The effect of alternating temperature on the rest break process of male flowers of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don

In order to develop a model for predicting the period of male flower anthesis in Cryptomeria japonica, it is requisite to clarify the rest break process in male flowers. In this study, the effect of alternating temperatures in a daily cycle on rest break was investigated using twigs bearing male flowers from three clones of C. japonica. Four temperature treatments with the same daily mean of 8°C were applied to sample twigs over a period of 35 days: (1) 8°C constant (TR-A); (2) 7°–10°C alternating (TR-B); (3) 5.5°–13°C alternating (TR-C); and (4) 4°–16°C alternating (TR-D). After treatment, the sample twigs were forced to bloom at a constant temperature of 16°C, and the cumulative effective temperatures (CETs) required for anthesis were compared. While the CETs for anthesis were the same for TR-A and TR-B, that for TR-C was significantly higher. After TR-D, almost no male flower bloomed, indicating that this treatment was ineffective in breaking rest. When considering these results on an hour basis, it was a reasonable interpretation that 13°C had no effect on breaking rest while the temperatures below 10°C were all equally effective. On the other hand, temperatures of 16°C or above were considered to have an antagonizing effect that cancels the effects of chilling temperatures below 10°C. These results suggest that the effects of high temperatures during the daytime in chilling periods should be properly incorporated into a model of the process by which rest of male flowers is broken.     

Lateral female strobili production in a Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) clone by exogenous cytokinin application

Application ofN ⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellin (GA₃) to a grafted Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) clone promoted flowering. BAP (250 mg/l) was sprayed five times to the top of branches in July or September 1992. GA₃ (100 or 500 mg/l) was applied five times to the whole plants by spray treatment during the above period, or GA₃ solution of the same concentration was injected once into a small incision made in the main stem of clone trees at the beginning of July or the middle of September 1992. In May 1993, no apical female strobili were observed at the top of the new shoots in any treatment. However, lateral female and bisexual strobili were produced in the lower part of new shoots by BAP application in September, regardless of GA₃ application. BAP applied in September without GA₃ application was sufficient to produce lateral female and bisexual strobili. In such treatment, production of female and bisexual strobili was 47 and 25, and they occurred in 16 out of 68 new shoots, 11 out of 15 treated branches and 5 out of 5 treated trees. The average number of female and bisexual strobili per new shoot was 1.06. BAP treatment either in July or in September significantly decreased (p<0.05) the production of male strobili. These results indicate that BAP application induces the development of lateral female strobili in Japanese red pine when applied during the period of floral differentiation. A part of this paper was presented at the 105th annual meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society.     

Inhibition of flower bud formation inBetula platyphylla andBetula pendula by gibberellin (GA3) application

Birch (Betula) trees produce a large amount of pollen, which is a cause of serious pollinosis. To control the pollen scattering, we examined the inhibitory effect of gibberellin (GA₃) on flower bud formation of birch. Field-grown trees ofBetula pendula, nine years of age, were treated with a foliar spray of GA₃ (1, 10, and 100 mg L⁻¹),Betula platyphylla trees, 17–23 years of age, were treated with a stem injection of GA₃ (5, 50, and 500 mg per plant) in June or July, 1998. Male flower buds were not observed at the top of new shoots in June, but were observed in July. The number of inflorescence that emerged from randomly sampled branches was counted the next spring. The foliar spray of GA₃ in June at the dose of 10 or 100 mg L⁻¹ decreased the number of inflorescence. Stem injection in June at a dose higher than 50 mg per plant completely inhibited flower bud formation, although it increased bud mortality in some trees. The most effective dose of GA₃ for stem injection to inhibit flower bud formation was between 0.04 and 0.44 mg per cm² of stem cross-section area at breast height. These results indicate that GA₃ applied during the period of floral differentiation markedly inhibits flower bud formation in birch.     

Effects of stand density on the productivity ofCryptomeria japonica male flowers

We have studied male flower production and relative illumination in clonal sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) forests planted at densities of 1,500/ha, 3,000/ha, and 5,000/ha, to clarify the effects of forest management on male flower production. Both the relative illumination and male flower production decrease as the stand density increases. The lowest position at which male flowers are formed decreases as the density of the stand decreases. High thinning intensity promotes male flower production and light pruning is ineffective to reduce male flower production. Therefore, traditional management methods used in sugi forests (i.e. planting at high density, frequent light thinning, intensive pruning and short rotation) are ideal strategies for limiting male flower production.     

Pistil development in 2 types of flowers of Xanthoceras sorbifolia

In order to investigate flower development and female abortion during sex differentiation of Xanthoceras sorbifolia, anatomical observations and comparative study on differential proteins were carried out in different developmental stages of two types of flowers of this species. It was found that the selective abortion happened in male flower before the formation of megasporocyte. Special proteins related to the female abortion were found through 2-dimensional electrophoretic analysis. Protein A1 (14.2 kD) only existed in florescence of male flower, while B1 (13.7 kD) and B2 (18.2 kD) disappeared in that stage of male flower. They were all considered to be relative to pistil abortion of Xanthoceras sorbifolia. [Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30070613) and Graduate Cultivation Foundation of Beijing Forestry University (Grant No.02jj001)]     

Promotion of lateral female strobili production inPinus densiflora by cytokinin application at a specific stage

BAP (N ⁶-benzylaminopurine) was sprayed 5, 10 and 15 times at four different periods to promote flowering of a grafted Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) clone. Four stages were I, August 4 to September 1; II, September 6 to October 4; III, October 5 to November 14 and IV, November 30 to December 28, in 1994. Concentration of BAP was 250 mg/l. In May, 1995, no apical female strobili were observed at the top of the new shoots in any treatment. However, BAP application at stage III (floral differentiation period) produced lateral female and bisexual strobili at the lower part of new shoots. The numbers of lateral female and bisexual strobili were 87 out of 147 to 234 out of 162 new shoots. Frequency of BAP application did not affect the numbers. Marked decrease in number of male strobili induced by BAP application at stages I and II was observed. In contrast, the number of new shoots was increased by the BAP application at the above stages. Treatment at stage III and IV did not affect significantly the number of male strobili and new shoots. These results indicate that BAP application at stage III specifically induces the development of lateral female and bisexual strobili in Japanese red pine.     

Resource level as a proximate factor influencing fluctuations in male flower production in Cryptomeria japonica D. Don

Airborne pollen of Cryptomeria japonica causes severe pollinosis, and the number of people suffering from pollinosis has increased rapidly during recent decades. Male flower production in C. japonica shows annual variability; thus, predicting male flower production for the following spring could be a countermeasure against pollinosis. We analyzed factors that explain fluctuations in male flower production of C. japonica according to parameters reflecting internal resource dynamics based on field observations. In addition, we carried out experiments to regulate available resource levels using artificial shading to test the effect of internal resource levels on the number of male flowers produced. We found that temperature and precipitation in the previous summer and a relative increase in male flower production in the previous year were negatively related, whereas sunshine duration in the previous summer and diameter at breast height were positively related to the current year increase in male flower production. The number of male flowers was significantly reduced by the shading treatment and was positively correlated with the amount of total non-structural carbohydrates in the root. These results suggest that understanding the parameters controlling internal resource levels could lead to more accurate predictions of male flower production.     

山鸡椒雌花花芽分化形态特征及碳氮营养变化

目的]了解和掌握山鸡椒雌花花芽分化的形态特征及碳氮营养规律,为山鸡椒人工栽培及杂交育种提供参考依据。[方法]采用石蜡切片法观察山鸡椒雌花花芽分化的组织解剖结构,采用生理试剂盒-分光光度法测定雌花不同分化时期的可溶性糖、淀粉、可溶性蛋白、碳氮比等碳氮营养指标。[结果]表明:(1)山鸡椒雌花花芽分化经过未分化期—花序原基分化期—苞片原基分化期—花原基分化期—花器官分化期5个时期。(2)叶片可溶性糖含量随着花芽分化的发展呈不断升高的趋势,最高可达65.07 mg·g~(-1)。叶片淀粉含量随着分化时期的推进呈先升后降的趋势,其最高值出现在苞片原基分化期,达到81.30 mg·g~(-1),最低值出现在花器官分化期,为52.19 mg·g~(-1)。(3)叶片可溶性蛋白含量在花芽前3个分化期呈持续下降趋势,从61.32 mg·g~(-1)下降到52.48 mg·g~(-1),之后基本保持稳定。叶片中的碳氮比在花芽前3个分化期呈持续上升趋势,从1.49上升至2.61,之后基本维持在较高水平。[结论]山鸡椒雌花花芽分化的内部形态特征与雄花基本一致,雌花花芽分化分为5个时期。山鸡椒雌花花芽分化过程中,叶片中可溶性糖不断升高,而可溶性蛋白下降明显,碳氮比升高且保持在较高水平。     

Phytochemical potential of Eruca sativa for inhibition of melanoma tumor growth

Solvent extracts from the aerial and root parts and seed oil from E. sativa (rocket salad) were assayed for anticancer activity against melanoma cells. The seed oil (isothiocyanates rich) significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the tumor growth comparable to the control. Remarkably, the seed oil inhibited melanoma growth and angiogenesis in mice without any major toxicity. The findings qualify seed oil for further investigations in the real of cancer prevention and treatment.     

The potential of alley cropping in improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia. III. Effects on soil chemical and physical properties

A detailed study of the soil chemical and physical properties in seven-year-old alley cropping trial containingLeucaena leucocephala andFlemingia congesta in Northern Zambia is described. There was a strong correlation between the maize yield and the total amount of nitrogen applied, both from prunings and fertiliser, suggesting that a major reason for the observed benefit from alley cropping, particularly withLeucaena, was due to an improvement in nitrogen supply.Leucaena produced significantly more biomass, and its leaves had higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and lower C/N and C/P ratios than did those ofFlemingia. There was also evidence that the trees had a beneficial effect on other soil chemical properties; under the hedgerows, particularly those ofLeucaena, there were higher levels of organic carbon, Mg, K and ECEC, and pH values were also highest.It is suggested that higher levels of organic carbon in the alley crop treatments were responsible for the improvements observed in soil physical properties. Lower bulk density, lower penetration resistance, and a higher infiltration rate and pore volume fraction were measured in the alley crops, although there was no significant change in the soil water release parameters.A deteriorating effect of constant applications of nitrogen fertiliser on soil fertility was observed; as the level of urea application increased, there were significant decreases in Mg, K and pH, increases in Al and soil acidity, and higher penetrometer resistance. These results highlight the urgent need for further research on biological methods of maintaining soil fertility.     

Human responses to flower fragrance of Lilium ‘Siberia’ and Rosa ‘Escimo’

The objective of our study was to lay a foundation for the effect of flower fragrance on human emotions and to provide a theory for the choice of indoor plants and the improvement of the olfactory environment. Specifically, our purpose was to study human physiological responses to flower fragrance of Lilium ‘Siberia’ and Rosa ‘Escimo’. The participants were 31 college students. Blood pressure, pulse rate, finger temperature (FT) and galvanic skin response (GSR) were measured. The results show that the fragrance of Rosa ‘Escimo’ causes the diastolic pressure and pulse rate of the participants to reduce significantly. The average decrease was 0.37 kPa and 2.23 beats per minute, which indicates that sympathetic nervous activity increases, physiological arousal decreases and emotional alleviation occurs. Furthermore, the GSR of participants significantly increased by smelling the fragrance of Lilium ‘Si-beria’, indicating that both sympathetic nervous activity and physiological arousal increased. But the data could not prove that flower fragrance stimulation has an effect on changes in systolic pressure and finger temperature. Some other factors, such as basic emotion and weather, may have an effect.     

N、P和调花丰产素对板栗生长及花性别调控研究

采用正交设计法Ｌ９（３＾４）,就尿素,过磷酸钙,调节丰产素３个因子各水平协调对反栗的雄花粉,雌花粉,枝长,枝粗,结蓬数共５个指标作用效应进行试验。     

不同授粉方式对岑溪软枝油茶家系林座果率的影响研究

为探明不同授粉方式对岑溪软枝油茶家系林座果率的影响,采取异株异花授粉、同株异花授粉、同花人工授粉、同花授粉、对照5种不同方式对岑溪软枝油茶进行处理。结果表明：岑溪软枝油茶异株异花授粉处理的座果率最高,为43.33%～63.33%,显著高于其他4种处理。油茶为自交不亲和物种,可通过人工异株异花授粉提高座果率的方式改善岑溪软枝油茶家系林花多果少、产量偏低的问题。     

灰木莲花期物侯观测及生殖构件分布

[目的]为了解灰木莲引种到广西凭祥地区花期物侯及生殖构件分布状况,为其在引种地败育机制的研究奠定基础。[方法]选择中国林科院热林中心树木园、白云实验场、伏波实验场的灰木莲人工林为观测对象,参考Dafni方法,从林分到单株水平调查研究灰木莲在广西凭祥地区的花期物候、开花特征及生殖构件分布,跟踪观察单花开花动态进程,统计花部组件大小、数量及位置等特征。[结果]表明:灰木莲花为子房上位的两性花,雄蕊群着生于雌蕊群下部,雄蕊短小,其高度仅达到雌蕊群下缘;灰木莲花芽到开花过程可分为混合芽阶段、花芽阶段、花蕾露白阶段、白蕾阶段、展花阶段、花瓣脱落阶段6个阶段,花被片展开存在二次开合现象;在适生区,灰木莲开花特征稳定,开花强度中等,不同海拔高度灰木莲林分的花期物侯存在差异,林分的生殖构件在林内、林缘分布差异显著,且生殖构件的败育率极高。[结论]灰木莲引种到广西凭祥地区花期物侯稳定,开花同步性较高,但是花果转化率极低。     

抗褐化剂对天女木兰芽外植体褐化与酚酸氧化的影响

[目的]确定引起天女木兰褐化现象的酚酸种类,筛选出最佳抗褐化剂及使用最适浓度。[方法]在B5培养基中分别添加各种抗褐化剂,芽外植体培养30 d后计算出褐化率,对褐化率结果进行统计分析,并比较三种抗褐化剂的抗褐化效果;另外,在组培过程中定期取样,利用HPLC测定芽外植体中咖啡酸、绿原酸和对香豆酸含量变化。[结果]表明:天女木兰芽外植体褐化过程中咖啡酸和绿原酸含量下降幅度较大,而对香豆酸含量下降幅度较小,说明咖啡酸和绿原酸容易被氧化,而对香豆酸较为稳定;三种抗褐化剂控制褐化现象发生的最佳效果排序为VCPVPCA;尽管PVP控制酚酸氧化效果不如CA,但是预防褐化效果确强于CA,其原因是由于二者抗褐化机理不同所致;VC使用的最适浓度为500 mg·L~(-1),如果超过此浓度会导致外植体褐化率增加;PVP最适浓度为1 000~1 500 mg·L~(-1),CA最适浓度为300 mg·L~(-1)。[结论]天女木兰芽外植体褐化底物是咖啡酸和绿原酸,而与对香豆酸无关;VC、PVP和CA三种抗褐化剂抗褐化机理各不相同,综合比较VC抗褐化效果最好,其次是PVP,CA排在最后。     

Clonal propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> Roxb. and associated metabolic changes during adventitious root primordium development

A study was conducted on the twelve clones of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.). These clones were obtained from India and Nepal. Single-node leafy cuttings were prepared from the vegetative multiplication garden to examine the clonal variation, effect of IBA treatment on rooting response and associated metabolic changes during adventitious root formation. A remarkable and significant variation was observed due to treatment of 2,000 ppm IBA in the rooting parameters. Clonal variations were also significant for root and shoot growth while length of root was insignificant. Among the twelve clones studied; C3 (Tulsipur, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India) and C4 (Laxmipur, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India) clone cuttings have given the highest rooting response. Interaction (clone × IBA) was significant only for production of number of roots per cutting. Periodic sampling for clone C3 was performed at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days to examine the contents of total soluble sugars, starch, protein and peroxidase (PER) activity in the rooting zone of cuttings (∼0.5 cm) during adventitious root primordium development. A significant increase in all the metabolic activities was noted due to IBA. Total soluble sugars and starch contents of cuttings decreased with the passage of time. Protein content and PER-activity started to increase in the early stage and reached the highest level on day 21, followed by a decline at the 35th day of sampling. These trends were common for both IBA treated and untreated cuttings. Protein content and PER-activity remained higher in the rooting zone of IBA treated cuttings. Overall these findings suggested that exogenous application of IBA may have activated carbohydrate metabolism for release of energy, while protein and PER-activity were necessary for cell division and differentiation during adventitious root primordium initiation and development in the rooting zone of cuttings.     

寄生小蜂对小青×黑杨树皮及杨圆蚧挥发油的行为反应

Four-armed airflow olfactometer was used to determining the foraging behavior ofPteroptrix longgiclava (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) andEncarsia gigas (Tshumakova) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) to the essential oils which emitted from the healthy bark ofPopulus pseudo-simonii×P. nigra, the infested bark injured byQuadraspidiotus gigas (Thiem & Gerneck), the body and scale of fixed 1st-instar-nymph ofQ. gigas. The results from these experiments showed that the volatile oils produced from the injured bark and from the scale of fixed 1st-instar-nymph had a higher attractive ability to female adults of the two species of wasps. The essential oil produced from the scale of the pest at dosages of 3–7 μL and the essential oil emitted by injured bark at dosages of 5–9 μL had a stronger alluring effect on the host searching behavior ofPteroptrix longgiclava. The essential oil from the body of fixed 1st-instar-nymph ofQ. gigas also had certain effect on the host locating effort ofPteroptrix longgiclava andEncarsia gigas. Those two wasps did not shown any reaction to the essential oil produced by the healthy bark of poplar. Foundation item: This paper was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (39970620) and the “TRAPOYT” Biography: CHI De-fu (1962-), male, Ph.D., Professor in Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Seed and wasp production in the mutualism of figs and fig wasps

Figs (Moracea: Ficus) and fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chlocloids: Agaonideae) depend on each other to complete their reproduction. Monoecious fig species and their pollinating wasps are in conflict over the use of fig ovaries which can either produce one seed or one wasp. From observation on Ficus virens Ait., we showed that female flowers with outer layer of ovaries(near to the wall of syconium) had no significant difference from that with inner and interval layer of ovaries (near to the syconium cavity), in which most seeds and wasps were produced. This meant that fig tree provided the same potential resource for seed and wasps production. Observation indicated that there was usually only one foundress in syconium at female flower phase and no competition pollinators. Measurement of the style length of female flowers and the ovipositor of pollinators indicated that most ovaries could be reached by pollinator‘s ovipositor. However, at the male flower phase, production of seeds was significantly more than that of wasps including non-pollinating wasps but there was no significant difference between seed and pollinating wasp production when without non-pollinating wasps produced. This result indicated that non-pollinating wasps competed ovaries not with seeds but with pollinating wasps for ovipositing. Bagged experiment showed that the sampling fig species was not self-sterile which was important for figs and wasps to survive bad season. Seed production in self-pollinated figs was not significantly different from total wasps ineluding non-pollinating ones. This might be related with the weaker competition among wasps since bagged figs were not easy to reach by wasps from outside.     

山核桃不同无性系果实性状及营养成分分析

[目的]探明山核桃无性系果实形态结构特征、内含物营养成分组成与含量及其变异规律。[方法]采用国家标准、方差分析、多重比较等方法对山核桃无性系测定试验林11个无性系果实性状和营养成分进行分析。[结果]结果表明:山核桃果实除青果果长和坚果果长无性系间表现出显著性差异外,其它指标均未表现出显著性差异;种仁富含脂肪(52.64%58.51%)、蛋白质(55.07 65.50 mg·g-1)、可溶性糖(0.26%0.68%)和K、Ca、Na、Mg、Ze、Mn、Fe等矿质元素,种仁蛋白共检测出17种氨基酸,各氨基酸含量在无性系间差异极显著。[结论]基于山核桃营养成分特点,探讨了山核桃无性系选育利用方向,并综合筛选出大源4号、高岭8号和高岭4号3个优质果用无性系,徐坑89号高档食用油无性系及大源2号、大源4号2个高氨基酸无性系。