Management of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis>, the root-knot nematode,on soybean as affected by marigold and sea ambrosia (damsisa) plants

Marigolds (Tagetes erecta and T. patula) or sea ambrosia (Ambrosia maritima) as intercropped plants with soybean (Glycine max) cv. Giza 21 infected with Meloidogyne incognita, the root-knot nematode, significantly (P0.05 and 0.01) reduced nematode numbers on soybean as indicated by the percentage reduction of galls, developmental stages and egg masses in roots and juveniles (J2) in soil. Marigolds significantly (P0.05 or 0.01), in most cases, increased plant growth parameters of soybean, but sea ambrosia had an adverse effect on plant growth parameters. Addition of chopped green leaves of sea ambrosia to the soil planted to soybean significantly (P0.05 and/or 0.01) reduced M. incognita reproduction and development. Sea ambrosia also had an adverse effect on soybean plant growth.     

Absolute configuration of arylglycerol-β-aryl ethers obtained by asymmetric reduction of the correspondingα-ketonic compound with intactFusarium solani cells

When (±)--oxo-guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ether (1) is degraded byFusarium solani M-13-1, the-ketone is initially reduced to giveerythro andthreo guaiacylglycerol--(vanillic acid) ethers (2), arylglycerol--aryl ethers, both of which are enantiomerically pure. The absolute configuration in each2 was determined by Mosher's method; the products were converted to,-di-(R)--methoxy--trifluoromethylphenylacetates (MTPA esters) (3) oferythro (-)- andthreo (+)-veratrylglycerol--(methyl vanillate) ethers (3), whose¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were examined and compared with those of four di-(R)-MTPA ester (3) diastereomers from chemically synthesizederythro (±)-3 andthreo (±)-3. To assign the- and-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks, the¹H NMR scans of several compounds that have substructures of 3 and their 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl analogues were examined. When a racemic alcohol reacts with (R)-MTPA to give a pair of (R)-MTPA ester diastereomers, the value was defined as the absolute value of the difference in the¹H chemical shifts of the peak between the diastereomers. It was found that the values of-MTPA-OCH₃ were larger than those of-MTPA-OCH₃ owing to a shielding effect of the veratryl ring located on the-MTPA-OCH₃, and that the-MTPA-OCH₃ peaks in the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl compounds shifted downfield relative to those in the veratryl compounds. On the basis of the¹h NMR data of (R)-MTPA esters, the absolute configuration of the four chemically prepared diastereomers (3) were determined. The catabolicerythro 3 [fromerythro (-)-3] andthreo 3 [fromthreo (+)-3] were identical to (R, S, R)-erythro 3 and (R, S, S)- threo 3, respectively. An hydrogen species in the fungal reduction would attack the-ketone fromre-face of both (R)-1 and (S)-1, givingerythro (S, R)-2 andthreo (S, S)-2, respectively.Part of this paper was presented at the 33rd Lignin Symposium, Tsukuba, November 1988     

Prevalence and incidence of the root-inhabiting fungi, Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon and Pythium, on container-grown Douglas-fir and spruce seedlings in British Columbia

Surveys were made at the end of the 1990 and 1991 growing seasons for root-inhabiting fungi in the genera Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon and Pythium from the roots of one year-old container-grown Douglas-fir and spruce seedlings grown under greenhouse conditions. In the 1990 survey of four nurseries, it was found that 61–97% of both Douglas-fir and spruce roots were colonized with Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon or Pythium. There were significantly (p0.05) more Douglas-fir roots than spruce roots colonized by Fusarium at all nurseries, however, there were significantly (p0.05) more spruce roots than Douglas-fir roots colonized by Cylindrocarpon and Pythium. Root colonization of Douglas-fir and spruce by the three fungal genera during 1991 varied from 0–82% at three nurseries, however, only at a south coastal nursery was there significantly (p0.05) more spruce than Douglas-fir roots colonized by Cylindrocarpon. Significantly more seedlings were infected in 1990 than in 1991. In 1991, there were few significant differences between Douglas-fir and spruce, in the percentage of seedlings with colonized roots and in the percentage of growth medium colonized by the fungi. However, there were significant differences between nurseries.     

A study on some anatomical parameters of the piercing-sucking process in leaves and branches of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pittosporum tobira</Emphasis> L. (Pittosporaceae) infested by the cottony cushion scale,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Icerya purchasi</Emphasis> Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina,Margarodidae)

Pittosporum tobira L. (Family Pittosporaceae) is an important plant species grown in parks and gardens in Turkey. The cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina, Margarodidae), is an important pest of P. tobira, and causes damage mainly to the leaves, branches and stems of the host plant. In spite of the great economic importance of I. purchasi to its host plant P. tobira, information has been limited on some basic anatomical parameters of the nature of the damage to leaves and branches. The present study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the insertion and penetration of stylets into the leaves and branches of P. tobira, the length of stylets and depth of penetration in both of these tissues, and penetration of stylets into the cortex, xylem and phloem tissues and into the secretory and non-secretory canals of the leaves and branches. The results showed great variations between the leaves and branches in all the criteria observed in I. purchasi infesting P. tobira. The study found 20 whole and 23 broken mouthparts in the leaves as compared to 3 whole mouthparts and 1 broken in the branches. Length of the stylets inserted into the leaves ranged from 33.83 m to 540.93 m and into the branches from 202.85 m to 340.8 m. The stylets reached greater depths in the leaves, at 540.93 m, as compared to 498.67 m in the branches. The stylets in the leaves were associated with 12 secretory canals, but with none in the branches. It was found that three stylets reached xylem in the leaves as compared to one in the branches. Similarly, 17 stylets in the leaves reached to the phloem, but only 2 in the branches. No stylets were found in the cortex of the leaves, but one was found in the branches. In the leaves, 11 stylets reached and remained in the non-secretory canals, but none in the case of the branches.     

Inhibition ofTrichoderma cellulase activity by a stilbene glucoside fromPicea glehnii bark

The stilbene glucoside isorhapontin (5,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxystilbene-3--D-glucoside) is the major constituent of the ethyl acetate extracts fromPicea glehnii bark. Isorhapontin inhibited the hydrolytic activity ofTrichoderma cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I) for both bacterial microcrystalline cellulose and the soluble cellooligosaccharide celloheptaitol. The inhibitory effect for celloheptaitol, however, was more drastic than that for bacterial microcrystalline cellulose. The hydrolytic activity of the CBH I core domain for celloheptaitol was also inhibited by isorhapontin to a similar extent, suggesting that the interaction between isorhapontin and the core domain of CBH I is the reason for this phenomenon. The inhibition of CBH I activity by isorhapontin showed mixed noncompetitive and uncompetitive types in a concentration of the inhibitor of less than 125M. TheK _i andK _i values were estimated to be 57.2 and 33.3M, respectively. Whereas isorhapontin strongly inhibited CBH I activity, its aglycone isorhapontigenin (3-methoxy-3,5,4-trihydroxystilbene) showed almost no inhibition. Consequently, both the stilbenic and the-glucosidic structures in isorhapontin are essential for the inhibitory effect on CBH I activity. Isorhapontin also inhibited the activity ofTrichoderma endoglucanase I for celloheptaitol, whereas almost no effect was observed for the activities of both endoglucanases II and III.An outline of this work was presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

Fogging can control<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> on greenhouse cucumbers

The effect of a fogging system on interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Phytoseiulus persimilis was studied in two cucumber greenhouses in northern Italy. The greenhouses were divided into two compartments, one (referred to as fog area) was humidified using a fogging system and the other was not humidified (no fog area). Four cultivars were investigated: Akito and Frontera during 2000, Dinero and Jazzer during 2001. Tetranychus urticae was released on a number of plants in both compartments. The release of P. persimilis was planned in both compartments at definite T. urticae thresholds. Phytoseiid releases failed, and the colonization by other predators was scarce.Thus, the effect of the fogging system was evaluated only on T. urticae populations. During the first experimental year, spider mite populations reached low densities in the fog area of both cultivars. Higher densities were found in the no fog area, especially in late June and early July. One year later, spider mites were more abundant in the no fog area of the Dinero cultivar. On the Jazzer cultivar, where most plants were infected by powdery mildew, spider mites were less abundant and differences between the two areas were less marked. Since relative humidity values exceeding 90% (considered as effective on T. urticae) were recorded during the night when the fogging system was not active, we suggest that contact with misty water was the main factor responsible for the reduction of T. urticae populations in the fog area.     

Influence of cavity size, seedling growing density and fungicide applications on Keithia blight of western redcedar seedling growth and field performance

To determine the influence of cavity size, seedling density and fungicide application on severity of Keithia blight caused by the fungus Didymascella thujina (Durand) Maire, western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn) seedlings were grown in styroblocks of 3 cavity sizes, thinned to 3 growing densities and sprayed several times monthly with mancozeb fungicide. After two growing seasons cavity size, seedling growing density and number of fungicide applications all significantly (p0.05) affected blight severity. Blight severity was inversely related to the number of mancozeb fungicide applications. The only significant two-way interaction was for cavity size and seedling growing density.Eighteen seedlings from each of the nine cavity sizes and seedling densities combinations were assessed for shoot height, root collar diameter and blight severity, prior to planting at both Holt Creek and Salmon Creek on Vancouver Island, British Columbia in March 1994. Growth was reassessed during October 1994. Seedling height and root collar diameter increased significantly (p0.05) with certain cavity size and seedling density combinations. Blight severity increased significantly (p0.05) for all nine treatments at both sites, however, between sites blight severity increased significantly (p0.05) only at the wetter, Salmon Creek site.     

Effects of a nursery CO2 enriched atmosphere on the germination and seedling morphology of two Mediterranean oaks with contrasting leaf habit

The use of an enriched CO₂ atmosphere in tree nurseries has been envisaged as a promising technique to increase productivity and to obtain seedlings with a higher root/shoot ratio, an essential trait to respond to water stress in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. In that framework, we have analyzed the effects of three levels of atmospheric CO₂ concentration (350, 500 and 700ppm) on the germination rate, growth and morphology of seedlings of two Mediterranean oaks used in reforestation programs: the evergreen Quercus ilex L. and the deciduous Quercus cerrioides Wilk. et Costa. CO₂ enrichment increased the germination rate of Q. cerrioides (from 70±7 to 81±3%) while it decreased that of Q. ilex (from 71±10 to 41±12%). Seedlings of both species increased approximately 60% their total biomass in response to CO₂ enrichment but at two different CO₂ concentrations: 500ppm for Q. cerrioides and 700ppm for Q. ilex. This increase in seedlings biomass was entirely due to an augmentation of root biomass. Considering germination and biomass partitioning, an enriched CO₂ atmosphere might not be appropriate for growing Mediterranean evergreen oaks, such as Q. ilex, since it reduces acorn germination and the only gains in root biomass occur at a high concentration (700ppm). On the other hand, a moderate CO₂ enrichment (500ppm) appears as a promising nursery technique to stimulate the germination, growth and root/shoot ratio of deciduous oaks, such as Q. cerrioides.     

Early effects of four fast-growing tree species and their planting density on ground vegetation in Imperata grasslands

Ground vegetation development was studied under young plantations of Acacia mangium, A. crassicarpa, Gmelina arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria on an Imperata grassland site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study was based on two separate trials: 1) a species trial with a spacing of 3×3 m, and 2) a spacing trial with progressively decreasing planting density. Both trials were established by use of intensive site preparation, NPK-fertilization, and weeding during the first year. Two years after planting and one year after the last weeding, ground vegetation in the first trial was dominated by Imperata cylindrica grass and shrubs Chromolaena odorata and Clibadium surinamense. In the open area (control) only Imperata grass appeared. Significant differences in total ground vegetation biomass (t ha^–1) between the tree species were as follows: G. arborea (0.2) A. mangium (1.4) A. crassicarpa (4.2) < P. falcataria(9.6) open area (11.4). The early results from the spacing trial showed similar trends in the hardwood species' abilities in Imperata suppression. Highly significant linear relationships existed in regression analysis between the distance between planted trees and the ground vegetation biomass as follows: G. arborea (r²=0.75), A. mangium (r²=0.95), A. crassicarpa (r²=0.97), P. falcataria (r²=0.96). Tree species and their planting density should thus be critically considered in forest plantation establishment on Imperata grasslands, since ground vegetation development plays a decisive role in fire susceptibility, maintenance requirements and the promotion of native species in plantations.     

Effect of water potential on fruit body formation ofLentinula edodes in sawdust-based substrate

The influence of substrate water potential () on the growth and fruiting of three genotypes of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) was investigated. A slight reduction of (–0.5MPa) stimulated mycelial and colony growth on liquid, agar, and sawdust-based substrates.L. edodes has been found to grow well at a around –0.5 MPa, which corresponds to a moisture content around 55%. A small decrease in at the final vegetative growth phase had positive effects on flush quantity. The substrate was significantly affected by the interaction between genotypes and spawn run time. The of well-colonized mature substrate was –0.7MPa before and –4.OMPa after the fruiting. The rose again to –0.7MPa during rapid absorbance of water by soaking, and this rise was repeated during the second and third flushes. It is suggested that the water-holding capacity of a substrate is related to culture maturity. Excellent water-providing capacity (higher) is expected in the substrate of well-matured cultures with a high density of mycelial colonization.Part of this paper was presented at the 46th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kumamoto, April 1996     

Interactions between<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Orthotomicus erosus</Emphasis> (Woll.) (Col., Scolytidae) and the Argentine ant<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Linepithema humile</Emphasis> (Mayr) (Hym., Formicidae)

Interactions occurring between Orthotomicus erosus, an economically important pine bark beetle in Portugal, and the aggressive Argentine ant Linepithema humile were investigated. Tri-trophic experimental enclosures consisting of Pinus pinaster logs, O. erosus adults and L. humile workers were set up in the field and in the laboratory. Interactions between ants and scolytids were observed and quantified in terms of the bark beetles success in colonizing the logs. The presence of L. humile did not influence the ability of O. erosus to colonize the logs, apparently due to the difficulties met by the ants in handling the bark beetles and to their inability to injure them. Thus, although abundant in many pine stands in Portugal and in spite of its aggressiveness, L. humile does not seem to affect populations of O. erosus.     

Prey consumption preferences of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Serangium parcesetosum</Emphasis> Sicard (Col., Coccinelidae) for different prey stages,species and parasitized prey

Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Col., Coccinellidae) is considered one of the important predators of whiteflies. However, knowledge about its preferences for different prey stages, species and parasitized prey is still lacking in the literature. The present work investigated the preferences of S. parcesetosum for different stages of B. tabaci, different prey species and B. tabaci parasitized by Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hym., Aphelinidae) by prey consumption at different temperatures in the laboratory. Results showed that L₂ and L₄ predatory instars of S. parcesetosum preferred puparia to nymphs and eggs of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hom., Aleyrodidae). The mean daily prey consumption was 5.1–9.0, 4.5–6.2 and 3.6–4.3 by L₂ and 6.4–9.7, 5.5–8.5 and 2.5–7.5 by L₄ for puparia, nymphs and eggs, respectively. Adult females, however, indicated a significantly greater preference for both puparia and nymphs, consuming a daily mean of 6.4–7.5 puparia and 5.1–6.7 nymphs, but only 3.0–4.7 eggs. At 18 and 30 °C, all S. parcesetosum stages tested significantly preferred B. tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hom., Aleyrodidae) over the other three prey species offered. At both temperatures, all predatory stages preferred B. tabaci to T. vaporariorum, the L₂ instar at 18 °C, showing significantly more preference for B. tabaci than T. vaporariorum. In contrast, very few individuals were consumed from Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom., Aphididae), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thys., Thripidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari, Tetranychidae). At 18 °C, a daily mean of 7.5–8.0, 6.6–9.0 and 6.7–8.1 B. tabaci as well as 5.3–6.4, 5.4–7.8 and 5.6–6.3 T. vaporariorum was consumed by L_2, L₄ and adult females, respectively, while at 30 °C, L₂, L₄ and adult females consumed a mean of 9.3, 8.8–9.7 and 8.3–9.7 B. tabaci/day as well as 8.3–9.0, 7.8–9.1 and 5.5–8.4 T. vaporariorum/day, respectively. S. parcesetosum L₂ and L₄ instars as well as adult females and males at both studied temperatures showed a significant tendency to avoid B. tabaci puparia after 5 days of parasitism by E. formosa and preferred to feed on unparasitized whiteflies. At 18 °C, the mean daily consumption was 8.7 and 0.2 (L₂), 11.1 and 0.6 (L₄), 12.1 and 1.0 () as well as 10.5 and 0.2 (), while at 30 °C the means were 15.9 and 0.5 (L₂), 19.8 and 1.0 (L₄), 18.9 and 1.2 () as well as 17.4 and 0.6 () from unparasitized and parasitized B. tabaci puparia, respectively.This paper is gratefully dedicated to Prof. Dr. W Schwenke on his 83rd birthday, 22 March 2004     

Structure of xylan from culms of bamboo grass (Sasa senanensis Rehd.)

Xylan prepared from culms of kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis Rehd.), a representative species of bamboo grass, was hydrolyzed with-xylanase ofStreptomyces olivaceoviridis E-86. Four arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides and two glucuronoxylo-oligosaccharides were isolated from the enzymatic hydrolysate of the xylan by chromatography on a charcoal column, a Dowex 1-x8 column, a Toyo-pearl HW-40S column, and a LiChrospher 100 NH₂ column and on preparative paper chromatography. The results of the structural analyses of the saccharides showed that the isolated oligosaccharides had the structures of 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylobiose, 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylotriose, 3²--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylobiose, 3³--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylotriose, 2³--4-O-methyl-d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose, and 2³--d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose. From the structural analysis of the oligosaccharides derived from the xylan, kumaizasa xylan was concluded to be a kind of arabinoglucuronoxylan having not only stubs of singlel-arabinose and singled-glucuronic acid but also stubs of disaccharide units such as-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranose.     

Micropropagation of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla [Raf.] Sarg.) from embryonic explants

An in vitro propagation protocol is described for western hemlock, an important forestry species in Canada. For shoot bud induction, embryonic explants were placed initially on one-third strength Schenk and Hildebrandt medium containing 5 M N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or 5 M BA in combination with either 5 M kinetin or 5 M 2-isopentenyl adenine for 14 days. The explants were transferred to basal medium without cytokinins for 3 weeks, and then to basal medium containing 0.05% activated charcoal. Elongating shoots were subcultured every 4 weeks on charcoal medium. Shoots, 10 mm in stem height, were rooted either in agar or sterilized peat/perlite (1:1). Up to 70% of the shoots formed roots when they were transferred to the latter, moistened with 1/2 strength Gresshoff and Doy medium containing 5 M -naphthaleneacetic acid. About 90% of the plantlets survived transfer to greenhouse conditions.     

The composition and abundance of microarthropod communities on arboreal litter in the canopy of Cryptomeria japonica trees

In a Cryptomeria japonica plantation, we examined the composition and seasonal abundance of microarthropods in communities associated with habitat substrates in the canopy (defined as dead leaves, dead branches, and living leaves) and compared them with those in soil communities. Habitat substrates and microarthropods were periodically collected by the branch-clipping and washing method from the canopy and by the Tullgren method from the soil. Oribatida, Collembola, and larvae of the Chironomidae, most of which are detritivorous or fungivorous, were dominant in the canopy. The dominant oribatid and collembolan families differed markedly between the canopy and the soil. Numbers of all microarthropods per unit dry weight of leaf or per unit area of branch ranged from 4.2 to 11.7g^–1 dry wt on dead leaves, 0.13–0.48cm^–2 on dead branches, and 1.3–6.4g^–1 dry wt on living leaves. In the soil, the number of individuals per unit ground area ranged from 24000 to 220000m^–2. The total abundances of microarthropods on dead leaves and dead branches were almost constant throughout the year. These results suggest that the arboreal litter characteristic of C. japonica canopies is utilized consistently by large numbers of detritivorous and fungivorous microarthropods, and that the decomposition of dead foliage and branches is initiated in the canopy.     

Effect of rhizobial inoculation methods and host plant provenances on nodulation and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia senegal</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis>

The purpose of this work was to determine the most efficient methods of inoculation to significantly improve nodulation and growth of Acacia senegal and Acacia nilotica, grown under greenhouse conditions. Our results showed that inoculation using dissolved alginate beads containing rhizobia significantly improved the growth of both acacia species better than the growth of plants in other treatments. The experiment with A. nilotica was conducted in two unsterilised soils from different areas. Plants grown in soil from Bel Air were well-nodulated and showed better growth than plants grown in soil from Sangalkam. However, no difference between these soils was shown between the several methods of inoculation and their effect on the nodulation and growth of plants. An interaction between A. senegal and A. nilotica provenances and the effect of inoculation with rhizobia was also demonstrated. Bel Air provenance of A. senegal, Dahra and RIM provenances of A. nilotica grew best of several provenances tested. These results suggest that (1) it may be possible to improve growth and yield of A. senegal and A. nilotica by careful selection of each symbiotic partner; and (2) nursery-grown seedlings of A. senegal and A. nilotica should be inoculated, just after sowing, with dissolved alginate beads containing a mixture of selected rhizobia. Résumé. Lobject de notre travail était de déterminer la méthodologie dinoculation la plus efficace pour améliorer significativement la nodulation et la croissance dAcacia senegal et dAcacia nilotica poussant dans des conditions de serre. Nos résultats ont montré que linoculation utilisant des billes dalginate dissoutes améliorait significativement la croissance des deux espèces dAcacia par rapport à celle des plantes des autres traitements. Lexpérience avec A. nilotica a été faite dans deux types de sol non stériles. Nous avons observé que les plants poussant dans le sol de Bel Air étaient plus nodulés et mieux développés que ceux poussant dans le sol de Sangalkam. Cependant, aucune différence significative entre les deux sols na été mise en évidence en termes deffet des différentes méthodologies dinoculation sur la nodulation et la croissance des plantes. Il a aussi été démontré lexistence dune interaction entre les provenances dA. senegal et dA. nilotica et leffet de linoculation avec rhizobium. Cest ainsi que les provenances Bel Air dA. senegal, Dahra et RIM dA. nilotica ont le mieux poussé parmi les différentes provenances testées. Lensemble de ces résultats suggèrent: ⁽¹⁾ il devrait être possible daméliorer la croissance et la production dA. senegal et dA. nilotica par une sélection des deux partenaires symbiotiques; ⁽²⁾ Les jeunes plantules dA. senegal et dA. nilotica produites en pépinière devraient être inoculées juste après le semis avec des billes dalginate dissoutes contenant un cocktail de souches sélectionnées.     

Experiments in rooting bishop pine (Pinus muricata D. Don) cuttings

Presented here are results of rooting studies using hedges established from juvenile seedlings of blue and green foliaged bishop pine (Pinus muricata D. Don) from Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, California. Rootability, averaged over all clones and all setting dates, was 88%. The average time for 50% of the cuttings to root was 6 months. In general, cuttings began to root rapidly in late winter/early spring. The time of year when cuttings were set determined how soon they began a phase of rapid rooting, with cuttings set in winter and early spring beginning faster than other setting dates. The period of rapid rooting lasted 2–3 months until mid/late summer, beyond which time, rooting was slow. Population and family differences in rooting were not significant; differences in rooting among clones, however, were large and significant. Analyses of clones in two experiments indicated that rooting was heritable.     

Biological activity of extracts fromCupressus lusitanica cell culture

Ethyl acetate extracts ofCupressus lusitanica suspension cell cultures were examined for their biological activities (viz., tyrosinase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities). The extract from elicitor-treated cells showed all of the biological activities, whereas the extract from cultures without elicitor was not bioactive to a discernible extent. The biological activities shown by the cell culture extracts were almost solely accounted for by-thuj aplicin contained in the extracts. These results suggest that the ethyl acetate extract ofC. lusitanica cells treated with the elicitor is a valuable bioactive source without isolation or purification of-thujaplicin.     

Specific degradation ofβ-aryl ether linkage in synthetic lignin (dehydrogenative polymerizate) by bacterial enzymes ofSphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 produced in recombinantEscherichia coli

Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 produces unique and specific enzymes, such as-etherases,O-demethylases, and ring fission dioxygenases, for lignin degradation. Cleavage of arylglycerol--aryl ether linkage is the most important process in the lignin metabolic pathway ofS. paucimobilis SYK-6. We reported the genes (ligD, ligE, ligF) for enzymes that cleaved-aryl ether linkage of dimeric compounds in previous studies. In this study we synthesized the fluorescent high-molecular-weight lignin (UBE-DHP) by dehydrogenative polymerization. We investigated the-aryl ether cleavage ability of these enzymes produced in recombinantEscherichia coli. When UBE-DHP was incubated with LigF, 4-methylumbeliferone was released as a result of-aryl ether cleavage of O-methylumbelliferyl--hydroxypropiovanillone (compound III) incorporated in UBE-DHP. Here, we report that-etherase ofS. paucimobilis SYK-6 can be expressed inE. coli and is able to cleave the-aryl ether linkage in synthetic high-molecular-weight lignin.     

Hinweise zur Auswirkung biophysikalischer Umweltverhältnisse auf forstschädliche Insekten,untersucht insbesondere anLymantria monacha L.

Zusammenfassung Die Zentren des Schadauftretens verschiedener untersuchter forstschädlicher Insekten dürften nach zahlreichen Testungen Reizzonen umfassen, welche wieder als eine Kombination von elektrischen und magnetischen Feldern und durch diese freigelegte Metalleffekte erscheinen. Untersuchungen zur möglichen Wirksamkeit dieser Komponenten auf Vitalität und Fertilität vonLymantria monacha führten zu folgenden Ergebnissen. Es erscheint möglich, daß innerhalb von Reizzonen Sterblichkeit und Fruchtbarkeit vonLymantria monacha auch von niederfrequenten elektromagnetischen oder auch konstanten magnetischen oder elektrostatischen Feldern beeinflußt werden, die direkt oder auch über die Pflanze auf die Lebenskraft der Nonne von Wirksamkeit sind. Reizzonenbereich und Normalbereich zeigten hinsichtlich der Mortalität der Versuchstiere gegensätzliche Verhältnisse. Die Anfangsmortalität innerhalb von Reizzonen war gegenüber jener der Zuchten im Normalbereich erniedrigt, die Endmortalität vielfach erhöht. Futter aus Normalbereichen setzte in den Reizzonen, Reizzonenfutter im Normalbereich die Sterblichkeit herab und erhöhte im Normalbereich die Fruchtbarkeit. Im Normalbereich mit Normalfutter gezogene Nonnen wiesen die geringsten Zahlen an abgelegten Eiern auf, was sich besonders bei an Pflanzen eingebeutelten Tieren deutlich zeigte. Die wesentlich höhere Fruchtbarkeit von Nonnen an Pflanzen im Reizzonenbereich mag zusammen mit der hier erniedrigten Anfangsmortalität eine Erklärung zum gehäuften Auftreten vonLymantria monacha innerhalb von Reizzonen geben. Freigesetzte Metalleffekte könnten innerhalb von Reizzonen die Sterblichkeit aber auch die Fruchtbarkeit erhöhen.

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Summary The centres of damages by different forest insects, examined in this research, seem to be in zones of Earth radiations (Reizzonen), which again seem to be combinations of magnetic or electric fields and metal effects, set free by them. Examinations for possible influences of these components on vitality and fecundity ofLymantria monacha showed the following results: It seems possible, that inside of zones of earth radiations mortality and fecundity of this butterfly could be directed from magnetic or electric fields also of low frequency or electrostatic, which either directly or indirectly by the nutrients (plants) influence the vital power ofLymantria monacha. Zones of Earth radiations and normal zones showed different conditions in respect of the mortality. Mortality of larvae of first developmental stages inside of zones of Earth radiations was decreased, such of late stages increased contrary to larvae in normal zones. Plant-food of normal zones decreased the mortality of larvae in zones of Earth radiations and food of zones of Earth radiations decreased the mortality of those of normal zones and increased fecundity in the latter cases. Female butterflies reared in normal zones showed the lowest number of developed eggs, especially when reared encaged on living plants (spruce). The essentially higher fecundity ofLymantria monacha reared on plants inside of zones of Earth radiations together with the decreased mortality of first instar larvae there, may give an explantation for the increased population ofLymantria monacha inside of zones of Earth radiations. Metal effects set free inside of zones of Earth radiations could increase there the mortality but also the fecundity.

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Herrn Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. ERWIN SCHIMITSCHEK zum 75. Geburtstag.

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