Seedborne Fusarium on Douglas-fir: Pathogenicity and seed stratification method to decrease Fusarium contamination

Twelve Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlots from coastal British Columbia were assayed for seedborne Fusarium. All of the seedlots were contaminated with Fusarium. Percent of nonstratified seeds from individual seedlots harboring Fusarium ranged from 0.3% to 95.4%. Sixty-seven percent of the seedlots had Fusarium on less than 2% of the seeds. Post-stratification seedborne Fusarium levels were significantly less for running water imbibition compared to standing water imbibition. However, seedling growth at a container nursery was not consistently different for stratified seed imbibed initially in standing or running water. Fusarium disease symptoms were not observed in the nursery environment. The species of Fusarium isolated from seed were F. acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. lateritium, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. poae and F. sambucinum. Twelve Fusarium isolates, comprising six species, were assessed for pathogenicity. Disease symptoms were observed after four weeks incubation and Fusarium isolates ranged in virulence from low to high. Fusarium oxysporum isolates were the most pathogenic.     

SBELTS: A model of soybean production under tree shelter

Farmers in the North Central region of the United States often are reluctant to use shelterbelts because of inadequate information clearly showing their benefits. We developed a computer model, called SBELTS for ShelterBELT and Soybeans, that simulates the influence of a shelterbelt on soybean (Glycine max L.) production across an agricultural field in the midwestern United States. Objectives of this study were to 1) describe the structure of SBELTS, 2) present model simulations, and 3) discuss model limitations. SBELTS is composed of three submodels. The first submodel produces characteristics of a shelterbelt that are passed to the second submodel that estimates daily windrun at user-specified distances leeward (away from the prevailing wind) of the shelterbelt. Estimated daily windruns are merged with other microclimatic information to produce weather files for each specified distance. Finally, the third submodel uses a soybean growth/yield model to estimate soybean yield at specified distances, and the yields are averaged. Data collection was not a part of the present project, so SBELTS was evaluated by comparing predicted results with published information. SBELTS was used to predict soybean yield across a field leeward of a 7.6 m tall shelterbelt, and the predicted yield curve compared well with published yield curves. The sensitivity of SBELTS to variation in rainfall was evaluated by predicting yields for 3.8 m tall and 7.6 m tall shelterbelts in wet, normal, and dry years. Results showed no shelterbelt influence in wet years, some influence in normal years, and a sizable influence in dry years. Results showed that the 7.6 m shelterbelt had more influence than the 3.8 m shelterbelt. Although SBELTS has limited use, it is the first step in the development of more advanced models that will be able to simulate production of soybeans and other crops under the influence of shelterbelts on a variety of soil types.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Weathering characteristics of hardwood surfaces

Summary Four hardwoods, red oak, white oak, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum, were exposed to outdoor weathering and to artificial ultraviolet (UV) light with wavelengths of >220 and >254 nm. Discoloration and loss of brightness were observed from all specimens regardless of their exposure conditions. White oak and sweetgum changed color at a slower rate than did red oak and yellow-poplar. SEM micrographs showed that all wood species exhibited surface deterioration after 30 days exposure to sunlight or 500 hrs to UV light. Loss of middle lamella, separation of procumbent cells, and damage of pit structures were observed on transverse sections for all species. ESCA studies revealed a high oxygen content at the wood surfaces indicating severe oxidation of wood exposed either outdoors or to artificial UV light. The generation of new chromophoric groups such as carbonyls, carboxylic acids and quinones, and the loss of lignin at the oxidized surface were demonstrated experimentally by infrared studies.This study was supported by cooperative research funds provided by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. The authors wish to acknowledge this support     

Growth and water potential of j-rooted loblolly and eastern white pine seedlings over three growing seasons

The effects of j-rooting on water stress and growth of loblolly (Pious taeda L.) and eastern white pine (Pious strobus L.) were examined over three growing seasons in the field. Seedlings were planted in an area with severe herbaceous competition with either their roots planted straight or bent into a j shape. All seedlings were planted with their root collars placed at the soil surface. During the first year j-rooted seedlings consistently had lower water potentials but never statistically significant. Since both treatments were planted with the root collar at the soil surface, this trend was likely due to an initial shallower root system in j-rooted seedlings. In year three no differences in water potential were significant and no trends were evident. Growth did not differ significantly by treatment at any time but, by year three, j-rooted plants were consistently larger for both species.     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica III. Cycles of organic matter and nutrients

Models for cycles for organic matter and nutrients element (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) are presented for the agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) withCordia alliodora orErythrina poeppigiana in Turrialba, Costa Rica.For the models, system reserves (soil, humus, vegetation divided into leaves, branches, stems, fine roots, fruits) and transference between compartments (production and decomposition of litter residues) inputs (fertilizer, rainfall) and outputs (harvests) of the system are considered.The implications of the models are discussed in detail.Aspects of net primary production in the systems studied are considered.N fixation is calculated on the basis of balances. Analysis of soil water showed high variations that coincided with rainfall patterns and pruning of theE. poeppigiana.For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986 For part II see this issueAgroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica     

Acceleration of Early Growth of Seedlings and Rooted Cuttings of Quercus robur L.

The normal delays in the production of useful planting materialin tree species such as Quercus robur from both seedlings andcuttings can be overcome by growing the plants at relativelyhigh temperature and in continuous light. Top growth could befurther accelerated by application of gibberellic acid (GA3)as foliar spray. There were, however, distinct differences inresponse between seedlings (with a high root: top dry matterratio, 4:1), and freshly rooted cuttings. The latter evincedonly onefifth the seedling response, but when cuttings attainedsimilar root:top ratios, their response reached that of seedlings. GA3 treatment accelerated top growth at the expense of rootgrowth, but a root dip for 4h in 100 ppm indole-3yl-butyricacid (IBA) given to 4-month-old cuttings restored root growthto normal even with GA3 treatment. During rooting, cutting commonlybecame dormant but this was prevented by foliar GA3 sprays.Growth was further and substantially improved by inclusion ofcytokinin in such sprays (benzylandenine purine, BAP). Furtherimprovements of growth were obtained by 5% sucrose suppliedto the foliage. In field experiments, assessing ‘establishment’of seedlings and cuttings, the latter established well but after550 days still had not attained the same root:shoot ratio asseedlings. GA3 (50 ppm) again greatly promoted shoot growth,while BAP increased branching and leaf number; when given togethermaximum leaf numbers and shoot dry weight were obtained, yetroot growth remained normal. Further addition of IBA raisedshoot growth still further, but other characters measured sufferedreductions. The potential use of these findings is discussed.     

Yield, maturation, and forage quality of alfalfa in a black walnut alley-cropping practice

There is interest in producing alfalfa as an alley crop because alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most profitable hay crop in the USA. Field experiments were conducted near Stockton, MO in 2003 and 2004. Treatments consisted of alfalfa grown in open plots and in plots that were alley cropped between 20-year-old black walnut trees (Juglans nigra L.) planted in rows 24.4- and 12.2-m apart. Alfalfa was sampled for three harvest cycles each year. In the alley-cropping plots, samples were taken beneath the canopy (2.5 m from the tree row) and in the center of the alleys. Data were taken on dry-matter yield, maturity, and forage quality. At all harvest dates over both years, yields from beneath the canopy of both alleys and the narrow alley centers were less than yields from the wide alley centers and open plots. Yield from the wide alley centers was similar to that in open plots in every harvest but the final harvest of 2004. Transects across the plots indicated that yields increased linearly from the tree row to the center of both alleys. Alfalfa tended to mature faster in the open and wide alley centers compared to beneath the canopy of both alleys and the narrow alley centers. Forage quality differences were inconsistent across treatments. Alfalfa yield was significantly reduced and maturity was delayed by the narrow 12.2 m tree spacing, but yield was not reduced in the centers of the wider 24.4 m alleyways.     

Management of pigeon pea in short fallows for crop-livestock production systems in the Guinea savanna zone of northern Ghana

Crop and livestock production in the Guinea savanna zone of northern Ghana has been declining over the past years as a result of increasing pressure on land. To sustain soil productivity, pigeon pea(Cajanus cajan), a leguminous perennial crop was evaluated for its potential as a short duration fallow crop for fodder and grain, and maize (Zea mays)production. It involved comparing a natural fallow (i.e., control) and four improved fallows of pigeon pea pruned annually at 30 cm, 60 cm and 90 cm from the ground, and unpruned pigeon pea over a two-year period. After this time, the land was cleared manually and planted to maize. The highest mean annual biomass of pigeon pea over the two-year period of 6.1 t ha⁻¹ dry matter (DM) was obtained by pruning at 60 cm. The highest leaf litter production and pigeon pea seed yield was obtained from the no pruning treatment. The mean maize grain yield from the improved fallow (3.02 t ha⁻¹) in the first year after clearing was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of the natural fallow (1.54 t ha⁻¹). Considering the biomass of pigeon pea from pruning, pigeon pea seed yield and maize grain yield after the pigeon pea, pruning pigeon pea at 60 cm is the most promising regime for crop-livestock production systems. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effects of cell wall swelling on the permeability of grand fir wood

Summary The longitudinal permeability of Abies grandis wood swollen to varying degree by water vapour sorption has been measured using a non-swelling liquid. The results obtained show that cell wall swelling causes a reversible decrease in permeability in both air dried and solvent exchange dried specimens.Direct microscopic measurements have shown that change in lumen diameter cannot explain the observed effect.Mathematical analysis of the data suggests that the permeability decrease may be due to increase in thickness of bordered pit membrane fibrils resulting from sorption of water.     

Bending strength adjustments for moisture content for structural lumber

Summary Effects of moisture content on bending strength and section capacity have been studied assuming that strength properties are linearly related to moisture content below the fiber saturation point. The models developed using the linear strength vs. moisture content relationships are compared with quadratic models developed earlier. The linear representation of strength variation with moisture content leads to predicted member bending capacity relationships which show that increases in member bending strength with moisture content will compensate for section property decreases at all bending strength property levels. Comparisons of bending strength and bending capacity models show that the two modelling approaches lead to similar predicted member performance. Simplified procedures are provided for adjusting member bending strength for moisture content which are suitable for materials properties codes or standards.