Structure of xylan from culms of bamboo grass (Sasa senanensis Rehd.)

Xylan prepared from culms of kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis Rehd.), a representative species of bamboo grass, was hydrolyzed with-xylanase ofStreptomyces olivaceoviridis E-86. Four arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides and two glucuronoxylo-oligosaccharides were isolated from the enzymatic hydrolysate of the xylan by chromatography on a charcoal column, a Dowex 1-x8 column, a Toyo-pearl HW-40S column, and a LiChrospher 100 NH₂ column and on preparative paper chromatography. The results of the structural analyses of the saccharides showed that the isolated oligosaccharides had the structures of 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylobiose, 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylotriose, 3²--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylobiose, 3³--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylotriose, 2³--4-O-methyl-d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose, and 2³--d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose. From the structural analysis of the oligosaccharides derived from the xylan, kumaizasa xylan was concluded to be a kind of arabinoglucuronoxylan having not only stubs of singlel-arabinose and singled-glucuronic acid but also stubs of disaccharide units such as-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranose.     

Synthesis of isoacteoside, a dihydroxyphenylethyl glycoside

The total chemical synthesis of isoacteoside (1), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 6-O-caffeoyl-3-O-(-l-rhamnopyranosyl)--d-glucopyranoside, is described. An acteoside acetate with benzyl groups at the catechols (3: 2-(3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl)ethyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-4-O-[3,4-bis(O-benzyl)caffeoyl]-3-O-(-l-rhamnopyranosyl)--d-glucopyranoside) was treated with a solution of methy-lamine in methanol (MeNH₂ in MeOH) to perform both deacetylation and caffeoyl migration, affording an isoacteoside derivative with benzyl groups at the catechols4b: 2-(3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl)ethyl 6-O-[3,4-bis(O-benzyl) caffeoyl] -3-O-(-l-rhamnopyranosyl)--d-glucopyranoside —in 34% yield. Debenzylation of4b was successfully accomplished by catalytic transfer hydrogenation using 1,4-cyclohexadiene to give the target compound isoacteoside (1) in 54% yield.¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of the synthesized isoacteoside (1) were identical with those of the natural isoacteoside isolated fromPaulownia tomentosa (Thumb.) Steud.Part of this research was presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 2001     

Effect of cutting position on rooting and shoot growth of two poplar clones

One-year-old shoots from stooling beds of Populus × deltoides Walker and Populus jackii Northwest were collected in late fall to determine the effect of cutting position on rooting and growth of hardwood poplar cuttings. Cuttings with a minimum diameter of 9.0 mm were obtained from basal, middle and distal locations on the poplar shoot. Rooting and shoot growth were assessed in the greenhouse and under field conditions. Walker poplar cuttings collected from basal portions of the shoot and planted in the field had 87.6% rooting and 103.8 cm growth compared to 78.8% and 103.4 cm and 67.6% and 88.8 cm for middle and distal locations respectively. For Northwest rooting and growth under field conditions was 84.4% and 94.7 cm for basal, 78.4% and 90.5 cm for mid and 64.4% and 84.3 cm for distal locations. Rooting in the greenhouse was superior to the field. Walker cuttings had fewer roots and buds per cutting than Northwest, however, growth of Walker in the field was superior.     

Specific degradation ofβ-aryl ether linkage in synthetic lignin (dehydrogenative polymerizate) by bacterial enzymes ofSphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 produced in recombinantEscherichia coli

Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 produces unique and specific enzymes, such as-etherases,O-demethylases, and ring fission dioxygenases, for lignin degradation. Cleavage of arylglycerol--aryl ether linkage is the most important process in the lignin metabolic pathway ofS. paucimobilis SYK-6. We reported the genes (ligD, ligE, ligF) for enzymes that cleaved-aryl ether linkage of dimeric compounds in previous studies. In this study we synthesized the fluorescent high-molecular-weight lignin (UBE-DHP) by dehydrogenative polymerization. We investigated the-aryl ether cleavage ability of these enzymes produced in recombinantEscherichia coli. When UBE-DHP was incubated with LigF, 4-methylumbeliferone was released as a result of-aryl ether cleavage of O-methylumbelliferyl--hydroxypropiovanillone (compound III) incorporated in UBE-DHP. Here, we report that-etherase ofS. paucimobilis SYK-6 can be expressed inE. coli and is able to cleave the-aryl ether linkage in synthetic high-molecular-weight lignin.     

Absolute configuration of arylglycerol-β-aryl ethers obtained by asymmetric reduction of the correspondingα-ketonic compound with intactFusarium solani cells

When (±)--oxo-guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ether (1) is degraded byFusarium solani M-13-1, the-ketone is initially reduced to giveerythro andthreo guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ethers (2), arylglycerol--aryl ethers, both of which are enantiomerically pure. The absolute configuration in each2 was determined by Mosher's method; the products were converted to,-di-(R)--methoxy--trifluoromethylphenylacetates (MTPA esters) (3) oferythro (-)- andthreo (+)-veratrylglycerol--(methyl vanillate) ethers (3), whose¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were examined and compared with those of four di-(R)-MTPA ester (3) diastereomers from chemically synthesizederythro (±)-3 andthreo (±)-3. To assign the- and-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks, the¹H NMR scans of several compounds that have substructures of 3 and their 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl analogues were examined. When a racemic alcohol reacts with (R)-MTPA to give a pair of (R)-MTPA ester diastereomers, the value was defined as the absolute value of the difference in the¹H chemical shifts of the peak between the diastereomers. It was found that the values of-MTPA-OCH₃ were larger than those of-MTPA-OCH₃ owing to a shielding effect of the veratryl ring located on the-MTPA-OCH₃, and that the-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks in the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl compounds shifted downfield relative to those in the veratryl compounds. On the basis of the¹h NMR data of (R)-MTPA esters, the absolute configuration of the four chemically prepared diastereomers (3) were determined. The catabolicerythro 3 [fromerythro (-)-3] andthreo 3 [fromthreo (+)-3] were identical to (R, S, R)-erythro 3 and (R, S, S)- threo 3, respectively. An hydrogen species in the fungal reduction would attack the-ketone fromre-face of both (R)-1 and (S)-1, givingerythro (S, R)-2 andthreo (S, S)-2, respectively.Part of this paper was presented at the 33rd Lignin Symposium, Tsukuba, November 1988     

Compounds inhibitory to rat liver 5α-reductase from tropical commercial wood species: resveratrol trimers from melapi (Shorea sp.) heartwood

5-Reductase inhibitory activity of methanol extracts of the heartwood of 13 tropical wood species were examined. Strong 5-reductase inhibitory activity was observed withShorea species. From melapi (Shorea sp.), two known resveratrol trimers, vaticanol A and ampelopsin C, and two novel trimers were isolated as active compounds. The structures of the two novel resveratrol trimers were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses, including¹H-¹HCOSY, HMQC, and HMBC. The compounds were named melapinol A and melapinol B. There were no significant differences among the 5-reductase inhibitory activities of the four resveratrol trimers, which were significantly stronger than those of-linolenic acid and epigallocatechin gallate, known 5-reductase inhibitors.     

Reactivity of secondary hydroxyl groups in methylβ-d-xylopyranoside toward aβ-o-4-type quinone methide

Methyl-d-xylopyranoside was allowed to react with-O-4-type quinone methide without a catalyst to elucidate the reactivities of secondary hydroxyl groups at the C2, C3, and C4 positions. Benzyl ether-type lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) compounds linked at the C2 and C4 positions were predominant, at a ratio of 23. However, the reactivity of the hydroxyl group at the C3 position was quite low. These results strongly suggest that the reactivity of the C2 hydroxyl group in xylan toward quinone methide intermediate is higher than that of the C3 hydroxyl group during biosynthesis of LCCs.     

Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the midwestern USA: 3. Competition for nitrogen and litter decomposition dynamics

An experiment was conducted in an 11-year-old black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), maize (Zea mays L.) alley cropping system in the midwestern USA to examine the extent of tree-crop competition for nitrogen and decomposition dynamics of tree leaves and fine roots. A below-ground polyethylene root barrier (1.2 m deep) isolated black walnut roots from maize alleys in half the number of plots providing two treatments viz. barrier and no barrier. The percentage of N derived from fertilizer (%NDF) and fertilizer use efficiency (%UFN) were determined using ¹⁵N enriched fertilizer. Further, maize grain and stover biomass, tree leaf biomass, tissue N concentration, and N content were quantified in both treatments. The barrier treatment resulted in a significantly greater grain (67.3% more) and stover (37.2% more) biomass than the no barrier treatment. The %NDF in both grain and stover was higher in the no barrier treatment as a result of competition from tree roots for water and mineralized N in soil. Maize plants growing in the no barrier treatment had a lower %UFN than those in the barrier treatment due to their smaller size and inability to take up fertilizer. Analysis of tree leaf and fine root decomposition patterns revealed faster release of N (39% over 15 days for black walnut and 17.7% for red oak) and P (30% over 15 days for both species) from roots compared to the leaves of both species. Following an early release of P (11.3% over 45 days), red oak leaves exhibited significant immobilization for the rest of the incubation period. The data indicate that competition for N from fertilizer is minimal since nutrient acquisition is not simultaneous among black walnut and maize. However, competition for mineralized N in soil can exist between black walnut and maize depending on water availability and competition. Tree leaves and fine roots can enhance soil nutrient pools through the addition of soil carbon and nutrients. Tree fine roots seem to play a more significant role in nutrient cycling within the alley cropping system because of their faster release of both N and P as compared to leaves. Selection of tree species and their phenology will impact the magnitude and rate of nutrient cycling.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the activation energy of diffusion of water in wood

Summary The diffusion equation for water in wood is expanded in terms of temperature and moisture gradient on the assumption that the driving force for the diffusion of water in wood is the partial pressure of water vapour. An analytic expression is then developed for the activation energy of diffusion in terms of enthalpy and entropy changes associated with the sorption process. The expression is compared with another published curve and some similarity was observed.Symbols C water concentration, kg/m³ - D diffusion coefficient for water vapour in wood with vapour pressure as the driving potential, kg/ms Pa - D_c diffusion coefficient for water vapour in wood with water concentration as the driving potential, m²/s - D_c a constant value of D_c, m²/s - E activation energy of diffusion, J/kg - F flow density, kg/m² s - f h/l - h specific enthalpy, J/kg - L l/R T - l latent heat of vapourization of free water, J/kg - l_s latent heat of vapourization of sorbed water, J/kg - p partial pressure of water vapour, Pa - p_s pressure of water vapour at saturation, Pa - R specifc gas constant for water, J/kg K - r relative humidity - s specific entropy, J/kg K - w dry basis moisture content - x length coordinate, m - a constant temperature equal to 6,800 K - -/ln r - _w density of wood (dry mass/moisture volume) at a given moisture content, kg/m³ - s/R - L style as 2 lines above - free water relative to sorbed water The author is grateful to the Editorial Board in relation to the use of (4)     

Die Massenvermehrung des Hagebuchenspanners,Himera pennaria L., 1962 in Niederösterreich und im Burgenland und die Ursachen des Zusammenbruches der Kalamität

Summary The Outbreak of Himera pennaria L. in 1962, in Lower Austria and Burgenland, and Causes of its break-down.The Hornbeam Measuring Worm,Himera pennaria L., hitherto described but once in forest-entomological literature as a bigscale forest pest, performed mass-attacks in 1962 in the Leitha hills (1500 acres) and Maria-Ellend wood, even clean-eating several hardwood species, especially hornbeam and also oak. The outbreak which occurred about mid-May broke perfectly down as soon as early June. The paper characterizes several bionomical and morphological data obtained during the course of the outbreak from individual development stages, also discussing the possible causes of the outbreak illustrated by climatograms. In conclusion, the biotical factors of the breakdown are treated, pointing out a virus disease (cytoplasmic polyhedrosis of mesenteron) as playing the greatest part. Along withH. pennaria L., alsoHibernia defoliaria L.,Hibernia aurantiaria Esp., andCheimatobia brumata L., as well as 4 species ofNoctuidae and 1 species ofArctiidae occurred rather frequently in the above-mentioned area, especially in the marginal zones of the Hornbeam Measuring Worm's mass-attack.

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Résumé La gradation de l'Arpenteuse du Charme —Himera pennaria L. — en 1962, en Basse-Autriche et au Burgenland, et les causes de la débâcle de la calamité.L'Arpenteuse du Charme,Himera pennaria L., signalée une seule fois dans la litérature entomologique forestière comme ravageur en masse, s'est manifestée en dimensions calamiteuses en 1962, dans les montagnes du Leitha (600 ha) et au bois de Maria- Ellend, dépouillant — par endroits même de leur feullage eiitier — différentes espèces de bois feuillus, surtout des charmes mais aussi des chênes. La gradation qui s'était manifestée vers la mi-mai, subit une débacle complète dès le début de juin. Le mémoire présente quelques données bionomiques et morphologigues, obtenues au cours de la gradation, sur les différentes phases du développement, tout en discutant à l'aide de climatogrammes quelles pourraient être les causes de la gradation. En conclusion, on traite spécialement les facteurs biotiques de la débâcle, parmi lesquels une maladie à virus (polyédrose cytoplasmique du mésentère) a joué le premier rôle. Em même temps que l'Himera pennaria L., les insectes suivants ont été trouvés dans le territoire en question, le plus fréquemment dans les zones marginales de l'aire de grádation de l'Arpenteuse du Charme:Hibernia defoliaria L.,Hibernia aurantiaria Esp.,Cheimatobia brumata. L., 4 espèces de Noctuides et l espéce d'Arcttides.

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Himera pennaria L. 1962 . . . . ,Himera pennaria L., -- , 1962 . (600 .) , , . , , . , , , . , ( ). H. Pennaria L. Hiberia defoliaria L., Hibernia aurantiaria Esp., Cheimatobia brumata L., 4 Noctuidade 1 Arctiidae, .

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Herrn Prof. Dr. A. Acatay zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Die Untersuchungen erfolgten in Zusammenarbeit mit der Landesforstinspektion für Niederösterreich, speziell mit der Bezirksforstinspektion Wien-Umgebung und der Landesforstinspektion für das Burgenland, wofür an dieser Stelle herzlichst gedankt sei.

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Für Herstellung der mikroskopischen Präparate sei Frl. H. Meldt, für die Freilandaufnahmen und mikroskopischen Aufnahmen Herrn N. Maisner bzw. Herrn O. Baschny der Forstlichen Bundesversuchsanstalt Mariabrunn, für die Aufnahmen der elektronen-mikroskopischen Präparate Herrn Hayek vom Physikalisch-chemischen Institut der Universität Innsbruck gedankt.     

On the distribution of the diastereomers of the structural elements in lignins: the steric course of reactions mimicking lignin biosynthesis

Summary Stereochemical studies on the formation of the diastereomers of arylglycerol--aryl ether structures during lignin biosynthesis have been carried out with model compounds. The addition of water to quinone methides of the -syringyl ether type gives arylglycerol -syringyl ethers with a predominance of the erythro isomer when the pH of the medium is low. Since erythro forms of arylglycerol -syringyl ethers are prevalent in hardwood lignins, this indicates that the pH of the medium in which lignin biosynthesis occurs is lower than has been assumed until now. Equilibration studies with non-phenolic model compounds of the arylglycerol-guaiacyl ether and -syringyl ether types under acidolysis conditions indicate that the erythro predominance observed in the syringyl ethers in lignins does not correspond to equilibrium conditions. A remarkable resistance to acidolysis is observed in the model compounds of etherified syringylglycerol -syringyl ether type.     

Paraiso (Melia azedarach var. “Gigante”) woodlots: an agroforestry alternative for the small farmer in Paraguay

This paper describes the salient aspects and analyses the potential of the Paraiso Woodlot System, which is becoming popular as an agroforestry alternative to land use in the degraded acid sandy soils of the humid sub-tropical Guayaybi area of Paraguay. The system consists of a combination of paraiso (Melia azedarach var gigante) with other trees, especially Leucaena leucocephala, and annual crops.The fast growth habit, deep root system, addition of large quantities of organic matter through leaf and litter fall, compatibility with agricultural crops, high value of the sawlogs and production of substantial quantities of poles and firewood make paraiso an excellent species for agroforestry combination. Preliminary results of the trials indicate that the woodlots are successful and with increasing efforts of the extension agencies, they are being accepted as a viable alternative to traditional agricultural systems.Besides discussing the potential of these woodlots based on initial results, the paper identifies the constraints of the system and highlights the priority research areas.     

13C NMR studies on lignins depolymerized with dry hydrogen iodide

Summary Spruce (Picea mariana) and birch (Betula verrucosa) milled wood lignins were depolymerized with dry hydrogen iodide. ¹³C NMR spectra of the initial and treated lignins were recorded. The data on chemical shifts of a set of model compounds treated with dry HI were used in the assignment of changes in the spectra of the lignins. The results obtained show that a cleavage of ether bonds in lignin and a substitution of -hydroxy and -alkoxygroups by iodine take place during the treatment.     

Reducing end groups in brich xylan and their alkaline degradation

Summary The structure of the reducing end group in xylan can be written: --D-Xylp-(14)--D-Xylp-(13)--L-Rhap-(12)---D-GalpA-(14)-D-XylIn alkaline media the reducing xylose group is easily isomerized and removed by a -elimination which leads to a reducing galacturonic acid end group. The 1, 2-linkage between rhamnose and the galacturonic acid explains the retarding effect on the alkaline peeling. Even under fairly mild conditions the galacturonic acid group is converted to other groups which are very stable in alkaline media. Model experiments permit the conclusion that OH-3 in the reducing group is subjected to -hydroxyelimination. The 3-deoxy-2-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-D-threo-hex-2-enuronic acid group formed is unstable in acid medium and escapes observation by the techniques employed for determination of the end groups.Upon prolonged alkaline treatment and increased proportion of these groups is lost and a rapid peeling proceeds until a xylose group with a 4-O-methylglucuronic acid substituent is liberated. The consecutive reactions of this group are similar to those of the galacturonic acid groups.The formation of 3-deoxyaldonic acid end groups, an important stopping reaction in cellulose, is of minor importance in xylan.The financial support from the 1959 Års Fond för Teknisk och Skoglig Forskning samt Utbildning is gratefully acknowledged.     

Tree species diversity and dominance in a man-made forest on sodic wasteland of North India

The study was conducted with the objective of studying tree species diversity and dominance and the associated changes in soil characteristics in a man-made forest established on formerly barren sodic land at Banthra Research Station (National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India) (80° 45–53E, 26° 40–45N) over three decades. The results revealed that the forest has a moderate value for the tree species diversity index (H). The tree species Derris indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea, Terminalia arjuna, Syzygium cumini, and Tectona grandis were found to be the major dominant species which may be considered suitable for planting on such degraded wastelands. There was a perceptible reduction in soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and an increase in organic C and Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺ cation contents over the past three decades, indicating that the sodicity has declined in the surface soil.     

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the growth and nutrition of hybrid poplars on Vancouver Island

The effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) rates, P source, and method of P application were tested on growth and nutrition of four clones of hybrid poplar (Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray×P. deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh or P. trichocarpa×P. maximowiczii A. Henry) in a plantation on Vancouver Island. Treatments were applied shortly after planting. Nitrogen (0, 500kgNha^–1) was supplied as ammonium sulfate (AS); half of the AS was added at the start of the second growing season. Phosphorus (0, 100, 200kgPha^–1) was supplied as triple super phosphate (TSP), rock phosphate (RP), or diammonium phosphate (DAP) and banded or broadcast. Over four growing seasons, stem volumes increased with AS and P additions. The effects of AS and P each were greatest when the other was also added. Volume was greater when P was applied at 100kgha^–1 than in the P control and did not significantly increase further at 200kgPha^–1. Phosphorus additions were more effective when added as TSP or DAP than when added as RP, but only in P100 and when banded. Banding increased volume when P was applied at 200kgha^–1, but increases were significant only for DAP fertilized trees. Roto-tilling associated with the banding treatment also increased volume when AS and P were not added. Rankings of clones with respect to stem volume varied with N supply and changed over time.     

Über Zusammenhänge zwischen Massenvermehrungen vonEvetria buoliana undDiprion sertifer und den Bodensowie Grundwasserverhältnissen

Zusammenfassung Es wird auf Grund von Untersuchungen des Massenauftretens von Primärschädlingen, besondersEvetria buoliana undDiprion sertifer, festgestellt, daß diese von den den Wasserhaushalt der Kiefern beeinflussenden Faktoren weitgehend abhängig sind. Häufig sich wiederholende Massenvermehrungen großen Ausmaßes und großer Bevölkeruligsdichte, die schwere Schäden verursachen, treten auf grundwasserfernen Standorten auf, deren arme Böden nicht in der Lage sind, den Wasserhaushalt der Kiefer dauernd ausreichend zu befriedigen. Je geringer der für die Pflanzen verfügbare Wassergehalt der Böden ist, desto häufiger und schwerer sind die Massenvermehrungen auf der gleichen Örtlichkeit.

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Summary It has been determined that factors in the water budget influence considerably the occurence of massive insect outbreaks on pine, especially of the primary pestsEvetria buoliana andDiprion sertifer. Recuring outbreaks of greater population density, causing heavy damage, often occur in areal having a deep grand water table, poor soil, and an inadequate water supply. The less water in the soil, available to plants, the more often and more clamaging are the insect outbreaks in the same locality.

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Résumé Il s'avère suite à des examens de l'apparition en masse de parasites primaires, notamment deEvetria buoliana et deDiprion sertifer, que ceux-ci sont tributaires dans une large mésure des facteurs conditionnant le système aqueux des pins. De fréquentes reproductions en masse sur une grande é chelle et de grande densité de population occasionnant de graves dégats, se produisent à des endroits éloignés d'eaux souterraines, et dont les sols pauvres ne sont pas capables de suffire continuellement an système aqueux des pins. Moins le sol a d'eau disponible pour les plantes, plus les reproductions en masse an même endroit sont fréquentes et graves.

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Ha , Evetria buoliana Diprion sertifer, , , . . , , , , . , , .

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Herrn Professor Dr. Wilhelm Zwölfer zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

A new diterpene dimer from the bark ofChamaecyparis obtusa

This paper describes characterization of diterpenes of the bark of Japanese cypress,Chamaecyparis obtusa (S. and Z.) Endl, without the resinous stem canker to learn the difference between the cypress bark affected with the canker. A diterpene dimer and two diterpenes, 6,12-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one and 6,12-dihydroxyabieta-5,8,11, 13-tetraen-7-one, were firstly isolated from Japanese cypress. The dimer, 6-(abieta-6,8,11, 13-tetraenyl-12-oxy)-7-methoxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-12-ol, was a new compound. It is a terpene indicative ofC. obtusa not infected with the resinous stem canker. Five known diterpenes were also isolated.     

Vertikalbewegungen Rickettsiose-kranker Larven vonAmphimallon solstitiale (LINNAEUS),Anomala dubia aenea (DE GEER) undMaladera brunnea (LINNAEUS)(Col., Lamellicornia)

Zusammenfassung DurchRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP infizierte Maikäfer-Engerlinge wandern während des Spätherbstes und Winters im Freiland absterbend auf die Erdoberfläche. Als Begleitarten inMelolontha Larvenpopulationen kamen im Gebiet vor:Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) undMaladera brunnea (L.). MitR. melolonthae künstlich infiziert, zeigten sie im Orientierungsversuch die gleiche Aufwanderungstendenz wie kranke Maikäferengerlinge, am deutlichsten die vonM. brunnea. Auf dem Waldboden fanden sich kranke Larven dieser Art in einigen Fällen.

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Summary Larvae ofMelolontha spp. infested withRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP move during October– January to the top of the soil where they eventually die. Larvae ofAmphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) andMaladera brunnea (L.) are susceptible forR. melolonthae, too. In experiments, artificially infested individuals showed a similar tendency to move upward. This was most pronounced inM. brunnea, of which some infested larvae were found on the forest floor.

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Résumé Larves du hanneton, infectées parRickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) PHILIP, se rendent à la surface de la terre au fin de l'automme et dans l'hivers. Comme espèces accompagnant les populations larvaires deMelolontha nous avons trouvés:Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (DeG.) etMaladera brunnea (L.). Ils out démonstré, après une infection artificielle avecR. melolonthae, la mème tendence dans les essais d'orientation comme les vers blancs malades deMelolontha. Le phé nomène etait le plus prononcé parmi les larves deMaladera. De cette espèce nous avons trouvés plusieurs larves malades à la surface de la terre en plein champs.

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Rickettsiella melolonthae (Krieg) Philip Melolontha- . . Melolontha- :Amphimallon solstitiale (L.),Anomala dubia aenea (De G.) Maladera brunnea (L.). R. melolonthae , Melolontha-, M. brunnea. .

     

Lignin in woody tissues after chemical pretreatment and bacterial attack

Summary Tangential latewood sections (60 m) of Scots pine sapwood were differently treated with chlorite. The subsequently incubated two strains of Bacillus polymyxa caused a weight loss up to about 25%, including a loss of lignin of about 42%.UV-microspectrophotometry of 1 m-cross-sections prepared from the cultured woody tissues demonstrated that bacteria caused neither quantitative nor qualitative changes of the remaining lignin.The lignin, which was dissociated from the pretreated woody cell wall by bacteria, could not be respired, suggesting that the lignin is a ballast to these bacteria that inhibits the dissimilation of the carbohydrates in the wood.We appreciate the financial support by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Thanks are due to Mrs. R. Endeward for her assistance during the microspectrophotometric evaluations and to Mr. U. Engel and Dr. O. Faix for carrying out the IR-measurements