Host-tree conditions affecting the oviposition activities of the woodwasp,Sirex nitobei Matsumura (hymenoptera: Siricidae)

Experiments were conducted to elucidate how the oviposition activities ofSirex nitobei Matsumura could be affected by different conditions of the host trees, using logs from felled healthy trees and the dead and living trees ofPinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. According to days elapsed after tree-felling, the proportions of oviposition defined as the proportion of eggs laid to the potential fecundity of a female during her lifetime, could be divided arbitrarily into three groups. The proportions of oviposition on the logs within 0–3 days after felling,i.e fresh logs, varied greatly from log to log, and about half of female adults showed proportions of oviposition under 50% (mean ±SD: 39±32%). However, all the females that oviposited on the logs 4–24 days after felling,i.e. intermediate logs, invariably showed proportions of oviposition over 50% (88±1.5%). On the other hand, proportions of oviposition in most of the females that oviposited on the logs over 25 days after felling,i.e. old logs, were less than 50% (26±17%). The proportions of oviposition were significantly different between intermediate logs and old logs. The mean proportion of oviposition on living trees and that for dead trees were 45 and 58%, respectively. Thus,S. nitobei in the field would exhibit its preference for weakened trees ofP. densiflora as oviposition sites, as it did for the logs 4–24 days after felling in this study.     

Prevention of Blue-stain in Unpeeled Scots Pine Logs: (With 2 Plates)

Blue-stain causes degrade of saw logs during the inevitabledelays between felling and conversion. Chemicals of potentialvalue in blue-stain control have been tested in the laboratoryand trials have been made of their use on unpeeled logs storedin the forest. End treatments with fungicides were not very effective duringsummer storage of logs. Whole log treatments with a combinedfungicide and insecticide containing 2 per cent. Santobrite,2 per cent. borax, and 0?75 per cent. BHC gave very good protectionfor 3 months. End treatment with fungicides followed by whole-logtreatment with insecticides was also effective. Protection byeither method of treatment was lessened during longer storageperiods especially in the warmer months of the year. Whole-logtreatment with insecticide alone gave a good measure of controlof stain. Short delays after felling before the application of whole-logtreatments may be acceptable especially on logs which have previouslyreceived end treatments. Attack by bark-boring insects must be controlled if effectiveall-the-year protection against blue-stain is required. Insectattack appears to be secondary only to time of felling in relationto incidence of blue-stain. The value of winter felling hasbeen confirmed.     

Evaluation of non-destructive methods of measuring growth stress in Eucalyptus globulus: relationships between strain, wood properties and stress

High levels of growth stress are implicated in causing end splitting of logs, deflection during sawing and deformation of boards as stresses are released during sawing operations. Level of stress is a function of strain and the elastic modulus of the wood (MOE). Levels of peripheral strain can be measured on standing trees and, if the MOE is known, stresses can be estimated. The validity of using peripheral strain measurements relies on underlying theoretical models that relate strain to expected patterns of stress distribution and levels of board deflection. This study evaluates these theoretical relationships by determining relationships of stress and strain with board deflection, end splitting and a range of wood properties.

Peripheral strain levels were extremely variable within the bottom log and little evidence was found for consistent patterns of variation, although measurements generally increased with increasing height above ground. Sampling on two sides of the standing tree at breast height appeared to be a suitable strategy, with the mean for these strain readings having a correlation (r) of 0.86 with the average strain in the bottom log.

Growth strain was not a reliable predictor of board deflection and cannot be recommended as a non-destructive sampling method. Overall there was a poor relationship between growth strain and board deflection. No consistent relationships were found between a range of wood properties and growth strain or board deflection across both sites. Stress levels were calculated for each tree as the product of growth strain and modulus of elasticity and the relationship between calculated stress and mean board deflection determined. No relationship was found at either site with correlations being very close to zero.

The underlying theoretical relationships between stress and strain were examined and several questions raised about the validity of such models.     

Effects of the lateral growth rate on wood quality parameters of Eucalyptus grandis from different latitudes in Brazil and Argentina

Climate change resulting from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and shortages of fossil fuels such as petroleum are major problems worldwide. Under these conditions, demand for woody biomass resources is increasing. We investigated the feasibility of using fast-growing Eucalyptus grandis for material production. Samples of E. grandis were collected from four plantations in different latitude divisions, including tropical and subtropical Brazil and subtropical Argentina. Various xylem qualities were measured and related to the lateral growth rate. Lateral growth rate did not significantly affect the longitudinal released strain of the surface growth stresses or the xylem density at any of the sampling sites. Higher lateral growth rate, higher values of xylem density, and lower absolute values of the released strain were observed in plantations closer to the equator. Higher growth rates in tropical climate promote longer fiber length. In subtropical plantations, smaller diameter trees will produce tension wood with smaller microfibril angles. Planting E. grandis closer to the equator thus produces higher quality wood than in plantations at lower latitudes.     

Nursery transplant practices determine seedling root quality of two subtropical eucalypts

This study assessed the influence of various operational transplanting procedures on J-rooting compared to a no transplanting approach of direct sowing into Hiko trays. Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden and E. pilularis Smith seedlings were examined. All transplanting treatments increased severity and incidence of J-rooting for both species. Gently loosening seedling plugs by hand prior to their removal from cells of 512 trays and gentle manual production of seedling planting holes (dibbering) in potting media in Hiko cells, rather than mechanically loosening and mechanical dibbering, reduced the incidence of J-rooting for both species. Disturbance of seedling plugs from mechanized loosening and increased compaction from mechanical dibbering are believed to have a negative effect on root development. Direct sowing produced seedlings with highest root quality when measured at 27 weeks.

Tropical red gums — a source of 1,8-cineole-rich Eucalyptus oil

Tropical provenances of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and E. tereticornis Smith were studied, in their natural habitat in Australia and in a 3.75-year-old progeny trial in Zimbabwe, for their potential to produce medicinal-grade essential oils. Substantial interand intra-specific variation in the contents of five prominent monoterpenes, 1,8-cineole, -pinene, -pinene, limonene and p-cymene was found. Plantations of E. camaldulensis established in the wet/dry tropics using seed from Petford in northern Queensland offer immediate potential for oil production. Other widely-planted Queensland provenances with oil potential are Gilbert River Bridge E. camaldulensis and, after some genetic improvement, E. tereticonis from Morehead and Kennedy Rivers. Select individual trees at Petford provide oil of enhanced quality, at about double the yield of average trees.     

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.     

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.     

Establishment-year height growth in hybrid poplars; relations with longer-term growth

We examined the potential for using components of establishment-year height growth in predicting longer-term growth rankings of six hybrids of Populus deltoides × nigra and one of P. nigra × maximowiczii. Height rankings at the end of the establishment year were correlated (P 0.10) amongst the four field trials and were generally stable from 38 days after planting onward. End-of-season height rankings from field trials and a controlled environment trial were weakly correlated. Height rankings at the end of the first year did not correlate with rankings at the end of the fifth year, correlations with fifth-year ranks did improve in the second and third years. Shifts in clonal rankings after the establishment year may have been associated with (1) a decreased influence of the planted cutting on growth after the establishment year (2) clonal differences in the time of budburst which were minimized at the time of planting (3) clonal differences in late-season photosynthate allocation to roots (4) clonal differences in branching patterns and canopy development after the establishment year.     

Soaking faba bean seed in some bio-agents as prophylactic treatment for controlling<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> root-knot nematode infection

Soaking faba beans or treating their soil with the bio-agents Abamectin (a fermentation product from Streptomyces avermitilis), a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, Nemaless (containing strains of Serratia marcescens), and Sincocin-AG were compared to the nematicide Oxamyl and significantly (P 0.01 and/or P 0.05) reduced the population density of M. incognita with increasing the measured plant growth . On this basis, seed soaking was recommended as an economical, easy and pollution free method for managing M. incognita.     

Assessment of salt tolerance in eucalypts using chlorophyll fluorescence attributes

Chlorophyll fluorescence attributes were investigated for their potential as rapid, non-invasive indices of salt stress in eucalypts. After representative clones of E. camaldulensis and E. urophylla×grandis were subjected to salinity treatments, dark-adapted and quenching attributes did not show consistent responses to salinity stress. The light-adapted attribute F _ds, when measured in a controlled environment, did decline, often before physical symptoms of stress were visible. This value is required for the derivation of the effective quantum yield, and each measurement can be acquired and automatically recorded in a few seconds, permitting the rapid survey of large groups in a propagation facility. Monitoring of plants, that were treated with increasing concentrations of NaCl over time, permitted overall ranking of the responses of groups of clones and seedlings. Usually the data were heteroscedastic, so non-parametric methods of statistical analysis were used, and P0.01 for ascribing significance to differences. Also, following the responses of individuals within clones and provenances showed the method should be useful for the early detection of particularly susceptible or resistant seedlings.     

林龄、采伐方式对大叶相思萌芽更新的影响*

在海南省琼海县进行了不同林龄、不同采伐方式对大叶相思萌芽更新影响的研究，同时比较了保留不同萌条数量的萌芽林生长表现。结果表明：（１）林龄对伐桩萌芽率没有显著影响，但对伐桩存活率及萌条的径、高生长影响显著或极显著。林龄越大，萌芽更新效果越差；（２）皆伐和隔行采伐对大叶相思伐桩的萌芽率、萌条数量和存活率均无显著影响，但对萌条的径、高生长影响极显著。试验证明对大叶相思林分施以隔行采伐通过萌芽更新建立复层     

Resistance of larches to bark stripping by sika deer in Hokkaido,northern Japan

Resistance of the Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) (Lk), the Kurile larch (L. gmelinii var. japonica) (Lg), and their F₁ hybrid (Lg × Lk) to bark stripping by sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were studied in a forest in Hokkaido by cafeteria tests. Several sets of logs prepared from Lk, Lg, and Lg × Lk were fed to the deer. The stripped areas of logs significantly differed between the Lk/Lg set and the Lk/Lg × Lk set (P 0.05). The resistances of Lg and Lg × Lk to bark stripping was stronger than Lk. This result was similar to those of previous studies on gray-sided voles and mountain hares in Hokkaido.     

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.     

油桐尺蛾核型多角体病毒广西株全基因组序列

油桐尺蛾核型多角体病毒广西株基因组序列由Sanger测序的方法得到。拼接后获得了121 268 bp序列,GC含量为36.76%。以长度不小于50 aa的序列认定为功能基因,共预测到131个开放阅读框,通过Blast比对,其中87个能注释到功能基因。对基因组序列进重复序列分析,共发现SSR位点174个,同源重复序列1个。在SSR位点中,包含6种长度的重复基序,且以富含AT的重复基序为主。同源重复序列两端为一59 bp片段或其一部分组成的重复序列,两端分别重复12次和7次,中间则为一段与重复片段无关的236 bp片段。与武汉株相比,广西株病毒在37个核心基因中有4个存在蛋白序列长度上的差异,而在其他非核心基因中有6个基因仅存在于一个病毒株中,另有13个基因存在蛋白序列长度上的差异。     

Longitudinal growth strain as a log and wood quality predictor for plantation-grown <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus nitens</Emphasis> sawlogs

Peripheral longitudinal growth strain (LGS) was measured on a total of 81, 22-year-old pruned Eucalyptus nitens trees from five thinning treatments in a plantation thinning trial in Tasmania. Growth strain data were gathered at breast height on each tree using the CIRAD-Forêt method. The effects of thinning treatment and tree diameter on LGS and its relationships to solid-wood traits determined in a processing trial were examined. LGS was significantly higher in the direction of the prevailing wind and was not significantly affected by either thinning treatment or tree diameter. An index of log end splitting was positively related to tree diameter, sawlog position (upper/lower), and LGS, which explained up to an additional 20% of the variance after tree diameter and log position were accounted for in a linear regression model. High LGS and log end splitting were significant indicators of increased board end splitting.     

Fine-root dynamics of coffee in association with two shade trees in Costa Rica

Fine-root dynamics (diameter < 2.0 mm) were studied on-farm in associations of Coffea arabica with Eucalyptus deglupta or Terminalia ivorensis and in a pseudo-chronosequence of C. arabica-E. deglupta associations (two, three, four and five years old). Coffee plants were submitted to two fertilisation types. Cores were taken in the 0–40 cm soil profile two years after out-planting and subsequently in the following year in depth layers 0–10 and 10–20 cm, during and at the end of the rainy season, and during the dry season. Fine root density of coffee and timber shade trees was greater in the coffee fertilisation strip as compared to unfertilised areas close to the plants or in the inter-rows. Coffee fine roots were more evenly distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm) whereas tree fine roots were mostly found in the first 10 cm. Although the two tree species had approximately the same fine root length density, lower coffee / tree fine root length density ratios in T. ivorensis suggest that this shade tree is potentially a stronger competitor with coffee than E. deglupta. Coffee and tree fine root length density for 0–10 cm measured during the rainy season increased progressively from two to five-year-aged associations and coffee fine root length density increased relatively more than E. deglupta fine root length density in the four and five-year-aged plantations suggesting that contrary to expectations, coffee fine roots were displacing tree fine roots.     

Adventitious root formation of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species on log and soil in an old-growth subalpine forest in central Japan

We assessed stem burial and adventitious root formation of two late-successional species, Abies mariesii and A. veitchii, in central Japan. In a plot (5 × 5 m), all seedlings between 8 and 24 cm tall were excavated: six A. mariesii seedlings in soil, and six and four A. veitchii seedlings in soil and on logs, respectively. For each sampled seedling, the number of terminal bud scars (TBS) was counted on the aboveground and belowground stems. Stem length was measured, and divided into aboveground and belowground stems. Among the three groups (A. mariesii seedlings in soil and A. veitchii seedlings in soil or on logs), there was no significant difference in height or total root weight (sum of adventitious roots and primary roots), but diameter at ground level and number of TBS were significantly different. Counting TBS on the aboveground stem of seedlings in soil underestimated seedling age, whereas the estimate was much closer to the true age for seedlings on logs. Seedlings in soil formed more adventitious roots than seedlings on logs. A large proportion of the stem was buried in humus for seedlings in soil, while most of the stem was not buried in humus for seedlings on logs. These results suggest that substrate affects adventitious root formation, the formation of which is important to shade tolerance. Thus, our preliminary results suggest that consideration of adventitious root formation is necessary to understand seedling bank dynamics and estimate seedling ages of these Abies species in spatially heterogeneous old-growth subalpine forests.     

Evaluation of coastal sandy soils and their saline ground waters for afforestation: A case study from India

A study was conducted in coastal Andhra Pradesh to evaluate current practices and suitability of coastal sandy soils for raising tree plantations. Poor soil moisture retention characteristics of these soils make irrigation an essential, but costly silvicultural practice for obtaining desirable establishment and growth. Saline ground water is the only available source of irrigation. Its use seems safe and successful in such soils. The farmers have adopted a specialized manual splashing technique (Doruvu) of seepage pits for irrigating tree plantations in their establishment phase. This technique was observed to be well suited to the sandy soils. Casuarina equisetifolia and Eucalyptus tereticornis were the two most popular species being afforested. E. camaldulensis is also in an introduction phase. Comparison of growth performance and biomass accumulation by C. equisetifolia and E. tereticornis plantations at different growth stages showed the former to be significantly better than the latter. Build up of the soil organic carbon was also found to be markedly more in comparable C. equisetifolia plantations than those of E. tereticornis. Similarly, the blanketing influence of C. equisetifolia plantations was observed to modify soil temperature extremes considerably more than in the case of E. tereticornis. The findings, indicated a vast scope for utilization of coastal sandy soils for afforestation with the successful use of saline ground waters.     

Sapstain fungi on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> logs – from New Zealand Forest to export in Japan

Supply of clear, unstained logs from an export country is important economically as well as in reducing the biosecurity risk to an importing country such as Japan. Although conditions found within the holds of ships containing logs are thought to be ideal for rapid colonization of sapstain fungi, no research has been conducted. Research-focussed log export trials were designed to determine the extent of sapstain colonisation at specific points in the processing of logs from harvesting to arrival at the export destination. Two trials were established, in the austral summer and winter, in which mature Pinus radiata logs were harvested in New Zealand and shipped to export ports in Japan. Data loggers placed above and below deck of the ships recorded microclimatic conditions. Nine species of sapstain fungi were isolated from logs during the summer trial; the most common species isolated were Ophiostoma floccosum, Ophiostoma querci, and Ophiostoma setosum. In contrast, ten sapstain species were detected during the winter trial, with Sphaeropsis sapinea, O. querci, O. floccosum, and O. setosum most commonly isolated. This research was the first successful attempt at measuring visual sapstain development and isolating sapstain fungi from the time of harvesting to arrival at an export destination.