Susceptibility of Eucalyptus hybrid clones to Botryosphaeria canker in Uganda

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the susceptibility of the nine commonly grown Eucalyptus clones to Neofusicoccum species associated with Botryosphaeria canker in Uganda. The inoculation trials indicated that susceptibility of Eucalyptus hybrids differed significantly (p = .000), clones GU609, GU7, GC578, and GC796 exhibiting a higher tolerance than GC784, GC550, GU8, GC514, and GC540. The results further revealed that N. parvum was more pathogenic than N. kwambonambiense. The generated information can be exploited in sustainable forest management by expanding the growing of tolerant hybrids in areas with high Botryosphaeria canker disease pressure.     

Identification,pathogenicity and control of powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe elevata on Eucalyptus pellita in Sumatra,Indonesia

Powdery mildews are biotrophic ascomycetes that do not typically kill their hosts, but instead interfere with normal plant growth. In Indonesia, white powdery spots were observed forming on the upper part of fully developed leaves of Eucalyptus pellita planted in sand beds of a clonal nursery. Thus, this study aimed to identify the causal agent of eucalypt powdery mildew in Indonesia as well as to develop control strategies to better manage the disease. Pathogen identification was based on morphology, molecular characterization of DNA sequencing the ITS region and pathogenicity test. In addition, considering that some powdery mildews are inhibited by free moisture on leaves, efficacy of foliar watering was tested for disease control. Phylogenetic analyses showed that isolates collected from infected eucalypt plants grouped together with other sequences of the Erysiphe elevata clade with bootstrap support of 99%; a similar result was also confirmed by morphological observations. Pathogenicity of powdery mildew on eucalypt plants was confirmed through artificial inoculation, thus fulfilling the Koch's postulates. For disease control, foliar watering reduced the incidence of powdery mildew on mother plants. The reduction of the disease incidence began to be more evident at 2 weeks after trial establishment, and in the fourth week, the incidence was below 10% in all three treatments, while the control was above 20%. Therefore, we concluded that E. elevata is the causal agent of powdery mildew in Indonesia and that one application of foliar watering per week was enough to minimize the disease impact in the nursery.     

多效唑对大丽花生长及生理特性的影响

用25、507、5、1001、25 mg/L的多效唑,对大丽花＂陇上雄鹰＂进行喷施和根灌处理,研究多效唑对大丽花生长、开花和部分生理指标的影响。结果表明：根施效果优于喷施。喷施浓度以125 mg/L效果较好,矮化率达37.6%,花径增加2.5 cm,叶绿素含量增加,SOD活性达到对照的3.2倍;根施浓度为75 mg/L和100 mg/L时效果最佳,矮化率分别达54.2%和55.9%,花朵增大,叶绿素含量增多,SOD活性为对照的5.9倍。     

Susceptibility of Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mearnsii seedlings to five Phytophthora species common in South African plantations

Eucalyptus grandis and its hybrids, as well as Acacia mearnsii, are important non‐native trees commonly propagated for forestry purposes in South Africa. In this study, we conducted pathogenicity trials to assess the relative importance of five commonly isolated Phytophthora spp. (Phytophthora alticola, P. cinnamomi, P. frigida, P. multivora and P. nicotianae) from the plantation environment on E. grandis and A. mearnsii seedlings. Overall E. grandis was more susceptible to the tested Phytophthora spp. than A. mearnsii. Phytophthora cinnamomi was the only pathogen that had a significant negative effect on both the host tree species, leading to a reduction in root and shoot weight as well as to death in the case of E. grandis. Phytophthora alticola and P. nicotianae exclusively affected E. grandis and A. mearnsii, respectively. This study updated the current knowledge on the pathogenicity of Phytophthora spp. on two important non‐native commercially propagated tree species from South Africa.     

Effects of two Glomus species on the growth and physiological performance of Sophora davidii seedlings under water stress

Sophora davidii is an important leguminous scrub that is widely used for revegetation in the semiarid Loess Plateau and other arid valley areas of China, where it usually suffers drought stress. This study investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus constrictum) and water stress on the growth and physiological performance of S. davidii seedlings under greenhouse pot conditions. Two soil water availability treatments (well-watered (WW) ?0.10 MPa; water-stressed (WS) ?0.86 MPa) were applied for 61 days. At the end of this experiment, G. mosseae and G. constrictum had colonized the roots of S. davidii seedlings. Water stress inhibited AM colonization, plant growth, chlorophyll concentration, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of S. davidii seedlings. Mycorrhizal seedlings had greater shoot dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, root length, instantaneous water use efficiency (iWUE), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (g_s), maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), lower intercellular CO₂ concentration and photochemical quenching values (qP), when compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings under both WW and WS conditions. Furthermore, G. constrictum was found to be more efficient at improving the shoot and root mass, plant height, iWUE, Pn, g_s, qP, and ΦPSII of S. davidii seedlings, when compared with G. mosseae under both WW and WS conditions. Our results demonstrate that AM Glomus symbiosis enhanced S. davidii seedling resistance by improving its growth and physiological performance under water stress conditions. This suggests that Glomus inoculation is a potential tool for enhancing outplanting performance of S. davidii in semiarid areas of China.     

Allelopathic effects of invasive Eucalyptus camaldulensis on germination and early growth of four native species in the Western Cape,South Africa

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (red river gum; Myrtaceae) is an invasive tree in riparian habitats of the Western Cape, South Africa, where it replaces indigenous vegetation and affects ecosystem functioning. These invasions lead to changes in river geomorphology and reduction in stream flow. The mechanisms that drive these effects are poorly understood. The potential for allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of E. camaldulensis tissues and of soil and litter collected beneath E. camaldulensis trees on the germination and seedling growth of four selected native plant species was investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Soils collected beneath E. camaldulensis trees were used in three treatments: untreated soils, sterilised soils and sterilised soils overlaid with a eucalypt litter layer. In addition, soils collected from underneath native species were used in two treatments: untreated soils and soils overlaid with a eucalypt litter layer. All soil treatments were watered with three E. camaldulensis leaf, bark and root aqueous treatments. Compounds present in the aqueous extracts and fresh samples were identified using gas chromatography. Soil and aqueous treatments showed varying effects on germination and seedling growth of the four native species. Germination and seedling growth of Olea europaea subsp. africana and Dimorphotheca pluvialis were significantly reduced by E. camaldulensis root and bark aqueous extracts as well as by the soils treatments. The addition of eucalypt litter to native and sterilised soils reduced shoot and root growth of all four native species. Compounds such as -phellandrene, eucalyptol, p-menth-1-en-8-ol and -pinene, which have the potential to inhibit germination and plant growth, were identified in E. camaldulensis aqueous extracts and fresh samples. Although the methods applied in this study had limitations (e.g. lack of control treatment to litter addition), the results provide an additional motivation to prioritise removal of invasive E. camaldulensis stands from riparian ecosystems. Restoration initiatives should target native species that are not negatively affected by allelopathy.     

Production of hybrid seed in a seed orchard of two larch species,Larix sibirica and Larix decidua

The larch seed orchard studied is intended to produce interspecific hybrid seed between Larix sibirica and Larix decidua. Only the L. sibirica clone (half of the grafts) in the orchard was intended to act as the seed parent, and the six L. decidua clones are pollinators. The proportion of hybrid seed produced was determined using Mdh3 locus as a genetic marker. The mean percentage of hybrid seed produced by the grafts of L. decidua was 93, but that of the hybrid seed produced by L. sibirica was only 18. The results can be explained by differences in flowering abundance. The grafts of L. sibirica produced several times more pollen than those of L. decidua. Contrary to the original plans, L. decidua should be used as the seed parent and L. sibirica only as the pollen parent in the studied seed orchard.     

Field survey,isolation, identification and pathogenicity of Phytophthora species associated with a Mediterranean‐type tree species

Corymbia calophylla (marri), a keystone tree species in the global biodiversity hot spot of southwestern Australia, is suffering decline and mortality associated with a canker disease caused by the endemic fungus Quambalaria coyrecup. Phytophthora species are frequently isolated from the rhizosphere of C. calophylla, and a hypothesis is that Phytophthora root infection is predisposing C. calophylla to this endemic canker pathogen. Field surveys were conducted in both anthropogenically disturbed and undisturbed C. calophylla stands, from where a total of 100 rhizosphere soil samples, from both healthy and cankered trees, were collected. Phytophthora species were isolated from 26% of the samples collected, with Phytophthora incidence significantly higher on disturbed stands than in natural forests (73% and 27%, respectively). Five Phytophthora species were recovered, including P. cinnamomi, P. elongata, P. multivora, P. pseudocryptogea and P. versiformis. Under‐bark inoculations with the Phytophthora isolates caused significant lesion lengths in excised C. calophylla stems. Corymbia calophylla response to pot infestation trials in the glasshouse varied between Phytophthora species and isolates, with isolates of P. cinnamomi and P. multivora causing a significant reduction in seedling root volume and often leading to seedling death. This study demonstrates that root disease caused by Phytophthora species, especially P. cinnamomi and P. multivora, has the ability to adversely affect C. calophylla health. This study leads the way to do a dual inoculation trial with the canker pathogen Q. coyrecup, and different Phytophthora species to investigate if Phytophthora root infection predisposes C. calophylla to this canker disease.     

Final results from a trial to test the effect of plot size on Eucalyptus hybrid clonal ranking in coastal Zululand,South Africa

Hybrid clones with Eucalyptus grandis as one parent and, generally, E. urophylla as the other parent, are deployed commercially as monoclonal blocks by Sappi in the subtropical region of coastal Zululand, South Africa. In monoclonal blocks genotypes are grown in self-competition. Performance under this scenario may not necessarily correlate well with performance where genotypes are competing for resources with a number of genetically dissimilar genotypes. There is an uncertainty whether plot configuration or size influences clonal ranking and therefore selection of clones for commercialisation. Final results at age eight years of a trial testing eight selected Eucalyptus hybrid clones in single-tree, eight-tree line, and eight x eight tree square plots are reported in this paper. Ranking of the eight clones between the half rotation (44 months) and full rotation (94 months) measurement have remained stable in the single-tree and line plots, but there have been some changes in the square plots. At 94 months, clonal ranking between the single-tree and line plots was consistent (r_p = 0.98) with only two clones changing ranks. When comparing the clonal ranking of the single-tree plots to the large square plots rank changes have been significant (r_p = 0.65). The overall means for the three different plot types are very similar. The range of the clonal means for tree volume in the single-tree plots (0.4042 m³) is more than five times the range for the square plots (0.0709 m³). Gain predictions using data from the single-tree plots overestimated the realised gains measured in the square plots. The top-performing clone in the single-tree plots had a predicted gain of 74% over the trial mean, but only yielded 7% more in the square plots. Similarly, the worst-ranked clone in the single-tree plots did not perform as poorly as what was predicted (?59%) and produced only 13% less than the trial mean on the square plots.     

Growth and physiological response of six Australian rainforest tree species to a light gradient

An understanding of growth and photosynthetic potential of subtropical rainforest species to variations in light environment can be useful for determining the sequence of species introductions in rainforest restoration projects and mixed species plantations. We examined the growth and physiology of six Australian subtropical rainforest tree species in a greenhouse consisting of three artificial light environments (10%, 30%, and 60% full sunlight). Morphological responses followed the typical sun-shade dichotomy, with early and late secondary species (Elaeocarpus grandis, Flindersia brayleyana, Flindersia schottiana, and Gmelina leichhardtii) displaying higher relative growth rate (RGR) compared to mature stage species (Cryptocarya erythroxylon and Heritiera trifoliolatum). Growth and photosynthetic performance of most species reached a maximum in 30–60% full sunlight. Physiological responses provided limited evidence of a distinct dichotomy between early and late successional species. E. grandis and F. brayleyana, provided a clear representation of early successional species, with marked increase in A_max in high light and an ability to down regulate photosynthetic machinery in low light conditions. The remaining species (F. schottiana, G. leichhardtii, and H. trifoliolatum) were better represented as falling along a shade-tolerant continuum, with limited ability to adjust physiologically to an increase or decrease in light, maintaining similar A_max across all light environments. Results show that most species belong to a shade-tolerant constituency, with an ability to grow and persist across a wide range of light environments. The species offer a wide range of potential planting scenarios and silvicultural options, with ample potential to achieve rapid canopy closure and rainforest restoration goals.     

Seasonal changes in carbohydrates, cyclitols, and water relations of 3 field grown Eucalyptus species from contrasting taxonomy on a common site

? Alterations in plant chemistry underpin a suite of physiological adaptations to arid conditions. Qualitative and quantitative differences in leaf chemistry are found in the genus Eucalyptus correlating with physiological adaptation to aridity.

? Here we investigate seasonal water relations of three field grown eucalypt species grown at a common site known to differ in their ability to accumulate the cyclic sugar alcohol, quercitol.

? We show that quercitol contributes significantly to osmotic relations in field grown trees of Eucalyptus melliodora but is present only in trace amounts in E. rubida and E. obliqua.

? Measured concentrations of quercitol account for the difference in osmotic potentials between species and can be interpreted as a mechanism for adaptation to low water availability.

     

Response of two oak species to extensive defoliation: Tree growth and vigor, phytochemistry, and herbivore suitability

This study was developed to experimentally determine whether the differential mortality of white oak versus black oak observed following defoliation events in the oak-dominated forests of the central hardwoods region of the eastern USA may be due to differences in carbon allocation between the two species. Black oak and white oak growing in a common garden were artificially defoliated (90%) using scissors in two consecutive years. Concurrent with the second defoliation event, herbivore performance and phytochemical characteristics were measured, followed immediately by measures of tree growth. In the dormant season following the second defoliation event, roots were sampled to assess tree vigor. Species-specific differences in foliar chemistry and herbivory were evident, regardless of defoliation. Defoliation-induced changes in above-ground biomass were evident in white oak, but not black oak. Defoliation-induced changes in foliar chemistry were more evident in black oak; these were reflected in greater differences in herbivore suitability. Herbivore consumption was correlated with depressed foliar C:N ratios and elevated foliar nitrogen. White oak root starch concentrations were markedly lower in defoliated trees, suggesting that white oak vigor is especially sensitive to resource limitations in the form of photosynthate loss. The implications of these results with respect to defoliation events and white oak mortality, as well as potential phylogenetic differences in response to severe defoliation between the red and white oak groups, are discussed.     

Short-term effects of whole-tree harvesting on understory plant species diversity and cover in two Norway spruce sites in southern Norway

Effects of clear-cut harvesting on ground vegetation plant species diversity and their cover are investigated at two Norway spruce sites in southern Norway, differing in climate and topography. Experimental plots at these two sites were either harvested conventionally (stem-only harvesting) or whole trees including crowns, twigs and branches were removed (whole-tree harvesting), leaving residue piles on the ground for some months. We compare the number of plant species in different groups and their cover sums before and after harvesting, and between the different treatments, using non-parametric statistical tests. An overall loss of ground vegetation biodiversity is induced by harvesting and there is a shift in cover of dominant species, with negative effects for bryophytes and dwarf shrubs and an increase of graminoid cover. Differences between the two harvesting methods at both sites were mainly due to the residue piles assembled during whole-tree harvesting and the physical damage made during the harvesting of residues in these piles. The presence of the residue piles had a clear negative impact on both species numbers and cover. Pile residue harvesting on unfrozen and snow-free soil caused more damage to the forest floor in the steep terrain at the western site compared to the eastern site.     

南雄青嶂山常绿阔叶林优势物种组成与结构分析

基于1 hm2的固定样地数据,对粤北南雄小流坑—青嶂山保护区亚热带常绿阔叶林的物种多样性及优势植物种群的年龄、高度结构等特征进行了分析,以探讨森林群落的稳定性与演替进程.结果表明,样地中出现胸径≥1.0 cm的植物38科58属74种,个体总数1621株,建群种为木荷(Schima su-perba)和红锥(Castanopsis hystrix),重要值分别为16.56和12.00;优势种为赤皮青冈(Cyclobalanopsis gilva)、黄樟(Cinnamomum porrectum)、华润楠(Machilus chinensis)、青冈(Cyclobalanopsis glauca);群落优势科为山茶科、壳斗科、樟科、茜草科;群落整体上处于稳定阶段,其中木荷和青冈为稳定至早衰种群,红锥和赤皮青冈为基本稳定种群,华润楠为稳定种群,黄樟为衰老种群;各植物种群高度结构各具特色,其中木荷、华润楠和青冈对整个群落的高度结构影响较大.     

青枯菌对桉树及非寄主树木根部吸附和侵入的比较

通过接种青枯菌与非病原的大肠杆菌,对2个桉树无性系和1种非寄主树木的根表吸附菌量及根内含菌量进行测定.结果表明:青枯菌对感病寄主根表的吸附量多于对抗病寄主和非寄主根表的吸附量,对感病寄主根部的侵入量多于对抗病寄主但少于对非寄主根部的侵入量;病原菌较非病原菌对感病寄主根表的吸附量大,但二者对感病寄主根部的侵入量则依据根部伤口的有无而互有高低.青枯菌接种24 h内,感病寄主根表吸附菌量和根内含菌量呈上升趋势,在抗病寄主及非寄主根表的吸附菌量和根内含菌量却呈下降趋势.从统计学上看,青枯菌对寄主根部的吸附和侵入都显示出了一定的选择性,但由于病原细菌能够大量地吸附和侵入抗病寄主和非寄主根部,非病原细菌也能够大量地吸附和侵入桉树根部,因此这种选择性的生物学意义不大,青枯菌对桉树根表没有表现出明显的识别行为.     

Effect of residue management and fertiliser application on the productivity of a Eucalyptus hybrid and Acacia mangium planted on sloping terrain in northern Vietnam

Forest plantation growers in Vietnam commonly burn residues after harvesting and often apply suboptimal amounts of nutrients during plantation establishment. We examined whether the retention of forest residue, and application of phosphorus fertiliser at higher rates, can increase rates of growth. A factorial combination of residue management (burning vs retention) and phosphorus fertiliser application at planting (15 vs 100 kg ha^?1) treatments were applied at a steeply sloping site in northern Vietnam. Two adjacent experiments were established, one with Acacia mangium and the other with a Eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus pellita). Standing volume and leaf area index in A. mangium were greater following burning; this was mostly attributable to the significantly higher survival rate of seedlings. Burning of residues was associated with increases in the number of large branches per tree, and a higher crown damage index (CDI). In the Eucalyptus hybrid, diameter and height responses to the higher rate of fertiliser were observed at age 6 and 12 months, but not beyond. High phosphorus application also led to higher CDI. Standard fertiliser treatment, applied in amounts equivalent to 17, 15 and 8 kg ha^?1 of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively, was adequate to meet the early growth requirement of eucalypt and acacia plantations at this site. The relatively low amounts of harvest residue and high fertility levels at the site may have masked more significant responses of trees to the silvicultural treatments applied in this study. On steep slopes, especially if soil is poorly fertile, harvest residue retention with adequate weed and termite control may be preferential to burning as it is closely correlated with reducing factors that negatively impact productivity, i.e. water run-off and soil erosion.     

Initial seedling morphological characteristics and field performance of two Sudanian savanna species in relation to nursery production period and watering regimes

It has become apparent that some interventions are required to aid the regeneration of woody species in the Sudanian savanna. Direct seeding has been ineffective, thus planting high quality seedlings may be a viable alternative. In this study, we examined the stock quality of two valuable Sudanian savanna species, Acacia macrostachya and Pterocarpus erinaceus. Different nursery production periods were tested as well as the species’ field performance under well-watered and stressed conditions. The results showed that older seedlings (9-month) were morphologically distinct from younger ones (3-month), particularly in the case of P. erinaceus. Eighteen months after planting out, survival and growth of seedlings were not affected by initial seedling size; this was the result of the high root to shoot ratio of seedlings in all age groups at the time of planting. Seedling mortality as high as 30% was observed and attributed to both drought stress and other factors such as herbivory. Regression analyses revealed that initial shoot height was a poor predictor of field performance for both species, but initial root collar diameter accounted for 25% of the variation in diameter of P. erinaceus in the field. We conclude that initial seedling size does not affect survival and growth in the field provided that all sizes of seedling have a high root to shoot ratio at the time of planting. The prediction of field performance could be improved by developing a model that incorporates a wide range of root collar diameter.     

大气CO2浓度升高对莴苣生长和物质分配的影响

对CO2浓度(550×10-6)下莴苣的生长、物质积累及其分配和光合性状进行了比较研究.结果表明,高浓度CO2(550×10-6)下莴苣具有高光合速率、高生长速度,其根和茎的干物质积累速度较快,叶面积增长快而且不积累过多的光合作用产物,高光合速率能够产生足够能量将光合作用产物从源转运到库,用于生长发育.生长在CO2浓度550×10-6下,莴苣能提早7d达到市场要求.     

Admixing broadleaved to coniferous tree species: a review on yield, ecological stability and economics

For several reasons the conversion of mono-species into mixed-species forests is presently a major concern of forest management and policy in Central Europe. Although it is possible to show a clear trend in favour of mixed-species forests, private forest owners and some forest economists have often not favoured mixed forests, assuming that they are less profitable. The trend towards mixed forests seems mainly for ecological reasons, while sound economic analysis of mixed forests is still rare. Based on this background the objective of the study is to answer the following four questions: (1) Does the yield of mixed-species forests differ from that of pure forests? (2) Does the mixing of tree species influence the ecological stability of forests? (3) Is the economic value of a mixed forest less than that of a monoculture? (4) How do forest economic models integrate the findings on yield and ecological stability of mixed forests? To answer these questions a literature review was conducted on the possible impacts of mixed-species forests. In comparison to pure stands a greater yield is not necessarily given in mixed stands. Yet, mixed-species stands are better able to compensate disturbances than monocultures. Moreover, there is substantial evidence that mixed-species stands are more resistant against biotic and abiotic disturbances. Applying an extended forest economic model, it was possible to demonstrate that mixing large blocks of native broadleaf species into pure conifer forests may lead to a significant reduction of financial risk. From a risk-averse perspective the economic value of a mixed-species forest may thus be greater than that of a mono-species forest. Yet, it became clear that forest economists do not often integrate the research findings on yield and ecological stability of mixed stands in modelling, but rather apply simple bioeconomic modelling. Moreover, in the context of mixed forests economists also largely ignore even classical financial approaches, which consider risk and risk preferences. We concluded that forest economics has to close substantial research gaps. Firstly, the knowledge of how to integrate biophysical properties of mixed forests in bioeconomic modelling is still an open question. Secondly, forest economists have to adopt the modern approaches of financial theory and management science to value mixed forests.