Ectomycorrhizal fungal community associated with naturally regenerating Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. seedlings on exposed granite slopes along woodland paths

We investigated the ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community of naturally regenerating Pinus densiflora seedlings on exposed decomposed granite (DG) slopes along woodland paths in the Republic of Korea. We sampled three- to five-year-old seedlings from slopes where DG was exposed (habitat S) and from the surrounding forest edge or gaps (habitat F). We classified EcMs into morphological groups and counted the number of root tips. The fungal taxa were determined by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region of their nuclear rDNA. We observed a total of 27 EcM fungal taxa. Atheliaceae and Rhizopogon were the dominant taxa on exposed DG slopes. The fungal species compositions were similar between habitats (0.59 as calculated by the Morishita–Horn index). Fourteen fungal taxa were common to both habitats, and these accounted for more than 90% of the relative abundance in each habitat. There were no significant differences in relative abundance and colonization frequency of each EcM fungal taxon between the habitats, except for Russula sp. 2, which was significantly more frequent in habitat F than in habitat S. Our results indicated that P. densiflora seedlings on exposed DG slopes associated with EcM fungi that were common in forests and not specific to the exposed DG slopes.     

Wind profiles in a coastal forest of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) with different thinning intensities

Simultaneous measurements of windspeed were made outside and inside a pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) coastal forest with different thinning intensities. Synchronously, optical stratification porosity (OSP), which is defined as vertical distribution of the proportion of sky hemisphere not obscured by tree elements inside a forest stand, was estimated using hemispherical silhouettes in each treatment area. Based on the observations, the frequency distribution of velocity, turbulence intensity, wind profile, and the corresponding relationships of these respective parameters with the vertical forest structure (OSP) were examined and compared among the treatment areas. A normal distribution of wind velocity was observed at the lower zone of the forest stand in all treatment areas. The turbulence intensity, the highest value of which was found near the canopy, changed greatly with height, wind velocity, and treatment, and decreased with windspeed and increased with the thinning intensity. It was found that the exponential relationship between windspeed and height could be used to describe the wind profiles within the canopy of the coastal forest. The results demonstrate that the attenuation coefficient of the wind profile corresponds to the grade of thinning intensities. The wind patterns in a coastal forest with different thinning intensities are related to the vertical forest structure, particularly, wind profiles within the canopy are closely correlated with the distribution of OSP. The results indicate that wind profiles can be estimated simply based on the measurement of OSP with a very high coefficient of determination. Reciprocally, the estimation of OSP can also be obtained from the measurement of wind profile. Portions of this paper were presented at the 111st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society. Appreciation is due to Professor Masashi Yamamoto, Mr. Kenji Sakioka, Mr. Takahiro Yoshida, Mr. Hirotaka Yamazaki, Mr. Yasunori Hasegawa and the members of the Sabo Division of the Faculty of Agriculture of Niigata University for their help in collecting the field data and in constructing the observation towers.     

Evaluation of the wave attenuation function of a coastal black pine Pinus thunbergii forest using the individual-based dynamic vegetation model SEIB-DGVM

The wave attenuation function of a Japanese black pine forest was evaluated based on its growth at different initial planting densities (P _ini) using the spatially explicit, individual-based, dynamic global vegetation model. The forest dynamics were simulated for 150 years utilizing datasets for tree density and stem diameter at different stand ages obtained in the field. To elucidate the ability of the forest to reduce the wave height $ \eta_{t} $ (m), a long linear wave that propagates on dry ground was assumed. The attenuation of $ \eta_{t} $ (m) was expressed as follows: $ \eta_{t} = \eta_{t0} \exp ( - k_{\text{i}} x) $ , where $ \eta_{t0} $ , x, and k _i are the initial wave height (m), the distance (m), and the wave attenuation coefficient (m^?1), respectively. The tree destruction caused by the waves was considered in order to estimate k _i. The model suggested that there was a peak age that maximized k _i and was dependent on $ \eta_{t} $ , and that the maximum k _i attained decreased with increasing $ \eta_{t} $ . When P _ini was varied widely from 0.5 to 4 m^?2, the maximum k _i for a relatively low wave height (≤3 m) changed dramatically. For example, when $ \eta_{t} = 2{\text{ m}},$ the maximum k _i ranged from 0.008 to 0.031 m^?1, depending on P _ini. Thus, utilizing a relatively low P _ini would be an efficient way of quickly creating a forest capable of sufficient wave attenuation in areas where a relatively high wave height (≥4 m) is expected. It was concluded that regular harvesting and planting would be required to realize the full potential of the coastal forests to attenuate waves, and that tailoring P _ini is one of the management options that could be used to establish a wave prevention forest.     

Ectomycorrhizal development in a Pinus thunbergii stand in relation to location on a slope and effect on tree mortality from pine wilt disease

The relationship between ectomycorrhizal development and mortality from pine wilt disease was studied in an artificial Pinus thunbergii Parl. stand on a slope. The development of ectomycorrhizae and the survival of the trees showed the same tendency, which suggests a correlation between mycorrhizal development and resistance to pine wilt disease. The development of pine roots and mycorrhizae was greater in the upper part of the slope. The ratio of mycorrhizae to the total of mycorrhizae and fine taproots was also higher in the upper part of the slope. Tree mortality was clearly biased and more trees survived in the upper part of the slope than in the middle and the lower parts. There was no significant difference between the upper and the lower part of the slope in the number of feeding wounds made by the pine sawyer beetle, which demonstrates the opportunity of infection with this disease. There was no clear correlation between the development of mycorrhizae and the composition of the soil substrate such as total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The abundant mycorrhizae in the upper part of the slope, which mitigate drought stress, may also have decreased the rate of tree mortality.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities of Dipterocarpus alatus seedlings introduced by soil inocula from a natural forest and a plantation

We attempted to introduce ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi onto seedlings of Dipterocarpus alatus (Dipterocarpaceae) by soil inocula collected from tree stands of D. alatus. Top soils collected from beneath the trees of D. alatus in a dry evergreen forest and a 15-year-old plantation were inoculated onto germinating seeds of D. alatus. After 7 months of seedling cultivation, ECM fungal communities in the seedlings were investigated based on the sequences of ITS rDNA. The ECM fungi detected were divided into 19 phylotypes by molecular analysis. Most of the phylotypes were identified as ECM fungal taxa, i.e., Clavulina, Laccaria, Lactarius, Tomentella, Pyronemataceae, and Tricholomataceae. Accordingly, we can confirm that soil inoculation is a simple method to induce ECM formation with diverse fungi in pot cultured seedlings, which would be useful for introducing diverse ECM fungi to dipterocarp plantations.     

椴树红松林腐殖质与土壤表层真菌群落结构研究

采用＂之＂字形路线在小兴安岭丰林自然保护区椴树红松林的腐殖质层和土壤表层真菌进行取样调查。采用稀释平板法,选用马铃薯琼脂和孟加拉红培养基分别进行真菌的分离,并用马铃薯琼脂培养基进行纯化培养,共得到428个真菌菌落,进一步分离、纯化后获得67个真菌菌株。分别采用麦芽汁琼脂、查氏琼脂、马铃薯蔗糖琼脂培养基进行不同属真菌的培养和鉴定,共鉴定出27属58种。结果表明：青霉属、木霉属为小兴安岭森林腐殖质层真菌的优势种群,不同月份之间腐殖质中可培养的真菌种类和数量具有一定差异,7月份真菌属和种的数量最多。     

Spatiotemporal analysis of pine wilt disease: Relationship between pinewood nematode distribution and defence response in Pinus thunbergii seedlings

Pine wilt disease is of major concern as it has destroyed pine forests in East Asia and Europe. Several studies have suggested that invasion by the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which causes this disease, evokes an excessive defence response in pine trees, resulting in tree death. However, few studies have quantitatively evaluated the correlation between PWN distribution and tree defence responses. Therefore, the present study aimed to quantify the number of PWNs and expression levels of putative pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes in different positions of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) seedlings over time. To quantify the number of PWNs in the seedlings, we used TaqMan quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) assay. During the early phase of infection, most PWNs were distributed around the inoculated sites, with only a small number being detected at distant sites, but the expression levels of PR genes were highly upregulated throughout the seedlings. Both the number of PWNs and expression levels of PR genes then increased drastically throughout the seedlings, all of which exhibited external symptoms. Thus, it appears that the rapid migration of PWNs induces a defence response throughout the seedling; however, this may not be effective in controlling these parasites, thereby ultimately leading to plant death.     

Stability of height positions in young naturally regenerated stands of Scots pine

The stability of height positions of saplings in young stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was examined by comparing the height order of trees at successive measurements. The data consisted of six naturally regenerated stands and one planted stand for comparison. The length of the examination period was approximately 20 years, covering the mean height development of stands from 0.5 to 5.5 m. For each stand, a structural equation model was fitted by which the covariance structure occurring in the data could be described. In terms of the stability coefficients between the variables produced by the model, the height position of the saplings was very stable. The height positions had mainly been established during the first 5–10 years of age and at a mean height of less than 0.5–1 m. In the naturally regenerated stands, stability was virtually complete from the stage of 15–20 years and 1.5–2 m onwards. In the planted stand, stability became complete slightly later than in the naturally regenerated stands. According to the results, the height of the sapling can be emphasized as a selection criterion in precommercial thinning.     

Effects of lime and ash treatments on ectomycorrhizal infection of Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings planted in a pine forest

A pine forest in the south of Sweden was treated with lime and wood ash. In early June, 12 months after the ash treatment and 18 months after the lime treatment, one year old Pinus syhestris L. seedlings were planted. Four months later six différent ectomycorrhizal types had infected the seedlings in all the treatments. A mycorrhizal type designated “pink”; was more than twice as common in the lime treatments as in the control and ash treatments. Piloderma croceum Erikss. & Hjorts. was significantly more abundant in limed soil than in ash treated soil. The results were compared to those from a bioassy performed in the laboratory, where P. syhestris seedlings had been grown in soil from the same forest. Similar soil pH values in the two studies resulted in different relative infection rates of the mycorrhizal types found. One additional mycorrhizal type, designated “white”; was found in the field experiment. This suggests that mycelial connections to the mature host plants may significantly alter the ability of different fungi to colonize host plant roots in competition with each other compared to when the fungi infect from propagules in the soil.     

Carbon sequestration of naturally regenerated Aleppo pine stands in response to early thinning

Sustainable forest management ought to include the production of non-use value, mainly in forests with low value of direct production. Predictions on climate change points out increase in aridity and changes in fire regime (increasing fire risk, recurrence and severity), particularly in the Mediterranean Basin. However, we have to question whether this implies a decrease in forest resilience and productivity. In summer 1994, large forest fires burned a huge surface of Aleppo pine stands in Spain. In areas naturally regenerated, we carried out early thinning and sampled 18 plots. In winter 2008 and 2009, we inventoried all pine trees in sampling plots, recording total height, diameter and canopy cover for scaling-up results to stand-level estimation. In addition, we destructively sampled 54 individual pine trees, selecting various thinning and dating treatments, to measure and estimate biomass and partitioning. The date of thinning influenced allometric relationships, earlier thinning stimulated the productivity of individual pine saplings, increasing the three components of carbon intake. Although, the total net carbon value was lower in almost all thinned plots (at least for short periods after thinning), differences were actually found depending on the cutting age and thinning severity. Control and thinned plots (mainly those thinned earlier and heavier) showed similar amounts of carbon but comprised in a low number of living trees with high productivity. Thus, productivity and carbon storage assessment should be monitored, in the long-term, to check prediction of proposed models for evaluation on early treatments.     

Soil water content and water relations in planted and naturally regenerated Pinus halepensis Mill. seedlings during the first year in semiarid conditions

The capacity of Aleppo pine (Pinus halpensis Mill.) seedlings to overcome the planting shock in dry conditions was assessed by firstly studying the survival and water status during the first year after planting in relation to soil water content. In spite of receiving only 177 mm rainfall during the year studied, survival of planted Aleppo pine was very high (88.5%). Soil water during summer months (after receiving 67 mm rainfall in winter and spring) was only available at 30–60 cm depth, with tension values of –1.1 and –1.3 MPa in July and August respectively; in these conditions, July predawn xylem water potential measured was –2.5 MPa, and midday potential was –3.6 MPa. According to different authors, these values don't jeopardize the survival of Aleppo pine. In addition, acclimation of outplanted seedlings to environmental conditions was followed by comparing their water relations with those of naturally regenerated seedlings on the site. Predawn and midday xylem water potential showed differences in favour of outplanted seedlings since June, indicating an adjustment to this dry site. Compared to naturally regenerated trees, nursery grown stock of the same age before field planting had much more biomass and higher N and P concentrations and contents; although shoot:root balance and Dickson quality index were not significantly different. Finally, planted seedlings acclimation level during first year was also evaluated by Transplant Stress Index, which value (–0.1278) indicated a slight planting impact.     

Reproduction of a Robinia pseudoacacia population in a coastal Pinus thunbergii windbreak along the Kujukurihama Coast, Japan

We investigated reproduction of the clonal tree Robinia pseudoacacia in a Pinus thunbergii windbreak. Microsatellite polymorphism analysis revealed that asexual reproduction through horizontal root elongation and ramet formation was the primary mode of reproduction in this population. Germination experiments indicated that the inability of established genets to produce viable seeds inhibited sexual reproduction. The boundaries between genet areas were relatively distinct, indicating that ramets within genets spatially excluded one another. Analyses of the number of annual rings and thickness of excavated horizontal roots provided new insight regarding photosynthate transfer through horizontal roots. The number of annual rings and thickness were highest for horizontal roots near the base of ramets and decreased along portions far from ramets. This result indicates that the new horizontal root is supplied with photosynthate from the mother ramet for a few years only, and that resource translocation between neighboring ramets within the same clone ceases after several years. Hypotheses about horizontal root expansion and cessation were considered to explain the exclusive distribution pattern of the horizontal root between genets.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity, tree diversity and root nutrient relations in a mixed Central European forest

Knowledge is limited about whether root nutrient concentrations are affected by mixtures of tree species and interspecific root competition. The goal of this field study was to investigate root nutrient element concentrations in relation to root and ectomycorrhizal (EM) diversity in six different mixtures of beech (Fagus sylvatica), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and lime (Tilia sp.) in an old-growth, undisturbed forest ecosystem. Root biomass and nutrient concentrations per tree taxon as well as the abundance and identity of all EM fungi were determined in soil cores of a volume of 1 L (r=40 mm, depth=200 mm). Stand-level nutrient concentrations in overall root biomass and H' (Shannon-Wiener diversity) were obtained by pooling the data per stand. At stand level, Shannon H' for roots and aboveground tree species abundance were correlated. H' for roots and EM fungi were not correlated because of the contribution of ash roots that form only arbuscular mycorrhizal but no EM associations. Nutrient element concentrations in roots showed taxon-related differences and increased in the following order: beech?≤?lime?相似文献   

Somatic embryo production and plant regeneration of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii)

Somatic embryogenesis in Pinus thunbergii was initiated from megagametophytes containing immature zygotic embryos. Embryogenic cultures were maintained and proliferated in medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine. High maturation frequencies of somatic embryos were obtained on maturation media containing maltose, activated charcoal, abscisic acid, and polyethylene glycol as osmotic agent. The best result among the cell lines tested was achieved with the cell line T-205-3. More than 900 somatic embryos per petri dish, on average, were obtained after about 8 weeks of culture on maturation medium. Sixty percent of somatic embryos tested germinated after transfer to plant growth regulator-free medium and then 85% of them converted into plantlets.     

Individual seedling mortality as a function of size, growth and competition in naturally regenerated beech seedlings

Young forest stands that are naturally regenerated are characterizedby a large number of seedlings and high mortality rates. Goodprediction of seedling mortality is therefore necessary to modelthe dynamics of young stands. We used data obtained in a naturalbeech (Fagus sylvatica L.) regeneration in north-eastern France,to fit logistic models to predict seedling mortality and toanalyse how seedling size, seedling growth and local competitionrelate to seedling mortality. Good relationships were obtainedwith recent seedling diameter growth, and with a combinationof local competition and initial seedling size. However, therelationships between the probability of mortality and recentgrowth appeared to be unstable and to vary substantially withlocal competition and among measurement years, precluding theuse of these relationships in regeneration models.     

Exposure to a pine pathogen enhances growth and disease resistance in Pinus radiata seedlings

Most studies of Fusarium circinatum, the cause of pitch canker in pines, have focused on its activity as a pathogen. However, recent findings indicate that this fungus can colonize roots of Pinus radiata without inducing symptoms. Contrary to expectations, this study revealed that seedlings grown in infested sand grew more rapidly than seedlings not exposed to F. circinatum, based on root and shoot biomass, with modifications to root system architecture, including increased mycorrhizal root development. These effects were dependent on inoculum density and duration following growth in infested rooting medium. Plants exposed to F. circinatum expressed elevated resistance to stem infections, which significantly decreased the incidence of mortality; as above, effects were dependent on inoculum density. Resistance to stem infections was also enhanced in seedlings that emerged through infested litter, as occurs in native stands. Beneficial to neutral interactions of F. circinatum with its host suggest that the life history of this fungus may be more complex than previously recognized, with activities similar to non‐pathogenic endophytes. The potential for non‐lethal infections by F. circinatum to induce resistance in seedlings may influence dynamics of stand establishment. Overall, these results indicate that pathogenic organisms with asymptomatic states may have cryptic ecological functions that extend beyond the impacts of disease.     

两株外生菌根真菌对盐渍土壤中黑松幼苗生长的影响

为了研究外生菌根真菌对宿主植物黑松幼苗耐盐性的影响,采用盆栽实验,将成功侵染菌种土生空团菌(Cg)、紫晶蜡蘑(La)的黑松幼苗移栽于盐渍土壤中,培育3个月后,测定相关生理指标。结果表明:1)与非菌根化幼苗相比,接种菌根真菌Cg和La显著提高了针叶叶绿素a(由0.78 mg/g FW增加到1.27 mg/g FW和1.47 mg/g FW)和叶绿素b(由0.28 mg/g FW增加到0.40 mg/g FW和0.43 mg/g FW)的含量,增加了宿主体内脯氨酸含量(地上部:La> Cg> NM;地下部:La> Cg> NM),增强了K^+的吸收、转运,有效地维持(Cg菌种)或是降低(La菌种)了宿主地上部分Na^+/K^+的比值;显著(P <0.05)降低了宿主幼苗地下部的Na^+/K^+比值(由0.70降低到0.47和0.64)。2)外生菌根真菌有利于松树幼苗的生长,提高了其耐盐性,但因菌种而异(La> Cg)。深入研究不同菌种对不同宿主植物耐盐性的影响,将会成为后续菌根技术研究的一个重要方向,为沿海滩涂盐碱地的植被恢复提供理论依据及技术支持。     

抗松材线虫病赤松组培再生植株田间生长表现

为了评价从日本引进的抗松材线虫病赤松通过无性快繁获得的再生植株在我国的生长状况.本研究对田间试种的抗病赤松6个家系12个无性系共688株再生植株进行跟踪监测.结果表明,抗病赤松0.5年生再生植株试种成活率明显低于2.5年、2年、1.5年及1年生再生植株;不同无性系间抗病赤松再生植株生长状况存在明显差异.其中,1#-A和5#-5无性系再生植株生长较好.菌根化造林试验表明,两种外生菌根菌美味牛肝菌(Be)和黄色须腹菌(R1)对抗病赤松1#-A5代、8代再生植株具有明显促生效果.此研究为今后抗病赤松再生植株造林育种提供了参考依据.     

Demographic and height growth response of native broad-leaved deciduous tree saplings to overhead canopy release in a coastal Pinus thunbergii forest in Hokkaido, northern Japan

Prevention efforts to combat pine wilt disease must be instituted to avoid destruction of coastal forests in Hokkaido, northern Japan. We examine an alternative method involving the conversion of Pinus thunbergii forests to native broadleaf species through advancing their growth, but we have little knowledge about the response of advanced growth to overhead canopy release. To demonstrate the demographic and height growth response of advanced growth to the light change in a coastal Pinus thunbergii forest, canopy trees were removed and the sapling populations were monitored for 6?years. Inhibition in height growth caused by light increase was observed in Cerasus sargentii and Kalopanax septemlobus saplings. Especially in Kalopanax septemlobus, a remarkable decline was observed in the saplings growing in the darker positions which experienced light change. Therefore, large light changes should be carefully avoided for this species especially in the darker positions. In contrast, relative height growth rates of Quercus crispula and, especially, Quercus dentata increased with increasing light, and saplings tended to die in the darker positions. No dead trees of Sorbus commixta were observed during the study period. The saplings also showed good height growth even when under closed canopy. This species seems to be adaptive to a dark environment. Since Quercus dentata and Kalopanax septemlobus are the major components of the natural coastal forests in Hokkaido, gradual canopy release is available to foster advanced growth in coastal Pinus thunbergii forest, in accordance with the concept of density control in coastal forests.     

Growth of planted pine trees in response to variation in the densities of naturally regenerated acacias

This paper examines the hypothesis that in a pine plantation competition from naturally regenerated acacia trees can be controlled so that the benefits to the pine trees of nitrogen supply from the acacias could outweight their competing effects.Two herbicide experiments in Pinus radiata in eastern Victoria (Experiments A and B) and one in Pinus elliottii in south eastern Queensland (Experiment C) containing a range of densities of acacia stems and pine volume were used to test this hypothesis. In all three experiments no growth benefit to pine was found at any density of acacia stems. Hexazinone weedicide decreased acacia stems to the benefit of pine growth so that pine growth was negatively correlated with the density of acacia stems (Experiment A, r = ?0.801; Experiment B, r = ?0.712; Experiment C, r = ?0.913).Soil nitrogen concentrations examined in one experiment (A) increased in proportion to the number of acacia stems, but no growth response in P. radiata was found. A multiple correlation of acacia stems (x₁) and weedicide rates (x₂) explained 67% of the variance in soil nitrogen concentrations (y). If the increase in soil nitrogen is attributed to symbiotic N₂-fixation, the annual rate of N₂-fixation at a stocking of 4000 acacia stems per ha is 32 kg ha^?1.The hypothesis was not proven in as much as for the range of species and sites investigated, all denstities of naturally regenerated acacia stems adversely depressed pine volume growth.