Recovery of Soil pH,Cation-exchange Capacity and the Saturation of Exchange Sites from Stemflow-induced Soil Acidification in Three Swedish Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Forests

Stemflow water acidifies the soil in beech stands impacted by atmospheric deposition. To investigate whether the soil recovers from acidification, stemflow was experimentally removed. A horizon material was sampled at a distance of 10 - 250 cm from the stems. Before the onset of the experiment, there were stemflow - induced gradients in the saturation of exchange sites with K⁺, H⁺ and Na⁺ that were larger near the stems, while the pHKCl, the cation - exchange capacity, and the saturation with Ca2⁺, Mg2⁺ and Mn2⁺ were smaller. After 8 yrs of recovery, the pHKCl and the saturation with Ca2⁺ and Mg2⁺ had increased close to the stems, while the saturation with Na⁺, H⁺, Mn2⁺ and 2⁺ and the C/N ratio had decreased. With some exceptions, e.g. base saturation, the recovery was not complete after 8 yrs. Soil far from stems had also changed similarly, probably because of the ongoing decrease in overall deposition in southern Sweden.     

Genetic variation and ortet/ramet relationships in a clonal test with Picea abies

Eight trees were selected at age eight years from seed in each of 52 full‐sib families of Picea abies and were propagated by rooted cuttings. The parents were both of Norwegian and German origin. Results are presented for the variation in height growth in the progeny test and in the clonal test, for rooting percentages, and for plagiotropic growth. More than 40% of the total variance of rooting percentages is of genetic origin. In the set of crosses between Norwegian and German parents 18% of the clones were classified as plagiotropic, while the same number was 27% in the crosses between Norwegian parents. The plagiotropic growth reduces the correlations between ortets and ramets both at the individual and at the family level. Family information is important in the selection of ortets, and a culling of plagiotropic clones seems necessary to obtain a substantial gain from selection.     

Effects of scarification and mulch on establishment and growth of six different clones of Picea abies

Abstract

The effects of mulch and scarification on the establishment and growth of six clones of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] were examined in a study in southern Sweden. Mulch and scarification reduced the amount of competing vegetation and tended to improve soil moisture and soil temperature. Budbreak occurred earlier for cuttings planted in the scarification treatment in comparison with the control and mulching treatment. Scarification increased survival and the combination of scarification and mulch resulted in the best growth. Gas exchange and the number of new roots were higher in planting spots covered with mulch. Clonal differences regarding gas exchange and growth were significant. Clones with a poor height growth also had a low gas exchange and a small number of new roots. In contrast, the clone with the best height growth had high gas exchange and a large number of new roots. Clonal effects on growth were greater than site preparation effects.     

From broadleaves to spruce – the borealization of southern Sweden

Mixed or broadleaf forests were once common in many regions of Northern Europe, whereas today conifers often dominate. The aim of the study was to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns and processes which underlie this transition to Picea abies dominance in southern Sweden. We use recently developed paleoecological methods to determine long-term changes in the relative abundance of tree species, and digitalized National Forest Inventory (NFI) databases to assess more recent changes in the spatial coverage of Picea throughout the region. The novel combination of the two databases reveals that Picea became a widespread and abundant species in many parts of southern Sweden around 1000 years ago. After a brief decline in abundance starting around 500 years ago, NFI data indicate a rapid increase in the volume of Picea between 1920 and 1950, prior to the large-scale introduction of Picea-dominated plantation forests. The available evidence suggests that abandonment of forest grazing and slash-and-burn cultivation, as well as selection cutting benefited the natural establishment and growth of Picea during the first half of the twentieth century. Hence, prior to the impacts of industrialized forestry that began in the 1950s, other processes were already favouring increased Picea abundance.     

欧洲云杉扦插生根影响因子研究与生根力优良单株选择

采用悬臂式全光照自动间歇喷雾装置,按照L₈（1⁴×2²）的正交试验设计在甘肃省小陇山进行欧洲云杉ABT₁,IBA,NAA 4水平（0,50,100,200 mg ·L^-1）+插穗类型2水平（嫩枝、嫩枝基部带1.5年生硬枝）+处理时间2水平（1,2 h）试验,完全随机区组设计,2次重复;同时对823个欧洲云杉单株生根力进行研究。结果表明：ABT₁,IBA合理浓度对愈伤组织生根起主导作用,穗条类型和处理时间随激素类型的不同效应不同。ABT₁不同水平对生根率的影响差异显著,50 mg ·L^-1+嫩枝基部带1.5年生硬枝+处理1 h的生根率最高（89.0%）,生根数以200 mg ·L^-1+嫩枝基部带1.5年生硬枝+处理2 h最多。IBA各水平间对生根的影响差异不显著,但以50 mg ·L^-1+嫩枝基部带1.5年生硬枝+处理2 h的生根率最高,100 mg ·L^-1+嫩枝基部带1.5年生硬枝+处理1 h的生根数最多。高浓度NAA对愈伤组织生根有抑制作用,生产中不宜用NAA作生根促进物质,但是低浓度短时间处理能促进穗条皮部生根。欧洲云杉单株间生根率的变幅为0~100.0%,单株选择潜力较大。扦插生根性状与生长性状不相关,欧洲云杉无性系选育和采穗圃营建在重视生长性状选择的同时也要重视单株生根性状的选择。欧洲云杉生根率、生根数、根系平均长之间存在显著或极显著正相关关系,进行生根性状选择时以容易测得的生根率进行选择,其他生根性状也会得到改良。     

Genotypic variation in natural infection frequency of Heterobasidion spp. in a Picea abies clone trial in southern Sweden

Abstract

Natural root and butt rot infection with Heterobasidion spp. was recorded on three occasions in trees from a 20-year-old Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] clone trial. In the first assessment, carried out when the trial had been running for 15 years, 29.5% of the trees felled were infected with Heterobasidion spp., but no statistically significant differences were found between the different clones. In the second assessment, also at 15 years, bore cores were taken from 595 trees. Of these cores, 16.5% were infected, but again no statistically significant differences were found between the different clones. Combining the two first assessments also revealed no significant differences. The discrepancy in rot incidence between the two assessments was explained by the inaccuracy of the bore core method. The third assessment was carried out after the trial had been running for 20 years. At that time, 424 trees of 50 clones were felled and sampled. Visible infection was recorded in 46.5% of the trees. The differences between clones were statistically significant and the broad-sense heritability estimate was 0.18. There were no significant genotypic correlations between tree size and rot infection; this is important for the Norway spruce breeding strategy. Calculations show that economic viability would increase by 0.28 SEK per plant for every 10% decrease in root rot frequency at final felling.     

Controlling and predicting the spread of heterobasidion annosum from infected stumps and trees of picea abies

Two Norway spruce stands with heavy infections of Heterobasidion annosum were clear‐cut in 1957 and 1959 in Sweden. The stumps were extracted, the soil sifted to remove most of the roots, and young Norway spruce were planted. After 25 and 28 years, H. annosum had infected 1 % and 2% of trees on plots where stumps had been removed and 17 % and 12% of the trees on control plots, respectively. Several of the H. annosum clones fruiting on old‐growth stumps were also detected in decayed, standing trees. The same fungal clone was found to be infecting adjacent trees from several old‐growth stumps. In addition to old stumps, stumps from recent thinnings and diseased living trees were traced as infection sources. Their relative importance in spreading disease was estimated. Disease risk predictions based on the distance of a tree from various infection sources correlated well with observed frequencies of rot.     

Combining harvest sample data with inventory data to estimate forest biomass

Forest biomass databases which go beyond stem volume are needed for carbon balance calculations and also for forest monitoring, forest damage inventories and the solution of other related problems. In this article, it is shown how recursive multiple regression analysis can combine forest inventory data with biomass harvest data. The stand‐level conversion factor derived for Pinus sylvestris L. branch biomass for the “Severka”; Forest Farm shows a reasonable goodness of fit, with a coefficient of determination of R² = 0.87. Statistically significant coefficients were achieved by including stand density and the quadratic mean diameter in the regression. Equations developed for Switzerland, using Burger's Picea abies (L.) Karst. branch and needle conversion factors for individual trees, show R² = 0.87 and R ² = 0.91, achieved by taking h _dom.50, elevation, diameter at breast height and age into account.     

A selection experiment for height growth with cuttings of Picea abies (L.) Karst

Twenty sets, each consisting of a tall, a medium, and a small plant, were selected from a 2 by 2‐year‐old nursery crop. Selection differential was measured. Cutting propagation was undertaken and the subsequent clones were tested in a field experiment. Differences between groups at age 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 were calculated, and ortet/ramet regressions and age‐to‐age correlations were conducted. Selection of the tall plants gave a response of approximately 17% at age 10. Accumulated genetic gain at this age by a specified stepwise selection procedure is estimated to 36%. Step one is the early selection in the nursery, step two is a later selection amongst the early selected clones and performed after 7 years’ field testing. Ageing of clones, selection for other traits and application of the clones over a variety of sites will reduce these gains.     

Influence of local stand basal area on density and growth of regeneration in uneven‐aged Picea abies stands

In single‐tree selection, trees removed by harvest or lost through mortality are replaced by ingrowth from the seedling/sapling bank. Because the level of ingrowth is governed not only by the recruitment rate of new seedlings, but also by mortality and growth rates within the seedling/sapling stratum, knowledge of how these processes are related to the tree stratum is important for successful application of single‐tree selection. Therefore, Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) regeneration (0.1 m ≤ height ≤ 2.0 m) was measured on seventy 100 m² circular subplots at each of two sites in central and northern Sweden. Both sites had previously been selectively logged, but the time elapsed since the last harvest was at least 30 yrs. Basal area of trees of at least 2 m height within three different radii from the subplot centres was measured. Measurements on regeneration included height and leader length. Influence of local stand basal area on density and growth of regeneration was analysed by ordinary least‐squares linear regression for each of four height intervals. Regeneration was significantly aggregated at both sites, but number of Norway spruce seedlings and saplings per circular subplot was not correlated to local stand basal area. Out of 36 regressions, only eight showed a significantly (p < 0.05) negative correlation between seedling and sapling height growth and local stand basal area. In five of these cases, removal of one point (subplot) made p > 0.05. The results suggest that density and growth of Norway spruce regeneration in selectively logged uneven‐aged Norway spruce stands is affected more by ground conditions than by local stand basal area.     

Determination of mean diameter by basal area in stands of picea abies and pinus sylvestris in southeastern Norway by means of aerial photographs

Mean diameter by basal area (d_g) is an important stand variable for long‐term economic forecasts of forest holdings. In order to use stand‐by‐stand surveys based on aerial photo interpretation as the data basis for forecasts, d_g has to be determined. The objective was to develop and test a regression function for d_g in mature stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) applicable in southeastern Norway. A study of 700 plots was used to estimate a function for d_g . An additive model was found to be most suitable. The independent variables were potential yield capacity, Lorey's mean tree height, crown closure determined by ocular estimation by means of aerial photographs, and the product of potential yield capacity and crown closure. The R² value was 0.604 and the coefficient of variation was 10.8%. The regression fitted most parts of the calibration data quite well, but it may overestimate the mean diameter in pure spruce stands by 1–2%, and underestimate the diameter in pure pine stands by 3%. For mixed coniferous stands the regression seems satisfactory. Testing by means of an independent data set showed systematic errors of 3–23%. The systematic errors were due partly to calibration problems in connection with the ocular crown closure estimation.     

Growth response of coniferous stands to whole‐tree harvesting in early thinnings

A series of 15 field experiments was established to quantify the growth response of first‐thinning stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) to whole‐tree harvesting and to estimate the need for nutrient compensation. The experiments were undertaken in Finland, Norway and Sweden and represent a wide range of site conditions. The site index (H ₁₀₀) of Scots pine stands varied from 19 to 29 m, and that of Norway spruce stands from 28 to 36 m. Total amounts of biomass and nutrients removed were calculated based on data obtained from felled sample trees. During the first 5‐yr period the growth response to the removal of logging residues varied considerably in both pine and spruce stands. Regression analyses did not reveal any functions that explained the variation in results satisfactorily. In cases where whole‐tree harvesting influenced tree growth negatively, this effect was counteracted by compensatory fertilization. It was concluded that to determine the response of remaining trees to harvesting intensity reliably, the post‐harvest period analysed must be longer than 5 yrs.     

Incidence of Cronartium ribicola in Finnish botanical gardens and five-needle pine plantations in northern Finland

Abstract

Stump removal procedure increases the extent of exposed mineral soil in the clear felled areas. In this study, our aim was to find out whether the early growth and mycorrhization of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings differ between stump removal and mounding sites. Stumps were harvested from five one-hectare study sites and other five sites were mounded after clear felling. Twenty seedlings were planted on mounds at each study site. Although the height of spruce seedlings did not differ between the treatments after three growing periods, their mean growth was ca. 10% higher at the stump removal sites. The community of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) in the seedling roots did not differ between the treatments. The high mycorrhization rate in the nursery still remained after two and three growing seasons in the field and diversity of ECM community slightly increased during the first years. Our results indicate some positive although rather small and transient effects of stump removal on the performance of planted spruce seedlings. Longer-term studies are needed to fully understand the effects of stump removal on the later seedling development and their symbiotic interactions with mycorrhizal fungi.     

Modeling individual tree height growth of Norway spruce and Scots pine from national forest inventory data in Norway

We developed individual tree height growth models for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Norway based on national forest inventory data. Potential height growth is based on existing dominant height growth models and reduced due to competition by functions developed in this study. Three spatially explicit and two spatially non-explicit competition indices were tested. Distance effects and diameter ratio effects were estimated from the data simultaneously with parameters of the potential modifier functions. Large height measurement errors in the national forest inventory data caused large residual variation of the models. However, the effects of competition on height growth were significant and plausible. The potential modifier functions show that height growth of dominant trees is largely unaffected by competition. Only at higher levels of competition, height growth is reduced as a consequence of competition. However, Scots pine also reduced height growth at very low levels of competition. Distance effects in the spatially explicit competition indices indicated that the closest neighbors are most important for height growth. However, for Scots pine also competitors at larger distance affected height growth. The five competition indices tested in this study explained similar proportions of the variation in relative height growth. Given that unbiased predictions can only be expected for the same plot size, we recommend a spatially explicit index, which describes the distance function with a negative exponential, for use in growth simulators.     

丽江云杉体细胞胚胎发生

体细胞胚胎发生是细胞工程中植株再生的重要途径之一,可作为基因工程的受体系统,同时也是研究细胞全能性、细胞分化及其形态建成的理想试验体系.在应用上,体细胞胚胎发生是一种有效的大.规模无性繁殖方法(郭奕明等,2003;贾彩凤等,2006;Stasolla et al.,2003;Sutton,2002).在目前已成功诱导体胚形成的植物中,草本植物占了大多数.已有40多种木本植物获得了体细胞胚,尤其是用常规无性繁殖技术很难生根的针叶树的体胚发生研究取得了令人瞩目的进展,20多种不同的针叶树的外植体成功诱导出体细胞胚(施季森,2000).