热带季节雨林多花白头树年内径向生长动态及其对环境因子的响应

为了解热带地区树木的季节性生长动态和规律,在西双版纳热带季节雨林利用高精度生长仪和微树芯法对落叶树种多花白头树的径向生长季节动态进行监测。结合木质部非结构性碳水化合物和环境因子的监测,分析其形成层活动和径向季节动态的生理生态驱动因子。结果表明: 在2020年,生长仪的监测显示,多花白头树于5月底(儒略日DOY:149.3±7.2)开始生长,8月底(DOY:241.0±14.7)生长结束,年生长量为3.12 mm,最大生长速率为0.04 mm·d^-1。而微树芯法显示,扩大细胞3月9日(DOY:69.2±6.2)开始出现,9月19日(DOY:262.8±2.8)细胞加厚结束,木质部生长量为1.76 mm,最大生长速率为0.009 mm·d^-1。多花白头树径向日生长量与生长季的降水、相对湿度、日最低气温、深度为20 cm的土壤含水量和温度呈显著正相关,而与日最高气温、水汽压亏缺、最大风速和水汽压呈显著负相关。多花白头树边材淀粉含量和可溶性糖含量均在生长季开始之前保持较高水平,淀粉含量在3月底达到最低,而可溶性糖含量5月中旬达到最低,随着生长季的结束淀粉和可溶性糖的含量分别在10月中旬和12月底达到最高。     

热带喀斯特森林多花白头树木质部年内生长动态及其对环境因子的响应

多花白头树(Garuga floribunda var.gamblei)是西双版纳热带喀斯特森林中常见的落叶树种，容易受水分亏缺的影响。为探究热带喀斯特森林树木年内生长动态及其对环境因子的响应，该研究利用生长环和微树芯两种方法监测了多花白头树在2020—2021年的树干径向变化和木质部生长动态，并分析了树干径向变化和木质部生长与环境因子的相关性。微树芯法的监测表明，在2020年，多花白头树在3月底开始出现扩大细胞，9月底细胞壁加厚结束；在2021年，多花白头树在4月中旬开始出现扩大细胞，10月中旬细胞壁加厚结束。生长环的监测表明，2020年和2021年的径向生长开始时间均晚于扩大细胞出现时间，径向生长结束时间均早于细胞壁加厚结束时间。多花白头树在2020年和2021年的木质部生长持续时间大致相同，2020年的木质部生长量((2.87±1.46)mm)也与2021年((2.98±1.02)mm)几乎一致。多花白头树的月径向生长量、扩大细胞区域宽度和细胞壁加厚区域宽度均与降水呈显著正相关，这表明水分状况在多花白头树的木质部生长过程中发挥了重要作用；扩大细胞区域宽度还与日平均气温和日最低温显...     

热带季节性湿润林苦楝(Melia azedarach)径向生长季节动态及其对环境因子的响应

气候变化导致的温度升高和降水格局改变可能会影响到树木的生长速率和季节物候。西双版纳热带季节性湿润林分布在石灰岩山中部,属于热带喀斯特生境。由于土层浅薄,土壤保水能力极差,植物生长更容易遭到受到季节性干旱气候的影响。为探究热带季节性湿润林的树木径向生长季节动态及其对环境因子的响应,利用高精度树木生长仪连续两年监测了云南西双版纳热带季节性湿润林中落叶树种苦楝（Melia azedarach）的树干径向变化,并与同步监测的环境因子进行相关分析。结果表明,苦楝径向生长开始、结束以及持续生长的时间在年际间存在差异。与2018年相比,2019年苦楝生长开始和结束的时间较晚,且年生长量较小,这可能是与2019年雨季开始较晚且在生长季早期经历了严重的高温干旱有关。苦楝的径向日生长量与日降水量和相对湿度呈正相关关系,与光合有效辐射、水汽压亏缺和风速呈负相关关系,表明了在苦楝的径向生长主要受水分条件限制。在干旱年份（2019年）,苦楝的日生长量与降水和相对湿度的相关性更强。研究结果有助于进一步了解热带喀斯特生境树木生长对气候变化的敏感性以及树木适应季节性干旱气候的策略。     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林木径向生长季节动态及其对气候因子的响应

研究采用树木生长环在哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林持续9年(2009—2017年)监测了2个常绿树种(厚皮香,Ternstroemia gymnanthera;南亚枇杷,Eriobotrya bengalensis)和2个落叶树种(西桦,Betula alnoides;珍珠花,Lyonia ovalifolia)的树干月生长量,采用逻辑斯蒂生长模型(Logistic model)模拟树木径向生长量和物候参数,并分析了年、季尺度上径向生长与主要气候因子的关系。结果表明:1)4个树种年平均生长量为6.3 mm,落叶树种年平均生长量(10.6 mm/a)显著高于常绿树种(3.0 mm/a);2)雨季(5—10月)是哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林树木生长的主要时期,4个树种雨季平均生长量为5.9 mm,占全年总生长量的93%,其中落叶树种雨季生长量占全年的96%,而常绿树种雨季生长量占全年的86%;3)常绿树种生长季长度为169天,长于落叶树种(137天),而落叶树种最大生长速率(0.14 mm/d)显著高于常绿树种(0.03 mm/d),最大径向生长速率能很好地预测树种年生长量;4)低温、雾日和光合有效辐射是影响哀牢山亚热带常绿阔叶林4个研究树种径向生长的重要环境因子,其中温度对常绿树种径向生长具有显著影响,而雨日、雾日与空气湿度等水分因子对落叶树种径向生长更为重要。常绿树种年生长量对旱季气候因子的响应相比落叶树种更为敏感,树木旱季生长量除了受低温限制外,也受到水分供给的影响。气候变化可能改变不同物候类型树种在哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林中的生长状态与分布格局。     

东北红豆杉雌雄植株径向生长对邻体竞争和气候因子的响应

通过树木年轮学方法, 研究了树木性别、大小、邻体竞争和气候因子(温度和降水)对东北红豆杉(Taxus cuspidata)径向生长的影响。研究表明, 性别和树木大小对东北红豆杉径向生长影响显著, 雄株的径向生长速率显著大于雌株(p=0.023)。东北红豆杉雌、雄植株径向生长速率均与邻体竞争强度显著负相关(p<0.05), 并且邻体竞争对雌株径向生长的负效应更大。树木气候学分析表明, 东北红豆杉雌、雄植株径向生长对气候因子的响应不同。雌株径向生长量与前一年8月、前一年10月平均温度显著负相关, 雄株径向生长量与月平均温度不显著相关。雌株径向生长量与当年1月的降水量显著负相关, 而雄株径向生长量与当年8月的降水显著负相关。     

大兴安岭林区南、北部天然樟子松生长对气候变化的响应差异

利用树木年代学方法,建立大兴安岭林区南、北部樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)年轮宽度年表,探讨樟子松径向生长对气候变化的响应差异。结果表明,南部(阿尔山、海拉尔)树轮宽度主要与当年4—9月的平均标准化降水蒸散指数SPEI(Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index)极显著正相关(r=0.639,P0.01),而北部(漠河、塔河)树轮宽度主要与同时期的平均最低温极显著正相关(r=0.488,P0.01)。说明南部樟子松径向生长主要受当年4—9月的水分限制,北部主要受同期平均最低温调控。两个地区树木生长对降水的响应一致,对当年4—9月(6月除外)的温度响应相反。近几十年来随着温度显著升高(P0.01),南部树木生长对4—9月平均最高温的负响应不断增强,而北部树木对同时段平均最低温的正响应更加明显。同时,南部樟子松生长量快速下降(r=0.612,P0.001),而北部生长量显著增加(r=0.474,P0.001)。研究发现,高温加剧干旱胁迫是南部樟子松生长量下降的主要原因,而北部樟子松生长量增加是受到4—9月平均最低温和降水量的相互作用。如果持续变暖,未来樟子松分布区可能北移。     

太白红杉径向生长的预测模型

采用多元回归的方法构建了太白红杉的生长模型,模型中主要考虑了植株自身大小(胸径和冠幅比)、竞争状况和立地因子(海拔、坡度和坡向)三类因子的作用。结果发现,太白红杉近2年生长量与植株自身大小、竞争状况和海拔因子有较高的相关性;坡度、坡向与生长量的相关性较小,但其综合作用在一定程度上影响着太白红杉的生长。所构建的生长模型充分考虑了太白红杉自身的生物学特性,具有较高的回归优度(r=0.938,P<0.001),能很好地预测其生长动态。     

树木年内径向生长对干旱事件的响应——以贺兰山油松为例

在贺兰山苏峪口国家森林公园,利用径向生长测量仪监测2017和2018年2个生长季内、2个海拔(2010和2330 m)油松的径向生长,研究树木径向生长对干旱的响应。结果表明: 2018年6月的干旱事件使得油松径向生长速率减慢,生长量减小;而7—8月的降水使油松的径向生长重新激活。2018年油松的径向生长主要发生在6—8月,相比2017年延长一个月。油松径向生长与气候因子的响应关系在不同海拔间没有明显的差异。生长季早期干旱对树木径向生长有抑制作用,生长季中后期降水对树木径向生长具有促进作用。该区的气候重建工作中应当充分考虑8月的气候要素对树轮宽度的影响。     

树木木质部生长动态及其调节机制研究进展

全球变化对树木木质部生长产生了深远影响,进而影响了森林生态系统的固碳功能以及全球生态系统能量和物质的循环过程。树木木质部生长动态主要包括形成层活动开始和结束的时间、生长季长度以及分裂速率等,其受到多种因素的共同调节,如植物激素、碳水化合物、氮素和气象因子等。通过在精细的时间尺度上对比研究树木木质部生长动态,揭示木质部形成的决定因子,可以加深对树木生长生理机制的理解,从而提高其对气候变化响应的预测精度。对近年来在木质部的形成动态及其调节机制方面取得的研究进展进行了综述,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

祁连山西部青海云杉径向生长对气候因子的响应

利用树木径向生长监测仪(Dendrometer)和自动气象站在祁连山西部对8棵青海云杉的径向生长及环境因子进行了连续监测研究。结果表明: Gompertz函数拟合结果显示,2018—2020年青海云杉的径向生长分别开始于4月19日、4月17日和4月10日,在日平均气温超过5.5 ℃时径向生长开始;青海云杉生长结束时间分别为8月17日、8月21日和7月19日,生长结束时间与生长季末期降水量有关。研究区青海云杉径向生长量受干旱抑制强烈,其中与7月的日均温(负相关)和日降水量(正相关)相关性最高,与生长季初期(5月)的日降水量的相关关系存在年际间差异。     

不同产地苦楝苗期生长节律研究

苦楝在我国分布广泛,具有丰富的遗传变异性。为进一步做好苦楝种源筛选和良种选育工作,该文对不同产地苦楝实生苗生长性状和各阶段的生长特点进行了比较分析,初步揭示了苦楝苗期生长规律。以15个产地的1年生实生苗为试材,对苗高、地径、复叶生长及生物量积累等生长性状进行了观测分析,并用Logistics方程对生长节律进行了拟合。结果表明:(1)不同产地苦楝苗高、地径生长差异均达显著水平,根生物量、茎生物量及复叶相关性状差异均达极显著性水平;(2)苗高和地径生长均呈现慢-快-慢的S型生长规律,且均存在2次生长高峰,与苗高生长高峰出现时间相比,地径生长高峰出现时间较晚;(3)Logistic拟合方程的R²为0.976～0.994,均达到极显著相关水平,说明可用Logistic方程拟合苦楝的生长节律;(4)总体上地径速生期较苗高速生期长20～30 d,北方产地苗高和地径进入速生期和结束速生期的时间均早于南方产地,速生期苗高和地径累积生长量均超过总生长量的60%;(5)各生长指标均与纬度负相关,苗高、生物量及复叶面积与经度正相关,其他指标与经度负相关。综上结果表明,苦楝为全期生长型树种,各生长性状在产地间达显著差异水平,生长受纬度和经度双重控制,以纬度控制为主。     

Na2SO4和Na2CO3胁迫下苦楝幼苗的形态及光合生理特性

为探索苦楝应对盐胁迫的响应机制,该文以1年生苦楝(Melia azedarach)实生苗为材料,在盆栽条件下设置中性盐Na_2SO_4和碱性盐Na_2CO_33个盐浓度(200、400、600 mmol·L~(-1))处理40 d,研究苦楝的抗盐碱水平及在不同程度盐碱胁迫条件下的生长及光合生理变化。结果表明:随着盐浓度的提高,苦楝的苗高、地径和生物量的增长量均呈现下降趋势,且碱性盐胁迫条件下降程度更大,盐胁迫提高苦楝的根冠比。处理10 d时,苦楝幼苗的所有光合指标随中性盐和碱性盐浓度的提高呈相似的下降特征,碱性盐胁迫条件下的降低幅度显著大于中性盐胁迫,且随处理时间的增加,中性盐和碱性盐处理下苦楝幼苗的净光合速率和蒸腾速率显著降低。随着盐浓度的提高,苦楝的叶绿素含量呈现下降趋势,200 mmol·L~(-1)盐胁迫对叶绿素含量影响较小,400、600 mmol·L~(-1)盐胁迫均对叶绿素含量有显著影响。600 mmol·L~(-1)碱性盐胁迫条件下,苦楝叶片相对电导率和饱和水分亏缺最高,显著高于其余处理。同等浓度下,碱性盐胁迫的苦楝叶片相对电导率和饱和水分亏缺显著高于中性盐胁迫处理。综上结果认为,苦楝具有一定的耐盐碱能力,碱性盐比中性盐对苦楝幼苗的影响更大。     

Wood density and its radial variation in six canopy tree species differing in shade-tolerance in western Thailand

Background and Aims

Wood density is a key variable for understanding life history strategies in tropical trees. Differences in wood density and its radial variation were related to the shade-tolerance of six canopy tree species in seasonally dry tropical forest in Thailand. In addition, using tree ring measurements, the influence of tree size, age and annual increment on radial density gradients was analysed.

Methods

Wood density was determined from tree cores using X-ray densitometry. X-ray films were digitized and images were measured, resulting in a continuous density profile for each sample. Mixed models were then developed to analyse differences in average wood density and in radial gradients in density among the six tree species, as well as the effects of tree age, size and annual increment on radial increases in Melia azedarach.

Key Results

Average wood density generally reflected differences in shade-tolerance, varying by nearly a factor of two. Radial gradients occurred in all species, ranging from an increase of (approx. 70%) in the shade-intolerant Melia azedarach to a decrease of approx. 13% in the shade-tolerant Neolitsea obtusifolia, but the slopes of radial gradients were generally unrelated to shade-tolerance. For Melia azedarach, radial increases were most-parsimoniously explained by log-transformed tree age and annual increment rather than by tree size.

Conclusions

The results indicate that average wood density generally reflects differences in shade-tolerance in seasonally dry tropical forests; however, inferences based on wood density alone are potentially misleading for species with complex life histories. In addition, the findings suggest that a ‘whole-tree’ view of life history and biomechanics is important for understanding patterns of radial variation in wood density. Finally, accounting for wood density gradients is likely to improve the accuracy of estimates of stem biomass and carbon in tropical trees.Key words: Radial gradients, shade-tolerance, tree biomass estimates, tree rings, tropical trees, wood density     

Stem growth rhythms in trees of a tropical rainforest in Southern Brazil

Key message

We demonstrate that tropical trees growing in wet climates can have a marked seasonality in cambium activity and stem growth associated with high temperature and day length of summer.

Abstract

Monitoring the rhythm of tree growth associated with the growth rings can contribute substantially to understanding forest dynamics and the management of tropical forests. In this study, we monitored the girth increment rhythm and described the wood characteristics (anatomy of growth rings, wood specific gravity) in 10 tropical tree species (103 individuals) naturally occurring in a wet and weakly seasonal region of Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. We aimed to verify whether tree growth dynamics are associated with climate and woody anatomy in tropical trees with contrasting ecological characteristics. We installed permanent dendrometer bands and monthly assessed the girth increment for 22 months. We collected wood samples (non-destructive method), measured wood specific gravity and prepared permanent slides to characterize the growth ring markers. We found growth rings in all species (distinct in six species); deciduous species produced more distinguishable tree rings compared with semi-deciduous and evergreen tree species. Species varied in their accumulated girth growth (in average, from 1.83 to 62.64 mm), growth rates (1–15 %), and annual radial increment (0.16–5.44 mm). Girth increment was positively related to temperature and day length in five out of ten tree species, indicating the possible effects of these climatic variables in triggering cambial activity in these species. The growth pattern varied among species and was marginally associated to the tree deciduousness. We concluded that even in wet and less seasonal climates, there can be an association in the cambium activity and stem growth with the hotter and longer days of summer months.

     

Comparative bioactivity of selected extracts from Meliaceae and some commercial botanical insecticides against two noctuid caterpillars, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudaletia unipuncta</Emphasis>

Plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals have long been a subject of research in an effort to develop alternatives to conventional insecticides but with reduced health and environmental impacts. In this review we compare the bioactivities of some plant extracts with those of commercially available botanical insecticides against two important agricultural pests, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni and the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. Test materials included extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), A. excelsa (sentang), Melia volkensii, M. azedarach (Chinaberry) and Trichilia americana, (all belonging to the family Meliaceae) along with commercial botanical insecticides ryania, pyrethrum, rotenone and essential oils of rosemary and clove leaf. Most of the extracts and botanicals tested proved to be strong growth inhibitors, contact toxins and significant feeding deterrents to both lepidopteran species. However, there were interspecific differences with T. ni generally more susceptible to the botanicals than the armyworm, P. unipuncta. All botanicals were more inhibitory to growth and toxic (through feeding) to T. ni than to P. unipuncta, except for M. azedarach which was more toxic to P. unipuncta than to T. ni. Athough, pyrethrum was the most toxic botanical to both noctuids, A. indica, A. excelsa, and M. volkensii were more toxic than ryania, rotenone, clove oil and rosemary oil for T. ni. As feeding deterrents, pyrethrum was the most potent against T. ni, whereas A. indica was the most potent against the armyworm. Based upon growth inhibition, chronic toxicity, and antifeedant activity, some of these plant extracts have levels of activity that compare favorably to botanical products currently in commercial use and have potential for development as commercial insecticides.     

Wet and dry season diets of the Endangered Lemur catta (ring‐tailed lemur) in two mountainous rocky outcrop forest fragments in south‐central Madagascar

Lemur catta's ability to consume a wide variety of plant foods is a key to this species' survival in a time of ecological crisis across its geographic range. We examined seasonal diet variability of L. catta groups inhabiting two rocky outcrop fragments in south‐central Madagascar: Anja Reserve and Tsaranoro Valley forest. Leaves and fruit of Melia azedarach were a keystone resource for Anja lemurs in wet and dry seasons. At Tsaranoro, L. catta relied on M. azedarach and Ficus spp. in dry season, but during the wet season, neither was a dominant food resource. Top food species at both sites differed markedly from those consumed by L. catta in other habitats. At Tsaranoro, a greater proportion of lemurs engaged in feeding during the dry season compared with wet season. We attribute this to resource scarcity during dry season, when greater feeding effort is needed to maintain energy requirements. Because M. azedarach is ubiquitous throughout Anja Reserve, producing fruit and leaves year‐round, Anja lemurs can meet energy requirements with little seasonal adjustment in feeding activity. L. catta's IUCN status has been upgraded to Endangered, thus, greater insight into its diet flexibility and ability to survive on introduced plant species, can inform conservation plans in remaining wild habitats and ex situ programs.     

In-vitro phytochemical and pharmacological bio-efficacy studies on Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach Linn for anticancer activity

In this study, phyto-constituents, anti-bacterial and anticancer activity of Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach Linn was analyzed. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) fingerprint profile of methanol extract of A. indica and M. azedarach was carried out. The present findings showed the presence of phytochemicals such as, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone and aminoacids in A. indica and M. azedarach extracts. HPLC profiling of methanolic extract of A. indica and M. azaderach revealed eleven and ten fractions of compounds were visualized in the form of peak. In TLC methanolic extract of A. indica was separated by eight distinct phenolic and three steroidal bands and M. azaderach showed sixteen distinct phenolic and three different steroidal bands. In antibacterial activity, Among the various extracts 50 µg/ml methanolic extracts of A. indica showed high activity against K. pneumoniae (14 mm) and M. azedarach showed high activity against S. aureus (15 mm). The results suggest that the crude methanolic extracts of A. indica and M. azedarach possess significant phytochemical properties compared to other extracts and hence the phytochemicals of M. azedarach and A. indica can be exploited for plant based anticancer and antimicrobial agents in the near future.     

Semi-field demographic performance of the invasive planthopper,Orosanga japonica (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) on two host plants

Orosanga japonica Melichar (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) is an invasive polyphagous pest in Iran. The planthopper damaged host plants by sap-sucking and egg laying on new twigs. This study aimed to determine the life table parameters of O. japonica on Rubus ulmifolius Schoot (elm leaf blackberry) and Melia azedarach L. (chinaberry) under field conditions in Rudsar (North of Iran) during 2019–2020. The collected life history data were analyzed based on age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The results showed that the incubation period of O. japonica was too long (≈ 270 days) on both host plants. The nymphs emerged from mid-May 2020. The planthopper had five nymphal stages under field conditions. The nymphal duration was 41.39 ± 0.56 days and 38.13 ± 0.62 days on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. The total preadult survival rates were 53.2% and 51.7% on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. Based on the results, a significant shorter total developmental time was observed on M. azedarach. When adults emerged in late July, they laid eggs after 26.05 days and 26.75 days on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. The fecundity on M. azedarach (131.69 egg/female) was significantly higher than that on R. ulmifolius. However, the life table parameters were all not significantly different on the two host plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) were 0.0097 ± 0.0005 day⁻¹ and 0.0105 ± 0.0006 day⁻¹ on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. Generally, these findings could be helpful to establish an efficient management strategy for this exotic pest.