Construction and analysis of a subtracted cDNA library of Betula platyphylla female inflorescence

Female inflorescence of Betula platyphylla was sampled at an interval of each two days to analyze the background of gene expression in floral phase. On the basis of SMART strategy, the driver cDNA was obtained from total RNA of the last sample and the tester cDNA was from that of the others by RT-PCR which were subsequently used to construct a subtracted cDNA library. The result of the ESTs (expression sequence tags) blastX showed that the genes in the subtracted cDNA library could be mainly clustered into 5 groups related to metabolism, transportation and signal transduction, cell cycle, stress response, and regulation. The relationship between gene expression and development was also discussed.     

Growth Variation and Early Selection of Betula Platyphylla in Natural Stands

IntroductionEarlyseIectionisanimportantpartforforesttreeim-provement.TreequaIityandproductioncanbeim-provedthroughselection.lnrecentyears,wehavepaidmoreattentiontoearlyselectionandprediction.EarIyselectionisanimportantpartforforesttreeimprove-ment.Thegene…     

Investigation of change in tangential strain on the inner bark of the stem and root ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica andAcer mono during sap season

Although it is well known that sap exudation during early spring in temperate deciduous trees occurs in response to daytime warming and nighttime cooling, the mechanisms of the process are not yet fully understood. Previous theories suggested that changes in stress in the wood caused by daytime heating and nighttime cooling might be linked with sap flow. Consequently, a study of itaya-kaede maple (Aver mono) and shirakamba birch (Betula platyphylla var.japonica) looked at tangential strains. One-hour intervals for 3 years of the tangential strains on the inner bark of stem and root were measured in itaya-kaede maple and shirakamba birch during the sap exudation season. The measurements indicated different mechanisms of sap exudation in these two trees. During the sap exudation season in late March, when the temperature fluctuated around 0°C, the tangential strain in the root of itaya-kaede maple showed expansion in the daytime and contraction at night. Conversely, in early April the tangential strain in the root of shirakamba birch exhibited contraction in the daytime and expansion at night. The changes in tangential strains in itaya-kaede maple were attributed to conditioning, a known concept used to explain the uptake mechanism of soil water in maple and its exudation during early spring. However, because the change in tangential strain in the roots of shirakamba birch was similar to that found during the rampant season, sap exudation was not attributed to conditioning but to the plentiful supply of water from the roots. The implications of these mechanisms are that different sap harvesting techniques may be appropriate for different tree species.     

Effects of differences in forest floor and canopy vegetation on ectomycorrhizas ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica: A test using seedlings planted into soils taken from various sites

Effects of different forest floor vegetation types in secondary forest and of conversion to plantation on the quality and quantity of ectomycorrhizas are mostly unknown.Betula platyphylla var.japonica seedlings were used for bioassays of ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum using soils from four 50-year-oldB. platyphylla var.japonica forests that had different types of forest floor vegetation: two with shrub types, one with aSasa type, and one with a grass type. Seedlings were also grown in soil from a nearby monospecific plantation ofChamaecyparis obtusa. Ectomycorrhizas formed 13 to 26% of root length of seedlings grown in soil from the five different sites. The maximum percentage of ectomycorrhizal formation was obtained from the grass-type forest. The dominant type of ectomycorrhiza in the two shrub-type forest soils was the same as that in theSasa-type forest soil. The dominant types of ectomycorrhizas in the grass-type forest soil and in theC. obtusa plantation soil were different from that in the two shrub-type forest soils and in theSasa-type forest soil. The results of this investigation suggest that the type of forest floor vegetation, accompanied with changes in thickness of the A₀ horizon, might affect the ectomycorrhizal fungi in the soils ofB. platyphylla var.japonica forests. Establishment of artificial plantations ofC. obtusa might change the ectomycorrhizal fungi that could associate withB. platyphylla var.japonica seedlings in soil.     

红皮云杉生长变异与早期选择的研究

应用树干解析和选择超级苗营造对比试验林的方法,对红皮云杉的生长变异及早期选择技术进行研究。结果表明,红皮云杉个体各生长性状的变异规律是幼龄阶段变异较大,随年龄的增长,变异逐渐减小;树高、胸径、材积变异趋于平缓的年龄分别为9 a生1、5 a生和9 a生。用9 a生的胸径生长预测33a生的材积生长是适宜的。对红皮云杉出圃苗采取平均苗高 2倍标准差的标准进行选择,通过幼林阶段的观察,证实苗期选择是有效的。     

Rainfall redistribution of a virgin Pinus koraiensis forest and secondary Betula platyphylla forest in Northeast China

A virgin Pinus koraiensis forest in the Xiaoxing’an Mountains was selected to study its rainfall redistribution effect via 97 rainfall occurrences during a growing season. The following results were obtained: 1) The canopy interception of the P. koraiensis virgin forest amounted to 98168 mm during a growing season (May to September), which was 19.6 per cent of the total rainfall and 1.3 times that of a secondary Betula platyphylla forest. Compared with other forest types in China (11.4%–36.5%), the ratio of the canopy interception in the virgin pine forest was at a medium level. 2) The throughfall of the virgin pine forest was 395.77 mm, which accounted for 78.7% of total precipitation, and the stem-flow was 8.78 mm, accounting for 1.74% of total precipitation. Compared with the secondary birch forest, the virgin pine forest had lower throughfall but higher stem-flow. 3) Cubic regression equations (p < 0.01) which describe the relation between throughfall, stem-flow and canopy interception in the virgin pine forest and rainfall in an open field were fitted. A linear regression equation (p < 0.01) was found to be a better fit for the relationship between throughfall of the secondary birch forest and rainfall outside the forest. Factors affecting throughfall and stem-flow were analyzed, with results providing a good reference to the study of rainfall redistribution in coniferous and broadleaved mixed forests. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006, 4(6): 61–65 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

Geographic variation and provenance selection for bamboo wood properties in Bambusa chungii

Using 3-year-old culms of 8 provenances of Bambusa chungii from Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Provinces, the indexes of wood properties, such as fiber dimensions and chemical composition were investigated and analyzed by the methods of Analysis of variance and correlation coefficient to reveal the geographic genetic variation situation. The results showed that there are significant differences between fiber length, fibrin and 1% NaOH extraction contents of B. chungii from 8 provenances; moreover, the fiber length and fiber length/width ratio had a decreasing change pattern with geographic variation from the south to the north in altitude (from high to low in elevation). The heritabilities for fibrin, fiber length, 1% NaOH extractive, lignin and fiber length/width ratio were 0.7, 0.84, 0.54, 0.38 and 0.13, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 1% NaOH extraction, benzo-alcohol extraction contents and bamboo culm yield, whereas there was a significant positive correlation between fibrin contents and bamboo wood yield. Besides, a close correlation was detected between fiber dimensions indices and bamboo growth or bamboo wood yield. Finally, three provenances with high qualities and culm yield, i.e. Huaiji, Xinyi and Guilin, were selected as superior sources based on principal component analysis. Foundation project: This research was funded by both of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), grant No. PD10/00. REV. 2 (I,F), and the National ‘Tenth Five-year’ Key Program of China, grant No. 2004BA506B0103.     

A study on the geographic variation and selection of the best provenance ofLarix olgensis

On the basis of the results from the geographic provenance test of nine years oldlarix olgensis in Liangshui Natural Reserve of our university, a study on the geographic varition and the primary selection of the best provenance ofLarix olgensis was carried out. The main results are as follows: I.The different provenances ofLarix olgensis have rich and wide genetic variation, and exist a linear correlation with latitude and longitude in collection area. General trends are enumerated below: Provenances at lower latitude and more west longitude have lighter thousand seed weight, short growth period, higher increment, wide branches, rich leaves and crown as well as worst adaptabillity. It is a dual-way variation along with two directions of latitude and longitude, and also embodies a change gradually in climate condition from south to north. The temperatures in seed production site, especially the mean temperature in January and ≥10 °C accumulated temperature, are important factors that produce geographic variation forlarix olgensis. 2. The variation of different provenances in periodic biological phenomena and growth rhythm trends are that: 1 both of the provenances from Changbai Mt. (III) and Dashitou(IV) at low latitude belong to the centralized growth type, and have shout growth period, the difference between these two provenances is that the provenance from Changbai Mt. grows well in all time, Dashitou provennce is well only in later period; 2 the provenance from Baidao Mt. (II) at middle latitude belongs to even growth type and has longer grpwth period, this provenance has higher increment in early and later periods relatively; 3 Xiaobeihu provenance at high latitude is a growth type among II. III and IV provenances and has a general growth period, the provenance grows better in middle time and worse in later time. 3. The best provenance in Liangshui Natural Reserve and its meighbourhood is Dashitou Procenance, which growth in height, diameter and volume has exceeded 16. 28%, 46. 27%, 30. 58%, 78. 20, 82. 00% as well as 392. 00% by comparison with the mean value of the contrast and the worst provenance respectively, The result from the height growth of three, five, seven and nine years oldLarix olgensis by using the method of order correlation analysis demonstrates that it is possible to make early selection of the provenance. Meanwhile, data from juvenile and mature oflarix olgensis plantation also prove the reliability of the early selection. 4. The provenance heritabilities of nine years oldlarix olgensis in Liangshui Natural Reserve are follows: The heritability of the height growth (h²) is 0.79; The heritability of the diameter breast height (h²) is 0.791; The geretic gain is 24.5% and 40.36% respectively.     

Intraspecific geographic variation and primary selection on the best provenance ofPinus sylvestris var.mongolica

This paper summarizes the result from the provenance test of eight years oldPinus sylvestris var.mongolica in Liangshui Natural Reserve comprehensively. The main contents include:(l) the geographic variation of the growth characters ofPinus sylvestris var. mongolica, tends to negative change gradually at latitude and has obvious climatic nature, (2) no significant difference exists in the morphological adaptability and resistant characteristics and so on; (3)on the basis of the geographic variation study on the growth characteristics, the provenances ofPinus sylvestris var.mongolica were classified into two geographic populations and two subpopulations as follows: the northern population of the Daxing’an Mountain (I) and the southern population of the Daxing’an Mountain as well as the Xiaoxing’an Mountain (II), which includes Honghuarji subpopulation (II -1) and Kalunshan subpopulation (II-2). (4) the height growth rhythm was analyzed according to the divided population and subpopulation; (5) the best provenance was selected for the Liangshui Natural Reserve and its neighborhood according to the results from SSR test of the growth characteristics (the breast height diameter and height of eight year old trees), the possibility of the early provenance selection was also verified by the method of order correlation analysis on the height growth of three, five, seven and eight years old provenances.     

白桦愈伤组织染色体制片方法及数目变异研究

该文探讨白桦愈伤组织染色体的制片方法,并对白桦愈伤组织及其再生植株的染色体数目变异进行了研究。结果表明：取继代培养1周的白桦愈伤组织,用0.2%的秋水仙素溶液预处理1.5～2 h,1 mol/L HCl室温（18～20℃）解离10～15 min或2%纤维素酶和果胶酶混合液室温解离30 min,压片后易获得分散、染色效果好的细胞分裂中期染色体图像。随着继代次数增加,白桦愈伤组织染色体数目变异的频率及范围增大。在愈伤组织分化过程中,二倍体细胞占有优势,能够分化为正常的植株,愈伤组织再生植株的变异频率低于愈伤组织。     

Comparison of species diversity betweenLarix gmelini pure forest andLarix gmelini-betula platyphylla mixed forest in Daxing'an Mountains

Based on the investigation data about the species diversity in Daxing'an Mountains, the difference of species diversity indexes betweenLarix gmelini forest andLarix gmelini-Betula platyphylla forest was analyzed by the Simpson index (D), Shannon-Wiener index (H), Pielou index (J _sw &J _si), Alatalo index (E _a) and Species richness index (S). The result showed that the species diversity index ofLarix gmelini-Betula platyphylla forest was much higher than that ofLarix gmelini forest in this region. AndLarix gmelini-Betula platyphylla forest was beneficial to maintain the species diversity in Daxing'an Mountains region. Biography: SONG Guan-ling (1969-), female, Master, assistant professor in Zibo College, Zibo 255000, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

A phytosociological study onBetula platyphylla forests in Daxing’an Mountains of China

For the first time in this paper the forests ofBetula platyphylla in Daxing’an Mountains are subdivided by phytosociological methods. Three community types ofB. platyphylla forest have been differentiated, e.g.,Rhododendron dahuricum-Betula platyphylla community,Corylus heterophylla-Betula platyphylla community andArtemisia stolonifera-Betula platyphylla community. The distributed elevation, stand height, differential species, major composition species of tree layer, shrub layer and herb layer for each community were detail described Yang Yongfu, male, born in Sept., 1961; Senior engineer of Central Nursery of Xinlin Forestry Bureau, Daxinganling, P. R. China Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

白桦BpLHY、BpTOC1与BpGI节律基因生物信息学及表达分析

[目的]探究白桦生物钟基因运行机制及在生长发育、胁迫应答中的作用。[方法]运用生物信息学方法对白桦BpLHY、BpTOC1、BpGI节律基因进行分析,预测其编码蛋白的结构功能。利用RT-PCR方法检测白桦BpLHY、BpTOC1、BpGI基因昼夜表达模式,在非生物胁迫重金属Cd、低温(4℃)、与盐(Na Cl)及信号诱导SA(水杨酸)、SNP(硝普钠)下的表达情况。[结果]白桦BpLHY、BpTOC1、BpGI节律基因编码的均为疏水性非分泌型,具有跨膜能力的mixed蛋白。白桦BpTOC1、BpLHY基因表达量均呈现白天低夜晚高的昼夜变化模式,而BpGI表达量则表现出白天高夜晚低的模式。在重金属Cd、低温(4℃)、与盐(Na Cl)非生物胁迫下,BpLHY、BpTOC1与BpGI均上调表达。SA、SNP诱导白桦BpLHY与BpTOC1表达下调,而诱导BpGI表达上调。[结论]白桦BpLHY、BpTOC1、BpGI节律基因昼夜表达模式及非生物胁迫、信号诱导下的表达特征为进一步研究白桦生物钟基因作用机制及其在植物生长发育和胁迫应答中的作用奠定了基础。     

Geographic variation pattern ofLarix olgensis

On the basis of the data of provenance test for 10 years in the total natural range ofLarix olgensis from 10 seeds collection sites, the geographic variation patterns have been made by means of canonical correlation analysis: (1) The basic variation patterns of growth characters is in vertical gradual change along the elevation gradient as principal, and gradual change along the latitude as supplement. (2) The Xiaobehu provenance with low elevation and low equivalent latitude is the good gene resource center ofL. olgensis. It has the genetic characters of rapid growth, high stability and fine timber quality. (3) The synthetical interaction between water and heat factors is the major factor to produce the variation ofL. olgensis and the temperature is the principal one. (4) Among the genetic variations of geographic population characters, the variation of growth is the most obvious one, and it could be taken as the main character for provenance division. (5) By allocating the seeds from the low equivalent latitude region to the northern suitable afforestation areas, the greater genetic gain could be obtained. (Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai)     

11条白桦BpSPL家族基因的生物信息学和表达分析

[目的]研究白桦中SPL转录因子的基因序列特征及其在不同时期不同组织中的表达规律。[方法]依据白桦45个转录组测序结果,共获得12条全长SPL基因,依次命名为白桦BpSPL1-BpSPL12,对其中11条BpSPL进行了生物信息学及基因表达特征分析。[结果]生物信息学分析发现,11条BpSPL均含有1个高度保守的SBP结构域,且基因长度差异较大,含有2 10个不等数目的外显子,系统进化分析发现11条白桦SPL分属于六大类SPL蛋白;qRT-PCR分析结果显示,白桦BpSPL基因在不同时期的叶、顶芽、茎、雄花序中表达变化显著,多数SPL基因在顶芽中7月5日和8月20日至9月20日时期表达较高,除BpSPL1基因外在雄花序从6月份到9月份的生长阶段中,SPL的表达水平呈现逐渐升高的总体趋势。[结论]BpSPL基因可能参与到了白桦顶芽和雄花序的生长发育过程。     

Dynamics ofBetula ermanni population in subalpine vegetation in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

Betula ermanni population was divided into three groups: the upper population (2 000–2 200 m), the middle population (1 700–2 000 m), and the down population (1 400–1 700 m) in Changbai Mountain. The dynamics ofBetula ermanni populations in subalpine vegetation are studied and the population life table, fecundity schedule, survival curves, age structure, and fecundity curves were established. The results showed that the, middle population is obviously, the transition from the upper population to the down population. This project is supported by Chinese Academy of Science Responsible editor     

Geographic variation and genetic performance of Picea koraiensis in growth and wood characteristics

Eight provenances of 19-year-oldPicea koraiensis Nakai from the provenance trials of Maoershan (45°20′N, 127°30′E), Liangshui (47°10′N, 128°53′E) and Jiagedaqi (50°24′N, 124°07′E) in Northeast China were investigated to analyze the genetic variation in growth characteristics (tree height and diameter) and wood characteristics (tracheid length, tracheid diameter, tracheid wall thickness, annual ring width as well as wood density). Great variation in height growth and breast height diameter growth was observed among the provenances, and along with the increase of tree age, these provenances presented different geographic adaptability. The growth characteristics ofPicea koraiensis stand at age of 10 in Maoershan and Liangshui provenance trials had a positive correlation with longitude, and with increase of tree age to 15 and 19, the tree growth of the provenances displayed a significant positive correlation with latitude as well as altitude. For wood characteristics, great variation was also found among the provenances. There exists a close relation between growth characteristics and wood properties of the provenance. The height and breast height diameter growth of the provenance had a positive correlation with tracheid diameter and annual ring width, and a negative correlation with tracheid wall thickness and wood density. Genetic performance of the provenance in all above characteristics was also investigated in order to provide more useful information for comprehensive selection of this species for pulpwood and plywood production. Foundation item: The paper was supported by National Key Project of The State Forestry Administration. (96-011-01-06) Biography: WANG Qiu-yu (1957-), female, professor in College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Distribution of ectomycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum with soil depth in a birch forest

The distributions of ectomycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum with soil depth (0–45 cm) were determined in a 40-year-oldBetula platyphylla var.japonica forest. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal fine roots were measured in each soil core sample that was collected at soil depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, 20–25, 30–35, and 40–45 cm. The ectomycorrhizas were mainly distributed (>50%) in the top soil (0–5 cm) of organic forest floor horizons. Below 5 cm the quantity of ectomycorrhizas decreased sharply. The percentage of fine roots which were ectomycorrhizal gradually declined with the depth of soil. The ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum was evaluated by a bioassay method, measuring the lengths of the entire root system and of the ectomycorrhizal roots of birch seedlings planted in each soil sample. The soil samples were collected from 0–5, 10–15, 20–25, 30–35, and 40–45 cm depths of the soil profile. Ectomycorrhizal formation on birch seedling roots in the bioassay was high in both the soil depth intervals 0–5 cm and 10–15 cm, while the amount was lower in the soil depth interval from 20–45 cm. The results of these investigations show that the amount of the ectomycorrhizas in soil, and the ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum potential as determined by bioassay, are not always consistent with each other.     

外源糖溶液和高浓度CO2处理对白桦叶片糖和蛋白质含量的影响

3年生白桦同时接受3种外源糖溶液(蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖)和3种高浓度CO2(700、1400、2100μL·μL-1CO2)处理.处理1个月后,测定了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量.结果表明:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1 CO2下,外源糖溶液增加了叶片的可溶性糖和蛋白质含量,其中外源蔗糖的效果最好:外源糖溶液与2100μL·L-1CO2结合,会抑制叶片积累总糖和蛋白质:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1CO2下,喷施葡萄糖、果糖的叶片在蛋白质含量上没有明显差别:同700、1400μL·L-1CO2相比,除喷施果糖植株外,2100μL·L-1 CO2明显增加了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量:在喷施同种外源糖溶液的情况下,叶片的糖含量与CO2浓度呈正相关性.图6参7.     

Agroforestry tree selection in central Chile: biological nitrogen fixation and early plant growth in six dryland species

Growth rate, resource partitioning, and several biological traits related to biological N₂ fixation for six native or non-native tree species were compared using ¹⁵N isotope dilution techniques. The trees were field grown for six years in a semiarid mediterranean-climate region with five to six months a year of absolute drought. Trees were tested as candidates for new agroforestry systems being developed in central Chile to improve soil fertility and land health, while also increasing productivity and profitability for landowners and animal breeders. Four nitrogen-fixing legume trees (NFTs) were tested: Acacia caven (Mol.) Mol.Prosopis alba Griseb., P. chilensis (Mol.) Steuntz. emend. Burk., and Tagasaste ( Chamaecytisus proliferus L.f. subsp. palmensis (Christ.)Kunkel). Additional, non-nitrogen-fixing trees were the slow-growing native Huingán (Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Caberera and the fast-growing European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Among the NFTs, highly contrasting patterns in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) were detected, for N_dfa (proportion of N derived from atmosphere), nodule efficiency (NE = gN fixed g^–1 nodules), and N content in leaves, stems and roots. Tagasaste produced 2.5–25 times more biomass and fixed 4.5 to 30 times more atmospheric nitrogen than the South American Acacia and Prosopis species. N_dfa reached 250 g plant^–1 in Tagastaste, in the sixth year, with NE = maximum 2.68 in the 4th year, and 1.12 in the 6th year. In contrast, Acacia caven had by far the highest NE of the four NFTs – 12.13 in the 4th year and 6.6 in the 6th year. Whereas BNF in Tagasaste peaked in the fourth year, and declined thereafter, BNF in Acacia caven increased steadily over six years. Fraxinus excelsiorand Schinus polygamus had growth rates and biomass accumulation intermediate between that of Tagasaste and the South American NFTs.Results are discussed in relation to agroforestry, restoration of soil fertility, and ecological and economic rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems and landscapes.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.