Comparative virulence of blue-stain fungi isolated from Japanese red pine

 We made inoculations to determine the comparative virulence of blue-stain fungi isolated from Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. & Zucc.). Based on the symptoms caused by each fungus, the most virulent fungus was Leptographium wingfieldii. Also, Ophiostoma minus was relatively virulent while lesions induced by some species did not differ from those in the control treatment. Based on the results, we concluded that the pathogenicity of the blue-stain fungi varied widely, and thus their impact on the host most likely varies too. Received: June 7, 2002 / Accepted: October 4, 2002 Present address: JST Domestic Research Fellow, Forest Pathology Laboratory, Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 92-25 Nabeyashiki, Shimo-Kuriyagawa, Morioka 020-0123, Japan Tel +81-19-648-3961; Fax +81-19-641-6747 e-mail: H_masu@hotmail.com Acknowledgments We thank Drs. Ohtaka and Usuki, Plant Pathology and Mycology Laboratory, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, for technical assistance. Contribution No. 174, Plant Pathology and Mycology Laboratory, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba. Correspondence to:H. Masuya     

Difference in cutting age for highest profit by methods for calculating CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emission trading and the price of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

 The amounts of CO₂ that are absorbed and emitted by forest in a model stand area were determined using two calculation methods, namely the flow approach and the stock approach for emission trading, to understand the relationships between the cutting age for the highest profit rate (CAHPR; optimum tree ages to be cut so as to maximize the profit) and (1) the prices of CO₂ and (2) the balance between CO₂ emission and absorption. The resultant CAHPR differed between these two CO₂ accounting methods, which give different tree ages for maximum log volume yield. A rise in CO₂ price caused the CAHPR to approach the tree age of maximum log volume in the flow approach method, and to deviate from the tree age of maximum log volume in the stock approach method. Even at the same CO₂ price, the CAHPR differed between the CO₂ accounting methods. At low CO₂ prices, the CAHPR did not affect situations where the difference of average profit is large by cutting age. On the other hand, the CAHPR was greatly affected at low CO₂ prices when the mean log volume growth changed with tree age. These trends were found to be universal. Received: September 18, 2001 / Accepted: October 25, 2002 Acknowledgments This study is one of the fifth science study subsidy projects of the Japan Forest Technology Association. Correspondence to:K. Sakata     

PEACH: A simulation model of reproductive and vegetative growth in peach trees

The hypothesis that carbohydrate partitioning is driven by competition among individual plant organs, based on each organ's growth potential, was used to develop a simulation model of the carbon supply and demand for reproductive and vegetative growth in peach trees. In the model, photosynthetic carbon assimilation is simulated using daily minimum and maximum temperature and solar radiation as inputs. Carbohydrate is first partitioned to maintenance respiration, then to leaves, fruits, stems and branches, then to the trunk. Root activity is supported by residual carbohydrate after aboveground growth. Verification of the model was carried out with field data from trees that were thinned at different times. In general, the model predictions corresponded to field data for fruit and vegetative growth. The model predicted that resource availability limited fruit and stem growth during two periods of fruit growth, periods that had been identified in earlier experimental studies as resource-limited growth periods. The model also predicted that there were two periods of high carbohydrate availability for root activity. The fit between model predictions and field data supports the initial hypothesis that plants function as collections of semiautonomous, interacting organs that compete for resources based on their growth potentials.     

On the selectivity of ozone delignification of softwood kraft pulps

Summary Ozonation of kraft pulp and oxygen-delignified kraft pulp in acetic acid/water mixtures has been studied at different pulp consistencies with and without an inhibitor to obtain information about the limitations of the selectivity of the ozone treatment. The experiments have been performed according to a full factorial design and data have been analysed by stepwise regression analysis. The results show that a better delignification selectivity can be achieved when ozone is applied in acetic acid media instead of conventional aqueous media. By combining conventional oxygen delignification and ozonation in acetic acid, pulps with equal strength properties and better optical properties compared to those of conventional O(DC)E prebleached pulps can be obtained. This study has also revealed that the reagent is utilized far more efficiently in ozonation at high pulp consistency (35%) than in ozonation at low consistency (1%), and that a similar selectivity can be achieved in both types of ozonation by choosing appropriate conditions. The greater selectivity of ozonation in acetic acid than in water is interpreted in terms of different stabilities of the oxidant in these reaction media. The relation between the formation of hydroxyl radicals and the extent and selectivity of delignification during ozonation has been investigated. The final bleaching of pulps prebleached with ozone in acetic acid medium has been studied. Two final bleaching sequences are presented, by which pulps with ISO brightness levels of 79% and 90% can be produced.The authors are indebted to the Swedish National Board for Technical Development (Styrelsen för Teknisk Utveckling) for financial support for this work and to STORA Technology for pulp tests and analyses     

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) somatic embryogenesis I. Initiation of embryogenic cultures from immature zygotic embryos

Immature female gametophytes and enclosed zygotic embryos of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) collected at various developmental stages were cultured either on eight initiation media supplemented with different plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations or on LPM medium solidified with two brands of agar. Embryonal-suspensor cell masses extruded from gametophyte explants infrequently produced white or translucent mucilaginous embryogenic cultures. Variation in extrusion frequency was observed across seed sources (families), explant collection dates, agar types and culture media. Increased explant maturity (as related to collection dates) reduced cell extrusion rates. Four types of extrusions were grouped according to their morphology. One type of extrusion produced the greatest number of established and long-surviving embryogenic cultures. This extrusion type (type I) was associated with an extrusion condition termed empty in which the entirety of the embryonal-suspensor mass was extruded out of the gametophyte. Three other extrusion types (types II, III and IV) showed less culture establishment and survival.     

Impact of tree coppicing on tree-crop competition in parkland and alley farming systems in semiarid Burkina Faso

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tree coppicing on tree-crop competition in farmed parkland and in alley farming, both in semiarid Burkina Faso.Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) was studied in the parklands, while neem,Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (albizia) andLeucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (leucaena) were investigated in the alley farming system. The crop was sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in both cases.Under non-coppiced neem trees in the parkland, the sorghum yield at 0–3 m distance from the tree (under the tree canopy) was 82% of open field yields at 6–9 m distance, but the difference was not significant (p=0.07). Close to trees (0–3 m distance) which had been coppiced before planting, the sorghum yield was 148% of open field yields. In alley farming, early coppicing was superior; sorghum yields were highest close to trees coppiced early and lowest close to trees coppiced late.

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Résumé La présente étude se propose d'évaluer les effets de la taille sur la concurrence entre arbres et cultures dans les parcs arborés et dans les cultures en couloir, en climat semiaride (Burkina Faso). Les espèces étudiées ont été:Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) dans les parcs et neem,Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (albizia) ainsi queLeucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (leucaena) dans les cultures en couloir. Dans les deux cas la plante cultivée concerné a été le sorgho blanc (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).Sous les neems non taillés des parcs, le rendement du sorgho cultivé de 0 à 3 m de l'arbre (sous le bouppier de l'arbre) a atteint 82% du rendement obtenu en plein champ, soit à une distance de 6 à 9 m de l'arbre (différence non significative,p=0.07). Une taille effectuée en début de campagne a entraîné un accroissement du rendement de 148% pour les cultures situées de 0 à 3 m de l'arbre, par rapport aux rendements en plein champ.Dans les cultures en couloir, on a constaté qu'une taille precoce est préférable, c'est à dire que les rendements de sorgho ont été supérieurs dans les lignes proches des arbres taillés tôt que dans celles proches des arbres taillés tard.

     

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of pinosylvin, a constituent of pine

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of pinosylvin (3,5-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a constituent of pine, were studied and compared with those of resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene). Pinosylvin exhibited more potent growth inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Effects of different ecological and silvicultural factors on beetle catches in the Turkish fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies bornmülleriana</Emphasis> Mattf.) ecosystems

To study the bark beetle attacks on Turkish fir stands and to determine the principle site and stand factors influencing beetle attacks, trap log method was used in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. The study was carried out in ten different locations prior to flying time in February 2003. On each experimental plot, three healthy fir trees with 30–50 cm diameter and 200 m apart were cut down with a chainsaw. From each sampling tree, needles were sub-sampled for determination of specific leaf-area and macro-nutrient concentrations. In addition, on each experimental plot, crown closure, basal-area, and stand density were measured. To determine the bulk density and nutrient concentrations of the soil, samples were taken around trees on each plot. The relationship between measured stand variables, the number of beetle species and beetle populations were evaluated using correlation and stepwise multiple regression procedure. Eight different species belonging to four different families from Coleoptera were identified in examining the trap logs. Six of these eight species (Pissodes piceae Illig., Pissodes notatus Fabr., Cryphalus piceae Ratz., Pityophthorus pityographus Ratz., Xyloterus lineatus Oliv., Pityokteines curvidens Germ.) were identified as harmful beetles (HB). The other two (Thanasimus formicarius L. and Rhizophagus dispar Payk.) were identified as predator species. The analysis showed that the total number of HB increased as the site’s slope and needle specific leaf area increased. However, as needle N concentrations increased, HB population decreased. Increased Ca concentration in fir needle reduced total insect attack.     

甘肃竹林资源的历史变迁与发展建议

根据历史文献和实地考察资料，论述了甘肃省竹林资源的历史分布变迁和特点以及现在竹资源现状，对今后甘肃省的竹林发展提出了一些建设性建议。     

Effect of thermo-mechanical refining on properties of MDF made from black spruce bark

The effects of thermo-mechanical refining conditions on the properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) made from black spruce (Picea mariana) bark were evaluated. The bark chips were refined in the MDF pilot plant of Forintek Canada Corporation under nine different refining conditions in which preheating retention time was adjusted from 3 to 5 to 7 min and steam pressure was set at either 0.6, 0.9 or 1.2 MPa. The resulting bark fibers were blended with 12% UF resin (based on oven-dry fiber weight) using a mechanical blender. The resinated fibers were manually formed into fiber mats and hot-pressed into MDF panels using consistent parameters. Two panels for each refining condition were produced, resulting in a total of 18 panels. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the significance of factors. Regression coefficients and 3D contour plots were used to quantify the relationship between panel properties and the two test factors. The results from this study indicated that the preheating retention time was a significant factor for both modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE), the steam pressure was a significant factor for internal bond strength (IB), MOR and MOE, whereas both factors were insignificant for thickness swelling, water absorption and linear expansion. The properties of MDF panels were quadratic functions of retention time and steam pressure. Compared to the ANSI standard for 120-grade MDF, most panels with a nominal density of 950 kg/m³ had very high IB (>1 MPa) and acceptable MOR, MOE and dimension stabilities. These results suggest that black spruce bark residues can be considered as a potentially suitable raw material for manufacturing MDF products.