A computer-operated routine of gas exchange and optical measurements to diagnose photosynthetic apparatus in leaves

Photosynthesis is a complex process whose rate is affected by many biochemical and biophysical factors. Fortunately, it is possible to determine, or at least estimate, many of the most important parameters using a combination of optical methods and gas transient analyses. We describe here a computer‐operated routine that has been developed to make detailed assessments of photosynthesis at a comprehensive level. The routine comprised the following measurements: steady‐state light and CO₂ response curves of net CO₂ assimilation at 21 and 2 kPa O₂; transients from limiting to different saturating CO₂ concentrations at 2 kPa O₂; post‐illumination CO₂ fixation transient; dark–light induction of O₂ evolution; O₂ yield from one saturating single‐turnover flash; chlorophyll fluorescence F₀, F_s and F_m during the light and CO₂ response curves; leaf transmission at 820 nm (P700⁺) during the light and CO₂ response curves; post‐illumination re‐reduction time of P700⁺. The routine was executed on a two‐channel fast‐response gas exchange measurement system (A. Laisk and V. Oja: Dynamic Gas Exchange of Leaf Photosynthesis. CSIRO, Canberra, Australia). Thirty‐six intrinsic characteristics of the photosynthetic machinery were derived, including quantum yield of CO₂ fixation (Y_CO2), time constant of P700 re‐reduction (τ′), relative optical cross‐sections of PSII and PSI antennae (a_II, a_I), PSII and PSI density per leaf area unit, plastoquinone pool, total mesophyll resistance, mesophyll diffusion resistance, V_m, K_m(CO₂) and CO₂/O₂ specificity of Rubisco, RuBP pool at CO₂ limitation (assimilatory charge). An example of the routine and calculations are shown for one leaf and data are presented for leaves of 8‐year‐old‐trees of two birch clones growing in Suonenjoki Forest Research Station, Finland, during summer 2000. Parameters Y_CO2, basic τ′, a_II, a_I, K_m(CO₂) and K_s varied little in different leaves [relative standard deviation (RSD) < 7%], other parameters scattered widely (RSD typically 10–40%). It is concluded that the little scattered parameters are determined by basic physico‐chemical properties of the photosynthetic machinery whereas the widely scattered parameters are adjusting to growth conditions. The proposed non‐destructive routine is suitable for diagnosing the photosynthetic machinery of leaves and may be applied in plant ecophysiology and in genetic engineering of plants.     

Early post-fire tree regeneration in a Picea-Vaccinium forest in northern Sweden

Abstract. Age and size structure of saplings of Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Betula pubescens were examined in a 26-yr old forest fire area in a Picea abies-Vaccinium myrtillus forest in northern Sweden. Picea, which is a shade-tolerant species, had its maximum regeneration prior to the shade-intolerant Pinus. The shift from Picea to Pinus regeneration in the late 1970s, did not seem to be related to variations in summer temperature. Instead, it is suggested that Picea established in the shade created by dead trees, and, that increased reindeer browsing of Betula in combination with a simultaneous thinning of the tree layer, favoured Pinus recruitment. These regeneration patterns do not confirm conventional views of post-fire succession in Sweden.     

Root discoloration and shoot symptoms in silver birch after Phytophthora infection in vitro

• There are no records of established plant pathogenic Phytophthora species in Finnish forests, but they are likely in the future. Therefore, the effects of Phytophthora inoculations on young, ca. 2‐month‐old silver birch (Betula pendula) seedling roots and shoots were investigated.
• Visual inspection of dark discoloration, direct PCR and re‐isolation, and detailed root morphology analyses were used to evaluate the effects of Phytophthora inoculation on roots. Symptoms in leaves and stems were also recorded.
• Phytophthora was successfully re‐isolated from 67% of the surface‐sterilized roots of inoculated seedlings, but not from the non‐inoculated control seedlings. Dark discolorations were found more often in the root segments of inoculated seedlings than in control seedlings. In the Phytophthora‐treated seedlings, discoloured root segments were usually linked and found primarily in the main root or lateral roots attached to it, whereas in the control seedlings a few single discoloured root segments were scattered throughout the root systems. The number of root segments was lower in the inoculated than in the control seedlings, indicating root loss after Phytophthora inoculation. In the shoots of inoculated birches, leaf and shoot wilting was observed.
• The appearance of wilting in shoots without visible dark discoloration in the base of stems indicated that symptoms originated from roots inoculated with Phytophthora.

     

西南桦速生单株选择

采用方差分析、遗传参数分析和聚类分析方法,在福建省华安县引种实验林进行西南桦(Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham.ex D. Don)速生单株选择,从25个种源中筛选出8个优良种源,树高平均遗传增益为10.4%.对8个种源中69个家系进行聚类分析,选择出13个速生家系,树高的平均遗传增益为29.4%.运用K快速聚类法从95个单株中筛选出14株速生单株,其遗传增益为118.01%,增产效果显著,在闽南一带可用作无性繁殖材料,以加速西南桦引种造林良种化进程.     

Leaf features of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). Variability within and between two populations (uncontaminated vs Pb-contaminated and Zn-contaminated site)

Fourteen morphometric variables of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) leaves from two sites in the Upper Silesia province were analyzed to establish the pattern of intrapopulational and interpopulational relations. The leaves were collected from ten trees growing on a zinc–lead dump as well as from ten trees in the unpolluted area of Mirów within the same bioclimatic region. Leaf samples were collected from the trees during the vegetative seasons 1999 and 2000. The size and shape of leaves were studied using standard biometric methods. Cluster analysis indicated overall differences between the populations. Both populations differed with respect to almost all the morphometric variables (P<0.05). Most variables of the leaves, collected from single trees (or combined as a total) on the zinc–lead dump showed more variability than those from the unpolluted site. Discriminant function analysis confirmed the angle of the leaf base as the most important variable in the evaluation of interpopulational variability of leaves.     

子午岭林区白桦-辽东栎混交林光合生理生态特征研究

对黄土高原子午岭次生林区白桦林、辽东栎林和白桦-辽东栎混交林3种林分的土壤物理特性和叶片光合特性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)白桦-辽东栎混交林地的土壤水分明显改善,其土壤容重最小、土壤孔隙度最大,且均优于纯林,即混交林地有深层次的土壤水分可供利用,并改善了土壤的物理结构;(2)辽东栎林的光合速率和气孔导度最大,其次为白桦-辽东栎混交林,水分利用率(WUE)为混交林白桦>混交林辽东栎>辽东栎林>白桦林;(3)混交林中白桦、辽东栎的Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo值均较大,与纯林差异不显著;白桦林和辽东栎林的qP和NPQ值均大于混交林。     

西南桦人工林与山地雨林的群落学特征比较

人类活动对生态系统的影响是当今生态学的研究热点之一,但对在退化生态系统上进行人工造林对地带性植被群落学特征的影响研究尚较欠缺。本文根据组成群落的植物生态学特征能对其生态环境做出准确的反应这一规则,通过样地调查法分析了林龄为12年的西南桦（Betula alnoides）人工群落的区系组成和基本的群落学特征,并与当地的地带性植被——山地雨林的区系组成和群落学特征进行了比较,从而探讨人工造林对当地天然生态系统的影响。结果发现,与天然群落相比,人类活动（人工种植西南桦林）对生态系统的植物物种的生活型谱、物种叶型谱、区系成分、物种多样性等方面的群落学特征影响不大;即使在这些方面有或多或少的差异,可能也是小环境的异质性造成的。但是人工种植西南桦林对群落的季相外貌、群落的结构、物种组成、物种丰富度以及生物量等方面有较大的影响。进行综合分析后得出结论：虽然人工造林可以缩短植被自然恢复的时间以及具有显著的经济价值,但与地带性植被相比,还是有较大的生态学差异。建议为了当地经济的发展,有必要适当发展一定面积的人工林,但规模应适度。     

濒危植物盐桦离体组织培养特性的研究

目的:探讨新疆濒危植物盐桦离体组织培养的特性。方法:从盐桦原生地阿尔泰阿拉哈克盐湖边采摘盐桦休眠实生苗上的落叶枝条,待其萌发后分别取带芽嫩茎、嫩茎茎段及嫩叶芽尖三种不同材料接种于启动培养基,比较三种盐桦离体组织的诱导分化,继而设计不同激素、不同水平的单因子试验和正交试验,筛选适宜盐桦外植体芽增殖和生根的分化培养基。结果:诱导盐桦芽增殖的最佳外植体是带芽嫩茎,盐桦外植体增殖、壮苗最适培养基为:MS 6-BA 1.0mg/L IBA 0.5mg/L;盐桦外植体生根最适培养基为:1/2MS IBA 0.5mg/L 蔗糖30g/L 琼脂7% 暗光处理3d。结论:本研究筛选获得适宜盐桦芽增殖和生根的最佳培养条件,为高效扩繁和保存盐桦种质资源奠定了基础。