Newly recorded species of the genus Isohypsibius （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China

This paper reports two newly recorded species, lsohypsibius lunulatus Iharos, 1966 and lsohypsibiusprosostomus Thulin, 1928, of the genus lsohypsibius （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China. The specimens of lsohysibius lunulatus were collected from Taibai Mt （34°18′N, 107°42′E） at 2,500 m a.s.1, and those oflsohypsibius prosostomus from Taibai Mt （34°10′N, 107°35′E） at 2,000 m above sea level. All specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China. A key to the Chinese species of lsohypsibius was also given.     

Novel stilbenoids isolated from the heartwood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea laeviforia</Emphasis>

 Two novel stilbenoids, laevifonol (an ε-viniferin-ascorbic acid hybrid compound) and laevifoside (an O-glucoside of ampelopsin A) were isolated from the heartwood of Shorea laeviforia. Their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic evidence including HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY. The novel compounds and other known stilbenoids from S. laeviforia were evaluated for inhibitory activity against rat liver 5α-reductase. Positive inhibitory activities were observed in resveratrol dimers and tetramers. No inhibitory activity was detected in laevifonol and ampelopsin A glucosides, laevifoside, or hemsleyanoside, whereas inhibitory activity was seen in their aglycon. These results suggest that the hydrophilic moiety in these compounds may inhibit action with the hydrophobic active site of the enzyme. Received: November 21, 2001 / Accepted: February 8, 2002 Acknowledgment We are grateful to Dr. Wasrin Syafii (Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia) for the collection of plant material. Correspondence to:Y. Hiramo     

Adaptation of herbaceous plant species in the understorey of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus brutia</Emphasis>

Most of Pinus brutia (Ten.) Holmboe forests are grazed, as silvopastoralism is well adapted in the Mediterranean environment. However, little attention has been paid to the demographic dynamic of the understorey vegetation even though it is strongly affected by the absorbed radiation. The purpose of this study was to examine the adaptation of herbaceous plant species under a Pinus brutia canopy, in Northern Greece. Monocultures of four plant groups (annual and perennial grasses, annual and perennial legumes) were sown in experimental areas of 50%, 70% and 100% light intensity. The density of annual and perennial grasses and perennial legumes were decreased by the shade cast by the Pinus brutia canopy. Population density of the annual legumes was little affected by light intensity: the annual grasses Bromus mollis L. and Lolium rigidum Gaudin; the perennial grasses Dactylis glomerata L. var. palestine, Festuca arundinacea and Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn; the perennial legume Medicago sativa L. var. romana; the annual legumes Medicago lupulina L. and all the tested varieties of Trifolium subterraneum adapted well to the 50% light intensity habitat.     

The monomer composition controls the Σ<Emphasis Type="Italic">β-O</Emphasis>-4/Σ<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-4 end monomer ratio of the linear lignin fraction

Lignins are cell wall phenolic heteropolymers that result from the oxidative coupling of three monolignols bearing p-coumaryl (H), coniferyl (G), and sinapyl (S) units, in a reaction mediated by peroxidases. Here, we report the existence of a relationship between the Σβ-O-4/ΣO-4 end monomer ratio of the linear lignin fraction, released through the specific cleavage of the alkyl ether linkages by thioacidolysis, and the G/S ratio of lignins, when this was estimated in differentially evolved vascular land plants. Most importantly, in the case of angiosperms, Gnetales, and lycopods, the Σβ-O-4/ΣO-4 end monomer ratio was apparently predictable from the proportions at which the G and S units were mixed. In the case of G lignins (present in basal gymnosperms and ferns), the Σβ-O-4/ΣO-4 end monomer ratio decayed exponentially to increase the O-4-linked dihydroconiferyl alcohol (DHCA) content. The results obtained suggest that the Σβ-O-4/ΣO-4 end monomer ratio of the linear lignin fraction depends intimately on the lignin monomer composition, and, therefore, on the chemical nature of the radicals derived from three monolignols (coniferyl, dihydroconiferyl, and sinapyl alcohols), whose gain have been finely tuned during land plant evolution.     

Laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of the entomopathogen; <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isaria farinosa,</Emphasis> on citrus mealybug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Planococcus citri</Emphasis>

Citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is one of the main pests on citrus trees. Biological control of the pest is based on the release of hymenopterous parasitoids and coccinellid predators at present. The effectiveness of entomopathogen fungus Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fries ([Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales] (Syn: Paecilomyces farinosus), as an alternative biological control agent on citrus mealybug, was investigated using four different inoculum densities and different relative humidities (RH). The entomopathogen caused 89.39% mortality in ovisacs, 84.07% mortality in second larval stage, 84.53% mortality in adult females, and 78.71% mortality in first larval stage at 95% RH and at 1 × 10⁸ conidia ml⁻¹ inoculum concentration. Percent mortalities were between 50 and 60 in ovisac, first and second larval stage at 95% RH and at 1 × 10⁷ conidia ml⁻¹. Percent mortality was decreased parallel to the decrease in humidity level and inoculum densities; however, the fungus caused significant infection in 70% and 80% RH. These results demonstrated that the effectiveness of the entomopathogen is promising for biocontrol of citrus mealybug.     

Insecticidal activities and active components of the alcohol extract from green peel of Juglans mandshurica

The extract of green peel of Juglans mandshurica Maxim was extracted by common method for studying its insecticidal activities and analyzing the active components. Results showed that the alcohol extract and the chloroform part of extract （separated with chloroform from alcohol extract） form green peel of J. mandshurica have insecticidal activities in contact toxicity and stomach toxicity against larvae of Lymantria dispar L.. After application of the extracts for five days, the corrected mortality of larvae of Lymantria dispar for both extracts was more than 50% in contact toxicity and stomach toxicity at the concentration of ≥ 5 g·L^-1. The insecticidal activity for both alcohol extract and chloroform part of extract is more effect in contact toxicity than in stomach toxicity, but no significant difference in the insecticidal activities was found between alcohol extract and chloroform part of extract. The active components in the chloroform part of extract from green peel of.J. mandshurica were analyzed by GC-MS. The analyzed results showed that the active components in the chloroform part of extract are： （1） joglone （5-hydroxy-1,4- naphthaoquinone）, the relative content 27.11%, （2） 1,5-Naphthalenediol, the relative content 9.52%, （3） 7-Methoxy-1-tetralone, the relative content 6.81%, （4） Benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro-, the relative content 6.76%, （5） 4-Hydroxy-2-methoxycinnamaldehyde, the relative content 3.99%, （6） 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, the relative content 3.05%.     

Seasonal variation of microelement contents in leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclocarea paliurus</Emphasis> among the provenances

Cyclocarya paliurus as a multiple function plant can accumulate biologically important microelement elements.To reveal the variation of selected microelement concentrations in leaves of C.paliurus provenances during the growing season,12 C.paliurus provenances in the field trial were sampled five times at approximately 1-month intervals.The method of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES) was employed to determinate average concentrations of Fe,Mn,Zn,Cu and Se in leaves of 12 C.paliurus provenances.The results show that on average,the concentrations of five microelement in the leaves follows an order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Se.Variance analysis shows that there are significant differences in Fe,Mn and Zn concentrations among the twelve provenances(p<0.05),while there is no significant difference between Cu and Se concentrations.A significant difference was also observed in the concentrations of five microelements at the different sampling times(p<0.001),but the mean concentrations for each microelement showed different temporal dynamic patterns.Meanwhile,a significant correlation between concentrations of Se and other measured microelements was detected in the leaves of C.paliurus,except for Mn.Obtained results not only demonstrated that leaves of C.paliurus exhibited higher levels of microelements(Fe,Mn,Cu,Zn and Se),but also provided a basis for breeding strategies of superior provenances with rich content of microelements,and choosing optimum harvesting time for food industry in future.     

Effects of phosphorus and potassium addition on growth and nodula- tion of Dalbergia sissoo in the nursery

A study was conducted to test the influence of different inorganic fertilizers （phosphorous and potassium） on the nodulation and growth of Dalbergia sissoo grown in the nursery. Before seeds sowing, different combinations of P, K fertilizers were incorporated with the nutrient-deficient natural forest soils, and then amended with cowdung （soil： cowdung = 3：1）. Nodulation status （nodule number, shape, fresh weight, dry weight and color） in the roots and the plant growth parameters （length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root） were recorded 60 days after seeds sowing. Nodulation status and growth of the plants varied significantly （P〈0.05） in the soils amended with fertilizers in comparison to the control. The highest nodule number （62）, fresh （0.50 g） and dry （0.07 g） weights were recorded with the dose of PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm2. Nodule shape and color also varied widely in different treatments. In case of plant growth parameters, shoot and root length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plants took on a significant difference （P〈0.05） among various combination of fertilizers. From the study, it is revealed that PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm^2 fertilizer with soil and cowdung mixture （soil： eowdung = 3：1） is recommended for optimum growth and nodule formation of D. sissoo in degraded soils at a nursery level.     

Constituents from the roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus cuspidata</Emphasis>

The known propelargonidin, afzelechin-(48)-afzelechin (1), the known lignans 7-hydroxynortrachelogenin (2), epinortrachelogenin (3), nortrachelogenin (4), hydroxymatairesinol (5), allohydroxymatairesinol (6), matairesinol (7), oxomatairesinol (8), and isotaxiresinol (9), and the known taxoids taxinine M (10), taxayuntin (11), and 10-deacetyltaxol (12), and 10-deacetylbaccatin III (13) were isolated from the roots of Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew, Taxaceae). The propelargonidin was isolated from Taxus spp. for the first time, and was detected in the roots, bark, and twigs.     

Distinction of resin compounds between the healthy bark and the resinous stem canker of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thujopsis dolabrata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">hondae</Emphasis>

Methyl esters of higher fatty acids were detected from the healthy bark of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae but not from the bark of the resinous stem canker of T. dolabrata var. hondae. This difference enabled us to distinguish healthy trees from diseased ones. Fourteen diterpenes were also isolated from the n-hexane extracts of the bark-glued resin taken from the resinous stem canker of T. dolabrata var. hondae. Of these diterpenes, abietane diterpenes [abieta-7,13-diene (1), abietinol (2), dehydroabietinol (4)], pimarane diterpene [sandaracopimaric acid (8)], and labdane diterpenes [manool (10), torulosol (11), torulosal (12), cupressic acid (13)] were first isolated from T. dolabrata var. hondae.Part of this paper was presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Effects of sludge on germination and initial growth performance of Leucaena leucocephala seedlings in the nursery

A study was carried out to determine the influence of different types of sludges （municipal, industrial and residential） on field germination, growth and nodulation of L. leucocephala seedlings in the nursery. Before sowing of seeds, different combinations of sludges were incorporated with the nutrient deficient natural forest soils. Field germination, nodulation status and physical growth parameters of seedlings （shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total dry biomass increment） were recorded after three and six months of seed sowing. Field germination, nodulation status and growth parameters were varied significantly in the soil amended with sludges in comparison to control. The highest number of nodule was recorded from soil amended with residential sludge （ 1：1 ） and highest fresh and dry nodule weight was also found from the same combination in both three and six month old seedlings. In case of growth parameters, the highest growth was recorded from soil and residential sludge （ 1：1 ） combination compared to control. From the study, it can be recommended that soil amended with residential sludge （ 1：1 ） provide better field germination, growth and nodule formation of L. leucocephala in degraded soil.     

Effect of mean moisture content on the steam reconditioning of collapsed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus regnans</Emphasis>

Sixteen quarter-sawn boards (100 × 40 mm²) of regrowth Eucalyptus regnans (Mountain Ash) were conditioned to various moisture contents to investigate the effect of mean moisture content on collapse recovery. The results support the recommendation that boards should be reconditioned at a mean moisture content of between 15 and 20%. It is likely that the actual amount of collapse recovery was nearly as good for moisture contents up to about 25%. The main disadvantage with reconditioning boards with a moisture content of between 20 and 25% was the additional normal shrinkage that occurs because of the early reduction or removal of drying stresses. The samples in this study were dried under mild conditions for long periods of time to minimise the presence of moisture gradients.     

Effects of Ca^2＋concentrations on accumulations of mineral elements in the components of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

The bark ofPteroceltis tatarinowii is a raw material for manufacturing Xuan Paper. The effects of Ca²⁺ concentrations on the accumulation of mineral elements in the bark, leaf and root ofPteroceltis tatarinowii were studied under controlled conditions. The types of Hoagland nutrient solution with three Ca²⁺ concentrations levels (200, 400 and 600 μg·g⁻¹) and a control (without Ca²⁺ were designed to culturePteroceltis tatarinowii. After 6 months, contents of seven mineral elements including Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Na in the root, leaf and bark were analyzed. The results indicated that Ca accumulations content in the root, leaf and bark had positively relation with Ca²⁺ concentrations (200, 400, 600 μg·g⁻¹), and the order of the Ca content in the three components was root>leaf>bark. Ca content in the root treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 5.5 times as high as that of the control, and about 1.4 times as high as that of the root treated in 200 and 400 μg/g Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. On the contrary, K and Mg contents in the root, leaf and bark were negatively related to Ca²⁺ concentrations, especially in the bark, and their accumulation trend followed the order of leaf>root>bark. K content in the bark treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 39.3% of that of the control, and was 79.0% and 91.8% of that of the bark treated with 200μg·g⁻¹ and 400μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively; Mg content in the bark treated with 600μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 23.4% of that of the control, and was 27.1% and 35.4% of that of the bark treated with 200 and 400 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. Compared with the control, the general tendency of Mn, Zn and Cu content decreased with increasing of Ca²⁺ concentrations and their contents were in the order: root>leaf>bark. Based on the results of this study, the experiment has been useful for providing academic bases in improving the bark quality ofPteroceltis tatarinowii on non-limestone soil. Foundation item: This paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970608). Biography: Fang Shengzun (1963), male, Professor in Stiiviculture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210027, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Effect of food,light and host instar on the egg load of the synovigenic endoparasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Venturia canescens</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Laboratory experiments investigated the effect of host instar, light and food on the number of mature eggs in ovaries (egg load) of the synovigenic parasitoid Venturia canescens (Grav.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). The wasps that developed from third or fifth instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were exposed to food (honey) or had no food, had access to water or not, and were reared at the photoperiod 16:8 h light:dark or in continuous darkness at 25 ± 1°C, and 60–70% relative humidity. After death, the parasitoids were dissected to remove the reproductive systems, and mature eggs in ovaries were counted. A three-way ANOVA for egg number with host instar, food and light as factors revealed that egg load varied significantly. In addition, some interactions among the three factors were also found to be significant. The maximum average number (215.80 ± 8.51) of mature eggs was found when the parasitoids developed from third instar larvae, were exposed to continuous darkness and fed with honey. In conclusion, host instar, food supplement and photoperiod could have potential for improving biological control efficacy in stores. However, further studies determining the effect of these factors on egg laying behavior and fecundity should be done.     

Petroleum flotation technique upgrades the germinability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina equisetifolia</Emphasis> seed lots

The germination of Casuarina equisetifolia Forst seed lots is low (40–50%) even when freshly collected. This study aimed at upgrading the germination performance by removing non-germinable seeds using petroleum flotation technique. Seeds collected from 19 individual trees in seedling seed orchards in India were assessed using X-ray to determine the proportion of different seed lot fractions. The feasibility of petroleum ether as a separation medium was tested. Morphological characters of floating and sunken seeds were further studied using image analysis technique to examine their effects on the separation efficiency. The X-ray analysis revealed a large quantity of shrivelled, empty and insect-damaged seeds, altogether accounting 50%, which were the causes of low percentage germination of un-graded seed lots (48%). Petroleum flotation resulted in 90% germination in the sunken fraction and 4% in the floating fraction. The separation was distinct for most seed lots, except few seed lots that had relatively low germination in the sunken fractions and more than 10% germination in the floating fractions. As a whole, petroleum flotation appears to be a feasible technique to upgrade the germination of C. equisetifolia seed lots, and its efficacy is influenced by wing surface area, seed density and wing quotient of filled and empty seeds.     

外源糖溶液和高浓度CO2处理对白桦叶片糖和蛋白质含量的影响

3年生白桦同时接受3种外源糖溶液(蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖)和3种高浓度CO2(700、1400、2100μL·μL-1CO2)处理.处理1个月后,测定了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量.结果表明:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1 CO2下,外源糖溶液增加了叶片的可溶性糖和蛋白质含量,其中外源蔗糖的效果最好:外源糖溶液与2100μL·L-1CO2结合,会抑制叶片积累总糖和蛋白质:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1CO2下,喷施葡萄糖、果糖的叶片在蛋白质含量上没有明显差别:同700、1400μL·L-1CO2相比,除喷施果糖植株外,2100μL·L-1 CO2明显增加了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量:在喷施同种外源糖溶液的情况下,叶片的糖含量与CO2浓度呈正相关性.图6参7.     

Influence of initial age and size on the field performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis> seedlings

Quality of seedlings is important for the success of plantations. The field performance of five stock types of Olga Bay larch (Larix olgensis Henry) seedlings three seasons after planting was evaluated. High survival rates were achieved for all five types of planting stock in the first-year growing season when weeds were controlled. In the second and third-year growing seasons, significant differences were observed in survival rates among different stocktypes. The 1 + 1 type of Olga Bay larch seedling demonstrated better survival than 1 + 0 type of seedlings. 1 + 1 seedlings with diameter larger than 5.0 mm as well as 1 + 0 seedlings with diameter larger than 4.5 mm were suitable for reforestation. The 1 + 1 stocktype with a root collar diameter between 6.0 and 7.5 mm was considered optimal for the establishment of fast-growing and high-yield plantations. The number of lateral roots > 1 cm in length was the best predictor of field performance, however, the number of first order lateral roots with diameter > 1 mm at the tap root junction (FOLR (D > 1 mm)) was more feasible and sufficiently reliable to predict the field performance of the deciduous conifers. The initial height and root collar diameter of seedlings showed a significant correlation with the field performance for both 1 + 1 and 1 + 0 seedlings in the first and second-year growing seasons and thus can be adopted as an indicator for predicting potential field performance of seedlings.     

Radial distribution patterns of the green moisture content in trunks of 46-year-old red cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis formosensis</Emphasis>)

Understanding the green moisture content and wood density is important for effective forest management. Radial distribution patterns in the green moisture content (MC) and basic density (BD) in stems of red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis) were investigated in 69 plantation trees that were 46 years old. An increment core was collected from each sample tree at breast height (1.3 m). Five radial positions were defined: pith piece (Pith), inner heartwood (IHW), outer heartwood (OHW), intermediate wood (TSH), and sapwood (SW). Results showed that the average MC was highly dependent on the individual tree. Average values of the MC obtained from the TSH were significantly lower than those for the other positions. The MC of heartwood was higher than that of SW. Distribution patterns of the MC in the radial direction varied among trees. Radial variations in MC and BD were greater than in between-tree variations. Six types of radial distribution patterns of MC were detected for sample trees. MC values increased with decreasing BD (except for the TSH). Positive correlations were found between adjacent sampling positions in both MC and BD.     

Changes in the biochemical composition and enzyme activity during dormancy release of Cyclocarya paliurus seeds

Cyclocarya paliurus is only propagated from seeds which have pronounced dormancy. Overcoming seed dormancy is an important component of efficient and cost-effective seedling production of Cyclocarya paliurus. Changes in biochemical composi-tion and enzyme activity were investigated during dormancy release. The activities of all the studied enzymes in the stratified seeds increased significantly, compared to those in the control samples. Of the enzymes examined, the activities of protease increased the most (413.8%), followed by peroxidase (278.7%), lipase (161.0%), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrognase (149.1%) and amylase (60.6%) after 8 months of stratification. Crude fat and protein constituted the bulk of the storage reserves in mature seeds of C. pali-urus. Compared with the seeds before stratification, about 45% of the starch, 46% of the protein and 11% of the crude fat were de-pleted during dormancy release of C. paliurus seeds, while the soluble sugar content was enhanced by 101.5% in the germinating seeds. Correlation analysis showed, during dormancy release of C. paliurus seeds, a close positive relationship between POD and G6PDH activity as well as soluble sugar content and amylase activity, while there was a significant negative relationship between storage substances and their related enzyme activities.