亚热带红壤侵蚀区马尾松针叶养分含量及再吸收特征

叶片衰老过程中的养分再吸收是植物适应养分贫瘠生境的一种重要策略,一直是生态学领域的研究热点。以亚热带红壤侵蚀区生态恢复先锋树种马尾松为研究对象,分析4种不同恢复水平下马尾松叶片养分含量随叶龄的变化情况及养分再吸收特征。结果表明:(1)叶片中N、P、K含量变化范围分别在(6.10±0.52)—(12.02±0.85)mg/g、(0.17±0.03)—(1.02±0.01)mg/g、(1.58±0.49)—(9.46±0.90)mg/g,随叶龄增长整体呈先增加后降低的趋势,具有一个快速积累期和一个相对漫长衰减期的动态特征,这表明叶龄也是影响叶片养分含量的重要因素;(2)叶片N、P、K含量随生境恢复水平的提高而增加,且N、P含量在除凋落叶外的叶龄阶段均表现出显著正相关,表明叶片中这两种营养元素在动态变化上存在协同性;(3)在叶片N、P、K再吸收效率中,P、K再吸收效率较高,而N相对较低。养分再吸收受生境中营养元素的含量水平、循环方式等因素的综合影响表现出一定选择性,对生境中较为贫瘠或使其生长受到限制的元素具有较高的再吸收效率。这不仅可以减小植物对外源养分的依赖性,同时也维持了体内重要营养元素的平衡。随叶龄增长叶片中N/P逐渐增大,反映出在叶片衰老过程中对限制元素P具有较强的再吸收能力,这种反馈调节提高了马尾松对养分贫瘠环境的适应性。本文的研究结果可为亚热带红壤侵蚀退化区先锋物种在贫瘠生境条件下的养分利用机制与适应对策方面的研究提供理论依据。     

两种林龄文冠果叶N、P、K的季节变化及再吸收特征

以科尔沁沙地西南缘乌丹地区文冠果人工林为研究对象,分析了8年生和50年生文冠果叶片N、P、K含量的季节变化和再吸收效率。结果表明:2种林龄文冠果年生长周期内N、P、K含量均呈下降趋势,其中,5—6月和8—10月下降幅度较大,6—8月含量变化不大;8年生文冠果叶片凋落前后的N、P、K含量(衰落叶中N除外)均极显著50年生文冠果(P0.01)。8年生文冠果叶片养分再吸收效率表现为:N(50%)P(32%)K(30%),但50年生的则表现为K(63%)P(62%)N(48%);二者N再吸收效率差异不显著(P0.05),而50年生文冠果叶片P、K再吸收效率极显著高于8年生文冠果(P0.01)。50年生文冠果叶片再吸收效率高,反映其较高的养分保存能力和养分利用效率,能更好地适应贫瘠养分生境。     

不同配比施肥对马尾松幼苗生长特征的影响

为获得马尾松幼苗最佳施肥配方,该文以1年生马尾松幼苗为试验材料,采用L₁₆（4³）正交设计,并通过测定幼苗苗高、地径、生物量、叶绿素含量、叶片N、P、K含量,探讨不同N、P、K配比施肥对马尾松幼苗生长特征影响。结果表明：（1）不同配比施肥处理间马尾松幼苗苗高、地径、生物量、质量指数、叶绿素和养分含量存在显著差异,其中,处理12生物量、质量指数、叶绿素a和总叶绿素含量、隶属值最高。（2）施N对幼苗生长及生理指标均有极显著影响;施K对苗高、地径、地上生物量、总生物量有显著影响,对叶绿素和针叶养分有极显著影响;施P对叶绿素a、叶绿素b、针叶N和P含量有极显著影响,对苗高、地下生物量、总叶绿素含量有显著影响。（3）施N对苗高、地径、地上生物量、总生物量、质量指数、叶绿素a含量、总叶绿素含量和针叶N含量的影响最大,K次之,P最小。各因素对地下生物量和针叶P含量的影响均表现为N>P>K。（4）N3水平利于幼苗苗高地径的生长及生物量的积累,N4水平利于叶绿素a和总叶绿素含量及针叶N、P含量的积累,P4水平利于生物量、叶绿素含量和养分P含量的积累...     

施肥对香樟幼苗生长及养分分配的影响

施肥是苗木培育的重要方式,香樟是乡土珍稀阔叶树种,苗木培育对乡土珍稀树种的保护、繁育、推广具有极其重要的作用,施肥对苗木的生长和发育具有重要的影响。因此,为了探讨香樟幼苗生长及植物体内养分分配对施肥的响应,该研究采用正交设计,设置了氮、磷、钾3因素3水平(N、P:0、3、6 g·株-1;K:0、2、4g·株-1),对盆栽香樟幼苗进行指数施肥。结果表明:(1)氮肥对香樟幼苗苗高、地径、生物量的影响最为显著,磷肥和钾肥的影响则较小;(2)氮素在香樟幼苗叶、茎、根中的分布状况主要受氮肥的影响,磷素在香樟幼苗叶、茎、根中的分布状况主要受氮肥和磷肥的影响,钾素在香樟幼苗叶、茎、根中的分布状况主要受钾肥的影响;(3)香樟幼苗的苗高生长与叶片氮含量、叶片磷含量呈显著正相关(P0.05),地径生长与茎氮含量呈显著正相关(P0.05),叶生物量与叶片氮含量、叶片磷含量呈显著正相关(P0.05),茎生物量与叶片磷含量呈显著正相关(P0.05);(4)综合分析得出,对香樟幼苗苗高、地径生长,以及枝叶生物量积累最具促进作用的施肥水平为氮肥(6 g·株-1)、磷肥(6 g·株-1)、钾肥(4 g·株-1)。     

基于指数施肥法的一年生油松菌根化容器苗的供N研究

为了探讨一年生菌根化油松容器苗的最适苗木供N量和供N速率,采用4种不同指数施肥量进行了试验.通过测定苗木生物量和N含量,显示总供N量为80 mg·株-1的处理组在生物量积累和苗木N含量上显著优于其它各组（P〈0.05）;在100 d时,该处理可获得0.47 mg·株-1·d-1的N最适添加速率;在该速率下,苗木生物量、N含量分别可以达到845.60 mg·株-1和6.51 mg·株-1.根据生物量和N含量随着供N量增加的回归拟合结果,在107 d的生长过程中,67.96 mg·株-1至84.15 mg·株-1的供N总量可以使得一年生油松幼苗获得较高的生物量积累水平和N含量.     

不同指数施肥方法下长白落叶松播种苗的需肥规律

为了探讨长白落叶松苗木的最适N含量和供N速率,应用3种不同指数施肥方法在大田条件下进行试验。结果表明:经过111d的生长,供N总量为30mg.株-1的指数施肥处理下的苗木可以获得相对较高的生物量积累和N含量水平,该处理还可以使得苗木在103d的生长中获得0.29 m.g株-.1d-1的N添加速率。在该速率下,苗木生物量、N含量和N吸收效率分别可以达到637.80 m.g株-1、8.10 m.g株-1和41.77%。根据生物量和N含量随着供N量增加的二项式回归拟合结果,在111d的生长过程中24.3—33.7m.g株-1的供N总量可以使得苗木获得较高的生物量积累水平和N利用效率。试验设置的总供N量为30 m.g株-1的处理优于60 m.g株-1或70 m.g株-1。     

北方设施栽培条件下氮素水平对辣木幼苗生长的影响

为了明确辣木幼苗速生期氮素需求规律,在北方设施条件下,通过设置5个氮素水平处理,研究施氮对辣木幼苗株高、地径生长及其叶片N、P、K养分含量、色素含量及光合特性等方面的变化特征。结果显示,随着氮素水平增加,辣木株高、地径、叶片N、P、chla、类胡萝卜素、总色素含量及光量子效率（Q）呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,光补偿点（Lcp）呈先下降后上升趋势;株高生长与叶片P及chla显著相关,地径与暗呼吸速率（RD）及叶片K含量显著相关;当氮素水平在30 g·株^-1（N₃）时,辣木生长速度最快,植株养分状况较好、光能利用率最佳。     

指数施肥对云曼红豆杉幼苗活性成分10-DAB及养分累积的影响北大核心CSCD

以1年生云曼红豆杉实生容器苗为材料,设置不施肥对照(CK)以及不同施肥量的平均施肥(AF1、AF2)、指数施肥(EF1、EF2、EF3和EF4)等7个处理,测定不同施肥方式和施肥量下苗木各时期活性成分10-DAB含量、生长量、枝叶生物量和10-DAB累积量,以及各部位N、P和K养分累积情况,探究施肥方式及施肥量对云曼红豆杉幼苗活性成分10-DAB及养分累积的影响,为云曼红豆杉苗期养分精准调控与高效培育提供理论和实践依据。结果表明:(1)施肥显著提高了幼苗枝叶中10-DAB含量,促进了生长及枝叶生物量累积(P<0.05);在相同施氮量下,指数施肥处理枝叶生物量显著大于平均施肥(P<0.05),枝叶中10-DAB含量以EF2、EF3处理较高,生长和枝叶生物量以EF2处理最大。(2)EF2处理的枝叶10-DAB累积量显著大于其他处理(P<0.05),并表现为:EF2>EF1>AF2>EF3>AF1>EF4>CK,EF2处理分别较AF1和AF2处理提高30.61%~41.94%和18.14%~25.00%。(3)施肥对幼苗各部位N、P和K含量的影响显著(P<0.05);在相同施氮量下,指数施肥各部位的N、P和K含量均优于平均施肥;指数施肥处理中,根系中的N含量以及各器官K含量随施肥量增加而上升,各部位P含量以及茎和叶中N含量随施肥量增加先上升后下降;各处理N、P和K分配比例呈现出叶>根>茎规律。幼苗各器官中N与P、P与K以及根、叶中的N与K之间均表现出显著(P<0.05)正相关,呈现出协同关系。(4)云曼红豆杉幼苗的10-DAB累积量在9~10月份最高,此时采收可获得的10-DAB累积量最高,收益也最大。研究发现,指数施肥与平均施肥相比有效提高了云曼红豆杉苗木活性成分10-DAB及养分累积,并以施肥量为1600 mg·株^(-1)的苗木各指标表现较优。     

遮荫对青桐幼苗生长性状与化学计量特征的影响

营养元素含量及化学计量比可反映植物器官营养元素的分配及互作关系,亦可反映其营养利用效率及生长环境的养分限制状况。以青桐(Firmiana platanifolia)幼苗为材料,分析4种不同光强(全光照,50%、75%和95%遮荫)对青桐幼苗生长,C、N、P、K含量及其化学计量特征的影响。结果表明:遮荫对青桐幼苗的生长性状、生物量、元素含量和积累量及化学计量比均有显著影响(P<0.05)。苗高和比叶面积随遮荫强度增加而升高,而地径和粗壮度随遮荫强度增加而减小。总生物量在75%遮荫下最大,在95%遮荫下最小。在各遮荫处理下,叶片C、N、P、K含量均大于根和茎,且N含量顺序为叶>根>茎,K含量顺序为叶>茎>根。C、P、K积累量随遮荫强度增大而增加,在75%遮荫下达到最大值,而在95%遮荫下达到最小值。青桐幼苗C∶N和C∶P呈现出相同的变化趋势,随遮荫强度变大先增加后减小,均在50%遮荫下达最大值。青桐各器官N∶P远低于14,即青桐幼苗在不同遮荫条件下的生长严重受N限制。这些结果说明,遮荫可调节青桐幼苗在不同光环境中的养分积累与分配,进而影响生物量。因此,青桐苗期培育宜选75%遮荫,有助于苗高、比叶面积、生物量、养分含量和积累量的增加,而过度遮荫可抑制幼苗生长发育。     

施肥对红豆树苗木生长、根系结瘤和矿质营养的影响

探讨几种市售肥料对红豆树(Ormosia hosiei)苗木各器官生长发育及养分含量的影响,为培育红豆树优质苗木选用肥料提供参考。以红豆树当年生大田苗为试材,采用3种常见肥料(复合肥、缓释肥和尿素)分3个施肥水平进行施肥试验,测定苗高、地径、根系指标、根系结瘤指标、各器官生物量及N、P、K含量,对不同施肥处理苗木质量进行综合评价。不同施肥处理对红豆树苗木生长、结瘤和矿质营养均有显著或极显著影响。施缓释肥和复合肥的处理表现为随施肥量的增加苗木的生长和生理指标均表现出先增后降趋势,施尿素则表现为随施肥量增加呈逐渐递减趋势。通过隶属函数对苗木质量进行综合评价,表明缓释肥30 g·m^-2为最佳施肥处理,其苗高增量、各根系质量指标、各生物量指标、结瘤数量以及根、茎、叶的N、P、K含量均为最大。红豆树当年生苗木密度为50 株·m-2时,施用缓释肥(N-P-K: 30-6-7) 30 g·m^-2可以有效提高红豆树的苗木质量。     

局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响

通过向玉米幼苗分根装置一侧根室的营养液中加入聚乙二醇(PEG 6000)来模拟植物水分胁迫,并设3种供氮形态(硝态氮、铵态氮、两者各占50%的混合氮),且只加入到一侧根室(当氮加入到和PEG同侧时为水氮异区,加入到无PEG一侧时为水氮同区),测定各处理的光合、生理指标,以研究局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:同一氮形态供给下水氮同区植株的光合速率(Pn)、最大净光合速率(Pmax)、光饱和点(LSP)、CO2饱和点(CSP)、叶绿素a、b及叶绿素总含量、根系活力、氮含量和生物量高于水氮异区,光呼吸速率(Rp)、CO2补偿点(CCP)、木质部汁液脱落酸(ABA)浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率低于水氮异区;供混合氮和硝态氮的植株Pn、Pmax、LSP、CSP、氮含量和生物量高于供铵态氮的植株,而CCP、Rp、木质部汁液ABA浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率变化趋势则相反.可见,同一供氮形态下,水氮同区比水氮异区更利于植物生长,而水氮利用效率在水氮异区下较高;混合氮和硝态氮对植物生长的促进作用优于单一供给铵态氮,但铵态氮更有利于提高水氮利用效率.     

控雨对荒漠草原植物、微生物和土壤C、N、P化学计量特征的影响

以宁夏荒漠草原为研究对象,于2014—2015年设置了降雨量变化(减雨50%、减雨30%、自然降雨、增雨30%和增雨50%)的野外模拟试验,测定了植物、微生物和土壤C、N、P含量,同时调查了植物群落组成和土壤含水量等指标,研究了各组分C、N、P化学计量特征对连续两年降雨量变化的响应,分析了土壤C∶N∶P和含水量分别与植物生长、养分利用以及微生物量积累的相关性。结果表明,控雨改变了植物叶片C∶N∶P,且其影响程度随物种不同而异:减雨50%提高了牛枝子(Lespedeza potanimill)绿叶N和P以及猪毛蒿(Artemisia scoparia)绿叶P摄取能力,增雨(30%和50%)降低了猪毛蒿绿叶N摄取能力。增雨提高了猪毛蒿绿叶C∶N,增雨30%提高了苦豆子(Sophora alopecuroides)绿叶C∶N。增雨降低了猪毛蒿绿叶N∶P,增雨30%降低了白草(Pennisetum centrasiaticum)绿叶N∶P。相比之下,控雨条件下枯叶C∶N∶P的变化幅度较小;随降雨量增加微生物量C、N以及C∶N逐渐增加,但增雨50%使微生物量C和C∶N降低;控雨对土壤C∶N∶P的影响较小,但增雨提高了土壤水分有效性,因此促进了植物和微生物生长;试验期内,相对稳定的土壤C∶N∶P不能很好地指示植物和微生物生长发育的养分受限状况;干旱时提高叶片养分摄取、湿润时增强叶片养分回收,可能解释了牛枝子对降雨量变化的弹性适应能力。     

Biomass and photosynthetic productivity of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as affected by nutrient supply and mirid (Eccritotarus catarinensis) biocontrol

The biological control of water hyacinth is affected by water nitrogen and phosphorus content and this was investigated experimentally at five levels of nutrient supply by measuring plant photosynthetic and growth responses, and mirid reproduction and herbivory of nutrient treated plants. Low nitrogen (2–0.2 mg L⁻¹) and phosphorus (0.2–0.01 mg L⁻¹) supply decreased hyacinth photosynthesis, growth and biomass accumulation relative to plants supplied 200 mg L⁻¹ N and 20 mg L⁻¹ P. This effect depended more on nitrogen supply than phosphorus supply. Chlorophyll fluorescence showed that the photosynthetic light reactions of low nutrient plants were affected and leaves had decreased chlorophyll content, density of functional photosystems II and dissipated a greater proportion of absorbed energy as heat. Gas exchange parameters showed reduced carboxylation efficiency, rates of RuBP regeneration and light saturated photosynthetic rates, but not quantum yields. Effects on photosynthesis translated into lower plant dry biomass. Mirid herbivory exacerbated the effects of low nutrients noted for chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange parameters and biomass accumulation, however, these effects were not always significant and there was no obvious correlation between the level of nutrients supplied and the effect of mirid herbivory. Low nutrient supply did, however, affect mirid performance reducing the number of adult insects, nymphs and herbivory intensity suggesting that in the long-term mirid populations would be significantly affected by water nutrient status.     

青蒿素含量与土壤、植株养分含量关系的研究

调查和分析测定同一产区不同土壤类型的黄花蒿土壤和植株不同部位的养分含量及青蒿素含量,并对其进行相关分析和因子分析,结果表明,青蒿素含量与土壤Ca的含量有显著的正相关关系,与根N、茎N素含量以及植株地下部和地上部的N素含量比有显著的负相关关系,与茎部和叶部的N素含量比有极显著负相关关系;黄花蒿植株叶片的N含量与土壤P含量有显著的正相关关系;影响青蒿素含量的主要因子是黄花蒿植株体内的养分含量,其次是土壤的养分含量以及土壤和植株等综合因子。通过施肥、适当补充土壤中的Ca和P素营养,改善土壤养分状况等各种途径来调节植株体内的养分,降低地下部和地上部的N素含量比值,茎叶部N素含量比值,提高青蒿素的含量,增施K肥,有利于黄花蒿的生长。     

Inhibition of growth,and effects on nutrient uptake of arctic graminoids by leaf extracts — allelopathy or resource competition between plants and microbes?

Previous research has shown that plant extracts, e.g. from boreal dwarf shrubs and trees, can cause reduced growth of neighbouring plants: an effect known as allelopathy. To examine whether arctic and subarctic plants could also be affected by leaching of phytochemicals, we added extracts from the commonly occurring arctic dwarf shrubs Cassiope tetragona and Empetrum hermaphroditum, and from mountain birch, Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa to three graminoid species, Carex bigelowii, Festuca vivipara and Luzula arcuata, grown in previously sterilized or non-sterilized arctic soils. The graminoids in non-sterilized soil grew more slowly than those in sterilized soil. Excised roots of the plants in non-sterilized soil had higher uptake rate of labelled P than those in sterilized soil, demonstrating larger nutrient deficiency. The difference in growth rate was probably caused by higher nutrient availability for plants in soils in which the microbial biomass was killed after soil sterilization. The dwarf shrub extracts contained low amounts of inorganic N and P and medium high amounts of carbohydrates. Betula extracts contained somewhat higher levels of N and much higher levels of P and carbohydrates. Addition of leaf extracts to the strongly nutrient limited graminoids in non-sterilized soil tended to reduce growth, whereas in the less nutrient limited sterilized soil it caused strong growth decline. Furthermore, the N and P uptake by excised roots of plants grown in both types of soil was high if extracts from the dwarf shrubs (with low P and N concentrations) had been added, whereas the P uptake declined but the N uptake increased after addition of the P-rich Betula extract. In contrast to the adverse extract effects on plants, soil microbial respiration and soil fungal biomass (ergosterol) was generally stimulated, most strongly after addition of the Betula extract. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that the reduced plant growth and the concomitant stimulation of microbial activity were caused by phytochemicals, we believe that this was more likely due to labile carbon in the extracts which stimulated microbial biomass and activity. As a result microbial uptake increased, thereby depleting the plant available pool of N and P, or, for the P-rich Betula extract, depleting soil inorganic N alone, to the extent of reducing plant growth. This chain of events is supported by the negative correlation between plant growth and sugar content in the three added extracts, and the positive correlation between microbial activity, fungal biomass production and sugar content, and are known reactions when labile carbon is added to nutrient deficient soils.     

Nutrient content and seasonal fluctuations in the leaf component of coark-oak (Quercus suber L.) litterfall

Nutrient content and seasonality of the leaf component in cork-oak litterfal were studied over a two year period in two cork-oak forest sites differing in biomass and edaphic condition in the north-eastern Iberian peninsula. Fallen senescent leaves compared to young leaves showed higher non-mobile nutrient concentrations and lower mobile nutrient concentrations, specially P, N, K, and Mg. At both sites, seasonal fluctuations affected both leaf production and leaf mineral content. The maximum leaf fall period correspond to the start of the vegetative growth and to the lowest N and P concentration in the falling leaves. The opposite was true for the winter, when litterfal was minimal and N and P content in falling leaves was at a maximum.The comparison between falling leaves and canopy leaves suggests that the analysis of fallen leaves can be a useful measure of N and P nutrition in cork-oak. We found site dependent differences in nutrient content and nutrient remobilization. In comparison with Q. ilex, although litter production was in the same range, nutrient retranslocation was greater for Q. suber.     

3种作物(莴笋、茄子、小白菜)对香樟凋落叶化感作用的生理响应

为了解香樟(Cinnammum camphora)凋落叶对作物的生长和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的影响,采用盆栽试验,施用不同添加量的香樟凋落叶,对3种作物莴笋(Lactuca sativa)、茄子(Solanum melongena)和小白菜(Brassica chinensis)的形态指标、生理指标和土壤微生物量C、N进行测定。结果表明,香樟凋落叶分解对3种作物的叶面积、叶片数量和生物量积累均产生明显抑制效应,且随凋落叶量增大抑制更加强烈,随时间延长呈先强后弱的变化趋势;3种作物叶片的MDA和可溶性糖(SS)含量在凋落叶分解初期均显著增加,而可溶性蛋白(SP)含量显著降低;到分解末期,各处理间的MDA含量差异不显著,SS含量的促进作用也明显降低,但SP含量的抑制作用仍在持续。凋落叶处理下土壤中的微生物生物量C、N含量均显著提高,且随凋落叶添加量的增加而升高;随分解时间延长缓慢降低。因此,香樟凋落叶经分解释放的化感物质可能在两方面起作用,一方面通过影响作物体内SP、SS等渗透调节物质的积累水平,另一方面通过改变土壤微生物量来影响有效养分供应,最终对作物的营养生长和生物量积累产生明显影响。     

Early growth and nutritional response to resource competition in cocoa-shade intercropped systems

Intercropping is often promoted for effective mutualism between species, thus compensating for external inputs. However, for optimal farm design resulting in superior production and nutrition, an accurate assessment of plant inter- and intra-specific competition is required. In predominant shade tree-cocoa (Theobroma cacao) systems, inconclusive evidence remains on species interactions, limitations to resource availability and subsequent growth and nutritional response, particularly in early growth. We examined cocoa biomass and foliar nutrition as well as nutrient supply through rates of decomposition and N mineralization after 1-year growth. Our approach employed fertilization and mixed planting treatments in an additive design of cocoa in monoculture (control), under artificial shade, and intercropped under two separate shade species (Terminalia superba and Newbouldia laevis). Intercropping had no effect on cocoa biomass production in comparison to monoculture cocoa. However, artificial shading stimulated foliage and root production both with and without fertilization, suggesting strong effects of light regulation on growth in the absence of belowground competition. Nutritionally, intercropping suppressed K uptake in cocoa foliage as K concentration was reduced by 20–25%, signifying dilution of this nutrient, presumably due to interspecific competition for mobile elements. Foliar N content under N. laevis was raised, where N concentration kept up with growth under this intercropped species. Intercropping also delayed decomposition rates, suggesting slower but sustained release of available nutrients into the topsoil. Cocoa under artificial shade, both with and without fertilization, exhibited the greatest nutrient responses as compared to unfertilized monoculture cocoa, where P uptake was stimulated most (175 and 112%), followed by K (69 and 71%), and then N (54 and 42%). Intercropping with shade trees failed to increase cocoa biomass, however, nutrient uptake was sustained for N and P, suggesting low interspecific competition. When fertilizers are undesirable or unavailable, intercropping of appropriately selected shade trees will not competitively suppress early growth of cocoa but will improve light regulation and nutritional status of cocoa saplings.