燕山山脉野生欧李群体叶表皮微形态特征研究

利用扫描电子显微镜对同一生境条件下自然生长的燕山山脉野生欧李实生群体（含嫁接类型）叶片表面微形态特征进行观测。结果表明：欧李叶表皮细胞形态存在两种类型,一类是上下表皮细胞向下凹陷相互连接形成蜂窝状,另一类是上下表皮细胞向上隆起近圆形,且上表皮细胞均具条纹状的角质层;叶片上表皮仅有表皮毛而无气孔分布,叶片下表皮仅有气孔分布;气孔突出于表皮细胞,属无规则型,气孔平均长度8.22±1.30 μm,宽度2.55±0.65 μm,大小21.64±8.60μm²,密度836.23±197.16 个/mm²;欧李群体中不同株系间、叶表皮细胞形态不同类别间气孔特征变异程度较大,可作为欧李优异种质选育和抗干旱胁迫研究的指标之一。     

Patterns of tree phenological diversity in dry tropics

Recent phenological studies in tropical deciduous forests revealed a mosaic of vegetation composed of several pheno-phases that are evolved as an adaptation by the species to overcome seasonal drought in different ways. These pheno-phases represent extent of annual deciduousness (～leaflessness) and triggering factors for buds break (e.g. vegetative and flower). Thus, studying patterns of various pheno-phases (phonological diversity) in tropical forest have been thought to provide a potential tool to address critical questions related to climate change modeling and monitoring. In tropics, tree species represent a gradient of deciduousness (from leaf-exchanging species to >6 months deciduous species) and flowering initiation (breaking of flower buds in various part of annual cycle). Both processes are mostly triggered by variation in day length and/or temperature during late dry season/autumn, and/or first significant rain during rainy season. In addition, few factors like drought induced leaf fall and sporadic winter rains are supposed to affect these processes temporarily. Besides, the abundances of pheno-phases (i.e. leafing and flowering) also vary among tropical deciduous forest trees. Presence of such variations in tropical tree pheno-phases and their abundances are reported to vary due to micro-climatic variables and has specific implications in tropical forests. Present paper discusses the existing information on various pheno-phases and their abundances in tropical forests and role of climatic factors on tree phonological diversity. Further, we emphasized the need to develop predicting understanding of impending climatic change (i.e. precipitation and temperature) on diversity of pheno-phases by collecting long-term data on tree pheno-phases through a network of phonological stations in dry tropics.     

Interacting elevated CO2 and tropospheric O3 predisposes aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) to infection by rust (Melampsora medusae f. sp. tremuloidae)

We investigated the interaction of elevated CO₂ and/or (Ozone) O₃ on the occurrence and severity of aspen leaf rust (Melampsora medusae Thuem. f. sp. tremuloidae) on trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Furthermore, we examined the role of changes in leaf surface properties induced by elevated CO₂ and/or O₃ in this host–pathogen interaction. Three‐ to five‐fold increases in levels of rust infection index were found in 2 consecutive years following growing‐season‐long exposures with either O₃ alone or CO₂ + O₃ depending on aspen clone. Examination of leaf surface properties (wax appearance, wax amount, wax chemical composition, leaf surface and wettability) suggested significant effects by O₃ and CO₂ + O₃. We conclude that elevated O₃ is altering aspen leaf surfaces in such a way that it is likely predisposing the plants to increased infection by aspen leaf rust.     

Systematic variation in leaf amino acid compositions of leguminous plants

The leaf protein content for 17 species of legumes ranges from 2.8 to 9.4 g% fr. wt, with an average of 5.3 g % fr. wt. Taxonomic pattern is detectable in leaf amino acid patterns, those of the Mimosoideae being distinguishable from those of the Papilionoideae and Caesalpinioideae.     

Methylated flavonoids from cistus ladanifer and cistuspalhinhae and their taxonomic implications

Three methylated kaempferol and two methylated apigenin derivatives were identified in the leaf resins of Cistus ladanifer and C. palhinhae. The two species produced identical secreted flavonoids which supports their close affinity based on morphological similarities.     

Leaf development and photosynthetic properties of three tropical tree species with delayed greening

Leaf developmental patterns were characterized for three tropical tree species with delayed greening. Changes in the pigment contents, photosynthetic capacity, stomata development, photosystem 2 efficiency, rate of energy dissipation, and the activity of partial protective enzymes were followed in developing leaves in an attempt to elucidate the relative importance of various photoprotective mechanisms during leaf ontogeny. Big leaves of Anthocephalus chinensis, a fast-growing light demanding species, expanded following an exponential pattern, while relatively small leaves of two shade-tolerant species Litsea pierrei and Litsea dilleniifolia followed a sigmoidal pattern. The juvenile leaves of A. chinensis and L. pierrei contained anthocyanin located below the upper epidermis, while L. dilleniifolia did not contain anthocyanin. Leaves of A. chinensis required about 12 d for full leaf expansion (FLE) and photosynthetic development was delayed 4 d, while L. pierrei and L. dilleniifolia required 18 or 25 d for FLE and photosynthetic development was delayed 10 or 15 d, respectively. During the leaf development the increase in maximum net photosynthetic rate was significantly related to changes in stomatal conductance and the leaf maturation period was positively related to the steady-state leaf dry mass per area for the three studied species. Dark respiration rate of leaves at developing stages was greater, and pre-dawn initial photochemical efficiency was lower than that of mature leaves. Young leaves displayed greater energy dissipation than mature leaves, but nevertheless, the diurnal photoinhibition of young L. dilleniifolia leaves was higher than that of mature leaves. The young red leaves of A. chinensis and L. pierrei with high anthocyanin contents and similar diurnal photoinhibition contained more protective enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase) than mature leaves. Consequently, red leaves may have higher antioxidant ability.