Post-fire production of mushrooms in Pinus pinaster forests using classificatory models

This study was aimed at describing post-fire mushroom production in a Mediterranean ecosystem dominated by Pinus pinaster Ait. in the northwest of Spain and assessing the results by classificatory models. During the autumn periods of 2003–2006, fruit bodies from 115 fungal taxa were collected in burned and unburned areas and were further grouped into the following categories: saprotrophic/mycorrhizal; and edible/non-edible. After wildfires, a significant reduction in the number of fungal species and fruit body biomass production was observed. Based on this relevant information, the first simple classificatory model for this aim is provided. Nine alternative models based on classifications according to combinations of edibility and functional groups were fitted, and four fruiting body biomass production classes were defined as possible responses. As explanatory factors, time after fire and climatic variables significantly related to fruit body production were included. The best predictive results were obtained for edible and edible-mycorrhizal models, for which the correct classification rate of production classes was between 92 and 85 %. Moreover, the models obtained were applied to analyse the effect of time after fire on fungal production. Mycorrhizal and edible fungal production after fire was classified into the lowest class, whereas saprotrophic and non-edible species followed a contrary trend. The classificatory models can be useful to optimise management and harvest of these increasingly appreciated non-timber forest resources.     

Growth response of Pinus pinaster Ait. to climatic variables in central Spanish forests

? The effect of climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) on radial growth of the Mediterranean Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) was studied using dendrochronological techniques in the Iberian Peninsula.

? Ten tree-ring width chronologies, along the central distribution area of the species, were built. Chronology variability was analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for the period 1952–2005.

? The first principal component (PC1) explained 56% of tree-growth variability. Tree-growth association with climate was analysed at regional and local scales using correlation coefficient and bootstrapped response functions.

? Radial growth at both scales was positively correlated with rainfall during and prior to the growing season at all sites, and with summer rainfall before the growing season at five sites. Mean temperature effect changed according to the sampling site, from non-significant at the highest sites to significant (positive relationship in winter) at the lowest sites. Growth season temperature also had a negative effect.

? The Kalman filter was applied to estimate changing association between growth and climate over-time. Results suggested a change in association, initiated in the 80s, from non-significant to significant (*p < 0.05) at six of the sampling sites.

? Pinus pinaster is an accurate species for analysing tree-growth association with climate and for studying plant behaviour under global change conditions.

     

Physical properties and termite durability of maritime pine Pinus pinaster Ait., heat-treated under vacuum pressure

An original heat treatment performed under vacuum pressure was investigated. Maritime pine samples were treated at six different temperatures: 140, 160, 180, 200, 230 and 260°C. The physical and mechanical consequences, i.e. bending strength (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), hygroscopic behaviour, equilibrium moisture contents and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) were studied. A no-choice feeding test according to the NF EN 117 standard was achieved. Temperatures up to 200°C had no significant effect on wood properties. However, at 230 and 260°C, the decrease in MOR was severe, reaching 42.5 and 62.5%, respectively. Whatever the treatment conditions, wood samples were still highly degraded by termites, revealing no increase in their durability.     

Heat-induced colour changes of pine (Pinus pinaster) and eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus) wood

Heat treatment of Pinus pinaster and Eucalyptus globulus wood was carried out by hot air in an oven for 2–24 h at 170–200°C and by steam in an autoclave for 2–12 h at 190–210°C. The colour parameters L*, a* and b* were determined by the CIELAB method on radial, tangential and transverse sections of untreated and treated wood, and their variation with regard to the treatment (ΔL*, Δa* and Δb*) were calculated in percent. For untreated eucalypt wood, lightness (L*) varied between 54.1 and 63.8% with a* between 7.4 and 8.5, and b* between 15.7 and 19.9. For untreated pine wood, L* varied between 67.3 and 76.1%, a* between 6.9 and 7.6 and b* between 16.3 and 24.1. Oven heat-treated wood became darker (ΔL* about 50% for 4% mass loss), and this was more for eucalypt wood under the same treatment conditions. In general, the contribution of red (a*) and yellow (b*) colour decreased with heat treatment. The transverse section of the two species darkened less for both the treatments with small differences between radial and tangential sections. Lightness decrease was related to chemical changes; with good correlations with glucose (R ² = 0.96), hemicelluloses (R ² = 0.92) and lignin (R ² = 0.86). As regards colour, the heat treatments showed an interesting potential to improve the wood quality for solid timber products from pine and eucalypt.     

Righting response of artificially inclined maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) saplings to wind loading

To determine if trees respond to dynamic and static loading in the same manner, 2-year-old maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) trees were subjected to different types of mechanical loading in the field. One block of trees (the control) were kept in pots and planted in the field at an angle of 0 or 45 degrees to the vertical. A similar block of leaning potted trees was planted nearby and subjected to frequent, unilateral wind loading for a period of 1 s every 2 min. Half the leaning trees were oriented toward the direction of wind loading and half were oriented along the axis of wind loading. The stem profile was measured three times during the growing season to quantify the rate of stem straightening. Compression wood formation and stem shape were measured in all plants. No differences in mean height or diameter were observed between blocks and all leaning trees straightened, but not at the same rate. Although no difference in the rate of apical straightening occurred between control and wind-treated trees, the righting response of the basal part of the stem of leaning trees subjected to wind was four times greater than that of leaning trees without wind. No differences in the righting response were observed between leaning trees growing toward and trees growing away from the source of wind. No significant differences in compression wood formation were found between control trees and wind-treated trees, indicating that other factors must determine the reorientation rate of leaning trees. Results are discussed with reference to the quality of compression wood in conifers and the mechanotransductive pathway in plants.     

油松母树林经营技术研究

为提高油松种子产量与质量,进行油松母树林密度、坡向、土壤耕作施肥等试验,结果表明:密度以450～675株/hm2为宜,阳坡为好,土壤耕作施肥、树冠下地表覆盖均比未耕作施肥和地表不覆盖的油松母树种子结实多,质量好.为提高油松母树林种子产量和质量,经营好母树林提供科学依据.     

First isolation of pine wood nematode from Pinus tabuliformis forests in China

Previous risk prediction studies have mostly shown that suitable areas for pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (PWN), in China are mainly concentrated in eastern and southern China, with pest reaching no further northern than the Yangtze River basin. The Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis, Chinese pine or Chinese red pine) is the main, native, afforestation species in areas to the north of the Yangtze River basin. To our knowledge, there is no report on PWN infecting Chinese pines in the north of the Yangtze. In this study, we used Baermann funnel method and several PCR primers to detect the presence of PWN in Chinese pine forest fields in 2010 in Shaanxi, China, which is far to the north of the Yangtze River and a cause for concern. Pinus koraiensis (Korean pine) may also be at risk and should also be monitored to prevent invasion by PWN.     

Variation in growth and osmotic regulation of roots of water-stressed maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) provenances

Hydroponically cultivated Pinus pinaster Ait. seedlings of a drought-sensitive population from France (Landes) and of a more drought-adapted population from Morocco (Tamjoute) were subjected to a progressive increase in water stress by additions of an osmoticum (polyethylene glycol 600) to the nutrient solution. The final osmotic potential (Psi(ms)) of the nutrient solution was achieved over a period of up to 6 days, and ranged from -0.03 (control, no added osmoticum) to -0.8 MPa. In the 6 days during which water stress was imposed, roots elongated faster in the Moroccan provenance than in the French provenance, but the applied water deficits did not inhibit root elongation in either population. Among treatments, root dry weight per unit root length, total root dry weight and root/shoot dry weight ratio increased with decreasing Psi(ms) in both provenances. Both the water potential (Psi(w)) of the roots (apices) and the water potential difference between the roots and the nutrient solution decreased as Psi(ms) decreased. The reduction in Psi(w) was matched by a decrease of comparable magnitude in cell osmotic potential (Psi(pi)) so that root turgor was unaffected by the Psi(ms). Osmotic adjustment was greater, however, in the Moroccan provenance than in the French provenance. Consequently, under the osmotically imposed water stress, the water potential difference between root and nutrient solution was greater in the Moroccan provenance than in the French provenance. Similar changes in plant water relations were observed when seedlings were grown in drying sand.     

人工红松林杈干与经营对策初探

阐述了人工红松林杈干形成机理,提出人工红松林杈干综合控制技术.对已发生杈干人工红松林,根据不同的培育目的,采用不同的经营对策及控制技术,提高人工红松林资源的经营和管理水平.     

More attention to protection and research on old-growth Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests

This paper reviews the researches on old-growth korean pine (Pinus koraoensis) forest in Northeast China. The ecological characteristics of the forest were summarized. According to the research results, the importance of studying and reserving on the old-growth forest was addressed, which were the indispensable research laboratory and classroom for forest managers. The conclusions indicate that the future of Korean pine forest management should be based on the research results of old-growth forests.     

Influence of provenance,silvicultural regime and tree shape on the quality of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) timber

The aim of this study was to establish the sources of variation in maritime pine wood properties related to appearance and strength, because of the importance of this wood in the sawing industry in Galicia (NW Spain). Ten trees from each of ten plots of the species (i.e., 100 trees) growing in Galicia were felled and sawn to produce the structural planks required for studying the presence of external strength-reducing characteristics. The planks were sampled from the basal logs to 16 m height in the stems, yielding cross sections of target dimensions 100 × 40 mm to 200 × 200 mm. We propose a model in which individual tree height and dominant height are used to predict the knottiness of planks from trees in mature stands. The abundance of externally visible knots on faces and edges of sawn planks is therefore more dependent on the stand location than on the prior silvicultural treatment of the stand.     

Genetic diversity in natural populations of Gmelina arborea: implications for breeding and conservation

Gmelina arborea is a valuable plantation tree species that is native to South and Southeast Asia. In this study, 534 samples representing 19 natural populations in India, China, Thailand and Myanmar were analyzed with 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The genetic diversity analysis revealed highly polymorphic loci (N_a?=?16.4), a good level of genetic diversity (H_o?=?0.56; H_e?=?0.83) and the deficiency of heterozygotes in G. arborea populations evidenced by positive fixation index and deviation from Hardy?CWeinberg Equilibrium in all loci and most populations. The Analysis of Molecular Variance attributed 21, 10 and 69% of total genetic diversity to among-region, among-population (within region) and within-population variation. Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean dendrogram and Principle Coordinate Analysis revealed three separate clusters composed of China, India and Thailand/Myanmar that were consistent with geographical distance and the presence of natural barriers to gene flow. Populations from within India grouped together genetically consistent with geographical locations, with the exception of the Nowgong population (eastern India), that might have originated from the Kasa area (western India) with which it has high genetic similarity. Understanding genetic diversity and structure of G. arborea populations serve as an important reference for tree breeding programs and conservation strategy. Breeding populations of G. arborea should include selections from each of the major geographic regions to maximize genetic diversity and heterosis. Vegetative propagated clones of elite trees can be used for plantation to address the issue of high level of segregation among seed derived plants.     

Maturation of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) seedlings after exposure to a period of continuous light

Nine half-sib families of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) of known adult performance were grown in continuous light at either 25 degrees C or 25/20 degrees C for 18 weeks. They were then exposed to a dormancy induction period followed by a dormancy release period and then grown for a further 9 weeks in a 16-h photoperiod at a day/night temperature of 25/20 degrees C. Seedlings exhibited great diversity in morphology at the end of the first growth period. The number of morphogenetic cycles varied between one and three and the form of the apical meristem ranged from a typical rosette to an adult-like bud. The type of seedling obtained at the end of the first growth period strongly influenced later growth, independently of the temperature regime. Maturity was proportional to the number of morphogenetic cycles achieved during the first growth period and was characterized by short growth duration, small primary needles and a high degree of fixed growth. The state of the apical meristem that underwent the dormancy period had less influence on the rate of maturation than the number of morphogenetic cycles. The time course of maturation was endogenously controlled and varied among traits. Conspicuous morphological differences were not associated with changes in the relationship between growth components at the phenotypic level. However, there seemed to be a shift in the genetic correlations between growth components after first budset.     

Genetic variation of Taxus baccata L. populations in the Eastern Alps and its implications for conservation management

Abstract

The English yew (Taxus baccata L.) is an endangered rare tree species in Austria. More than 600 bud samples were collected from seven populations in three regions of the Eastern Alpine mountains for estimating their genetic structures by using isozyme gene markers. Nine gene loci encoding for seven enzyme systems were investigated. The revealed 32 alleles indicate a higher multiplicity of the east alpine gene pool compared with other European regions. English yew showed a high level of genetic variation, with a mean number of alleles per locus (A/L) of 2.7. A total of 76.4% of the loci were polymorphic, the average expected heterozygosity was (H _e) 0.274 and the mean observed heterozygosity (H _o) was 0.238. The relative proportion of genetic differentiation among the regions was found to be 6.2%, the level of gene flow was high (Nm=3.78) and the level of inbreeding (0.130) among the regions was medium. The obligatory out crossing (dioecious plant), the long generation time, the ability to regenerate from stump and the seed dispersal by birds and rodents might contribute to the high level of genetic variation found within the population. The conservation propositions are discussed with respect to the genetic structure and the poor recruitment of this species.     

Growth and water relations of three geographically separate origins of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) under saline conditions

Water relations and growth of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) were investigated in 2-year-old seedlings of French ('Landes'), Iberian ('Iberian') and Moroccan ('Tamjoute') origin raised for 67 days in a flowing solution culture system containing 0, 50, 150 or 250 mM NaCl. Height growth, and stem, needle and root dry matter were reduced by salinity with minor differences among geographic origins. Predawn needle water potential was decreased by salinity and corresponded approximately to the osmotic potential of the nutrient solution. Stomatal conductance was reduced according to the amount of salinity applied. Whole-plant hydraulic conductance was also reduced, even when expressed on a root dry weight basis. The osmotic potential of xylem sap was five- to sixfold lower than that of the nutrient solution. Seedlings of the most southerly origin (Tamjoute) exhibited a greater ability to decrease osmotic potential under saline conditions than seedlings of more northerly origin (Landes and Iberian) as a result of higher mineral cation transport to the shoot.     

Growth and phosphorus productivity of non-mycorrhizal Pinus pinaster seedlings: Comparison of three populations and seven full-sib families within a population

Growth and nutrition of hydroponically cultivated pine seedlings (Pinus pinaster Ait.) were investigated at various phosphorus (P) availabilities. P was added either with free access or at a relative addition rate of 0.02 and 0.04 day^?1. Laboratory observations were compared with adult growth performances in the field in two sets of experiments: the first with three contrasting populations, the second with seven full-sib families within a population. Significant differences in P productivity (growth rate per unit P in the plant) and in maximal relative growth rate were observed in both experiments, but correlation with adult performances was restricted to populations. Selection for nutrient-related traits would thus be possible, but understanding of the relationship between growth and nutrition needs further evaluation. The minimum P concentration in the seedlings supporting maximum growth ([P]optimum) varied from 2.2 to 3.8 mg g^?1 DM, which is in agreement with values obtained in other species. The root/shoot ratio increased with P limitation, with a marked tendency for the population with the highest adult height performance. Inversely, within families, seedlings identified as the best performers for adult growth invested more biomass in shoots than in roots with P stress.