Free radical scavenging activity of three Equisetum species from Fruska gora mountain

The scavenger activities of Equisetum arvense, Equisetum ramosissimum and Equisetum telmateia aboveground parts phosphate buffer (pH 7) extracts were evaluated using three different methods: DPPH assay, ESR and NO radical inhibition assay. Total reducing power was determined by FRAP assay. The E. telmateia extract demonstrated the most relevant scavenger and antioxidant properties. ESR signal of DMPO-OH radical adducts in the presence of E. telmateia phosphate buffer (pH 7) extract was reduced to 98.9% which indicated that E. telmateia could be a useful source of antioxidants with huge scavenger ability.     

红榉不同种源核rDNA的ITS序列克隆与亲缘关系

通过克隆和测定核糖体DNA内转录间隔区（Ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer,rDNA,ITS）基因序列,研究红榉不同种源间的亲缘关系。测定结果表明：红榉5个种源的ITS序列、ITS1和ITS2长度变异范围分别为561～623 bp、157～210 bp和215～222 bp。软件DNAMAN、遗传距离和UPGMA法系统发育树分析结果表明：南京种源与赣州种源的亲缘关系较近,湖州种源与怀化种源的亲缘关系较近;滁州种源单独聚为一类,与湖州、怀化种源的亲缘关系较远。     

The effects of canopy gaps on seedling emergence and growth of two deciduous broad-leaved species (Cornus controversa andPrunus grayana) in aCryptomeria japonica plantations

The effects of canopy gaps on seedling emergence and growth ofCornus controversa andPrunus grayana were studied in a 21-year-oldCryptomeria japonica plantation. The seeds of the two species were sown in December 1995 and their fate was followed until March 2000.P. grayana germinated in 1996, butC. controversa germinated in 1997. In both species studied, more than 70% of the seedlings survived in the forest edge until the end of the experiment, although none survived in the forest understory in the first growing season. In the gap, the survival rate was higher inP. grayana than inC. controversa. In this experiment, some trees were cut to enlarge the area of the gap, in which the growth rate increased markedly forC. controversa seedlings, but not forP. grayana seedlings after the cutting. These two species showed substantial differences in the patterns of seedling emergence, survival and growth in aCr. japonica plantation which had a canopy gap.     

Nutrient composition of the leaf biomass of three selected woody leguminous species

In order to assess the value of leaf biomass the foliar nutrient content of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla was studied under field conditions. In total 5 series of leaf samples were collected and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium content over a period of 42 months of growth observation. Results are compared with mean values derived from a literature study. Factors contributing to the variation observed are discussed and suggestions towards variation control are made.     

Comparative regeneration ecology of three leguminous timber species in a Bolivian tropical dry forest

A comparative study of the regeneration ecology ofthree lesser-known leguminous timber species wasconducted in the seasonally dry forests of SantaCruz, Bolivia to determine species regenerationstrategies and make silvicultural recommendationsfor these species. The study included arepresentative from each subfamily of Leguminosae:Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell. Conc.) Benth.(Mimosaceae), Copaifera chodatiana Kunth.(Caesalpinaceae), and Centrolobium microchaeteC. Martius (Fabaceae). After production in themid-late dry season, seeds of all species sufferedhigh (>30%) rates of predation. For seedssurviving predation, Anadenanthera germinatedwithin three days after the first rains and a highgermination capacity (82%), but most seedlings diedfrom inadequate light or during subsequent periodsof drought. Copaifera germinated more slowlybut had high germination capacity (85%). Centrolobium had very low germination capacity(4%) and germinative energy. Most successfulregeneration of Centrolobium occurred viasprouting from damaged roots on or near loggingroads where it had a density of 261 root sprouts/ha.Anadenanthera regenerated best from seedin areas with soil disturbance or burning. Theregeneration of these species will likely increaseunder more intensive logging and/or post-harvestcompetition control treatments in logging gaps. Themore shade-tolerant Copaifera is most suitedto the current regime of light selective logging,but all three species are likely to be responsive topost-harvest competition control treatments. Impacts of controlled and natural fire were mixed,but generally seedling regeneration and growth wereeither not significantly affected or were increasedby fire.     

Nitrogen accretion in soil and biomass production by three Prosopis species

Trunk circumferences and canopy diameters of Prosopis glandulosa, P. chilensis and P. alba, and soil nitrogen under and between the trees were measured in a seven-year-old plantation at the University of California, Riverside. P. glandulosa had the smallest biomass of the three species. However, the nitrogen concentration of the soil under P. glandulosa was higher than under the other two species. Presumably more nitrogen is cycled through the leaves of this species rather than invested in wood production, where it would be sequestered. The soil nitrogen accumulation under P. glandulosa was significantly higher (total and subsurface) than that measured in soil taken between trees. The soil nitrogen content under P. chilensis and P. alba was not significantly different than that between the trees. These results indicate that the choice of woody legume in an agroforestry system will depend on its intended use. The most efficient nutrient cycling is not necessarily associated with the best biomass production.     

Allelopathic behaviour of three medicinal plant species on traditional agriculture crops of Garhwal Himalaya,India

Allelopathic behaviour of three medicinal herbs viz. Rheum emodi, Saussaurea lappa and Potentilla fulgens, on some traditional food crops was examined. Germination of all the traditional food crops was reduced significantly under aqueous extracts of S. lappa and P. fulgens but radicle and plumule growth of Amaranthus caudatus and Eleusine coracana was reduced significantly under aqueous extracts of all three medicinal species. For marginal farmers sole medicinal plants cultivation is not possible, therefore, medicinal plants based agroforestry is being propagated.     

Molluscicidal evaluation of three common plants from India

Mortality caused by the aqueous extract of latex of Thevetia peruviana, Alstonia scholaris and Euphorbia pulcherrima against two harmful freshwater snails, Lymnaea acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus, is reported. Latices of all the plants at high doses were also lethal to freshwater fish Channa punctatus, which shares the habitat with these snails, but within 24 h, LC90 of snail L. acuminata did not cause any mortality to fishes in a mixed population of snail and fish. Therefore, these plant extracts may eventually be of great value for the control of harmful aquatic snails and other molluscan pests.     

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.     

Early growth and photosynthetic responses to light in seedlings of three tropical species differing in successional strategies

Containerized seedlings of three commercially important tropical species were grown under four different light treatments [i.e., 100 (open site), 45, 22 and 10% sunlight] for 130 days. Light-saturated photosynthesis (A _max) and light saturation estimates (LSE) reflected the species successional status with Terminalia superba Engl. and Diels, the pioneer species showing largest mean A _max and LSE at 100% sunlight, whereas at 10% sunlight, it showed the lowest A _max and LSE. At 22% sunlight, Cedrela odorata L., an intermediate successional species had greater A _max and LSE than Mansonia altissima A. Chev., a non-pioneer light demander and T. superba. T. superba had the lowest relative growth rate (RGR) at 10% sunlight and greatest net assimilation rate (NAR) at 100% sunlight; although a higher RGR at this light level was not seen for this species. Strong and positive linear mean A _max–mean NAR relationship of C. odorata and T. superba indicated that differences in leaf photosynthetic rates of the two species were reflected in their NAR, which increased with increasing light. At final harvest, superior biomass production was found at 45% sunlight for all the species. Seedling responses in specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf mass ratio and root mass ratio were typically those found along a light gradient. At the 100% sunlight, intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE), F _v/F _m and final root system of the plants was generally superior in T. superba but at 10% sunlight, WUE was inferior in T. superba when compared to C. odorata and M. altissima, reflecting the respective species’ short-term acclimation to high or low light. Results of this study may have practical use in screening tropical tree species for use in plantation forestry.     

Identification of Armillaria species in Japan using PCR-RFLP analysis of rDNA intergenic spacer region and comparisons of Armillaria species in the world

Armillaria species from Japan were characterized using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the intergenic spacer region-1 (IGS-1) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Eleven different digestion patterns by restriction endonuclease Alu I were found among 70 isolates of seven Armillaria species in Japan. Isolates within Armillaria nabsnona, A. ostoyae, A. cepistipes, and Japanese biological species E showed the same Alu I digestion patterns. Five Alu I patterns were detected for A. gallica, three patterns for A. mellea, and two patterns for A. tabescens. Seven Armillaria species in Japan were clearly distinguished by using the profiles obtained when PCR products were digested with Alu I, Msp I, and Hae III restriction enzymes. There was considerable variability of Alu I restriction sites within the IGS-1 between the isolates of five Armillaria species, A. gallica, A. nabsnona, A. cepistipes, A. mellea, and A. tabescens, in Japan and those of their European and North American counterparts.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiostoma</Emphasis> species associated with bark beetles infesting three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species in Nikko,Japan

Ophiostoma species were isolated from bark beetles and Abies mariesii, A. veitchii and A. homolepis attacked by the beetles in Nikko, Tochigi, central Honshu, Japan. One to two Ophiostoma species were frequently isolated from each species of bark beetle. Ophiostoma subalpinum was the most common associate of Cryphalus montanus. Ophiostoma sp. B as well as O. subalpinum was a common fungus associated with Polygraphus proximus. Ophiostoma europhioides was isolated from Dryocoetes hectographus and D. autographus as one of the common associates. Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S were frequently isolated from D. autographus and D. striatus, respectively. These fungi seem to have specific relationships with particular bark beetles. Ophiostoma sp. B, Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S have unique morphological characteristics and appear to be new species. Five trees of A. veitchii, approximately 43 years old, were inoculated with five Ophiostoma species to assess the relative virulence of the fungi. Ophiostoma subalpinum, Ophiostoma sp. B, and O. europhioides had relatively higher virulence than the other species studied.     

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     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Screening of antioxidant activity of three Euphorbia species from Turkey

Euphorbia acanthothamnos, E. macroclada and E. rigida were investigated for their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant potential of extracts of E. acanthothamnos, E. macroclada and E. rigida was evaluated using different complementary antioxidant tests.     

Comparative study on the chemical composition of lipophilic fractions from three wood tissues of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> species by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis

Abstract The chemical compositions of lipophilic fractions from Eucalyptus urograndis and Eucalyptus urophylla cultivated in Brazil and Eucalyptus camaldulensis from Mexico were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) before and after alkaline hydrolysis followed by derivatization. In all fractions, fatty acids (including small amounts of α-and ω-hydroxy fatty acids) and sterols were the most abundant components followed by smaller amounts of long-chain aliphatic alcohols, phenolic acids, and hydrocarbons. The presence of steroid esters and triacylglycerols in all three species was indirectly confirmed by the increased amount of fatty acids and sterols (manly β-sitosterol) in the hydrolyzed fractions compared with the corresponding nonhydrolyzed fractions. The amount of liphophilic compounds (mainly fatty acids and sterols) identified in hydrolyzed fractions of E. urograndis, E. camaldulensis, and E. urophylla corresponded to 1921, 1915, and 634 mg kg⁻¹ of dry matter, respectively. The lower abundance of fatty acids and sterols in the fractions from E. urophylla indicates that problems related to pitch formation will be less severe for this species than for the other two.     

Decomposition and nutrient release from leaves,twigs and roots of three alley-cropped tree legumes in central Togo

The decomposition of leaves, twigs and roots of two diameter classes (<1.5 mm, 1.5–5 mm) were examined in an alley cropping experiment withGliricidia sepium, Calliandra calothyrsus andSenna sianea in the subhumid savanna of Central Togo using the litterbag technique. The effect of the application of leaves and twigs as mulch or green manure was examined. Gliricidia showed the most rapid mass loss. For all species, leaves decomposed faster than roots. Twigs had the lowest decomposition rate except forCalliandra. The two diameter classes of roots decomposed differently in the three species:Gliricidia fine roots decomposed faster than its coarser root fraction, the coarse roots ofSenna decomposed faster than the fine roots.Termites influenced the mass loss of twigs and roots to varying extents for the different species. In the case of twigs this was markedly influenced by the mode of application: green manure showed more termite frass than mulch.Nutrient release resembled the mass loss patterns of the prunings except for K, which was leached independently from mass loss. The release of the different nutrients was in the order CaGliricidia andSenna seemed to be best for mulch and green manure production at our site.     

Damage characteristics of three boring pests in Artemisia ordosica

The population density and distribution of the three major boring pests, Holcocerus artemisiae, Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. were studied in their host plant Artemisia ordosica. Results show that the larvae of H. artemisiae mainly bore the rhizome of A. ordosica, but also the larvae of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. bore the rhizome of A. tordosica. The adults of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. feed on the leaves of A. ordosica as a nutritional supplement. The distribution of the larvae of three pests in their host plant is completely different. H. artemisiae and Sphenoptera sp. are distributed in the whole A. ordosica plant. The newly hatched larvae first feed on the phloem and xylem of stem and then burrow to the roots before the winter of the same year. However, Adosopius sp. is distributed mainly in the roots. The newly hatched larvae move from the phloem to the xylem, and gradually damage the lower part of the trunk. The larvae of the three pests sometimes coexist in a single A. ordosica plant. However, the probability of the coexistence of the three pests is very small. The highest probability of coexistence of two pests was observed in Sphenoptera sp. and H. artemisiae, while the probability of coexistence of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. as well as H. artemisiae and Adosopius sp. was smaller. The reasons for coexistence or its avoidance are not only related to the amount of food provided nor the volume of larval living space in a single A. ordosica plant, but also related to the development characteristics of different kinds of larvae and interspecific competition.     

Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) analysis on DNA from the three medicinal Echinacea species

In our previous study, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) analysis revealed species-specific markers for three medicinal Echinacea species (Asteraceae): E. angustifolia DC., E. pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. and E. purpurea (L.) Moench. In the present work, we have converted a RAPD marker (750 bp) for E. purpurea into a SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) marker. SCAR-PCR, in fact, revealed the expected amplicon (330 bp) only in E. purpurea and not in the other two species, giving further evidence for differences in medicinal Echinacea spp. genome and confirming a greater similarity between E. pallida and angustifolia.     

Schima superba as a fuelbreak: Litter combustibility of three tree species with five water content levels using a cone calorimeter

To determine the suitability of Schima superba Gardn. et Champ as a fuelbreak, we compared and analyzed the flammability characteristics of tree litter from three trees commonly grown in south China, i.e., Pinus massoniana Lamb., Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook., and S. superba, using a cone calorimeter at five different water content levels. Water content levels of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% for the litter were manually produced with a new technique of adding water to dry litter. The cone calorimeter utilized a radiant heat intensity for leaf litter of 20 kW/m² (510°C) and for twig litter of 30 kW/m² (608°C). Results show that fixing the water content level by adding water with a pipette was an acceptable technique. For S. superba, compared to P. massoniana and C. lanceolata, 1) the heat release rate (HRR) was slower and lower; 2) the total heat released (THR) from the material was lower and started later in the burning process; and 3) except for the 10% water content, pkHRR/TTI was less. These results show that overall, S. superba was the best of the three species to be used as a fuelbreak in south China. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2008, 44(5): 96–101 [译自: 林 业科学]