Micropropagation of Salvadora oleoides—An Oil Yielding Tree of Arid Forests

Salvadora oleoides is an ecologically important multipurpose tree of the arid forest that occurs in saline areas of northwest India. The seed of this plant yields non-edible commercially usable oil. Poor seed germination, low seed viability, and increasing industrialization are some of the constant factors which significantly affect the status of the natural population of this plant. Therefore, there is a great need to develop an efficient propagation system using the tissue culture technique. In the present communication, we demonstrate the development of an in vitro propagation system for S. oleoides. Multiple shoots were induced from nodal segments harvested from about 25- to 30- yr-old lopped trees of S. oleoides on MS medium + 0.1 mg L^?1 NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) + 2.5 mg L^?1 BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) + additives. The shoots were multiplied by (a) repeated transfer of the mother explants on MS medium + 1.0 mg L^?1 BA + 0.1 mg L^?1 NAA + additives and (b) subculturing of shoot on MS + 1.0 mg L^?1 BA + additives. About 84% shoots rooted ex vitro on soilrite within 3–4 weeks when base (4–5 mm) of shoots was treated with 100 mg L^?1 of IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) for 5 min. The plantlets were hardened successfully in the greenhouse and transferred to the pots and field. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a regeneration protocol for S. oleoides from explants obtained from mature trees. Use of the ex vitro rooting technique for plant production serves as a more economical option as it reduces labor, cost, and time. We suggest that the methods developed and described in this article can be used for large-scale plant production and conservation of germplasm of this tree species.     

Female Plant Types of Ginkgo biloba L. in China

Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious and unique species within Ginkgo family and Ginkgo genus, but it shows a big variability. From 1950s, resources of female plants in China were investigated and collected, and the seed anatomical structure and morphological characters at different development stages were observed. According to the shape, length, width and thickness of ovule bracket and seed stone, as well as the characteristics of both sides and top of the stone, the female plants of Ginkgo biloba have been divided into five types, long-stone, Buddha-finger, horse-bell, mume-stone and round-stone. In addition, the important cultivars belonging to different types were also determined. The stone weight, index of stone shape, and contents of dry matter, amylose,amylopectin, starch, rough protein, soluble sugar and hydrocyanic acid in seed kernel of each type were measured, and the qualities of seed stone were appraised, which lays a foundation for the improvement and utilization of female plant resources in Ginkgo biloba.     

Micropropagation of Vegetable Rennet (Withania coagulans [Stocks] Dunal)—A Critically Endangered Medicinal Plant

Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal (Solanaceae), popularly called vegetable rennet, is a critically endangered and highly valued medicinal plant. Overexploitation and reproductive failure forced the plant species toward the verge of complete extinction. We describe here the development of a simple, rapid, and cost effective in vitro micropropagation system for W. coagulans for mass-scale production of true-to-type plantlets using nodal shoot segments. Exactly 95.5 ± 0.34% explants responded within 8–10 days (d) and produced multiple shoot buds (4.1 ± 0.10 shoots of 2.95 ± 0.15 cm length) on 0.8% agar-gelled Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium supplemented with 8.88 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 0.57 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and additives (100 mg L^?1 L-ascorbic acid, 25 mg L^?1 each citric acid, adenine sulphate, and L-arginine). The shoots in cultures were multiplied by repeated transfer on MS medium with 4.44 μM BAP, 0.57 μM IAA, and additives. Further cultures were multiplied on a large-scale through the subculturing of shoot clumps differentiated in vitro, on MS medium supplemented with 1.11 μM BAP, 0.57 μM IAA, and additives. Maximum number (19.1 ± 0.28) of healthy (6.15 ± 0.25 cm) and viable shoots differentiated on this medium. The microshoots were rooted both in vitro and ex vitro. Exactly 67.3 ± 1.01% microshoots rooted in vitro within 25–30 d on agar-gelled half-strength MS salts supplemented with 29.52 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 200 mg L^?1 of activated charcoal (AC). Alternatively, 73.8 ± 0.65% cloned shoots rooted on sterile soilrite (soilless compost and soil conditioner) under ex vitro conditions after pulse treatment with 2.46 mM IBA for 300 s. The clones of W. coagulans were hardened in a greenhouse within 40–45 d by slow and gradual exposure of plantlets from high relative humidity (RH; 70–80%) and low (26 ± 2°C) temperature to low RH (40–50%) and high (34 ± 2°C) temperature. The hardened plantlets were transferred to soil and stored in agro-net house with more than 90% survival rate. Replacement of pure and laboratory grade sucrose with commercial grade sugar, use of less expensive commercial grade agar-agar in culture medium, higher rate of shoot proliferation, single step ex vitro rooting, and hardening of plantlets in the greenhouse are advantageous features of the protocol. The micropropagation protocol defined here is reproducible, easy to follow, and would be helpful in large-scale restoration programs through true-to-type mass-multiplication of W. coagulans.     

An efficient method for clonal propagation and in vitro establishment of softwood shoots from epicormic buds of teak （Tectona grandis L.）

Softwood shoots were produced from 40 cm long stem segments placed horizontally in flat trays containing sterilized sand under natural light or shade conditions for subsequent rooting and micropropagation studies in teak(Tectona grandis L.) . Higher number of shoots(6.17) per log was produced under natural light as compared to shade conditions. Forcing was also better in natural light as compared to shade in terms of shoot length,number of nodes or leaves. For rooting,2-4 cm long softwood shoots were excise...     

Enhancement of Seed Germination in Trema orientalis (L.) Blume—Potential Plant Species in Revegetation of Mine Wastelands

Natural forest succession takes a long time to accumulate sufficient nutrients to support plant growth and enhance soil microbial activity. Human intervention in selecting native pioneer plant species is therefore required to accelerate sustainable restoration. Trema orientalis (L.) Blume, a fast growing pioneer plant species, has the ability to grow in nutrient deficient soils and proves to have reclamation potential in mine wastelands. However, its use has been limited due to low germination percentages and nonsynchronous seed germination. In the present study we tested the effect of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), hydrochloric acid (HCl), gibberellic acid (GA₃), and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) in varying concentrations and time durations on germination percentages and seed germination synchrony. We found that all treatments had a significant effect in predicting seed germination probabilities. Logistic regression analysis revealed that treatment solution and concentration had a significant effect on seed germination. Treatment with concentrated H₂SO₄ for 15 min increased germination up to 92% within 20 days with the least imbibition time (8 days) and highest Seedling Vigor Index (491). The scanning electron microscope images of seeds treated with H₂SO₄ showed complete dissolution of the honeycomb-like network of deposits on the seed coat surface removing the physical barrier and enhancing germination.     

Modern Nursery Practices in the Production of Quality Seedlings of Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album L.)— Stage of Host Requirement and Screening of Primary Host Species

Abstract

Fewer than one tenth of tropical forests are being managed on a sustainable basis. Sustainable forest management means managing the forest in such a way as to not irreversibly reduce the potential of that forest to produce all products in subsequent harvests. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio resulted in several decisions that are relevant to the future of forestry. The Conference also focused world attention on questions of the environment. One outcome of this increased awareness has been the growing support for eco-labelling, which may provide an opportunity for those countries able to prove their forest products are harvested sustainably. Other economic opportunities present themselves in the utilization for cellulose of tree crops such as rubberwood and oil palm trunks and fronds. Non-wood resources such as rattan also hold promise if we are able to grow them in conjunction with existing tree crops. The roles of tropical forests as carbon sinks require more in-depth study as does the question of what constitutes critical levels of biodiversity. Aesthetic values such as recreational use increasingly require that sufficient buffer zones of unique features be preserved. These challenges demand that the forestry profession becomes more proactive and support major policy changes to address the need for sustainable forest management.     

What sampling is needed for reliable estimations of genetic diversity in Fraxinus excelsior L. (Oleaceae)?

? Sample size is a critical issue for genetic diversity studies and conservation programs. However, sample size evaluation requires previous knowledge of allele frequencies estimated with precision and this is not often the case.

? Here, we evaluated sample size requirements for accurate genetic diversity in adult trees and family arrays in a 12 ha plot of Fraxinus excelsior L. (Oleaceae) in a community forest in central France. Data consisted of 579 adult trees and 480 offspring from 24 families genotyped at four nuclear microsatellites.

? Mean square errors (MSE) estimates performed on Monte Carlo simulations of resampled data indicated that several adult individuals (> 300) are necessary for accurate measures of allele richness. However, expected heterozygosity requires smaller samples (< 30). Seeds captured about 90% of adult allelic diversity requiring a sampling effort roughly 50% larger than that of adult trees (480 seeds vs. 300 adults) suggesting that seed sampling is heavily penalized for allele counts. Nevertheless, gene diversity of seeds was essentially identical to that of the adult population.

? Extrapolation of these results to other ash tree populations appears feasible because of similar levels of diversity reported in the literature but it is not granted for species with significant selfing or high genetic structure.

     

Evaluation of genetic fidelity among micropropagated plants of Gloriosa superba L. using DNA-based markers — a potential medicinal plant

Malabar glory lily (Gloriosa superba L.) is a medicinally potent plant species used for the production of alkaloid colchicine. With ever increasing demand, there is a pressing need to conserve it through biotechnological approaches. A large number of complete plantlets were obtained by direct regeneration from the non-dormant tuber explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Large number of plants can be produced in vitro under aseptic conditions, but there is always a danger of producing somaclonal variants by tissue culture technology. Thus, the genetic stability of micropropagated clones was evaluated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis. During the study a total of 80 (50 RAPD and 30 ISSR) primers were screened, out of which 10 RAPD and 7 ISSR primers produced a total of 98 (49 RAPD and 49 ISSR) clear, distinct and reproducible amplicons. The amplification products of the regenerated plants showed similar banding patterns to that of the mother plant thus demonstrating the homogeneity of the micropropagated plants. This is the first report that evaluates the use of genetic markers to establish genetic fidelity of micropropagated G. superba using RAPD and ISSR, which can be successfully applied for the mass multiplication, germplasm conservation and further genetic transformation assays for colchicine production to meet the ever increasing demand of this medicinally potent plant for industrial and pharmaceutical uses.     

Effects of wet–dry cycling on the mechanical properties of Arundo donax L. used for the vibrating reed in woodwind instruments

Wood Science and Technology - The effects of wet–dry and moist–dry cycling on the mechanical properties of reed (Arundo donax L.) were investigated. Because water-soluble extractives...     

Success Derived Form Excellent Service for Customers——Interview with Dr.Dieks Brucklacher,the President of Leitz Group & the Chairman of VDMA

1.Till 2005, Leitz has walked for more than a century and has developed to be a famous wood machine brand. Could you briefly introduce the history of Leitz to Chinese readers? Leitz has more than 6,400 employees within the whole Leitz group in more than 30 countries. We produce woodworking tools for more than 125     

Performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L. at nursery stage—application of two bio-inoculants under two distinct environments

Key message

Despite the fact that the technique of application of bioinoculants improved the quality of Quercus suber L. seedlings produced in nurseries, these benefits are dependent on the ecological conditions of the site and the composition of the applied inoculum, which interferes with the profile of the local fungal community.

Context

Quercus suber L. plays a key ecological and socio-economical role in the Iberian Peninsula. Symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi-ECM are crucial partners of several tree species, and assessing the efficacy of bioinoculants at nursery stage helps devising tools to increase plant resilience.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two inocula formulations of mixed ECM fungi and bacteria on the quality of seedlings produced in two forest nurseries, differing in environmental conditions and forest embedment.

Methods

Quercus suber L. seedlings were inoculated with a commercial product containing Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers) Coker & Couch, Scleroderma sp., and six bacterial species and with a non-commercial fungal and bacterial dual inoculum (Suillus granulatus (L.) Roussel + Mesorhizobium sp.). Biometric and nutritional parameters and morphological quality indexes were determined on seedlings. The ECM community was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and cloning-sequencing.

Results

In both nurseries, the seedling quality index in inoculated was up to 2-fold higher than in non-inoculated seedlings. Plant biomass differed significantly among nurseries. The inoculum influenced the profile of the fungal community. S. granulatus and P. tinctorius persisted for 6 months in the inoculated seedlings.

Conclusion

The nursery ecosystem influenced plant growth. Inoculation treatments increased plant performance; however, the dual inoculum resulted in more consistent improvements of Q. suber at nursery stage, highlighting the importance of inocula selection.

     

Integrated pest control in forest management — Combined use of pheromones and insecticides for attracting and killing the Bark Beetle Ips typographus II. Effects of methamidophos treatment following bark penetration into the ascending sap of pheromone-baited spruce

In 1985–1987, following bark treatment of Picea abies (Karst.) with an adhesive paste formulation (15% active ingredient of methamidophos), the effectiveness to Ips typographus (L.) was recorded from May until September. Groups of 4–6 trees were treated by scraping off a strip 20 cm wide of the dry bark about 1 m above the ground. The formulation CKB 1630 (proposed trade name: Ipidex®) was spread on the fresh bark and the band closed by covering it with foil. Two trees in the centre of a group were baited by a pheromone dispenser 2 m above the ground, and in the control group the central 2 trees were baited only but not treated. A total of 15 experiments, each consisting of 3 experimental and 3 control groups, was performed at different heights and with 3 different categories of spruce damage caused by environmental pollution. The first assay was performed 4–6 weeks after application, the second at the end of August or early in September, depending on the actual temperatures observed. No significant differences between treated and untreated trees were found in the number of holes drilled by the beetles attracted, indicating no repellent activity of the formulation tested, but highly significant (P < 0.01) reduction of larvae, pupae and young beetles in the treated trees was recorded until September. The effective dosage was 1.0 g of methamidophos/cm of trunk diameter (16 mg/cm² of treated bark surface). The number of beetles attracted and killed by the baited trees was greater by a factor of at least 3 than that attracted by traps. The treatment of trees after windfalls was also very effective.     

Integrated pest control in forest management — Combined use of pheromones and insecticides for attracting and killing the Bark Beetle Ips typographus I. Studies with 32P-labelled methamidophos in the ascending sap of spruce

In 1984–1986, ³²P-labelled methamidophos was used to investigate the translocation, distribution and breakdown of this systemic insecticide after penetration into the ascending sap of spruce (Picea abies Karst.), following bark treatment with an adhesive paste of 15% active ingredient. The β-radiation of ³²P permits a semi-quantitative measurement on the bark of standing trees as well as quantitative sample analysis and autoradiography. The following results are given: method of application and total ³²P in the ascending sap; distribution of ³²P in trunk cross-sections and in bark/needles; ³²P in the killed beetles corresponding to the toxic dose, separation of methamidophos and breakdown products; halflife of breakdown in vitro and in vivo; and environmental implications. From the xylem, methamidophos penetrates into the phloem, but no ³²P appears outside on the surface of the bark, so that only insects mining inside the bark are killed and no hazards for useful insects, birds and wildlife animals can arise. Traces of ³²P were measured in air and water, and no ³²P was found in the soil due to the translocation upwards only. The approximate oral toxicity of methamidophos to Ips typographus was estimated to be < 5 mg/kg and the half-life in spruce was 45 days (15°C), indicating a sufficient biological effectiveness over several months, preferably in areas of low average temperatures and in trees impaired by environmental pollution.     

The influence of thinning on rainfall interception by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> L. in Mediterranean coastal stands (Castel Fusano—Rome)

• Context  

This research was conducted in a 62-year-old stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forest within the National Natural Reserve of the Roman Coast, Italy. Net under-canopy precipitation was measured between September 2004 and December 2008 in a unthinned and a thinned area of about 1 ha each.     

Development of transgenic hybrid sweetgum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liquidambar styraciflua</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. formosana</Emphasis>) expressing γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase or mercuric reductase for phytoremediation of mercury pollution

Using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, we generated transgenic hybrid sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua × L. formosana) overexpressing two types of genes to enhance plant remediation of mercury-contaminated soil and water: bacterial γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase gene (ECS), the first and most important enzyme in phytochelatin synthesis, or various genes encoding a mercuric ion reductase (merA9, merA18, merA77). Hybrid sweetgum proembryogenic masses (PEMs) constitutively overexpressing ECS were able to grow in the presence of 50 μM HgCl₂, which inhibited wild-type PEMs, but plantlets regenerated from the PEMs had abnormal form and did not survive for more than a few weeks following germination. In contrast, mature somatic embryos generated from PEMs constitutively overexpressing merA9 and merA18 converted to normal plantlets on germination medium containing 25 μM HgCl₂, while control embryos were killed on 25 μM Hg(II)-medium. Transgenic merA plantlets displayed enhanced resistance to Hg(II) and released Hg(0) two to three times more efficiently than the wild-type plantlets.