Germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dimorphandra jorgei</Emphasis> MF Silva and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Swartzia macrostachya</Emphasis> Benth. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">riedelii</Emphasis> Cowan

Dimorphandra jorgei MF Silva (Caesalpinaceae) and Swartzia macrostachya Benth. var. riedelii Cowan (Fabaceae) are tree species from the southern Bahian Atlantic Forest, identified for the restoration of degraded areas. The objective of this research is to study their seed germination and seedling growth to develop simple methods for seedling production in small scale nurseries. Because the species have distinct dormancy and germination characteristics, the seeds were submitted to different treatments. D. jorgei seeds were immersed in hot water, scarified and stored for 12 weeks in the laboratory environment (25°C). S. macrostachya seeds were submitted to different combinations of drying and storage in the laboratory environment or refrigerator (4°C). Seedlings were submitted to two light treatments for 3 months: partial shade (52% of full sun) and full shade (12% of full sun). In D. jorgei, the highest germination occurred for scarified seeds (87%) and for seeds stored for 12 weeks and then scarified (69%). In S. macrostachya the undried control seeds had the highest germination, followed by that of the refrigeration storage treatment, without predrying (99% and 97%, respectively). The average values for the growth parameters were greater in full shade for D. jorgei, while S. macrostachya seedlings showed greater growth rates in partial shade. Two months growth is recommended before D. jorgei seedlings are of the sufficient size and leaf number for field planting. On the other hand, a period of 4 months is recommended for S. macrostachya, due to its relatively slow growth.     

Growth response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia mangium</Emphasis> Willd. seedlings to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and four isolates of the ectomycorrhizal fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisolithus tinctorius</Emphasis> (Pers.) Coker and Couch

Some Acacia mangium Willd. plantations in Asia grow poorly due to low soil fertility and the absence of compatible mycorrhizal fungi. This legume tree can be colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi but inoculation is not routinely practiced. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of AM fungi and four isolates of the ECM fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch (Pt) in promoting growth of A. mangium seedlings under glasshouse conditions. AM inoculants were: Glomus etunicatum, G. fasciculatum, G. macrocarpum and Gigaspora margarita and mixed species extracted from rhizosphere soil of a Populus stand in Suwon (AMKFRI), and Carex (AMM6) and Populus (AMM7) growing in mine tailings in Korea. Pisolithus isolates were from Philippines (PtPhil) and Korea (PtKFRI, PtMKACC, PtKACC). Generally, ECM fungi promoted height and diameter growth of A. mangium more than the AM inoculants. The Korean Pisolithus increased plant dry weight by 122–145%, mixed AM inoculants by 61–97%, and Glomus and Gigaspora by 45–72% over the control. PtKACC gave the highest root colonization and promoted the highest growth and concentration of most nutrients. Mycorrhizal root colonization was positively correlated with plant dry weight, Na, Fe and Cu concentrations and N, P, K, Ca, Na, Fe and Cu contents. In conclusion, the results provide strong evidence for benefits of mycorrhizal inoculation on A. mangium seedlings under glasshouse conditions. The Korean Pisolithus isolates (particularly PtKACC), and two AM fungi (AMKFRI and AMM6) are potential mycorrhizal inoculants but their effectiveness and persistence should be determined on degraded lands in tropical countries where A. mangium is being planted for rehabilitation.     

Production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> seedlings inoculated with the edible fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactarius deliciosus</Emphasis> under nursery conditions

Inoculation with edible fungi bestows an added value on mycorrhized plants since production of mushrooms as a secondary crop can be an economically-valuable resource in forestry management. In order to establish a protocol for controlled mycorrhization of Pinus halepensis with the edible fungus Lactarius deliciosus, several factors such as fertilisation (35, 60 or 120 mg total N and 13.5, 27 or 54 mg total P), potting substrate (sphagnum peat or sphagnum peat/vermiculite) and fungal inoculum (mycelial slurry produced in a bioreactor, alginate beads or peat/vermiculite) were assessed. The most effective inoculum was mycelial slurry at a dose of 10 ml/plant. The two potting substrates assessed were compatible with mycorrhiza formation. The greatest number of mycorrhized seedlings was obtained with a moderate level of N (35 mg/plant) or P fertilisation (27 mg/plant). Inoculation did not produce a consistent growth effect on P. halepensis, but seedlings met the quality requirements, making them suitable for planting out.     

Quality of maritime pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> Ait.) seedlings using waste materials as nursery growing media

The use of peat as a growing media in forestry nurseries is decreasing due to high costs and environmental considerations. Furthermore, diverse waste products are being used as organic amendments in certain soils before afforestation. In this study, combinations of both of these resources are considered and seven different materials were used to make mixtures of growing media used for maritime pine tree production in a forestry nursery. Pine bark, Sphagnum peat and paper mill sludge were mixed with sewage sludge, sewage activated sludge, municipal solid waste with activated composted sludge and inorganic fertilizer to fill containers where pine seeds were sown. Germination was monitored 30–50 days after sowing. Needle samples from each treatment were taken and physical parameters (height, stem diameter, aerial dry weight, main root dry weight, total dry weight) were measured along with several morphological attributes. Foliar nutrient content was also determined (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn). The highest values for germination percentage were obtained for 75% pine bark + fertilizer and for sewage sludge treatments. Seedlings grown in paper mill sludge + activated sewage sludge + peat and in paper mill sludge + activated sewage sludge + pine bark mixtures presented the best physical parameter values. Municipal solid waste and composted sludge were the most useful amendments for morphological attributes. After linking morphological indexes and foliar nutrient content, the best Dickson Quality Index values correspond with higher values of N, Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn and lower values of P, K, Fe and Mn.

---

Resumen  El uso de turba en viveros forestales como sustrato de cultivo está decreciendo debido a su elevado coste y consideraciones medioambientales. Por otro lado, distintos residuos están siendo utilizados como enmiendas orgánicas sobre ciertos suelos previa reforestación. En este estudio, se considera una combinación de ambos factores y siete diferentes materiales fueron usados para hacer mezclas de sustrato de cultivo para la producción de pino marítimo en un vivero forestal. Corteza de pino, turba de esfagno y residuo de pasta de papel fueron mezclados con lodo de depuradora, lodo activado, residuos sólidos urbanos + lodo compostado y fertilizante inorgánico y utilizados para rellenar bandejas donde fue realizada la siembra. La germinación fue monitorizada 30–50 días después de la siembra. Se tomaron muestras de acículas de cada tratamiento y se analizaron parámetros físicos (altura, diámetro del tallo, peso seco parte aérea, peso seco de la raíz principal, peso seco total) además de distintos atributos morfológicos. El contenido foliar en nutrientes también se determinó (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn). Los valores más elevados del porcentaje de germinación se obtuvieron para las mezclas: 75% corteza de pino + fertilizante y las enmiendas con lodo. El crecimiento de las plántulas presentó los mejores valores de los parámetro físicos para: residuo de pasta de papel + lodo activado + turba y para residuo pasta de papel + lodo activado + corteza de pino. La mezcla de residuos sólidos urbanos + lodo compostado proporcionó los mejores valores en relación a los atributos morfológicos. Relacionando los índices morfológicos con el contenido foliar en nutrientes se vió que los mejores valores para el Indice de Calidad de Dickson correspondieron con los valores más altos de N, Ca, Mg, Cu y Zn y los más bajos de P, K, Fe and Mn en el tejido foliar.

     

Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood by brown-rot fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomitopsis palustris</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coniophora puteana</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laetiporus sulphureus</Emphasis>

This study evaluated oxalic acid accumulation and bioremediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood by three brown-rot fungi Fomitopsis palustris, Coniophora puteana, and Laetiporus sulphureus. The fungi were first cultivated in a fermentation broth to accumulate oxalic acid. Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood was then carried out by leaching of heavy metals with oxalic acid over a 10-day fermentation period. Higher amounts of oxalic acid were produced by F. palustris and L. sulphureus compared with C. puteana. After 10-day fermentation, oxalic acid accumulation reached 4.2 g/l and 3.2 g/l for these fungi, respectively. Fomitopsis palustris and L. sulphureus exposed to CCA-treated sawdust for 10 days showed a decrease in arsenic of 100% and 85%, respectively; however, C. puteana remediation removed only 18% arsenic from CCA-treated sawdust. Likewise, chromium removal in F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes was higher than those for C. puteana. This was attributed to low oxalic acid accumulation. These results suggest that F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes can remove inorganic metal compounds via oxalic acid production by increasing the acidity of the substrate and increasing the solubility of the metals.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Successful <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tomentosa</Emphasis> with apple <Emphasis Type="Italic">SPDS</Emphasis> gene

The problem of salinized soils has become one of the most serious constraints to agricultural and forest productivity. With the purpose of enhancing salt stress tolerance of Populus tomentosa, we transformed this tree species with spermidine synthase （SPDS） genes derived from an apple by an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Four transgenic clones were confu＇med by PCR and Southern blot analysis. As well, the expression of introduced SPDS genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR.     

Response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theobroma cacao</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inga edulis</Emphasis> seedlings to cross-inoculated populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Response of Theobroma cacao L. (cacao) and the shade tree Inga edulis Mart. (inga) seedlings from an organically-grown cacao plantation to inoculation with native arbuscular mycorrhizae forming fungi (AMF) was studied in a cross-inoculation assay under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings of inga and cacao were grown in pots filled with heat-treated soil from the plantation. Control was heat-treated soil without inoculum and roots of cacao and inga from the plantation were applied as AMF inocula. Undisturbed soil blocks were used as a “positive control” of the inoculation potential of untreated soil and roots combined. No AMF structures were observed in the roots of either species in the heat-treated control. All inocula were infective in both hosts and the differences in the total AMF colonization percentage between the hosts were not significant but inga had significantly higher colonization by hyphal coils and arbuscules. Cacao roots but neither inga roots nor soil block inocula stimulated cacao growth. All inocula significantly increased growth of inga, which had higher relative mycorrhizal responsiveness than cacao. Thus, in spite of the strong infectivity of the inocula in both hosts, cacao and inga responded differently to the same AMF populations. The strong conspecific preference of cacao suggests that attention must be paid to the AMF inoculum used for this species. However, the strong response of inga to cacao root inoculum indicates that the two species may share same AMF symbionts, thus enabling positive interactions between them, including formation of common mycelial networks.     

Spatial pattern of beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.) and oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pubescens</Emphasis> Mill.) seedlings in natural pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) woodlands

Spatial pattern of recruitment is an important factor influencing population dynamics of plant communities. The spatial pattern is determined by seed dispersal and by the spatial variability of germination and initial survival. In the process of forest expansion following farmland abandonment, mid- and late-successional species are often dispersed in pioneer forests by birds. This could result in an aggregated spatial pattern of seeds that could influence the dynamics of these species in mixed pioneer forests. In the sub-Mediterranean area, mid- and late-successional species such as Quercus pubescens (downy oak) and Fagus sylvatica (European beech) are expected to replace pioneer Pinus species. Using a point sampling method we demonstrated that beech and oak seedlings (height <2 m) have a clumped distribution in the understorey of pine. This could result from an aggregated dispersal by jays (dispersal effect) or from preferential recruitment in particular habitats (habitat effect). To test these hypotheses we proposed a statistical analysis of spatial patterns of regeneration of beech and oak. Ground cover variables (i.e. cover by rock outcrops, herbs, box shrubs, mosses or pine) did not differ significantly around seedlings as compared with random sample plots. Likewise, clumped seedlings had growth similar to isolated seedlings, thus refuting the hypothesis of preferential location in the most favourable microsites. Aggregated dispersal seems to be involved in the process of regeneration. Since beech and oak seedlings have contrasting ecological demands, we discuss the implication of this pattern for the replacement dynamics of pine by these species.     

Germination requirements of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allanblackia parviflora</Emphasis> seeds and early growth of seedlings

Allanblackia parviflora A. Chev, is an indigenous fruit tree species that could be used in agroforestry systems with both environmental and economic benefits. The seed oil is of prime importance as a foreign exchange earner and is being developed as a rural based enterprise in many African countries notably Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Tanzania. Methods for propagation and conservation of the species are therefore of prime importance. The seeds of the species are however difficult to germinate hindering its domestication process. Allanblackia parviflora seeds were collected from seven different populations in Ghana and were subjected to four different seed germination trials at the nursery of CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana at Fumesua, Kumasi. This was followed by studying the effect of stage of seed germination on establishment after potting. Intact seeds began germination at 7 months after sowing and at 24 months, significant (P < 0.001) variations were observed in the seed germination ability of 74 accessions. Mean seed germination ranged from 0 to 35%. Significant differences in seed germination percentages among populations (P < 0.001) and provenances (P < 0.05) were also observed. Removal of seed coat significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced seed germination. Germination percentages of seeds with seed coat removed ranged from 6 to 43% while seed germination percentages for intact seeds were less or equal to 3%. Incubation of seeds with seed coat removed in polythene bags gave an added advantage. Seeds with seed coat removed and kept in polythene bags started germinating from 2 weeks and within 10 months, 75 and 68% germination were obtained for plane and black polythene bags, respectively. Removal of germinants and potting when shoot length was at least 1 cm gave significantly higher growth (P < 0.001 for shoot height, P < 0.05 for stem diameter, P < 0.001 for number of leaves produced) compared to when only radicle had emerged. It became evident in this study that seeds should be classified as fully germinated only when shoots begin to grow.     

Prior contact of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus tabulaeformis</Emphasis> with ectomycorrhizal fungi increases plant growth and survival from damping-off

Pinus tabulaeformis (Chinese pine) is a widely planted conifer species in northern China and is used for soil and water conservation on the Loess Plateau. Due to its strong reliance on ectomycorrhizae and low survival rate from damping-off during seedling cultivation and in nurseries, we explored the early influence of three ectomycorrhizal fungi (Handkea utriformis, Suillus lactifluus, and Suillus tomentosus) on the growth, root morphological characters, root vitality, and survival of P. tabulaeformis seedlings from subsequent damping-off in a pot experiment. In addition, the in vitro suppression of three ectomycorrhizal fungi on the damping-off pathogen (Fusarium solani) was evaluated and observed using a scanning electron microscope. We found that all three ectomycorrhizal fungi could colonize more than 40% of the roots of P. tabulaeformis, promote plant shoot and root growth, increase the proportion of large-diameter roots, improve root vitality, and increase survival rates 3 months after inoculation. All three ectomycorrhizal fungi suppressed the growth of F. solani to a different extent in vitro. Ectomycorrhizal fungal hyphae proliferated and wrapped around the hyphae of F. solani when the hyphae encountered each other. The colonization rate of P. tabulaeformis roots was highly correlated with root vitality and root growth parameters, while the survival rate of P. tabulaeformis seedlings was highly correlated with the colonization rate of P. tabulaeformis roots, root vitality and growth. Our results suggest that early contact between P. tabulaeformis and ectomycorrhizal fungi could improve plant growth and resistance against damping-off.     

Shoot multiplication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa reticulata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">mandshurica</Emphasis> from in vitro cultured seedlings

We developed a shoot multiplication protocol for Syringa reticulata Blume var. mandshurica Hara from in vitro cultured seedlings that derived from in vitro germinated seeds. The shoots could be induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with proper plant growth regulator combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The better medium for shoot multiplication and growth was MS + 5 mg L^?1 BA + 0.5 mg L^?1 IBA + 20 g L^?1 sucrose + 7 g L^?1 agar, and the corresponding shoot induction rate was 75 %. The plantlets grew well after rooting on 1/2MS medium (macro-elements of MS medium are at half-strength) supplemented with 1 mg L^?1 IBA, and the survival percentage was >80 % at 16 weeks after transplanting.     

Electroantennogram responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adosomus</Emphasis> sp. to volatile components from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia ordosica</Emphasis>

Adosomus sp.eats the leaves and oviposits on the stems of Artemisia ordosica Krasch.Based on an analytical PTI-GC/MS method, 21 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the leaves of A.ordosica were identified.The major operating equipment con-sisted of a DB-5 column (30 m×0.32 mm×0.25 μm) and a flame ionization detector (FID).The amounts of the components from VOCs were determined by a peak area normalization method and 17 VOC components were identified by PTI-GC/MS.The elec-troantennogram (EAG) responses of...     

Influence of water-stress acclimation and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber melanosporum</Emphasis> mycorrhization on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> seedlings

Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings inoculated with black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) were grown under nursery conditions and subjected to drought hardening for 4 months in autumn and winter followed by irrigation for 10 days. Leaf water potential and stomatal conductance were monitored during the 4 months of drought. When the test was completed (March), measurements were made for each treatment (inoculated or non-inoculated), and watering regime (watered and water-stressed). Pressure–volume curves, osmotic potential at full turgor, osmotic potential at zero turgor and the tissue modulus of elasticity near full turgor were calculated. Mycorrhizal colonization and growth, and the content of the main mineral nutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg were measured. Water stress affected plant growth, caused an elastic adjustment of the plant tissues, and decreased the P and K content, and inoculation improved the nitrogen content. Drought acclimation apparently achieved the goal of improving the drought tolerance of holm oak seedlings, without depressing ectomycorrhizal root colonization by T. melanosporum. José Antonio Rodríguez Barreal—Deceased     

The influence of Desert False Indigo, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amorpha fruticosa</Emphasis>, and three arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi on the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus ussuriensis</Emphasis> seedlings

The influence of Desert False Indigo, Amorpha fruticosa, on the growth of Populus ussuriensis seedlings inoculated with three arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungi (Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, Glomus sinuosa) was studied using the nylon net method. The results showed that all three AM fungi infected P. ussuriensis seedlings and G. intraradices and also G. mosseae infected A. fruticosa. The AM fungi promoted growth of P. ussuriensis and Desert False indigo seedlings. Moreover, under co-cultivation with A. fruticosa, the biomass of P. ussuriensis increased significantly. The concentration of nitrogen in P. ussuriensis grown with A. fruticosa and the concentration of soluble nitrogen in the rhizosphere were also higher than when grown alone. Hypha were found on the two plant seedlings inoculated with G. mosseae and G. intraradices, suggesting that AM fungi may transport nutrients from seedlings of A. fruticosa to the rhizosphere of P. ussuriensis seedlings, which may have promoted the growth of P. ussuriensis. The AM fungi played a critical role on the effect of A. fruticosa on growth of P. ussuriensis.     

Autumn fertilization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">ballota</Emphasis> (Desf.) Samp. nursery seedlings: effects on morpho-physiology and field performance

• Background   

The Holm oak (Quercus ilex ssp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) is an evergreen tree widely distributed in the western Mediterranean Basin. Forest restoration programs using this species have enjoyed only limited success, and knowledge concerning the effect of fertilization on plant quality and post-transplantation response is sparse.     

Impact of addition of soil amendments and microbial inoculants on nursery growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toona ciliata</Emphasis>

Present study evaluated growth of Populus deltoides G48 and Toona ciliata over a period of 6 months, in nursery soil amended with 10% fly ash (v/v), 5% distillery waste (v/v), 20% farmyard manure (v/v) and microbial consortium of Pseudomonas striata and Azotobacter sp. @ 30 ml/pot in different combinations leading to 12 different treatments with 16 replicates in completely randomized block design. Biometric parameters such as plant height, collar diameter and total dry biomass were analyzed which indicated that the treatment (T8) comprising of fly ash @ 10% (v/v), farmyard manure @ 20% (v/v) and microbial consortium @ 30 ml/pot promoted growth of P. deltoides. The results indicated that combined addition of fly ash, farm yard manure and microbial inoculants can be used as a good potting mixture for improving survival rates and plant growth in forestry nurseries.     

Insecticidal properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymus persicus</Emphasis> essential oil against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribolium castaneum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitophilus oryzae</Emphasis>

Red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) are considered to be the major insect pests in storage. Essential oils from aromatic plants are recognized as proper alternatives to fumigants. Thymus persicus (Ronniger ex Rech. f.) is one of these plants that have medicinal properties and is indigenous to Iran. The essential oil was obtained from aerial parts of the plant and analyzed by GC and GC–MS. Carvacrol (44.69%) and thymol (11.05%) were the major constituents of the oil extracted. In this experiment, fumigant toxicity of the essential oil was studied against T. castaneum, S. oryzae at 27 ± 1°C and 60 ± 5% RH in dark condition. The adult insects were exposed to the concentrations of 51.9, 111.1, 207.4 and 370.4 μl/l air to estimate median lethal time (LT₅₀) values. The fumigant toxicity was increased in response to increased essential oil concentrations. The LT₅₀ values at the lowest and the highest concentrations tested were ranged from 28.09 to 13.47 h for T. castaneum, and 3.86 to 2.30 h for S. oryzae. It was found that S. oryzae adults were much more susceptible to the oil than T. castaneum. After 24 h of exposure, the LC₅₀ values (95% fiducial limit) for T. castaneum and S. oryzae were estimated to be 236.9 (186.27–292.81) and 3.34 (2.62–4.28) μl/l air, respectively. These results suggest that T. persicus essential oil merits further study as potential fumigant for the management of these stored-product insects.     

Early establishment of broadleaved trees after logging of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> plantations with different understory treatments

We studied the effects of the amount of advanced regeneration before logging and different understory treatments on forest recovery, particularly the establishment of lucidophyllous (evergreen broadleaved) species, following the logging of conifer plantation with a focus on the sprouting ability. The establishment of lucidophyllous tree and shrub species originating from advanced regeneration was closely related to the total amount of these elements in the advanced regeneration, regardless of understory treatment. The understory-left treatment could preserve understory as surviving individuals by high proportion (60% or more of the understory) compared with the understory-cleared practice after logging. However, half of the surviving individuals were damaged to some extent by logging and skidding. Relatively large trees were likely to survive with no damage, indicating that they face a lower risk than smaller trees. In understory-cleared stands, a high proportion (60% or more) of the understory regenerated by resprouting. However, the resprouting ratio depended on tree size and species. Therefore, as well as the amount of the understory, the tree size of understory before logging would be also an important factor for early forest recovery. Further, the infrequent (low-density) species could easily disappear after logging because of their low resprouting ratio and low density. Thus, recovery from resprouting alone would risk simplification of the species composition after logging. We concluded that leaving the developed understory intact before logging can enhance the speed and biodiversity of forest recovery.     

Enzymatic saccharification and ethanol production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia mangium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraserianthes falcataria</Emphasis> wood,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elaeis guineensis</Emphasis> trunk

We examined the saccharification and fermentation of meals from Acacia mangium wood, Paraserianthes falcataria wood, and Elaeis guineensis trunk. The levels of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and ethanol production were highest for P. falcataria wood and lowest for A. mangium wood. Ultrasonication pretreatment of meal further increased the rates of hydrolysis and ethanol production in meal from P. falcataria wood. Through this pretreatment, hemicelluloses (xylan and xyloglucan) and cellulose were released in the meal from P. falcataria wood. Loosening of hemicellulose associations can be expected to make P. falcataria wood more useful for bioethanol production.     

Effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus fasciculatum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. macrocarpum</Emphasis> on the growth and nutrient content of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cassia siamea</Emphasis> in a semi-arid Indian wasteland soil

The effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus fasciculatum and G. macrocarpum on shoot and root dry weights and nutrient content of Cassia siamea in a semi-arid wasteland soil was evaluated. Under nursery conditions, mycorrhizal inoculation improved growth of seedlings. Root and shoot dry weights were higher in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal plants. The concentration of P, K, Cu, Zn and Na was significantly higher in AM inoculated seedlings than in non-inoculated seedlings. Mycorrhization led to decrease in alkalinity of the rhizosphere soil from pH 8.5 to 7.4. Under nursery conditions, the degree of mycorrhizal dependency increased with age of C. siamea seedling. On transplantation to the field, the survival rate of mycorrhizal seedlings (75%–90%) was higher than that of non-mycorrhizal seedlings (40%). Besides better survival rate, AM inoculation improved the growth performance of seedlings in terms of height and stem diameter. Among the two AM fungi used, the efficiency of Glomus macrocarpum was higher than that of G. fasciculatum under both nursery and field conditions.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrected page numbers.