Quantifying the effect of nitrogen-induced physiological and structural changes on poplar growth using a carbon-balance model

We evaluate the importance of changes in photosynthetic capacity, respiration rates, root shoot ratio, pipe model parameters and specific leaf area in the early-growth response of hybrid poplar to nitrogen availability. Juvenile growth simulations for trees with three different levels of leaf nitrogen concentration (N(leaf)) (low (1.2%), medium (2.4%) and high (3.6%)) were conducted with the carbon-balance model CROBAS. Five-year growth simulations showed the diameter and height of poplar trees to be, respectively, four and three times larger in plants with 2.4% N(leaf) compared with those with 1.2% N(leaf). Increasing N(leaf) from 2.4 to 3.6% resulted in 34 and 16% higher diameter and height growth of trees. According to the model, changes in the photosynthetic capacity accounted for most of the differences in growth between trees with different levels of N(leaf); the other parameters were much less influential. This suggests that in fast-growing early-successional broadleaved species such as poplars, physiological rather than allocational and morphological traits predominate in determining growth, at least under non-limiting light conditions.     

Predicting understory maximum shrubs cover using altitude and overstory basal area in different Mediterranean forests

In some areas of the Mediterranean basin where the understory stratum represents a critical fire hazard, managing the canopy cover to control the understory shrubby vegetation is an ecological alternative to the current mechanical management techniques. In this study, we determine the relationship between the overstory basal area and the cover of the understory shrubby vegetation for different dominant canopy species (Pinaceae and Fagaceae species) along a wide altitudinal gradient in the province of Catalonia (Spain). Analyses were conducted using data from the Spanish National Forest Inventory. At the regional scale, when all stands are analysed together, a strong negative relationship between mean shrub cover and site elevation was found. Among the Pinaceae species, we found fairly good relationships between stand basal area and the maximum development of the shrub stratum for species located at intermediate elevations (Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris). However, at the extremes of the elevation-climatic gradient (Pinus halepensis and Pinus uncinata stands), stand basal area explained very little of the shrub cover variation probably because microsite and topographic factors override its effect. Among the Fagaceae species, a negative relationship between basal area and the maximum development of the shrub stratum was found in Quercus humilis and Fagus sylvatica dominated stands but not in Quercus ilex. This can be due to the particular canopy structure and management history of Q. ilex stands. In conclusion, our study revealed a marked effect of the tree layer composition and the environment on the relationship between the development of the understory and overstory tree structure. More fine-grained studies are needed to provide forest managers with more detailed information about the relationship between these two forest strata.     

Vertical root separation and light interception in a temperate tree-based intercropping system of Eastern Canada

We analysed the spatial distribution of fine roots and light availability in a tree-based intercrop system (TBI) composed of Quercus rubra L. (QUR), hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra—HYP) and hay (CROP) in southern Québec (Canada) to evaluate interactions between trees and crop. Trees in the 8-year-old TBI system had superficial fine root profiles, which is common in tree species grown in conventional plantations and natural forests. More than 95 % of fine roots were found within the first 25 and 45 cm for QUR and HYP, respectively, and 35 cm for CROP. However, vertical separation between the fine root systems of QUR and CROP was evident, as QUR allocated less fine roots to the top 10 cm of soil, and more to depths between 10 and 30 cm, as opposed to CROP which had a greater proportion of fine roots in the top 10 cm. HYP fine roots showed no adaption when intercropped with hay. High tree fine root length density (FRLD) in the top soil layer was observed near the tree stems while hay FRLD was reduced by 45 %, suggesting strong competition for resources. Hay yield analysis revealed significant reduction near trees, particularly HYP. However, light did seem to be the main driver of intercrop yield, as it not only accounted for the effect of competition by roots (being correlated), but also had a singular effect.     

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) growth is influenced by close conspecifics and skid trail proximity following selection harvest

In this study, we quantified the effects of local neighbourhood competition, light availability, and proximity to skid trails on the growth of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees following selection harvest. We hypothesized that growth would increase with decreasing competition and increasing light availability, but that proximity to skid trails would negatively affect growth. A total of 300 sugar maples were sampled ∼10 years after selection harvesting in 18 stands in Témiscamingue (Québec, Canada). Detailed tree and skid trail maps were obtained in one 0.4 ha plot per stand. Square-root transformed radial growth data were fitted to a linear mixed model that included tree diameter, crown position, a neighbourhood competition index, light availability (estimated using the SORTIE light model), and distance to the nearest skid trail as explanatory variables. We considered various distance-dependent or -independent indices based on neighbourhood radii ranging from 6 to 12 m. The competition index that provided the best fit to the data was a distance-dependent index computed in a 6 m search radius, but a distance-independent version of the competition index provided an almost equivalent fit to data. Models corresponding to all combinations of main effects were fit to data using maximum likelihood, and weighted averages of parameter estimates were obtained using multimodel inference. All predictors had an influence on growth, with the exception of light. Radial growth decreased with increasing tree diameter, level of competition and proximity to skid trails, and varied among crown positions with trees in suppressed and intermediate positions having lower growth rates than codominants and dominants. Our results indicate that in selection managed stands, the radial growth of sugar maple trees depends on competition from close (≤6 m) conspecific neighbours, and is still affected by proximity to skid trails ∼10 years after harvesting. Such results underscore the importance of minimizing the extent of skid trail networks by careful pre-harvest planning of trail layout. We also conclude that the impact of heterogeneity among individual-tree neighbourhoods, such as those resulting from alternative spatial patterns of harvest, can usefully be integrated into models of post-harvest tree growth.     

Evaluation of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) germplasm collections using RAPD markers

Summary Deterioration of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., seed can adversely affect stands, seedling vigor, and subsequent performance of plants, but deterioration can be lessened by improved genetic resistance. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of physical and germination characteristics of cotton seed and to determine the inheritance of resistance to seed deterioration. Physical (weight, volume, density, and imbibition rate) and germination (germination of non-deteriorated seed and deteriorated seed) characteristics were determined for eight cotton genotypes. In addition, imbibition rate and the germination characteristics were determined for all possible F₁, including reciprocals, combinations of the eight genotypes. Variation among the parents for germination of deteriorated seed and imbibition rate were significantly, highly correlated (r=–0.97) and intrinsically related. Resistance to seed deterioration tended to increase as seed weight and volume decreased. Significant genetic effects were found for imbibition rate and germination of both non-deteriorated and deteriorated seed. However, general combining ability (GCA) accounted for only 21% of the variation in crosses sums of squares for germination of non-deteriorated seed. In contrast, GCA accounted for 90% of the variation for germination of deteriorated seed and imbibition rate. A breeding approach involving selection of early generation seed for ability to survive hot water treatment, then evaluating later generations for imbibition rate is suggested as a means to improve resistance to seed deterioration in cotton.     

Growth, allocation and leaf gas exchanges of hybrid poplar plants in their establishment phase on previously forested sites: effect of different vegetation management techniques

The effect of different vegetation control methods (mowing and cultivation between plantation rows, herbicide application and cover plant sowing) on hybrid poplar (P. maximowiczii × balsamifera) growth, biomass allocation and leaf carbon assimilation was investigated in two plantations (1- and 2-year-old) established in previously forested sites of south-eastern Québec. Any vegetation control treatment applied the same year in which the plantation was established did not have an effect on hybrid poplar aboveground growth. However significant differences among treatments were observed belowground, where the removal of the competing vegetation at the tree base increased the fine root:leaf biomass ratio of plants, thus probably facilitating their establishment. In contrast, 2-year-old plants grew better when treated with herbicides, but no positive effect of the mechanical treatments was detected. In both sites, trees growing on herbicide-treated plots showed considerably higher leaf carbon assimilation and leaf N concentration which were both strongly correlated. We conclude that a strong vegetation competition for nutrients takes effect on hybrid poplar plantations on previously forested sites since there was no water shortage for any treatment during the study period.     

Soil Covers for Controlling Acid Generation in Mine Tailings: a Laboratory Evaluation of the Physics and Geochemistry

To evaluate the effectiveness of soil covers, column experiments were conducted on tailings protected by a three-layer soil cover and tailings directly exposed in the open laboratory for a period of 760 days. Periodic rain application was performed to simulate field conditions, and at four times during the experiments the pore water was completely flushed out of each column for analysis. Profiles of oxygen, temperature, and volumetric water content were measured throughout the experiment, and the post-testing pore water quality was also characterized. A one-dimensional semi-analytic diffusion model was used to simulate oxygen profiles in the uncovered tailings. Modelling performed using the geochemical code MINTEQ showed that in the laboratory, aluminium concentrations in the tailings pore water were controlled by Al(OH)SO₄, sulphate by gypsum and Al(OH)SO₄and iron by lepidocrocite in the upper half and by ferrihydrite in the lower half. In the field, however, the iron oxyhydroxide minerals formed in the oxidized zone appear to be dissolving. It was found that the cover was effective in preventing significant desaturation of the clay, even over a 150-day drying period. The covered tailings did not oxidize much during the experiments. In the uncovered tailings, oxygen modelling and examination of the geochemistry show that the rate of gross oxidation and the advancement of the oxidation front decreases with time. However, pore water quality is controlled by geochemical processes other than oxidation, as reported in the field.