Effect of intermittent heat treatment on crystallinity in wood cellulose

The effect of intermittent heat treatment on cellulose crystallites in wood was studied to evaluate quantitatively the changes of crystallinity induced by intermittent and continuous heating. The changes in crystallinity were found to be strongly affected by the intermittent heat treatment. The increased crystallinity, the width of the crystals, and the piezoelectric properties were the same for the first intermittent heating as for continuous heating. Further intermittent heating for the same time duration and temperature had no effect on the above properties, probably due to the stopping of the thermal reaction during the interval. Our results suggested that intermittent heat treatment has certain critical cooling temperatures that stop the thermal reaction and are closely related to the duration of the interval. Samples once exposed to a certain duration of heat treatment and then cooled need more time, about twice that of the first duration of intermittent heating compared with continuous heating, to reach maximum crystallinity in wood cellulose.     

The effect of cutting height and frequency on the forage,wood and seed production of sixSesbania sesban accessions

The forage, wood and seed production of sixSesbania sesban accessions was assessed under irrigated conditions for two cutting frequencies and heights. Control trees were left uncut to measure their seed production potential. The trial was conducted over an 18-month period. The fastest growing accession produced almost 10 t/ha total dry matter (DM) after six months of growth, 40% of it being leaves. Total DM yield was higher at the six-month cutting interval compared to the three months' interval with yields between 25–42 t/ha/year. Some accessions could not sustain their high level of production but showed drastic drops in yield after repeated cutting. In general leaf DM production increased with increased cutting height. When cut at 150 cm the DM leaf yield at the three-month cutting interval ranged form 9.7–18.2 t/ha. More plants survived at the three-month cutting frequency. Seed yields varied considerably between accessions (0.02–1.56 t/ha at the six months' interval). After 18 months of undisturbed growth the trees yielded 36.5–83.7 t/ha total DM comprising 21% leaves. Fresh wood biomass ranged between 56.4–138.0 t/ha and seed yields 2.7–6.6 t/ha.     

A Review of Fine Root Dynamics in Populus Plantations

Production of native and hybridized varieties of Populus has received considerable interest in temperate regions as an alternative to agricultural crops and an additional wood source, while acting as a potential carbon (C) sink to offset emissions of fossil fuel-based greenhouse gases. Research of root system dynamics in Populus species is expanding, however, our understanding of the nature and role of fine roots (FR) is incomplete. The study objective, therefore, was to review the literature regarding FR production, mortality and longevity in Populus, and evaluate the magnitude and significance of the FR fraction to C sequestration. FRs, conventionally defined as less than 2 mm in diameter and responsible for water and nutrient uptake, are an essential component of the tree. Populus FRs are relatively short-lived, with reported lifespans ranging from 30 to 300 days, depending on root diameter, tree species and age, and soil environmental factors. Standing FR biomass fluctuates throughout the growing season. Fine root production generally peaks in mid-summer, and ranges between 1.0 and 5.0 mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, while FR mortality has less seasonal amplitude. Production and mortality dynamics in Populus are highly plastic in response to soil environmental conditions, and although opposing conclusions have been proposed, research suggests soil moisture and nitrogen to be most important. Results from the literature indicate annual FR turnover to the soil C pool may be small (0.2–1.6 mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), but substantial in maintaining or enhancing C levels in natural and managed stands of Populus.     

Productivity of kayu putih (Melaleuca leucadendron LINN) tree plantation managed in non-timber forest production systems in Java,Indonesia

Kayu putih oil, extracted from the kayu putih tree (Melaleuca leucadendron), is an important non-timber forest product (NTFP) in Indonesia. We compared productivity of kayu putih tree plantations among three different sites in East, Central, and West Java, Indonesia. Leaf-twig, and branch production per tree differed significantly among the three sites. Tree biomass production was highest at the site in West Java practicing tumpangsari (a form of shifting cultivation) of kayu putih with rice (Oryza sativa) on alluvial soils. Tree biomass production was lowest at the site in East Java, practicing tumpangsari of kayu putih with maize (Zea mays) and cassava (Mani- hot esculenta). At this site, tree biomass production increased with increasing stand age and low production was compensated by greater biomass yield of companion crops. Intermediate tree biomass production was observed at the site in Central Java where intercropping is only practiced for the first two years after plantation establishment. Production of tree biomass and kayu putih oil did not increase with increasing stand density, indicating that at a given site, high tree stocking did not lead to high production. Stand-level productivity of the plantations increased with increasing stand age and maximum productivity was attained at 15 to 35 years, after which productivity declined. This suggested unsustainable stand productivity as plantations increase in age.     

Explaining variation in Brazil nut fruit production

Brazil nut is widely recognized as the cornerstone of the Amazonian extractive economy. Tight linkages between Brazil nut production, regional income, and intact mature forests have thrust this species into focus as a key component of Amazonian conservation and income generation strategies. Nonetheless, a comprehensive synthesis of factors explaining Brazil nut fruit production variation is lacking. We aimed to address this knowledge gap, asking: (1) What are the rates and annual variation of Bertholletia excelsa fruit production at individual and population levels? (2) What factors explain B. excelsa production variation, focusing on spatial and temporal variables, diameter at breast height (dbh), crown attributes, liana loads, and soil attributes? and (3) Does liana cutting affect fruit production?     

平欧杂种榛主栽品种需冷量、需热量研究

[目的]揭示平欧杂种榛主栽品种的需冷量和需热量,更好地指导生产做好区域化栽培。[方法]本研究以16个平欧杂种榛主栽品种的1年生枝条为试材,以野生平榛1年生枝条为对照,通过水培观察的方法,首次对平欧杂种榛的雌、雄花序和叶芽进行需冷量和需热量研究。[结果]表明:平欧杂种榛不同器官的需冷量由低到高依次为雄花序336 1 176 h、雌花序504 1 344 h、叶芽672 1 512 h;需热量由低到高依次为雄花序687.0 998.5GDH℃、雌花序998.5 3 496.1 GDH℃、叶芽2 546.5 4 180.3 GDH℃;不同品种、器官在刚满足最低蓄冷要求时需热量最高,随着蓄冷时间的延长,需热量逐渐减少。[结论]首次报道了平欧杂种榛主栽品种雄、雌花序和叶芽的需冷量和需热量数据,其中,达维、平欧48号等品种花器官需冷量较低,辽榛2号、平欧545号等品种花器官需冷量较高;玉坠、平欧69号等品种花器官需热量较低,辽榛1号、辽榛4号等品种花器官需热量较高,上述研究丰富了榛属植物开花和休眠解除方面的数据,可为平欧杂种榛的引种和栽培提供参考。     

生产要素优化组合是生态经济沟建设的基础保证——西陵山区生态经济沟建设剖析

发源于太行深处邢台县的生态经济沟建设,已给山村带来了多重变化,包括资源开发的变化,产业结构的变化,观念意识的变化。发展变化的实质是利用好生产要素的组合效应,优化产业结构,利用生物,工程措施,合理配置农,林、牧、副、菜及围绕大农业的加工业,实施生产要素的合理组装,使其发挥最佳效益。通过组合效应各种模式比较,发展生产力,使人与自然的关系在更新、更高的层次上走向协调。从生产要素的优化组合看西陵山村生态经济沟的建设,明显的启示是,要因地制宜、立足特点,选好生长点与突破口,抓好组装.实施良性运转。     

Agronomic evaluation of eleven Leucaena lines at Tumbi, Tabora, western Tanzania

Two trials were carried out over five growing seasons in western Tanzania to investigate (a) forage production and quality of eight lines of Leucaena leucocephala, one of L. diversifolia and one of L. esculenta and (b) the effect of cutting height (25, 50 and 75 cm) on forage production of nine lines of L. leucocephala and one of L. diversifolia. The locally naturalized lines, T1 and K1, were consistently better in yield, out-producing the commercial L. leucocephala cultivars Cunningham, Peru and K8 in three or four out of the five seasons' harvests. Mean daily dry matter yields for all lines decreased as the dry season progressed. Mean yields were 54.9, 28.6 and 12.8 kg/ha/day in the rainy season, late rainy season/early dry season and late dry season, respectively. The concentrations of N (2.3 to 3.1%), P (0.13 to 0.17%), K (0.7 to 1.3%), Ca (0.6 to 1.6%) and Mg (o.4 to 0.6%) in the edible forage declined as the dry season became pronounced but were at levels sufficient for animal production except for P levels, which were low. Three distinct yield groups emerged from responses to cutting height: cv. Cunningham produced the greatest yields of edible forage at 25 cm cutting height; cv. Peru, cv. K8, Korog, T1, CpI 90790 and CPI 58394 at 50 cm; and CPI 58398, CPI 84511 and CPI 85132 at 75 cm.     

杨树超短轮伐期经营的生产力及材性的研究

以美洲黑杨２个无性系为供试材料，研究杨树超短轮伐期经营中地上部分生物量生产、分配模式、Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ的输出量及材性。结果表明，在３种密度和３种轮伐期的组合中，２个无性系均以造林密度为１００００株·ｈａ－１、轮伐期为３年的林分生物生产力最高，Ｉ－６９杨为１０．５２ｔ·ｈａ－１·ａ－１，ＮＬ－８０３５１杨约为１２．００ｔ·ｈａ－１·ａ－１；在生物量的分配比率和作为造纸材的经济生物量上也以这种组合模式最为合理，经济生物量最大，Ｉ－６９杨为７．１４ｔ·ｈａ－１·ａ－１，ＮＬ－８０３５１杨为８·４７ｔ·ｈａ－１·ａ－１。养分输出量的多少与林分的生物量生产和分配比率密切相关。轮伐期为３年，密度为１００００株·ｈａ－１的林分Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ的输出量最高，Ｉ－６９杨为３３．９７ｋｇ·ｈａ－１·ａ－１，ＮＬ－８０３５１杨为３８．５０ｋｇ·ｈａ－１·ａ－１，但ＮＬ－８０３５１杨每生产１吨经济生物量所输出的Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ总量略低于Ｉ－６９杨。杨树超短轮伐期经营中生产出的木材都可用作中、低档的造纸原料，其中Ｉ－６９杨的制浆性能优于ＮＬ－８０３５１杨。     

森林采运系统中原条流最优控制的研究

运用系统分析理论，揭示了森林采运系统中原条流具有时空性、连续性、服务性、可控性和经济性的特征。以与原条流量有关的生产和贮存费之和最小，组织原条运输和贮木场作业均衡生产为目标，运用现代控制理论建立了原条流宏观和微观控制的数学模型。通过实例证明了“两段式运材工艺”比“冬贮夏运（流）工艺”，具有显著的经济效益。