling diameter growth, but had a negative impact on sucker diameter growth; and (3) affected survivorship for both origins, but had a much greater negative impact on seedling survivorship (none of the completely defoliated seedlings survived over one year, while 55% of the suckers did). This study showed that several differences exist between small beech seedlings and root suckers in traits that are important determinants of a species’ competitive ability. We therefore expect that variation in the relative importance of root suckering among sites might have several community-level implications.     

Root order-dependent seasonal dynamics in the carbon and nitrogen chemistry of poplar fine roots

Fine roots play an important role in above- and belowground carbon (C) allocation in forest ecosystems. However, few studies have focused on the seasonal dynamics of fine roots with different branching orders. The objective of this study is to provide insight to the seasonal heterogeneity in roots of different orders within root hierarchies of poplar trees under different soil conditions. Three plots were established in high (plantation A) and low (plantation B) soil nutrient conditions. Fine roots were sampled in each of four seasons throughout one year. All sampled roots were classified into one to five groups depending on their branching order, and the dry biomass of living roots and the concentrations of C, nitrogen (N) and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) were examined. Low order (first- to second-order) roots demonstrated more significant seasonal dynamics than high order roots, and the biomass of first-order fine roots was positively influenced by soil temperature and moisture while the biomass of second-order fine roots was negatively affected by soil nutrient conditions. The different responses of fine roots to environmental fluctuations implied a high division of root function, even within low order roots. The C and N chemistry of poplar fine roots also differed significantly with branching order; element concentrations were lower in low order roots. Principal component analysis indicated that root order explained 98.2% of the variation in fine root chemistry. Moreover, the first-order roots in plantation A had greater C but less TNC concentrations than those in plantation B, suggesting that C allocation in low order roots may be more responsive to soil nutrient conditions. The allocation of C and N also exhibited significant seasonal dynamics (p < 0.05); the TNC concentration was highest in winter, whereas C:N ratios were significantly lower in the summer and fall in each order of fine roots (p < 0.05). All these results suggest that branching order may be related to root growth and photoassimilate allocation, which should receive greater attention in future studies on C and N fluxes in forest ecosystems.     

Coarse and fine root respiration in aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Coarse and fine root respiration rates of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) were measured at 5, 15 and 25 degrees C. Coarse roots ranged from 0.65 to 4.45 cm in diameter, whereas fine roots were less than 5 mm in diameter. To discriminate between maintenance and growth respiration, root respiration rates were measured during aboveground growing periods and dormant periods. An additional measurement of coarse root respiration was made during spring leaf flush, to evaluate the effect of mobilization of resources for leaf expansion on root respiration. Fine roots respired at much higher rates than coarse roots, with a mean rate at 15 degrees C of 1290 micromol CO2 m-3 s-1 during the growing period, and 660 micromol CO2 m-3 s-1 during the dormant period. The temperature response of fine root respiration rate was nonlinear: mean Q10 was 3.90 for measurements made at 5-15 degrees C and 2.19 for measurements made at 15-25 degrees C. Coarse root respiration rates measured at 15 degrees C in late fall (dormant season) were higher (370 micromol CO2 m-3 s-1) than rates from roots collected at leaf flush and early summer (200 micromol CO2 m-3 s-1). The higher respiration rates in late fall, which were accompanied by decreased total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations, suggest that respiration rates in late fall included growth expenditures, reflecting recent radial growth. Neither bud flush nor shoot growth of the trees caused an increase in coarse root respiration or a decrease in TNC concentrations, suggesting a limited role of coarse roots as reserve storage organs for spring shoot growth, and a lack of synchronization between above- and belowground growth. Pooling the data from the coarse and fine roots showed a positive correlation between nitrogen concentration and respiration rate.     

青钱柳嫩枝扦插育苗技术研究

对青钱柳枝条采用ABT 1号生根粉和吲哚丁酸不同植物激素溶液处理。经过4年的扦插试验,枝条扦插之后,对苗木进行观察,采用不同的溶液对苗木进行浸种处理,其苗木生长状况不同。结果显示:用ABT1号生根粉处理的穗条比用植物激素吲哚丁酸处理的穗条,插穗成活率高11.2%,且根系生长伸展,侧根生长快、细根条数多、萌芽高又粗。研究表明,青钱柳嫩枝扦插,插穗宜采用ABT1号生根粉处理,效果较好。     

Effects of soil temperature on biomass and carbohydrate allocation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings at the beginning of the growing season

We studied effects of soil temperature on shoot and root extension growth and biomass and carbohydrate allocation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings at the beginning of the growing season. One-year-old Scots pine seedlings were grown for 9 weeks at soil temperatures of 5, 9, 13 and 17 degrees C and an air temperature of 17 degrees C. Date of bud burst, and the elongation of shoots and roots were monitored. Biomass of current and previous season roots, stem and needles was determined at 3-week intervals. Starch, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol and inositol concentrations were determined in all plant parts except new roots. The timing of both bud burst and the onset of root elongation were unaffected by soil temperature. At Week 9, height growth was reduced and root extension growth was much less at a soil temperature of 5 degrees C than at higher soil temperatures. Total seedling biomass was lowest in the 5 degrees C soil temperature treatment and highest in the 13 degrees C treatment, but there was no statistically significant difference in total biomass between seedlings grown at 13 and 17 degrees C. In response to increasing soil temperature, below-ground biomass increased markedly, resulting in a slightly higher allocation of biomass to below-ground parts. Among treatments, root length was greatest at a soil temperature of 17 degrees C. The sugar content of old roots was unaffected by soil temperature, but the sugar content of new needles increased with increasing soil temperature. The starch content of all seedling parts was lowest in seedlings grown at 17 degrees C. Otherwise, soil temperature had no effect on seedling starch content.     

Low soil temperatures increase carbon reserves in Picea mariana and Pinus contorta

? Context

Soil temperature can limit tree growth and function, but it is often unaddressed in understanding the successional status of trees.

? Aims

We tested how soil temperature affected carbon allocation strategies of two dominant co-occurring boreal conifer species, Pinus contorta and Picea mariana.

? Methods

We measured nonstructural carbon (NSC) concentrations, biomass, and photosynthesis of dormant and actively growing 2-year-old seedlings in response to three soil temperatures (5, 10, and 20 °C) under a common ambient air temperature.

? Results

For both species, variation in carbon reserves with soil temperature was more pronounced following seedling growth than during dormancy. For both species and all organ types (roots, needles, and stems), NSC concentrations were highest when seedlings were grown at 5 than 20 °C. Mass adjusted for NSC content was negatively correlated with NSC concentration for all organ types of both species. Soil temperature had a marginally significant effect on photosynthesis of pine; seedlings grown at 10 or 20 °C acquired more carbon than seedlings grown at 5 °C. Spruce seedlings photosynthesized more when grown at 20 °C than at 5 or 10 °C.

? Conclusion

Interspecific differences in allocation of carbon may underlie the responses of P. mariana and P. contorta to cold soils and consequently their successional status.     

郭芬柏育苗试验结果分析

切根及喷云大- 120 处理对郭芬柏苗木效果的试验结果表明: 切根和喷云大- 120 处理能够促进郭芬柏苗木的生长; 切根、喷云大-120 处理及其交互作用, 对郭芬柏苗期生长有显著影响, 特别是切根喷云大-120 处理与对照间的差异十分明显; 在各处理中, 切根喷云大- 120 的效果最好, 其苗高、地径、冠幅、单株茎叶鲜重、侧枝数、根长、根幅、单株根鲜重、主根发育明显的株数和侧根数等性状分别比对照高32-44 % 、34-62 % 、20-56% 、114-79% 、17-96 % 、12-73 % 、9-45% 、39-76% 、-60-14 % 和-10-75 % , 其次是切根不喷云大-120 和不切根喷云大-120。     

不同扦插方法对菊花生根的影响

全光喷雾条件下进行了不同基质、不同长度（下端节到剪口）、不同的剪口形状的菊花（Dendranthemamorifolium（Ramat）Tzvel.）扦插试验。结果表明,蛭石基质中菊花插穗的平均发根数极显著高于河沙和育苗土（P〈0.01）,河沙基质的插穗平均最长根长极显著高于育苗土（P〈0.01）,蛭石和育苗土的生根率极显著高于河沙（P〈0.01）。不同的长度（下端节到剪口）插穗的平均发根数、平均最长根长和生根率均无显著差异（P〉0.05）：平口与斜口之间的最长根长有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。插穗的根长和发根数存在着线性关系,其回归方程为y=5.516＋0.208x。     

Root preparation technique and storage affect results of seedling quality evaluation in Norway spruce

Evaluation of tree seedling quality is necessary for improving technology for forest nursery production and seedling handling. Nutrient status can be measured to determine seedling quality, but it can be affected by seedling handling techniques. In this study effects of root preparation technique and storage regime on content of macro nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) in fine roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) plants were investigated. The root preparation techniques were: (a) rinse in tap or (b) deionised water, and (c) dry preparation. These techniques were tested on seedlings subjected to four storage regimes: (1) no storage, (2) deep freezing below −20°C, and long-term (3) cold (+1 to +3°C) and (4) frozen (−3 to −4°C) storage. From the results it was concluded that the nutrient status in needles is not sufficient to describe the whole plant nutrient status in stored dormant plants, fine roots should also be included. The results also showed that deep freezing of fine roots before nutrient analyses should be avoided. Losses of K, P, S, and Mg were substantial with this method. Deionised water or dry preparation is preferred since tap water contains substantial amounts of ions that may affect the analyses.     

黧蒴栲芽苗截根移栽育苗及造林成效研究

为了提高黧蒴栲苗木质量和造林成活率,利用随机区组设计开展了黧蒴栲芽苗截根移栽、截根苗造林对比试验.结果表明：黧蒴栲芽苗截根处理对苗高、主根长、一级侧根数、叶干重、茎枝干重、根器官干重有极显著影响,对苗木地径、一级侧根长度有显著影响.芽苗截根处理后苗木高度增加17.51％、地径增加13.72％.不同剪叶处理方式对黧蒴栲苗木造林成活率有极显著影响,芽苗截根苗造林以剪叶75％效果最好,造林成活率达95.86％,而未剪叶苗造林成活率为57.69％;应用芽苗截根苗造林可提高造林成活率17.0％～24.0％,增加当年树高、地径生长量分别为18.22％、15.44％.     

Carbon translocation patterns associated with new root proliferation during episodic growth of transplanted Quercus rubra seedlings

Patterns of carbon allocation in northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), characterized by episodic growth through recurrent single-season flushing, vary by growth stage. To examine post-transplant timing and carbohydrate sources for new root growth, dormant, bare-root, half-sibling northern red oak seedlings were transplanted to pots and placed in a favorable growth chamber environment. Unlabeled seedlings were harvested at transplant and at the bud swell stage. After leaf emergence, seedlings were exposed to (14)CO(2) at the linear shoot, linear leaf or lag growth stages. Seedlings were then placed in a growth room for 48 h to allow for translocation of (14)C-labeled current photosynthate and its stabilization in sink component plant parts. Seedlings were subsequently harvested and tissue (14)C:(12)C ratio analyzed. New root growth began during the linear shoot growth stage. However, no increase in (14)C:(12)C ratio was found in new roots until the linear leaf and lag growth stages, indicating a downward shift in translocation of current photosynthate to fuel new root growth. In old roots, (14)C:(12)C ratio increased at the lag stage. Our results indicate that both stored carbohydrates and current photosynthate contribute to new root growth of transplanted northern red oak seedlings; stored carbohydrates promote initial new root proliferation, whereas current photosynthate assumes a greater role as new leaves mature and the flush terminates. Optimizing nursery practices to increase carbohydrate reserves may reduce the time required to establish root-soil contact and facilitate early post-planting survival.