Discrimination of viable and empty seeds of Pinus patula Schiede & Deppe with near-infrared spectroscopy

Sustainable forest production demands a continuous supply of high quality seeds for the production of seedlings in the nursery or for direct sowing. Here, we demonstrated the potential of near infrared spectroscopy as a rapid technique to discriminate viable and empty seeds of Pinus patula Schiede & Deppe. Near infrared spectra were collected from single seeds in transmittance and reflectance modes. To discriminate viable and empty seeds, multivariate classification models were developed with partial least squares (PLS) regression using the digitized spectra as a regressor and a y-vector of artificial values (1 for viable and –1 for empty seeds) as a regressand. Viable and empty seeds were perfectly distinguished by PLS models computed on full and selected transmittance spectroscopy data, while those derived from full NIR reflectance spectra recognized 96 % of viable and 88 % of empty seeds. Analyses made on selected NIR reflectance spectra improved the classification rate of empty seeds to 100%. Difference spectra and PLS weights indicated that the origin of spectral differences between viable and empty seeds was attributed to differences in fatty acids and proteins that were totally absent in empty seeds. The result shows the prospect of developing rapid filter-based sorting equipment that can easily be automated.     

Performance of Larix sibirica and L. gmelinii in north-central North Dakota

Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) is a potential alternative tall-tree species for use in shelterbelt plantings in the northern Great Plains. Information from a 26-year-old study containing six Larix seed sources indicates that L. sibirica generally outperformed L. gmelinii and putative L. sibirica × L. gmelinii hybrids in block plantings at a single site in north-central North Dakota. These results suggest that L. sibirica merits further study as a possible species for use in shelterbelt plantings.     

Models for predicting tree and stand development on larch plantations in Hallormsstaður,Iceland

The aim was to model the growth of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Russian larch (Larix sukaczewii Dyl., syn. L. sibirica var. sukaczewii) plantations in Hallormsstaeur, Iceland. The field inventory was carried out in eastern Iceland in June 2006. Models were constructed for predicting dominant height, total tree height and 5-year diameter increment. Several linear and non-linear forms of models were tested in preliminary analyses to find the equations that fitted the modelled characteristics best. Due to the spatially hierarchical correlation structure of the data (stands, plots and trees), the assumption of non-correlated error terms did not hold. Therefore, a random parameter modelling approach was adopted using mixed models when the estimates obtained for the random effects were statistically significant. The variance estimates for the random effects can be further used to calibrate the models. The models generated here performed well with independent test data and were consistent with the forest growth theory. They can be used to evaluate site quality and to estimate the growth and yield of larch stands in eastern Iceland in connection with forest planning.     

Variation in spring and autumn frost tolerance among provenances of Russian larches (Larix Mill.)

Abstract

Spring and autumn frost tolerance was measured using material from a range-wide (50–67° N, 38–158° E) provenance trial of four Russian larch species (Larix sukaczewii Dyl., L. sibirica Ledeb., L. gmelinii Rupr. and L. cajanderi Mayr.) growing in northern Sweden. Shoots were collected in early May and late September and frozen at ?8, ?12, ?16 and ?20°C. Cambial damage was assessed visually after development under ideal conditions for 2 weeks. Differences in frost damage among provenances were highly significant in both spring and autumn. Autumn frost damage was significantly correlated with provenance latitude and longitude and spring frost damage was significantly correlated with provenance longitude but not latitude. Frost damage was not correlated with provenance elevation. North-western provenances showed the least damage and far-eastern provenances the greatest damage in both spring and autumn. A possible explanation for less spring frost damage to north-western provenances is adaptation to maritime conditions in proximity to the Barents Sea, which is often ice free in late winter. This would counteract early loss of frost tolerance and bud flushing if warm spells occurred in late winter. North-eastern Siberian provenances did not show similar adaptation and may exhibit increased spring frost damage if global warming eventually results in the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia becoming ice free in late winter.     

Clonal micropropagation of mature Larix

Adventitious buds were developed in vitro from stems of elongating short shoots of mature European larch (Larix decidua Mill.). Tissue culture propagule populations thus generated, were similarly remultiplied in vitro. Elongation and rooting were routine. No vitreous or otherwise abnormal shoots were noted.     

3种落叶松苗期光能利用效率的比较

正林木90%以上的干物质来自光合作用,单位时间内光能利用效率(包括光能截获能力和光能转化效率)是衡量林木生长潜力的重要指标。光能截获能力主要与叶面积大小及其发展有关,光能转化效率主要与单叶光合速率有关。自发现光合速率在不同个体间存在明显差异后,以提高光能利用效率为目标的"高光效育种"受到育种学家的重视[1-3],而通过选配高光效种质进行有目的杂交已成为高光效育种的重要手段[4]。落叶松(Larix spp.)种间杂交     

Comparative analysis of diterpene composition in the bark of the hybrid larch F<Subscript>1</Subscript>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix gmelinii</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">japonica × L. kaempferi</Emphasis> and their parent trees

The diterpene compositions in the bark of branches were investigated for two families of the F₁ hybrid, Kurile larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica Pilg.) × Japanese larch [Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.] (hereafter F₁) and their parents clones. 13-Epimanool, larixol, larixyl acetate, 13-epitorulosyl acetate (not detected in L. gmelinii var. japonica), isopimaric acid, abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, and neoabietic acid were detected. Larixol and abietic acid represented more than 50% of the diterpene content in L. gmelinii var. japonica and L. kaempferi, respectively. Larixol and abietic acid were the predominant diterpene components in the F₁, and the proportions of these diterpenes were between those of the parental species. Therefore, the diterpene compositions in the F₁ were hereditarily infl uenced by their parents. The ratios of labdane, pimarane, and abietane diterpenes suggested that the main diterpene biosynthesis pathway in L. gmelinii var. japonica was from copalyl diphosphate (CDP) to labdane-type diterpenes, and that in L. kaempferi was from CDP to abietane-type diterpenes via pimarane type. Furthermore, linear discriminant analysis suggested that the diterpene contents are effective indices for the discrimination of the hybrid seedlings. Part of this article was presented at the Annual Meetings of the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry in Kyoto, March 2006, and in Tokyo, March 2007     

Zur unterschiedlichen Resistenz von Lärchen gegen Läusebefall

Zusammenfassung In einer Plantage mit Klonen vonLarix sibirica undL. decidua in Nordschweden wurden Unterschiede zwischen den Klonen im Befall vonAdelges laricis festgestellt. In einer Lärchenplantage in Mittelschweden warL. decidua stark von überwinternden Hiemalis-Larven derA. laricis befallen, während asiatische Lärchen weitgehend verschont blieben. Europäische Lärchen von zwei Herkünften unterschieden sich deutlich in der Stärke und der Verteilung des Befalls. Ein Einfluß der Rindendicke oder -struktur auf den Läusebefall konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden.

---

Summary Differences in attack by the aphidAdelges laricis Vallot were found between clones in a clonal plantation ofLarix sibirica andL. decidua in northern Sweden. In a plantation of larch in central SwedenL. decidua was heavily attacked by hibernating larvae ofA. laricis, whereas asiatic larch of various origins bore only a very low level of infestation. Two origins of European larch displayed differences both in degree as well as in distribution of aphid attack. Neither bark thickness nor structure could be shown to influence attack.

---

Résumé Les diffèrents degrès d'attaque parAdelges laricis sur plusieurs clônes deLarix sibirica etLarix decidua ont été déterminés dans un plantage de Suède du nord (5 mètres d'équidistance entre les plans). Dans un plantage semblable de mélèze en Suède centrale,Larix decidua était fortement attaqué par des chenilles hivernantes d'Adelges laricis alors que les mélèzes asiatiques de diffèrentes provenances n'étaient que peu touchés. Deux origines diffèrentes de mélèze d'Europe présentaient de notables variations quant à la force et la répartition de l'attaque. Une influence de lépaisseur de l'écorce ou de sa structure sur l'attaque des pucerons ne pouvait être mise à jour.

     

Characteristics of reproductive biology forLarix originating in Japan

The paper summarized the life cycle, environmental features and distributions ofLarix origination in Japan. The time of blooming and fruiting and the ways of cone collection and seeds storage were introduced. The treating methods of seeds germination and the sowing time for both Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Carr) and Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii var.japonica Pilger) were discussed. Responsible Editor: Zhu Hong     

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.     

Freilanduntersuchungen zur Sexuallockstoff-Reaktion der Fichtenform des grauen Lärchenwicklers,Zeiraphera diniana Gn. (Lep., Tortricidae)

Males of the larch bud moth developing onPicea excelsa in the SSR respond when tested by the electroantenno-grammethod or in the field much stronger to (E)-9-dodecenyl acetate (E 9–12 Ac) as to the (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E 11–14 Ac) which is maximally prefered by the larch bud moth developing onLarix decidua. Thus the spruce form exhibits a similar reaction as the males developing onPinus cembra sympatrically with the larch form in the Alps.     

Adventitious micropropagation of mature Larix decidua using dormant versus flushed axillary vegetative buds

Tissues of winter-dormant buds were collected from mature Larix decidua, and used for adventitious shoot organogenesis. Tissues of dormant buds merely died on the cytokinin-supplemented, bud-initiation medium. In contrast, buds allowed to flush under greenhouse conditions subsequently yielded approximately two adventitious shoots per bud explant tissue. These shoots elongated normally and several rooted spontaneously. Microbial contamination of in vitro cultures was negligible using explants from buds orgininally collected in a dormant state.     

STUDY ON GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION OF DAHURIAN LARCH IN CHINA

Based on the main characteristies of growth,ohenology and resistance at both seed-ling stage (one year old) and sampling stage (seven years old) of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii(Rupr.)Rupr.) from seventeen provenances in China ranging from 47°10′ to 52°25′N and 119° 57′to 130°25′E,the rules and patterns of infraspecific geolgraphic variation have been studied by　using variance analysis,corelation analysis,partial correlation analysis and regression analysis.The best provenance for local site and its neighborhood was selected according to the growth char-acteristies of seven years provenance test on Liangshui Experimental Forest Farm of NortheastForestry University.     

Reflectance features of water stressed Larix gmelinii needles

In recent years, Xing’an larch (Larix gmelinii) has been seriously infected by pests and drought. In order to improve the accuracy of monitoring the damage to larch by remote sensing (RS) and to predict the health of the larch, we studied the reflectance features of larch needles under different water conditions at the needle level by using the LIBERTY (Leaf Incorporating Biochemistry Exhibiting Reflectance and Transmittance Yields) model. Before applying the LIBERTY model, we recalibrated it for the needles of L. gmelinii based on ten field-measured spectral curves. After recalibration, LIBERTY can accurately model the needle reflectance spectra of L. gmelinii. Based on the recalibrated LIBERTY model, we extracted and analyzed the sensitive bands to needle water content by simulating the needle reflectance spectra under different drought conditions. Then, we established mathematical equations between the spectral indices (MSI, NDWI, and GVMI) and needle water content. Results show that the variations of larch needle water content can significantly change the needle spectra at the near-infrared and short-wave infrared bands. The higher the water content is, the higher the absorption peak is. We believe that our study will provide the theoretical basis and an optional method to investigate the forest water stress using multi-spectral or hyper-spectral remote sensing data.     

大兴安岭不同冻土活动层对兴安落叶松生长和更新的影响

研究不同冻土活动层兴安落叶松的生长状态、更新苗生长和碳储量变化,探讨冻土与植被的依存关系,为今后大兴安岭兴安落叶松的经营提供参考。通过3年野外调查数据分析,对比兴安落叶松胸径、树高、生物量,更新苗的生长指标、枯损碳量和进阶碳量的变化差异。结果表明,随着冻土活动层深度的增加,不同径阶组中不同活动层兴安落叶松生长趋势为CK＞2.0 m活动层＞1.0 m活动层＞0.5 m活动层,且差异性均为显著（P＜0.05）;不同厚度的冻土活动层兴安落叶松更新苗的各生长指标均有显著差异性（P＜0.05）,其中地径和树高差异达极显著（P＜0.001）;随着冻土活动层深度的增加,碳的生产力也逐渐增加,进阶碳量的总体趋势为CK＞2.0 m活动层＞1.0 m活动层＞0.5 m活动层,枯损碳量呈相反趋势（CK＜2.0 m活动层＜1.0 m活动层＜0.5 m活动层）。因此,冻土活动层厚度的不同是影响兴安落叶松生长发育和碳储量释放的重要因素,本研究为今后高效经营大兴安岭冻土区兴安落叶松提供了重要的理论依据。     

兴安落叶松树干去皮直径预测模型

利用兴安落叶松解析木数据,比较了树干去皮直径预测的3种类型模型:Grosenbaugh的比率方程式、回归模型和削度方程。Grosenbaugh的比率方程式有很大的灵活性,没有参数不需要模型拟合。总体评价和模型分段比较表明,回归模型有较小的预测误差,尤其是Cao and Pepper提出的含有带皮直径、树高、相对树高、胸径处的带皮直径和去皮直径变量的模型。由于削度模型不含有带皮直径变量,因此产生较大的去皮直径预测误差。不同类型的模型在森林经营过程中都有一定的适应性。     

Age trends of genetic parameters of spiral grain in hybrid larch F1 and implications for efficiency of early selection

Age trends in variance components and heritability were estimated from the spiral grain angle of rings 2–25, as counted from the pith in hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × Larix kaempferi) F₁. Age-age genetic and phenotypic correlations and the optimum selection age for spiral grain were also calculated. Wood samples were collected from 95 29-year-old trees belonging to 19 full-sib families in a progeny test plantation in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Spiral grain angle data were obtained by the splitting method. Mean grain angles at growth rings used for the analyses were calculated as the arithmetic mean of angles up to respective rings. Generally, the additive genetic variance for mean grain angle decreased with increasing ring number. Although dominance variance was comparatively high near the pith, it decreased to zero in subsequent growth rings. Highest heritability estimates of mean grain angle occurred at ring 4 and then declined with age, ranging from 0.45 down to 0.20. Age-age phenotypic correlations were higher than genetic correlations, especially those involving early growth rings. Optimum selection ages for spiral grain based on genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated as 3 and 4 years (cambial age), respectively, in which maximum gain efficiency per year were obtained.     

Age trends in the genetic parameters of wood density and the relationship with growth rates in hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi) F1

Age trends in variance components and heritability of overall wood density, earlywood and latewood density, and latewood proportion were investigated in 29-year-old trees of 19 full-sib families of hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × Larix kaempferi) F₁. The age–age correlation and optimum selection age for these traits were also estimated and genetic and phenotypic correlations between wood density and radial growth rate were calculated for each growth ring. Intraring wood density data were obtained using X-ray densitometry. The coefficient of additive genetic variance was stable over all ages, whereas the coefficient of environmental variances gradually decreased with increasing age, resulting in increases in heritability estimates with age for overall density. The latewood proportion had the highest heritability estimates at all ages, ranging from 0.44 to 0.66. Overall density and its various components at 28 years of age showed strong genetic correlations with their respective traits at all younger ages. Optimum selection ages for the wood density traits ranged from 8 to 14 years, at which point maximum gain efficiencies per year were obtained. There were negative correlations between wood density and radial growth rate at early ages, although these relationships tended to be weaker with increasing age. These results suggest that selection at a young age is effective for wood density, but particular care must be taken in selecting trees with an improved radial growth rate because rapid growth will result in a low-density wood product, especially in the early growth period.     

Long-term nitrogen addition regulates root nutrient capture and leaf nutrient resorption in Larix gmelinii in a boreal forest

Human activities accelerate global nitrogen (N) deposition, and elevated N availability may alter the stoichiometric balance of nutrients and then affect nutrient absorption by plants. The boreal forest is considered one of the world’s most N-limited ecosystems, and its response to N deposition is already a hot issue. In order to explore how long-term nitrogen addition influences nutrient uptake and distribution in Larix gmelinii in a boreal forest, four N treatment levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1) have been applied in a boreal forest since May 2011. Nitrogen addition significantly reduced the soil pH, significantly changed the soil N availability, increased the total N and N/P in needles and fine roots, and decreased the total P in needles and the C/N in soil. Nitrogen addition significantly reduced nitrogen resorption efficiency, and its impacts on P resorption efficiency were not significant. Nitrogen addition significantly increased the root length, surface area and diameter of 4th- and 5th-order transport fine roots. The N and N/P of needles showed seasonal variation. The needle N concentration and N/P were positively correlated with N addition, while the needle P was negatively correlated with nitrogen addition. With increase in nitrogen addition, Larix gmelinii increased its investment in its belowground parts, which may explain why Larix gmelinii tended to put more C in long-lived roots to improve its C utilization efficiency. Given the P deficiency caused by N addition, Larix gmelinii may be more likely to absorb P from the soil and adjust its C distribution to meet its P demand rather than relying on internal nutrient resorption.

     

Relationships between the number of dwarf shoots of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Larix decidua</Emphasis> Mill. damaged by different insect species in the Ojców National Park in southern Poland

A study was conducted on the interrelationships between the number of dwarf shoots of Larix decidua Mill. damaged by insects: Adelges laricis Vall. Coleophora laricella Hbn., Spilonota laricana Hein. and Dasineura kellneri (Hensch.). The study made use of dwarf shoots collected at three sites in the Ojców National Park, southern Poland during 2002–2003. A total of 240 branches with 19,239 dwarf shoots, collected from 60 larches were designated to the study. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the Students t-test at the 0.05 level. No unequivocal correlation was found between the relationships.