Negative gravitropism and growth stress in GA3-treated branches ofPrunus spachiana Kitamura f.spachiana cv.Plenarosea

One of the roles of growth stress in branch shape formation was investigated using a weeping-type Japanese cherry,Prunus spachiana. Negative released strains, caused by longitudinal tensile growth stresses, were detected in the upper side of gibberellin A₃-treated (GA₃-treated) and control branches. The mean value of the released strain in the upper side of the treated branches was –0.104%, which was larger than the value (–0.067%) observed in the control branches. Both branches formed tension wood in the upper side of the xylem, and the treated branches formed tension wood near the pith as well. This suggested that the treated branches generated larger tensile growth stress from the early growth stages. The successive generation of growth stress from the early growth stages was considered to generate forces large enough to bend the branch upward.     

Seven-year changes in growth and crown shape of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai saplings after release from suppression

We investigated changes in sapling growth and morphology of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai (hiba) for 7 years after release from suppressed lighting by selection cutting. We examined changes in aboveground biomass, elongation of stems and lateral branches, and annual diameter increment at the stem base. Vertical distributions of leaves per branch and per individual were also measured for morphological analysis. Under the suppressed condition before cutting, the crown consisted of orthotropic lateral branches, elongating up to the top of the stem or farther, and no branch was aborted. This crown type with large crown depth and concavity of the upper part had a bowl-like appearance. After the selection cutting, relative light intensity on the saplings increased from 4% to 26%. The increment enhanced aboveground biomass and stem elongation 7 years after the cutting. Diameter growth at the stem base was particularly accelerated 2 years after the cutting. While crown shape transformation of the saplings was not conspicuous at 7 years after the cutting, some released saplings showed a superior stem elongation ratio to that of the lateral branches. Thus, the upper part of the crown of these saplings changed from a bowl-like shape to a convex shape like that of a dome. Our study suggested that suppressed hiba saplings with the unique bowl-shaped crown enhanced their growth rates rapidly in response to improved light conditions, but required much more than 7 years for the full process of crown transformation for us to identify future trees in this stand. An erratum to this article is available at.     

Apical control of branch movements in white pine: Compression wood action

Summary The movements of branches or control stem girdled white pine (Pinus strobus L.) were analyzed using beam theory. The stresses generated in the compression wood (CW) produced bending moments to counter the added bending moments due to new branch growth. The branches on the treated trees produced additional CW after untreated trees stopped elongation and diameter growth. The intensity of the stresses in this additional CW was greater than in the other CW. Thus, branches on treated trees moved up vertically well beyond their initial orientation due to both more CW and more active CW. The branches on untreated trees all deflected downward as branch weight continued to increase after CW production stopped.     

Survival and juvenile growth of Populus ‘Rasumowskiana’ cuttings from different stem and branch positions

The influence of ortet position on rooting and sprout growth of Populus Rasumowskiana cuttings was studied in the nursery over a period of two years using cuttings from 1-year-old stem shoots and side branches. Apical parts of the plants were not included in the material used in this trial. For branch cuttings, survival decreased with location of the cutting from base to apex; and for stem cuttings, height growth decreased from base to apex. In neigther was the trend significant. As a rule, branch cuttings rooted and grew better than stem cuttings, although the stem cuttings were thicker.     

Effect of support on the growth of a woody vine,Wisteria floribunda DC. (Leguminosae)

Seedling ofWisteria floribunda, which belongs to the twiner type of climbing plants, were planted in nursery and the effect of support on the growth of the seedlings was tested. The seedlings were grown with 240 cm-height and 120 cm-height supports (the culms of a dwarf bamboo), and without support. Positive effect of the supports and its length were observed for stem length ofW. floribunda at the end of the growing season. The positive effect of support was also observed for total dry weight. Total dry weight with 240 cm-height support reached more than the double of the seedlings without support. These effects of the support were attributed to die-back behavior of the twining stem, which detached from the support or did not encounter the support. Diameter of the stems without support showed a rapid decrease toward the stem tip, while that with support were relatively constant when they were twining around the support. The existence of the support also affected the dry matter allocation in this species; supported seedlings allocated larger proportion of biomass to current-year stems than unsupported seedlings, although the allocation to the roots was smaller in the supported treatments. Support availability may be critical for the establishment and further growth of the seedlings ofW. floribunda which regenerate at the forest edge and canopy gaps. A part of this report was presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society, at Tsukuba, April, 1996.     

银杏枝条部位和年龄对不定根形成的影响及其与非结构碳水化合物含量的关系

[目的]研究银杏枝条部位、年龄对不定根形成的影响,并探讨其相应的叶、茎段中非结构碳水化合物(NSC)含量变化与扦插生根的关系。[方法]以50年生银杏树冠上、下部枝条的1、2和3年生位置的茎段为材料截取插穗,500 mg·L-1IBA与纯水对照处理基部60 s,在全光喷雾状态下研究扦插生根情况,并利用HLPC法分析相应部位叶和茎段中NSC含量。[结果]表明:银杏扦插不定根形成过程分为4个阶段,即0～4周愈伤形成期、4～6周愈伤膨大期、6～8周不定根开始形成期、8周后不定根伸长;生根部位主要在切口处。树冠上、下部位插穗的生根率未见明显差异,但随着枝龄的增加而明显降低。NSC分析表明:下部叶片NSC组分中多糖和总糖含量明显高于上部的,但茎段NSC的所有组分在上下部均无明显差异;随着枝龄的增加,相应位置叶片NSC各组分含量没有明显差异,但相应茎段NSC组分中葡萄糖、果糖、多糖、总糖、淀粉含量却明显降低,与生根率的变化趋势一致。此外,500 mg·L-1IBA处理并未明显提高生根率,还需进一步优化处理浓度。[结论]银杏树冠上部和下部枝条对不定根形成无影响;未处理枝条的枝龄与生根率呈负相关,而茎段NSC含量与生根率呈正相关;叶片NSC含量对不定根形成影响较小;生根方式以愈伤生根类型为主。该结论将为今后银杏扦插生根及其机制研究提供参考。     

Boring activity on coniferous tree branches byXylotrechus villioni (Villard) larvae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

In anAbies homolepis Sieb. et Zucc. forest at Matsumoto, Nagano Pref., cumulative damage byXylotrechus villioni (Villard) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was observed on tree branches. Of the 14 major branches in one sample tree, six had cumulative damage by boring larvae, of which 3 had been bored by multiple larvae. No adult emergence holes were found on the whole tree, suggesting very low survivorship from boring larva to emerging adult. Galleries made by single larvae were often observed to be terminated by a depression apparently carved by a picid woodpecker, suggesting that they are important predators of the cerambycid. The manner of cicatrix formation with phloem tissue over the larval gallery in anAbies veitchii Lindl. branch at Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi Pref. is presented. Studies onXylotrechus villioni (Villard) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a primary borer of coniferous trees in Japan (III). This work was presented at the 104th Annual Meeting of Japanese Forestry Society at Morioka (April, 1993) and 20th International Congress of Entomology at Firenze (August, 1996). This work is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No.02660163) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan.     

Relationship between trophic component of different poplar strains and occurrence ofSaperda poplnea

An experimental area of poplar was established in Songyuan of Jilin Province in 1999 for testing the resistance of different poplar stains toSaperda poplnea. Incidence ofS. poplnea on ten poplar strains were investigated, and the main trophic component of branches of these poplar trees were measured and analyzed in April 2001. The results showed that there existed significant difference in population size ofS. poplnea on different poplar strains, and the branches of these poplar strains have significant difference in nutrient component and content of amino acids. The population size of this pest had a significantly positive correlation with dissolvable total sugar and water content but had no significant correlation with content of total nitrogen and protein nitrogen. Foundation Item: This paper is part of the subject of integrated control of longicorn of poplar for mainly focusing on pest resistance, which was supported by Jilin Provincial Forestry Department (96-010). Biography: Gao Chang-qi (1949-), Research Fellow, Doctorate Tutor, Jilin Provincial Academy of Forestry Science, Changehun 139931, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

泡泡刺高通量转录组鉴定及其黄酮类代谢途径初步分析

[目的]为了更好的了解泡泡刺黄酮类生物合成途径及其潜在的抗逆作用,[方法]应用高通量RNA-seq测序技术对泡泡刺当年生新叶进行了转录组测序及相关生物信息学分析。[结果]表明:泡泡刺当年生叶中获得了13 013 444 total reads,总核苷酸数为1 171 209 960 bp(1.09 Gb),组装拼接后得到48 921条unigene序列;Nr、Swiss-Prot、COG、GO、KEGG等数据库分析显示,有30 407个Nr注释,19 671个Swissprot注释,9 273个COG功能注释,46 153个GO功能注释,13 654个KEGG注释,并从KEGG通路中找到参与黄酮类化合物合成途径的关键基因片段186个。[结论]本研究获得了较好的泡泡刺转录组序列信息,并且其中富含黄酮类化合物代谢途径的相关基因,这为其抗逆机制、药用价值的研究及开发利用提供宝贵资源。     

Aboveground biomass of three conifers in the Qianyanzhou plantation, Jiangxi Province, China

Regressive models of the aboveground biomass for three conifers in subtropical China—slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Masson pine (P. massoniana) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)—were established. Regression analysis of leaf biomass and total biomass of each branch against branch diameter (d), branch length (L), d ³ and d ² L was conducted with functions of linear, power and exponent. A power law equation with a single parameter (d) was proved to be better than the rest for Masson pine and Chinese fir, and a linear equation with parameter (d ³) is better for slash pine. The canopy biomass was derived by adopting the regression equations to all branches of each individual tree. These kinds of equations were also used to fit the relationship between total tree biomass, branch biomass, foliage biomass and tree diameter at breast height (D), tree height (H), D ³ and D ² H, respectively. D ² H was found to be the best parameter for estimating total biomass. However, for foliage biomass and branch biomass, both parameters and equation forms showed some differences among species. Correlations were highly significant (P<0.001) for foliage biomass, branch biomass and total biomass, among which the equation of the total biomass was the highest. With these equations, the aboveground biomass of Masson pine forest, slash pine forest and Chinese fir forest were estimated, in addition to the allocation of aboveground biomass. The above-ground biomass of Masson pine forest, slash pine forest and Chinese fir forest was 83.6, 72.1 and 59 t/hm² respectively, and the stem biomass was more than the foliage biomass and the branch biomass. The underground biomass of these three forests which estimated with others’ research were 10.44, 9.42 and 11.48 t/hm², and the amount of carbon-fixed were 47.94, 45.14 and 37.52 t/hm², respectively. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006, 17(8): 1382–1388 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

Photosynthetic response to green crown pruning in young plantation-grown Eucalyptus pilularis and E. cloeziana

The loss of foliage through pruning of live branches may reduce tree growth or it may be compensated by photosynthetic up-regulation of the remaining crown. Here, the changes in light-saturated photosynthesis following pruning to remove 50% of green crown length were examined in 4-year-old Eucalyptus pilularis Sm. and Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell. trees. The objectives of the study were to: (1) compare leaf-level physiological (light-saturated photosynthesis (A_max), stomatal conductance (g), transpiration (T), dark respiration (R_d), quantum yield (Φ), light compensation point (Γ), water-use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE)) traits in species with contrasting crown dynamics and structure, (2) examine the effect of crown position on these traits, and (3) examine the effect of pruning on A_max, g, T, WUE, NUE, leaf N and P concentrations and specific leaf area (SLA). Prior to pruning there were no differences in R_d, Γ and Φ between E. pilularis and E. cloeziana but differences in A_max, T, g, leaf N, leaf P, WUE, NUE and SLA. Whereas the rate of physiological processes (A_max, T, and g) and leaf N and P concentrations increased with crown height, R_d, Γ, Φ and SLA declined along this vertical gradient, except in the upper crown of E. cloeziana where A_max, T and g were not different to the lower crown. No up-regulation of photosynthesis or changes in leaf physiology occurred between 6 and 13 months after pruning in either species. The results provide an important basis for modelling pruning effects in process-based tree growth models.     

Height growth of young larch (Larix kaempferi) in relation to the frequency of deer browsing damage in Hokkaido, Japan

The effect of browsing frequency by Sika deer (Cervus nippon yezoensis) on the height growth of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in Hokkaido, Japan, was analyzed. Tree heights at the time of the census and at the start of the current growing season were determined for 100 trees selected randomly at each site. The tallest shoot on each tree was identified and the number of browsing occurrences on the current-year shoot was determined. Young larches browsed by deer repeatedly develop new shoots during a growing season. Larch is a browsing-tolerant species, and the average height growth of the most heavily browsed trees was >15 cm. Although resprouting partly compensated for decreased height growth caused by browsing, the annual increase in height decreased with increased browsing frequency. Thus, browsing frequency during a growing season best reflects the intensity of browsing damage to larch trees.     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the respiratory behavior of the branches of field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on the nighttime respiration were examined for two sample branches of a hinoki cypress tree (Chamaecyparis obtusa) growing in the field with an open gas exchange system for a one-year period from July 1994 to June 1995. The branches were of a similar size and located at a similar position within the crown. One branch was subjected to an elevated CO₂ concentration of 800 μmol mol⁻¹ and the other was subjected to ambient air which had a CO₂ concentration of about 370 μmol mol⁻¹. Nighttime respiration rate was higher in elevated CO₂ level than in ambient CO₂ level. The relationship between nighttime respiration and the corresponding nighttime air temperature was fitted by the exponential function in every month of the year. The segregation of regression lines between the two CO₂ treatments increased gradually as the seasons progressed during the treatment period. TheQ ₁₀ values for nighttime respiration were lower in elevated CO₂ (1.9 ≤Q ₁₀ ≤ 3.7) than in ambient CO₂ (2.4 ≤Q ₁₀ ≤ 4.5) in every month of the year. TheQ ₁₀ was inversely related to the monthly mean nighttime air temperature in both elevated and ambient CO₂. The estimated daily nighttime respiration rate under both CO₂ treatments had a similar seasonal pattern, which almost synchronized with the temperature change. The respiration ratio of elevated CO₂ to ambient CO₂ increased gradually from 1.1 to 1.6 until the end of the experiment. Our results indicate that the CO₂ level and the temperature have a strong interactive effect on respiration and suggest that a potential increase in respiration of branches will occur when ambient CO₂ increases.     

超量表达FBL1对84K杨根系和生长量影响研究

生长素及其信号转导系统对植物的生长发育具有重要的影响。本研究从银腺杨'84K'(Populus alba × P. glandulosa cl. '84K')中分离了生长素受体基因PtrFBL1,利用PMDC32构建了PMDC32-PtrFBL1超量表达载体,并通过遗传转化获得了超量表达植株17个。对温室定植的3个转基因株系和对照植株的根系、生长量和光合指标等性状分析结果显示:转基因株系总根长和总根面积达到显著或极显著差异,而根系干质量、平均不定根系长度、平均不定根直径差异不显著;株高、平均节间长、地径和高径比皆高于对照,且大多数转基因株系达到显著差异;除气孔限制值(Ls)低于对照外,气孔导度(Cd)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光能利用效率(LUE)和叶绿素相对含量皆高于对照,且大多数转基因株系达到显著或极显著差异。以上结果表明,可能是FBL1超表达增加了转基因株系根系面积,提高了水分和养分的吸收利用,进而导致转基因株系光能吸收和转化效率提高,引起转基因株系生长加快。     

Transgenic poplar with enhanced growth by introduction of the ugt and acb genes

The transgenic poplar (Populus tremula L.) was obtained by transfer of the ugt and acb genes via triparental mating, which was employed to deliver large fragments of TDNA as a cluster. Freshly harvested seeds of local poplar were placed on MS agar medium and plantlets were obtained. After 1 year of subcultivation, plantlets were infected with a transconjugant of triparental mating with target ugt and acb genes into axillary buds. The transformed sprouts so obtained were cut and subcultivated on agar medium with an addition of 0.6 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid as an auxin source. The transformed sprouts showed GUS activity and resistance to gentamycin and kanamycin. The integrity of the target ugt and acb genes into poplar genome was demonstrated via PCR and Southern blot hybridisation. The transgenic poplar plants revealed a higher growth energy, corresponding to a higher content of IAA as opposed to control plants. Both transgenic and non-transformed plants were potted into soil for outdoor acclimatisation and subsequently transferred to earth in beds. Growing outside during 3 years, the transgenic poplar demonstrated a higher growth rate with fast bud and branch development.     

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol on germination of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seeds from natural and plantation forests on sandy land

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0.0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, with four replicates) on germination of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) seeds produced in plantations (southern Keerqin sandy land) and natural forests (Hulunbeier sandy plain) were observed. The results indicated that the seeds from both provenances did not germinate when PEG concentration was more than 25%. The time of initial germination and that of its completion of stressed seeds from both provenances were delayed when compared with the unstressed seeds. The germination capacity and germination rate of natural seeds were significantly higher than those of plantation seeds for all treatment levels (P < 0.05). The mean growth rates of radicle and hypocotyl from natural seeds were significantly higher than those from plantation seeds at all treatment levels below 20% PEG treatment (P < 0.05). The ratios of radicle to hypocotyl of 20% PEG treatment were significant higher than those of the corresponding controls for both provenances (P < 0.05). These results suggested that Mongolian pine seeds/seedlings had stronger resistance to PEG drought stresses; 10% PGE stress did not significantly influence germination. Natural seeds exhibited more resistance to PEG stress than plantation seeds. It was concluded that drought stress on seed germination might be one cause of obstructed natural regeneration of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land. It is recommended that natural seeds be used for afforestation, and light drought stress (e.g., 10% PEG stress) may be useful in improving seed germination and the growth of radicles and hypocotyls.     

Effects of enhanced hydraulic supply for foliage on stomatal responses in little-leaf linden (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tilia cordata</Emphasis> Mill.)

Responses of leaf conductance (g _L) to variation in environmental and plant hydraulic factors were examined on intact and detached shoots of little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) with respect to branch position in the crown. Using detached shoots, we manipulated leaf water supply and light availability in order to separate the effects of insufficient hydraulic supply and low irradiance. The intact upper-crown leaves demonstrated 2.0–2.2 times higher (P < 0.001) daily maxima of g _L compared to the lower-crown leaves growing in the shadow of upper branches. Mean soil-to-leaf conductance (G _T) was 1.9 times higher (P < 0.001) for the upper-crown foliage compared to that of the lower crown. The total hydraulic resistance was distributed: soil to distal shoots—41–51%, 25-cm distal shoots—10–15% and leaves—39–44%. In lower branches, g _L was constrained by both low light availability and limited water supply; in upper branches, only by irradiance. Artificial reduction of hydraulic constraints raised bulk leaf water potential (Ψ _L) and made g _L less sensitive to changes in both atmospheric and plant factors. Stomatal responses to leaf-to-air vapour pressure difference (VPD) were significantly modified by leaf water status: high Ψ _L seemingly inverted the g _L versus VPD relationship. Enhanced water supply increased g _L and transpiration rate (E) in the lower-crown foliage, but not in the upper-crown foliage. The results support the idea that leaves in the lower canopy are hydraulically more constrained than those in the upper canopy.     

栎木应力木生长偏向性分析

该实验的目的是观察栎木枝条的年轮偏向性和应拉木的显微及化学特性。结果表明,栎木枝桠木髓心偏向上侧,即下侧的生长比上侧迅速。双染色法和SEM的观察发现,胶质层同时发生于枝桠木上下侧的纤维细胞,但上侧的应拉程度比下侧稍显严重。化学分析结果显示,枝桠上下侧的a-纤维素含量仅比正常木高2%~3%,木质素含量仅比正常木低2%~4%。该实验的结论是,栎木枝桠木中反应木同时发生在上下两侧,只是应拉程度有差异,而枝桠木下侧生长迅速造成髓心偏向上侧。     

Bio-productivity ofPinus sylvestris L. var.mongolica plantation on west Kerqin sandy land

The biomass and net primary production of Mongolian scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L. var.mongolica) plantations of west Kerqin sandy land were measured. According to average standard trees, the biomass, net primary production and their distributions of trunk, bark, branch, leaf and root of 16-year-old stand were analyzed. The regressive equation for the estimation of each organ biomass was established through dimensional analysis. Preferable equation with higher precision was selected. The study results showed that the total biomass of the forest community was 62.023 t/hm² and net primary production was 5.045 t/(hm²·a), which indicates that the community of plantation possesses high bio-productivity. (Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai)     

A study on some anatomical parameters of the piercing-sucking process in leaves and branches of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pittosporum tobira</Emphasis> L. (Pittosporaceae) infested by the cottony cushion scale,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Icerya purchasi</Emphasis> Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina,Margarodidae)

Pittosporum tobira L. (Family Pittosporaceae) is an important plant species grown in parks and gardens in Turkey. The cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina, Margarodidae), is an important pest of P. tobira, and causes damage mainly to the leaves, branches and stems of the host plant. In spite of the great economic importance of I. purchasi to its host plant P. tobira, information has been limited on some basic anatomical parameters of the nature of the damage to leaves and branches. The present study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the insertion and penetration of stylets into the leaves and branches of P. tobira, the length of stylets and depth of penetration in both of these tissues, and penetration of stylets into the cortex, xylem and phloem tissues and into the secretory and non-secretory canals of the leaves and branches. The results showed great variations between the leaves and branches in all the criteria observed in I. purchasi infesting P. tobira. The study found 20 whole and 23 broken mouthparts in the leaves as compared to 3 whole mouthparts and 1 broken in the branches. Length of the stylets inserted into the leaves ranged from 33.83 m to 540.93 m and into the branches from 202.85 m to 340.8 m. The stylets reached greater depths in the leaves, at 540.93 m, as compared to 498.67 m in the branches. The stylets in the leaves were associated with 12 secretory canals, but with none in the branches. It was found that three stylets reached xylem in the leaves as compared to one in the branches. Similarly, 17 stylets in the leaves reached to the phloem, but only 2 in the branches. No stylets were found in the cortex of the leaves, but one was found in the branches. In the leaves, 11 stylets reached and remained in the non-secretory canals, but none in the case of the branches.