Resource dependence in a new ecosystem: A host plant and its colonizing community

The introduced black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) has become an invasive plant species in Europe. The introduction of alien plants such as the black locust may modify ecosystem composition and functioning. In response to the presence of a potential host plant, herbivores can adapt and shift to the consumption of the new host plant. In Eastern-Central Europe, the seed predator Bruchophagus robiniae (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is an important consumer of black locust seeds which presumably shifted from its formerly host species to black locust. We tested the influence of host plant abundance on a seed predator – parasitoid community. We found that the seed predator B. robiniae was present in higher numbers in woodlots than in small patches of black locust. The density of the specialist parasitoid Mesopolobus sp. was lower in woodlots than in small patches, while the generalist parasitoid Eupelmus urozonos was evenly distributed between woodlots and small patches of black locust. We found that parasitoid species are influenced by the patch size of host plants, thus characteristics of introduced host plants can also manifest in higher trophic levels.     

Neighborhood effects on soil properties,mycorrhizal attributes,tree growth,and nutrient status in afforested zones

A harmonious interspecies relationship is the key to the success of mixed afforestation. This study was conducted to assess the responses of afforestation species to their neighboring trees. We examined five types of stands—monocultures of Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), sea‐buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), and two mixtures (Chinese pine × black locust mixture and Chinese pine × sea‐buckthorn mixture)—in the Loess Plateau, northwestern China. The height and diameter at breast height of each tree species were measured, and rhizosphere soil, shoot, and root were sampled. In monocultures, black locust was taller than Chinese pine and sea‐buckthorn, while the height of Chinese pine and sea‐buckthorn was similar. In mixtures, Chinese pine grew better with sea‐buckthorn than alone as a result of modified soil properties and plant nutrition, but not with black locust. When Chinese pine was used as neighbors, it affected the level of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of black locust, soil properties and AM fungal spore density of black locust and sea‐buckthorn, but did not significantly affect their growth. Our results suggest that the reciprocal effects between tree species in mixture are not symmetric, and thus planning for efficient mixed afforestation requires knowledge of species‐specific growth rate, nutrient requirements, and species interactions.     

The Improvement of Salt Tolerance of Black Locust Seedlings After Seed Soaked in Multi-Effect Triazole

An improved salt tolerance black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L. ) seedlings can be obtained after seed soakes in 250 ppm multi-effect triazole(MET),through which plant growth is inhibited, relative water content(RWC) of plants is increased , and permeability of plasmic membrane is reduced. The contents of the free prolines in the seedlings under the saline stress of the black locust through the treatment either the seeds being soaked in MET or in water may be increased . However, the content of putrescine of black locust seedlings after seed soaked in MET was reduced under stress,showing the accumulation of putrescine was related to water state of plants.     

我国新发现一种外来蚜虫——刺槐附毛斑蚜Appendiseta robiniae

记述了采自北京刺槐上的1种中国的记录外来蚜虫——刺槐附毛斑蚜,它原产于北美,寄主为刺槐,在当地一些地区较为常见,并已扩散到欧洲等地。描述了有翅孤雌蚜、无翅雌性蚜和有翅雄性蚜的鉴别特征,并提供了生态图片。最后讨论了它的潜在危害性及蚜虫寄主植物、蚜群生活状及生态照片在蚜虫识别上的重要性。     

Strophiole of seeds of the black locust acts as a water gap

In Japan the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is undergoing rapid habitat expansion, which has an adverse effect on native vegetation. It is therefore a priority to clarify the regeneration characteristics of the black locust and establish adequate management of this invasive species in Japan. To determine the germination characteristics of physically dormant black locust seeds, we observed anatomical features of the seed coat and identified the water gap that acts as a signal detector. Our microscopic observations showed that seed coats of this species had hilum, micropyle and strophiole. The anatomical features of these regions correspond to the general characteristics of papilionoid legume seeds. Based on our microscopic observations, water absorption blocking experiments and a dye tracking experiment, we identified the strophiole as a water gap in black locust seeds. Our results suggest that the opening of the strophiole is important for water uptake to the embryo and subsequent germination of black locust seeds under natural conditions.     

Functional characterization of allantoinase genes from Arabidopsis and a nonureide-type legume black locust

The availability of nitrogen is a limiting factor for plant growth in most soils. Allantoin and its degradation derivatives are a group of soil heterocyclic nitrogen compounds that play an essential role in the assimilation, metabolism, transport, and storage of nitrogen in plants. Allantoinase is a key enzyme for biogenesis and degradation of these ureide compounds. Here, we describe the isolation of two functional allantoinase genes, AtALN (Arabidopsis allantoinase) and RpALN (Robinia pseudoacacia allantoinase), from Arabidopsis and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). The proteins encoded by those genes were predicted to have a signal peptide for the secretory pathway, which is consistent with earlier biochemical work that localized allantoinase activity to microbodies and endoplasmic reticulum (Hanks et al., 1981). Their functions were confirmed by genetic complementation of a yeast mutant (dal1) deficient in allantoin hydrolysis. The absence of nitrogen in the medium increased the expression of the genes. In Arabidopsis, the addition of allantoin to the medium as a sole source of nitrogen resulted in the up-regulation of the AtALN gene. The black locust gene (RpALN) was differentially regulated in cotyledons, axis, and hypocotyls during seed germination and seedling growth, but was not expressed in root tissues. In the trunk wood of a mature black locust tree, the RpALN gene was highly expressed in the bark/cambial region, but had no detectable expression in the sapwood or sapwood-heartwood transition zone. In addition, the gene expression in the bark/cambial region was up-regulated in spring and fall when compared with summer, suggesting its involvement in nitrogen mobilization.     

NaCl和Na2SO4胁迫下两种刺槐叶肉细胞叶绿体超微结构

二倍体刺槐(diploid Robinia pseudoacacia)是我国水土保持林的先锋树种,具有较强的适应性和抗逆性,对改善生态环境、防治水土流失、调节水文状况有重要作用。四倍体刺槐(tetraploid Robinia pseudoacacia)是二倍体刺槐的加倍品种,也称多倍体刺槐,由韩国引进,具有速生、耐盐碱、耐干旱和耐烟尘等特点。目前,关于四倍体刺槐的研究,主要集中于栽培技术和繁殖技术方面,而关于四倍体刺槐叶片超微结构与其耐盐性的关系尚缺乏报道。比较了二倍体刺槐和四倍体刺槐在NaCl和Na₂SO₄胁迫下,叶片叶绿体超微结构的变化特点,一方面可以对二者的耐盐性进行鉴定,同时也可以探讨不同盐分胁迫条件下的作用机制。利用NaCl和Na₂SO₄进行20d的盐胁迫处理,观察叶绿体超微结构的变化特点,发现:NaCl处理前,二者叶肉细胞叶绿体为梭形、形态饱满、结构完整,NaCl处理后10d时,二倍体刺槐的叶绿体出现变形、膜模糊、基粒片层松散、类囊体解体、脂质球增多等现象,NaCl处理后20d时,叶绿体肿胀、变形,基粒片层断裂,膜系统解体。Na₂SO₄处理后10d时,二倍体刺槐的叶绿体肿胀,膜模糊,基粒片层松散、类囊体解体,Na₂SO₄盐胁迫处理后20d时,膜系统全部解体,结构破坏更为严重。总体来说,四倍体刺槐在盐胁迫后叶绿体结构变化不明显,只是在Na₂SO₄处理20d时,四倍体刺槐的叶绿体出现中空、基粒片层松散、膜边缘模糊现象。在处理前,两种刺槐的叶绿体均紧贴细胞壁,分布于细胞壁边缘。在NaCl处理后10d时,二倍体刺槐的叶绿体仍呈有序排列,紧贴细胞壁,但在处理后20d时,大部分叶绿体脱离细胞壁,呈随机分布。在Na₂SO₄处理后10d时,二倍体刺槐部分叶绿体脱离细胞壁,位于细胞中央。在Na₂SO₄处理后20d时,二倍体刺槐叶绿体大部分与细胞壁脱离。四倍体刺槐在两种盐胁迫处理前后叶绿体的排列变化不明显,均分布于细胞壁边缘,紧贴细胞壁。所以在盐胁迫下,耐盐植物叶片的叶绿体表现为结构完整,基粒片层清晰,类囊体结构完整,而不耐盐植物则表现为叶绿体超微结构松散、变形,基粒片层模糊,破坏严重时基粒片层扭曲,叶绿体解体,失去完整结构。     

Jasmonate response of the Nicotiana tabacum agglutinin promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana

NICTABA is a carbohydrate-binding protein (also called lectin) that is expressed in several Nicotiana species after treatment with jasmonates and insect herbivory. Analyses with tobacco lines overexpressing the NICTABA gene as well as lines with reduced lectin expression have shown the entomotoxic effect of NICTABA against Lepidopteran larvae, suggesting a role of the lectin in plant defense. Until now, little is known with respect to the upstream regulatory mechanisms that are controlling the expression of inducible plant lectins. Using Arabidopsis thaliana plants stably expressing a promoter-β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion construct, it was shown that jasmonate treatment influenced the NICTABA promoter activity. A strong GUS staining pattern was detected in very young tissues (the apical and root meristems, the cotyledons and the first true leaves), but the promoter activity decreased when plants were getting older. NICTABA was also expressed at low concentrations in tobacco roots and expression levels increased after cold treatment. The data presented confirm a jasmonate-dependent response of the promoter sequence of the tobacco lectin gene in Arabidopsis. These new jasmonate-responsive tobacco promoter sequences can be used as new tools in the study of jasmonate signalling related to plant development and defense.     

Methyl jasmonate regulated diploid and tetraploid black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) tolerance to salt stress

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is an essential and promising plant growth regulation factor that can improve plant development and growth. Here, we explored the mechanism by which MeJA regulates the tolerance of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) to salt stress. In this study, diploid and tetraploid R. pseudoacacia were subjected to three treatments: 500 mM NaCl; 100 μM MeJA; and 500 mM NaCl and 100 μM MeJA, and the changes in plant growth, endogenous MeJA levels and the anti-oxidative metabolism of leaves were investigated. The results showed that salt stress significantly inhibited plant growth and induced the accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^? ions, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reactive oxygen species. However, these adverse effects could be alleviated by applying MeJA, which was followed by a marked increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, some genes encoding several antioxidant enzymes were also up-regulated. Simultaneously, the endogenous MeJA content in MeJA-treated plants was lower than in salt-treated plants. It is noteworthy that tetraploids always possessed higher salt tolerance and obtained greater positive effects from MeJA than diploids. These results suggested that MeJA might play a protective role in defense responses, enabling diploid and tetraploid black locust, especially tetraploid, to better tolerate the adverse effects of salt stress.     

Seasonal Fluctuations of Lectins in Barks of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) agglutinins, which are abundantly present in the bark of both species, display seasonal fluctuations with regard to their content in this tissue. These seasonal changes result apparently from a circa-annual rhythm of lectin accumulation and depletion during autumn and spring, respectively. Because the bark of trees can be considered as a type of vegetative storage tissue, the results suggest that bark lectins behave as typical storage proteins.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on photosynthesis,carbon content,and calorific value of black locust seedlings

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with many plants. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an important energy tree species that can associate with AMF. We investigated the effects of AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis and Glomus versiforme) on the growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, carbon content, and calorific value of black locust seedlings in the greenhouse. The total biomass of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) seedlings was 4 times greater than that of the nonmycorrhizal (NM) seedlings. AMF greatly promoted the photosynthesis of black locust seedlings. AM seedlings had a significantly greater leaf area, higher carboxylation efficiency, Chl content, and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) than NM seedlings. AMF also significantly increased the effective photochemical efficiency of PSII and significantly enhanced the carbon content and calorific value of black locust seedlings. Seedlings inoculated with G. versiforme had the largest leaf area and highest biomass, Chl content, P _N, and calorific value.     

Patterns of β-diversity and similarity reveal biotic homogenization of epiphytic lichen communities associated with the spread of black locust forests

We compared epiphytic lichen communities of native broadleaved and secondary black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) forests to detect possible differences in community structure that could be indicative of biological homogenization enhanced by the replacement of native by black locust forests. The study was carried out in two areas of Italy with different bioclimatic conditions using a balanced stratified random sampling. Results reveal a different pattern of community structure between native and black locust forests across the two regions that may reflect a process of biological homogenization. In particular, lichen communities of black locust forests share several species between the two study regions. This pattern of floristic homogenization parallels with a functional homogenization related to the spread of highly competitive species. This research provides early evidence that the decrease of native forests associated with the spread of black locust is a mechanism triggering biological homogenization of the epiphytic lichen biota.     

Facilitations between the Introduced Nitrogen-fixing Tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Nonnative Plant Species in the Glacial Outwash Upland Ecosystem of Cape Cod, MA

Robinia pseudoacacia, a nitrogen-fixing, clonal tree species native to the central Appalachian and Ozark Mountains, is considered to be one of the top 100 worldwide woody plant invaders. We initiated this project to determine the impact of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) on an upland coastal ecosystem and to estimate the spread of this species within Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS). We censused 20 × 20 m plots for vegetation cover and environmental characteristics in the center of twenty randomly-selected Robinia pseudoacacia stands. Additionally, paired plots were surveyed under native overstory stands, comprised largely of pitch pine (Pinus rigida) and mixed pitch pine–oak (Quercus velutina and Quercus alba) communities. These native stands were located 20 m from the edge of the sampled locust stand and had similar land use histories. To determine the historical distribution of black locust in CCNS, we digitized and georeferenced historical and current aerial photographs of randomly-selected stands. Ordination analyses revealed striking community-level differences between locust and pine–oak stands in their immediate vicinity. Understory nonnative species richness and abundance values were significantly higher under Robinia stands than under the paired native stands. Additionally, animal-dispersed plant species tended to occur in closer stands, suggesting their spread between locust stands. Robinia stand area significantly decreased from the 1970’s to 2002, prompting us to recommend no management action of black locust and a monitoring program and possible removal of associated animal-dispersed species. The introduction of a novel functional type (nitrogen-fixing tree) into this xeric, nutrient-poor, upland forested ecosystem resulted in ‘islands of invasion’ within this resistant system.     

A Light and Transmission Electron Microscope Study of a Black Locust Tree, Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae), Affected by Witches'-Broom, and Classification of the Associated Phytoplasma

Light and transmission electron microscopy of phloem sieve-tube elements, companion cells, and parenchymal cells in thin and ultrathin sections of small and medium rachises and small, medium and large leaflets of a black locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia L., affected by witches'-broom disease revealed (in the small and medium rachises and leaflets) structures that were characteristic of phytoplasmas, and crystal-like inclusions in the phloem sieve-tube members. A crystal-like inclusion was also seen in a companion cell. Paracrystalline arrays were seen only (and very rarely) in phloem sieve-tube elements of medium rachises. Some elements contained several crystal-like inclusions and each inclusion had fracture planes. The crystal-like inclusions and paracrystalline arrays apparently have not been previously reported in the black locust. The paracrystalline arrays and crystal-like inclusions may merely be by-products of the plant's metabolic activity. Extensive additional work would be required to establish the precise relationship (if any) of the arrays and inclusions to the black locust, witches'-brooming and/or phytoplasmas. Results from analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences amplified by the polymerase chain reaction indicated for the first time that the phytoplasma associated with black locust witches'-broom is a member of group 16 SrIII (peach X-disease) phytoplasma group. This raised the question of whether black locust may be a significant source of the phytoplasma for infection of other plants, especially agricultural crops.     

Why does oriental arborvitae grow better when mixed with black locust: Insight on nutrient cycling?

To identify why tree growth differs by afforestation type is a matter of prime concern in forestry. A study was conducted to determine why oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) grows better in the presence of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) than in monoculture. Different types of stands (i.e., monocultures and mixture of black locust and oriental arborvitae, and native grassland as a control) were selected in the Loess Plateau, China. The height and diameter at breast height of each tree species were measured, and soil, shoot, and root samples were sampled. The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) attributes, shoot and root nutrient status, height and diameter of black locust were not influenced by the presence of oriental arborvitae. For oriental arborvitae, however, growing in mixture increased height and diameter and reduced shoot Mn, Ca, and Mg contents, AM fungal spore density, and colonization rate. Major changes in soil properties also occurred, primarily in soil water, NO₃‐N, and available K levels and in soil enzyme activity. The increase in soil water, N, and K availability in the presence of black locust stimulated oriental arborvitae growth, and black locust in the mixed stand seems to suppress the development of AM symbiosis in oriental arborvitae roots, especially the production of AM fungal spores and vesicles, through improving soil water and N levels, thus freeing up carbon to fuel plant growth. Overall, the presence of black locust favored oriental arborvitae growth directly by improving soil water and fertility and indirectly by repressing AM symbiosis in oriental arborvitae roots.     

大青山赤松林和黑松林生态适应研究

针对山东省大青山省级自然保护区典型植物群落,设置21个样方,分析主要乔木种群和群落特征.结果表明:1)大青山样方内共发现维管植物111种,其中乔木29种、灌木14种、草本植物68种,群落植物种类少,物种多样性低.2)29种乔木根据径级结构划分为13种扩展种、2种隐退种,5种稳定侵入种、6种随机侵入种和3种随机隐退种.主要乔木种群径级结构型为2种:黑松种群、栓皮栎种群、麻栎种群、小叶朴种群、黄檀种群、君迁子种群和槲树种群为增长型;刺槐种群和赤松种群为稳定型.大青山群落乔木整体上为增长型群落.3)大青山乔木层物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson多样性指数从高到低依次为赤松林、黑松林、刺槐林,而Pielou均匀度指数从高到低依次为黑松林、赤松林、刺槐林,显示赤松更适合作为大青山造林树种.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alter Fractal Dimension Characteristics of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Seedlings Through Regulating Plant Growth,Leaf Water Status,Photosynthesis, and Nutrient Concentration Under Drought Stress

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus intraradices, on plant growth, leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, nutrient concentration, and fractal dimension (FD) characteristics of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seedlings was studied in pot culture under well-watered, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress treatments. Mycorrhizal seedlings had higher dry biomass, leaf relative water content (RWC), and water use efficiency (WUE) compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Under all treatments, AMF colonization notably enhanced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, but decreased intercellular CO₂ concentration. Leaf chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll concentrations were higher in AM seedlings than those in non-AM seedlings although there was no significant difference between AMF species. AMF colonization improved leaf C, N, and P concentrations, but decreased C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Mycorrhizal seedlings had a larger FD value than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The FD value was positively and significantly correlated to the plant growth parameters, photosynthesis, RWC, WUE, and nutrient concentration but negatively correlated to leaf/stem ratio, C:N and C:P ratios, and intercellular CO₂ concentration. We conclude that AMF lead to an improvement of growth performance of black locust seedlings under all growth conditions, including drought stress via improving leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. Moreover, FD technology proved to be a powerful non-destructive method to characterize the effect of AMF on the physiology of host plants during drought stress.     

Nitrogen stocks in a riparian area invaded by N-fixing black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

Fixation of river flow passages and riverbed degradation may facilitate the development of higher floodplains with the establishment of exotic species such as black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). We quantitatively evaluated the relationship between nitrogen (N) levels in black locust trees and in sediments under different flood disturbance regimes in a riparian area of the Chikuma River. In this study, allometric equations were developed for relating leaf N content to diameter at breast height of black locust. The amount of leaf N in black locust increased with distance from the river, reaching 159 kg N ha⁻¹ at 180 m from the river. There was a small difference in N content between green and fallen leaves (0.2%), and so the leaf N was almost equivalent to N input to riparian sediments. Fine sediments accumulated on the riparian area, where the amount of sediments N increased with distance from the river, ranging from 1091 ± 767 to 4953 ± 2953 kg N ha⁻¹. The N accumulation rates also increased with distance from the river, corresponding with the amount of leaf N in black locust per unit area, but the former exceeded the latter. The sediment N accumulation might be accelerated by sediment trapping effect due to riparian vegetation itself. A large input of N provided by invaded black locust might alter nutrient dynamics and native plant community structure in the riparian area.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Robinia pseudoacacia

Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) plants were regenerated after co-cultivation of stem and leaf segments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 (pMP90) that harbored a binary vector that included genes for β-glucuronidase (GUS) and hygromycin phosphotransferase. Successful transformation was confirmed by the ability of stem and leaf segments to produce calli in the presence of hygromycin, by histochemical and fluorometric assays of GUS activity in plant tissues, and by Southern blotting analysis. In this transformation system, about 2 months were required for regeneration of transgenic plants from stem and leaf segments. The frequency of transformation from stem segments was approximately 24%, and the morphology of regenerated plants resembled that of the original parental strain. Received: 2 September 1999 / Revision received: 30 November 1999 / Accepted: 4 December 1999     

Expression of EuNOD-ARP1 encoding auxin-repressed protein homolog is upregulated by auxin and localized to the fixation zone in root nodules of Elaeagnus umbellata

Root nodule formation is controlled by plant hormones such as auxin. Auxin-repressed protein (ARP) genes have been identified in various plant species but their functions are not clear. We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone (EuNOD-ARP1) showing high sequence homology to previously identified ARP genes from root nodules of Elaeagnus umbellata. Genomic Southern hybridization showed that there are at least four ARP-related genes in the genome of E. umbellata. The cDNA clone encodes a polypeptide of 120 amino acid residues with no signal peptide or organelle-targeting signals, indicating that it is a cytosolic protein. Its cytosolic location was confirmed using Arabidopsis protoplasts expressing a EuNOD-ARP1:smGFP fusion protein. Northern hybridization showed that EuNOD-ARP1 expression was higher in root nodules than in leaves or uninoculated roots. Unlike the ARP genes of strawberry and black locust, which are negatively regulated by exogenous auxin, EuNOD-ARP1 expression is induced by auxin in leaf tissue of E. umbellata. In situ hybridization revealed that EuNOD-ARP1 is mainly expressed in the fixation zone of root nodules.