Effects of organic acid treatments on small hive beetles, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aethina tumida</Emphasis>, and the associated yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kodamaea ohmeri</Emphasis>

In honeybee, Apis mellifera, colonies infested with larval and adult small hive beetles (SHB), hive material, and in particular honey, tends to ferment, probably due to SHB-associated yeasts such as the predominant Kodamaea ohmeri. Here, we test the effects of organic acids on K. ohmeri and on SHB-infested honey/pollen combs. Organic acids were applied at standard concentrations used by beekeepers to control other pests. In laboratory tests, the growth of K. ohmeri was significantly inhibited by lactic, formic and acetic acids. Treatments of SHB-infested honey/pollen combs (N = 18 colonies) with acetic acid significantly increased mortality of adult SHB and treatments with formic acid significantly reduced larval infestation. Our data suggest that treatment of honeybee colonies and storage rooms with organic acids could also help in reducing SHB damage.     

Tangential and radial shrinkage variation within trees in sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) cultivars

The transverse shrinkage variation within trees was examined for five sugi cultivars. The within-tree trends of tangential shrinkage (α _T) were different by cultivar, whereas radial shrinkage (α _R) increased from pith to bark in most cultivars. The tangential/radial shrinkage ratio (α _T/α _R) decreased from pith to bark in most cultivars, because the radial variation of α _R was larger than that of α _T. The cultivars showed significant differences among cultivars in α _T, α _R, and α _T/α _R, but the difference among cultivars for α _T/α _R was smaller. The relationships between transverse shrinkage and microfi bril angle (MFA), basic density (BD), tree ring parameters, and modulus of elasticity were examined. The α _T and α _R showed positive relationships with BD, latewood percentage, latewood density, and modulus of elasticity, and negative relationships with MFA and ring width. The relationships with earlywood density were weak. Sugi exhibited variation in transverse shrinkage within stem and among cultivars, with the variation affected by MFA, density, and tree ring parameters. Part of this article was presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Akita, Japan, August 2006, and the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima, Japan, August 2007     

Water adsorption process of bamboo heated at low temperature

Water adsorption capacities were evaluated for moso bamboo samples that were heated at 200°C for various times and conditioned in a closed container at 97% relative humidity at 20°C. Logistic regression analysis was used for curve fitting to the adsorption data and its parameters were analyzed. These parameters were compared with those derived previously from the Dubinin and Radushkevich theory. The properties of the heat-treated samples changed after 5 h of heating. With less than 5 h of heating, hydroxyl groups provided the main adsorption sites but their numbers decreased on heating. After 5 h, gasifi cation of the bamboo increased and capillaries formed. Part of this article was presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima, August 2007     

Virtual trees and light capture: a method for optimizing agroforestry stand design

In agroforestry systems, the distribution of light transmitted under tree canopies can be a limiting factor for the development of intercrops. The light available for intercrops depends on the quantity of light intercepted by tree canopies and, consequently, on the architecture of the tree species present. The influence of tree architecture on light transmission was analysed using dynamic 3D architectural models. The architectural analysis of Acacia mangium and Tectona grandis was performed in Indonesian agroforestry systems with trees aged from 1 to 3 years. 3D virtual trees were then generated with the AmapSim simulation software and 3D virtual experiments in which tree age, planting density, planting pattern and pruning intensity varied were reconstructed in order to simulate light available for the crop. Canopy closure of trees was more rapid in A. mangium than in T. grandis agroforestry systems; after 3 years the quantity of light available for A. mangium intercrops was three times lower than under T. grandis. Simulations with A. mangium showed that practices such as pruning and widening tree spacing enable to increase the total transmitted light within the stand. On T. grandis, modification of the tree row azimuth resulted in changes in the spatial and seasonal distribution of light available for the intercrops. These results are discussed in terms of agroforestry system management.

Early shoot and root growth dynamics as indicators for the survival of black poplar cuttings

The relationship between early root and shoot formation at the beginning of the vegetation period and cutting survival on sandy and loamy fluvisol for 14 genotypes of black poplars was analyzed. Considerable cutting mortality was observed only within the first 80 days since planting. Intensive root formation in the first 20 days since the planting and vigorous shoot growth and development in subsequent 20 days was observed in easy-to-root genotypes. Coefficients of correlation revealed close relationship between early root and shoot growth and development and cutting survival of tested genotypes. The obtained results could be used in the breeding process, as well as for the design of cultivar-adjusted nursery and plantation establishment technology. Tested shoot characteristics, were found to be especially interesting since they could be measured rapidly, by non-destructive means.     

Growth,chlorophyll fluorescence and biochemical markers in clonal ramets of shisham (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> Roxb.) at nursery stage

About 19 clones of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) were raised by using healthy coppice shoot cuttings. After 2 year of establishment and growth, they were examined to identify suitable clone of shisham at nursery stage. Clones were studied for growth (height and basal diameter), chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and biochemical contents (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, free amino acids, total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, starch and reducing sugar) in the leaves. Clone C2 and C3 (Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India) had the highest growth and the chlorophyll fluorescence rate among examined clones. Between these two clones, C2 gave the highest response on height, basal diameter and Fv/Fm. Except free amino acids, all other biochemical contents were greater in the clones belonging to Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Growth parameters, i.e. height and basal diameter increment at nursery stage had a positive correlation with all the studied parameters, except free amino acid and total soluble protein. These findings have demonstrated that there are remarkable clonal variations in growth, physiological and biochemical responses at nursery stage. Thus, physiological and biochemical markers can enhance selection efficiency, in addition to growth characteristics such as height and basal diameter as these have practical value in the tree improvement. The study suggests that clones of Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India had the best performance and could be further tested in plantation programs.     

Direct plant regeneration from nodal explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Balanites aegyptiaca</Emphasis> L. (Del.): a valuable medicinal tree

This report describes in vitro shoot induction and plant regeneration from nodal segments of Balanites aegyptiaca on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 6-benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron (TDZ) and kinetin (Kin) (0.5–20.0 μM). MS medium supplemented with BA (12.5 μM) was the most effective in inducing bud break and growth and also in initiating multiple shoot proliferation. However, the optimal level of TDZ supplementation to the culture medium was 5.0 μM. Shoot cultures were established by repeatedly subculturing the original nodal explants on the same medium. Highest number of shoots (11.5 ± 0.7) and shoot length (5.0 ± 0.2 cm) were achieved when cultures were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 12.5 μM BA and 1.0 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The shoots regenerated from TDZ supplemented medium when subcultured to hormone free MS basal medium considerably increased the rate of shoot multiplication and shoot length by the end of fifth subculture. Rooting of the shoots was achieved on MS medium augmented with 1.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) plus 0.5% activated charcoal followed by their transfer to half strength MS basal medium. The in vitro raised plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully established in earthen pots containing garden soil and were grown in greenhouse with 70% survival rate. The results of this study provide the first successful report on in vitro direct plant regeneration of B. aegyptiaca.     

Influence of sulfometuron methyl on conifer seedling root development

On three sites in coastal northwestern Oregon, USA, seedling root and shoot development were assessed for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), and western red-cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) container seedlings under varying sulfometuron methyl (Oust XP^®) herbicide application treatments. Treatments consisted of application of 0.16 kg active ingredient (ai) ha^?1 as a site preparation in fall 2003, a release application in fall 2004, or a control treatment with no application. Seedlings were planted in winter 2004 and measurements recorded in summer 2004, winter 2005, and summer 2005. During first season growth, western red-cedar seedlings showed the greatest negative impact to site preparation compared to the control with overall average new root length outside the root plug reduced by 67%. Significant reductions in root length also occurred for western hemlock (47%) and Douglas-fir (40%) seedlings. About 9 months after the release treatment, and 21 months after the site preparation application, there were no significant differences between treatments for any measured parameter. These findings suggest that seedlings under the site preparation treatment recovered from initial damage incurred to the root system. Lack of seedling response under the release treatment may be the result of opposing influences from the herbicide application associated with seedling phytotoxicity and enhanced seedling development resulting from effective vegetation control. Although our study was limited to 21 months following planting, reduced vegetation cover in the site preparation and release treatments suggests that these treatments may benefit future seedling growth.     

Performance and nutrient dynamics of holm oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> L.) seedlings in relation to nursery nutrient loading and post-transplant fertility

Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings were exponentially (E) nutrient loaded using incremental increases in fertilizer addition or conventionally (C) fertilized using a constant fertilizer rate during nursery culture. The fertility treatments (mg N plant⁻¹) were control (0), 25E, 100E, and 100C. Subsequently, 1-year-old plants were transplanted under simulated soil fertility gradients in a greenhouse to evaluate effects of nutrient loading and post-transplant fertility on seedling performance. Post-transplant fertility consisted of fertilizing plants at two rates (0 vs. 200 mg N plant⁻¹). A water-soluble fertilizer 20-20-20 was supplied in both nursery and post-transplant experiments. Nutrient loading increased plant N content by 73% in 100E and by 75% in 100C relative to controls, although no significant differences were detected between constant and exponential fertilization regimes at the 100 mg N plant⁻¹ rate. When transplanted, nutrient loading promoted post-transplant root growth relative to shoot, implicating potential to confer competitive advantage to loaded holm oak seedlings after trans-planting. In contrast, post-transplant fertility increased new shoot dry mass by 140% as well as N, P and K content relative to controls. Results suggest that holm oak seedlings can be successfully nutrient loaded in the nursery at higher fertility rates, improving its potential to extend new roots, but alternative fertilization regimes and schedules that better fit nutrient availability to the growth rhythm and conservative strategy of this species must be tested.     

Development of a joint system using a compressed wooden fastener I: evaluation of pull-out and rotation performance for a column—sill joint

Compressed wooden plates and dowels were used to connect members in post-and-beam structures as a substitute for a steel fastener. In order to take advantage of the characteristic properties of compressed wood and to achieve optimum joint performance, two compressed wooden plates were used in each joint to give multiple shear planes for each compressed wooden dowel. Consequently, this type of joint showed very good properties in pull-out and momen-trotation performance, and its engineering design could be further optimized. This joint is expected to be introduced to many kinds of structural systems, including long-span frame structures made of domestic timber found in Japanese residential houses.