A novel method of acetylation of wood using supercritical carbon dioxide

Sugi heartwood was acetylated with acetic anhydride in supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) (120°C or 130°C, 10–12 MPa). As a result, the weight percent gain increased with increasing acetylation time up to 16%–20% at 1 h and 24%–28% at 24 h. The antiswelling efficiency of the acetylated specimens reached 75%–80% at 3–4 h of acetylation. It is supposed that the acetylation in supercritical CO₂ has a high bulking effect compared with liquid-phase and vapor-phase acetylation with uncatalyzed acetic anhydride. The results showed that the acetylation progressed rapidly because supercritical CO₂ and acetic anhydride formed a single phase at more than 90°C, and the acetic anhydride reached the reaction sites in the wood quickly.     

Effect of elevated ambient CO2 concentration on water use efficiency ofPinus sylvestriformis

Pinus sylvestriformis is an important species as an indicator of global climate changes in Changbai Mountain, China. The water use efficiency (WUE) of this species (11-year old) was studied on response to elevated CO₂ concentration at 500±100 μL·L⁻¹ by directly injecting CO₂ into the canopy under natural condition in 1998–1999. The results showed that the elevated CO₂ concentration reduced averagely stomatal opening, stomatal conductance and stomatal density to 78%, 80% and 87% respectively, as compared to normal ambient. The elevated CO₂ reduced the transpiration and enhances the water use efficiency (WUE) of plant. The project was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Response of seedlings of different tree species to elevated C02 in Changbai Mountain

Eco-physiological responses of seedlings of eight species,Pinus koraiensis, Picea koraiensis, Larix olgensis, Populus ussuriensis, Betula platyphylla, Tilia amurensis, Traxinus mandshurica andAcer mono from broadleaved/Korean pine forest, to elevated CO₂ were studied by using open-top chambers under natural sunlight in Changbai Mountain, China in two growing seasons (1998–1999). Two concentrations of CO₂ were designed: elevated CO₂ (700 μmol·mol⁻¹) and ambient CO₂ (400 μmol·mol⁻¹). The study results showed that the height growth of the tree seedlings grown at elevated CO₂ increased by about 10%–40% compared to those grown at ambient CO₂. And the water using efficiency of seedlings also followed the same tendency. However, the responses of seedlings in transpiration and chlorophyll content to elevated CO₂ varied with tree species. The broad-leaf tree species were more sensitive to the elevated CO₂ than conifer tree species. All seedlings showed a photosynthetic acclimation to long-term elevated CO₂. Foundation item: The project was supported by National Key Basic Development of China (G1999043400) and the grant KZCX 406-4, KZCX1 SW-01 of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Biography: WANG Miao (1964-), maie, associate professor in Institute of applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Variations in seed germination of Hippophae salicifolia with different presoaking treatments

Mature seeds of H. salicifolia, collected from five provenances (i.e. Hanuman Chatti, Helang, Lata, Rambara and Janggal Chatti) in west Himalaya, India, were treated with stratification (at 4°C for 15, 30 and 60 days) and in different concentrations of GA₃ (5, 10, 20 mM), KNO₃ (50, 100, 200 mM) and Thiourea (50, 100, 200 mM) solution to determine the variations in seed germination. Results reveal that the germination rates of seeds from different provenances under different pre-sowing treatments are significantly increased compared to those in control (24%–30%). The seeds treated with Thiourea (100 mM) have highest germination rate (76%–83% for different seed sources), followed by those (63%–71% for different seed sources) pretreated with stratification (4°C, 30 days). GA3 treatment significantly shortens the mean germination time (MGT) and improves seed germination percentage. Considering the practical applicability and cost effectiveness, thiourea (100 mM) and stratification (at 4°C) treatments for seed germination are recommended for mass multiplication through seeds of H. salicifolia in village/forest nurseries of the west Himalaya, India.     

Crop residue effect on crop performance,soil N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emissions in alley cropping systems in subtropical China

Land management practices that simultaneously improve soil properties are crucial to high crop production and minimize detrimental impact on the environment. We examined the effects of crop residues on crop performance, the fluxes of soil N₂O and CO₂ under wheat-maize (WM) and/or faba bean-maize (FM) rotations in Amorpha fruticosa (A) and Vetiveria zizanioides (V) intercropping systems on a loamy clay soil, in subtropical China. Crop performance, soil N₂O and CO₂ as well as some potential factors such as soil water content, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, microbial biomass and N mineralization were recorded during 2006 maize crop cultivation. Soil N₂O and CO₂ fluxes are determined using a closed-based chamber. Maize yield was greater after faba bean than after wheat may be due to differences in supply of N from residues. The presence of hedgerow significantly improved maize grain yields. N₂O emissions from soils with maize were considerably greater after faba bean (345 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹) than after wheat (289 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹). However, the cumulated N₂O emissions did not differ significantly between WM and FM. The difference in N₂O emissions between WM and FM was mostly due to the amounts of crop residues. Hedgerow alley cropping tended to emit more N₂O than WM and FM, in particular A. fruticosa intercropping systems. Over the entire 118 days of measurement, the N₂O fluxes represented 534 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (AWM) and 512 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (AFM) under A. fruticosa species, 403 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (VWM) and 423 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ (VFM) under Vetiver grass. We observed significantly higher CO₂ emission in AFM (5,335 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹) from June to October, whereas no significant difference was observed among WM (3,480 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), FM (3,302 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), AWM (3,877 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), VWM (3,124 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹) and VFM (3,309 kg CO₂–C ha⁻¹), indicating the importance of A. fruticosa along with faba bean residue on CO₂ fluxes. As a result, crop residues and land conversion from agricultural to agroforestry can, in turn, influence microbial biomass, N mineralization, soil C and N content, which can further alter the magnitude of crop growth, soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions in the present environmental conditions.     

Stomatal response ofPinus sylvestriformis to elevated CO2 concentrations during the four years of exposure

Four-year-oldPinus sylvestriformis were exposed for four growing seasons in open top chambers to ambient CO₂ concentration (approx. 350 μmol·mol⁻¹) and high CO₂ concentrations (500 and 700 μmol·mol⁻¹) at Research Station of Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences at Antu Town, Jilin Province, China (42°N, 128°E). Stomatal response to elevated CO₂ concentrations was examined by stomatal conductance (g _s), ratio of intercellular to ambient CO₂ concentration (c _i/c _a) and stomatal number. Reciprocal transfer experiments of stomatal conductance showed that stomatal conductance in high-[CO₂]-grown plants increased in comparison with ambient-[CO₂]-grown plants when measured at their respective growth CO₂ concentration and at the same measurement CO₂ concentration (except a reduction in 700 μmol·mol⁻¹ CO₂. grown plants compared with plants on unchambered field when measured at growth CO₂ concentration and 350 μmol·mol⁻¹CO₂). High-[CO₂]-grown plants exhibited lowerc _i/c _a ratios than ambient-[CO₂]-grown plants when measured at their respective growth CO₂ concentration. However,c _i/c _a ratios increased for plants grown in high CO₂ concentrations compared with control plants when measured at the same CO₂ concentration. There was no significant difference in stomatal number per unit long needle between elevated and ambient CO₂. However, elevated CO₂ concentrations reduced the total stomatal number of whole needle by the decline of stomatal line and changed the allocation pattern of stomata between upper and lower surface of needle. Foundation Item: This research was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (2002CB412502), Project of Key program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (90411020) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (30400051). Biography: ZHOU Yu-mei (1973-), female, Ph. Doctor, assistant research fellow, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Phosphorus fractions of fertiliser-derived P in an allophanic soil under Pinus radiata seedlings grown with broom and ryegrass

Changes in phosphorus (P) fractions in a P deficient allophanic soil under P. radiata seedlings grown with broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in pots were studied 14 months after the application of triple superphosphate at the rates of 0, 50, and 100 μg·g⁻¹, to determine the fate of fertiliser-derived P in the rhizosphere soils. Application of P fertiliser increased NaOH-P_i, NaOH-P_o, and H₂SO₄-P_i concentrations in the soil, but decreased the residual-P concentration. The resin-P_i concentration, which is extremely low in this soil (1 to 3 μg·g⁻¹), remained the same. The majority of the added fertiliser P was however recovered in the NaOH-P_i fraction (40%–49%). This is due to the high P fixation in this soil (92%). The second highest P recovery was in NaOH-P_o fraction (7%–19%). Under P deficient condition or addition at the rate of 0 μg·g⁻¹, the NaOH-P_i concentration in the radiata rhizosphere soil was lower than that in the bulk soil and broom and grass rhizosphere soils. This may be due to higher oxalate production by the roots and mycorrhiza under P deficient conditions which released some of the P fixed to the soils in the rhizosphere, which needs to be tested in future studies. Foundation project: This work was supported by Centre for Sustainable Forest Management at Forest Research Institute, New Zealand.     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the respiratory behavior of the branches of field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on the nighttime respiration were examined for two sample branches of a hinoki cypress tree (Chamaecyparis obtusa) growing in the field with an open gas exchange system for a one-year period from July 1994 to June 1995. The branches were of a similar size and located at a similar position within the crown. One branch was subjected to an elevated CO₂ concentration of 800 μmol mol⁻¹ and the other was subjected to ambient air which had a CO₂ concentration of about 370 μmol mol⁻¹. Nighttime respiration rate was higher in elevated CO₂ level than in ambient CO₂ level. The relationship between nighttime respiration and the corresponding nighttime air temperature was fitted by the exponential function in every month of the year. The segregation of regression lines between the two CO₂ treatments increased gradually as the seasons progressed during the treatment period. TheQ ₁₀ values for nighttime respiration were lower in elevated CO₂ (1.9 ≤Q ₁₀ ≤ 3.7) than in ambient CO₂ (2.4 ≤Q ₁₀ ≤ 4.5) in every month of the year. TheQ ₁₀ was inversely related to the monthly mean nighttime air temperature in both elevated and ambient CO₂. The estimated daily nighttime respiration rate under both CO₂ treatments had a similar seasonal pattern, which almost synchronized with the temperature change. The respiration ratio of elevated CO₂ to ambient CO₂ increased gradually from 1.1 to 1.6 until the end of the experiment. Our results indicate that the CO₂ level and the temperature have a strong interactive effect on respiration and suggest that a potential increase in respiration of branches will occur when ambient CO₂ increases.     

温度对大叶桃花心木(Swietenia macrophylla King)幼苗叶片的光合影响

本文研究了大叶桃花心木（Swietenia macrophylla King）一年生幼苗在经过夜温处理后的光响应曲线和在饱和光强下的CO2反应曲线.结果表明:在大气CO2浓度下,叶片的最佳光合作用温度在25-31℃之间,而在饱和CO2浓度下为31-35℃.在25℃以下光合速率开始降低,主要是由于羧化效率的降低,而当温度超过31℃时,光合速率下降,是因为羧化效率的降低和呼吸速率的增加.CO2浓度对光合的促进作用在低温下受到抑制,这意味着未来在CO2浓度增高的情况下,高浓度的CO2对热带常绿植物光合的促进在冬天低温情况下表现不十分明显.图4参23.     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on photosynthesis, dark respiration and RuBPcase activity of three species seedlings in Changbai Mountain

Two-year-old seedlings ofPinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestriformis andFraxinus mandshurica were treated in open-top chambers with elevated CO₂ concentrations (700 μL·L⁻¹, 500 μL·L⁻¹) and ambient CO₂ concentrations (350 μL·L⁻¹) in Changbai Mountain from June to Sept. in 1999 and 2001. The net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxlase (RuBPcase) activity, and chlorophyll content were analyzed. The results indicated the RuBPcase activity of the three species seedlings increased at elevated CO₂ concentrations. The elevated CO₂ concentrations stimulated the net photosynthetic rates of three tree species exceptP. sylvestriformis grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ concentration. The dark respiration rates ofP. koraiensis andP. sylvestriformis increased under concentration of 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂, out that ofF. mandshurica decreased under both concentrations 700 μL·L⁻¹ and 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The seedlings ofF. mandshurica decreased in chlorophyll contents at elevated CO₂ concentrations. Foundation item: This paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30070158). Knowledge Innovation Item of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-406) and “Hundred Scientists” Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: Zhou Yu-mei (1973-) Ph. Doctor, Assistant Research fellow Institute of Applied Ecology. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Shenyang 110016. P.R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Effects of long-term elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on N<Subscript>2</Subscript>-fixing,denitrifying and nitrifying enzyme activities in forest soils under <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestriformis</Emphasis> in Changbai Mountain

A study was conducted to determine the effects of elevated CO₂ on soil N process at Changbai Mountain in Jilin Province, northeastern China (42°24′N, 128°06′E, and 738 m elevation). A randomized complete block design of ambient and elevated CO₂ was established in an open-top chamber facility in the spring of 1999. Changpai Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris var. sylvestriformis seeds were sowed in May, 1999 and CO₂ fumigation treatments began after seeds germination. In each year, the exposure started at the end of April and stopped at the end of October. Soil samples were collected in June and August 2006 and in June 2007, and soil nitrifying, denitrifying and N₂-fixing enzyme activities were measured. Results show that soil nitrifying enzyme activities (NEA) in the 5–10 cm soil layer were significantly increased at elevated CO₂ by 30.3% in June 2006, by 30.9% in August 2006 and by 11.3% in June 2007. Soil denitrifying enzyme activities (DEA) were significantly decreased by elevated CO₂ treatment in June 2006 (P < 0.012) and August 2006 (P < 0.005) samplings in our study; no significant difference was detected in June 2007, and no significant changes in N₂-fixing enzyme activity were found. This study suggests that elevated CO₂ can alter soil nitrifying enzyme and denitrifying enzyme activities. Foundation project: This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 90411020) and Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program) (2002CB412502).     

Role of caffeic glucoside esters in defense-repair processing of trees II: Synthesis of 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl 3-α-L-rhamnopyranosylβ-D-glucopyranoside

The reference compound (9), with a partial structure of acteoside, was synthesized to elucidate the relation between structural features and the precipitation or solubility of the oxidation products of acteoside: 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl 3-O-(-L-rhamnopyranosyl)--D-glucopyranoside (9). The glycosyl acceptor 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranosyl)-4,6-O-benzylidene--D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (7) was prepared from allyl 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl--L-rhamnopyranosyl)-4,6-O-benzylidene--D-glucopyranoside (4) via isomerization of the allyl group with an iridium complex to the 1-propenyl group and its hydrolysis with HgCl₂lHgO, followed by treatment with CCl₃CN and DBU in a 65.5% overall yield. The glycosyl acceptor 3,4-diacetoxyphenethyl alcohol (16) was prepared from homoveratric acid via demethylation with 57% HI and its acetylation with Ac₂O and 85% H₃PO₄, followed by selective reduction of the carboxyl group to the alcohol with a borane-tetrahydrofurane complex in a 61% overall yield. The glycosylation of7 with16 in dichloromethane promoted by BF₃-Et₂O gave a 74.3% yield of8. Hydrolysis of8 with 90% CF₃COOH gave the debenzylidenated product, which was treated with NaOMe to afford a 32% overall yield of the desired compound9. This compound9 was identical with the natural specimen.This study was presented in part at the 46th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kumamoto, April 3–5, 1996     

In vitro shoot development ofEucalyptus citriodora on Rockwool in the film culture vessel under CO2 enrichment

An efficient system for growingin vitro plantlets ofEucalyptus citriodora Hook was developed. In the conventional closed system of culture with 2% sugar-containing gellan gum Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.02 mg/l indole-3-isobutyric acid, a serious defoliation of shoots was observed after three weeks. In contrast, plantlets grown on the sugar-free MS medium in the aerated bottle under 3,000 ppm CO₂ enriched condition did not show any defoliation. A marked enhanced growth of plantlets and no defoliation were observed on rockwool with the sugar-free liquid MS medium in the “Culture Pack”, made of fluorocarbon polymer film, under CO₂ enriched condition. CO₂ enrichment for this sugar-free “Culture Pack”-Rockwool system was also found to contribute to an improved growth of the plants in acclimatization. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1995).     

Turbulent exchange of CO2 over a broadleaf-Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain, northeast China

Turbulent exchange of CO₂ was measured continuously via the open-path eddy covariance technique over a broadleaf-Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain, northeast China. The results show that with near-neutral atmospheric stratification, CO₂ and vertical wind components measured over the forest canopy in the inertial sub-range followed the expected −2/3 power law. The dominant vertical eddy scale was about 100 m. The frequency ranges of eddy contributions to CO₂ fluxes were mostly within 0.01–2.0 Hz. Large eddies with low frequency over the canopy contributed more to CO₂ fluxes than small eddies. The open-path eddy covariance system could satisfy the estimation of turbulent fluxes over the canopy, but the CO₂ fluxes between forest and atmosphere were generally underestimated at night because of the increment non-turbulent processes, suggesting that the CO₂ fluxes estimated under weak turbulence need to be revised correspondingly. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(5): 951–956 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

Nutrient contents and efficiencies of beech and spruce saplings as influenced by competition and O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> regime

Saplings of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies were grown under conditions of intra and interspecific competition in a 2-year phytotron study under combinations of ambient and elevated ozone (+O₃ which is 2 × O₃, but <150 nl l⁻¹) as well as carbon dioxide concentrations (+CO₂ which is amb. CO₂ + 300 μl CO₂ l⁻¹) in a full factorial design. Saplings were analysed for various mineral nutrients in different plant organs as well as biomass production and crown development. The study was based on the assumption that nutritional parameters important for growth and competitiveness are affected by stress defence under limiting nutrient supply. The hypotheses tested were (1) that nutrient uptake-related parameters (a) as well as efficiencies in nutrient use for above-ground competition (b) of beech rather than spruce are impaired by the exposure to elevated O₃ concentrations, (2) that the efficiency in nutrient uptake of spruce is enhanced by elevated CO₂ concentrations in mixed culture, and (3) that the ability to occupy above-ground space at low nutrient cost is co-determinant for the competitive success in mixed culture. Clear nitrogen deficiencies were indicated for both species during the 2-year phytotron study, although foliar nitrogen-biomass relationships were not so close for spruce than for beech. O₃ stress did not impair nutrient uptake-related parameters of beech; thus hypothesis (1a). was not supported. A negative effect of elevated O₃ (under amb. CO₂) on the N and P based efficiencies in above-ground space occupation (i.e. lower crown volume per unit of N or P invested in stems, limbs and foliage) of beech supported hypothesis (1b). It appeared that ozone stress triggered a nutrient demand for stress defence and tolerance at the expense of above-ground competition (trade-off). Crown volume of beech under O₃ stress was stabilized in monoculture by increased nutrient uptake. In general, the +CO₂-treatment was able to counteract the impacts of 2 × O₃. Elevated CO₂ caused lower N and S concentrations in current-year foliage of both tree species, slightly higher macronutrient amounts in the root biomass of spruce, but did not increase the efficiencies in nutrient uptake of spruce in mixed culture. Therefore hypothesis (2) was not supported. At the end of the experiment spruce turned out to be the stronger competitor in mixed culture as displayed by its higher total shoot biomass and crown volume. The amounts of macronutrients in the above-ground biomass of spruce individuals in mixed culture distinctly exceeded those of beech, which had been strongly reduced by interspecific competition. The superior competitiveness of spruce was related to higher N and P-based efficiencies in above-ground space occupation as suggested in hypothesis (3). This article belongs to the special issue “Growth and defence of Norway spruce and European beech in pure and mixed stands”.     

Ecophysiological responses and carbon distribution ofPinus koraiensis seedlings to elevated carbon dioxide

The net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, RuBPcase (ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylose) activity, dry weight of aboveground and belowgroud part, plant height, the length and diameter of taproot ofPinus koraiensis seedlings were measured and analyzed after six-week exposure to elevated CO₂ in an open-top chamber in Changbai Mountain of China from May to Oct. 1999. Seedlings were planted in four different conditions: on an open site, control chamber, 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ chambers. The results showed that the total biomass of the seedlings increased whereas stomatal conductance decreased. The physiological responses and growth to 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ varied greatly. The acclimation of photosynthesis was downward to 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ but upward to 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The RuBPcase activity, chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents of the seedlings grown at 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ were higher than that at 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The concentration 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ enhanced the growth of aboveground part whereas 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ allocated more carbon to belowground part. Elevated CO₂ changed the carbon distribution pattern. The ecophysiological responses were significantly different between plants grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. Foundation Item: This paper was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: HAN Shi-jie (1956-), male, Ph. Doctor, Professor in Laboratory of Ecological Process of Trace Substance in Terrestrial Ecosystem, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, leaf nitrogen content and morphological characteristics of Spiraea pubescens in a warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest

Spiraea pubescens, a common shrub in the warm-temperate deciduous forest zone which is distributed in the Dongling Mountain area of Beijing, was exposed to ambient and enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation by artificially supplying a daily dose of 9.4 kJ/m² for three growing seasons, a level that simulated a 17% depletion in stratospheric ozone. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of long-term UV-B enhancement on stomatal conductance, leaf tissue δ ¹³C, leaf water content, and leaf area. Particular attention was paid to the effects of UV-B radiation on water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf total nitrogen content. Enhanced UV-B radiation significantly reduced leaf area (50.1%) but increased leaf total nitrogen content (102%). These changes were associated with a decrease in stomatal conductance (16.1%) and intercellular CO₂ concentration/ air CO₂ concentration (C _i /C _a) (4.0%), and an increase in leaf tissue δ ¹³C (20.5‰), leaf water content (3.1%), specific leaf weight (SLW) (5.2%) and WUE (4.1%). The effects of UV-B on the plant were greatly affected by the water content of the deep soil (30–40 cm). During the dry season, differences in the stomatal conductance, δ ¹³C, and WUE between the control and UV-B treated shrubs were very small; whereas, differences became much greater when soil water stress disappeared. Furthermore, the effects of UV-B became much less significant as the treatment period progressed over the three growing seasons. Correlation analysis showed that enhanced UV-B radiation decreased the strength of the correlation between soil water content and leaf water content, δ ¹³C, C _i/C _a, stomatal conductance, with the exception of WUE that had a significant correlation coefficient with soil water content. These results suggest that WUE would become more sensitive to soil water variation due to UV-B radiation. Based on this experiment, it was found that enhanced UV-B radiation had much more significant effects on morphological traits and growth of S. pubescens than hydro-physiological characteristics. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology, 2006, 30(1): 47–56 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

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.     

Resistance against oxidative stress in leaves of young beech trees grown in model ecosystems with different soil qualities, elevated CO2, and lachnid infestation

Summary The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the resistance of beech foliage(Fagus sylvatica) against oxidative stress was affected by soil quality, nitrogen or CO₂ fertilisation, or lachnid infestation(Phyllaphis fagi). For this purpose young beech trees were grown for four years in reconstructed calcareous or acidic forest soils in open top chambers under ambient or elevated CO₂ concentrations with two levels of nitrogen fertilisation. At harvest lachnid colonisation was observed, preferentially on leaves from trees in calcareous soil and on leaves from trees fertilised with the high nitrogen level. General leaf characteristics such as pigment concentrations, dry mass, and leaf mass ber area were not affected by the soil type, nitrogen fertilisation or CO₂ regime. Leaves colonised with lachnids displayed slightly increased leaf mass per area. When the stress resistance was challenged by exposure to paraquat — a herbicide inducing oxidative stress — leaves from trees grown on calcareous soil maintained significantly longer membrane integrity and, thus, were better protected against stress than leaves from trees on acidic soil. Other experimental variables had negligible or no effects on the resistance against oxidative stress.      

Effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on soil microbial respiration and root/rhizosphere respiration in forest soils

The two main components of soil respiration, i.e., root/rhizosphere and microbial respiration, respond differently to elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations both in mechanism and sensitivity because they have different substrates derived from plant and soil organic matter, respectively. To model the carbon cycle and predict the carbon source/sink of forest ecosystems, we must first understand the relative contributions of root/rhizosphere and microbial respiration to total soil respiration under elevated CO₂ concentrations. Root/rhizosphere and soil microbial respiration have been shown to increase, decrease and remain unchanged under elevated CO₂ concentrations. A significantly positive relationship between root biomass and root/rhizosphere respiration has been found. Fine roots respond more strongly to elevated CO₂ concentrations than coarse roots. Evidence suggests that soil microbial respiration is highly variable and uncertain under elevated CO₂ concentrations. Microbial biomass and activity are related or unrelated to rates of microbial respiration. Because substrate availability drives microbial metabolism in soils, it is likely that much of the variability in microbial respiration results from differences in the response of root growth to elevated CO₂ concentrations and subsequent changes in substrate production. Biotic and abiotic factors affecting soil respiration were found to affect both root/rhizosphere and microbial respiration. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology, 2007, 31(3): 386–393 [译自: 植物生态学报]