Allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus coccifera</Emphasis> on the germination of Mediterranean crop seeds

Agroforestry is a leading alternative for food security and forest conservation. A full understanding of positive and negative, i.e. allelopathic, interactions between crops and forest trees is necessary for producing crops and conserving forests especially within the threatened Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The present study explored the allelopathic effects of green and senescent leaf and soil extracts of two agroforestry trees—Pinus halepensis and Quercus coccifera—on the germination of wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea, and fababean as the major grain crops of Jordan. Results revealed that allelopathic effects reduced seed germination of these crops. Germination reduction reached a maximum of 75% in fababean treated with green extracts of Q. coccifera and differed among crops and extract sources, but not between tree species. Comparing between green and senescent leaf and soil extract, regarding their effect on germination percentage, it was noticed that these effects were similar in some crops and were different in others. Germination responses were generally different between cereals and legumes where cereals tend to be less affected by allelopathic influences than legumes, especially fababean. We suggest using cereals such as wheat and barley in agroforestry practices in the Mediterranean region of Jordan.     

Germinaiton and Growth Response of Oaks to Soils Under Quercus ilexL．Coppices

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Inhibition of forage seed germination by leaf litter extracts of overstory hardwoods used in silvopastoral systems

Silvopastoral management strategies seek to expand spatial and temporal boundaries of forage production and promote ecosystem integrity through a combination of tree thinning and understory pastures. We determined the effects of water extracts of leaf litter from three species of overstory hardwood trees, yellow poplar, red maple, and white oak, on germination of common forage species: alfalfa, red and white clover, crabgrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue without and with endophytes to increase understanding about potential interactions between silvopastures and overstory deciduous trees. Litter extracts reduced germination in red and white clover in a concentration dependent manner with greatest effects observed for poplar > maple > oak extracts. These reductions were linearly related to increasing osmolality and electrical conductivity of the leaf extracts. Modified Gompertz growth curve models, fit to data, further indicated treatment with litter extracts, especially poplar, delayed and slowed germination. Similarly, cumulative germination of a variety of grasses was inhibited by filtered 6 % (w/v) litter extracts with the effects of poplar > maple > oak. However, germination of all forages resumed after rinsing extract-treated seeds with water indicating inhibition could be due, in part, to osmotic effects of extracts or water-soluble allelopathic compounds. Final germination varied with forage species and extract type, but in most instances, did not reach the level of the control further suggesting specific ion toxicities as well. Management practices that account for the interactions between trees and forages are needed to ensure successful establishment and persistence of mixed species swards in silvopastoral systems.     

无瓣海桑对乡土红树植物的化感作用

以外来种无瓣海桑为供体,通过室内栽培实验探讨了无瓣海桑各器官水浸液的不同浓度(即0 1、0 2、0 3、0 4、0 5g·mL-1)对我国4个乡土红树植物的化感作用。结果表明:无瓣海桑对各乡土红树植物均存在化感作用,对胚轴萌发的影响大于对幼苗生长的影响;除最低浓度外,不同浓度的各器官水浸液均能明显抑制各乡土红树植物的萌发,且随着浓度增大抑制作用增强;所有水浸液均表现出高浓度下抑制幼苗生长,随着浓度的降低抑制作用减弱,甚至转为促进的规律;各器官的水浸液对各乡土红树植物的萌发和幼苗生长的抑制作用为:果>根>凋落叶;高浓度时,无瓣海桑的各器官水浸液对不同受体红树植物的幼苗生长抑制强度不同。     

Studies on the allelopathic effects of some agroforestry tree crops of Garhwal Himalaya

The allelopathic effects of Adina cordifolia, Alnus nepalensis, Celtis australis and Prunus cerasoides were tested by growing crops of Eleusine coracana, Glycine max and Hordeum vulgare on top soil, rhizosphere soil from the plantation of these trees, and on field soil either mulched with dry leaves or irrigated with aqueous leaf extracts of the agroforestry tree species. Germination percentage, shoot length, root length and dry matter production and pigment contents of crops were depressed by agroforestry tree crops. Maximum reduction in germination percentage, root-shoot length and dry matter production was obtained with experimental garden soil mulched with dry leaves of trees and by the effect of Adina cordifolia followed by P. cerasoides, H. vulgare proved most susceptible and E. coracana highly resistant to these tree-top interactions.     

外来树种火炬树化感作用的研究

以盐肤木和黄栌为参照树种,用火炬树树叶水浸提液、林下土壤水浸提液浸种24 h,研究了浸提液对侧柏、油松、香椿、臭椿、小麦、小白菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,研究了火炬树的化感作用。结果表明:火炬树完整鲜叶水浸提液处理小白菜种子,其发芽率和发芽势分别为88.0%、82.5%,与对照发芽率(94.0%)和发芽势(91.5%)无显著差异,而破碎鲜叶水浸液则极显著影响小白菜的发芽率和发芽势,分别降低为24.8%和5.0%;火炬树完整鲜叶和破碎鲜叶水浸液都能促进小白菜苗高生长,但都抑制小白菜胚根的伸长。与鲜叶相比,火炬树干叶水浸提液的化感作用明显降低。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液极显著影响小麦发芽率,分别比对照的发芽率和发芽势降低11.0%和83.5%,干叶水浸提液则不影响小麦的发芽率,为95.0%,但发芽势比对照降低23.0%。与盐肤木和黄栌相比,火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对小麦幼茎及胚根生长的抑制作用最强。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对4个乡土树种的种子萌发产生了不同程度的抑制作用,对香椿及臭椿发芽率的抑制作用极显著。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对4个树种的苗高以及油松苗胚根的伸长没有显著影响,但却极显著地抑制了侧柏、香椿及臭椿胚根的伸长。火炬树林下表层土壤水浸提液对小麦幼苗的生长没有抑制作用,能明极显著促进香椿的生长;处理55 d时,香椿苗平均高为8.63 cm,极其显著高于对照(5.14 cm)。     

Spatio-temporal heterogeneity effects on seedling growth and establishment in four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> species

Introduction   

The great spatial and temporal heterogeneity of Mediterranean ecosystems can influence establishment success in woody species, whose natural regeneration occurs to a very small extent. In this work, the effect of the spatial pattern of environmental variables (light availability, soil moisture and herbaceous production) on seedling emergence, growth, survival and establishment success was examined by using a spatially explicit approach.     

Allelopathic effects of invasive Eucalyptus camaldulensis on germination and early growth of four native species in the Western Cape,South Africa

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (red river gum; Myrtaceae) is an invasive tree in riparian habitats of the Western Cape, South Africa, where it replaces indigenous vegetation and affects ecosystem functioning. These invasions lead to changes in river geomorphology and reduction in stream flow. The mechanisms that drive these effects are poorly understood. The potential for allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of E. camaldulensis tissues and of soil and litter collected beneath E. camaldulensis trees on the germination and seedling growth of four selected native plant species was investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Soils collected beneath E. camaldulensis trees were used in three treatments: untreated soils, sterilised soils and sterilised soils overlaid with a eucalypt litter layer. In addition, soils collected from underneath native species were used in two treatments: untreated soils and soils overlaid with a eucalypt litter layer. All soil treatments were watered with three E. camaldulensis leaf, bark and root aqueous treatments. Compounds present in the aqueous extracts and fresh samples were identified using gas chromatography. Soil and aqueous treatments showed varying effects on germination and seedling growth of the four native species. Germination and seedling growth of Olea europaea subsp. africana and Dimorphotheca pluvialis were significantly reduced by E. camaldulensis root and bark aqueous extracts as well as by the soils treatments. The addition of eucalypt litter to native and sterilised soils reduced shoot and root growth of all four native species. Compounds such as -phellandrene, eucalyptol, p-menth-1-en-8-ol and -pinene, which have the potential to inhibit germination and plant growth, were identified in E. camaldulensis aqueous extracts and fresh samples. Although the methods applied in this study had limitations (e.g. lack of control treatment to litter addition), the results provide an additional motivation to prioritise removal of invasive E. camaldulensis stands from riparian ecosystems. Restoration initiatives should target native species that are not negatively affected by allelopathy.     

Influence of litter on emergence and early growth of Quercusrugosa: a laboratory study

Species-rich old-growth forests dominated by Quercus wereextensive in the highlands of Chiapas until a few decades ago. Current land-use is resulting in replacement of Quercus by Pinusspp. in the canopy of the remaining forest fragments, which areless diverse, drier, and more exposed to freezing temperatures.Forest floor and soil are also modified and may limit theregeneration of many woody species. We studied the influence oflitter type (pine needles vs. oak leaves), litter depth (0, 3, 6and 14 cm), and litter cover (3 cm vs. 0 cm of loose litter ontop of sowed acorns) on the emergence and growth of seedlings ofQuercus rugosa, a dominant tree in pine-oak forests. Seedlingemergence and establishment were affected by the interaction ofexperimental factors. Uncovered acorns on pine litter were moreexposed to desiccation; this effect was more evident with deeperlitter. Acorns sowed on oak litter were not affected by levels oflitter cover and litter depth. The results can be of use indefining further field studies, and practices of direct seedingfor restoration of pine-dominated stands.     

Seasonal changes of nutrient levels and nutrient resorption in Avicennia marina leaves in Yingluo Bay,China

Avicennia marina is a typical mangrove species of subtropical coastlines of China. However, little is known about the retention of nutrients by this species in oligotrophic, coastal environments. In this study, seasonal changes in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, N:P ratio and total phenolic concentration in A. marina leaves during senescence were studied. Avicennia marina leaves had high N and P concentrations but the seasonal pattern of N concentration was different from that of P concentration. The A. marina forest was N-limited as the N:P ratio of mature leaves was less than 14. Nitrogen resorption efficiency was higher than P resorption efficiency, and the concentrations of N and P in senescent leaves indicated that N resorption was mostly complete whereas P resorption was incomplete. Avicennia marina leaves contained low tannin concentrations, particularly condensed tannins, as the leaf extracts did not react with acid butanol. Total phenolic concentrations were not correlated with N concentrations in mature and senescent leaves of A. marina. These findings suggest that the high N resorption efficiency and low nutrient losses play an important role in nutrient conservation strategies for A. marina forests, whereas low tannin concentations have limited effects on nutrient cycling.     

Plant limiting nutrients in Andean-Patagonian woody species: Effects of interannual rainfall variation,soil fertility and mycorrhizal infection

Andean-Patagonian forests are especially interesting for the study of N and P limitation because they receive minimal atmospheric pollution, have little influence of vascular N-fixing species, and grow on volcanic soils that retain P. In a previous study of 10 woody species (four broad-leaved deciduous species, three broad-leaved evergreens and three conifers) conducted during an exceptionally dry year in NW Patagonia, and on the basis of nutrient resorption efficiency and proficiency, we suggested that N was the most limiting nutrient except for the broad-leaved evergreen Lomatia hirsuta. In the present work, we compared patterns of nutrient limitation during a dry and a wet year, quantified the percentage of mycorrhizal infection, and related mycorrhizal behavior and nutrient limitation to soil fertility. We used N and P concentrations in green leaves as indicators of nutrient requirements, and N and P concentrations in senescent leaves (resorption proficiency) and the N/P ratio in green leaves as indicators of nutrient limitation. We also determined leaf mass area (LMA) and lignin concentration as indicators of structural and chemical defences. From previous works, the following soil fertility indicators were included: pH, organic C, total N, exchangeable cations, Olsen-P, potential N mineralization (pNmin) and N retained in microbial biomass (N-MB). Nitrogen, P and lignin concentrations in green and senescent leaves did not differ significantly between the dry and the wet year either by species or by functional groups. Most species behaved as N-proficient and P-non-proficient; this together with values of foliar N/P ratios lower than 14–16 confirmed N limitation in these forests. The only species limited by P but not by N was L. hirsuta (1.0–1.1% N in senescent leaves, N/P ratio = 21–23), a non-mycorrhizal species with cluster roots. The lack of P limitation in the other species was probably related to the high percentages of infection with arbuscular mycorrhizae (80–90% in Maytenus boaria and the conifers Araucaria araucana, Austrocedrus chilensis and Fitzroya cupressoides), and ectomycorrhizae (73–79% in five Nothofagus species). Nitrogen and P requirements were positively correlated among themselves and negatively with lignin and LMA. Soil fertility was positively correlated with nutrient requirements and negatively with lignin and LMA. Conifers had lower N and P requirements, higher LMA, lower foliar N/P ratio and grew on soils of lower soil N dynamics (lower pNmin and N-MB) than ectomycorrhizae-associated species.     

Allelopathic effects of Araucaria angustifolia needle extracts in the growth of Lactuca sativa seeds

Araucaria forest, named due to the high abundance of Araucaria angustifolia, occurs mainly in the southern Brazilian highlands, and the abundance of A. angustifolia in the forest is a current forest issue. The present study aimed at evaluating a potential allelopathic effect of A. angustifolia needle extracts that could mediate plant successional dynamics in the Araucaria forests. Senescent araucaria needles from A. angustifolia were evaluated for their allelopathic potential on Lactuca sativa through an in vitro study. The effect was evaluated by determining the germination of seeds, length of seedling and germination rate. The allelopathic potential of the A. angustifolia was confirmed for the highest doses tested (187.5 and 250?mg of the extracts). The potential allelochemical compounds identified were ent-kaurene and phyllocladene. In conclusion, A. angustifolia showed a potential allelophatic effect that may play an important role in successional dynamics of Araucaria forests.     

Allelopathy in agroforestry systems: the effects of leaf extracts ofCupressus lusitanica and threeEucalyptus spp. on four Ethiopian crops

The potential allelopathic effect ofCupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus globulus, E. camaldulensis andE. saligna on seed germination, radicle and seedling growth was investigated with four crops:Cicer arietinum (chickpea),Zea mays (maize),Pisum sativum (pea) andEragrostis tef (teff). Aqueous leaf extracts of all the tree species significantly reduced both germination and radicle growth of the majority of the crops mostly starting from concentrations of 1% or 2.5%. The shoot and root dry weight increase of the crops was significantly reduced after 10 weeks treatment with leaf extracts. Among the four crops, chickpea and teff were most susceptible with respect to germination, and teff with respect to growth. From the overall data the leaf extracts of the four tree species can be arranged according to increasing allelopathic potential:C. lusitanica, E. globulus, E. saligna andE. camaldulensis. It is suggested that the planting ofE. camaldulensis andE. saligna in integrated land use systems should be minimized, whereas the use ofC. lusitanica andE. globulus seems less environmentally damaging in this respect.     

Allelopathic Interactions Between Herbaceous Species and Trees Grown in Topsoil and Spoil Media

Dried foliage (litter) of several herbaceous species was mixed with either vermiculite or two minesoils (topsoil and spoil) in containers planted with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), white ash (Fraxinus americana) or sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflrua) seedlings in a greenhouse. Also, germinated seed of northern red oak (Quercus rubra) was planted in containers previously seeded with herbaceous species. In vermiculite, black locust growth was inhibited by 12 g litter additions of ranger alfalfa (Medicago sativa), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), but stimulated by red clover (Trifolium pratense) litter. White ash growth was strongly inhibited by alfalfa and trefoil added to vermiculite at 12 and 18 g levels. In topsoil, sweetgum was strongly inhibited by alfalfa litter. Both sweetgum and red oak grew poorly in spoil, but seeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) and fescue grew well. Some aspects of red oak growth were inhibited if grown in containers seeded with alfalfa, ryegrass, orchardgrass, red clover or fescue. Although isolation and identification of allelopathic compounds was not attempted, these results demonstrate that there may be important allelopathic interactions between herbaceous species and trees planted on minelands.     

Dispersal of vascular plants by game in northern Germany. Part I: Roe deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capreolus capreolus</Emphasis>) and wild boar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sus scrofa</Emphasis>)

The endozoochorous and epizoochorous dispersal of vascular plant species by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) was investigated in forest areas of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, Germany. The primary aim of this study was to learn about which plant species and in what numbers diaspores are dispersed by the two wild ungulate species. In particular, the significance of zoochory for species composition and biodiversity of forests was evaluated. Fresh faecal pellets were collected from April–November 2001 in the forests of the two study areas. In addition, the coats and hooves of shot roe deer and wild boar were brushed out. The number of viable seeds was determined by greenhouse germination (seedling emergence method). The samples were spread in trays over sterilized soil from the study forests and were kept under controlled conditions in the greenhouse for 12 months. A total of 2,473 individuals from 77 vascular plant species were recorded. While roe deer exceeded wild boar concerning seed contents in the faeces, the significance of roe deer for epizoochorous dispersal was relatively low compared with wild boar. An analysis of the habitat preference of the vascular plant species dispersed by the two ungulate species revealed a high proportion of species growing in forests as well as in the open landscape, and also of non-forest species, while woody plants and herbaceous species closely tied to forest habitats were severely underrepresented. We also discuss consequences for forest ecology and nature conservation.     

Distribution of Armillaria species in upland Ozark Mountain forests with respect to site,overstory species composition and oak decline

Armillaria root disease is a contributing factor to oak decline in the Ozark Mountains of central USA. We have identified Armillaria gallica, Armillaria mellea, and Armillaria tabescens in Quercus‐Carya‐Pinus forests of the region. Presence/absence patterns of each Armillaria species as well as all possible Armillaria species combinations were analysed by contingency tables and/or stepwise logistic multiple regressions with principal characteristics of the studied sites and forest stands, both quantitative and qualitative: geographic land‐type association, bedrock type, landform position, slope direction (aspect), soil type and soil surface stone cover, down woody debris, abundance and basal area of woody vegetation and decline mortality by species. Most decline mortality consisted of two red oak species (section Erythrobalanus, Quercus coccinea and Quercus velutina), which also were most sensitive to Armillaria infection. Site characteristics related to the distributions of Armillaria species and decline mortality were also related to the preponderance of Q. coccinea and Q. velutina, regional vegetation history (i.e. conversion of Pinus echinata stands to hardwoods), and the different strategies of territory acquisition and spread of the Armillaria species involved. The presence of A. gallica may reduce the activity of more virulent Armillaria species.     

The role of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) in the decline affecting oak agroforestry ecosystems

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soilborne pathogen causing root rot in Mediterranean Quercus species growing in ‘dehesa’ rangeland ecosystems. Recently, it has been reported causing wilting and death of Lupinus luteus (yellow lupin), a spontaneous plant in southern Spain rangelands, but also frequently sowed for livestock grazing. In soils artificially infested with P. cinnamomi chlamydospores and planted with different cultivars of yellow lupin, a significant increase in the density of propagules was detected in comparison with the initial levels of inoculum and with the infested but not planted soil (control). In oak‐rangelands in which yellow lupine was planted, isolation and counting of colonies of P. cinnamomi from soil samples have shown the ability of this plant to maintain or even increase the inoculum density and thus facilitate the infection of trees. Results suggested that cultivation of yellow lupin in oak‐rangeland ecosystems should be avoided whether oak trees are affected by root disease caused by P. cinnamomi or not. This leguminous plant can act as an inoculum reservoir or even enhance inoculum soil levels available for oak root infections, exacerbating the oak decline severity in the region.     

Allelopathic effects of eucalyptus and the establishment of mixed stands of eucalyptus and native species

Allelopathic effects of eucalyptus are widely reported and are considered the major factor limiting the establishment of native species in eucalyptus forests. However, reports of the allelopathic effects of eucalyptus are mostly based on laboratory bioassay, not on field trials. In the present study, we conducted field trials to determine the allelopathic effects of eucalyptus and to develop strategies for establishment of mixed stands of native species and eucalyptus. In the field, seed germination and seedling survivorship of native species were determined in the presence and absence of eucalyptus leaf litter or living roots. In the seed germination experiment, seed germination rate of Delonix regia was higher than for Elaeocarpus sylvestris and Tsoongiodendron odorum. Seed germination rates of E. sylvestris and T. odorum were low in both the presence and absence of eucalyptus treatments. The germination rate of D. regia was significantly inhibited by all eucalyptus treatments, but only during the early period. In the seedling establishment experiment, seedling survivorship of E. sylvestris and Michelia macclurel was not inhibited by any treatments, but the seedling survivorship of Schima superba was significantly inhibited by eucalyptus litter addition alone. Seedling height of S. superba and M. macclurel was significantly suppressed when eucalyptus roots were present in treatments, but the seedling height of E. sylvestris was only significantly suppressed by the treatment of roots alone. We propose two strategies for establishment of mixed stands of native species and eucalyptus: (1) direct seed-sowing is effective only for those species (e.g. D. regia) with high germination rates in natural conditions; (2) seedling transplants are more efficient approach for establishing species (e.g. E. sylvestris) with low germination rates. We suggest that mixed plantations of eucalyptus and E. sylvestris can be established by transplanting seedlings of E. sylvestris into eucalyptus plantations.     

不同强度间伐对长白山天然林林下植物多样性的影响

对吉林森工集团松江河林业局辖区内的阔叶红松林、杂木林和杨桦林采取30%～40%（T1）、20%（T2）株数强度的均匀间伐处理,以不间伐处理为对照（CK）,对间伐2 a后林下植物木本、草本植物进行调查,采用Simpson、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数进行植物多样性分析,探讨不同强度间伐对3个林型林下植物多样性的影响。研究结果表明：T1间伐后3个林型的物种丰富度均有增加（杂木林木本植物例外）,T2间伐后杨桦林木本植物丰富度降低,草本植物丰富度增加。两种间伐处理均增加阔叶红松林木本植物多样性,T1处理尤为明显。T1处理增加杂木林和杨桦林木本植物多样性,而T2间伐处理有较弱的降低作用。两种间伐处理均降低阔叶红松林和杂木林草本植物多样性,与强度无明显关系。随着间伐强度的增加杨桦林草本植物多样性增大。在长白山天然林中,较大间伐强度T1（30%～40%）能够有效提高植物多样性。     

Discula quercina as a possible causal agent of dieback on oak trees in Iran

During spring and summer of 2016, dieback symptoms including blights of leaves, twigs, and acorns were observed on current year shoots of Quercus infectoria in the Zagros oak forests of Iran. The fungus isolated from damaged tissues was identified as Discula quercina based on both morphological characteristics and ITS sequencing. To fulfil the Koch's postulates, a representative isolate was inoculated onto shoots of Q. infectoria and Quercus libani in both laboratory and forest conditions. Responses of the two oak species to inoculation with D. quercina were examined under laboratory and forest conditions in a completely randomized experiment. Discula quercina was clearly involved in oak dieback, and Q. infectoria was more susceptible than Q. libani to damage by the pathogen. This is the first record of the occurrence and pathogenicity of the fungus Discula quercina on Quercus infectoria. The fungus is considered as an emerging pathogen on oak trees in Zagros forests in Iran. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the Discula quercina on Q. libani under laboratory and forest conditions increases the potential importance of this pathogen in Zagros forests.