Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica II. Cacao and wood production,litter production and decomposition

During 7 years (1979–1985) cacao harvests (beans and husks) have been recorded for the agroforestry systems ofTheobroma cacao underCordia alliodora andErythrina poeppigiana shade trees. The mean oven dry cacao yields were 626 and 712 kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹ cocoa beans underC. alliodora andE. poeppigiana respectively. Harvests have gradually increased over the years and the plantation has now reached maturity. Annual extraction of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in fruits, which is relatively small, was calculated on the basis of chemical analyses. The following average values were found (kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹): At the age of 8 years, theC. alliodora trees have reached 26.7 cm diameter (DBH) and 14.0 m in height. Mean annual growth (from age 5 to 7) is 14.6 m³.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹. Natural plant residue production has been measured for 4 years (Nov. 1981–Oct. 1985). UnderE. poeppigiana it has reached a value of 8.91 t.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹ and underC. alliodora 7.07 t.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹. The shade trees have contributed 57 and 47% respectively. Transference and decomposition rates are high and important in the nutrient cycles. The nutrient content of the litter was analysed and corresponding average yearly transfers were (kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹): For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986. Agroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesselschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica     

A case study of forest management planning using a new heuristic algorithm

We present an approach to generate and evaluate different silvicultural development paths and to optimize the development of a Norway spruce stand, using a long-term planning horizon. To generate a silvicultural path, the maximum stand density was applied. At each thinning event, three possible thinning intensities (10, 20, 30% of the stem number per ha) were randomly chosen. A search algorithm known as modified Accelerated Simulated Annealing (mASA) was used to estimate the optimum combination of stand paths for a given forest as a whole. Production and economic management objectives were considered and then compared. The economic criterion was the Expected Stand Value (ESV) with a 4% discount rate. The generated data set of 38 Norway spruce stands (comprising a total of 123.8 ha) was used in the case study. The result with the best combination of paths was presented in a digitized forest map. Forest management simulation was performed using a specially developed computer program, for a planning horizon of 20 years. The mASA proved to be an effective search method for identifying optimum paths.     

Winter photoinhibition in the field involves different processes in four co-occurring Mediterranean tree species

Photoinhibition was examined in four co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen tree species during two consecutive winters. In response to low temperatures and saturating light, Juniperus phoenicea L., Pinus halepensis Mill., Quercus coccifera L. and Q. ilex ssp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. exhibited marked chronic photoinhibition, indicated by low predawn maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm). Low Fv/Fm values were correlated with high concentrations of xanthophyll cycle components (VAZ) and with the maintenance of high concentrations of zeaxanthin overnight (DPSpd). In all species, however, chronic photoinhibition was enhanced as the winter progressed in the absence of changes in DPSpd, suggesting cumulative damage toward the end of winter. Photoinhibition differed among species: P. halepensis always displayed significantly higher Fv/Fm values; and Q. coccifera had the lowest Fv/Fm values, showing a high sensitivity to the combination of high light and low temperatures. Differences among species were not fully explained by differences in the xanthophyll pool or its de-epoxidation state. Chronic photoinhibition overlapped with a dynamic photoinhibition as shown by the low values of photochemical efficiency of the open reaction centers of PSII at midday. Winter photoprotective strategies differed among species and may involve photoprotective mechanisms in addition to those associated with xanthophylls. The observed species-specific differences matched results obtained for the same species in summer; however, comparison of the two seasons suggests that the higher VAZ concentration observed in winter has an additional structural photoprotective role.     

Biflavonoids from Podocalyx loranthoides

Analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of the aerials parts of Podocalyx loranthoides led to the isolation of I 7, II 4'-dimethylamentoflavone (1) and II 4'-methylamentoflavone (2). Compound (1) gave a moderate effect against Leishmania mexicana promastigotes.     

Citrus response to salinity: growth and nutrient uptake

To determine the effects of salinity on relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate on a leaf weight basis (NAR(w)), leaf weight ratio (LWR), and nutrient uptake and utilization of citrus, we grew four citrus rootstocks (sour orange, Cleopatra mandarin, Carrizo citrange and Citrus macrophylla) in nutrient solutions containing 0, 10, 20, 40 or 80 mM NaCl for 20, 40 or 60 days. For each element analyzed, specific absorption rate (SAR) and specific utilization rate on a leaf basis (SUR(L)) were calculated for the period between Days 40 and 60. Relative growth rate decreased with time for all treatments and rootstocks. Salt treatment significantly reduced both RGR and NAR(w), whereas LWR showed no definite trend. In all rootstocks, NAR(w), but not LWR, was significantly correlated with RGR, indicating that NAR(w) was an important factor underlying the salinity-induced differences in RGR among the citrus rootstocks. At Day 60, salinity had a significant effect on leaf concentrations of Cl, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Mn and Zn and on the SAR and SUR(L) of most elements. In general, RGR was correlated with SAR and SUR(L). Therefore, in addition to osmotic effects and the inhibitory effects of high concentrations of Cl(-) and Na(+), an imbalance of essential nutrients may also contribute to the reduction in plant growth under saline conditions.     

山东省外观健康羊群中检出羊边界病病毒

2014年从山东省外观健康的牛羊采集鼻拭子样品共707份,提取其RNA,用流感病毒特异性引物进行RT-PCR检测。对RT-PCR扩增的阳性产物进行序列测定,意外发现其中1份羊拭子样品含有羊边界病病毒,并且该结果得到其他试验验证。结合我国2012年首次在安徽和江苏两地检出该病毒,以及当前我国羊群流通情况,推测该病毒可能在我国有所存在。该调研结果对分析各类RT-PCR检测的假阳性产生原因,有参考意义。并提示RT-PCR检测结果难以作为疫病或感染病诊断的确切依据。其诊断结果有时需要用荧光探针或测序进行进一步鉴定。     

牛布鲁菌侵染对HPT-8细胞p38基因转录水平的影响

探讨布鲁菌侵染人胚胎滋养层细胞(HPT-8)过程中对p38基因转录的影响。用牛布鲁菌2308和RB51株分别侵染HPT-8细胞,在不同侵染时间点(0、4、8、12、48h)收集细胞,提取总RNA,反转录获得cDNA;构建p38α、p38β和内参基因GAPDH的克隆质粒,并绘制3种基因扩增的标准曲线;RT-qPCR检测p38α和p38β基因的转录表达。结果显示,获得了HPT-8细胞侵染前后的cDNA,构建了pMD18-T-p38α/p38β/GAPDH克隆质粒,绘制了标准曲线。RT-qPCR结果显示,布鲁菌2308和RB51侵染滋养层细胞后(4、8、12、48h),p38α和p38β的相对表达量比0h均明显下降,差异极显著(P0.01),布鲁菌RB51株和2308株也存在一定差异。结果表明,在布鲁菌侵染HPT-8细胞的过程中,p38 MAPK信号通路被下调,提示p38 MAPK信号通路参与了对细胞生物学效应的调控,且这种调控作用与菌株的毒力强弱存在密切联系。