Genetic divergence for growth and wood parameters in different clones of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb

The wood analysis for different parameters was carried out in a clonal seed orchard of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. established during 1997 at Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. Twelve clones with higher index value were subjected to Euclidean Cluster Analysis based on wood and growth parameters to group into seven clusters. Cluster I and II contained four and three clones, respectively, and remaining clusters had just one clone each. Clone originated from Barielly, Uttar Pradesh of cluster VII was found to be the most divergent clone. Cluster II with three clones maintained greater inter-cluster distance with other clusters. The divergence analysis has confirmed that the clones planted in the clonal seed orchard are sufficiently divergent and seed harvested from the orchard would maintain high diversity.     

Growth,chlorophyll fluorescence and biochemical markers in clonal ramets of shisham (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> Roxb.) at nursery stage

About 19 clones of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) were raised by using healthy coppice shoot cuttings. After 2 year of establishment and growth, they were examined to identify suitable clone of shisham at nursery stage. Clones were studied for growth (height and basal diameter), chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and biochemical contents (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, free amino acids, total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, starch and reducing sugar) in the leaves. Clone C2 and C3 (Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India) had the highest growth and the chlorophyll fluorescence rate among examined clones. Between these two clones, C2 gave the highest response on height, basal diameter and Fv/Fm. Except free amino acids, all other biochemical contents were greater in the clones belonging to Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Growth parameters, i.e. height and basal diameter increment at nursery stage had a positive correlation with all the studied parameters, except free amino acid and total soluble protein. These findings have demonstrated that there are remarkable clonal variations in growth, physiological and biochemical responses at nursery stage. Thus, physiological and biochemical markers can enhance selection efficiency, in addition to growth characteristics such as height and basal diameter as these have practical value in the tree improvement. The study suggests that clones of Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India had the best performance and could be further tested in plantation programs.     

Variability in seed traits and genetic divergence in a clonal seed orchard of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

The variations in seed and pod traits, genetic superiority and genetic divergence were evaluated for a Clonal Seed Orchard (CSO) of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. at Bithmera, India consisting of 20 clones from different agro-climatic conditions of four northern states (Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Rajasthan). The seeds and pods of various clones in the orchard exhibited significant variability in size, weight and other characters. Significant positive correlations were observed between seed length and seed width (p<0.05), seed length and seed thickness (p<0.01), seed length and seed weight (p<0.01), seed thickness and seed weight (p<0.01), seed length and germination value (p<0.05). The genetic parameters for seed and pod traits also showed a wide range of variations in the orchard. Heritability values were found to be over 50 percent for most of the seed and pod traits. Seed weight, seed length and seed thickness showed high heritability values coupled with maximum genetic gain for these characters. Ward’s minimum variance dendrogram of clones of D. sissoo showed three distinct clusters; cluster 1 was the largest with 12 better clones whereas cluster 2 and 3 consisting of seven moderate clones and one poor clone, respectively. Mean cluster values showed sufficient variation among the clusters for seed weight, germination value and seed length. The possible hybridization between best clones of cluster 1 to the disease resistant clone of cluster 2 (resistant against deadly Gandoderma lucidum root rot disease of D. sissoo) is also suggested for further breeding programmes of the species. The deployment of clone 194 (better performed and disease resistant) is also recommended in future plantation programmes of D. sissoo in northern India.     

An evaluation of scarification methods for seeds of two leguminous trees

Twenty different methods of seedcoat scarification were tested on Gleditsia triacanthos L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. to find an alternative to acid scarification for these species. For germination testing, nicking or burning were best, and these same methods could be used in small nurseries with adequate labor. For larger quantities, hot water soaks or heat shock soak treatments yielded satisfactory, though lower, germination.     

Desiccation and storage behavior of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds

The effect of seed moisture content (m.c.) and seed storage conditions of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) was investigated in relation to seed viability. In the first experiment, the effect of drying rate on seed moisture and seed germination was investigated. Fresh seeds, with their original moisture content displayed a germination percentage of 55.1%. When the seed moisture content was reduced by 2.0% in an oven, the germination percentage rose to 81.0%. When the seed moisture content was reduced even more by using the same method, the germination percentages decreased dramatically. Reducing the seed moisture content to 28.7 and 23.5% by drying the seeds in alternating room conditions resulted in an increase of seed germinability to 84.3 and 90.9%, respectively. The drying of the seeds for 45, 60 and 75 days reduced their seed germination to 66.8, 49.4 and 48.0%, respectively. Reducing seed moisture content below 15.0% resulted in practically nullifying seed germinability. The fact that bay laurel seeds cannot retain their germinability at lower moisture contents demonstrates that it is a species with recalcitrant seeds. In the second experiment, moist and dry storage conditions were tested under different temperatures and moisture contents. The storage experiment showed that the most effective way of conserving the bay laurel seeds is moist storage at 0 ± 1°C for 4 months without previous drying of the seeds.     

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) trees in a pasture: population model,sensitivity analyses,and applications

A preliminary demographic model is presented for a population of guava (Psidium guajava L.) trees in a pasture. In this paper special attention is devoted to describing both the calculation and testing of the parameters of the model. Some applications of the model are described. It is predicted that the guava population will gradually decline; low seedling survival (due to chemical control of pasture weeds) seems to be the factor governing this trend. Preliminary analyses of total gross energy production and economic income, with and without the guavas, favours the presence of the trees in pastures.     

Effect of Cryopreservation on Seed Viability of 4 Species

In order to explore the feasibility of cryopreservation on dormant forest tree seeds,the seed viability of 4 species(Malus baccata,Prunus davidiana,P.armenica and Amygdalu persica) with moisture content(MC) changing was tested after 30-day storage in liquid nitrogen of -196℃.The results showed that all the 4 species of seeds can keep a stable viability after cryopreservation.In the procedure,the optimum MC was 48 g/kg for M.baccata,27 g/kg for P.davidiana,31 g/kg for P.armenica and 45 g/kg for A.persica,...     

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) trees in a pasture: population model,sensitivity analyses,and applications

A preliminary demographic model is presented for a population of guava (Psidium guajava L.) trees in a pasture. In this paper special attention is devoted to describing both the calculation and testing of the parameters of the model. Some applications of the model are described. It is predicted that the guava population will gradually decline; low seedling survival (due to chemical control of pasture weeds) seems to be the factor governing this trend. Preliminary analyses of total gross energy production and economic income, with and without the guavas, favours the presence of the trees in pastures.     

Effects of osmopriming and hydropriming on vigour and germination of China aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.) seeds

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of osmopriming and different hydropriming treatments on the vigour and germination of China aster (Callistephus chinensis) seeds. Seed vigour and germination tests were conducted at 10, 20 and 30°C in darkness for untreated, osmoprimed and hydroprimed seeds. The following parameters and categories of seeds and seedlings were evaluated: the mean germination time (MGT), T10, T50, U75–25, U90–10, the percentage of germinating seeds (Gmax), germination capacity, percentage of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds. The results showed that osmopriming accelerated seed germination to the largest extent and improved the uniformity of germination at 10 and 30°C. Among the hydropriming treatments the highest speed of germination was observed for seeds hydrated in 500 μL of water per 1 g of seeds for 48 h at 15°C. This treatment accelerated seed germination at 10°C compared with the control. Osmopriming increased seed germination capacity at 30°C. None of the applied hydropriming treatments improved this parameter.     

Seed dormancy in bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.)

The germination of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds wasexamined both in the laboratory and in the field during twoyears. Seeds were collected from a grove in a garden in the townof Drama, Northern Greece, by mid November in the first year andby late November in the second year. The seeds with and withoutpericarp were given a warm-moist (20 °C day/12 °C night) oncold-moist (4±1 °C) treatment in peat or sand. After treatment theseeds were placed in the germinator along with controls. Thegermination of seeds with and without pericarp was alsoinvestigated in the field (late fall sowing). It was found thatthe pericarp caused dormancy. In seeds without pericarp,cold-moist and warm-moist stratification both proved to besuccessful in breaking embryo dormancy (100% and 96% successrespectively). The required stratification duration was 50 daysfor the warm-moist and 60 days for the cold-moist treatments.During the cold-moist stratification no germination was observed.On the other hand, seeds started to germinate during thewarm-moist stratification by about the 50th day. In the fallsowing germination was 20% for seeds with pericarp and 41% for seeds without pericarp. Drying bay laurel seeds caused areduction of the seed germination.     

The influence of heterogeneous habitats on the germination ofAcanthopanax senticosus seeds and the dynamics of its seed pool

Differences in germination ofA. Senticosus, an important shrub under the Korean Pine broad-leavd forest and its secondary forest in heterogeneous habitats and the dynamics of its seed pool have been studied by observations in location. The results showed that transformation rates from seeds to seedlings were in the following order: 16.8% in Larch plantations, 4.1% in Mongolian oak forests, 2.7% in Birch forests, 1.8% in Korean Pine plantations, and 0.5% in hard wood forests. The life-span of seeds was determined to be four years in the simulating seed pool under Larch plantations. The percentage of the seedling output was, 14.5% in the 2nd year, 10.1% in the 3rd year, and 1.8% in the 4th year. Other types of the seed output were those: decayed 33.1%, senescent, 22.3%, predated by mice 14.1%, which was variable due to the variation in the number of mouse, and only 1.17% were eaten by insects and ofher soil animals. The project was supported by National Science Foud of China     

Effect of trees on the yield of wheat crop

A study was conducted at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) by planting trees of four different species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Albizia procera, Morus alba and Leucaena leucocephala along the boundary of wheat fields in a randomized complete block design. Data on crop yield for each tree species and control (no trees) at different distances viz 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 meter (m) from the tree bases and control were collected and analyzed. The statistical analysis did not show any significant difference in the wheat yield among different tree species. However, the wheat yield was numerically lowest at 2 m distance in case of all the four tree species and control. In case of mulberry, it was lowest statistically also from other distances. Numerically higher wheat yield values were noted at later distances (8, 10 and 12 m) in case of all tree species including control except for siris where numerically highest value was found at 6 m distance. Therefore, it can be generalized that tree's impact on wheat yield can be experienced up to 2 m distance, there is little, if any, impact up to 6 m distance and almost no impact at 8, 10 and 12 m distances.     

Viability of litter-stored Pinus taeda L. seeds after simulated prescribed winter burns

Stratified loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seeds were placed at three depths in a reconstructed forest floor and subjected to simulated prescribed winter burns. Within the forest floor, pine seeds were placed at the L/upper-F interface, upper-F/lower-F interface, and lower-F/mineral-soil interface. Wind was generated by electric box-fans. Seeds that survived the burns were transferred to moist sand flats for 30-day germination tests. About 96% of seeds placed at the two upper layers in the forest floor were either destroyed by the fires or failed to germinate. Germinative capacity of seeds placed at the lower-F/mineral-soil interface averaged 79% as compared to 97% for unburned control seeds.     

Evaluation of maturity by use of pH indicators in sawdust-based cultures ofLentinula edodes

Colorimetric pH indicators were examined for their use in judging the culture maturity of sawdust-based cultures of shiitake,Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler. Bromophenol blue (BPB) was the preferred indicator for judging culture maturity. Culture pH changes were detected as changes in color from bluish purple to yellow by direct spraying. The pH values of such cultures varied from 6.3 before inoculation to 4.0 during the fruiting stage. Culture maturity assessment can be used to control fruit body flush timing. Measurement of BPB staining inL. edodes sawdustbased cultures showed a good correlation with fruit body yield of the first flush. This method was concluded to be of value for detecting fruiting potential and therefore may be useful for evaluating flush timing forL. edodes cultivators using sawdust-based methods.     

Butt rot ofChamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endlicher trees caused byPerenniporia subacida in Shikoku district, Japan: Pathogen, distribution of damaged trees in the stand, and soil investigation

The rot ofChamaecyparis obtusa (hinoki) trees was studied in the northern part of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. Among 158 hinoki examined, butt rot was found in 28.6, 58.3, and 100% of trees in the 29, 30, and 34-year-old stands, respectively. All trees with butt rot, and 11 trees without it had rotted roots. Thirteen hinoki were peeled byCervus nippon (sika deer) and all of them were infected with butt rot. The maximum height of rot in deer-damaged trees was 2.6 m from the ground level, but was 1.9 m in undamaged trees. About eighty-two percent of rotted trees showed rotted areas of less than 40 cm² on the cross section of stems at the ground level. White mycelia and black flecks sometimes appeared in the rotted wood. Basidiocarps of polyporaceous fungus were often found on felled logs and rotted stumps of hinoki and identified asPerenniporia subacida. Basidiomycetous fungus was isolated frequently from rotted wood of roots and stems, and determined to beP. subacida by comparative study on cultural characteristics. An inoculation experiment and wood-decay test proved that the fungus was the cause of the rot of hinoki. Few absorbing roots of living trees were found in the clayey subsurface soil of the high dry bulk density and the less soil aeration. Some absorbing roots had root rot and the rot spread from the base of the absorbing root to the central part of the woody root. This is the first report on the rot of hinoki caused byP. subacida in Japan.     

Maturity indices of Indian horse-chestnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aesculus indica</Emphasis> Colebr.) seeds under temperate Kashmir conditions

Our study on maturity indices of Aesculus indica Colebr.seeds was conducted under temperate Kashmir conditions in 2006.Seed collection was started from 15 July and continued until the maturation of seeds in December.The seeds were harvested fortnightly from identified trees and on each collection date maturity indices,viz.seed color,seed weight,moisture content,seed dimension,specific gravity and germination percentage were recorded.The study revealed that at the time of maturity (Nov.–Dec.) the seed color ...     

Effects of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit on growth and development of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel.

Field studies carried out in a forest transition site on a tropical Alfisol in southwestern Nigeria, show that shading by gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) hedgerow species reduced density of speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel) by 67% and 51%, respectively. Shoot biomass of speargrass decreased by 81% and 78% in gliricidia and leucaena hedgerows, respectively. Reduction in speargrass rhizome biomass in gliricidia plots was 96% while rhizome reduction in the leucaena plots was nearly 90%. Rhizome mortality was significantly higher in gliricidia plots than in leucaena and control plots. The bulk of rhizomes was found between 10 cm and 20 cm of soil depth but rhizome did not penetrate further than 30 cm depth in the Alfisol in which this study was carried out. Gliricidia was better than leucaena hedgerow species in suppressing speargrass.     

印度黄檀叶多酚提取工艺优化及抗氧化活性研究

目的]印度黄檀叶含有多酚及类黄酮物质,研究印度黄檀叶多酚及其抗氧化活性,可为其利用提供依据。[方法]以印度黄檀叶为原料,乙醇为提取液,经单因素实验与正交试验设计,检测在不同乙醇浓度、提取时间、提取温度及超声功率120 w时3个因素进行响应面优化试验,确定印度黄檀多酚的提取工艺;同时,鉴定印度黄檀叶乙醇-水提取液对DPPH-自由基的清除能力。[结果]低浓度印度黄檀叶多酚能发挥更强的抗氧化能力,其提取液对清除DPPH自由基的半数抑制质量浓度(IC_(50))约为3.2 mg·L~(-1),略大于Vc的2.5 mg·L~(-1);不过,其还原能力略低于Vc。[结论]印度黄檀叶内富含多酚类物质,具有很强的体外抗氧化活性,可作为天然抗氧化植物资源开发利用。     

油松种子生活力测定在生产中的研究与应用

通过对山西、陕西商洛市油松种子生活力与发芽率的测定,建立了发芽率与生活力之间的回归关系式.(1)山西:y=-28.941+1.276X,相关系数为r=0.994；(2)陕西商洛:Y=-23.292+1.194X,相关系数为r=0.992.为及时准确地掌握油松种子发芽率,确定种子的质量等级以及收购使用种子提供了科学依据,...     

Inhibition by pulp juice and enhancement by ingestion on germination of bird-dispersedPrunus seeds

To evaluate what prevents seed germination and why ingestion by birds enhances germination, we carried out germination experiments using bird-dispersed seeds of twoPrunus species (Prunus sargentii andP. ssiori) in the laboratory. Germination of seeds with following four treatments was compared: “Ingested seeds” excreted after feeding of fruits to birds; “Extracted seeds” deliberately extracted from the fruit pulp; “Juiced seeds” which were supplemented with the juice of the pulp after seeds had been deliberately extracted from the pulp; and “Intact seeds” in untreated whole fruits. Many ingested (27%, 23% inP. sargentii, 18% inP. ssiori) and extracted seeds (24% inP. sargentii, 17% inP. ssiori) germinated, and difference in germination percentages between ingested and extracted seeds were not significant, for eitherPrunus species. The Juiced seeds rarely germinated (2% inP. sargentii, 6% inP. ssiori), and seeds within intact fruits did not germinate. These results suggest that the fruit pulp and the juice of the pulp inhibit germination and the seeds could germinate without ingestion by birds once they had been manually extracted from pulp. Therefore, it is considered that bird ingestion enahnces germination by removing pulp, especially juice of the pulp, in these twoPrunus species.