Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) seed and pulp oils on experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats

Oils from sea buckthorn (Hippopha? rhamnoides L.) seeds and berries have traditionally been used in the treatment of disorders of skin and mucosa in China. Compared with the negative control, oral administration of CO(2)-extracted seed and pulp oils, 7.0 ml x kg(-1) x day(-1) significantly reduced ulcer formation in water-immersion (P < 0.05) and reserpine-induced (P < 0.01) models in rats. In addition, administration of the two oils, 3.5 ml x kg(-1) x day(-1), significantly reduced the index of pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer (P < 0.05) and sped up the healing process of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer (P < 0.01). The results suggested that the CO(2)-extracted sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils have both preventive and curative effects against experimental gastric ulcers in rats.     

Growth, healthy status and seed production of differently aged allochtonous and autochtonous Pinus mugo stands in the Giant Mts. over 30 years

Plant communities with Dwarf pine (Pinus mugo var. pumilio) form characteristic vegetation in the subalpine belt of the Giant Mountains (Krkono?e, Karkonosze and Riesengebirge, Czech Republic). This “island” of arcto-alpine tundra represents the northernmost edge of Dwarf pine natural range. We asked how concentration of sulphur in needles, growth, healthy status and fructification changed over three decades (1981–2011) with different air pollution in differently aged (45–120 years) autochtonous and allochtonous (introduced from the Alps) Dwarf pine stands. Different Dwarf pine stands above the alpine timberline were able to withstand 1980s, the period of heavy air pollution, without any decrease in growth rate or remarkable decrease in healthy status. Dwarf pine is thus highly tolerant to deposition of sulphur compounds. High concentration of SO₂ in the air positively affected sulphur concentration in needles and eliminated thus sulphur deficiency. Higher germination rate of seeds in 2000s in comparison with 1980s indicate that the air pollution could decrease germination ability of seeds. High insect outbreaks (by Thecodiplosis brachyntera and Neodiprion sertifer) in 1990s and 2000s caused decrease in needle year classes. As there was a gradual increase in mean annual temperature over years 1981–2011, Dwarf pine stands can be more and more endangered by insect outbreaks in the future. There was no remarkable difference between autochtonous and allochtonous stands in all measured growth, healthy status and fructification characteristics. To determine real effects of air pollution and insect outbreaks on Dwarf pine stands from year to year fluctuations, decade-long monitoring is necessary.     

Genotype×year interaction of pod and seed mass and stability of Pongamia pinnata families in a semi-arid region

Sixteen pongamia families were evaluated in a field experiment for eight consecutive years in dryland conditions to identify stable,high-yielding families.The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications.Each family,consisting of nine trees per replication,was planted at a spacing of3 m x 3 m.Yield stability was analyzed using(1) Eberhart and Russel's regression coefficient(β_i) and deviation from regression(S_d~2),(2) Wrike's ecovalence(W_i);(3)Shukla stability variance(σ_i~2);and(4) Piepho and Lotito's stability index(L_i).Families were also analyzed for adaptability and stability using AMMI and GGE biplots graphical methods.The study revealed significant variances due to family and family x year interaction for pod and seed yield.Families performed differently and ranked differently across years.The performance of families was influenced by both genetic factor and environmental conditions in different years.Among families tested,TNMP20,Acc14,TNMP14 and Acc30 were high yielders for pods,and Acc14,Acc30,TNMP6,RAK19 and TNMP14 were high for seed yield.According to the Eberhart and Russell model,Acc30,TNMP14 and TNMP3 were stable across years.In the graphical view of family x year interaction based on AMMI methods,TNMP3,TNMP4 and TNMP14 had greater stability with moderate seed yield,and Acc14 and Acc30 had moderate stability with high seed yield.On the other hand,GGE biplots revealed Acc14,Acc30 and TNMP14 as high yielders with moderate stability.AMMI and GGE biplots were able to capture nonlinear parts of the family x year interaction that were not be captured by the Eberhart and Russel model while also identifying stable families.Based on different methodologies,Acc14,Acc30 and TNMP14 were identified as high yielding and stable families for promoting pongamia cultivation as a biofuel crop for semi-arid regions.     

Effects of submergence in water on seed germination and vigor of the Copaifera lucens （Fabaceae） seedlings

We analyzed the tolerance of Copaifera lucens seeds to sub- mersion in water to assess the use of this species for direct seeding in riparian forest restoration programs. Seeds were submerged in water for 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days or not submerged （control = 0 days of submer- gence）. For the control and at the end of each period of submersion, germination and seedling vigor tests were carried out. For germination tests, seeds were sown in plastic pots containing sand and kept in labora- tory conditions. The percentage of seed germination, the germination rate and the average germination time were analyzed. For seedlings, total biomass, leaf area, leaf mass per area and leaf area ratio were analyzed. Submersion time drastically affected the dissolved oxygen content and seed germination. Between 4 and 8 days of submersion there was a de- crease from 83.8% to 15.6% in the germination percentage. No seed germination occurred after 16 days of submersion. Although there was a significant decrease in the percentage of seed germination between 4 and 8 days of submersion, seedling vigor was not affected. Seeds of this species were partially tolerant to submersion in water, suggesting that C. lucens is a promising species for direct seeding in riparian forest restora- tion projects.     

Genetic variability and divergence studies in pod and seed traits of Pongamia pinnata （L.） Pierre., accessions in Bay Islands

In this study, we assessed the variability in pod, seed traits and oil content of 24 accessions of Pongamia pinnata collected from different parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The experiment was conducted at the Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair during 2010 to 2011. The variability studies for pod and seed traits revealed that, the accession CPT-6 collected from New Wandoor in South Andaman recorded the maximum values for eight traits viz. pod length （75.51 mm）, pod width （34.62 mm）, pod thickness （17.55 mm）, 100 pod weight （770.33 g）, seed width （21.23 mm）, 100 seed weight （377.00 g）, oil percentage （43.92%） and germination percentage （94.7%）. However, the maximum seed length （26.46 mm） was recorded from CPT 2 and the maximum pod-seed ratio was obtained from CPT 13 and CPT 4 （2.50 and 2.44 respectively）. The phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations were also close to each other for all traits, but the 100 pod and seed weight exhibited higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation than the other traits. Estimates of broad sense heritability ranged from 0.30 （for seed length） to 0.95 （pod length） and genetic ad- vance as percent of the mean ranged between 11.66% and 57.40% with seed length giving the lowest value and 100 pod weight giving the high- est value. Both the phenotypic and genotypic correlation between pod length, pod width, pod thickness, 100 pod weight, seed width and 100 seed weight and between pod thickness, 100 pod weight, seed width, 100 seed weight and germination percentage were found to be strong. On the basis of non hierarchical Euclidian cluster analysis, 24 accessions were grouped into six clusters. The maximum numbers of seven accessions were included in cluster VI. The maximum intra cluster distance （10.238）shown by cluster VI and the maximum inter cluster distance （17.021） between V and HI followed by III and II （15.942）. Among the six clus- ters formed the cluster III recorded maximum oil percentage, 100 pod weight, 100 seed ,weight, pod length, pod thickness, pod width, seed width and. germination percentage, while cluster V recorded maximum pod seed ratio and germination percentage. The present findings suggest that the crossing between accessions of cluster V and cluster III will result in a wide spectrum of variability in subsequent generations.     

Cone structure and seed development in grafted witches’ broom and normal crown clones from the same trees of Pinus sibirica

New Forests - Mutational witches’ broom represents a fragment of the tree crown with slower shoot growth, abnormally dense branching, decreased apical dominance and often with abundant...     

Genetic worth and diversity across 18 years in a Nordmann fir clonal seed orchard

• Context  

Many tree breeding programmes rely entirely on clonal seed orchards as the link between breeding activities and forestry, and are thereby also exposed to yearly fluctuations in the orchard crops.     

The effect of coverage level and premium subsidy on farmers’ participation in forest insurance: An empirical analysis of forest owners in Hunan Province of China

ABSTRACT

In forest insurance policy, coverage level and premium subsidy are two important factors that affect farmers’ decision to be insured. This paper uses data from a survey of farmers in Hunan Province of China. First, a single-bounded dichotomous-choice valuation method is used to estimate the average amount that the farmers are willing to pay (WTP) for forest insurance. The results show that farmers’ average WTP is 0.65 RMB/acre (Chinese currency is referred as RMB), which is lower than the premium level prescribed in the existing forest insurance implementation program. Second, an acreltiple-bound dichotomous-choice valuation method is used to study farmers’ WTP for acreltiple coverage levels. Results show that when coverage equals 500 RMB/acre, 1,000 RMB/acre, and 2,000 RMB/acre, the median value of the premium level of farmers’ WTP is 0.922 RMB/acre, 1.954 RMB/acre and 2.893 RMB/acre, respectively. In a situation where the current premium rates are unchanged, and the coverage level is 500 RMB/acre, 1,000 RMB/acre, or 2,000 RMB/acre, the models predict the subsidy ratio should be 53.90, 51.15 and 63.84%, respectively. Improving the coverage level of existing forest insurance policies can significantly increase farmers’ expected rate of insurance.     

Transcriptome analysis shows nicotinamide seed treatment alters expression of genes involved in defense and epigenetic processes in roots of seedlings of Picea abiesOA

Nicotinamide treatment of plants and plant cell cultures has been shown to promote defense and decrease levels of DNA methylation. In the present study, we used RNA-seq technology to study overall changes in gene expression induced in roots of 3-month-old spruce( Picea abies) seedlings grown from nicotinamide-treated seeds to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying the defense promotion. Approximately 350 genes were identified as differentially expressed in roots after the seed treatment. St...     

Within-and between-population variations in seed and seedling traits of Juglans mandshuricaOA

In order to quantify within-and between-population variation in seed and seedling traits of Juglans mandshurica and reveal the relationship among genetic and environmental variations and select elite families, samples of 50 J. mandshurica families from five natural populations in Liaoning Province, northeast China, were taken to measure seed and seedling traits. The results show that all seed traits varied significantly among families within the population, but only kernel weight and kernel rate...     

Principles and Practice of Forestation in Saline Soil in China

China is the most populated country in the world, andits land area is not the largest, especially its cultivatedland is gradually declining with socio-economicdevelopment. In order to meet the demand to grain,vegetable and so on, wasteland must be reclaimed(Zhang Jianfeng, 2004). In China there is a large scaleof salt-affected land, e.g. in Lop Nur 5 000 km2, inTurfan almost the same, in Quidam Basen 20000 km2 (Gong Hongzhu, et al, 1984). Owing toadverse conditions crops growing in salty s…     

Biochemical composition and photosynthetic activity of Pongamia pinnata（L.） Pierre in response to acute 60Co γ-irradiation

To elucidate the potential and sensitivity of cirradiation in Pongamia pinnata,the present study has been done by irradiating the air-dried seeds to differentγ-irradiation doses(100 Gy,200 Gy,400 Gy and 600 Gy),using 60Co source.Significant increase(p≤0.05)in the germination,growth,and vigor was recorded under the100 Gy treatment than the control set.The chlorophylla and total chlorophyll content(mgg-1 FW)in the leaves of P.pinnata showed a significant decrease under the higher irradiation treatments(200 Gy,400 Gy and 600 Gy).In contrast,chlorophyllb showed a radio-resistance up to 200 Gy dose,and above which its concentration declined significantly(p≤0.05).Photosynthetic rate,stomatal conductance,intercellular CO2 concentration,and transpiration rate were stimulated by 100 Gy irradiation treatment and the higher doses inhibited these parameters.Antioxidant activity in the leaves of P.pinnata tended to increase after irradiation in a dose-dependent manner.All the plants under different treatments ofγ-irradiation showed stimulation in production of proline,flavonoid,and phenolic content in comparision to the control.The findings of the present study showed thatγ-irradiation treatment stimulates the secondary metabolite production(proline,flavonoid and phenolic)and favours faster growth of P.pinnata.     

Study and Application of Fuel-breaks in Southwest China

All of the plants can be combusted. The mechanism of forest belts resistance is that the tree species weren‘t liable to be burned compared with other plant species. In this paper new concepts on fire resistant trees and fuel-breaks trees were presented. The fire resistance mechanism includes 3 aspects, fire-resistant tree species, rational construction forest belts and environment. Tree crowns can resist fire forwarding. Forest belts can form the environment, which is not easy to fire, and also make fuels distributed discontinuous. The network of forest belts has large area of conifer forest segregated. The ideal f‘ire resistant tree species had better to embrace some characteristics, such as high f‘ire resistance, rational planting and biological characteristics.     

Photosynthetic Characteristics of Ash and Larch in Mixture and Pure stands

IntroductionDuringthepasttwodecades,studieshaverevealedthatgrowingash(Fnainusmandshurica)andlarch(LarlksPP.)togetherinaproperwaycanincreasetheproduc-tivityQfthestandsI"'}'-'].Theyieldimprovementmechanismsattributetotwoaspects,i.e.,theabovegroundandundergr…     

Pheromone trapping of the spruce seed mothCydia strobilella L. (Lep., Tortricidae) in southern Poland in 1996–1997

Results of testing of three formulations of sex pheromone analogue ofCydia strobilella L. (Lep., Tortricidae) are given. The studies were carried out from 1996 to 1997 in the Beskid Śląski Mountains being under effect of industrial emissions and the Beskid Żywiecki Mts. almost free of such effect. Traps were hung in spruce stands at every 100 m in altitude between 700 m and 1200 m above the sea level. During studies 3054 moths ofC. strobilella were trapped including 2458 in the Beskid Śląski Mts. Concentration Cs3−Z8−C12:OH-100 was the best formulation of the pheromone. Trapping results using this formulation (1947 moths) were statistically analized. There were no significant differences between the numbers of moth trapped at different altitude in both areas. However, there were significant differences in case of trapping in the Beskid Śląski Mts. in 1997, but at the 0.06 level. Part of investigations under the problem G P06M00108.     

Variations in seed size and seed mass related to tree growth over 5 years for 23 provenances of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus acutissima</Emphasis> from across China

The origin of a seed strongly impacts its traits, and both origin and seed traits influence seed germination and seedling development. However, in many instances, this effect on the seedling does not persist into adulthood, and little is known about how seed traits and original environment affect seedling/tree growth over time. In this study, seed size, seed mass, seedling/tree growth and origins were collected and determined for 23 provenances of Quercus acutissima from across China. Origin variables correlated well with seed size and seed mass. In stepwise multiple regressions, a longitudinal aridity index explained 49.2–68.7% of the total variation in seed size and mass, while only seed width was correlated with seedling/tree height (H) and diameter at the ground (D) from seed traits and origins. The total variance in H and D explained by the models decreased over time, for example, the R ² value of the models for H declined from 0.477 in the first year to 0.224 in the fourth year; no models was significant in the fifth year. These results indicate that seed size, regulated by the longitudinal aridity index strongly impacted seedling and tree growth, but the strength of the influence decreased over time, and disappeared after 4 years.     

Variability of the seeds and cones and key taxonomic charactersselection of Larix in Northeast China

IntroductionLarisoIgensiSHenryandLarisgmeIinii(Rupr.)Rupr.areboththenativetreespeciesinChina,buttheirdiStributingcentersarenotwithintherangeofChina.LarisoIgen$isismainlydistributedinNoFthKoreaandadjacentNortheastChinaandRussia(Dylis1961).lnChina,itsdistributingcenterisintheChangbaiMountains.Nevertheless,LarisgmeliniiismainlydistributedintheFar-EastandEastSiberiaofRussiaandNortheasternChina.ItsdistributingcenterinChinaisintheDaxing'anMountains.Thecharac-tersofthesexuaIreproduction…     

Research Progress in Bioactivity and Synthesis of β-caryophyllene and Its Derivatives

综述了β-石竹烯及其衍生物的活性及合成方法.在活性方面,β-石竹烯作为香料已经被应用于化妆品和食品添加剂中,药理研究表明β-石竹烯具有局麻作用、抗炎作用、驱蚊虫作用、抗焦虑、抗抑郁作用,β-石竹烯醇还应用于镇咳祛痰药物中,石竹烯氧化物具有镇痛和抗炎作用,抗真菌作用,还有细胞毒性等.同时还简单介绍了β-石竹烯及其部分衍生物的合成方法.