Morphological plasticity and phosphorus uptake mechanisms of hybrid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> roots under spatially heterogeneous phosphorus stress

In this study, we subjected the root systems of eight Eucalyptus hybrids currently cultivated in southern China to heterogeneous phosphorus stress to provide a scientific basis for the selection of a highly phosphorus-efficient Eucalyptus variety. When the ability of these hybrids to locate phosphorus under different experimental conditions (phosphorus supply in a homogeneous or heterogeneous manner vs. no phosphorus supply) was compared, the main growth characteristics of Eucalyptus, such as plant height, diameter, dry mass, and phosphorus content, significantly improved when the phosphorus supply was increased from no phosphorus or heterogeneous phosphorus (half of the phosphorus amount) to homogeneous phosphorus. Across these three conditions, the growth traits of different Eucalyptus hybrids differed significantly, indicating different adaptabilities of the hybrids to various phosphorus conditions. The growth traits of the aboveground tissues of Eucalyptus under different phosphorus conditions were largely influenced by the morphology of the underground root system. In addition, the root morphology of Eucalyptus under heterogeneous phosphorus treatment suggested that there were two mechanisms for locating nutrients. Eucalyptus hybrids such as Urophylla 3229, Grandis 9, Guanglin 3, 201-2, and Dunn produced more roots proximal to the phosphorus supply; the other hybrids, Urophylla 3216, Grandis 5, and Guanglin 9, relied mainly on the growth of roots opposite the phosphorus supply to obtain adequate nutrients for growth. With these two strategies, a wide range of nutrients was obtained, root distribution was greater, more soil volume was covered, the contact area of the roots with soil phosphorus was increased, and the uptake of phosphorus by the root system was increased. These results demonstrate that Eucalyptus relies on changes to morphological characteristics of the root system to increase accessibility to phosphorus resources.     

Effects of fruit thinning on ascorbate–glutathione cycle metabolism in black currants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ribes nigrum</Emphasis> L.)

To elucidate mechanisms regulating ascorbic acid (AsA) biosynthesis and accumulation in the fruit and leaves of black currants, AsA and the activities of key enzymes in the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle were measured from fruit set to fruit ripening during fruit thinning treatments of three common commercial black currant cultivars that differed in their AsA levels: ‘Risager’ (low), ‘Brodtrop’ (medium) and ‘Adelinia’ (high). Treatments were 50% fruit reduction (50% of total fruit set) by hand, control was no thinning. Fruit thinning treatment significantly increased AsA content in fruit of all three cultivars from weeks 2 to 8, significantly decreased AsA content in leaves from weeks 3 to 8. Dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activities in fruit and leaves had a similar pattern, increasing during week 2, rose until they peaked in week 4. Ascorbate peroxidase activity in fruit in the thinning treatment was slightly lower than in the control. Fruit thinning was shown to be a good model to test AsA biosynthesis regulation and accumulation in black currants. The results from our study provided strong evidence that AsA–GSH cycle involved in AsA synthesis and accumulation in fruit.     

No consistent daily variation in DNA methylation detected in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus nigra</Emphasis> leaves by methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism analysis

DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism used by cells to control gene expression, has an important biological role in plant development and environmental fitness. Since plant DNA methylation is closely related to environmental conditions, variation during the day is expected. Here, in genetically identical plants of Populus nigra clone N46, DNA methylation changes in leaves over a 24 h period were detected using the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism method. The results showed different DNA methylation patterns in mature poplar leaves: not only in individuals at the same time, but also in samples at each of the six time during the day. In addition, night samples had a higher percentage of methylation than in morning samples. However, no statistically significant differences were found among the samples gathered at different times. Similar results were obtained for three other P. nigra clones with different genetic backgrounds. Real time qPCR showed that the DNA methyltransferase genes Pt-MET1 and Pt-SOM1 involved in CG DNA methylation in poplar were stable over a 24 h period in leaves of P. nigra N46 compared with circadian-controlled genes. That could be part of the reason that methylation of CCGG sites is stable in those leaves. That DNA methylation differed even in genetically identical plants indicates the specificity of DNA methylation changes in their genomes. No statistically significant differences in methylation changes were found between day and night, suggesting that DNA methylation is more stable than expected and is unlikely to be involved in circadian regulation in plants.     

Exotic and invasive species compromise the seed bank and seed rain dynamics in forests undergoing restoration at urban regions

The control of exotic and invasive species in areas undergoing recovery is a challenge for ecological restoration and this problem may be even greater in urbanized areas. This study evaluated the seed bank and seed rain of a 5-year-old riparian forest located at the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte in southeast Brazil, and verified changes over time in the abundance and species richness and whether planted species already were providing propagules to the site. At the forest, fifteen parcels of 100 m² were distributed randomly and soil samples were collected thrice (October 2011, March 2012 and July 2012) to evaluate the seed bank. Seed traps were installed in nine parcels to collect propagules over 1 year. Propagules were segregated and germinate at greenhouse. Species richness and abundance were estimated, and variance and similarity were quantified. In total, 86 species were recorded in the seed banks, 41.9% natives and 33.7% exotics, with the predominance of herbs (87.2%) and only 7% of trees. Species classified as weeds amounted to 52.3%. In the seed rain 642 seedlings germinated but they belonged to only 10 species, half of them were exotics. Regarding life forms, half of the species were arboreal and dominated the samples, highlighting the exotic species Melia azedarach. The species richness of the seed bank did not differ by season, unlike the seed rain which varied significantly by month. Seed bank and seed rain species had a very low floristic similarity with the list of planted species, suggesting that few planted trees had dispersed or were stocking propagules. Many non-planted species were recorded, mostly exotics and/or invasive that were probably derived from the surrounding urban matrix. These might interrupt the successional dynamics of the restoration forest and compromise the restoration process in the medium and long-terms. Our results highlight: (1) the importance of monitoring areas undergoing restoration; (2) that restoration methods and management actions directed to control exotic and invasive species are particularly important for sites in urban regions; and (3) the relevance of conserving forest fragments as sources of propagules for nearby areas.     

Plantlet regeneration of adult <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus massoniana</Emphasis> Lamb. trees using explants collected in March and thidiazuron in culture medium

A protocol for micropropagation using nodal explants from mature Pinus massoniana trees has been developed. Time of explant collection is crucial for the initial success of aseptic culture. Explants collected in early March gave the highest percentage of explant survival (64.5%) and shoot-forming percentage (52.3%). Thidiazuron (TDZ) concentration significantly influenced shoot formation; 4 μM TDZ was optimum, with 4.8 shoots produced per explant with a mean length of 7.1 cm after 120 days of culture. Regenerated shoots rooted for 60 days in basic medium with 1 μM NAA were ready for growth in pots. This is the first report on plantlet regeneration in vitro from mature trees of P. massoniana that provides a reliable method for propagating selected elites.     

Rapid assessment of wood traits for large-scale breeding selection in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea mariana</Emphasis> [Mill.] B.S.P.

Key message

Pilodyn and acoustic velocity measurements on standing trees, used for predicting density and stiffness, can be good genetic selection tools for black spruce. Genetic parameters and selection efficiency were conserved in two breeding zones with contrasted bioclimatic conditions.

Context

Given the recent progress made in the black spruce genetic improvement program, the integration of juvenile wood mechanical properties as selection criteria is increasingly relevant.

Aims

This study aims to estimate the genetic parameters of in situ wood density and modulus of elasticity (MoE) measurements and to verify the efficiency of various measuring methods used for large-scale selection of black spruce based on wood quality.

Methods

Height, diameter, wood density, and some indirect measures of density (penetration and drilling resistance) and MoE (acoustical velocity and Pilodyn) were estimated on 2400 24-year-old trees of 120 open-pollinated families in progeny trials located in the continuous boreal or mixed forest subzones.

Results

Heritability of growth, density, and indirect density measurements varied from low to moderate and was moderate for acoustical velocity in both vegetation subzones. Expected genetic gains for wood properties based on in situ methods were higher for MoE proxy estimation combining Pilodyn and acoustic velocity.

Conclusion

Acoustic velocity is a good predictor of MoE. It is virtually unaffected by the environment and can be used on a large scale in the same manner as the Pilodyn for density. Using a proxy estimation that combines both methods helps optimize genetic gain for MoE.

     

木质环境学的研究进展与趋势

从木质材料的调温调湿功能、听觉特性、视觉特性、肤觉特性等6个方面系统介绍了木质环境学的研究进展情况,提出了木质环境学的今后研究趋势,并对木质环境学的概念作了新的定义.     

搞好山区综合开发迎接世界山区年

我国山区综合开发试点示范工作进入第6个年头.114个示范县按照"改土、治水、植树、修路、办电"的十字方针,通过国家专项贴息贷款的扶持和带动,促进了县域经济的发展,也辐射带动了周边山区县的经济发展,并取得了明显的生态效益和社会效益.山区正在成为我国生态建设、森林旅游、生态产品等世界潮流趋势最具发展潜力的地区.要利用2002年"世界山区年"的国际环境、实施西部大开发、即将加入WTO和我国林业实施六大工程战略的良机,加大工作力度,加快山区开发的步伐.2001年的山区综合开发要重点做好7个方面的工作.     

Structural mechanics of wood composite materials I: Ultrasonic evaluation of internal bond strength during an accelerated aging test

This research attempts to observe indirectly the variation of internal bond characteristics for wood composite materials during accelerated aging test treatment using ultrasonic pulse-transmission techniques. Particleboard (PB) and oriented strandboard (OSB) were the representative specimens. The transit time of the ultrasonic wave propagating through the samples along the nominal length and thickness directions was recorded using an apparatus called PUNDIT (C.N.S. Electronic, London). The transit times were measured in the samples under an oven-dried condition after treating them with boiling water at different treating time stages, and the velocity was then calculated based on the transit time. Examination of the internal bond strength conducted on the same samples was done according to JIS A 5908. A study of the relations among springback, internal bond strength, and velocity indicated that a high correlation existed between ultrasonic velocity measured in the length or thickness direction and the internal bond strength for the PB specimen, but no significant correlation was observed between the velocity measured in the length direction and the internal bond strength for the OSB specimen. The results of this research suggested that ultrasound techniques can be applied to predict or evaluate the internal bond state of some wood-composite materials made of relatively small particles, such as PB especially, during accelerated aging test treatment processes.Part of this paper was presented at the 47th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kochi, April 1997     

紫茎泽兰制备活性炭及其性质

紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)是一种分布广泛的林业恶性杂草,属亚灌木类,俗称解放草(王林等,2004),自从20世纪50年代从西南边境一带传入中国,在云南、四川、贵州等地迅速泛滥