Diversity,structure and standing stock of wood in the homegardens of Kerala in peninsular India

A survey was conducted in 17 selectedthaluks (revenue sub-divisions) of Kerala state to elucidate the floristic structure, composition and the extent of similarities and diversities in the composition of homegardens of Kerala, with particular reference to small (below 0.4 ha), medium (0.5 to 2 ha) and large (>2.0 ha) holding size categories. Besides attempts wer also made to characterize the potential of homegardens to supply commercial timber and fuelwood. Two hundred and fifty two farmers were selected through a stratified random process. In addition to gathering general information on crop and livestock production enterprises, all scattered trees and shrubs (15 cm girth at breast height) on the homestead and border trees except palms and rubber were enumerated.There was tremendous variability both in the number of trees and shrubs present and species diversity of the selected homesteads in different provinces. The small, medium and large sized holdings also exhibited profound variability in the number of woody taxa and individuals present. In total, 127 woody species (Girth at Breast Height (GBH) 15 cm) were encountered. The mean number of woody taxa found in the homegardens ranged from 11 for Pathanapuram to 39 in Perinthalmanna. Floristic diversity was higher in the smaller homesteads. It decreased with increasing the size of holdings. Mean Simpson's diversity index for the homesteads ranged from 0.251 (Kochi) to 0.739 (Kottarakkara) suggesting that floristic diversity of homegardens was moderate to low compared to a value over 0.90 for the species-rich evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. The Sorensen's similarity indexes suggested a moderately high degree of similarity for the different tree species encountered in the homesteads of Kerala.No clear cut planting pattern was discernible in the homegardens of Kerala. The homegarden trees and shrubs were either scattered throughout the homestead or on farm boundaries. Farmers tend to prefer timber trees such as ailanthus (highest frequency) and teak besides fruit trees such as mango, jack, cashew and the like. Major homegarden species were represented in all diameter classes. The diameter structure, however, exhibited a slightly skewed (+) distribution pattern, having the highest frequency in the 20–30 cm classes ensuring adequate regeneration status and in that process making homegardens a sustainable as well as dynamic land use system.Standing stock of timber and firewood in the homestead of differentthaluks are presented. Average commercial standing stock of homesteads ranged from 6.6 to 50.8 m³ ha^–1 and fuel wood volume was of the order of 23 to 86 m³ ha^–1. Implicit in the high commercial timber volume and fuel wood volume is that a substantial proportion of the society's wood demands are met from the homesteads. Palms, however, constituted the dominant component of standing commercial timber and fuel wood volumes accounting as much as 63% and 72%, respectively, of the total wood in these categories.     

Plant diversity and phenological pattern in the montane wet temperate forests of the southern Western Ghats,India

Plants diversity and phenological pattern of the trees were monitored in a montane wet temperate forest (shola) in the     

Genetic and morphological variation in natural teak （Tectona grandis） populations of the Western Ghats in Southern India

Teak(Tectona grandis L.f.) is a popular hardwood species native to South and South-East Asia. The possible association of amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP) marker with morphological variables of eleven important characters viz. girth at breast height(GBH), height of tree, bole height, branch knots, presence of fluting, spiral stem, leaf hair, leaf length/breadth ratio, branching pattern, bark colour and petiole shape for nine natural populations comprising 180 genotypes of teak(9 populations × 20 trees). The phenogram constructed using Euclidean distances for the eleven morphological characters showed that the populations were not grouped according to their geographical origin. The Mantel's test for pairwise correlation between Euclidean distances of different morphological variables and genetic distances from AFLP data revealed that only petiole character(r =0.269; p =0.046) and height of tree(r =0.200; p =0.001) were significantly correlated with that of AFLP data matrix. The nine populations in this study covered a geographic area of about 1000 km stretch along the Western Ghat of South India. A test of correlation between genetic and geographic distance matrices revealed a significant positive correlation(r =0.475; p =0.009). The lack of perfect congruence between morphological and molecular data except for geographic distance, tree height and petiole character suggested that the morphological system might be useful for the morphotypes management but not appropriate to study the genetic structure of the teak populations.     

Community of vascular epiphytes on some phorophytes in the Babadjou Subdivision (Western Cameroon): Case of Bamelo

The environmental degradation of the western region of Cameroon has intensified over time and has contributed to the perturbation of the original floristic uniformity of pioneer vegetation. Epiphytes, which are very sensitive plants, have refuge mostly on phorophyte, hence permitting the evaluation of the conservation state of natural ecosystems. The present study aims to assess a floristic inventory of vascular epiphytes in the locality of Bamelo. Sampling was carried out on 100 individuals, 20 individuals for each of the five phorophyte species based on their abundance in the locality. A total of 36 species divided into eight families and 19 genera were recorded. Monocotyledons were the most abundant with 58.33% of community and represented only by the Orchidaceae family; pteridophytes and dicotyledons represent 22.22 and 19.44%, respectively. Persea amercina and Cola anomala were the most diversified phorophytes (19 species); Dacryodes edulis was the least diversified (eight). The principal component analysis revealed affinities between the epiphytic flora of Dacryodes edulis and Persea americana; Croton macrostachyus and Spathodea campanulata. At a time where the degradation of biodiversity occurs at an alarming rate, the conservation of such species becomes problematic. In view of the present results, epiphytes found refuge on fruit trees in plantations.     

Establishment of Prosopis cineraria (L.) druce in the hot deserts of India

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, commonly known as Jandi, is a deep rooted, nitrogen fixing, multipurpose tree endemic to the hot deserts of India. These trees are the essential component of the agroforestry land use system in these parts of India. The shade-intolerant tree reproduces poorly in nature and is difficult to propagate vegetatively. Germination up to 86.6% was observed after 15 days in seeds soaked in water at room temperature for 72 h. In another treatment, pouring of boiling water twice (at 0 and 6 h) over seeds and germinating after 12 h produced germination rates of 92.6%. Field establishment of containerized transplants in polythene bags (22×10 cm; 150 gauge) gave 90.3% survival after 6 months and 75.4% survival after 24 months. Seedlings were irrigated once during transplanting with 15 1 water. Bare root transplants and manual direct seeding after 6 months had a survival of 30.8 and 45.0%, respectively. Increased levels of nutrients (N, P and K), moisture content and organic carbon were observed under plantations as compared to open areas.     

Specific Variations of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi in Potential Timber Yielding Tree Species From the Western Ghat Region of Goa,India

Studies were carried out on the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal association in four potential timber yielding tree species from four forest areas of the Western Ghat region of Goa, India. The edaphic factors selected for the study varied within the four study sites. Significant positive and negative correlations were exhibited between spore density and root colonization of AM fungi at two sites, Collem and Dharbandoda. The study recorded the presence of 21 AM fungal species belonging to three genera—viz., Acaulospora, Gigaspora, and Glomus. The present study suggests that there is a site specific variation in root colonization (except at Mollem) and spore density as well as edapho-specific variation in association, composition, and distribution of AM fungi associated with potential timber yielding trees from four forest areas in the Western Ghat region of Goa. Further investigations of AM fungal dynamics if carried out can help elucidate the ecological significance of AM fungal associations in the Western Ghat region of Goa. To add, learning more about the ecology and intricacies of the AM association is crucial for attaining a good understanding of its life cycle and functions in edapho-climatic conditions of the Western Ghat region of Goa to further use it in the management of reforestation practices.     

Genetic variation of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in the urban woodlands of Helsinki

We present a genetic profile of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in three woodlands of the Helsinki region. We genotyped all mature trees and samples of seedlings to evaluate patterns of genetic variation and gene flow, and evaluate the long-term stability and natural regeneration of these stands. Although five microsatellite loci showed no significant differences in heterozygosity between generations in most locations, significant (p?per se does not interfere with gene flow over the distances represented here. Based on our findings, a minimal-maintenance program reliant upon natural regeneration of oak in the public parks of Helsinki seems plausible.     

Morphological parameters and genetic diversity of progenies from seed production areas and unimproved stands of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) in India

We compared morphological and genetic attributes of prog-eny obtained from three seed production areas (SPAs) and three corre-sponding unimproved stands (UIS) of teak (Tectona grandis L.f) at three bro...     

Genetic diversity of Castanopsis acuminatissima (Bl.) A. DC. in northern Thailand and the selection of seed trees for forest restoration

Castanopsis acuminatissima (Bl.) A. DC. is one of a number of framework species which are being planted to restore seasonally dry tropical forests in northern Thailand. This study describes the level of microsatellite variation within and among three populations of this species in three National Parks in northern Thailand: Doi Suthep-Pui, Doi Inthanon and Jae Sawn, using published primers developed for Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii Nakai. The five microsatellite loci employed in this study detected a total of 54 alleles (n = 72). The informativeness of the microsatellite loci varied from six to 18 alleles, with an average of 10.8 alleles found over all loci. The mean observed heterozygosities in the three populations showed no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The vast majority of genetic diversity was contained within the populations, with no significant differentiation between them (F_ST = 0.006). Algorithms were designed to capture microsatellite diversity, and the rationale for using microsatellite markers to inform genetic conservation is discussed. The implications for seed collection of C. acuminatissima for forest restoration are also discussed.     

Genetic Variation and Chromosomal Mosaicism in the Natural Populations of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. from Rajasthan,India

ABSTRACT

Meiotic investigations were carried out in four different accessions of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. collected from various parts of Rajasthan, India. Chromosome associations, chiasma analysis and distinct pattern of chromosome/chromatids at anaphase I and II were studied in detail. The study revealed that all the accessions had the gametic chromosome number, except one (B. aegyptiaca BSJO-25160) that had n = 18. BSJO-25160 accession was characteristic in exhibiting chimeric nature as revealed through chromosome mosaicism, which resulted in variant chromosome number ranging from n = 9 to n = 16 in different pollen mother cells analyzed. The evolutionary implications of chromosome mosaicism/chimerism and its role in the development of anueploid series are discussed in detail.     

Effects of azadirachtin injection in litchi trees (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) on the litchi stink bug (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury) in northern Thailand

The litchi stink bug (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury) is one of the major pests of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in tropical Asia. Systemic effects of azadirachtin (at a concentration of 0.17 g active ingredient per centimeter trunk diameter) on T. papillosa were examined by injecting the dissolved product (NeemAzal U) into the trunks of four caged litchi trees in an orchard in northern Thailand. Four untreated caged trees served as control. Mean weekly mortality rates of individuals released on the treatment date (initially 55 nymphs per cage) were significantly higher in the treatment cages (55%) than in the control cages (10%) between the second and the fourth week of the experiment. Mortality in the treatment cages was probably due to both toxic effects (ecdysis inhibition) and antifeedant effects (starvation). Weekly mortality rates of individuals released 2 weeks after tree injection (initially 20 nymphs per cage) were not significantly different between treatment and control cages, indicating a weakening effect of azadirachtin, 2–3 weeks after tree injection. Azadirachtin concentration in ripe fruits was less than 5 mg/kg fruit pulp 18 days after tree injection. Although the results of this study are not yet sufficient for practical recommendations, they provide indications of alternative options for integrated pest management approaches. The azadirachtin tree injection method should also be tested against other pests of litchi, and of fruit trees in general.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Ferula glauca L. (F. communis L. subsp. glauca) growing in Marche (central Italy)

The essential oil obtained from different parts of Ferula glauca L. (formerly considered as a subspecies of F. communis) growing in Marche (central Italy), was analyzed for the first time by GC-FID and GC-MS. The major volatiles were (E)-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide in leaves, alpha-pinene, myrcene and germacrene D in flowers, alpha- and beta-pinene in fruits, (E)-beta-farnesene, myristicin and elemicin in roots, respectively. The differences in composition detected with respect to F. communis, made the volatile fraction a reliable marker to distinguish between them, and confirm the botanical data at the base of their discrimination. Furthermore, the oil was assayed for its antimicrobial activity by the broth microdilution method. B. subtilis was found to be the most sensitive microorganism, with the lowest MIC values.     

Identification of salt tolerant baldcypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxodium distichum</Emphasis> (L.) Rich) for planting in coastal areas

Coastal baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) forests are being killed in the southern United States as a result of saltwater intrusion. Tank studies have indicated substantial intraspecific variation in salt tolerance within baldcypress populations, but only one field study has been conducted and it used a limited seed source. The major objective of this project was to expand the collection range of baldcypress across the southeastern United States and determine if there are baldcypress populations that can survive and grow in saltwater damaged areas. Seeds were collected in 1996 from eight estuarine areas (James River = VA; Cape Fear River = NC; Winyah Bay = SC; Ogeechee River = GA; Ochlockonee River = FL; Mobile Bay = AL; Biloxi River=MS; Chalmette = LA). Seeds were stratified and planted, and seedlings were grown for 2 years before planting in two abandoned ricefields on Hobcaw Barony near Georgetown, South Carolina in 1999. Salinity levels reached 18.5ppt during 2001 at the peak of the worst drought on record. By 2002, the only seedlings surviving were those from LA, AL, and FL. After 5 years in the field, LA seedlings were the best performers with a mortality rate of only 27%. More detailed analyses of the biologic and genetic characteristics of trees growing in the LA site need to be completed to determine if they represent a source of baldcypress seed possessing greater tolerance to saline conditions. If so, seeds need to be collected and nurseries established to grow seedlings to help restore degraded wetland swamp areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.     

Diversity of the calabash tree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crescentia cujete</Emphasis> L.) in Colombia

Germplasm of the calabash tree (Crescentia cujete L.) was collected in five major regions of Colombia, i.e. the Andes, Caribbean, Amazon, Orinoco, and Pacific regions. Collecting this multipurpose tree was guided by the indigenous knowledge of farmers and artisans in each region. Large variation in fruit shapes and sizes was found, of which some forms were typical for certain regions. Overall 56 accessions were collected and roughly classified into 22 types by eight fruit shapes and eight sizes. Molecular markers (Amplified fragment length polymorphisms) were applied to leaf tip tissue originating from vegetatively propagated plants in order to assess the diversity available in the germplasm collected as well as to detect patterns of geographical or morphological similarity. One accession each of C. alata H.B.&K. and C. amazonica Ducke were used as outgroups. Overall, genetic diversity was high (mean Nei and Li’s coefficient of 0.43). No relations could be established between either geographical provenance or fruit morphology and patterns of genetic diversity. Concerning the outgroups, the C. amazonica accession appeared to be a distinct species. The C. alata accession, however, did not seem to be sufficiently distinct from C. cujete to merit species status. The latter material may in fact be a hybrid or serve to challenge the validity of interspecific organization of the genus Crescentia.

Effects of selective logging on the mating system and pollen dispersal of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Leguminosae) in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon as revealed by microsatellite analysis

Using nine microsatellite loci, we studied the effects of selective logging on genetic diversity, mating system and pollen dispersal in a population of the tree species Hymenaea courbaril, located in a 546 ha plot in the Tapajós National Forest, Pará State, Brazil. We analyzed 250 offspring (nursery reared seedlings) collected after a logging episode from 14 open-pollinated seed trees. These were compared to 367 seedlings from 20 open-pollinated seed trees previously collected from the pre-logging primary forest. The genetic diversity was significantly lower in the post-logging seed cohort. In contrast to the pre-logging population, significant levels of selfing were detected in the post-logging population (t_m = 0.962, P < 0.05). However, correlated matings were reduced and the effective number of pollen donors almost doubled after harvesting (3.8 against 7.2). Logging also reduced pollen immigration into the plot (from 55% to 38%) and we found no significant correlation between the size of the pollen donors and the number of seeds fathered. Inside the plot, pollen dispersal distance was shorter before logging than after (827 and 952 m, respectively) and the reproductive pollination neighbor area (A_ep) was larger (average of 178 ha). The individual and average variance effective population size within families (ranged from 1.80 to 3.21, average of 2.47) was lower than expected in panmictic populations (N_e = 4). The results indicate that while logging greatly reduced the levels of genetic diversity after logging, it also increased genetic recombination within the population and constrained crossing among related individuals. The results show that low-density tropical tree species such as H. courbaril, when harvested in moderate levels may be resilient to a reduction in the reproductive population and may maintain similar levels of outcrossing and pollen dispersal after logging.     

Influence of an indigenous European alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn) rhizobacterium (Bacillus pumilus) on the growth of alder and its rhizosphere microbial community structure in two soils

Europeanalder seedlings were inoculated with a suspension of the putative plant growthpromoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) Bacillus pumilus (CECT5105), or left non-inoculated (controls) in two different soils, and grownundercontrolled conditions. Soil A showed a thick texture, slightly acidic with ahigh mineral nitrogen content, while soil B showed a thin texture, basic andwith a lower nitrogen content. At each sampling time, over an 8-week period,shoot and root systems of the plants were measured, nodules counted, and shootand root length and surface were determined. In addition, changes in themicrobial rhizosphere structure were evaluated by the phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA) profile extracted directly from the rhizosphere soil. The increasesdetected in shoot surface were significant only in soil A, while the rootsystemwas affected in both soils. In soil A, inoculation with B.pumilus caused a perturbation that subsequently disappeared, whilethe rhizosphere community structure was seriously altered in soil B. Allbiometric parameters were enhanced to a greater extent in soil A, in which theinoculum did not alter the existing rhizosphere communities and nutrientavailability was better.     

Regeneration niches of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> [L.] Karst.) saplings in small canopy gaps in mixed mountain forests of the Bavarian Limestone Alps

Natural regeneration measurements are the main silvicultural objective in overaged protective forests of the Bavarian Limestone Alps. While manifold problems with these stands, especially the impact of browsing, are widely recognised, the regeneration niches of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) are insufficiently known. The purpose of this study was to determine favourable combinations of site factors for the development of spruce in small, unfenced canopy gaps, located on Aposerido-Fagetum caricetosum albae forest sites. We recorded the occurrence of spruce saplings (as dependent variable) and of six site factors (as independent variables) on 480 0.5 m²-subplots. In addition, we estimated the coverage of six acid adapted plant species to determine correlations with the humus depth. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of the occurrence of a spruce sapling in dependency of the different site factors. Supported by other studies, we assumed that the supply of solar radiation was adequate for the sufficient regeneration of spruce within the canopy gaps. Other site factors significantly determined the regeneration niches of spruce saplings. More spruce saplings were found near hindrances and on rough surfaces than would be expected from a random occurrence of saplings. These microsite types may have characteristics, especially protection against snow gliding that promotes spruce establishment. A calculated “hindrance index”, which accounted for the number, and the distance of surrounding hindrances might be a good specific value to describe the influence of hindrances on steep slopes. The sapling establishment decreased on thin humus layers. Our assumption for the sites was that thick organic layers might represent a good seedbed for spruce. Decayed dead wood was scarce, but was exceedingly favoured by spruce saplings. Results obtained suggest that the natural regeneration establishment of spruce on steep slopes can be successfully influenced by site factors which inhibit the influence of snow gliding. According to a “positive microsite” concept, we recommend for artificial regeneration measurements with spruce, microsites close to hindrances (e.g. stumps, downed trees) and Vaccinium myrtillus as a predictor for thick, acid humus layers.