短期NaCl胁迫对西伯利亚白刺幼苗Na~+、K~+分配和平衡的影响

[目的]为探究西伯利亚白刺盐适应机制。[方法]以1年生西伯利亚白刺水培幼苗为材料,研究不同浓度NaCl(0、200、300 mmol·L-1)胁迫24 h后根系Na~+、K~+离子流的动态变化(利用扫描离子选择微电极技术,SIET)及植株各器官中Na~+、K~+含量的静态变化(利用电感耦合等离子体光谱仪,ICP-OES)。[结果]表明:(1)短期NaCl胁迫显著提高了西伯利亚白刺根、茎、叶中Na~+含量,其中,叶中Na~+含量是根中的3倍以上;西伯利亚白刺根、茎、叶中K~+含量保持稳定或上升;(2)盐胁迫下,西伯利亚白刺根、茎、叶中K~+/Na~+呈下降趋势,其中,在200、300 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,根中K~+/Na~+差异不显著;(3)离子流结果显示,NaCl胁迫显著提高了西伯利亚白刺根系Na~+的外流;对照和200 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,K~+净流量分别为156、159 pmol·cm-2·s-1,差异不显著;300 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫显著提高了K~+的内流,净流量为-370 pmol·cm-2·s-1。[结论]综合分析认为,西伯利亚白刺通过叶片对Na~+区隔,加强根系对Na~+的外排和K~+内流,进而维持植株根系K~+/Na~+的相对平衡,以此适应盐渍环境。     

Measuring nitrogen fixation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sesbania sesban</Emphasis> planted fallows using <Superscript>15</Superscript>N tracer technique in Kenya

A field experiment was performed in eastern Kenya to estimate N₂ fixation by Sesbania sesban over an 18-month period using the ¹⁵N dilution method. The influence of three reference species, Senna spectabilis, Eucalyptus saligna and Grevillea robusta, on the estimates of N₂ fixation was also assessed. Percentage Ndfa (nitrogen derived from the atmosphere) was calculated based on foliar atom excess (FAE), above-ground atom excess (AAE) or whole tree atom excess (WAE) data. The differences in atom% ¹⁵N excess values between species and plant parts are presented and discussed. We recommend the use of several reference species for estimating %Ndfa and that the different results obtained should be carefully considered in relation to the issues being addressed. In this study, Senna was the most suitable of the three reference species because its N uptake pattern and phenology were very similar to those of Sesbania. When well established, the amount of N fixed by Sesbania accounts for more than 80% of its total N content, according to FAE-based estimates. We estimated the Ndfa by Sesbania after 18 months to between 500 and 600 kg ha⁻¹ , depending on whether FAE, AAE or WAE data were used and on the choice of reference species. The substantial accumulation of N in planted Sesbania highlighted its potential to increase the sustainability of crop production on N-limited soils. We consider the ¹⁵N dilution method to be appropriate for quantifying N₂ fixation in improved fallows in studies, similar to this one, of young trees with high N₂-fixing ability.     

Mixed-species plantations of Acacia mangium and Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil: 2: Nitrogen accumulation in the stands and biological N2 fixation

The sustainability of plantation forests is closely dependent on soil nitrogen availability in short-rotation forests established on low-fertility soils. Planting an understorey of nitrogen-fixing trees might be an attractive option for maintaining the N fertility of soils. The development of mono-specific stands of Acacia mangium (100A:0E) and Eucalyptus grandis (0A:100E) was compared with mixed-species plantations, where A. mangium was planted in a mixture at a density of 50% of that of E. grandis (50A:100E). N₂ fixation by A. mangium was quantified in 100A:0E and 50A:100E at age 18 and 30 months by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method and in 50A:100E at age 30 months by the ¹⁵N dilution method. The consistency of results obtained by isotopic methods was checked against observations of nodulation, Specific Acetylene Reduction Activity (SARA), as well as the dynamics of N accumulation within both species. The different tree components (leaves, branches, stems, stumps, coarse roots, medium-sized roots and fine roots) were sampled on 5–10 trees per species for each age. Litter fall was assessed up to 30 months after planting and used to estimate fine root mortality. Higher N concentrations in A. mangium tree components than in E. grandis might be a result of N₂ fixation. However, no evidence of N transfer from A. mangium to E. grandis was found. SARA values were not significantly different in 100A:0E and 50A:100E but the biomass of nodules was 20–30 times higher in 100A:0E than in 50A:100E. At age 18 months, higher δ¹⁵N values found in A. mangium tree components than in E. grandis components prevented reliable estimations of the percentage of N derived from atmospheric fixation (%Ndfa). At age 30 months, %Ndfa estimated by natural abundance and by ¹⁵N dilution amounted to 10–20 and 60%, respectively. The amount of N derived from N₂ fixation in the standing biomass was estimated at 62 kg N ha⁻¹ in 100A:0E and 3 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, and 16 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N dilution method. The total amount of atmospheric N₂ fixed since planting (including fine root mortality and litter fall) was estimated at 66 kg N ha⁻¹ in 100A:0E and 7 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, and 31 kg N ha⁻¹ in 50A:100E by the ¹⁵N dilution method. The most reliable estimation of N₂ fixation was likely to be achieved using the ¹⁵N dilution method and sampling the whole plant.     

Natural abundance of <Superscript>15</Superscript>N in two cacao plantations with legume and non-legume shade trees

Natural abundance of ¹⁵N was sampled in young and mature leaves, branches, stem, and coarse roots of trees in a cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantation shaded by legume tree Inga edulis and scattered non-legumes, in a cacao plantation with mixed-species shade (legume Gliricidia sepium and several non-legumes), and in a tree hedgerow bordering the plantations in Guácimo, in the humid Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. The deviation of the sample ¹⁵N proportion from that of atmosphere (δ¹⁵N) was similar in non-legumes Cordia alliodora, Posoqueria latifolia, Rollinia pittieri, and T. cacao. Deep-rooted Hieronyma alchorneoides had lower δ¹⁵N than other non-N₂-fixers, which probably reflected uptake from a partially different soil N pool. Gliricidia sepium had low δ¹⁵N. Inga edulis had high δ¹⁵N in leaves and branches but low in stem and coarse roots. The percentage of N fixed from atmosphere out of total tree N (%N_f) in G. sepium varied 56–74%; N₂ fixation was more active in July (the rainiest season) than in March (the relatively dry season). The variation of δ¹⁵N between organs in I. edulis was probably associated to ¹⁵N fractionation in leaves. Stem and coarse root δ¹⁵N was assumed to reflect the actual ratio of N₂ fixation to soil N uptake; stem-based estimates of %N_f in I. edulis were 48–63%. Theobroma cacao below I. edulis had lower δ¹⁵N than T. cacao below mixed-species shade, which may indicate direct N transfer from I. edulis to T. cacao but results so far were inconclusive. Further research should address the ¹⁵N fractionation in the studied species for improving the accuracy of the N transfer estimates. The δ¹⁵N appeared to vary according to ecophysiological characteristics of the trees.     

Foliar Carbon Isotope Composition (δ 13C) and Water Use Efficiency of Different Populus deltoids Clones Under Water Stress

Foliar carbon isotope composition (δ ¹³C), total dry biomass, and long-term water use efficiency (WUE_L) of 12 Populus deltoids clones were studied under water stress in a greenhouse. Total dry biomass of clones decreased greatly, while δ ¹³C increased. Single-element variance analysis in the same water treatment indicated that WUE_L difference among clones was significant. Clones J₂, J₆, J₇, J₈, and J₉ were excellent with high WUE_L. Extremely significant δ ¹³C differences among water treatments and clones were revealed by two-element variance analysis. Water proved to be the primary factor affecting δ ¹³C under water stress. It showed that there was a good positive correlation between δ ¹³C and WUE_L in the same water treatment, and that a high WUE_L always coincided with a high δ ¹³C. δ ¹³C might be a reliable indirect index to estimate WUE_L among P. deltoids clones. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2005, 41(1) (in Chinese)     

Effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, leaf nitrogen content and morphological characteristics of Spiraea pubescens in a warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest

Spiraea pubescens, a common shrub in the warm-temperate deciduous forest zone which is distributed in the Dongling Mountain area of Beijing, was exposed to ambient and enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation by artificially supplying a daily dose of 9.4 kJ/m² for three growing seasons, a level that simulated a 17% depletion in stratospheric ozone. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of long-term UV-B enhancement on stomatal conductance, leaf tissue δ ¹³C, leaf water content, and leaf area. Particular attention was paid to the effects of UV-B radiation on water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf total nitrogen content. Enhanced UV-B radiation significantly reduced leaf area (50.1%) but increased leaf total nitrogen content (102%). These changes were associated with a decrease in stomatal conductance (16.1%) and intercellular CO₂ concentration/ air CO₂ concentration (C _i /C _a) (4.0%), and an increase in leaf tissue δ ¹³C (20.5‰), leaf water content (3.1%), specific leaf weight (SLW) (5.2%) and WUE (4.1%). The effects of UV-B on the plant were greatly affected by the water content of the deep soil (30–40 cm). During the dry season, differences in the stomatal conductance, δ ¹³C, and WUE between the control and UV-B treated shrubs were very small; whereas, differences became much greater when soil water stress disappeared. Furthermore, the effects of UV-B became much less significant as the treatment period progressed over the three growing seasons. Correlation analysis showed that enhanced UV-B radiation decreased the strength of the correlation between soil water content and leaf water content, δ ¹³C, C _i/C _a, stomatal conductance, with the exception of WUE that had a significant correlation coefficient with soil water content. These results suggest that WUE would become more sensitive to soil water variation due to UV-B radiation. Based on this experiment, it was found that enhanced UV-B radiation had much more significant effects on morphological traits and growth of S. pubescens than hydro-physiological characteristics. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology, 2006, 30(1): 47–56 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Nitrogen-fixation dynamics in a cut-and-carry silvopastoral system in the subhumid conditions of Guadeloupe, French Antilles

This paper summarizes several studies on N recycling in a tropical silvopastoral system for assessing the ability of the system to increase soil fertility and insure sustainability. We analyzed the N₂ fixation pattern of the woody legume component (Gliricidia sepium), estimated the recycling rate of the fixed N in the soil, and measured N outputs in tree pruning and cut grass (Dichanthium aristatum). With this information, we estimated the N balance of the silvopastoral system at the plot scale. The studies were conducted in an 11-year-old silvopastoral plot established by planting G. sepium cuttings at 0.3 m × 2 m spacing in natural grassland. The plot was managed as a cut-and-carry system where all the tree pruning residues (every 2-4 months) and cut grass (every 40-50 days) were removed and animals were excluded. No N fertilizer was applied. Dinitrogen fixation, as estimated by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, ranged from 60-90% of the total N in aboveground tree biomass depending on season. On average, 76% of the N exports from the plot in tree pruning (194 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) originated from N₂ fixation. Grass production averaged 13 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1 and N export in cut grass was 195 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1. The total N fixed by G. sepium, as estimated from the tree and grass N exports and the increase in soil N content, was about 555 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1. Carbon sequestration averaged 1.9 Mg [C] ha^–1 yr^–1 and soil organic N in the 0-0.2 m layer increased at a rate of 166 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1, corresponding to 30% of N₂ fixation by the tree. Nitrogen released in nodule turnover (10 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) and litter decomposition (40 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) contributed slightly to this increase, and most of the recycled N came from the turnover or the activity of other below-ground tree biomass than nodules. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lignin characterization of triploid clones of Populus tomentosa Carr.

In order to understand the structural characteristics of lignin in triploid clones of Populus tomentosa and its changes in the processes of pulping and bleaching, milled wood lignin (MWL), lignin carbohydrate complex (LCC) and the residual lignin from kraft pulp (KP) and sulfite pulp (SP) were isolated and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The most diagnostic peaks were assigned and the differences were discussed. The spectral patterns reveal that triploid P. tomentosa shows the specific features of hardwood from temperate areas, but in the spectrum of FTIR, the strength ratio of A 1270 cm⁻¹ to A1226 cm⁻¹ is 0.88, higher than the average of hardwood from temperate areas, which will make the lignin delignification more difficult during pulping and bleaching. The LCC from triploid P. tomentosa is mainly composed of xyloglucan and glucuronic acid, and other glucides have much lower ratio. In LCC FTIR, there are three peaks at 1 427, 1 329 and 1 046 cm⁻¹, indicating that both semi-cellulose and cellulose could exist in LCC, and that there might be relationships between cellulose and lignin. Compared with the residual lignin from KP and SP, the condensed structure in KP is more than that in SP.     

Myricanol and myricanone biosynthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrica rubra</Emphasis>: incorporation of two molecules of 4-coumaric acid

After feeding experiments of Myrica rubra young shoots with 4-[8,9-¹³C₂]coumaric acid, mass spectrometric analyses revealed that the cyclic diarylheptanoids, myricanol and myricanone, were derived from two molecules of 4-coumaric acid. ¹³C Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of myricanol isolated after administration of 4-[8,9-¹³C₂]coumaric acid demonstrated that the C-8 and C-9 atoms of 4-coumaric acid are incorporated into C-8, C-9, C-11, and C-12 of the corresponding myricanol. Part of this report was presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Akita, August 2006     

Effects of Ca^2＋concentrations on accumulations of mineral elements in the components of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

The bark ofPteroceltis tatarinowii is a raw material for manufacturing Xuan Paper. The effects of Ca²⁺ concentrations on the accumulation of mineral elements in the bark, leaf and root ofPteroceltis tatarinowii were studied under controlled conditions. The types of Hoagland nutrient solution with three Ca²⁺ concentrations levels (200, 400 and 600 μg·g⁻¹) and a control (without Ca²⁺ were designed to culturePteroceltis tatarinowii. After 6 months, contents of seven mineral elements including Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Na in the root, leaf and bark were analyzed. The results indicated that Ca accumulations content in the root, leaf and bark had positively relation with Ca²⁺ concentrations (200, 400, 600 μg·g⁻¹), and the order of the Ca content in the three components was root>leaf>bark. Ca content in the root treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 5.5 times as high as that of the control, and about 1.4 times as high as that of the root treated in 200 and 400 μg/g Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. On the contrary, K and Mg contents in the root, leaf and bark were negatively related to Ca²⁺ concentrations, especially in the bark, and their accumulation trend followed the order of leaf>root>bark. K content in the bark treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 39.3% of that of the control, and was 79.0% and 91.8% of that of the bark treated with 200μg·g⁻¹ and 400μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively; Mg content in the bark treated with 600μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 23.4% of that of the control, and was 27.1% and 35.4% of that of the bark treated with 200 and 400 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. Compared with the control, the general tendency of Mn, Zn and Cu content decreased with increasing of Ca²⁺ concentrations and their contents were in the order: root>leaf>bark. Based on the results of this study, the experiment has been useful for providing academic bases in improving the bark quality ofPteroceltis tatarinowii on non-limestone soil. Foundation item: This paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970608). Biography: Fang Shengzun (1963), male, Professor in Stiiviculture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210027, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Species and site selection for timber production on farm boundaries in the humid Atlantic Lowlands of Costa Rica and Panama

In 1987–89 the CATIE-GTZ Agroforestry Project set up experiments with five timber tree species planted in single lines on twelve farm boundaries in cooperation with local farmers. When the trees were five years old, their height, diameter and total stem volume were: Acacia mangium 17 m, 19 cm and 67 m³ km^–1, Cordia alliodora 14 m, 20 cm and 46 m³ km^–1, Eucalyptus deglupta 22 m, 24 cm and 85 m³ km^–1, Tectona grandis 17 m, 20 m and 64 m³ km^–1, Terminalia ivorensis 18 m, 23 cm and 104 m³ km^–1. Considering these excellent growth rates, planting of Cordia alliodora, Eucalyptus deglupta and Tectona grandis in lines on farm boundaries should be promoted. T. ivorensis and A. mangium are not recommendable for sites with impeded drainage because of mortality caused by root rot, mostly due to Rosellinia sp.     

Active root distribution pattern of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis> determined by radioassay of latex serum

The active root distribution pattern of mature rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) up to a lateral distance of 250 cm from the tree and to a soil depth of 90 cm was studied in an oxisol by employing ³²P soil injection technique in Kerala, the state which accounts for 83% of rubber cultivation in India. The trees were aged 18 years and grown at a spacing of 4.9 × 4.9 m. The extent of absorption of applied ³²P by the tree from various placements was assessed by radio assay of leaf and latex serum. Latex serum registered higher counts and variability was less compared to leaf indicating the suitability of latex serum as a potential source for radio assay for ³²P studies in rubber. The results revealed that rubber is a surface feeder with 55% of the root activity confining to the top 10 cm of soil layer. Root activity declined with increasing depths and the concentration of physiologically active roots at 90 cm depth was only 6%. A more or less uniform distribution of root activity was noticed with respect to lateral distance indicating more extensive spread of lateral roots. Concentration of physiologically active roots in the surface layer suggests the possibility for competition under intercropped situation in mature plantations.     

Genotypic Differences in Antioxidative Stress and Salt Tolerance of Three Poplars Under Salt Stress

To evaluate genotypic difference in antioxidative ability and salt tolerance in poplars, the authors investigated the effects of increasing content of soil NaCl on salt concentration in leaves, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and membrane permeability (MP) in Populus euphratica Oliv., P. popularis “35–44,” and P. × euramericana cv. I-214 (hereafter abbreviated as P. cv. I-214). Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations in leaves of P. popularis increased markedly over the increase of the duration of exposure to salinity, and culminated after 28 days of salt stress. SOD and POD activities declined correspondingly, followed by significant increases of MDA and MP, and leaf injury was finally observed. Compared with P. popularis, leaf Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in P. cv. I-214 exhibited a trend similar to P. popularis, but a lower salt-induced increase of MDA and permeability was observed and lighter leaf necrosis occurred. In contrast to P. popularis and P. cv. I-214, SOD and POD activities in P. euphratica leaves increased rapidly at the beginning of salt stress with a light soil NaCl concentration of 58.5 mmol/L. Furthermore, salt ion concentration, MDA content, and MP in P. euphratica leaves did not increase significantly during 28 days of increasing salt stress. Therefore, the increase in MP in P. popularis and P. cv. I-214 had a close relationship with a salt buildup in leaves under increasing salt stress. Salt-induced declines of SOD and POD activities might accelerate lipid peroxide and consequently resulted in ion leakage. P. euphratica rapidly activated antioxidant enzymes after the onset of salt stress, which might reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the subsequent acceleration of lipid peroxide. P. euphratica leaves exhibited a higher capacity to exclude salt in a longer period of increasing salinity, thus limited salt-induced lipid peroxide and MP, which contributed to membrane integrity maintenance and salt tolerance of P. euphratica. Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(3) (in Chinese)     

Inheritance and cross-resistance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> insecticidal crystal protein Cry1Ac resistance in cotton bollworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> Hubner population from Tamil Nadu,India

Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner selected for five generations with Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein Cry1Ac in the laboratory developed 12.98-fold resistance. Resistance and susceptible populations were mass crossed to study the dominance of resistance. The Cry1Ac—selected (BCR) population showed 5.8-fold resistance to Cry1Aa and 5.04-fold resistance to Cry1Ab. The degree of dominance (D) was 0.34 and 0.40 for the R × S and S × R hybrids, respectively, which indicates incomplete recessive character of Cry1Ac resistance in the population. The estimated realized heritability (h ²) and response quotient (Q) of resistance for Cry1Ac were 0.52 and 0.15, respectively. This indicated the lower phenotypic variation in the selected population. The resistance risk assessment based on h ² indicated that the resistance would increased tenfold after <9 generations for Cry1Ac in the resistant population. The results show the ability of H. armigera to develop resistance against Cry1Ac and cross-resistance to Cry1Aa and Cry1Ab.     

A laboratory study on the activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Steinernema feltiae</Emphasis> (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) Rioja strain against horticultural insect pests

The potential of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) Rioja strain was assessed under laboratory conditions. Last instar larvae of Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae), Spodoptera littoralis Boisdouval (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were exposed to infective juveniles (IJs) under laboratory conditions. Larval mortality, days to larval death, infection cycle length, and reproductive potential were recorded. Efficacy was assessed performing dose–response experiments. The results indicate that control of L. decemlineata with S. feltiae Rioja strain is not economically profitable (LC₅₀ = 99.61 IJs/cm²), whereas results obtained for T. ni (LC₅₀ = 0.27 IJs/cm²) are promising. Due to the life cycle of this insect, the efficacy needs to be investigated in foliar application studies. The effects on S. littoralis (LC₅₀ = 0.69 IJs/cm²) was considered the most suitable for development of the Rioja strain as a biocontrol agent for soil application.     

Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thaumetopoea pityocampa</Emphasis> (Schiff.) (Lepidoptera: Thaumatopoeidae) larvae in laboratory conditions

Pathogenicity of 13 strains of entomopathogenic fungi belonging to genera Paecilomyces, Tolypocladium, Beauveria, Metarhizium, and Lecanicillium (=Verticillium) was evaluated on fourth instar larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Schiff.) (Lep.: Thaumatopoeidae). Larvae were treated individually by dipping into conidial suspension with the concentration of 1.0 × 10⁵ conidia ml⁻¹. All the tested isolates resulted in various levels of mortality (16–100%), and eleven of them were able to grow and sporulate on dead larvae. Mortality caused by three isolates of P. fumosoroseus, one isolate of Beauveria bassiana and one isolate of Metarhizium anisopliae were significantly higher than that of the other treatments. Three isolates of P. fumosoroseus, one isolate of P. farinosus, and one isolate of M. anisopliae showed mycelial growth and sporulation on significantly more cadavers compared to other treatments. Dose–mortality test was conducted with P. fumosoroseus (isolate no: 2679), which appeared to be the most promising isolate among the tested fungi, by spraying five concentrations of its conidia (1.0 × 10⁶, 1.5 × 10⁶, 7.5 × 10⁶, 1.0 × 10⁷ and 1.5 × 10⁷ conidia ml⁻¹). The estimation of the LC₅₀ (95% confidence limits) was 3.4 × 10⁶ (9.3 × 10⁵ − 6.9 × 10⁶) conidia ml⁻¹. This study showed that P. fumosoroseus (isolate no: 2679) could be a good candidate as a microbial control agent against T. pityocampa in forest environment.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Effects of paper mill sludge and weed control on competing vegetation and growth of young red pine

In September, 1988, a paper mill sludge from Georgia-Pacific Corporation's wastewater treatment facility in Port Edwards, WI., was applied to a 4- and 6-year-old red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) plantation. Sludge was applied using industrial spreaders at rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 Mg ha^-1. Twenty-one months following treatment, above-ground biomass production of sedge (Carex spp.), the predominant understory component, was increased by as much as 85% from the 40 Mg ha^-1 rate relative to the control. The increase in dry matter production coincided with significant increases in above- and below-ground levels of N, P and K. Weed control performed in August, 1989, resulted in reduced levels of woody and herbaceous vegetation, without a concomitant effect on red pine performance. Possible reasons for this lack of response are discussed within this paper.     

Weed biomass dynamics in planted fallow systems in the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon

Interest in planted fallow systems has focused on soil fertility improvement, neglecting other potential benefits of such systems. It is important to quantify other processes responsible for crop yield increases under planted fallows, such as weed control. The suppressive potential on weeds of Flemingia macrophylla [(Willd.) Merrill] and Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth, planted fallows was evaluated in field trials in three villages in southern Cameroon. In each village, experiments were set up in 4–5 year-old bush fallow dominated by Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. and 20 year-old secondary forest. Total aboveground biomass production of P. phaseoloides was 7.45 Mg ha⁻¹, 4.2 times higher than F. macrophylla (1.78 Mg ha⁻¹ ; P < 0.05). The high biomass of P. phaseoloides resulted in a significantly greater reduction in total weed biomass compared to Flemingia macrophylla in both wet and dry seasons. In the wet season (11 and 18 MAP), there were significant fallow system × land use and fallow system × village interactions for total weeds and broadleaf weeds. P. phaseoloides in bush (0.55 Mg ha⁻¹), and P. phaseoloides at Ngoumou (0.09 Mg ha⁻¹) had the lowest total weeds in the wet seasons. After the dry season, the lowest total weed mass was consistently recorded in P. phaseoloides while the highest was in the natural regrowth. The population of grasses was always higher in the F. macrophylla system than in P. phaseoloides system throughout the wet and dry seasons. Grass biomass in the P. phaseoloides-forest LUS was the least (0.01 Mg ha⁻¹), 58 times lower than in F. macrophylla-bush (0.58 Mg ha⁻¹). Biomass production of P. phaseoloides was highly significantly correlated with total weed biomass (r = −0.64; P = 0.004) while no relationship was found between biomass production of F. macrophylla and total weed biomass (r = −0.08, P = 0.747). It was concluded that P. phaseoloides was a suitable leguminous species for weed control. But for F. macrophylla, its low biomass production coupled with a compact plant architecture compromised it as an appropriate species for weed control in a planted fallow system.     

Pasture production and tree growth in a young pine plantation fertilized with inorganic fertilizers and milk sewage in northwestern Spain

The use of organic waste materials such as milk sewage as an organic fertilizer could have the dual advantages of organic-waste disposal and reduced dependence on inorganic fertilizers. The effects of fertilization with (1) conventional mineral fertilization, (2) milk sewage sludge at 40 kg N ha⁻¹ target rate and (3) no fertilization on pasture production and tree growth were examined in an experiment consisting of two pasture mixtures under a one-year-old Pinus radiata plantation with a density of 2500 trees ha⁻¹. The two pasture mixtures were: (1) Dactylis glomerata L. var. saborto (25 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium repens L. group Ladino (4 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium pratense L. var. Marino (1 kg ha⁻¹); (2) Lolium perenne L. var. Tove (25 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium repens L. group Ladino (4 kg ha⁻¹) + Trifolium pratense L. var. Marino (1 kg ha⁻¹). The experiment began in the spring of 1995 using a randomized block design with three replicates in Castro Riberas de Lea (Lugo, Galicia, north-western Spain). Plot size was 12 × 8 m², with a 1 m buffer strip between plots. Two-year data showed that fertilization with either material had a positive effect on pasture production, with no significant difference between the two fertilization treatments. Tree growth in the milk sewage sludge plot was significantly higher than in the control plots. Inorganic fertilization increased pasture production, but affected tree growth negatively. The results show that milk sewage sludge could be used as a fertilizer in silvo-pastoral systems. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.