Cell-specific chemotyping and multivariate imaging by combined FT-IR microspectroscopy and orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) analysis reveals the chemical landscape of secondary xylem

Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy combined with microscopy enables chemical information to be acquired from native plant cell walls with high spatial resolution. Combined with a 64 × 64 focal plane array (FPA) detector, 4096 spectra can be simultaneously obtained from a 0.3 × 0.3 mm image; each spectrum represents a compositional and structural ‘fingerprint’ of all cell wall components. For optimal use and analysis of such a large amount of information, multivariate approaches are preferred. Here, FT‐IR microspectroscopy with FPA detection is combined with orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA). This allows for: (i) the extraction of spectra from single cell types, (ii) identification and characterization of different chemotypes using the full spectral information, and (iii) further visualization of the pattern of identified chemotypes by multivariate imaging. As proof of concept, the chemotypes of Populus tremula xylem cell types are described. The approach revealed unknown features about chemical plasticity and patterns of lignin composition in wood fibers that would have remained hidden in the dataset with traditional data analysis. The applicability of the method to Arabidopsis xylem and its usefulness in mutant chemotyping is also demonstrated. The methodological approach is not limited to xylem tissues but can be applied to any plant organ/tissue also using other techniques such as Raman and UV microspectroscopy.     

Leaching potential and forms of phosphorus in deep row applied biosolids underlying hybrid poplar

Biosolids deep row incorporation (DRI) offers an alternative recycling approach for bioenergy crop production, but phosphorus additions in excess of the vegetation requirements can potentially impair water quality. The effects of DRI of anaerobically digested (AD) and lime-stabilized (LS) biosolids at four rates (213, 426 Mg ha⁻¹ for AD and 328, 656 Mg ha⁻¹ for LS) and a single rate of conventional P fertilizer on leaching of PO₄-P, and TKP were investigated in a hybrid poplar plantation in a coastal plain heavy mineral mine reclamation site. The effects of AD and LS biosolids aging on the transformations and losses of P applied with the biosolids were also studied. Zero tension lysimeters were installed at the site to collect leachate. Samples were collected at least monthly for 30 months between July 2006 and December 2008. We also analyzed biosolids P (labile P, Al-, Fe-bound-P, Ca-bound-P, total P, Mehlich 1 P) fractions. The loss of P was determined and P binding constituents were described via regression analysis. Orthophosphate and TKP from the DRI biosolids leached in negligible amounts, and were similar to leaching from conventional P fertilization. Most of the P was Al- and Fe-bound in the AD biosolids and Ca-bound in the LS biosolids. Labile P decreased with decrease in organic C, which indicated that P leaching potential from the DRI biosolids decreased with aging. Our results indicated that P mobility from biosolids of the type used should not pose a water quality risk.     

塔里木河下游河水漫溢后胡杨幼苗分布格局初探

采用最近邻体法,将Clark-Evans指数作为度量胡杨幼苗分布格局的指标,并用标准正态分布检验实际CE指数值偏离1的显著性,分析塔里木河下游河水漫溢后胡杨幼苗的分布格局。结果表明:(1)在3m×3m的样方尺度上,河水漫溢后0～1年和1～2年的胡杨幼苗呈聚集分布,漫溢后2～3年的胡杨幼苗呈均匀分布,漫溢后4～5年和5～7年的胡杨幼苗呈随机分布。(2)在3m×3m的样方尺度上,随着胡杨幼苗年龄的增长,胡杨幼苗的空间分布格局由聚集分布转变为均匀分布,最终呈现为随机分布的格局。(3)在2m×2m至10m×10m的样方尺度上,漫溢后5～7年的胡杨幼苗空间分布格局均表现为随机分布。(4)标准正态分布检验结果显示,各个尺度上胡杨幼苗的CE值与理论值1之间的偏离均不显著,说明随着尺度的增大,胡杨幼苗的空间分布格局并没有发生显著变化,始终呈现出随机分布的格局。     

造纸废水对芦苇实生苗生长特性及根系活力的影响

以室内水培的芦苇实生苗为材料,研究6种不同化学需氧量(CODcr)浓度造纸废水处理对芦苇生长指标和根系活力的影响,为利用造纸废水修复自然环境中芦苇实生苗种群提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)不同浓度造纸废水对芦苇各器官鲜(干)重有显著的促进作用,并以中等浓度(300mg.L-1)最为明显;随着造纸废水浓度的增加,废水对芦苇各器官鲜(干)重的促进作用有所减弱,这种减弱幅度在芦苇不同器官上存在差异。(2)高浓度造纸废水导致芦苇根生物量比、根状茎生物量比降低,但影响二者降低的废水浓度存在差异;低浓度造纸废水导致芦苇茎生物量比下降,并使叶生物量比增加。(3)随着造纸废水浓度的增加,芦苇的根系活力呈先上升后下降的趋势,并以CODcr浓度为300mg.L-1时的芦苇的根系活力最强,CODcr浓度为900mg.L-1时最弱。可见,低浓度造纸废水促进了芦苇的生长和根系活力,高浓度废水促进作用减弱甚至会抑制根系活力,并以CODcr浓度为300mg.L-1时芦苇实生苗生长最好。     

杨树试管苗嫩茎生根过程中内源IAA的免疫金银定位

生长素类物质在木本植物生根过程中发挥重要作用。杨树生根与生长素的关系及生根过程中内源激素的变化已有大量报道,而生根过程中生长素的组织定位分析则尚未见报道。该文应用免疫化学分析方法对741杨（Populus alba×（P.davidiana×P.simonii）×P.tomentosa）嫩茎生根过程中内源IAA在组织中的分布进行了研究。结果显示,741杨的嫩茎在无外源激素的1/2MS培养基上诱导10天后可生根,14天后生根率达100%。诱导前,嫩茎基部组织中几乎没有IAA信号;诱导8天后,嫩茎基部维管组织中有大量的IAA积累,而且中部的维管组织中也有明显的IAA信号（主要分布在韧皮部和维管形成层）;10天后,形成不定根原基,此时IAA主要分布在根原基;12天后,根原基分化成不定根并突破表皮,IAA在不定根中的分布主要集中在根尖和中柱。该文对741杨的嫩茎生根过程中IAA的组织分布特点及运输途径进行了讨论。     

外源酚酸对欧美杨‘I-107’水培幼苗硝态氮吸收利用的影响

连作杨树人工林地力衰退可能与土壤中累积的酚酸存在密切的关系。土壤氮素供应是决定杨树生长发育的重要因素, 而硝态氮是土壤无机氮化合物的主要形式之一。研究酚酸作用下杨树对硝态氮的吸收利用对于揭示酚酸化感机理、明确林地改良的途径和方法具有重要意义。以欧美杨‘I-107’ (Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’)水培苗为试验材料, 采用改良Hoagland营养液培养, 以二代杨树连作人工林土壤酚酸的实际含量为参照浓度(X), 设置5个酚酸浓度水平(0, 0.5X, 1.0X, 1.5X, 2.0X), 分析不同浓度酚酸混合物对杨树硝态氮吸收利用的影响。分别在酚酸处理后第1、5、10、20、30和40天测定分析与硝态氮吸收利用密切相关的生理特性。试验结果表明: 酚酸处理导致根系伤害度明显提高, 根系活力受到酚酸物质的明显抑制, 处理后第40天各处理间表现出显著差异(p < 0.05); 48 h动态测定发现酚酸物质对硝态氮的吸收存在显著的抑制作用(p < 0.05); 处理后第40天, 低浓度酚酸(0.5X, 1.0X)导致硝态氮在植株体内发生积累, 而高浓度酚酸(1.5X, 2.0X)导致植株硝态氮含量下降; 酚酸物质明显抑制植株硝酸还原酶活性, 处理后第40天各处理间表现出显著差异(p < 0.05), 酚酸物质处理后期则引起亚硝态氮含量的升高。酚酸浓度与处理时间对杨树水培苗硝态氮的生理效应关系可以用多元线性模型描述。     

Loosening Xyloglucan Accelerates the Enzymatic Degradation of Cellulose in Wood

In order to create trees in which cellulose, the most abundant component in biomass, can be enzymatically hydrolyzed highly for the production of bioethanol, we examined the saccharification of xylem from several transgenic poplars, each overexpressing either xyloglucanase, cellulase, xylanase, or galactanase. The level of cellulose degradation achieved by a cellulase preparation was markedly greater in the xylem overexpressing xyloglucanase and much greater in the xylems overexpressing xylanase and cellulase than in the xylem of the wild-type plant. Although a high degree of degradation occurred in all xylems at all loci, the crystalline region of the cellulose microfibrUs was highly degraded in the xylem overexpressing xyloglucanase. Since the complex between microfibrils and xyloglucans could be one region that is particularly resistant to cellulose degradation, loosening xyloglucan could facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in wood.     

Variability of Cenococcum colonization and its ecophysiological significance for young conifers at alpine-treeline

* Plants establishing in environments that are marginal for growth could be particularly sensitive to mycorrhizal associations. We investigated ectomycorrhizal colonization and its significance for young conifers growing at, or above, their normal limits for growth, in the alpine-treeline ecotone. * Colonization of seedlings (<1 yr old) and juveniles (2- to 10-yr-old) of Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa by Cenococcum geophilum was determined in a field study, and effects of Cenococcum on Picea seedling ecophysiology were investigated in a glasshouse. * Colonization by Cenococcum was c. 20-fold greater for juveniles than seedlings, and approximately 4-fold greater adjacent compared with approximately 7 m away from trees. Juveniles of Picea were more colonized at timberline than Abies, and the opposite relationship was observed in forest. Colonization enhanced seedling water potential, but not phosphorus concentrations or photosynthesis. * These landscape and age-dependent variations in colonization correspond well with known variations in conifer physiology and establishment near timberline. Facilitation of seedling establishment by older trees at alpine-treeline may include a below-ground, mycorrhizal component that complements previously reported effects of trees on the microclimate and ecophysiology of seedlings.