An artificial inoculation protocol for Uromycladium acaciae,cause of a serious disease of Acacia mearnsii in southern Africa

Uromycladium acaciae is the cause of a severe wattle rust epidemic in plantations of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) in southern Africa. Research on the biology of this damaging rust is assisting in the development of control strategies. One strategy under investigation is the identification and deployment of resistant lines of A. mearnsii. Selection of resistant families currently relies on large-scale, time-consuming and expensive field trials. In this study, we present a detailed artificial inoculation protocol for U. acaciae, which can be used to screen for resistance. The results of an experiment that used the protocol to screen the relative resistance of 12 families of A. mearnsii to U. acaciae are also presented. The developed artificial inoculation protocol can also be used to investigate several other aspects of this host–pathogen system.     

Analysis of differences in field performance of vegetatively and seed-propagated Eucalyptus varieties I: survival and leaf gas exchange

The aim of this study was to compare survival rates and leaf gas exchange of micro- and macro-propagated Eucalyptus grandis × E. nitens, and seed-propagated E. grandis and E. nitens, at a site in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where the conditions were suitable for cold-tolerant hybrid eucalypts. Fourteen months after planting, 50% of micropropagated E. grandis × E. nitens had survived, compared with 87% for macropropagated E. grandis × E. nitens, 53% for seed-propagated E. grandis and 93% for E. nitens. Differences in instantaneous leaf gas exchange and parameters derived from the light and CO₂responses of gas exchange were not significant between micro- and macro-propagated plants, but were significant between species. All trees used water more efficiently during photosynthesis at 16 months (winter; June 2004) than at 14 months (autumn; April 2004) after planting. However, micropropagation yielded plants that were most vulnerable to the combination of prolonged dry conditions and air frost     

Self-Established Black Wattle Populations in Rwanda: Implications for Nature Conservation

Based on empirical evidence from a vegetation survey, this paper investigates the occurrence of self-established populations of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) in various environmental contexts and identifies areas where this species could be allowed to grow as a useful plant. The frequency of occurrence of self-established black wattle was found to be comparatively high above 1600 m of altitude. Three agro-ecological zones of Rwanda (Congo Nile Crest, Non-volcanic Highlands and Central Plateau) account for 70 % of the occurrence, most of which are inside tree plantations and woodlots and natural forests. In areas of most concern to black wattle invasion (especially in proximity of natural ecosystems), the following policy approach should be considered: eradication of current occurrences and a ban on the cultivation of this species. Elsewhere, control through utilization by local communities and adaptive management in areas least vulnerable to its invasion could suffice to keep this species under check.     

The use of glyphosate for the management of secondary coppice regrowth in a Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla coppice stand in Zululand,South Africa

In South Africa, commercial eucalypt stands may be regenerated through the stepwise reduction of coppice shoots following felling. The development of secondary coppice regrowth following these reduction operations results in competition with the remaining stems, possibly resulting in a reduction in growth. Currently, secondary coppice regrowth is controlled manually, or through spraying with glyphosate at 0.6% when ca. 0.75?m in height. No research has been conducted to determine whether alternative rates and/or timing of application are possible or cost-effective. In 2006 a trial was implemented in Zululand, South Africa on a recently coppiced stand of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla so as to optimise rates of glyphosate application (0.6%, 1.2% and 1.8%) for the control of secondary coppice regrowth at various heights (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5?m). Tree and secondary coppice regrowth variates were measured annually until rotation-end (9 years, 3 months). The volume of herbicide used, the number of occasions each treatment was sprayed and associated costs were combined to provide an indication of the most cost-effective treatment. Although there were no significant differences in final coppice yield for the various rates of glyphosate and timing of application (as assessed by the size of the secondary coppice regrowth) tested, treatment efficacy in terms of treating secondary coppice regrowth increased with an increase in the rate of glypho- sate applied (0% < 0.6% < 1.2% < 1.8%), especially when treated at either 1.0 or 1.5?m in height. The use of glypho- sate, irrespective of rate and/or timing of application (as assessed by secondary coppice regrowth height), proved to be more cost-effective compared with manual control or the spraying of the secondary coppice regrowth at 0.75?m height with 0.6% glyphosate. The most cost-effective treatment was 1.2% glyphosate applied when the secondary coppice regrowth was 1.5?m. If reduced herbicide use is a major criterion within a company portfolio, then the secondary coppice regrowth can be manually removed when 1.5?m.     

Tree breeding model to assess financial performance of pine hybrids and pure species: deterministic and stochastic approaches for South Africa

Financial performance of the P. patula × P. tecunumanii, P. greggii × P. tecunumanii, P. taeda × P. tecunumanii hybrids and their parental species was studied for South Africa. A model was developed for use in determining the profitability of a tree-breeding program (TBP) with pine hybrids in commercial plantations. Growth measurement data were collected in four, 12-year-old genetic trials on Mondi and Sappi land holdings in South Africa. Growth models developed for P. patula and P. taeda in South Africa were used to infer models for the other taxa and to calculate the optimal financial rotation age at discount rates of 6 and 8%. Financial data on pine plantations were collected from different sources in South Africa. Optimal rotation lengths in this study were found to be between 12 and 16 years for pulpwood and 17 years for sawtimber. The model output shows the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return, and the minimum area that a tree grower has to plant every year in order to justify the investment in a TBP. A stochastic approach with Monte Carlo simulation showed that the sensitivity of NPV to uncertainty in the wood price was greater than that for the planting, harvesting, and transport costs.     

The Eucalyptus shoot and leaf pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans recorded in South Africa

Species of Teratosphaeria include some of the most important fungal pathogens of plantation-grown eucalypt trees. During routine disease surveys, symptoms and signs of leaf spot and blight were observed on the foliage of one-year-old E. grandis × E. urophylla hybrids in the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. These were distinct from those caused by the well-known and leaf-infecting fungus Teratosphaeria suttonii, which is not considered an important pathogen in the country. Culture and morphological characteristics as well as DNA sequences for three gene regions were used to compare the fungus isolated from the newly emerging symptoms with those for known Teratosphaeria species. DNA sequences were the same as those for T. destructans and this was consistent with the distinctive morphology of the asexual spores and the symptoms on leaves. Teratosphaeria destructans is an aggressive pathogen and actions will be needed to ensure that it does not impart serious losses to the local forestry industry.     

Preparation and adsorption properties of macroporous tannin resins

1 Introduction Plant polyphenols are a large and diverse class of poly-atomic phenols which occur naturally in some parts of plants. Their molecular weight ranges from 500 to 3,000 g·mol–1. Plant polyphenols are abundant in nature and their production capacity is only second to that of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin (Sun, 1988). Polyphenols can be divided into two kinds given their chemical constitution: hydrolysable tannin and condensed tannin (Song and Di, 2000). Benzene rings in th…     

不同杀菌剂对杏果实黑斑病病原菌毒力作用测定

采用生长速率法和孢子萌发法分别测定了不同杀菌剂对杏果实黑斑病病原菌的毒力。生长速率法测定结果表明:氟环唑、多氧霉素、异菌脲、苯醚甲环唑、甲基硫菌灵、代森锰锌和阿米西达的EC50值分别为7.063 1mg/L、5.339 5 mg/L、21.252 mg/L、12.184 3 mg/L、380.978 1 mg/L、28.933 4 mg/L和12.448 mg/L,以多氧霉素的毒力最高。孢子萌发法测定结果表明:氟环唑、多氧霉素、异菌脲、苯醚甲环唑、甲基硫菌灵、代森锰锌和阿米西达的EC50值分别为0.660 8 mg/L、0.114 3 mg/L、5.594 9 mg/L、3.209 2 mg/L、70.892 4 mg/L、6.591 7 mg/L和0.477 7 mg/L,以多氧霉素的抑菌效果最好。     

6种杀菌剂对不同桉树焦枯病病原菌的室内毒力测定

由丽赤壳属（Calonectria）真菌引起的桉树焦枯病是桉树世界范围内的重要病害之一。为了筛选能有效抑制丽赤壳属病原菌的杀菌剂,本研究采用6种杀菌剂（百菌清、代森锰锌、多菌灵、甲基硫菌灵、嘧菌酯、咪鲜胺）对5种桉树丽赤壳属病原菌（Ca. cerciana、Ca. crousiana、Ca. fujianensis、Ca. pauciramosa、Ca. pseudoreteaudii）通过菌丝生长法测定其室内毒力强弱。结果显示：6种杀菌剂对5种丽赤壳属病原菌均有一定的抑制作用,且差异显著。不同杀菌剂对同一丽赤壳属病原菌的抑制效果差异显著,不同丽赤壳属病原菌对同一杀菌剂的敏感性也存在差异。综合比较分析,咪鲜胺能有效发地抑制本研究中测定的丽赤壳属病原菌菌丝生长。     

Relative efficacy of strobilurin formulations in the control of downy mildew of sunflower

The efficacy of three commercial formulations of strobilurins, viz., trifloxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, and azoxystrobin was evaluated against sunflower downy mildew disease caused by Plasmopara halstedii under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. Complete inhibition of sporangial sporulation, zoospore release, and motility was observed with 2 μg ml⁻¹ in trifloxystrobin, and 5 μg ml⁻¹ for azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl. Seed treatment with different concentrations of strobilurins enhanced seed germination and seedling vigor of sunflower to varying degrees compared to control. Highest seed germination was recorded at 10 μg ml⁻¹ in kresoxim-methyl, and maximum seedling vigor was noticed with trifloxystrobin at 30 μg ml⁻¹. The effect of strobilurins was tested as seed treatment, foliar application, and seed treatment followed by foliar application. Under greenhouse conditions none of the concentrations used, either as seed treatment and foliar application, were phytotoxic. For the three strobilurins, the seed treatment along with foliar application enhanced the protection of the plants as compared to only the treatment of seeds. Foliar spray treatments alone provided an intermediate control of the disease. Trifloxystrobin showed a better effect than kresoxim-methyl and azoxystrobin. Disease curative activity of trifloxystrobin was higher compared to kresoxim-methyl and azoxystrobin. Tested fungicides when applied on adaxial leaf surface showed partial translaminar activity, and disease inhibition was marginal. Loss of trifloxystrobin and azoxystrobin activity over time was low, indicating stable rainfastness residual activity. A trend in protection against downy mildew disease similar to greenhouse results was evident in the field trials. This is the first report of strobilurins exhibiting high activity against P. halstedii and is a promising fungicide for controlling sunflower downy mildew disease by seed treatment and foliar spray.     

Early growth results of three Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus nitens hybrid clonal trials and their response to snow events

Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus nitens (G×N) hybrid clones are selected to combine complimentary characteristics of E. nitens and E. grandis. G×N hybrid clones also have the potential to increase growth rates and provide adaptability to a changing climate. A series of three trials planted across a range of high-productivity, mid-altitude sites in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands was established to test the suitability of a suite of G×N hybrid clones. Seven commercially available G×N clones together with two widely planted pure species controls, Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus smithii, were chosen for this study. The trials were set out in random complete block designs with nine treatments and four replications set out in square plots of 25 trees. The trials were measured for diameter at breast height at 23 months and monitored for snow damage over two winter seasons. Snow was noted at the Baynesfield site and subsequent snow damage assessments were performed. Basal area per hectare was calculated for each plot as a function of diameter at breast height and survival. Significant differences were observed between G×N hybrid clones in both growth and snow tolerance. The top-performing clones significantly outperformed both pure species controls in terms of growth and snow tolerance. Early results indicate that G×N hybrids may be better suited to high-potential, mid-altitude sites exposed to light snow risk than the currently recommended pure species.     

黑荆树造林密度试验*

对黑荆树１－５年生人工林分在２．０×２．０ｍ（Ａ），２．０ｍ×１．５ｍ（Ｂ），２．０×１．０ｍ（Ｃ），１．５ｍ×２．０ｍ（Ｄ）和１．０ｍ×１．０ｍ（Ｅ）５种密度下的生长．发育规律及其经济效益的研究结果表明：树高、胸径生长及其经济效益，随密度增大递减；单位面积树皮和木材产量随密度增大递增，但增幅随林龄增大减小；林分的数量成熟期随密度增大缩短，间代期也随之提早，Ａ、Ｂ密度为皮材兼用林最佳的造林密度；Ｃ     

Fungicidal Control of Lophodermium seditiosum on Pinus sylvestris Seedlings in Swedish Forest Nurseries

During the 1990s, there were serious outbreaks of the pathogen Lophodermium seditiosum on pine seedlings in Swedish forest nurseries, even though the seedlings had been treated with the fungicide propiconazole. The present experiment was carried out to evaluate two other fungicides, fluazinam and azoxystrobin, as possible alternatives to propiconazole. In the tests, which were all carried out in the same forest nursery, seedlings were treated with either propiconazole, fluazinam or azoxystrobin, and the proportion of needles with ascocarps of L. seditiosum and the number of ascocarps per needle were recorded over the following 2 yrs. Seedlings treated with azoxystrobin already appeared healthier than control seedlings in September of the first year, and by November all azoxystrobin-treated seedlings had fewer ascocarps per needle compared with control seedlings. In autumn of the second year, there were no ascocarps on seedlings treated with fluazinam or azoxystrobin, whereas seedlings treated with propiconazole had similar numbers of ascocarps to non-treated control seedlings.     

A study on Xingkai Lake pine gall rust

The Xingkai Lake pine (Pinus takahasii Nakai) gall rust caused byCronartium quercuum(Berk.) Miyabc: Shirai is a serious stem rust in the northeast region of China. The alternate host is oak (Quercus mongolica Fisch). Germination of both acciospores and urediospores was optimal at 12°C and occurred over a range of temperatures, from 4°C to 32°C. Teliospores germinated optimally at 16–18°C and over a range of 8–28°C. All spores germinated best under natural light and dark conditions. Direct light inhibited germination even when followed by darkness. The incubation periods of urediospores and teliospores in inoculation experiments were 6–16 days and 3–33 days respectively. Anatomical studies ofCronartium quercuum galls showed that rust hyphae freely ramify through the intercellular spaces within parenchymatous tissues of the cortex, phloem, cambium and xylem. Hyphae are perennial; large haustoria arc cylindrical with rounded or blunt ends. Among the 12 fungicides tested for control of the rust, pine-tar, pine-tar: diesel oil (1:1, 1:3, 1:5), 75% Bravo emulsion and 70% Mancozeb emulsion applied to the galls produced satisfactory results.     

Testing the suitability of the Nepal-Somers stand table projection method for Eucalyptus grandis plantations in South Africa

This study presents an application of a stand table projection method for varying stand densities of Eucalyptus grandis in South Africa. The projections of diameter at breast height (dbh) class frequencies are compatible with future values of basal area and stem number per hectare. The application requires an individual tree dbh growth function, a current stand table, and estimates of future basal area, and tree survival. The resulting stand table is adjusted by an algorithm that guarantees that the future stand table is compatible either with observed or predicted values of basal area and stem number per hectare. The results, based on a relatively small experimental dataset, are satisfactory. However, further work based on a larger dataset is required to evaluate the general suitability of the method for stand table projection of Eucalyptus grandis in South Africa, especially regarding variable site conditions. The particular contribution of this study is the fact that we were able to demonstrate the suitability of the Nepal and Somers stand table projection method for a unique dataset from a very densitysensitive Correlated Curve Trend spacing trial. We also made an attempt to present a comprehensive example of a projection to facilitate practical application of this method in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal plain of South Africa.     

In vitro toxicity of alternative oxidase inhibitors salicylhydroxamic acid and propyl gallate on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusicladium effusum</Emphasis>

Pecan scab, caused by the fungus Fusicladium effusum (syn. Cladosporium caryigenum and Fusicladosporium effusum), is the most devastating disease of the commercial pecan (Carya illinoinensis) production in Southeastern United States. Disease control depends primarily on multiple applications of fungicides per season. Fungicides available for scab control include those in the quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) group. QoI fungicides have a high level of resistance risk and in vitro sensitivity assays are essential to monitor development of resistance in populations of F. effusum. In vitro assays were conducted to determine sensitivity of F. effusum to the QoI fungicide azoxystrobin. In vitro assays were conducted with and without the addition of salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) to inhibit alternative oxidase (AOX) and eliminate the rescue impact of AOX on fungal respiration in the presence of QoI fungicides. When 0.653 mM SHAM was added to the medium, growth of a majority of the isolates was significantly reduced, even in the absence of fungicide. Of the 89 isolates tested, only 21 showed a dose response to azoxystrobin. Growth of the other 68 isolates was insufficient to measure a dose response. Only 18 isolates showed a clear dose response to azoxystrobin both with and without SHAM, but the calculated EC₅₀ values were significantly different (P < 0.0001). Further experiments were performed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of SHAM and another AOX inhibitor, propyl gallate (PG) on hyphal growth derived from mycelial fragments of F. effusum in liquid medium in microtiter plates and hyphal growth derived from germinated conidia on solid medium in the absence of fungicide. Even at the lowest concentrations tested, both SHAM and PG (0.01 and 0.25 mM, respectively) inhibited hyphal growth of F. effusum in liquid medium and on solid medium. These results suggest the role of AOX and possible auxiliary toxicity of these inhibitors in F. effusum physiology. Due to the toxic effects of these AOX inhibitors on F. effusum in vitro, future sensitivity profiling for QoIs will be performed without the addition of these inhibitors.     

Growth and dynamic modulus of elasticity of Pinus patula × Pinus tecunumanii hybrids in Mpumalanga,South Africa

Field establishment of South Africa’s most important commercial pine species, Pinus patula, is severely hampered by the pitch canker fungus, Fusarium circinatum. Importantly, hybrids between P. patula and other pine species tolerant to the pitch canker fungus, such as P. tecunumanii and P. oocarpa, have been identified as an alternative planting stock. In this study, variation in tree volume and dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE_dym) of the P. patula × P. tecunumanii (low- and high-elevation [LE and HE] ecotypes) hybrid was compared with the P. elliottii × P. caribaea hybrid, and the pure species P. tecunumanii (LE) and P. patula. The MOE_dym was assessed using the Fakkop TreeSonic microsecond instrument across three sites. The results of the study showed that P. patula × P. tecunumanii LE performed significantly better than P. patula × P. tecunumanii HE for volume and MOE_dym, which in turn was significantly better than P. patula. The MOE_dym and tree growth decreased with an increase in elevation. There was significant taxon × site interaction for volume and MOE_dym. The results of these trials suggested that P. patula × P. tecunumanii LE is a suitable alternative to P. patula in the Sabie region of Mpumalanga in South Africa on frost-free sites, in terms of the traits that were assessed.     

Infection of Populus alba var. hickeliana by Melampsora medusae Thüm.

The first record of infection of Populus alba var. hickeliana by the American rust, Melampsora medusae Thum. is reported. The morphology of uredospores of rust on P. alba is compared with that of other Melampsora spp. infecting white poplars. The implications of these observations for the widespread establishment in the future of white × black hybrid poplars are discussed.     

的吸附

以胶原纤维为基质,通过交联剂将黑荆树单宁、落叶松单宁和毛杨梅单宁固化在胶原纤维上制备吸附材料.实验表明,3种固化单宁对Cu2+的吸附平衡均符合Freundlich方程,其吸附容量大小顺序为固化毛杨梅单宁>固化黑荆树单宁>固化落叶松单宁.进一步研究了固化黑荆树单宁的吸附动力学、吸附柱动力学,以及温度、pH值等对吸附平衡的影响.结果表明,温度对吸附平衡的影响不明显,但pH值对吸附平衡有较大影响,在适当范围内提高pH值,会增加平衡吸附量;吸附动力学可用拟二级速度方程来描述,当吸附温度≥318 K时,由拟二级速度方程计算所得到的平衡吸附量与实测的平衡吸附量非常吻合.固化单宁具有良好的柱动力学特性,吸附柱极易再生并且能循环使用,吸附过程极有可能是在材料的表面进行.