Wild boars (Sus scrofa) affect the recruitment rate and spatial distribution of holm oak (Quercus ilex)

The role of herbivores in controlling plant population abundance and distribution is unclear. We experimentally determine the effect of damage by wild boars (Sus scrofa) in recruitment rate and spatial pattern of a Mediterranean tree, the holm oak (Quercus ilex). We monitored oak establishment in the Sierra Nevada of southeastern Spain during 4 years (1999–2002) in four plots, two fenced and two unfenced that were used as controls. In addition, we planted 1-year-old seedlings in all microhabitats, both in fenced and control plots, to experimentally determine the effect of wild boar on their microhabitat-dependent survival. Despite seedling abundance being similar inside and outside the fences, sapling abundance diminished up to 50% in unfenced plots compared to fenced plots. Wild boars also seemed to modify the spatial distribution of seedlings and saplings. Whereas seedlings were most abundant under pines both in fenced and control plots, sapling abundance was highest under pine trees in fenced plots, but similarly abundant under pines or shrubs in control plots. This change in spatial pattern was due to the effect of wild boars killing seedlings when looking for food under pines. The effects of the different mortality factors were not additive. Where ungulates are absent, recruitment is high and occurs under oaks and especially under pines. Where wild boars are present, recruitment diminishes and occurs mostly under shrubs and pines. Wild boars arrest population growth and modify the spatial pattern of recruitment.     

Pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage to cuttings and seedlings of Norway spruce

Damage caused by pine weevil (Hylobius abietus L.) to planted seedlings and cuttings of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) was studied at five clearcut sites in south-eastern Sweden. The main objective was to compare the two types of stock in terms of attack frequency and mortality due to pine weevil feeding. Cuttings and seedlings with the same initial stem-base diameter (4 mm) were compared. Two sites were harvested and scarified shortly before planting, two were harvested shortly before planting, but were not scarified, and one was harvested 2 years before and scarified the autumn before planting. The total mortality 5 years after planting was highest, greater than 90%, at the new, non-scarified sites, and lowest, 23%, at the old, scarified site. More than 90% of the mortality was caused by pine weevil feeding. Attack frequency and pine weevil induced mortality were significantly higher among seedlings than among cuttings. Mortality due to pine weevil damage was 4–43% higher in seedlings than in cuttings after the fifth year. Of the cuttings and seedlings that were attacked in the first year, a significantly higher frequency of the seedlings were girdled. The higher resistance of cuttings to pine weevil damage may partly explain the more rapid growth of cuttings reported in other studies. However, the causes of their higher resistance need to be further investigated. The thicker bark and needles on the stem base of the cuttings could be important in this respect.     

Selective logging and fire as drivers of alien grass invasion in a Bolivian tropical dry forest

Logging is an integral component of most conceptual models that relate human land-use and climate change to tropical deforestation via positive-feedbacks involving fire. Given that grass invasions can substantially alter fire regimes, we studied grass distributions in a tropical dry forest 1–5 yr after selective logging, and experimentally tested the effect of forest fire on populations of invasive grasses. In unlogged forests and in microhabitats created by selective logging we found a total of four alien and 16 native grass species. Grasses covered 2% of unlogged and 4% of logged forest, with grass cover in logged forest concentrated in areas directly disturbed by logging; log landings and roads had relatively greater grass cover (37% and 17%, respectively) than did skid trails (10%) and felling gaps (8%). Total grass cover and grass species richness increased with canopy openness and were greatest in sites most severely disturbed by logging. The grass flora of these disturbed areas was composed mostly of native ruderal species (e.g., Digitaria insularis, Leptochloa virgata), a native bamboo (Guadua paniculata), and Urochloa (Panicum) maxima, a caespitose C₄ pasture grass introduced from Africa. Urochloa maxima formed monodominant stands (up to 91% cover and 2–3 m tall) and grew on 69% of log landings and 38% of roads. To better understand the potentially synergistic effects of logging and fire on the early stages of grass invasion, we tested the effect of a 12-ha experimental fire on U. maxima populations in a selectively logged forest. Three years after the fire, the area covered by alien grass in burned forest increased fourfold from 400 m² (pre-fire) to 1660 m²; over the same period in a logged but unburned (control) area, U. maxima cover decreased from 398 m² to 276 m². Increased canopy openness due to fire-induced tree mortality corresponded with the greater magnitude of grass invasion following fire. Selective logging of this dry forest on the southern edge of the Amazon Basin promotes alien grass invasion; when coupled with fire, the rate of invasion substantially increased. Recognition of the grass-promoting potential of selective logging is important for understanding the possible fates of tropical forests in fire-prone regions.     

Variation in canopy structure, light and soil nutrition across elevation of a Sri Lankan tropical rain forest

Mixed dipterocarp forests are perhaps the single most important rain forest type in the wet tropics. Only a few studies have purposefully examined differences in resource availability across mixed dipterocarp forest landscapes by simply measuring the abiotic variables of light, soil nutrition and soil water availability in relation to forest structure. We sought to directly measure the environment of canopy gaps across elevation and geology—from lowland mixed dipterocarp forest (100 m amsl) to lower montane dipterocarp forest (1200 m amsl) in southwest Sri Lanka. Middle elevation gap sites (300–900 m amsl) were subdivided into valley, mid-slope and ridge topographic positions. Eighteen natural disturbances all of which were canopy openings caused by tree fall, were randomly selected within primary rain forest that ranged across 100–1200 m elevation. Plots were placed in gap centers and in adjacent understories and measurements taken of forest structure (basal area, canopy height, canopy cover index, CCI), shade (light sensors—photosynthetically active radiation [PAR], canopy hemispherical photographs—global site factor [GSF]) and soil nutrition (pH, exchangeable Al, K, Mg and Ca; Total N; and plant available P). Soil moisture was measured at bi-weekly intervals for five years across middle elevation sites only (300–900 m amsl). Stand basal area, mean canopy height, and canopy cover index all declined with increase in elevation. Understory PAR and GSF decreased with increases in canopy height, basal area and CCI. Size of canopy opening decreased with increase in elevation, but PAR and GSF increased. Valley sites had significantly greater levels of mean percent soil water content as compared to mid-slope and ridge sites of middle elevation sites. However, at the onset of the southwest monsoons in May all sites were similar. Differences were most pronounced during the dry season (December–April). No differences in soil moisture content could be found between gap and understory microsites. K and Ca in gap centers and adjacent forest understories increased with increase in elevation and change in associated geology. pH increased and Al decreased with elevation and associated geology but only for forest understory conditions. Results demonstrate strong differentiation in soil and light resources with elevation that appears related to size of tree-fall disturbance, stature of the forest, topographic position and underlying geology and soil-weathering environment. This suggests that forest management and conservation practices need to develop and tailor techniques and treatments (silviculture) to the forest that emulate and/or account for change in elevation, geology and topographic position. Further studies are needed to identify which are the primary underlying mechanisms (e.g. temperature, wind, soil nutrients, soil moisture availability) defining change in forest structure across elevation.     

Persistence of some pine pathogens in coarse woody debris and cones in a Pinus pinea forest

The persistence of Sphaeropsis sapinea, Leptographium serpens and Heterobasidion annosum s.s. in artificially inoculated pine branch pieces (S. sapinea and L. serpens) and wood blocks (L. serpens and H. annosum s.s.) was investigated in order to discuss the alternative of leaving coarse woody debris in stands of Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea). Also, natural colonization by S. sapinea of pine cones of different ages was assessed. Methods used for inoculating branch pieces and wood blocks were highly effective for all fungi. Type of a forest stand in which branch pieces and wood blocks have been incubated did not affect the persistence of the pathogens in the inoculated samples. For branch pieces, the success of re-isolation of L. serpens dropped as the sample incubation time increased, while S. sapinea was always successfully (100%) re-isolated (even 12 months after the inoculation). L. serpens and H. annosum s.s. were re-isolated from most of the buried wood blocks (from more than 95% samples) up to 3 months following the inoculation. Of the observed P. pinea cones (in most cases, more than 2 years old), 74% were naturally infected byS. sapinea. All three investigated pathogens were able to survive in dead plant tissues for long periods of time (at least for several (3–12) months). The persistence of these pine-pathogenic species in dead plant material questions the feasibility of leaving coarse woody debris in managed Italian stone pine forests meant for landscape conservation and leisure activities.     

松材线虫(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)耐久型幼虫(LIV)携带的香茅醇假单胞杆菌(Pseudomonas citronellolis)分离与鉴定

[目的]目前有关松材线虫与伴生细菌的关系及伴生细菌的病原作用是松树枯萎病研究的重点。为了揭示松材线虫与伴生细菌之间存在的密切关系,作者对松材线虫L_IV幼虫携带的细菌进行了分离鉴定。[方法]根据培养性状和16S rDNA序列同源性以及系统发育学等方面进行分析鉴定。[结果]确定L_IV幼虫携带的是香茅醇假单胞杆菌（Pseudomonas citronellolis）,携带率为100%;每条L_IV幼虫携带量在1.4×10⁵~4.5×10⁵。L_IV幼虫生活在松褐天牛体内,是引起松材线虫病侵染流行的唯一虫态;新发现的香茅醇假单胞杆菌能分解纤维素及降解或合成萜烯和酚类化合物。[结论]L_IV幼虫携带香茅醇假单胞杆菌的发现,揭示了松树、松褐天牛、松材线虫、细菌同为一体的紧密关系,并为揭示松树枯萎病机制提供了一种新病原和重要的研究思路。     

卵巢线虫(Contortylenchus genitalicola)在中国松褐天牛上的分布与作用研究

[目的]日本学者Kosaka与Ogura发现松褐天牛成虫除携带松材线虫外,雌成虫卵巢内还携带有另一种线虫,他们将其命名为卵巢线虫,并认为这种线虫是松褐天牛成虫的寄生性线虫。我国对该种线虫的研究迄今未见报道。为了证明这种线虫在我国是否存在和分布,开展了本项研究。[方法]分期分批捕获刚羽化的松褐天牛雌雄成虫,采用解剖松褐天牛成虫松树木质部及感病的松褐天牛幼虫等方法,调查卵巢线虫的存在与分布。[结果]通过调查研究,发现我国的松褐天牛成虫体内有该卵巢线虫存在,分布于松褐天牛成虫、幼虫体内和松树木质部3个部位;在松褐天牛成虫体内的卵巢线虫通过松褐天牛雌成虫产卵而接种、进入寄主树木木质部中。同时,木质部的卵巢线虫也有一部分进入松褐天牛幼虫体内寄生,另一部分仍在木质部生活,当松褐天牛幼虫再次发育为成虫时,在木质部中的卵巢线虫和已被寄生的松褐天牛幼虫体内的卵巢线虫再次进入松褐天牛成虫体内,完成循环。卵巢线虫在松褐天牛雌、雄虫体内均有分布,携带率为44.4%,其中松褐天牛雌成虫携带率为43.8%,松褐天牛雄成虫携带率为45.0%,两者间无显著差异;每头松褐天牛成虫平均携带卵巢线虫574条,其中雌成虫平均携带816条,雄成虫平均携带308条,具显著差异。初步研究表明,卵巢线虫在松褐天牛成虫体内只能完成产卵到1~4龄的幼虫阶段,不能完成一个完整的世代;在松褐天牛幼虫体内寄生和在木质部生活的卵巢线虫能完成一个完整世代,但具体过程尚不清楚;调查中未观察到卵巢线虫对松褐天牛成虫有寄生致病或致死的现象,但对松褐天牛幼虫有寄生致死的能力;卵巢线虫常与松材线虫同时存在,而且侵入松树及离开松树的方式与松材线虫相同。[结论]我国松褐天牛体内也发现有卵巢线虫存在;目前尚不能证明该线虫对松褐天牛成虫具有寄生致死性,但对松褐天牛幼虫具有一定的寄生致死性;卵巢线虫的生活史与松材线虫相似,是否与松材线虫一样对松树具有危害性以及其病理作用还有待于进一步研究。     

Impact of wildfire intensity and logging on fungal and nitrogen-cycling bacterial communities in British Columbia forest soils

Wildfire and logging are common disturbances in the forests of northwestern North America, causing changes in soil chemistry and microbiology, including fungal and nitrogen-cycling bacterial communities. These organisms play key roles in nutrient cycling, and affect the regeneration of tree seedlings after disturbance. We studied the effects of wildfire and logging on fungal and nitrogen-cycling communities in the rhizosphere of 16 month-old Douglas-fir seedlings as they regenerated in burned and logged soils. Seeds were planted against root windows that were set up vertically in the soil, with a removable front panel used to access the seedling rhizosphere soil surface. Windows were established in control, lightly burned, and severely burned plots, as well as two types of logged plots (clearcut and screefed clearcut). Soil scrapings from the root window–soil interface were taken and the structure of fungal and nitrogen-cycling communities was resolved using length-heterogeneity PCR (LH-PCR) of fungal nuclear ribosomal RNA genes, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of nifH and nosZ genes. We found striking differences in the community structure of fungal, denitrifying, and N-fixing communities in response to burning and logging. With the exception of clearcut and screefed clearcut, which were generally similar, each treatment had a unique impact on community structure for these genes. Burning and logging also impacted the relative richness and evenness of these communities. Fungal relative richness and evenness increased in response to logging and severe burning, while denitrifier relative richness and evenness increased in all disturbance treatments, and N-fixing bacterial relative richness and evenness decreased in response to burning. The greatest differences in microbial community structure, relative richness, and evenness were found in the comparisons of lightly burned and logged treatments. The results suggest that the presence of an intact forest floor influences soil microbial communities less than the presence of living trees.     

Stand structure and composition of a 60-year-old larch (Larix kaempferi) plantation with retained hardwoods

Tree retention is understood as a key practice in creating complexity, leading to heterogeneity in resources and habitats in managed stands. In this article, we clarify the long-term effects of tree retention on stand structure and tree-species composition in a 60-year-old Larix kaempferi plantation in central Japan. In our study plot (1.5 ha) there were 18 stems/ha of retained trees (determined by tree-ring analysis), mostly Quercus crispula. We conducted spatial analyses and tested the hypothesis that tree abundance, size structure, and species composition and diversity change with distance from the retained trees. Near the retained trees, L. kaempferi showed a reduction of 40%–60% in basal area, due presumably to the shading effect. In contrast, the nearby area showed greater species diversity in the canopy layer. The retained trees created patches of different species composition in the understory. The spatial gradient of shade and colonization opportunity provided by retained trees greatly affect the distribution of the colonized species, according to their shade tolerance and seed-dispersal ability, which resulted in the stand structure with a heterogeneous shrub-layer vegetation. Retention proved particularly important for the enhancement and long-term maintenance of structural and compositional complexity in L. kaempferi plantations.     

油茶织蛾生物学特性研究

Casmara patrona is one of the main borer pests damaging Camellia oleifera in China. Few reports about this insect were published. The life history, biological characteristics and natural enemies of C. patrona were investigated through field survey and laboratory observation in this study. The results showed that C. patrona had one generation in one year or two years, and overwintered as 3rd-5th instar larva in Zhejiang Province. About 88 percent of larvae began to pupate in early May, and the rest kept feeding till the next year. The adults could be observed from early June to early July, and the peak of emergence occurred in late June. The adults began to oviposit in late June and terminated in early July. The eggs started hatching in early July, and then the larvae bored into the branch to feed. The entrance holes of the larvae distributed predominately in the middle of the eastern and southern part of C. oleifera tree. The larva had five instars, and there were 10-50 days when the larva did not feed between consecutive instars.     

Understorey plant community characteristics and natural hardwood regeneration under three partial harvest treatments applied in a northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stand in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region of Canada

Throughout eastern North America, stands of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) are undergoing successional replacement by shade-tolerant competitors. In the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence (GLSL) forest region, Q. rubra approaches the northern limit of its distribution, and ecosystem-specific silvicultural directives are needed to promote regeneration. We used an inductive, ordination-based approach to explore patterns in understorey plant community composition and microenvironment under different partial harvest treatments applied in a GLSL hardwood stand, and related these to characteristics of natural seedlings of Q. rubra and its competitors Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum.Two years after harvest, we established 2 m × 2 m plots in a stratified random design under 70% (n = 20) and 50% (n = 19) crown closure uniform shelterwood, group selection (n = 15), and uncut upper slope (n = 10) and lower slope (n = 10) areas. Percent cover of understorey vascular plant species, and a suite of microclimatic and edaphic variables were measured in each plot. Density, mean diameter and mean height of seedlings in the understorey (height <1 m) were determined in each plot for Q. rubra, A. rubrum and A. saccharum.Correspondence analysis (CA) ordination extracted two major axes explaining 21.6% of the total inertia in the species cover by plot matrix. Axis one separated uncut plots from the 50% shelterwood along a gradient of canopy cover associated with partial harvest treatments. Plot scores on axis one (13.2%) reflected a shift in dominance of the understorey from shade-tolerant Acer spp. to shade-intolerant colonizers, Rubus idaeus and Carex spp. Plot scores on axis one were directly (p < 0.05) associated with total understorey plant cover, litter depth, soil temperature and pH, but not with measures of plant diversity. Axis two (8.4%) separated plots from upper slope and lower slope areas, and plot scores were inversely associated (p < 0.05) with soil pH, phosphorus and nitrogen levels. Along axis two there was a shift in dominance from competitive (e.g. A. saccharum) to stress-tolerant (e.g. A. rubrum) species as soil fertility declined. Stepwise linear regression indicated seedling diameter in Q. rubra, A. rubrum and A. saccharum was inversely related to canopy cover. This suggests all three species benefited from partial harvest, although the relationship was strongest in Q. rubra. Patterns in understorey composition, microenvironment and seedling characteristics provide the basis to identify the main competitors of Q. rubra seedlings and adjust regeneration efforts along gradients of canopy closure and soil fertility under partial harvest systems within the GLSL forest region.     

沙棘绕实蝇的生物学习性

[目的]沙棘绕实蝇严重危害沙棘果实,使沙棘种植地蒙受巨大经济损失。研究其生物学习性,可以为有效监测和控制沙棘绕实蝇提供理论指导。[方法]通过室内人工饲养和野外观察,研究沙棘绕实蝇的羽化、交尾、产卵、化蛹等生物学习性和野外发生动态。[结果]沙棘绕实蝇成虫在野外从6月中旬至8月上旬均可见到,发生量受天气影响较大;成虫主要集中在6:00—10:00羽化,羽化量占当日羽化量的81.3%,羽化高峰出现在8:00—9:00;化蛹时间主要集中在凌晨0:00—6:00,尤其是3:00—6:00钻出果实化蛹的幼虫数量较多,与其它时间段有明显差异;交尾时间主要集中在白天光照比较强的时间段,一天当中有两次交尾高峰,分别出现在12:00—13:00和16:00—17:00,交尾平均持续时长为239±11.86 min;沙棘绕实蝇产卵期沙棘果长径6.65±0.28 mm,宽径5.47±0.40 mm,一果只产一卵。[结论]沙棘绕实蝇在内蒙古磴口地区一年发生一代,幼虫钻蛀果实,蛹隐藏在地下,成虫期较短,防治工作应集中在成虫期进行。     

寄主树木、寄主和环境因子对松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率的影响研究

[目的]松材线虫病是我国对森林危害和威胁最严重的病害,控制其传播媒介昆虫松褐天牛是防治松材线虫病的主要手段。作者发现的松褐天牛深沟茧蜂(Iphiaulax monochamusi Yang)是寄生松褐天牛中老龄幼虫的重要天敌。为明确松褐天牛深沟茧蜂的寄生率与寄主树木、寄主和环境因子的关系,开展了本研究。[方法]通过解剖46株松褐天牛危害致死的马尾松,调查了松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率与马尾松、松褐天牛和环境因子之间的关系。[结果]调查研究表明:寄主树木的高度、胸径和树龄对松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率没有显著影响,松褐天牛的数量对松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率亦没有显著影响,而松褐天牛幼虫龄期和松褐天牛幼虫在树干上的位置显著影响松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率。松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率与松褐天牛龄期呈显著正相关,其偏好寄生3~5龄幼虫;就天牛在其危害寄主树木上的位置而言,松褐天牛深沟茧蜂偏好寄生马尾松主干上部和在韧皮部危害的松褐天牛幼虫,其对位于马尾松树干上部的寄主幼虫寄生率最高,达27.38%,对在韧皮部生活、危害的寄主幼虫寄生率为20.18%,显著高于位于木质部生活的寄主幼虫寄生率(5.46%)。逐步回归分析表明:影响松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率的关键环境因子是寄主树木的坡位和其它天敌寄生率,其中,坡位与松褐天牛深沟茧蜂呈显著正相关,其它天敌寄生率与松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率呈显著负相关。[结论]以上研究初步明确了松褐天牛深沟茧蜂的寄生率与寄主树木、寄主害虫和天敌之间的关系,为今后利用该重要天敌控制松褐天牛打下了基础。     

山鸡椒1-脱氧木酮糖-5-磷酸还原异构酶 DXR基因的克隆和SNP分析

在转录组测序结果分析基础上,以山鸡椒cDNA 为模板,克隆得到山鸡椒1-脱氧木酮糖-5-磷酸还原异构酶DXR 基因cDNA 全长,以山鸡椒基因组DNA 为模板,设计引物、扩增拼接后获得山鸡椒DXR 基因全长,命名为LcDXR。序列分析表明,LcDXR cDNA 全长为1 501 bp,5'非编码区长34 bp,3'非编码区长53 bp,开放阅读框长1 413 bp,预测编码含有470个氨基酸残基的蛋白质,等电点为6.62,分子量为51.12 kD。LcDXR 基因全长为12 601 bp,其中外显子12 个,内含子11 个。对来自10个种源的LcDXR 基因编码区单核苷酸变异位点进行分析表明:在cDNA 区间内共发现10 个SNP(single nucleotide polymorphism)位点,其中有4 个单核苷酸变异导致了所编码的氨基酸的改变,为了分析氨基酸突变导致的蛋白质精细结构的变化,利用Swiss-PDB Viewer 模拟4 个突变位点氨基酸残基的替换。其中江西安远(AY)的突变Lys119Thr 引起了氢键的变化,推测可能对酶的活性产生影响。研究结果为深入研究山鸡椒脱氧木酮糖5-磷酸还原异构酶的活性和功能奠定了基础,同时为山鸡椒遗传育种提供理论依据。     

In vitro antileishmanial, antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of phenolics and triterpenoids from Baccharis dracunculifolia D. C. (Asteraceae)

Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), the most important plant source of the Brazilian green propolis (GPE), displayed in vitro activity against Leishmania donovani, with an IC₅₀ value of 45 µg/mL, while GPE presented an IC₅₀ value of 49 µg/mL. Among the isolated compounds of B. dracunculifolia, ursolic acid, and hautriwaic acid lactone showed IC₅₀ values of 3.7 µg/mL and 7.0 µg/mL, respectively. Uvaol, acacetin, and ermanin displayed moderate antileishmanial activity. Regarding the antiplasmodial assay against Plasmodium falciparum, BdE and GPE gave similar IC₅₀ values (about 20 µg/mL), while Hautriwaic acid lactone led to an IC₅₀ value of 0.8 µg/mL (D6 clone).     

黑果枸杞栽培株行距研究

为确定黑果枸杞栽植的株行距,以黑果枸杞为试验材料,采用实生苗进行田间栽植,分别设置3个不同株距1、1.2、1.5 m,以及3个栽植株行距1.5 m×2 m、1.5 m×3 m和2 m×2.5 m,通过测定株高、冠幅、分枝数、侧枝数、侧枝长、尖削度、坐果率、果实参数、产量等,比较不同株距和栽植株行距对黑果枸杞生长发育及果实表型性状的影响。结果表明,黑果枸杞人工栽培的合适株距为1.5 m,行距2~3 m,在保持单株占地面积相近的情况下,可根据需要适当地调整株行距;栽植株行距为1.5 m×3 m时,果型变异小,果实纵径、横径、果型指数等表型特征较稳定。以期为人工栽培管理提供技术参考。     

Nutrient cycling and soil leaching in eighteen pure and mixed stands of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies)

Studies on the combined effects of beech–spruce mixtures are very rare. Hence, forest nutrition (soil, foliage) and nutrient fluxes via throughfall and soil solution were measured in adjacent stands of pure spruce, mixed spruce–beech and pure beech on three nutrient rich sites (Flysch) and three nutrient poor sites (Molasse) over a 2-year period. At low deposition rates (highest throughfall fluxes: 17 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 5 kg S ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) there was hardly any linkage between nutrient inputs and outputs. Element outputs were rather driven by internal N (mineralization, nitrification) and S (net mineralization of organic S compounds, desorption of historically deposited S) sources. Nitrate and sulfate seepage losses of spruce–beech mixtures were higher than expected from the corresponding single-species stands due to an unfavorable combination of spruce-similar soil solution concentrations coupled with beech-similar water fluxes on Flysch, while most processes on Molasse showed linear responses. Our data show that nutrient leaching through the soil is not simply a “wash through” but is mediated by a complex set of reactions within the plant–soil system.     

Seedling survival and growth of three species of mountain cloud forest in Mexico,under different canopy treatments

The survival and growth of Quercus germana Schltdl. & Cham., Q. xalapensis Humb. & Bonpl. and Magnolia dealbata Zucc. was evaluated in three treatments: (1) under the canopy of Pinus maximinoi H.E. Moore; (2) under the canopy of Liquidambar macrophylla Oersted, and (3) in open areas. The following hypothesis was presented: P. maximinoi and L. macrophylla canopy facilitate the establishment of Quercus germana, Q. xalapensis, and Magnolia dealbata. After one year, the survival of seedlings and the growth rate in height and basal diameter were significantly different between treatments and species (p < 0.05). The results suggest a facilitation establishment of Magnolia dealbata under the canopy of Pinus and Liquidambar, whereas the tolerance was observed for Quercus germana and Q. xalapensis. The results will allow to identify restoration strategies of the mountain cloud forest in Mexico.Resumen. Se evaluó la supervivencia y crecimiento de Quercus germana, Q. xalapensis y Magnolia dealbata, en tres tratamientos; (1) bajo el dosel de Pinus maximinoi, (2) bajo el dosel de Liquidambar macrophylla y (3) en áreas abiertas. La hipótesis planteada fue; la cobertura de P. maximinoi y L. macrophylla facilitan el establecimiento de Quercus germana, Q. xalapensis y Magnolia dealbata. Después de un año, la sobrevivencia de plántulas, y las tasas de crecimiento en altura y diámetro de la base, fueron significativamente diferentes entre tratamientos y especies (p < 0.05). Los resultados sugieren que el establecimiento de Magnolia dealbata es facilitado bajo el dosel de Pinus y Liquidambar, mientras que para Quercus germana y Q. xalapensis se observó tolerancia. Los resultados permitirán identificar estrategias de rehabilitación del bosque mesófilo de montaña en México.     

Effect of Lecanicillium muscarium on Eretmocerus sp. nr. furuhashii (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Pathogenicity of Lecanicillium muscarium, against Eretmocerus sp. nr. furuhashii (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), was investigated under laboratory conditions to determine if the fungal infection of the whitefly host can effect the survival, longevity and fecundity of female parasitoid. The results indicated that the number of parasitized larvae surviving a L. muscarium treatment after 6 days of oviposition decreased with increasing concentrations of L. muscarium and in later stages of development (12 days post oviposition) were not affected by fungal application. There were no significant differences on adult parasitoid survivorship after 7 days among all treatments. Maximum survivorship (73.33%) was observed for control and it was minimum (60%) at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml. L. muscarium showed a non significant effect on longevity and next offsprings of female parasitoids. The percentage emergence of parasitoids from the whitefly nymphs produced by the females emerged from treated pupae was almost similar. Maximum emergence (69.77%) was observed at 1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml and it was lowest (61.02%) at conidial concentration of 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml. Maximum longevity of adult Eretmocerus sp. emerging from whitefly nymphs when treated after 12 days of postoviposition was observed for 1 × 10⁵ conidia/ml having a mean value of 5 days whereas the lowest longevity was 4.9 days observed at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml. The results mentioned above indicate that the interaction among biocontrol agents is positive to a greater extent with minimum risk hazards.