Genetic variation of liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis Schreb.) in Bavaria against the background of seed transfer guidelines in forestry and restoration

The liver leaf, Hepatica nobilis (Ranunculaceae), is a perennial forest understory herb with specific habitat requirements, which occurs on calcareous soils in beech and oak forests. In Bavaria it can be found, therefore, only in four geographic regions, which are Franconia, the Franconian-Swabian Jura, the prealpine transitions region and the prealpine moraine belt with the Alps. In German forestry, provenance delineations are used since 1987. Similarly for herbs seed provenances and production areas are applied in commercial seed production and restoration. In this study we analyzed whether the genetic variation of H. nobilis reflects the geographic distribution of the species in Bavaria or the provenance delineations used for seed production.We applied AFLPs to study genetic variation within and between 24 populations of H. nobilis.Our analysis revealed high levels of genetic variation within and moderate variation between populations. Variation between seed production areas and seed provenances was low and comparable to the variation between geographic regions. Genetic variation within populations or rare fragments did not differ between production areas, provenances or geographic regions. A significant positive relation of genetic and geographic distances was present within 100 km.Pollination and seed dispersal seem mainly to happen within populations of the myrmecochorous H. nobilis, whereas long-distance dispersal is presumably occasional and random. Our study supports the relevance of dispersal traits for seed collections used in conservation. The protection of historically old beech and oak forests is exceedingly important to preserve the genetic variation of H. nobilis in Bavaria.     

Variation in the phenology of photosynthesis among eastern white pine provenances in response to warming

In higher‐latitude trees, temperature and photoperiod control the beginning and end of the photosynthetically active season. Elevated temperature (ET) has advanced spring warming and delayed autumn cooling while photoperiod remains unchanged. We assessed the effects of warming on the length of the photosynthetically active season of three provenances of Pinus strobus L. seedlings from different latitudes, and evaluated the accuracy of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the chlorophyll/carotenoid index (CCI) for tracking the predicted variation in spring and autumn phenology of photosynthesis among provenances. Seedlings from northern, local and southern P. strobus provenances were planted in a temperature‐free‐air‐controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) experiment and exposed to ET (+1.5/3°C; day/night). Over 18 months, we assessed photosynthetic phenology by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, leaf spectral reflectance and pigment content. During autumn, all seedlings regardless of provenance followed the same sequence of phenological events with the initial downregulation of photosynthesis, followed by the modulation of non‐photochemical quenching and associated adjustments of zeaxanthin pool sizes. However, the timing of autumn downregulation differed between provenances, with delayed onset in the southern provenance (SP) and earlier onset in the northern relative to the local provenance, indicating that photoperiod at the provenance origin is a dominant factor controlling autumn phenology. Experimental warming further delayed the downregulation of photosynthesis during autumn in the SP. A provenance effect during spring was also observed but was generally not significant. The vegetation indices PRI and CCI were both effective at tracking the seasonal variations of energy partitioning in needles and the differences of carotenoid pigments indicative of the stress status of needles. These results demonstrate that PRI and CCI can be useful tools for monitoring conifer phenology and for the remote monitoring of the length of the photosynthetically active season of conifers in a changing climate.     

不同地理种源西南桦苗木的耐热性研究

由于受全球气候变化的影响,近年来我国一些地区出现了异常高温天气,这越来越引起林业工作者的重视。以亚热带珍贵用材树种西南桦为研究对象,以采集于我国广西和云南两省区12个种源的西南桦种子所育苗木为实验材料,对不同种源苗木在41C高温处理下的生理指标(叶片电导率、净光合速率、蒸腾速率和根系活力)的变化进行了综合评价,来选择耐热性优良的种源。结果表明,各生理指标在高温处理后与处理前相比发生了较为明显的变化,其中,叶片电导率增高为对照温度(25C)的1．2倍,光合速率、蒸腾速率和根系活力则分别只有对照温度的60％、21％和6％;方差分析发现,在对照温度下,各生理指标在不同种源间的差别不明显,而在41C高温处理后,这种差异达到显著程度。用模糊数学的隶属度函数对参加试验的12个种源西南桦苗木的耐热性进行综合评价发现,凌云种源的耐热性最强,建议作为推荐优先发展的种源。     

不同产地苍术药材化学成分的比较

江苏、安徽及湖北５个产地苍术（Ａｔｒａｃｔｙｌｏｄｅｓｌａｎｃｅａ（Ｔｈｕｎｂ．）ＤＣ．）商品药材的化学分析结果表明：它们在某些药材性状、一些常规化学成分、挥发油成分和含量上存在显著差异。江苏茅苍术根茎挥发油的化学成分复杂,由此探讨了它作为地道药材的特殊性。同时对苍术的“断面暴露稍久可析出结晶”的性状和《药典》（１９９０年版）规定的“层析谱上应显有苍术素斑点”的鉴别实验进行讨论。     

不同地理种源杜仲叶片中丁香脂素二糖甙和京尼平甙酸含量的分析

杜仲(Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.)为中国特有的重要经济树种.传统上取其皮入药,但有研究表明杜仲叶片中的化学成分与皮相同且药理作用相似[1].杜仲的皮叶中主要药用成分为环烯醚萜类和木脂素类等次生代谢产物[1].丁香脂素二糖甙(SGD)为木脂素类化合物,对磷酸二酯酶(CAMP)有很强的抑制活性[2];京尼平甙酸(GA)为环烯醚萜类化合物,也是杜仲皮叶中的主要成分之一,具有导泻[3]、抗高血压[4]以及预防性功能低下、增强记忆功能、抗癌、抗氧化、促进胆汁分泌等功能[1].有研究表明, 不同地理种源、不同季节的杜仲叶片中的活性成分的含量差异明显[5].因此,研究不同地理种源春、秋季杜仲叶片中丁香素二糖甙和京尼平甙酸的含量的差异,可以为杜仲的选择育种和叶片适时采收提供科学依据.     

Seed weight patterns of Acacia tortilis from seven seed provenances across Botswana

Laboratory‐based seed storage systems have been developed as an alternative to in situ conservation for indigenous woody plant species. However, interactions between seed quality and environmental variables must be known for each species prior to seed collection, storage and sowing to ensure effective conservation. This study investigated Acacia tortilis seed weight/quality patterns across seven Botswana seed provenances in relation to: soil nutrient status, altitude; latitude; slope angle; % grass cover; height and density of other woody plants nearby. The higher rainfall and relatively eutrophic seed provenances of north‐western Botswana (Chobe, Okavango and Makgadikgadi) were associated with large A. tortilis species and seeds, as well as higher densities of woody plants. Spatial variation in seed weights of A. tortilis was principally a function of rainfall and soil organic carbon. Although more work is required to establish the relationship between seed weight and germination rates for A. tortilis, this research suggests that seed collection should focus on sites with high levels of rainfall and soil organic carbon.     

不同地理种源杉木根叶功能性状与碳氮磷化学计量分析

为认识地理环境因子对不同种源杉木的影响及其响应和适应特征,对生长在同质园的7个种源3年生杉木王幼树根、叶功能性状及碳氮磷化学计量与环境因子的关系进行了研究。结果表明:不同地理种源杉木功能性状种源间变异系数为7.3%-18.9%,化学计量种源间变异系数为1.6%-18.9%,均小于20%,叶、根C含量变异系数较小,说明C是植物体最稳定的元素。不同地理种源杉木幼树叶厚、比叶面积、叶组织密度、比叶重、叶干物质含量差异显著,表明杉木叶片形态具有较强的可塑性来适应不同种源地地理环境变化。不同地理种源杉木根N含量、根C∶N和根C∶P差异极显著,反映不同种源地气候与土壤养分对根系化学计量特征的潜在影响。江西文公山种源的杉木比叶面积最大,比根长、根干物质含量最小;安徽休宁种源的杉木叶片C含量、C∶P、根C∶N、N∶P最小,细根N、P含量最高;江西安福山种源的杉木细根C∶N最大,叶片N∶P、细根C、N、P含量、C∶N、C∶P最小。不同种源地经度与杉木叶组织密度、叶C∶P呈极显著正相关。随着降水梯度升高,不同种源杉木叶根N∶P、比叶面积、比叶重升高。随海拔升高和气温的降低,叶片厚度增加,叶组织密度密度减小,叶干物质含量减小,比叶面积减小。对不同地理种源杉木功能性状间的权衡关系分析表明,不同种源杉木根比表面积与比叶面积呈显著负相关且与比叶重呈极显著正相关,叶片及细根N含量与P含量均呈极显著正相关,说明杉木叶、根面积存在关联性,根长与根面积生长趋势相同,根叶对N、P元素含量的响应也相同。     

Intra-specific variation in growth and P accumulation of Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium as influenced by soil phosphate status

Twenty-three provenances of Gliricidia sepium and eleven isolines of Leucaena leucocephala were examined at a low and at high phosphate levels (20 and 80 mg P kg^-1 soil) for growth, phosphate (P) uptake and use efficiency. Large differences in growth at the low P level, and in growth response to the higher P rate occurred among L. leucocephala isolines and G. sepium provenances. Shoot dry weight at low P varied from 1.30 to 3.01 g plant^-1 for L. leucocephala and from 1.44 to 3.07 g plant^-1 for G. sepium.Leucaena isolines had only half the root weight of G. sepium provenances yet produced approximately 90% of the shoot weight of the corresponding G. sepium treatments, i.e. more than a 2-fold difference in root/shoot ratios. Total P in shoots of G. sepium was some 85% greater than of the respective L. leucocephala isolines in corresponding treatments. Physiological phosphate use efficiency (g shoot/mg P in shoots) (PPUE) was not a simple reciprocal relation, being markedly lower at higher shoot % P and content. However, for the same shoot P both species produced the same shoot weight. Nevertheless, there were apparent genotypic differences within species in the root development, shoot P and PPUE.In another study, the numbers of rhizobia in the rhizosphere of L. leucocephala, nodulation, N₂ fixation at five different levels of P were determined. The numbers of rhizobia in the rhizosphere of inoculated L. leucocephala during the first two weeks were lower when P was added but later became similar to those without added P. Nodules formed earlier than inoculated plants fertilized with P and in greater numbers (4- to 5-fold) and dry weights than in those without P. However, the percentage of N₂ derived from fixation did not change with increasing levels of P application. These results suggest that the observed P effect did not operate via stimulated growth of rhizobia in the rhizosphere, nor through increased N₂ fixation rate. The major effect appeared to be due to effects via plant growth.     

Microsatellite variation and assessment of genetic structure in tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia– Myrtaceae)

Analysis of five microsatellite loci in 500 Melaleuca alternifolia individuals produced 98 alleles that were useful for population genetic studies. Considerable levels of observed heterozygosity were recorded (HO = 0.724), with approximately 90% of the variability being detected within populations. A low level of selfing (14%) was suggested to be the principal cause of excess homozygosity in a number of populations (overall FIS = 0.073). This study showed low levels of inbreeding in certain populations as well as a significant isolation-by-distance model. Only two groups of populations (Queensland and New South Wales) constituted different genetic provenances as a result of geographical isolation. The M. alternifolia data suggest that microsatellite loci did not always arise by a stepwise mutation process but that larger jumps in allele size may be involved in their evolution.