Proximate and mineral components of Viscum album var. coloratum grown on eight different host tree species

Mistletoes are parasite plants growing on various tree species,taking nutrients from the host.Beneficial compounds of mistletoe were used in medicine and these mistletoes were commonly collected from oak species that were not well identified.We analyzed the nutritional value by measuring proximate and mineral components of Korean mistletoe(Viscum album var.coloratum)from various host trees.Carbohydrate was the most proximate component in both leaves and twigs followed crude protein,crude fiber,crude ash and crude fat.While the contents of the proximate components and minerals varied among hosts and between plant parts,leaves contained higher crude protein and ash,and more minerals except for magnesium than twigs,although no significant difference was found inmistletoe grown on Prunus mandshurica.There were significant differences of proximate and mineral contents depending on the host species.Mistletoe grown on Chaenomeles sinensis contained higher levels of carbohydrates,crude fat,crude ash,magnesium,calcium,sodium,iron,and zinc than mistletoe grown on other species.Mistletoe grown on P.mandshurica contained high mineral levels of potassium,copper and phosphorous.The nutritional value of mistletoes were greatly influenced by the host species but among the hosts,specific nutrients accumulated in leaves more than in twigs,and vice versa.Based on the analysis,Korean mistletoe contains relatively good quality of nutrients and has high potential for dietary supplements as well as for medicinal compounds.     

Comparison of foliar nutrient concentrations between natural and artificial forests of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica on sandy land, China

In order to examine the causes of degradation of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations on sandy land, the foliar concentrations of N, P, K and C were analyzed and compared between the field grown P. sylvestris var. mongolica trees from two provenances （natural forests and plantations）. The results indicated that natural tree needles had lower N, P and C concentrations, and higher K concentrations than those of plantation tree needles. For plantation tree needles, ratios of N： P, P. K and N： K increased with tree age before 45 years old; but they were not clear for the natural tree needles. Compared with the conclusions reported on Pinus spp., we found that the foliar N and P concentrations were in the optimal range for both natural and plantation tree needles. This result suggested that N or P might not be the absolute limit factors in plant nutrient for P sylvestris var. mongolica on sandy land. However, foliar K concentrations in both natural and plantation tree needles were much lower than those reported on Pinus spp. （〉4.80 g kg-1）.The N： P ratio of natural needles was in the adequate ranges, but N： P ratio of plantation needles was out of the adequate ranges. These results indicated that there was a better balanced nutrition status in the natural forest than in the plantations. If only considering the foliar nutrient concentrations of P sylvestris var. mongolica from different provenances, it might be concluded that the degradation phenomenon of P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantations was not induced by nutrition deficiency of absolute nutrients of N and P, but might be induced by other mineral nutrients or by the effectiveness of N and P nutrients. The unbalanced nutrition status and relatively quick decomposition of needles in the plantations might also contribute to the degradation.     

Effects of an ectomycorrhizal fungus on the growth and physiology of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seedlings subjected to saline-alkali stress

This research investigates the mechanism of increased salinity tolerance of ectomycorrhizal fungiinoculated P. sylvestris var. mongolica to provide a theoretical basis for the application of the fungus in saline soils.Growth effects due to inoculation of seedlings with Suillus luteus(a symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungus), were determined in four kinds of saline–alkali soils. Growth and physiological indicators, including photosynthetic characteristics, plant height, biomass, photosynthetic pigments,catalase(CAT) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) enzyme levels, and malondialdehyde(MDA), an organic marker for oxidative stress, and soluble protein levels were determined. Mycorrhizal colonization rate decreased with increasing saline–alkalinity and growth of inoculated seedlings was significantly enhanced. Biomass and chlorophyll contents also increased significantly. SOD and CAT activities were higher than in non-inoculated seedlings. However, MDA content decreased in inoculatedseedlings. Soluble protein content did not increase significantly. Inoculation with a symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungus could enhance the saline–alkali tolerance of P. sylvestris var. mongolica. Growth and physiological performance of inoculated seedlings were significantly better than that of uninoculated seedlings. The results indicate that inoculated P. sylvestris var. mongolica seedlings may be useful in the improvement of saline–alkali lands.     

Effects of thinning on microsites and natural regeneration in a Larix olgensis plantation in mountainous regions of eastern Liaoning Province, China

In order to understand the effects of thinning on microsite conditions and natural regeneration in the larch plantation, thinning experiment was conducted in a 40-year-old Larix olgensis plantation in Qingyuan County in eastern Liaoning Province, China in 2003-2004 Five thinning treatments （0%, 10.2%, 19.8%, 29.7% and 40.3% thinned） were designed on the same site. After thinning, canopy openness and the microsite conditions such as photosynthetic photon flux density （PPFD）, soil moisture content, and soil temperature were measured in one growing season. Meanwhile, the investigation of natural regeneration was conducted at the end of the growing season. The results showed that the canopy openness increased with the increase of thinning intensities. PPFD and soil temperature and soil moisture content in different soil layers were positively relative with canopy openness after thinning. The richness of regenerating tree species did not significantly increase （p=0.30） after one growing season since thinning, but the regeneration density and frequency of tree species increased significantly （p〈0.05）. In addition, the number of regenerating tree species increased, and the increment was correlated with the characteristics of iudividual tree species. The increasing percentage of regenerating seedlings of the shade-intolerant tree species was more than that of shade-tolerant tree species. Among the investigated regeneration species, the biggest response of seedling emergency to the canopy openness was Phellodendron amurense. This paper confirmed the following conclusions： after thinning, the variety of regenerating tree species was correlative with the characteristics of regenerating tree species, and the distribution of unthinned trees and the site conditions in the investigated larch plantation were the additional factors influencing, the regeneration.     

Prediction model of moisture content of dead fine fuel in forest plantations on Maoer Mountain,Northeast China

Preventing and suppressing forest fires is one of the main tasks of forestry agencies to reduce resource loss and requires a thorough understanding of the importance of factors affecting their occurrence.This study was carried out in forest plantations on Maoer Mountain in order to develop models for predicting the moisture content of dead fine fuel using meteorological and soil variables.Models by Nelson(Can J For Res 14:597-600,1984) and Van Wagner and Pickett(Can For Service 33,1985) describing the equilibrium moisture content as a function of relative humidity and temperature were evaluated.A random forest and generalized additive models were built to select the most important meteorological variables affecting fuel moisture content.Nelson's(Can J For Res 14:597-600,1984) model was accurate for Pinus koraiensis,Pinus sylvestris,Larix gmelinii and mixed Larix gmelinii—Ulmus propinqua fuels.The random forest model showed that temperature and relative humidity were the most important factors affecting fuel moisture content.The generalized additive regression model showed that temperature,relative humidity and rain were the main drivers affecting fuel moisture content.In addition to the combined effects of temperature,rainfall and relative humidity,solar radiation or wind speed were also significant on some sites.In P.koraiensis and P.sylvestris plantations,where soil parameters were measured,rain,soil moisture and temperature were the main factors of fuel moisture content.The accuracies of the random forest model and generalized additive model were similar,however,the random forest model was more accurate but underestimated the effect of rain on fuel moisture.     

Stand development patterns of forest cover types in the natural forests of northern Baekdudaegan in South Korea

The purpose of this study was to classify current forest cover types,and to investigate stand development patterns for natural forests in six areas in northern Baekdudaegan,South Korea.Twenty-eight independent forest communities were aggregated into eight forest cover types by species composition in the overstory of each forest community.The forest cover types were of mixed mesophytic,‘‘others’ ’ deciduous,Quercus mongolica dominant,Q.mongolica pure,Pinus densiflora–Q.mongolica,P.densiflora,Betula ermanii,and Q.mongolica–P.koraiensis.The ecological information was organized by importance value and species diversity for each forest type.Based on the correlation between species diversity index and the abundance of Q.mongolica plus P.densiflora for corresponding forest cover types,we compared the developmental process and approximate successional pathway between each cover type.The P.densiflora forest cover type changes into the P.densiflora–Q.mongolica cover type,followed by the Q.mongolica dominant cover type through continuous invasion of the oak trees.Furthermore,the Q.mongolica pure cover type would spread toward the Q.mongolica dominant cover type with a mixture of various deciduous tree species.The Q.mongolica dominant cover type progresses through the other deciduous cover types to the mixed mesophytic cover type with diversified composition and structure.On the mid to lower slopes,with loamy soils and good moisture conditions,various deciduous forest types should progress,by ecological succession,toward the mixed mesophytic cover type without any further disturbance.     

落叶松水浸液对胡桃楸幼苗生长的影响

A study was conducted to detect the effect of water extracts from different parts such as root, bark, branch and leaf, of adult larch, Larix gmelini, trees on growth of Manchurian walnut, Juglans mandshudca, seedlings and the allelopathy between the two tree species. Four concentrations （100 g. kg i, 50 g. kg^-1, 25 g. kg^-1 and 12.5 g. kg^-1） were prepared for each kind of extracts. Result showed that the water extracts with low and moderate concentrations accelerated the growth of collar diameter and increased biomass and root/shoot ratio of walnut seedlings. The water extracts from branches and barks with low and moderate concentrations accelerated the height growth of the seedlings, while those from leaves and roots slightly decreased the height growth of seedlings. The fact that application of water extracts of larch improved the growth of Manchurian walnut attributes possibly to the allelopathy between the two tree species.     

Adaptive responses of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer ginnala,Pyrus ussuriensis and Prunus davidiana</Emphasis> seedlings to soil moisture stress

One-year-old seedlings of Amur maple (Acer ginnala Maxim), Ussurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim) and David peach (Prunus davidiana Carr) were planted in pots in greenhouse and treated with four different soil moisture contents (75.0%,61.1%, 46.4% and 35.4%). The results showed that net photosynthesis rate (NPR), transpiration rate (TR) and stomatal conductance (Sc) of seedlings of the three species decreased with the decease of soil moisture content, and Amur maple seedlings had the greatest change in those physiological indices, followed by Ussurian pear, David peach. Amur maple and Ussurian pear seedlings also presented a decrease tendency in water use efficiency (WUE) under lower soil moisture content, whereas this was reversed for David peach. Under water stress the biomass allocation to seedling root had a significant increase for all the experimental species. As to root/shoot ratio, Amur maple seedlings had the biggest increase, while David peach had the smaliest increase. The leaf plasticity of Amur maple seedlings was greater, the leaf size and total leaf area decreased significantly as the stress was intensified. No significant change of leaf size and total leaf area was found in seedlings of Ussurian pear and David peach. It was concluded that Amur maple was more tolerant to soil moisture stress in comparison with David peach and Ussurian pear.     

Responses of the seedlings of five dominant tree species in Changbai Mountain to soil water stress

Soil water stress was studied on the potted seedlings of five dominant tree species (Pinus koraienes Sieb.et Zucc.,Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim, Tilia amurensis Rupr. and Quercus mongolica Fisch.ex Turcz) from the broadleaved/Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain. Leaf growth, water transpiration and photosynthesis were compared for each species under three soil moisture conditions: 85%-100% (high water, CK), 65%-85% (Medium water, MW) and 45%-65% (low water, LW) of 37.4% water-holding capacity in field. The results showed that the characteristic of typical drought-resistance of the leaves is significantly developed. The net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of Fraxinus mandshurica were higher in MW than those in CK. But for the other four species, the net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency in CK were lower than those in MW and LW. The transpiration rate responding to soil moistures varied from species to soecies.     

Natural Mongolian Pine Forests in the Great Xing＇an Mountains,Northeast China

Based upon 134 reltves, the vegetation of the forests with Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) of the Great Xing‘an Mountains in the northeast China was classified into 3 communities, 7 types and 4 subtypes by numerical cluster analysis. 1) The Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica-Populus davidiana-community was found on relatively dry sites. It was subdivided into a Quercus mongolica-type, consisting of a Adenophora tetraphylla subtype, a Pulsatilla dahurica subtype, and a pure type; 2)The Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica-Rhododendron dauricum-community occurred on medium dry sites. It included a Calamagrostis angustifolia type, consisting of a Cladonia arbuscula subtype, a pure subtype, and a Rubus idaeus-type; 3) The Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica-Ledum palustre-community was found on periodically wet sites. It included a Picea koraiensis type, a Vaccinium uliginosum type, and a pure type.     

Establishment of Efficient Regeneration System of Populus×euramericana cl.‘Bofeng’

Compared with the species of Leuce section,the difficulty in plant regeneration during tissue culture for the species of Aigeiros section is a key limiting factor for their application in genetic engineering of forest trees.In this study,the plant growth regulators combination,copper concentration,light intensity,and the selection pressures of kanamycin were investigated using leaves of Populus×euramericana cl.’Bofeng’ as explants,and a stable and high efficient regeneration system was established.Using this system,both the shoot regeneration rate and rooting rate were up to 100%,and the average number of differentiated shoots in each leaf explant was up to 20,and the survival rate of seedlings reached 98%.The optimal selection pressure of kanamycin in shoot inducement for leaf-explant was 40 mg·L^-1,and the optimal selection pressure of kanamycin in root inducement of adventitious bud was 20 mg·L^-1.The authors also found that differentiation rate of adventitious buds of P.×euramericana cl.’Bofeng’ could be significantly promoted by increased copper concentration,and this is the first report about the key role of copper（Cu） in explant regeneration of Poplars.This regeneration system with high frequency which was established by the authors was as good as that of species of Leuce section,and it provides a good technological platform for genetic engineering of forest tree which uses the species of Aigeiros section as model materials.     

宽叶杜香叶柄再生体系建立及种质离体保存研究

The tender leafstalks of Ledum palustre var.dilatatum were used as explants for the experiment.Uniform design for the most suitable media for shoots regeneration immediately at base of tender leafstalks,rooting and germplasm conservation in vitro was screened.The results showed that N6+ZT 2.65 mg·L-1+IAA 0.05 mg·L-1 was fits for shoots regeneration,the frequency of shoots induction was higher than 92.5%;MS(modified)+IAA 0.1 mg·L-1+Kt 0.75 mg·L-1 for rooting,the rate of rooting was 98%;N-68+B9 2.5 mg·L-1+ Ph...     

Expression of BpPIN is associated with IAA levels and the formation of lobed leaves in Betula pendula ’Dalecartica’

Auxin polar transport genes PIN(PINFORMED)determine the concentration gradient of auxin in plants.To understand the relationship between the development of different tissues in Betula pendula‘Dalecartica’,BpPIN gene expression and indole-3-acetic acid(IAA)content were analyzed using qRT-PCR,ELISA,and GUS staining.Gene expression of BpPIN genes and IAA levels in the leaves,buds,stems,xylem,and roots of B.pendula‘Dalecartica’and B.pendula as a control were measured.BpPIN1,BpPIN5 and BpPIN6 were upregulated during development in both species,suggesting a dominant role in the development of B.pendula‘Dalecartica’leaves.Moreover,BpPIN1 gene expression was positively associated with IAA levels during leaf,vein and petiole development in B.pendula‘Dalecartica’only.The correlation coefficient of the first three leaves was 0.69(P=0.04),while that of the first three petioles was 0.85(P=0.001).In addition,GUS staining of the pro-DR5::GUS transgenic line of cultivar was correlated with the results of BpPIN1 expression.Overall,these findings suggest that BpPIN1 is associated with the formation of lobed leaves in B.pendula‘Dalecartica’.     

N,P,and K characteristics of different age groups of temperate coniferous tree species in northwestern China

This study chose dominant tree species including Picea crassifolia,Pinus armandii and Pinus tabuliformis which are distributed in Qilian Mountains,Xiaolongshan Mountains,and Bailongjiang River.According to the different tree species,ages and components,we sampled leaves,branches,stems,and roots,and measured the contents of Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium,along with soil fertility.The changes of N,P,and K contents in the different tree species were studied,and the relationship between nutrient content and environmental factors was analyzed.The results indicated that the content of P in all three species was the lowest(0.039–0.28 g kg~(-1)),while N content was the highest(0.095–1.72 g kg~(-1)).As the terminal organ of nutrient transport,the nutrient content of leaves was the highest.P.armandii(0.45 g kg~(-1)) had a higher nutrient concentration than P.tabulaeformis(0.19 g kg~(-1)) and P.crassifolia(0.29 g kg~(-1)).The nutrient content of each species was highest in a young forest,but lowest in a mature forest.The nutrient content of all three tree species was significantly affected by soil nutrient content,and negatively correlated with available soil nutrients.     

Effect of Cryopreservation on Germination of Seeds of Amorpha fruticosa and Platycladus orientalis

In order to explore the feasibility of cryopreservation storage on forest tree seeds, germination of Amorpha fruticosa and Platycladus orientalis seeds with moisture content (MC) changing was tested after storage in liquid nitrogen of -196 oC for 30 d. The results showed that both species of seeds can keep high germination percentage after cryopreservation. For A. fruticosa, the germination percentage of seeds was the highest when 4.1% MC was used for storage, and for P. orientalis it was the highest when 6...     

Carbon unloading in roots in relation to root senescence in Cercis chinensis seedlings under drought stress

When Cercis chinensis seedlings suffered from drought treatment, net photosynthetic rates had been significantly reduced at the end of the drought treatment. Compared with the control, the activities of acid invertases in roots had increased 5 and 11 days after drought treatment. Seventeen days after drought treatment, the activities of acid invertases in roots were significantly decreased, while activities of alkaline invertases in roots had also been significantly reduced. As the moisture in culture media decreased, so the activities of sucrose synthases in leaves decreased slightly. In roots, their activities had significantly increased 5 and 11 days after drought treatment. The contents of fructose in roots reduced as the moisture in culture media decreased and 11 and 17 days after drought treatment the reduction was significant. The content of glucose in roots clearly did not change as drought stress occurred further, but was still less than that in the control seedlings. Similarly, the content of sucrose reduced as the moisture in culture media decreased. At the beginning of the drought stress, the content of sucrose was significantly higher than that in the control and afterwards there were no differences between drought-treated seedlings and the control. The gradient of the sucrose content between leaves and roots was 0.0982 mg·g–1 FW 17 days after drought treatment, while the gradient of the seedlings under normal condition was 1.3832 mg·g–1 FW. The sucrose concentration gradient reduced by 92.9%. The reduction in the sucrose content gradient under drought stress decreased the sucrose partitioning in roots. Therefore, our results support the hypothesis of ‘shared control’.     

Effects of uprooting tree on herbaceous species diversity, woody species regeneration status and soil physical characteristics in a temperate mixed forest of Iran

We conducted a study to examine the pattern of development of herbaceous plant species, woody species regeneration and soil physical characteristics after tree uprooting in 20-ha areas of Experimental Forest Station of Tarbiat Modares University located in a temperate forest of Mazandaran province in the north of Iran. Soil bulk density, soil texture and moisture from pit and mound (PM) were measured in the laboratory. Results show that the soil bulk density was most in soil deeper layers at mound top, and the soil moisture content was most in soil deeper layers at Pit bottom. Our study supports that the micro-topography of PM (pit and mound) topography will create a mosaic of environmental conditions. This environmental heterogeneity could be responsible for the diversity of herbaceous plant species and regeneration of woody species. It is recommend that the fallen trees with PM structure should remain in the protected area without clearing as the best option for forest restoration. This information can be useful for forest management that attempts to emulate natural processes.     

Emissions of volatile organic compounds from heated needles and twigs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pumila</Emphasis>

A study was conducted to explore the mechanism that emissions of volatile organic compounds(VOC) from heated needles and twigs(200°C,within 15 min) of Pinus pumila affect fire behaviours using the technology of Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(TD-GC-MS).The results indicated that the main components of VOC from heated needles and twigs are terpenoids.Most of these terpenoids are monoterpenes.Terpenoids account for 72.93% for the needles and 92.40% for the twigs of the total VOC,and their emission ratios are 61.200 μg·g-1 and 217.060 μg·g-1 respectively.Heated twigs can emit more terpenoids than heated needles because twigs had more volatile oils than needles.In actual fires,these large amounts of terpenoid emissions,especially the monoterpene emissions,have strong effects on fire behaviors that are not only in the initial stage but also in the fast propagation stage of fires.These flammable gases are capable of causing violent combustion and creating crown fires.In addition,if these gases accumulate in an uneven geographical area,there will be a possible for eruptive fires and/or fires flashover to occur.     

Response of leaf photosynthetic characteristics of Syringa oblata and Syringa reticulata var.mandshurica to chilling stress

Syringa species not only have good ornamental properties but also play an important role in the landscaping and environmental purification of cities.To investigate the chilling stress resistance of Syringa oblata Lindl.and Syringa reticulata var.mandshurica and provide theoretical grounds for the practical cultivation of Syringa species,in vitro leaves were used to study photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters.After nine hours of chilling,decreasing rates of net photosynthesis,stomatal conductance,and transpiration in S.reticulata var.mandshurica leaves were significantly greater than that of the S.oblata,while intercellular CO2 concentrations in S.oblata leaves were higher than those in S.reticulata var.mandshurica.The quantum yield of PSII reaction center(APSII)declined in S.reticulata and light capture efficiency(Fv 0/Fm 0)was stable.However,reduction percentages of Fv 0/Fm 0,APSII,and Fv/Fm in S.oblata were significant higher than those of S.reticulata var.mandshurica.After nine hours of chilling,the relative variable fluorescence of VJ and VI of S.oblata increased and the increasing rate of VJ was greater than VI.In contrast,the change of VJ and VI in S.reticulata var.mandshurica leaves was relatively small.This suggests that chilling primarily damaged the electron transport process of QA to QB at the receptor site of the PSII reaction center.Photosynthetic capacity of S.oblata was more sensitive to chilling stress compared to S.reticulate var.mandshurica,which the limitations were mainly due to non-stomatal factors such as the decrease in electron transport efficiency,activity in the PSII reaction center,and the destruction of the photodamage defense system.     

Natural Mongolian Pine Forests in the Great Xing''''an Mountains,Northeast China

1 Introduction The Great Xingan Mountains in the northeast of China is covered by boreal forests. Larch (Larix gmelinii) represents the most frequent tree species. Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) can be found on about 3% of the forested land. Pine forests contain the most valuable timber, which is harvested on large areas and transported to southern regions. Within these forests, few studies exist about the flora, the distribution of the dominating tree species, and their…