Why do early-emerging tree seedlings have survival advantages?: a test using acer rubrum (Aceraceae)

In forest understories, tree seedlings that germinate and emerge early in the growing season have significant survival advantages. We hypothesized that (a) early emergence is related to seed size and half-sib family, and (b) increased survival is due to reduced competition for resources. To test these hypotheses, we collected seeds of Acer rubrum from four half-sib families and planted them in the understory of a South Carolina floodplain forest. In one experiment, date of emergence was not related to seed size or half-sib family. However, our method of seed collection may have underestimated variability among half-sib families. In a second experiment, seeds were spread onto 20 understory plots, half of which were trenched to reduce root competition with overstory trees. One-year survival and biomass were greater for early- than for later-emerging cohorts. Trenching changed biomass distribution among aboveground parts and may have increased total biomass, but had essentially no impact on survival or root mass. Variation in plot flooding resulted in large differences in timing of emergence, survival, and biomass. For Acer rubrum, the survival advantage accorded by early emergence may be more related to flooding, light conditions, and genetic heterogeneity than to seed size or avoidance of root competition.     

濒危植物庙台槭生殖生物学研究1.花序和花的形态及发育

庙台械的花序为有限花序,由一顶花和6—9枝侧花枝组成,属圆锥状聚伞花序。一个花序共有14—29朵花,包括两性花、雄花和无性花三类花。根据花在花序上着生的位置,可分为三级。7月初,花序原基形成,在花序轴伸长的同时,侧面形成侧花枝轴原基。花序的顶花最早进行个体发育,随后是侧花枝顶花;侧花枝上同一级花的发育顺序则是从花序的下面向上进行。花器官发生时,花萼原基最先形成,然后是花瓣、雄蕊、心皮和胚珠。     

Early gap successional pathways in a Fagus-Acer forest preserve: pattern and determinants

Abstract. Many theories of forest succession imply that terrestrial plant community composition within a region tends to converge toward a climax community. That is, given similar climatic and edaphic conditions, succession at different sites within an area will lead to comparable species compositions, a pattern referred to as successional convergence. In this study, we examine changes in plant composition within forest canopy gaps over a 17-yr period to identify potential patterns of successional convergence and to ascertain the factors controlling the successional pathway. To do so, we: (1) sampled 36 forest canopy gaps in Hueston Woods Nature Preserve in 1977, 1981, 1985, 1989 and 1993, (2) evaluated changes in the similarity of gap composition over this period, and (3) examined gap composition in each year as a function of variables describing gap habitat, seed source proximity, and disturbance history. Results indicated an initial pattern of successional divergence, with gaps exhibiting increased dissimilarity over the first 10–12 years of succession. We attribute this initial period of divergence to the effects of differential seed inputs from edge individuals and heterogeneity of available light due to differences in gap size. Recent surveys, however, indicated that gap composition has become more similar as competition within gaps has become more intense. In these samples, gap composition is closely linked to site conditions, including slope, soil conditions, and site exposure. Finally, while these patterns may suggest equilibrium-oriented dynamics, non-equilibrium processes such as repeat disturbances are also evident at Hueston Woods and will likely play an important role in determining future successional pathways.     

The fusicoccin-stimulated phosphorylation of a 33 KDa polypeptide in cells of Acer pseudoplatanus as influenced by extracellular and intracellular pH

Abstract In a previous study, it was shown that the fungal toxin fusicoccin (FC) is able to stimulate the in vivo phosphorylation of a 33 KDalton polypeptide (33 KP) independently of protein synthesis. Here we show that the stimulation by FC of both proton efflux and 33 KP phosphorylation are strongly enhanced when the external medium contains K⁺ or Na⁺, suggesting that the two phenomena are related. The stimulatory effect of FC is higher in unbuffered than in buffered media; moreover, in the absence of FC, 33 KP is more phosphorylated at an acidic than at a basic pH of the medium, suggesting that the effect of FC may depend, to a certain extent, on the acidification of the free space caused by FC-promoted proton efflux. Treatments reported to alter the intracellular pH influence 33 KP phosphorylation even more strongly than the external pH does. The acidifying agents isobutyric acid and trimethylacetic acid decrease 33 KP phosphorylation, while the alkalinizing agents, ammonia and procaine, increase it. FC partially counteracts the inhibition by the weak acids, whereas the stimulatory effect of FC is not additive with that of the weak bases. The results indicate that 33 KP phosphorylation senses both the external and internal pH. The stimulatory effect of cytoplasm-alkalinizing treatments, which mimics that of FC, agrees with the reported capacity of FC to cause cytoplasmic alkalinization, following activation of the plasmalemma proton pump.     

Non-stomatal limitation of CO2 assimilation in three tree species during natural drought conditions

The effect of drought on CO₂ assimilation and leaf conductance was studied in three northern hardwood species: Quercus rubra L., Acer rubrum L. and Populus grandidentata Michx. Leaf gas exchange characteristics at two CO₂ levels (320 and 620 μl I⁻¹) and temperatures from 20 to 35°C were measured at the end of a dry period and shortly after 10 cm of rainfall. The effects of drought varied with species, temperature and CO₂ level. Calculated values of internal CO₂ concentration showed little or no decline during drought. Differences in assimilation, before vs after the rains, were most apparent at the higher CO₂ level. These latter two observations indicate nonstomatal disruption of CO₂ assimilation during the dry period. In P. grandidentata there was a substantial interaction between drought and temperature, with a resultant shift in the temperature for maximum assimilation to lower temperatures during drought. During drought, internal CO₂ concentrations increased sharply in all three species under the combined conditions of high temperatures and the higher CO₂ level.     

Water stress induced cavitation and embolism in some woody plants

A comparison was made of the relative vulnerability of xylem conduits to cavitation and embolism in three species [ Thuja occidentalis L., Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. and Acer saccharum Marsh.]. Waterlogged samples of wood were air dehydrated while measuring relative water loss, loss of hydraulic conductance, cumulative acoustic emissions (= cavitations) and xylem water potential. Most cavitation events and loss of hydraulic conductance occurred while water potential declined from – 1 to –6 MPa. There were differences in vulnerability between species. Other people have hypothesized that large xylem conduits (e.g. vessels) should be more vulnerable to cavitations than small conduits (e.g. tracheids). Our findings are contrary to this hypothesis. Under water stress, the vessel bearing wood retained water better than tracheid bearing wood. However, within a species large conduits were more prone to cavitation than small conduits.     

Modulation of the oscillatory system involved in polar transport of auxin by other phytohormones

A wave-like pattern of the basipetal efflux of natural auxin from the cambial region of a series of consecutive short sections of stems of Larix decidua Mill., Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. has been demonstrated as it was earlier reported for Pinus silvestris L. Apical application of ABA suppressed the IAA-stimulated increase of the auxin-wave amplitude, and zeatin or GA₃ prevented this repression in stem segments of Pinus silvestris . All the exogenously applied substances were highly effective in physiological concentrations. Already 20-min of exposure to IAA or ABA at the apical end produced modulations of the auxin-wave along the whole 6.6 cm long stem segment. Application of 2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) caused suppression of the wave-like pattern of auxin efflux similarly as ABA, supporting the association of the modulatory effects of ABA with the phenomena involved in polar transport of auxin. Abscisic acid applied to the basal end of the stem segment also reduced the auxin-wave amplification caused by simultaneous supply of IAA to the apical end. This finding additionally confirms the hypothesis that: 1) the supracellular auxin-wave generation is associated with the functioning of a system of oscillators coupled at the cellular level and 2) the auxin-wave modulations can be propagated acropetally, that is against the main direction of the auxin molecular transport.     

Formation of l-quebrachitol from d-bornesitol in leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus

d-Bornesitol and l-quebrachitol have been found in the leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus L. The results of incorporation studies using labeled myo-inositol-¹⁴C, l-inositol-¹⁴C and d-bornesitol-¹⁴C indicate that l-quebrachitol is produced by epimerization of d-bornesitol. In Artemisia vulgaris, however, the precursor of l-quebrachitol is l-inositol.     

Criconema proclivus n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematinae) from Woodlands

Criconema proclivis n. sp. from soil around roots of woodland trees in the northeastern USA is described and illustrated. It is characterized by a total of 67-74 annules, two naked offset head annules, a stylet length of 68.7 -80.7 μ, a sculpted vulval flap, and forward-projecting body annules. The annules at midbody are covered with a continuous fringe of 60-70 spines.