Molecular identification and relative abundance of cryptic Lophodermium species in natural populations of Scots pine,Pinus sylvestris L.

The multi-locus phylogenetic species recognition approach and population genetic analysis of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to delineate Lophodermium taxa inhabiting needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in native pinewoods within Scotland. These analyses revealed three major lineages corresponding to the morphological species Lophodermium seditiosum and Lophodermium conigenum, fruiting on broken branches, and Lophodermium pinastri, fruiting on naturally fallen needles. Within L. pinastri three well supported sister clades were found representing cryptic taxa designated L. pinastri I, L. pinastri II, and L. pinastri III. Significant differences in mean growth rate in culture were found among the cryptic taxa. Taxon-specific primers based on ITS sequences were designed and used to classify over 500 Lophodermium isolates, derived from fallen needles of P. sylvestris in three Scottish and one French pinewood site, into the three L. pinastri cryptic taxa. Highly significant differences in the relative abundance of the three taxa were found among the Scottish pinewood sites, and between the French and all of the Scottish sites.     

State of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) under nutrient and water deficit on coastal dunes of the Baltic Sea

The aim of the present study was to assess the ecophysiological state of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing at different heights on one of the typical coastal sand dunes in the dune field situated in southwestern Estonia. Dependence of the anatomical structure, morphological parameters, nutrients accumulation and biochemical characteristics of needles on the location of the site on the dune and on the concentration of nutrients in soil and in needle tissues was established. Correlation analysis revealed the dependence of chlorophyll a on the concentration of N and Mg in soil as well as in needles. The mesophyll area and chlorophyll concentration in needles were smallest on the top of the dune. The proportion of epidermis in the total needle cross-section area from the top was a little larger than in the needles from the bottom; the epicuticular wax layer on needles decreased towards the top. The length of needles and shoots was the lowest on the top of the dune, where the growth substrate contains notably less nutrients and water than needed for optimum growth of trees. The t test showed statistically significant larger average tree-ring width of the pines growing at the bottom. The pines on the top and at the bottom of the dune were not sensitive to temperature conditions. The radial growth of pines on the top of the dune was positively correlated with the total precipitation of the previous year.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophodermium</Emphasis> on needles of conifers from Yunnan Province,China

Twelve Lophodermium species on needles of conifers are known in Yunnan, the eastern Himalayas in China. Recently, additional specimens were collected and identified. Two new species, Lophodermium dilutum on Pinus armandii and Lophodermium tsugae on Tsuga dumosa, were described and illustrated, and six species, L. autumnale, L. confluens, L. himalayense, L. kumaunicum, L. laricinum, and L. nitens, were recorded for the first time for Yunnan. A key to the Lophodermium species on needles of conifers for Yunnan is provided.     

Enzyme activities of fungi associated with Picea abies needles

Decomposition of Picea abies needles and production of extracellular enzymes involved in decomposition of lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and other organic compounds were studied in fungal strains of interior needle colonizers isolated from needles in different stages of decomposition (attached to trees, and early and late decomposition stages in the litter horizon). In total, 12 strains of ascomycetes (members of Helotiales, Hypocreales, Dothideales, Diaporthales and Eurotiales) and four basidiomycetes (Polyporales, Agaricales and Russulales) were tested. Significant decomposition of needles was recorded for all fungal isolates. All isolates produced cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase and most fungi also produced endocellulase, endoxylanase and laccase in needle litter. In addition, other hemicellulases were produced by all strains. Mn-peroxidase was only produced by two basidiomycetes. Although enzyme activities varied, fungi associated with needles on fallen trees exhibited enzyme production comparable with later litter colonizers, and there was no significant difference in enzyme production between ascomycete and basidiomycete strains.     

Influence of leaf litter type on the chemical evolution of a soil parent material (sandstone)

The influence of leaves of Quercus suber L. and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and needles of Pinus pinaster Ait. on a sandstone substrate was assessed through lysimetric studies during a ten-year period at a site in Central Portugal. The decomposition rate of Q. suber leaf litter was similar to that of E. globulus and higher than that of P. pinaster needle litter. The proportion of nitrogen released from the Q. suber leaf litter was higher than that lost from the other organic species. Such a release was proportional to the initial nitrogen content in the substrates. The concentrations of both NH₄-N and NO₃-N were much higher in leachates collected under Q. suber leaf litter than in those collected under the other organic substrates. A similar trend was found in the leachates collected under the mineral substrate influenced by the studied organic substrates. The leachate concentrations of mineral N (especially NO₃-N) were higher from the mineral substrate under Q. suber leaf litter than from this organic substrate itself. The mineral substrate under leaf litter of E. globulus or needle litter of P. pinaster showed an increase in exchangeable base cations and pH values, and a decrease in extractable Al. Conversely, in the substrate with Q. suber leaf litter there was only a slight increase in exchangeable base cations and pH values, and a decrease in extractable Al. These results combined with those obtained in soils under E. globulus plantations indicate that changes found in these soils are due to soil and forest management practices rather than to the decomposition process of the respective of leaf litter.     

云南松针上散斑壳的培养类型

四川二郎山云南松（Pinusyunnanensis）松针上散斑壳种有四川散斑秃（Lophodermiumsichuanense）、针叶树散斑壳（Lconigenum）、松针散斑壳（Lpinastri）印度散斑壳（Lindianum）,对主要种经单抱分离在2％MA（pH5.0）平板上25℃黑暗培养,按菌落形态特征、产孢状况,将L.sichuanense培养物划分为二个培养类型,Lconigenum划分五个培养类型,Lpinastri划分二个培养类型。在散斑壳种间及同一种的不同培养类型间,各培养物的生长适宜温度、适宜pH、适宜培养基以及产孢时间、产孢量等方面都存在着差异。     

Surface areas,lengths and volumes of Picea abies (L.) Karst. needles: determination,biological variability and effect of environmental factors

Summary A method for the rapid determination of the lengths and surface areas of very large samples of needles of Picea abies (L.) Karst. using a computer-aided image analysis system was developed. Two independent methods for measuring non-destructively the volumes of individual needles and of all needles attached to a twig were devised. The surface areas and lengths of about 38000 needles sampled from the three youngest needle age-classes (1986, 1985, 1984) of 48 trees approximately 130 years old at four sites in the Fichtelgebirge mountains (N. E. Bavaria, FRG) were measured. The frequency distributions of lengths and areas for each site and age-class are given. Variability of needle size was fairly large. Even though the sites differed in climate, soil, and air pollution levels no consistent effect of these factors on needle size could be detected. Needle lengths and surface areas did not correlate with either the total chlorophyll content of the needles or the degree of crown thinning. The needle surface area (in mm²) of fully developed P. abies needles can be estimated by the empirical equation surface area = 4.440 x needle length -24.8 (r = 0.937), and the needle volume (in mm³) by needle volume = 0.208 x projected needle area ^1.353 (r = 0.969).     

Osservazioni sulla lunghezza e sulla longevità degli aghi di pino domestico (Pinus pinea L.)

Abstract

Observations on needle length and longevity of Pinus pinea L. - We investigated needle length and longevity of Pinus pinea L. to understand their ecological significance. Samplings regarded five coastal pinewoods (four in the province of Grosseto, one in the province of Lucca) and isolated trees in different sites of Tuscany. We found a significant variation in needle length among different positions of the crown (central, intermediate and peripheral), among individuals of the same site and among different sites; isolated trees showed longer needles and a longer retention than pines in stands. We also obtained a highly significant linear regression between length of different-aged needles (from 1988 to 1992) and rainfall of the period march-august of the same years. Our results suggest that, despite its high variability, needle ength is influenced by climatic conditions (overall by rainfalls) and by the water availability of the site where pines grow. Needle retention depends largely on the position of needles within the crown and on the drought effect: at the upper position, three or, seldom, four-year old needle can persist if the summer drought period is not too long and the site conditions are favourable; at the lower level only two-year old needles are retained. Needle longevity decreases sharply in years with severe drought, therefore it can be used as an index of climatic and edaphic stress.     

Nitrogen availability affects saprotrophic basidiomycetes decomposing pine needles in a long term laboratory study

Fungi, especially basidiomycetous litter decomposers, are pivotal to the turnover of soil organic matter in forest soils. Many litter decomposing fungi have a well-developed capacity to translocate resources in their mycelia, a feature that may significantly affect carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in decomposing litter. In an eight-month long laboratory study we investigated how the external availability of N affected the decomposition of Scots pine needles, fungal biomass production, N retention and N-mineralization by two litter decomposing fungi – Marasmius androsaceus and Mycena epipterygia. Glycine additions had a general, positive effect on fungal biomass production and increased accumulated needle mass loss after 8 months, suggesting that low N availability may limit fungal growth and activity in decomposing pine litter. Changes in the needle N pool reflected the dynamics of the fungal mycelium. During late decomposition stages, redistribution of mycelium and N out from the decomposed needles was observed for M. epipterygia, suggesting autophagous self degradation.     

Colonization,Species Composition,and Conidial Production of Aquatic Hyphomycetes on Chirpine Needle Litter in a Freshwater Kumaun Himalayan Stream

Aquatic hyphomycetes colonizing the submerged chirpine (pinus roxburghii SARG .) needle litter in a high altitude, Kumaun Himalayan stream were studied. 15 species belonging to different genera of aquatic Hyphomycetes have been recognized as the colonizers of chirpine needle litter. Clavariopsis aquatica, Heliscus lugdunensis, Lunulospora cymbiformis, Triscelophorus acuminatus and T. monosporus were found with a high frequency of occurrence. The conidial production was highest in Flagellospora penicillioides, however, Campylospora chaetocladia, L. cymbiformis and T. acuminatus had less number of conidia per unit area of pine needles. The chirpine needle litter decomposition in the freshwater habitat is also discussed.     

The mite Varroa jacobsoni does not transmit American foulbrood from infected to healthy colonies

The present study was conducted to determine whether Varroa jacobsoni can transmit American foulbrood (AFB), caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae to healthy colonies by the surface transport of spores. Five two-storey Langstroth colonies of Apis mellifera ligustica were infested by placing a sealed brood comb, with 10% Varroa prevalence, between the central brood combs of each colony. Two months later the colonies were inoculated with P. larvae by adding brood comb pieces with clinical signs of AFB (45±5 scales per colony). After 60 days the brood area was completely uncapped by means of dissecting needles and tweezers, separating the Varroa mites from the larvae and the collected mites were introduced at a rate of 51 per colony into four recipient hives placed in an isolated apiary. Twenty female Varroa specimens were separated at random and observed by SEM. Paenibacillus larvae spores were found on the dorsal shield surface and on idiosomal setae. All colonies died after 4–5 months due to a high incidence of varroosis. No clinical AFB symptoms or P. larvae spores were observed in microscopic preparations. It is concluded that Varroa jacobsoni does not transmit AFB from infected to healthy colonies; it does, however transport P. larvae spores on its surface.     

Mycofloral succession onPinus densiflora needles on a moder site

Mycofloral succession on decaying pine needles in aPinus densiflora forest on a moder site was investigated in Sugadaira, Nagano Pref., central Japan. Dead needles on the tree, fallen needles obtained from two recognizable sublayers of the L layer and the upper sub-layer of the F₁ layer in the organic horizon were examined for their fungal flora using both washing and surface sterilization techniques. The major interior colonizer in freshly fallen needles varied with the season:Chaetopsina fulva in summer andSelenosporella curvispora in the other seasons.Thysanophora penicillioides was a remarkable external colonizer of freshly fallen needles in summer, while soil fungi were external colonizers of such needles in the other seasons. A possible successional change of major fungi with the needle decay was suggested. The observed seasonal alternation of the species colonizing freshly fallen needles was discussed in relation to climatic conditions. Contributions from Sugadaira Montane Research Center, No. 152.     

Colony orientation and successful defence behaviour in the conifer aphid, Schizolachnus pineti

We studied colony structure and body orientation behaviour of Schizolachnus pineti, a specialised aphid feeding on needles of Scots pine. Aphids feeding at the margin of a colony always face towards the centre of the colony, bounding the colony with their legs. This behaviour increased the defence success aginst the specialised parasitoid (Pauesia unilachni) and the specialised predator (Scymnus nigrinus). Both enemies had less success when attacking S. pineti from the abdominal site when compared to the front. We assume that the defence orientation displayed by marginally feeding aphids has an adaptive nature and is particularly effective when feeding in a row on linear plant structures such as needles.     

Needle biomass turnover rates of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) derived from the needle-shed dynamics

To understand carbon cycle and flows of forests, accurate information on tree-component-specific litter production of trees is needed. In the ecosystem models, the litterfall of living trees is usually predicted by the biomass component by average amounts corresponding to site conditions or by multiplying the biomass of the growing stock by the component-specific biomass turnover rate. In this study, the rates of needle biomass turnover of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were derived from the needle-shed dynamics. When the rates for needle litter production were modelled, the weighting and yellowing effects were taken into account. The annual biomass turnover rates of needles for southern and northern Finland are 0.21 and 0.10, respectively. Species-specific estimation of litter production is essential for understanding the carbon cycle and flows of forests. Biomass turnover rates can provide useful litter production estimates for large areas with average biomass values as a source of data.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to the figures. Owing to technical problems, the wrong figures were published.     

Advances in the positional cloning of nodulation genes in soybean

The effect of liming on the decomposition of Norway spruce needle litter was studied in 40–60-year-old Norway spruce stands. Finely-ground limestone had been spread about 30 years ago at a dose of 2 t ha^–1 and reliming was carried out about 20 yr later at a dose of 4 t ha^–1. Needle litter was collected from both control and limed plots, and it was placed in litter bags in the middle of the humus layer of the plot from which they originated, and similarly to the other plot in May. Litter bags were sampled after 4, 12 and 16 months. The site of origin of the needle litter, whether from control plot or from limed plot, affected mainly the early stages of decomposition. Initially the effect of liming was seen as decreased concentration of water soluble material and then, during decomposition, as decreased mass loss and decreased degradation of lignin, and increased C/N ratio. The incubation site, whether the control or the limed plot, did not affect decomposition significantly.Decomposition of Scots pine needles in a young Scots pine plantation was also studied. The treatments were: 2 t ha^–1 of finely-ground limestone and 2.5 t ha^–1 of bark ash spread 8 months before this study. The treatments did not affect decomposition much, but some stimulation of the treatments on decomposition was observed. Compared to spruce needles, the C/N ratio of pine seedles was lower, they contained less lignin and more water soluble material, and decomposed faster in the first summer.     

Decomposition of secondary compounds from needle litter of Scots pine grown under elevated CO2 and O3

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ozone (O₃) concentrations have both been shown to affect plant tissue quality, which in turn could affect litter decomposition and carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. In order to evaluate effects of climate change on litter chemistry, needle litter was collected from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) saplings exposed to elevated CO₂ or O₃ concentration and their combination over three growing seasons in open‐top chambers. The decomposition of needle litter was followed for 19 months in a pine forest. During decomposition, needle samples for secondary compound analysis were collected and the mass loss of needles was followed. Main nutrients and total phenolics were analysed from litter in the beginning and at the end of the experiment. After 19‐month decomposition, the accumulated mass loss was about 34%; however, no significant differences were found in decomposition rates of needle litter between various treatments. Concentrations of total monoterpenes were about 4%, total resin acids 21% and total phenolics 14% of the initial concentrations in litter after 19‐month decomposition. In the beginning of litter decomposition, concentrations of individual monoterpenes –α‐pinene and β‐pinene – were significantly higher in needle litter grown under elevated CO₂. However, concentrations of total monoterpenes during the whole decomposition period were not significantly affected by CO₂ or O₃ treatments. Concentrations of some individual and total resin acids were higher in needle litter grown under elevated CO₂ or O₃ than under ambient air. There were no significant differences in concentrations of total phenolics as well as nitrogen (N) and the main nutrient concentrations between treatments during decomposition. High concentrations of monoterpenes and resin acids in needles might slightly delay C recycling in forest soils. It is concluded that elevated CO₂ and O₃ concentrations do not have remarkable impacts on litter decomposition processes in Scots pine forests.     

The effect of nutrition on the seasonal course of needle respiration in Norway spruce stands

 Respiration of 1-year-old needles of 30-year-old Norway spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] was studied in a nutrient optimisation experiment in northern Sweden. Respiration rates of detached needles, from ten control (C) and ten irrigated-fertilised (IL) trees, were measured on 16 occasions from June 1992 to June 1993. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of temperature on the seasonal course of needle maintenance respiration, and the effect of nitrogen concentration [N] and carbohydrate content on needle respiration in young Norway spruce trees subjected to long-term fertilisation. The IL treatment significantly affected needle size, in terms of dry mass and length, but not specific needle length (SNL). There was, however, a strong tree-specific effect on SNL (P<10^–9, R ² = 0.75). Needle starch content varied markedly with season (0–25% of total dry mass). This, unless accounted for, would cause erroneous estimates of nutrient concentrations, and of rates of needle respiration, within and between treatments. There was considerable seasonal variation in needle respiration, both in terms of maintenance respiration and temperature dependence (Q₁₀). Q₁₀ had its highest value (2.8) during winter and its lowest (2.0) in the middle of summer. In early autumn (August, September), respiration rate and needle [N] were significantly related (C: P = 0.001, IL: P<0.0005). There was no significant difference in the slope between the two regression lines, but a difference in intercept. At the same needle [N], needles from IL-plots always had a lower respiration rate than needles from control plots. No obvious explanation for the observed difference in intercept was found, but some plausible assumptions are put forward and discussed. Received: 24 January 1997 / Accepted: 1 July 1997     

Does nitrogen availability control rates of litter decomposition in forests?

The effects of increased exogenous N availability on rates of litter decomposition were assessed in several field fertilization trials. In a jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) forest, needle litter decomposed at the same rate in control plots and in plots fertilized with urea and ammonium nitrate (1350 kg N ha^-1) with or without P and K. Mixed needle litter of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) incubated in plots recently amended with sewage sludge (500 kg N ha^-1) lost less weight during 3 years than did litter in control plots. Forest floor material also decomposed more slowly in plots amended with sewage sludge. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) leaf litter placed on sewage sludge (1000 kg N ha^-1), pulp sludge, or sewage-pulp sludge mixtures decomposed at the same rate as leaf litter in control plots. These experiments demonstrate little effect of exogenous N availability on rates of litter decomposition.The influence of endogenous N availability on rates of litter decomposition was examined in a microcosm experiment. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) needle litter collected from N-fertilized trees (525 kg N ha^-1 in ammonium nitrate) were 5 times richer in N than needles from control trees (1.56% N versus 0.33% N in control trees), but decomposed at the same rate. Green needles from fertilized trees contained twice as much N as needles from control trees (1.91% N versus 0.88% N), but decomposed at the same rate. These experiments suggest that N availability alone, either exogenous or endogenous, does not control rates of litter decomposition. Increased N availability, through fertilization or deposition, in the absence of changes in vegetation composition, will not alter rates of litter decomposition in forests.     

Soil type affects nitrogen conservation in foliage of small Pinus sylvestris L. trees

Nutrient conservation in plants and soil fertility may be intricately linked. We studied nitrogen conservation in small Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) trees growing in stands on organogenic Dystric Histosols and on mineral Podzols. Nitrogen-resorption efficiency (NRE) and proficiency (NRP) of senescent needles, and mean residence time of nitrogen (MRT) were studied in relation to needle surface area, needle longevity, and leaf mass per area (LMA). Trees on Podzols had higher nitrogen concentration in green needles than the trees on Dystric Histosols, but the nitrogen concentration of yellowing needles was similar for trees on both soil types. NRE averaged 65±3.5% (mean±SD) and 56±7.2% for the trees on Podzols and Dystric Histosols, respectively. Neither NRP (0.44±0.05% and 0.35±0.07%, respectively) nor MRT (8.4±2.3 and 6.1±1.2 years) differed significantly between the stands on the two soil types. Mean needle surface area was significantly smaller in trees on Dystric Histosols (76±29 mm²) than on Podzols (131±38 mm²), whereas needle longevity varied between 2 and 4 years independently of the soil type. Trees invested, on average, the same amount of dry matter per unit of needle area on both soil types. Growth of trees, measured as increment of shoot length, was more restricted on Dystric Histosols (55±18 mm yr^–1) than on Podzols (184±44 mm yr^–1). The results of the correlation analysis applied to pooled data were inconsistent with the relations between traits of stress resistance syndrome observed in inter-specific comparisons. The study indicated that Scots pine trees relocated nitrogen from senescent foliage more efficiently on mineral Podzols than on organogenic Dystric Histosols, but the minimum nitrogen concentration of needles appeared to be similar on both soil types.     

Relationship between foliar composition of red-pine and jack-pine seedlings and vulnerability to Lophodermium needle-cast disease

Summary The Mn and Al content of needles from two-year-old jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedlings was found to be more than twice that of red pine (Pinus resinosa). It is speculated that the high Mn and Al content of jack pine seedlings may impart some degree of resistance to needle cast disease caused byLophodermium pinastri. Contribution from the Soils Dept., Univ. of Wis., Madison, in cooperation with and supported in part by the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. Publication approved by the Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station.