Genetic structure of Tunisian natural carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) populations inferred from RAPD markers

? Seven RAPD markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and structure of ten Tunisian natural Ceratonia siliqua L. populations from different geographic and bioclimatic zones.

? The species maintain a high diversity within population as estimated by the percentage of polymorphic loci and Shannon’s index (P% = 76.31, $\bar H'_{pop} = 0.569$ ). The range of variation between populations was large. Populations from the upper semi-arid bioclimates, with more continuous distribution area showed the highest level of variation.

? A high genetic differentiation among populations (Φ_ST = 0.250 and $\bar G_{ST} = 0.347$ ), as a result of population isolation was revealed. Nevertheless, the genetic structure is in accordance with bioclimate indicating that ecological factors also should influence differentiation. Populations from the sub-humid, upper semi-arid and mean semi-arid zones clustered together and were distinct from those of the lower semi-arid ones.

? Conservation strategy should be made according to the level of polymorphism within population and bioclimate.

     

Leaf nutrient variation in mature carob (Ceratonia siliqua) trees in response to irrigation and fertilization

Seasonal variations in leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations were studied in a mature carob (Ceratonia siliqua L. cv "Mulata") orchard subjected to a 4-year irrigation and fertilization experiment. Three irrigation regimes (0, 50 and 100%), based on the evaporation values obtained from a class A pan, were tested in combination with two nitrogen (N) supply regimes in which 21 kg ha(-1) year(-1) (low-N) and 63 kg ha(-1) year(-1) (high-N) were supplied as ammonium nitrate. Leaf nitrogen concentration increased throughout the experiment, independently of treatments. There were no significant differences in leaf N concentration between trees in the high-N and low-N treatments. Irrigation regimes had no effect on leaf mineral concentration but influenced the amount of leaves shed and slightly modified the pattern of leaf shedding that occurred during the summer drought period. Nutritional balances between N and P and N and K were both closely and significantly correlated. Potassium was translocated from leaves to fruits during spring, independently of treatments. Severe water stress periods occurring during spring or autumn induced shedding of leaves leading to nutrient mobilization. Nutrient retranslocation during these drought periods may represent an adaptive mechanism. Nitrogen retranslocation was higher for trees in the high-N treatments than for trees in the low-N treatments, whereas phosphorus retranslocation was independent of the irrigation and fertilization treatments.     

Antiproliferative effects of Ceratonia siliqua L. on mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

Extracts from pods and leaves of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) were tested for their ability to inhibit cell proliferation of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (T1). The two extracts showed a marked alteration of T1 cell proliferation in a dose-related fashion reaching the maximal effect at 1 mg/ml. Moreover, we demonstrated that leaf and pod extracts were able to induce apoptosis in T1 cell lines after 24-h treatment mediating a direct activation of the caspase 3 pathway. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, (-) epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (-) epicatechin-3-gallate in pod and leaf extracts, compounds well known to exert antiproliferative effects. Their concentration reached 6.28 mg/g in carob leaves and 1.36 mg/g in carob pods extract. The discovery that carob pod and leaf extracts contained antiproliferative agents could be of practical importance in the development of functional foods and/or chemopreventive drugs.     

Seed germination and seedling development in the mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Mango (Mangifera indica L., cv Ruby) seeds taken from ripe fruit showed no dormancy. They germinated at temperatures between 5 and 40 degrees C, but germination was most rapid near the upper end of this range (25-40 degrees C). The fresh seeds had a high moisture content (85%, dry weight basis) and quickly died on dehydration. The optimal temperature for growth of the seedlings was close to 30 degrees C. High temperatures (40 degrees C) and temperatures below 15 degrees C were lethal. Growth of the stem occurred in successive flushes separated by rest periods. When the leaves of the preceding flush finished growing, the axis lengthened beneath the apical bud.     

轻型基质理化性质变化对金叶榆容器苗生长的影响

通过2年来对金叶榆容器苗生长的观测以及基质分析,了解不同基质的营养成分和理化性质对苗木生长的影响。试验结果表明,不同基质对苗木的树高和地径生长存在极显著差异,但每年各基质对苗木生长作用的排序有一定的变化。以农林废弃物为主要成分的轻型基质的理化性质会发生一定程度的变化,大多数基质的营养成分(全氮、全磷和全钾)基本是同比下降,与此有关的EC值和ECE值也呈同比下降趋势,基质的pH和密度则同比上升。经过主成分分析,基质中全氮、pH、CEC值、全磷和密度是影响金叶榆容器苗生长的主要因素。     

龙脑樟扦插育苗技术研究

通过对龙脑樟扦插育苗技术的研究，提出了科学而经济的一次性育苗与分段综合育苗方案，提高龙脑樟扦插苗出圃率，降低单株成本，为龙脑樟规模化生产提供技术支持。     

Container volume and growing density influence western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) seedling development during nursery culture and establishment

Larch tree species (Larix Mill.) are both ecologically and commercially valuable in their native range and are the focus of many restoration, afforestation, and commercial reforestation efforts in the boreal forests of the northern hemisphere. Land use change, shifting climate, and poor natural regeneration are making it increasingly difficult to establish the species; therefore, artificial regeneration is critical to ensure this timber species maintains its productive role on the landscape. New stocktypes are continually being developed to aid target seedlings for difficult sites, and critical, non-confounding evaluations of them are needed for target seedling development. This research evaluates the effect of container parameters on potential target seedlings. It examines tolerance thresholds of western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) with respect to moisture and temperature status in the rhizosphere during early establishment. A suite of morphological measurements was used to assess seedling quality and relative performance following transplant. Modifying a commercially available container developed four distinct stocktypes of 111, 143, 175 and 207 ml that were paired with a volume-dependent nutrient regime at two culturing densities. Seedling phenotype was affected to a greater extent by container density than by container volume. Despite changes to container volume, root:shoot were found to be similar, indicating benefits of a tailored nutrient regime during nursery culture. Simulated field trials revealed that a low density growing arrangement improved post-transplant seedling growth, specifically root growth. Also, the 207 ml container facilitated greater growth in dry soil conditions compared to smaller containers. Lower (10 °C) rhizosphere temperature hindered root growth; however, seedling survival was 100 %, warranting the testing of earlier outplanting windows for this species. This evaluation of stocktype performance contributes to a greater body of work with this species and its congeners, which will ultimately benefit reforestation and afforestation efforts alike.     

樟树引种驯化及抗寒育苗栽培技术

对南樟北引抗寒育苗及驯化栽培成苗技术做了详细的阐述，总结出一整套从种子播种到绿化成苗的育苗体系，使樟树的过江北移成为可能。     

Effect of acetylation on the chemical composition of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) in relation with the physical and mechanical properties

Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) is a highly underused wood species despite its great hardness, strength, wear-resistance and toughness. It is mainly used as firewood in Hungary because of its wood defects, irregular shape and low-dimensional stability. These wood defects and small breast height diameter result in a low yield. It is non-durable outdoors as it tends to turn grey, crack and be attacked by wood-decaying organisms. Indoors it lasts for hundreds of years. One technology that could improve the stability and durability properties is acetylation. Hornbeam was acetylated with the Accoya® method under industrial conditions. The aim of this research was the assessment of acetylation affecting the chemical properties of hornbeam wood and how these are related to the change in physical and mechanical properties. Main wood constituents (cellulose, hemicellulose, Klason lignin, extractives and ash content) were determined and compared. Chemical parameters related to the degradation of structural polymers were also evaluated (total phenolic and soluble carbohydrate contents, pH and buffering capacity, furfural, levulinic acid, formic acid, acetic acid). Structural changes in acetylated wood and in the Klason lignin fraction were also assessed using FTIR spectroscopy.     

印度西孟加拉邦德赖地区梨竹生长基质标准化、萌发种子尺寸和实生苗生长

2008年2-4月,在印度西孟加拉邦德赖地区开展了试验,该试验对6个生长基质和3个种子的重量进行了分析,以找出其对梨竹萌发和实生苗生长的影响。与其他基质相比,将50 g的种子种在土壤、沙土和FYM以同一比例混合的基质中,种子萌发较好,实生苗生长更好。     

Age-dependent Changes in Needle-fascicle Dynamics of Pinus sylvestris (L.)

Age-dependent dynamics of needle fascicles on the main stem of Scots pine trees in Estonia and Finland were investigated by the needle trace method. Mean fascicle longevity increased with tree age. Fascicle pool size, fascicle production and shedding were not related to tree age for trees less than 50 yrs old. Thereafter, the mean values of these characteristics declined linearly. Thus, younger trees had more fascicles attached to the stem, but fascicle survival in the third and fourth age classes tended to be greater in older trees. A short-term pattern of variation in dynamics was seen: higher values in the rates of fascicle shedding and production, and in the quotient of fascicle loss, in any one year were regularly followed by lower values in the following year.     

构树无性系嫩枝扦插育苗试验

研究表明,构树无性系间其穗条扦插生根率有显著差异,参试无性系穗条扦插生根率变幅为91.8%~43.8%。本试验筛选出了扦插生根率高的5个无性系即湘构P 02、湘构P 04、湘构P 05、湘构P 09、湘构P 12;穗条带1~2片叶可显著提高穗条的生根率;多菌灵不同浓度、GGR生根剂不同浓度处理对穗条生根率没有显著影响;不同基质对穗条扦插生根率有显著影响,以纯黄心土作为扦插基质效果最佳。     

Interference of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum L. Kuhn) with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) seedling establishment

The nature of interference of bracken with Scots pine and Norway spruce seedling establishment was considered in three field experiments. In a seeding experiment, it was found that Scots pine germination was highest on exposed mineral soil and lowest when intact bracken litter and humus were present, suggesting adverse effects of litter and humus on pine regeneration probably due to phytotoxicity. In a second experiment, smothering by bracken caused high mortality of Scots pine seedlings while Norway spruce seedlings were relatively unaffected. Mortality for both Scots pine and Norway spruce seedlings was low when planted in a adjacent Scots pine-bilberry stand with no bracken. Annual shoot growth of Norway spruce was higher in bracken than in Scots pine-bilberry vegetation while no differences in shoot growth between these two vegetation types occurred for Scots pine. In a third experiment, activated carbon was added to the ground under Norway spruce seedlings planted in bracken to adsorb possible phytotoxic compounds released by bracken. The addition of carbon had no effect on seedling mortality or growth rate, indicating that the seedlings were not susceptible to allelochemicals released by bracken. Since large Norway spruce seedlings were relatively unaffected by bracken interference in this study, artificial regeneration with containerized Norway spruce seedlings is suggested to achieve an acceptable conifer tree establishment on clear-cuts invaded by bracken.     

Influence of a long-term storage in anaerobic conditions on Norway spruce (Picea abies,L. Karst.) physical and mechanical wood properties

Timber storage is a key aspect of storm damage management. After huge storms, sprinkling storage is usually the most used conservation process but anaerobic storage in sealed silos appears as good alternative to preserve wood quality over long periods. This paper investigates the impact of long-term (57 months) storage of Norway spruce logs in anaerobic atmosphere on wood properties. Tests were performed on clear wood specimens and on lumbers to determine the modulus of elasticity (E), the static bending strength (σ_f) and the dynamic bending strength (K). Storage effects on impregnability and colour variation were also studied. Results show no effect of storage on E, σ_f and K. The naturally poor impregnability of Norway spruce is not improved by the anaerobic conditions, compared to traditional wet storage. Triangle tests reveal no discernible colour variation between logs that underwent anaerobic storage and the control sample. As a conclusion, despite a mould (Gliocladium solani) frequently observed on logs surface after the storage, the process offers ideal conservation conditions. While overall cost remains the main drawback for using anaerobic storage at large scale, the process can be recommended for high value logs, especially since it has few environmental impacts.     

L35等黑杨新无性系苗期生长规律研究

以4个黑杨派(Populus Aigeiros)无性系为材料,利用Logistic方程对1年生扦插苗木的苗高、地径的年生长节律进行拟合.结果表明:利用Logistic方程拟合效果显著,相关系数皆在0.97以上.并以此将无性系扦插苗的生长过程分为成活期、生长前期、速生期和生长后期4个时期,其中速生期内的苗高生长量占总生长量的比率平均为59.4%,地径生长量占总生长量的比率平均为63.0%.     

Tree-root influence on soil physical conditions, seedling establishment and natural thinning of Acacia seyal var. seyal on clays of Central Sudan

Acacia seyal is an important component of the agrosilvopastoral systems of the Sahelian zone of Africa. The relationships between lateral spreading of the tree roots and the establishment of the understorey vegetation are, however, little understood. The effect of the tree roots on soil bulk density, soil moisture content and understorey vegetation was studied in the Central Clay Plains of the Sudan. Three study sites were included: a forest, a-two-year-old logged-over area and a-one-year-old abandoned farm, and these sites were distributed over three different geographical locations. Roots of trees, tree seedlings and annual herbs were concentrated in the top 70 cm of soil, possibly due to compacted soil and the confinement of rain water in this layer. Soil bulk density at the 60 to90 cm layer was high in forest, low in logged-over and intermediate in farm. Soil moisture content varied in the reverse order. The low soil moisture content and the high soil bulk density reduced seedling survival. Abundant Acacia seyal seeds germinated and grew during the rainy season. During the first dry season, however, 86% of seedlings of forest died, whereas only 11% of logged-over and 14% of farm died; canopy shading did not seem to affect seedling survival. Tree seedlings and agricultural crops are not able to compete with the A. seyal trees for soil resources but appear to benefit from the ameliorated soil texture, structure and fertility following tree felling. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Long lasting effects of O3 and SO2 on the sensitivity to drought in two clones of Picea abies (L.) Karst.

Rooted cuttings of two Picea abies-clones were fumigated with O₃ and O₃+ SO₂ for 12 weeks. After 4 and 16 months without fumigation the treated plants showed much higher sensitivity to drought (expressed in osmotic potential of cell sap and in percent survival) than the untreated ones.     

Inbreeding depression in two field trials of young pinus sylvestris (L.)

Inbreeding depression after selfing was estimated in two field trials of Pinus sylvestris, age 11 and 14 years, respectively, by comparing stem volume and height after selfing and outcrossing. For the majority of trees, inbreeding caused a statistically significant reduction in stem volume. The average inbreeding depression for stem volume was 46% and 66% for the two trials, respectively, with a large variation among trees. For one of the trials, the inbreeding depression for height remained at a constant level between age 6 to 14 years, while the inbreeding depression increased between age 6 to 11 years for the other trial. Inbreeding depression was not found to be correlated with the GCA for stem volume of the individual trees. The relative phenotypic within‐family variance was found to be higher in progenies after selfing as compared to outcrossing.     

基质理化性质对组培苗生根状况的影响

基质理化性质是影响组培苗移栽时生根成活的关键因素,通过对不同配方基质理化性质测定和调查组培苗成活率等指标进行研究,提出了选择组培苗移栽基质的方法措施。组培苗生根基质较适宜的理化性质为:容重0.1~0.8 g.cm-3,总孔隙度66%~67%,大小孔隙的比例为1 1.5~0.8。蛭石珍珠岩=1 2,蛭石珍珠岩=2 1适合组培苗生根。