Growth and nutrient uptake of coniferous seedlings: Comparison among 10 species at various seedbed densities

Summary The evaluation of biomass production and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg for various plant components (roots, stems, and foliage) and totals by 10 species of 2-0 coniferous seedlings grown at a controlled range of densities in a highly productive forest nursery documents considerable differences among species and seedling parameters. The species are ranked by biomass and nutrient-element relationships on a unit area of seedbed basis, quantifying the magnitude of the differences among the species at the various density levels. The 10 species include Abies balsamea, Larix leptolepis, Picea abies, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Picea pungens, Pinus resinosa, Pinus strobus, Pinus sylvestris, and Pseudotsuga menziesii.Contribution of the Forest Resources Council, School of Environmental and Resource Management, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York 13210.Contribution of the Forest Resources Council, School of Environmental and Resource Management, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York 13210.     

Nutrient content of throughfall and stemflow in fertilized and irrigatedPinus resinosa ait. Stands

Summary The P, K, Ca, and Mg contents of throughfall and stemflow from K-fertilized and/or irrigated plots from adjacent sites differing in productivity in 39-year-oldPinus resinosa plantations were determined. The amounts of these elements leached from the tree canopies (throughfall plus stemflow) during April through October varied significantly according to site and treatment. These amounts ranged in kg per ha from −0.03 to 0.23 for P, 2.05 to 8.78 for K, 1.55 to 3.63 for Ca, and 0.02 to 0.44 for Mg. Leaching of P, K, and Ca from the trees was usually greater on the more productive site than on the poorer one. In general, the fertilization treatment was correlated with increasing amounts of P, K, and Ca leached, whereas the irrigation treatment was correlated with decreasing amounts of P, K, and Ca leached. For Mg, leaching was consistently greater on the poorer site than on the more productive one; further, it was greatest on the control plots and least on plots both fertilized and irrigated. Gross precipitation of 61.26 cm contained P, K, Ca, and Mg in amounts of 0.33, 0.84, 2.96, and 0.83 kg per ha, respectively. Volumes of both throughfall and stemflow were significantly affected by site conditions. Although throughfall was not affected by treatment, stemflow varied significantly according to plot treatment and was also highly and positively correlated with tree diameter. Stemflow accounted for about 2 per cent of the total water volume collected beneath the canopies, and contained, on a relative basis, considerably less P, an equivalent amount of K, twice as much Mg, and four times as much Ca as throughfall. Contribution of the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Forest Service, USDA, and Department of Silviculture and Forest Influences, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210.     

Differential foliar responses of northern hardwoods to fertilization

A 70-year-old thinned northeastern Fagus-Betula-Acer stand in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York was fertilized with varying combinations of N, P, K, and lime in the spring of 1976.Betula alleghaniensis Brit.,Acer saccharum Marsh.,Acer rubrum L., andFagus grandifolia Ehrh. foliage was collected in the autumn for 1974 through 1977 and analyzed for foliage areas and weights, and levels of ash, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, and Co. Comparisons are made within species and among treatments, expressed as concentrations on a dry weight basis. Elemental composition is examined to determine the differential foliar responses to fertilization.Contribution of State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210.The authors are Graduate Research Assistant, Director of Huntington Forest, Technical Research Assistant, and Professor of Forest Soil Science (now deceased), SUNY, respectively.     

Responses of single receptor cells in the pine engraver beetle,Ips pini (SAY) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to its aggregation pheromone,ipsdienol, and the aggregation inhibitor,ipsenol

Summary Responses of single olfactory cells on the antennal club ofIps pini have been recorded electrophysiologically. The majority of cells were strongly activated by either/or of the two behavior-modifying chemicals, the aggregation pheromone ipsdienol and the aggregation inhibitor ipsenol. Simultaneous stimulation with these terpence alcohols showed that ipsenol had no inhibitory effect on the receptor responses to ipsdienol. It appears that the behavioral inhibition by ipsenol on the attraction of ipsdienol results from central integration of the information from separate receptor cells rather than blockage at the peripheral receptors.This work was carried out at the College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, SUNY, Syracuse. We are grateful to Professor R.M. Silverstein and his staff for provision of purified compounds and laboratory facilities. We also acknowledge with thanks the provision of equipment and laboratory facilities by Professor D. Tapper, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University.     

Nutrient element accumulation and distribution in an intensively cultured American sycamore plantation

Summary American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) plantations were intensively cultured on floodplain and terrace sites near the Ohio River in western Kentucky. Biomass and nutrient uptake under various spacing and fertilizer treatments were investigated by total tree analysis techniques. Nutrient element concentrations of sample trees were affected by site and fertilizer treatment but not by spacing. The order of nutrient concentrations were: N> Ca>K>Mg>P>Mn. Branches and foliage of saplings harvested 3 growing seasons after planting accounted for 45 to 70 per cent of the nutrient elements found in the above-ground tree parts. Comparison of the estimated annual nutrient removals with estimated annual inputs from precipitation, mineral weathering and mineralization of organic matter indicates that removal of the total above-ground tree components can have an important effect on soil nutrient reserves.The investigation reported in this paper (76-8-129) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director.The authors are Graduate Assistant, Michigan State University; Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, Department of Forestry University of Kentucky.The authors are Graduate Assistant, Michigan State University; Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, Department of Forestry University of Kentucky.     

Distributional gradients and variability of macroelement concentrations in the crowns of plantation grownPinus resinosa (AIT.)

Summary The vertical distribution of inorganic nutrient concentrations in red pine were dependent on the foliage age. Older foliage did not show an average vertical gradient while younger foliage did show a significant gradient. Horizontal gradients across foliage age classes in a branch whorl were consistent for all branch whorls, but the relative difference between the concentration of the current foliage and foliage three years-old or older was dependent on crown position. Coefficients of variation (CV) did not show a variability gradient in the crown for nitrogen and phosphorus. Variability of potassium tended to decrease as foliage age increased. Contribution of the University of Florida, Soil Science Department, Gainesville, FL and State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 3017.     

Comparison of predicted with actual body weight selection gains of Coturnix coturnix japonica

Summary Results of nine generations of individual selection for six-week large and small body weight of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) are reported. The objectives of this study were three-fold: 1) To estimate genetic variation of body weight of Coturnix quail at six weeks; 2) To predict selection gains when selecting on an individual basis for large and small body weight; and 3) To conduct a selection program for large and small females and males, respectively, with greater response in the positive direction. Generally the actual gain was predicted more accurately in the females than in the males.Scientific Paper No. 4098, College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, U.S.A. Project No. 1915.AFGRAD Fellow and Professor of Genetics, DepartmentAFGRAD Fellow and Professor of Genetics, Department     

光质对杉木种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

光是影响森林早期天然更新(种子萌发和幼苗生长)的重要因子之一.但光质对杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata(Lamb.) Hook)早期更新的影响尚不清楚.为探讨光质对杉木种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响机制,以杉木种子为研究对象,通过设置8h白光(W)、8h红光(R)、6h红光-2 h远红光(R-FR)、4h红光-2 h远红光-2 h红光(R-FR-R)、黑暗(D,对照)5种不同光质处理,观察种子萌发及幼苗生长特征.结果表明,不同光质处理对杉木种子萌发影响显著,D和R-FR-R处理促进杉木种子萌发,R处理抑制种子萌发.最后一次照光选择红光处理(R和R-FR-R)能够显著促进杉木幼苗根和子叶的伸长,促进生物量积累以及增加叶生物量分配比例,但抑制茎的伸长,远红光处理则促进茎的生长.杉木种子为光不敏感种子,黑暗处理下萌发率最高,且远红光间断处理能够相对促进其萌发,说明杉木种子可以较好地适应异质光环境.     

A Comprehensive Energy and Economic Assessment of Biofuels: When “Green” Is Not Enough

Referee: Dr. Charles A. S. Hall, Department of Environmental Studies, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210 Biofuel production systems are sometimes claimed to be able to fill in for future fossil fuel shortages as well as to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. As such, they are often promoted as a “green” alternative to fossil fuels. I present a comprehensive, system-based case study of biofuel production from maize or corn (Zea mays L.) and evaluate it critically in this review. The case study is taken as an example of the comprehensive approach that I suggest for any energy crop. I conclude that the biofuel option on a large scale is not a viable alternative based on economic, energy and eMergy (amount of available energy [exergy] of one form [usually solar] that is directly or indirectly required to provide a given flow or storage of exergy or matter) analyses of the case study data and estimated possible improvement of yield and efficiency. This is true for developed countries due to their huge energy demand compared with what biofuel options are able to supply as well as for developing countries due to the low yield of their agriculture and competition for land and water for food production. However, biofuels may contribute to optimizing the energy and resource balance of agricultural, livestock, or industrial production systems at an appropriate scale. I present a proposal to integrate ethanol production with industrial activities within a “zero emission framework” as a suggestion for optimization strategies capable of making the biofuel option more sustainable and profitable in those cases where it is appropriate.     

机械刺激对匍匐茎型植物蛇莓(Duchesnea indica)克隆可塑性的影响（英文）

机械刺激(mechanical stimuli, MS)在自然界的分布较为普遍,然而关于机械刺激对匍匐茎型克隆植物影响的研究相对较少。为此,实验对匍匐茎型克隆植物蛇莓(Duchesneaindica)进行了对照(无机械刺激)、克隆片段顶部刺激、半克隆片段刺激和整克隆片段刺激共四个水平的机械刺激处理,通过研究蛇莓克隆生长的响应,探讨机械刺激对其作用机理。结果表明:与对照相比,机械刺激导致蛇莓产生较多的分株、较多的匍匐茎、短而细的叶柄及较多的根生物量分配。同时,不同作用位点的机械刺激对各生理生长指标的效应差异并不显著。另外,通过对各生长指标表型可塑性指数的分析发现,分株数具有较高的可塑性指数。上述实验结果表明,蛇莓可以较好地适应机械刺激干扰的生境,其分株数可以作为其响应程度的较好的指示指标。     

封育年限对岩溶植被组成和土壤肥力修复的影响

岩溶植被修复是国家重大战略需求,为揭示封育年限对岩溶植被组成和土壤肥力修复的影响,该研究以空间代替时间的方法,选择不同封育年限的草丛(封育5 a)、灌丛(15 a)、灌乔林(25 a)、次顶极乔林(35 a)和顶极乔林(55 a)作为研究对象,调查分析不同封育年限岩溶植被组成和土壤肥力的特征及其修复机制。结果表明:研究样地(18 000 m ^2)共有维管植物175种,隶属74科139属,不同封育年限群落科属种组成明显不同,以封育5 a的最低(6科19属20种),封育35 a的最高(48科74属88种)。随着封育期延长,乔木生活型比例显著增加,灌木为先增后减,草本急剧减少,藤本先增后减。随着进展演替,群落不同层次的优势种替代规律不同,草本层为阳性杂草→阳性禾草→中生性或阴生性蕨类植物的有序性替代;灌木层为灌木种类被乔木幼苗幼树所替代;而乔木层却表现为常绿种类占优势到常绿与落叶树种共优势的结构性替代。封育初期群落物种组成简单,多样性较低,土壤有机质、全氮、有效氮含量较低,进入中期(25 a),多样性升高,土壤养分含量也增高,进入后期(55 a),多样性降低,土壤养分含量也相应下降,但维持在较高水平,表现出较强的协同修复效应。冗余分析(RDA)表明,群落物种组成在封育初期受土壤容重(SBD)、毛管孔隙度(CP)、全钾(TK)、速效钾(AK)、速效磷(AP)的显著影响,而在中后期则受土壤有机质(SOM)、水分含量(MC)、非毛管孔隙度(NCP)、全氮(TN)、有效氮(AN)以及碳氮磷化学计量比的显著影响。     

Q & A. Carl R. Woese. [interview

Carl R. Woese was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. His undergraduate training was at Amherst College (AB 1950) and graduate work at Yale University (PhD 1953). He is currently the Stanley O. Ikenberry University Professor and Center for Advanced Study Professor of Microbiology at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), where he has been for the past forty years. He was trained as a biophysicist and molecular biologist. He views himself as a molecular biologist in search of Biology. Consequently, his career has been devoted to using molecular methods to approach evolutionary problems. His most notable accomplishments have been determining the universal phylogenetic tree, through molecular sequence analysis, and the discovery of the Archaea, the so-called ‘third form’ of life. For these he has received numerous awards, including a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Award, the Leeuwenhoek Medal 1990 (Netherlands Royal Academy), the Waksman Award (National Academy of Science USA), and the Crafoord Prize (Swedish Royal Academy). At present he works on the evolution of cellular organization.     

人工湿地植物种类和多样性对氧化亚氮释放及功能基因丰度的影响

为了解人工湿地处理中碳/氮水平的废水时植物种类及多样性对系统氧化亚氮释放及功能基因丰度的影响,本研究构建了实验尺度的垂直流人工湿地微宇宙实验系统.选取芦苇(Phragmites australis)、千屈菜(Lythrum salicaria)和海寿花(Pontederia cordata)3种人工湿地常用、景观效果好的植物,在系统中配置了3个单种处理和1个三物种混种处理.结果表明:芦苇、千屈菜与海寿花混种系统的氧化亚氮释放强度(24597.0 μg N2O·m-2·d^-1)高于三物种单种系统的平均值(11744.8 μg N2O·m^-2·d^-1)(P<0.001),同氧化亚氮释放一样,混种系统的amoA基因绝对丰度(6.33× 10^7 copies·g^-1 soil)和nirS基因绝对丰度(1.92× 106 copies·g^-1 soil)也高于三物种单种系统的平均值(5.70×10^7和1.58×10^6 copies·g^-1 soil).此外,混种系统的出水硝态氮浓度低于三物种单种系统的平均值(P<0.05),但出水硝态氮浓度、微生物量和植物生物量在单混种系统间无显著差异(P>0.05).3个单种系统间的氧化亚氮释放强度、amoA基因绝对丰度、nirS基因绝对丰度、出水铵态氮浓度、微生物量和植物生物量存在显著差异(P<0.01),但出水硝态氮无显著差异(P>0.05).通过植物种类和丰富度对各指标变异的解释度发现,植物种类和丰富度分别解释变异的比率存在一定差异,总体上,植物丰富度对氧化亚氮释放、amoA基因绝对丰度和nirS基因绝对丰度的影响大于植物种类,植物种类对出水硝态氮浓度的影响大于植物丰富度.     

藏东南川滇高山栎种群不同生长阶段的空间格局与关联性

运用点格局分析方法中Ripley L函数,对藏东南川滇高山栎种群不同生长阶段的空间格局及其关联性进行分析.结果表明： 藏东南川滇高山栎种群径级结构呈单峰型,小树与中树的数量在整个种群中占绝对优势,整个种群自然更新状况良好,属增长型种群.川滇高山栎种群在从小树发育到大树的过程中,小树、中树在小尺度上均呈明显的聚集分布,而大树在整个尺度上基本上呈随机分布.小树与中树、大树间在小尺度上有显著的相关性,而中树与大树不相关.川滇高山栎种群在从小树、中树发育到大树的过程中,其空间格局由聚集分布到随机分布.川滇高山栎种群的自然更新受种间竞争的影响,也受种内竞争的影响.在自然环境条件相似下,影响川滇高山栎种群分布格局的最主要因素是其自身的生物、生态学特性.     

Terpene production and growth of three Pacific Northwest conifers in response to simulated browse and nutrient availability

Natural variation in ungulate browsing behavior interferes with the understanding of plant morphological and biochemical responses to herbivory. To investigate mechanisms for recovery from herbivory, we examined growth patterns and biosynthesis of terpenoids under simulated browse (three clipping intensities) and supplemental mineral nutrition (four levels of controlled-release fertilization) for Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco], western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Raf. Sarg.), and western red-cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) seedlings on a reforestation site in Northwestern Oregon, USA, that was fenced to exclude ungulates. Higher clipping intensities increased relative height growth (at cost of diameter growth) for all the species. Only western red-cedar showed a decline in monoterpene concentrations with increasing clipping severity, suggesting prioritization in biosynthesis of terpenoids for this species. Douglas-fir and western hemlock responded to fertilization mostly through increased growth. Western red-cedar growth responses to fertilization were less pronounced, but monoterpene concentrations were 2–3 times higher compared to non-fertilized trees. Douglas-fir and western hemlock browse recovery and responses to fertilization consisted primarily of increased growth, while western red-cedar balanced growth promotion with production of chemical defense compounds. Our data suggests the evolution of species-dependent resource allocation strategies in response to both browse and soil nutrient availability.     

Growth strategies differentiate the spatial patterns of 11 dipterocarp species coexisting in a Malaysian tropical rain forest

We examined relationships between mortality rate, relative growth rate (RGR), and spatial patterns of three growth stages (small, medium, and large trees) for 11 dipterocarp species in the Pasoh 50-ha plot. Mortality rates for these species tended to be positively correlated with RGRs, although the correlation was significant only at the small-tree stage. Seven species with high growth and mortality rates exhibited peaks in spatial aggregation at small distances (<100 m) in small trees, but this aggregation disappeared in medium and large trees. In contrast, the other four species with low growth and mortality rates aggregated at large distances (>200 m) throughout the three growth stages in all but one species. Negative associations between different growth stages were observed only for the high-mortality species, suggesting density-dependent mortality. The high-mortality species showed habitat associations with topography, soil type, and the forest regeneration phase after gap formation, whereas the three low-mortality species only had associations with the forest regeneration phase. A randomization procedure revealed that these habitat associations explained little of their spatial aggregation. Our results suggest that the growth strategy has a large effect on the structuring of the spatial distribution of tree species through mortality processes.     

Relationship among irrigation-media regimes and plant growth

Summary Factors limiting growth in media culture are oxygen, nutrients and water. These factors are dependent on particle diameter, nutrient solution composition, and irrigation frequency. This study evaluated combinations of trickle irrigation frequencies and particle sizes of media on the growth ofChrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. irrigated with a complete nutrient solution. Plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and flower diameter were used to measure growth. Media used were: coarse incinerated anthracite refuse, fine incinerated anthracite refuse, and soil material from the B21 horizon of Gatesburg sand. Irrigation frequencies were: once per day, four times per day at 4-h. intervals, and constantly during the 13 daylight hours. Fine incinerated anthracite refuse irrigated constantly and every 4 hours produced chrysanthemums with significantly greater height, fresh weight and flower diameter than other treatments, whereas Gatesburg sand irrigated daily resulted in less growth than other treatments. Excess water held in finer textured media causes oxygen deficiency and substandard growth. Authorized for publication November 5, 1973 as paper no.4561 of the Journal series of the Pennsylvania Agr. Exp. Sta., University Park, Pa. 16802. The authors gratefully acknowledge support from The United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.), through a 211 (d) grant to the Agronomy Department at The Pennsylvania State University. The information and conclusions in this paper do not necessarily reflect the position of AID or the U.S. Government. Research Assistant, Associate Professor of Floriculture, Associate Professor of Soil Genesis and Morphology, and Associate Professor of International Agronomy, respectively.