Bud set and autumn coloration of Larix sibirica and Larix gmelinii provenances in a field trial in southern Finland

The main aim of this study was to analyse the differences in the bud set, autumn coloration and needle shedding of seedlings in 20 Russian larch provenances and five comparison entries in field conditions in southern Finland over two growing seasons. Furthermore, it was studied if the differences could be explained by the geographic and climatic conditions of the provenance origins. We found that the provenances from cold northern climates developed both their terminal buds first and formed autumn colour as well as shed their needles much earlier than southern provenances. The timing of the bud set occurred earlier in 2008 compared to 2009, which was probably caused by lower than average temperatures in July and August of 2008. Thus, in addition to photoperiod, temperature also seemed to affect the bud set. The southern Dahurian larch provenances were able to utilise the length of the growing season the most effectively. The climatic adaptation, growth and properties of the provenances should be, however, studied over a longer time period. Therefore, currently used Raivola origin is still the safest choice for larch forestry in Finland.     

日光温室春早熟栽培黄瓜品种比较试验

9个黄瓜品种日光温室春早熟栽培的比较试验结果表明,中农13号、津绿3号、津春3号植株生长健壮,果实商品性状好,前期产量高,适宜在阿拉尔地区推广。     

Cycling of extracellular DNA in the soil environment

Upon entering the soil environment, extracellular DNA is subjected to dynamic biological, physical, and chemical factors that determine its fate. This review concerns the fate of both recombinant and non-recombinant sources of DNA. A schematic of DNA cycling coupled with genetic transformation is presented to understand its behavior in soil. Extracellular DNA may persist through cation bridging onto soil minerals and humic substances, be enzymatically degraded and restricted by DNases of microbial origin, and/or enter the microbial DNA cycle through natural transformation of competent bacteria. Lateral gene transfer may disseminate DNA through the microbial community. An understanding of DNA cycling is fundamental to elucidating the fate of extracellular DNA in the soil environment.     

Effects of spacing and genetic entry on radial growth and ring density development in Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.)

• Introduction  

The objective of this work was to study how spacing and genetic entry and/or origin group affect radial growth (ring width and cumulative diameter development) and ring density from pith to bark in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and in what sense their annual variability could be explained by the climatic variables. The spacing trial was located in central Finland, with current stand density range of 2,000–4,000 trees per hectare. All the six genetic entries had Kanerva pine (plus tree S1101) as a father tree, whereas the mother tree represented Finnish plus trees from southern, central and northern Finland.     

Pressurized hot water extraction of Norway spruce hemicelluloses using a flow-through system

Norway spruce saw meal was extracted with pressurized hot water at 120–240°C using a flow-through system. Only small amounts of hemicelluloses were extracted at 120–160°C, but dissolution was significantly enhanced when higher extraction temperatures were applied. All hemicelluloses but only 15% of lignin were removed from wood at 220°C, and even less lignin was extracted at lower temperatures. Partial degradation of cellulose seemed to take place only at 240°C. Of the total amount of extracted hemicelluloses, 4–22% was hydrolyzed to monosaccharides. Although the average molar masses of extracted hemicelluloses decreased with increasing extraction temperature, even at 240°C the extracted carbohydrates occurred, on average, as polysaccharides. Polysaccharides with an average molar mass of 31 kDa were obtained at 170°C. The molecular-mass characteristics and yield of carbohydrates depend on the extraction temperature, which should be chosen based on the end use of the isolated hemicelluloses.     

Adaptive optimization of crop production and nitrogen leaching abatement under yield uncertainty

The study develops a bio-economic crop management model that internalizes the environmental cost of nitrate pollution, accounts for stochastic weather, and includes an option for split fertilization. The integrated model is designed to indicate whether a producer can benefit from applying fertilizer several times during the growing season, in response to crop needs, rather than a single time, at sowing. The model is parameterized for the cultivation of spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Southern Finland. The costs of negative externalities from nitrogen leaching are internalized in the landowner’s decision problem through a pollution tax. The results indicate that without a pollution tax a single application of fertilizer gauged to meet the needs of the entire season is optimal. With a tax, the benefits of split application - applying varying amounts of fertilizer at selected stages of the growing season - increase significantly. In comparison to a single application of fertilizer at sowing, split fertilization improves yields, increases the total amount of fertilizer used, and reduces nitrogen leaching.     

冬小麦冠层对入射光合有效辐射吸收比例的估算方法评价

目前研究估算作物冠层对入射光合有效辐射的吸收比例 (fAPAR)时多采用冠层光能截获效率 (fIPAR)、冠层叶面积指数 (LAI) 和Beer-Lambert法则、冠层光谱植被指数等信息。该文以冬小麦为例,利用田间观测数据序列 (包括冠层LAI、冠层fIPAR和冠层光谱特性等方面)对各种fAPAR估算方法进行了较为全面的总结、分析、评价,以明确各法的优势和不足,为今后相关研究提供参考。结果表明,冬小麦营养生长期内fAPAR与fIPAR值较为接近,而冬小麦生殖生长期内二者差异显著;整个研究时段内,利用fIPAR估算的fAPAR结果较好;根据叶面积指数和Beer-Lambert法则估算的fAPAR在抽穗至腊熟期间结果偏小,原因在于该法不能体现穗部对光合有效辐射的有效吸收;直接借用文献记载的fAPAR～NDVI（归一化差值植被指数）函数关系估算的fAPAR在冬小麦营养生长阶段及生殖生长季末期均明显偏大。此外,通过将fAPAR与NDVI、比值植被指数 (RVI)、土壤调整植被指数 (SAVI)、修改型土壤调整植被指数 (MSAVI)等常用植被指数进行相关性分析,发现fAPAR与NDVI的相关关系最强,基于田间数据证实了采用NDVI估算fAPAR的合理性。     

Innate immune response in experimentally induced bovine intramammary infection with Staphylococcus simulans and S. epidermidis

ABSTRACT: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are in several countries the most common bacteria isolated in subclinical mastitis. To investigate the innate immune response of cows to infections with two common mastitis-causing CNS species, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus simulans, experimental intramammary infection was induced in eight cows using a crossover design. The milk somatic cell count (SCC), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity, milk amyloid A (MAA), serum amyloid A (SAA) and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were determined at several time points before and after challenge. All cows became infected and showed mild to moderate clinical signs of mastitis. The spontaneous elimination rate of the 16 infections was 31.3%, with no difference between species. Infections triggered a local cytokine response in the experimental udder quarters, but cytokines were not detected in the uninfected control quarters or in systemic circulation. The innate local immune response for S. simulans was slightly stronger, with significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β and IL-8. The IL-8 response could be divided into early, delayed, or combined types of response. The CNS species or persistency of infection was not associated with the type of IL-8 response. No significant differences were seen between spontaneously eliminated or persistent infections.     

果树砧穗互作研究进展

果树砧穗互作相关机理的研究对于揭示嫁接亲和性、营养平衡以及信号调控器官形态建成具有重要意义。综述了果树砧穗互作相关机制,并指出目前存在问题和未来发展方向。研究表明:(1)砧穗间细胞正确识别和信息交流是嫁接正常愈合的关键,生理生化代谢物质也影响嫁接体的愈合;(2)嫁接体成活后,砧木直接影响接穗营养水平,接穗调控砧木根系生长发育并产生反馈作用,砧穗间内源激素含量及比例和一些可远距离传递的信号物质参与调控嫁接体发育过程;(3)嫁接杂交为果树育种提供新的方向。未来应进一步研究内源激素如何调控嫁接愈合及嫁接体营养运输、远距离移动的信号物质和嫁接遗传物质改变的分子机制。