Unravelling the relationship between a seasonal environment and the dynamics of forage growth in grazed swards

It is well reported in the scientific literature that pastures can have similar net forage accumulation when managed with contrasting structures. However, we hypothesized that the dynamics of forage accumulation in grazed swards is linked to seasonal-environmental conditions. Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] was used as the forage species model. The experimental treatments were four grazing heights (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) allocated to experimental units according to a randomized complete block design with four replicates and evaluated throughout four contrasting environmental seasons (summer, autumn, winter–early spring and late spring). Under rainy and warm periods, greater net forage accumulation was observed in pastures maintained taller; on the contrary, during the mild and dry periods, net forage accumulation rate reduced as grazing height increased. Such patterns of responses were related to compensations between tiller population density and tissues flows during summer and late spring and the reduced capacity of taller canopies to compensate lower population with greater growth rates during autumn and winter–early spring. Grazed swards changed their patterns of forage growth as they transitioned from favourable to more abiotic stressful conditions, suggesting that seasonal adjustments in grazing intensities are necessary in order to maximize forage production.     

Fertilizer location modifies root zone salinity,root morphology,and water‐stress resistance of tree seedlings according to the watering regime in a dryland reforestation

There is a direct relationship between soil nutrient concentration in localized zones and root proliferation and elongation under well‐watered conditions. However, in field studies under semiarid conditions this relationship can change due to higher salt accumulation and soil dryness that affect root growth, water stress resistance, and seedling survival. We assessed the effect of different locations of fertilizer placement in the soil profile and water availability on root zone salinity, root development and ecophysiological responses of Quillaja saponaria Mol. after outplanting. A single dose (6 g L^?1) of controlled‐release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF_N) was placed at 0 cm (top layer), 15 cm (middle layer), or 30 cm (bottom layer) depth in the containers in a greenhouse, in addition to an unfertilized treatment (control). After 6 months, seedlings were transplanted to the field and subjected to weekly watering regimes (2 L plant^?1 and unwatered). Morphological and ecophysiological parameters were periodically measured on seedlings, as well as soil electrical conductivity (EC). After 1 year, the shoot : root ratio of unwatered seedlings decreased as a function of CRF_N placement depth, which was attributed to lower shoot growth and not to greater root growth. The root morphology of the bottom layer treatment was negatively affected by high EC in unwatered seedlings. Greater total root length and root volume of the middle layer treatment was found only when well‐watered; however, this did not contribute to improve physiological responses against water stress. The lowest EC and the highest photochemical efficiency, net photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance were shown by unfertilized seedlings, independent of water availability. Our findings suggest that varying depth of CRF_N placement does not contribute significantly to improve root growth under water restriction. Water supplements, independently of the CRF_N location in the substrate, contribute to decrease root zone salinity, and consequently, improve root volume growth.     

毛乌素沙地中几种植物水分特性的研究

用ＬＩ－１６００稳态气孔计研究了我国干旱半干旱地区毛乌素沙地恢复重建生态系统中几种主要植物的蒸腾作用及产量比较。结果表明：羊柴平荐处理后,生长旺盛,蒸腾速率加快,提高;日本大粒莉麦可利用较深层地下水分,维持旺盛的生长活动,     

Carbon, water and nutrient flux in Maya homegardens in the Yucatán peninsula of México

The Yucatán Peninsula of México has shallow soils and receives low amounts of precipitation, and has therefore low agricultural potential. Lacking large-scale irrigation from rivers and adequate rainfall, the indigenous Maya groups maintain agricultural productivity by adapting a variety of practices. Multistrata homegardens, one of their agricultural systems, have provided goods for trade, sale and personal consumption for many centuries. Nevertheless, an understanding of the controlling biological factors and interactions within these systems can lead to yield improvements. Photosynthetic rates, water use and litter production for a variety of species have been studied in these gardens to determine how Maya management impacts resource flow, productivity and diversity. When irrigated, diurnal photosynthetic rates nearly doubled for Manilkara zapota and water use increased two fold for M. zapota and Cordia dodecandra. Total litter production in traditional homegardens varied from 1,000 to 4,000 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and ten arboreal species were found to contribute more than 33% of total litterfall biomass. Nutrient concentrations in the leaves of the predominant species were analyzed; Meliococcusbijugatus and Spondias purpurea were found to contribute the largest quantities of N, P and C. Our research indicates that species and structural diversity are critical to sustainability of homegardens, allowing efficient use and transfer of carbon, nutrients and water. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

园林植物光合生理特征研究进展

园林植物光合生理特征研究是为解决环境生态问题,尤其是全球环境变化问题应运而生的一门学科,它结合园林植物生理学来分析生态学现象。植物学中最重要的生态学现象是光合作用,综述光合生理生态研究状况,以及不同因素对园林植物的光合生理生态的影响,为深入研究我国的园林植物光合生理生态资源提供参考。     

Gills,growth and activity across fishes

Life history theory suggests that maximum size and growth evolve to maximize fitness. In contrast, the Gill Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT) suggests that growth and maximum size in fishes and other aquatic, water-breathing organisms is constrained by the body mass-scaling of gill surface area. Here, we use new data and a novel phylogenetic Bayesian multilevel modelling framework to test this idea by asking the three questions posed by the GOLT regarding maximum size, growth and gills. Across fishes, we ask whether the body mass-scaling of gill surface area explains (1) variation in the von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (k) above and beyond that explained by asymptomatic size (W_∞), (2) variation in growth performance (a trait that integrates the tradeoff between k and W_∞) and (3) more variation in growth performance compared to activity (as approximated by caudal fin aspect ratio). Overall, we find that there is only a weak relationship among maximum size, growth and gill surface area across species. Indeed, the body mass-scaling of gill surface area does not explain much variation in k (especially for those species that reach the same W_∞) or growth performance. Activity explained three to five times more variation in growth performance compared to gill surface area. Our results suggest that in fishes, gill surface area is not the only factor that explains variation in maximum size and growth, and that other covariates (e.g. activity) are likely important in understanding how growth, maximum size and other life history traits vary across species.     

A soil temperature control system for ecological research in greenhouses

We designed and tested a soil temperature control system for plant ecophysiological experiments in greenhouses and growth chambers. The system consists of a plywood box, polyethylene liner, insulation, seedling containers, a water pump, and a flow-through heater or chiller. One hundred and twelve seedling containers (11cm diameter, 13.5 cm high) are mounted in the plywood box. There is a hole at the bottom center of each container to allow the free drainage of irrigation water and fertilizer solution. The space between containers is filled with water that is circulated through the chiller/heater. The water is also circulated within the plywood box by a water pump to increase the uniformity of temperature. The system was tested for three soil temperatures (5, 20, and 30°C) over a period of four months. The containers were filled with a peat-moss vermiculite mixture and planted with tree seedlings. The test showed that the soil temperature was almost equal to the water temperature for all three soil temperatures (regression slop = 0.99, intercept = 0.12,r ² = 1.00). The average soil temperatures were within (0.41°C of the set values. The soil temperature of the 112 containers within the same box followed a normal distribution with a small standard deviation (0.34°C for the 30°C treatment). There was a temperature gradient from the top to the bottom of the container (< 1°C). The direction of the temperature gradient was determined by the direction of temperature difference between the soil and the ambient air. When the soil temperature was lower than air temperature, the soil temperature decreased from the top to the bottom of the container, and vise versa. The soil temperature was higher during the day than at night (difference < 1.5°C). Funding for this research was provided by Lakehead University, CFI, ORDCF, and NSERC research grants to Dang, and an NSERC PGS A to Cheng.     

橡胶树树皮坏死:症状学、病原学、流行病学方面的发展和树干生理病症的发因

橡胶树排胶障碍是制约全球橡胶种植园发展的主要因素,它是由以下两个不同病症导致的:(1)割面干涸(TPD)-过度割胶引起的可逆生理反应,(2)割面树皮坏死(BN)-由橡胶树根颈韧皮部扩展的不可逆病变。树皮坏死(BN)目前危害了世界大部分胶园,胶园受害严重度取决于橡胶品种、树龄、种植地和种植地区。橡胶树树皮病的多态性一直是一个有争议的问题,通过对许多胶园的调研,该问题最近得到了解决。虽然前期和最近的病原分析不具决定性,但是环境因素却显示出同树皮坏死有联系。在对近期开割的胶园进行流行病调查,发现早期患病胶树地点呈非随机性。这些易发病区主要靠近沼泽地、路旁、风干行、原推土机过道、树林树桩残余地和斜坡缓冲地段的附近区域。在树皮坏死发生区,虽然没有发现与土壤化学因素有明显的关系,但是,土壤物理分析(如透度法)却表明,土壤的较高紧实度常同患病胶树的根系生长较弱有关联。另外,通常在芽接点接合处可以很好地观察到树皮坏死早期症状。通过PMS压力室获得的大量可比生态生理的测量数据显示,患病胶树呈现水分协迫特征,意味着病树树干同其根系存在着一种非理想的维管关系。因此,同土壤紧实度相关的土壤缺水状况、旱季不能满足胶树水分需求的脆弱根系、被扰乱的树液流动和土壤排水等因素的共同作用,被怀疑是诱导树干接芽区树皮坏死(坏死向上扩展到割面) 生理的一个主要外部诱因。在这些协迫的作用下,细胞与分子研究显示,橡胶树生理失调是导致树皮坏死迅速扩展的原因。在这些协迫的作用下,在胶树芽接部位的细胞破裂,释放极具扩散性的高浓度氰化物。在患病胶树的韧皮部生氰和解氰活动的极不协调,以及氰化物的释放,导致其周围的细胞受到毒害。最后, 这样一种多学科的研究方法为由协迫诱导的多因素生理病害研究提供了一个完整的新模式。     

Chlorophyll fluorescence: A review of its practical forestry applications and instrumentation

The practical utility of chlorophyll fluorescence to forestry applications is reviewed. Major subjects include a review of past applications, sampling protocols, important fluorescence features, and instrumentation. Applications including the study of various stress effects, seasonal effects, and comparative sun/shade leaf physiology are provided. Chlorophyll fluorescence has been used mainly in applied research, rather than directly in operational forestry, but work has begun in this area. Sampling protocols include the selection and treatment of samples before assessment, and control of environmental conditions during assessment. Instrumentation is evaluated based on accuracy, versatility, ease of operation, and cost. Chlorophyll fluorescence ranks high among stress detection tests in forestry applications, because it is rapid, reliable, non‐destructive, quantitative, diagnostic, and the physiological basis of the assessment is understood.     

The Challenge of Ecophysiological Biodiversity for Biotechnological Applications of Marine Microalgae

In this review, we aim to explore the potential of microalgal biodiversity and ecology for biotechnological use. A deeper exploration of the biodiversity richness and ecophysiological properties of microalgae is crucial for enhancing their use for applicative purposes. After describing the actual biotechnological use of microalgae, we consider the multiple faces of taxonomical, morphological, functional and ecophysiological biodiversity of these organisms, and investigate how these properties could better serve the biotechnological field. Lastly, we propose new approaches to enhancing microalgal growth, photosynthesis, and synthesis of valuable products used in biotechnological fields, mainly focusing on culture conditions, especially light manipulations and genetic modifications.