Variation in needle-trace diameter in respect of needle morphology in five conifer species

Needle traces have been used for revealing historical changes in needle longevity of Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. In this paper we compared the needle-trace diameter of five conifer species [Abies sibirica Ledeb., Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco and Taxus baccata L.] in respect of needle size. In case of P. sylvestris, we studied how needle-trace diameter varied among different growing sites and among different shoots within a site, and related that variation to needle morphology and structure. Pinus sylvestris had the greatest diameter of needle traces (mean±SD =233±30 m) followed by T. baccata (141±19 m) and P. menziesii (121±30 m). The smallest needle-trace diameter was in A. sibirica (85±21 m) and P. abies (80±18 m). Among species, the needle-trace diameter was strongly correlated with needle length (r =0.93, P <0.05). Within P. sylvestris, the needle-trace diameter was significantly affected by location (P <0.001) and varied significantly among shoots within a location (P <0.001). The shoots of P. sylvestris which had greater average diameter of needle traces, tended to have longer (r =0.36, P <0.05), wider (r =0.55, P <0.05) and heavier (r =0.64, P <0.05) needles with greater stomatal density (r =0.55, P <0.05). Although our results do not allow the use of needle-trace diameter to predict properties of needle structure at the present stage, they nevertheless indicate general trends and point to a need for further studies.     

Effect of Calcium and Zinc on the Activity and Thermostability of Superoxide Dismutase

The effect of calcium and zinc ions on superoxide dismutase (SOD) from four plant species (Taxus baccata, Pinus sylvestris, Medicago rigidula, and Zea mays) was followed at three temperatures: optimal (20 °C), increased (50 °C), and high, inhibiting temperature (70 – 80 °C). At 20 and 50 °C in vitro added calcium increases SOD activity, but the degree was different for the plants investigated. The effect of zinc ions at the same temperatures varied in the investigated plants from activation to inhibition. An inhibiting effect of high temperature on SOD activity was diminished in the presence of calcium or zinc ions. It was shown that calcium and zinc ions can increase activity and thermostabilize different SOD isoforms.     

The occurrence of flowering and fruiting on individual trees over 3 years and their effects on subsequent crown condition

Summary The level of fruiting in four forest trees species (Picea sitchensis, P. abies, Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica) was monitored in Great Britain over the period 1989–1991. In addition, assessments of crown transparency were available for many of the trees for 1987 and 1988. The monitoring period encompassed severe summer droughts in 1989 and 1990, with wetter conditions in 1991. Variations in the level of fruiting in spruce and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) were seen, with a marked peak in 1990. No pattern was apparent in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Coning, which was greater in trees with the least transparent crowns, had no discernible effect on the crown transparency of the conifers. Cupule production in beech was greatest in trees with the most transparent crowns, and trees with high numbers of cupules in 1990 tended to have greater crown dieback recorded in 1991.     

Allozyme investigations on the genetic differentiation between closely related pines —Pinus sylvestris, P. mugo, P. uncinata, andP. uliginosa (Pinaceae)

In eight natural European populations of four closely related taxa of pines (Pinus sylvestris, P. mugo, P. uncinata, andP. uliginosa) starch-gel electrophoreses revealed altogether 58 alleles at 15 loci from nine enzyme systems. With Nei's genetic distance (D) the largest mean genetic distance (D = 0.171) was found betweenP. sylvestris andP. mugo, a distance corresponding to that between other closely related pine species. Mean genetic distances between the other taxa were less than half that value and characteristic for subspecies or varieties rather than for species. On the basis of our results we suggest that both,P. uliginosa andP. uncinata, could be the result of the ancient hybridization betweenP. sylvestris andP. mugo.     

Callose Synthase in Pinus sylvestris Response during Infection by Species of Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato with Varied Host Preferences

Strengthening of plant cell walls at the site of fungal entry is one of the earliest plant responses to fungal pathogens. The aim of our study was to characterize the pattern of callose synthase localization and callose deposition in roots of Pinus sylvestris after infection by species of the Heterobasidion annosum s.l. complex with different host specificity: H. annosum s.s., H. parviporum and H. abietinum. To address this, sense‐labelled probes and ribonuclease‐treated samples were used to determine in situ hybridizations of callose synthase by FISH method. Furthermore, determination of callose accumulation within P. sylvestris cells was carried out using aniline blue. The different species of H. annosum s.l. had distinct impacts on the callose synthase staining within plant tissues. Moreover, while inoculation with strains of H. abietinum resulted in callose synthase accumulation at the point of hyphae contact with the host cell, this was not observed with the other species. A significant difference in callose synthesis localization was observed after inoculation with varied species of H. annosum s.l. as a result of the specific interactions with the host.     

Abortive embryogenesis in hybrid swarm populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus muga</Emphasis> Turra

Comparative study on fertilization process in Pinus sylvestris, Pinus mugo and in their putative hybrid swarm individuals was done involving pre-zygotic and post-zygotic stages. The amount of surviving ovules from open pollination reflecting the mode of interaction between pollen grains and nucellar tissue of an ovule averaged at 8.1 of sound ovules per conelet in Pinus sylvestris, 7.3 ovules in the hybrid swarm population and at 4.9 ovules in Pinus mugo. A strong correlation was observed between the number of surviving ovules and the proportion of germinating seeds in the compared species and hybrids. Normal course of embryogenesis in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo contrasted with increased frequency of disturbances observed in the hybrid swarm individuals. The differential survival rates of the ovules and deviations from typical pattern of embryogenesis are discussed from the standpoint of cross-ability relationship between Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus baccata</Emphasis> L.

Seven polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers for Taxus baccata L. (English yew) were developed using an enriched-library method. An additional polymorphic SSR was obtained by testing eight primer pairs from the congeneric species Taxus sumatrana. Mendelian inheritance for the seven Taxus baccata SSRs was proved by genotyping 17 individuals and 124 megagametophytes (conifer seed haploid tissue). A total of 96 individuals from 5 different populations (10–26 samples per population) were used to estimate genetic diversity parameters. High levels of genetic diversity, with values ranging from 0.533 to 0.929 (6–28 alleles per SSR) were found. No linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected. All loci but one showed significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Excess of homozygosity was probably due to high inbreeding in English yew populations, an outcome of low effective population size and/or fragmented distribution. Highly polymorphic SSRs will be used to conduct population genetic studies at different geographical scales and to monitor gene flow.     

珍稀濒危植物长白松(Pinus sylvestris var. sylvestriformis)天然种群生存压力

为了揭示珍稀濒危植物长白松（Pinus sylvestris var. sylvestriformis）天然种群生存压力状况,在全面调查长白山国家级自然保护区长白松分布的基础上,基于邻体干扰模型,引入树高、冠幅、方位等因子,提出3种生存压力指数：个体生存压力指数、种群生存压力指数和群落生存压力指数,分析天然长白松所处6种群落类型中的生存压力。结果表明：长白松承受群落生存压力（PI）从大到小依次为：白桦-臭冷杉群落（PI=21.532）、红松-长白松群落（PI=14.185）、白桦群落（PI=13.262）、臭冷杉-长白松群落（PI=8.752）、长白落叶松-鱼鳞云杉群落（PI=7.780）和蒙古栎群落（PI=5.440）。多重比较单向方差分析表明,6种群落类型中长白松生存压力总体上差异明显,白桦-臭冷杉群落中长白松生存压力最大,显著高于其他5种群落;竞争树种主要为长白落叶松、红松、长白松、山杨和白桦,这5个树种生存压力大小占群落生存压力的87%;红松-长白松群落和白桦群落中长白松生存压力无明显差异,但显著高于臭冷杉-长白松群落、长白落叶松-鱼鳞云杉群落和蒙古栎群落;臭冷杉-长白松群落、长白落叶松-鱼鳞云杉群落和蒙古栎群落中长白松生存压力相对较小,彼此无明显差异。长白松生存压力与其所处植物群落演替阶段及其龄级结构有关。目前,保护区采取严格保护和管理方式不完全有利于长白松种群的稳定发展。根据长白松种群所处的植物群落生境特点、种群生存压力状况并结合种群年龄结构特征,针对不同群落类型提出相应抚育措施建议以期为长白松天然种群的保护提供参考。     

Concentration gradients of free sterols,steryl esters and lipid phosphorus in the trunkwood of Scot's pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

The amounts of free sterols, steryl esters and lipid phosphorus were determined in the sapwood and heartwood of mature, and in the outer and inner sapwood of young Pinus sylvestris trees. In the mature trees (up to 70 years old) the heartwood contains significantly higher amounts of free sterols than the sapwood. No radial gradient can be demonstrated in the amounts of steryl esters. Lipids extracted from the sapwood contain higher amounts of phosphorus than those from the heartwood. Stems of young Pinus sylvestris trees (up to 13 years old) show in the inner sapwood higher amounts of both free sterols and steryl esters than the peripheral younger wood zone. The inner sapwood of the young stems shows slightly higher amounts of lipid phosphorus than the outer sapwood. The results indicate that Pinus sylvestris accumulates both free sterols and steryl esters in the stems at a very early stage of the life cycle. Sterol accumulation in the innermost parts of the stems seems not to depend on heartwood formation.     

Lupinus species differ in their requirements for iron

The effect of iron supply on the growth and nodulation ofLupinus angustifolius L. (Gungurru),Lupinus luteus L. (R-1171) andLupinus pilosus Murr. (P20957) was studied in acid solutions. Plants of the three species were grown together in the same solution and inoculated withBradyrhizobium (Lupinus) WU 425. Plants were then grown with or without applied NH₄NO₃. The lupin species differed greatly in their sensitivity to low iron concentrations in solution withL. pilosus being most tolerant andL. luteus most sensitive.L. pilosus had the highest iron concentration in tissues and had a higher ratio of iron concentration in the youngest fully expanded leaf blades (YEB) to that in roots than the other two species.L. luteus had higher iron concentrations in roots but lower iron concentration in YEB and shoots than didL. angustifolius. The requirements of internal iron for the maximal chlorophyll synthesis in YEB were 65 μg g^-1 forL. angustifolius andL. luteus, and 52 μg g^-1 forL. pilosus. In contrast to effects on growth, the three species had similar external iron requirements for nodule formation in roots and for maximal nitrogen concentrations in shoots. The results indicate that iron tolerant lupin species require lower internal and external iron supply and have a greater ability than sensitive species to translocate iron from roots to shoots.     

河北坝上樟子松人工林径向生长及其对气候因素的响应

利用树木年轮学方法测定了河北坝上地区樟子松逐年树轮宽度和胸高断面积增量,建立了樟子松树轮宽度差值年表并分析其对气候因素的响应以及生态弹性,为河北坝上地区利用樟子松开展退化杨树防护林更新建设的适宜性提供理论参考。研究结果表明,河北坝上地区樟子松树龄在28 a左右,其生长阶段可划分为快速生长期(0—10 a),生长下降期(11—20 a)和生长平稳期(21—28 a);樟子松树轮宽度在1992—2000年期间为快速增长期((4.49±1.15)mm/a),在2001—2010年期间呈现下降趋势((3.62±1.39)mm/a),而在2011—2019年期间樟子松生长呈平稳特征((2.21±0.68)mm/a),约为快速增长期增长速度的一半;樟子松BAI在1992—2000年间一直呈上升趋势((5.09±2.26)cm~2/a),2001—2019年期间呈平稳特征((10.46±0.67)cm~2/a),表现出稳定且持续的生长能力。樟子松差值年表与气候因素的相关性显示：樟子松径向生长主要与上一年生长季末期(9、10月)、休眠期(12月)及当年生长季(7月)平均温度和最高温度呈显著负相关,其中...     

Evaluation of mycelial inocula of edible<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Lactarius</Emphasis> species for the production of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> P. sylvestris</Emphasis> mycorrhizal seedlings under greenhouse conditions

Different methods to inoculate seedlings of Pinus pinaster and P. sylvestris with edible Lactarius species under standard greenhouse conditions were evaluated. Fungal inoculations were performed both under pure culture synthesis in vitro, followed by transplantation of acclimatized seedlings, and directly in the greenhouse using different techniques for inocula production (mycelial slurries, vegetative inoculum grown in peat-vermiculite and alginate-entrapped mycelium). In vitro inoculations with L. deliciosus produced thoroughly colonized seedlings. However, a sharp decrease in mycorrhizal colonization was detected on transplanted seedlings after 4 month's growth in the greenhouse. On the other hand, all the inocula applied directly in the greenhouse, except the alginate-entrapped mycelium, produced a variable number of mycorrhizal seedlings and colonization rates after the first growing season, depending on the plant-fungal combination and the inoculation method. Inoculations with vegetative inocula of the strain 178 of L. deliciosus were the most effective in producing mycorrhizal seedlings. All the seedlings inoculated with this strain were colonized although the colonization rates were relatively low. The commercial feasibility of the different inoculation methods for the production of seedlings colonized with edible Lactarius species is discussed.     

Behaviour of the hyphae of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Laccaria laccata</Emphasis> in the presence of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis> in vitro

The growth rate and the behaviour of Laccaria laccata and Trichoderma harzianum hyphae in co-culture and in the rhizosphere of 3-month-old Pinus sylvestris seedlings grown in vitro were investigated. In the interaction zone, hyphae of L. laccata became more pigmented and formed short branches growing towards the hyphae of the saprobic fungus, coiled around them and penetrated sporadically. Vacuolated hyphae of T. harzianum showed protoplasm granulation and breaks in walls followed by release of protoplasts. In the rhizosphere, the mantle hyphae of L. laccata showed a tendency to surround conidia of T. harzianum. No obvious penetration of the conidial walls by the hyphae of the mycorrhizal fungus was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Instead, in rare cases, the hyphae of L. laccata showed marked wrinkles, and a partial degradation of a mucilaginous material covering the mantle appeared to occur.     

Seasonal changes in plasma membrane H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vaccinium myrtillus</Emphasis> (L.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> (L.)

Seasonal changes in vanadate sensitive plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase activity of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were studied in a period from February to August in northern Finland. The plasma membrane isolation was performed by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the H⁺-ATPase activity was assayed by spectrophotometrical determination of released inorganic phosphate. The studied species showed seasonal changes from high winter to low spring activity, indicating probable physiological changes between hardened and dehardened tissue. ATPase activity of bilberry peaked up at the beginning of the growth period, obviously due to active phloem loading of photosynthates.     

Histological aspects of microsporogenesis in fertile,cytoplasmic male sterile and restored fertilePetunia hybrida

Summary A comparative histological study is made of microsporogenesis in fertile, cytoplasmic male sterile and restored fertilePetunia. Microsporogenesis in sterile anthers proceeds normally until leptotene. The development of the restored fertile type at 25°C is normal until the tetrad stage. In both types sporogenesis arrests and the meiocytes, c.q. microspores ultimately degenerate. The first phenomena of deviation are found in the tapetum. The effects of degeneration on cellular structure, vacuolation and cytoplasmic organization of the tapetal and sporogenous cells are variable. The deposition of callose around the meiocytes appears independent of the process of degeneration. The absence of an increase in callase activity possibly explains the remnants of callose found at late stages of development. The failure of callose wall dissolution appears to be the result of metabolic abnormalities in the tapetum and is regarded as an indirect effect of sterility.     

Factors affecting the in vitro rapid germination of Taxus embryos and the evaluation of taxol content in the plantlets

A simple and efficient in vitro method for breaking the dormancy of Taxus baccata L. cv. Stricta seeds was investigated. The highest rate of germination (100%) of embryos isolated from seeds, which had been washed with running tap water for 7 days, was obtained after 7 days of culture on modified Murashige and Skoog or Heller media. The taxol equivalent content in 2-month-old Taxus plantlets was investigated using anti-taxol polyclonal antibodies. The results showed that the taxol equivalent content varied, depending on Taxus species and on the individuals in the same taxon.     

Isolation of cuticular membranes from various conifer needles

Summary A method of isolating intact needle cuticles is presented. Cuticles were separated enzymatically from needles of Abies alba Mill., Picea abies (L.) Karst., Picea pungens Engelm., Pinus mugo Turra, and Taxus baccata L. Cuticle separation depended on the enzyme concentration, the developmental stage of the needles and the duration of incubation in the hydrolytic pectinase/cellulase solution. Cuticles could not be removed from needles older than 2 years. Scanning electron micrographs of enzymatically isolated cuticles are presented. The permeance coefficients for water and oxygen transport across the isolated cuticular membranes indicate their functional intactness. But permeance coefficients also show that isolation of cuticular membranes with chromic acid is an unacceptable method, since they are lo longer structurally or functionally intact following isolation by this method.     

Construction of genetic maps for some Eurasian coniferous species using allozyme genes

In an analysis of allozyme genes in three pine and one spruce species distributed in Eurasia, 45 of 87 loci were mapped. Four linkage groups inPinus sylvestris andPicea abies, three inPinus pallasiana, and two inPinus pumila were determined. The order and the locations of homologous genes in the linkage groups in the different species were similar. The data suggest that during the separate development of thePinus andPicea genera that has lasted for millions of years, there was not any large inversion, translocation, or other significant chromosomal change, at least in the gene blocks analyzed.     

The Substrate Preference and Histochemical Localization Argue against the Direct Role of Cucumber Stress-Related Anionic Peroxidase in Lignification

The substrate preference and the localization of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) stress-related anionic peroxidase (srPRX) were investigated in order to assess whether this activity correlates with the lignification. The results showed that none of the purified srPRX isoenzymes (PRX 1 –3) could oxidize the lignin monomer analog syringaldazine. The srPRX immunospecific signal was found to be highly abundant in both the extrafascicular and fascicular phloem regions in cucumber stem and leaf petiole. In Nicotiana, Petunia and Dahlia, the srPRX homologs were specifically deposited in both outer and inner phloem elements of stem and in both abaxial and adaxial phloem of leaf stems. The srPRX mRNA expression analysis showed similar pattern as for immunolocalization. The subcellular localization of immunospecific srPRX demonstrated that at least part of the peroxidase could be ionically-bound to phloem cell wall.     

Rooting strategy of naturally regenerated beech in Silver birch and Scots pine woodlands

This study investigated the belowground development and strategy of late-successional European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in ageing natural Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) woodlands in a French volcanic mid-elevation area. For this purpose root biomass, root profile and fine-root architecture of competitor trees were examined in 53 mixed pine–beech and 42 birch–beech woodlands along a stand maturation gradient, using the root auger technique (0–75-cm). The total beech fine-root biomass highly correlated with aerial dimensions such as stem height and girth, whereas it moderately correlated with its age, thus indicating the effects of competition. Basic stand biometric data such as stand density and basal area had no significant effect on beech root biomass. Conversely, competition indices taking into account the vertical dimensions of competitor trees were efficient, probably due to redundancy with beech height. At similar age and height, beeches under birch had a greater belowground development than beeches under pine. Each species exhibited specific rooting pattern and plasticity of fine-root architecture along the gradients of stand maturation and competition. Beech had a heart-shaped rooting habit in both mixings, which strongly increased along stand maturation. Its fine-root system adopted a foraging strategy to respond to increasing stand competition. The Scots pine fine-root system was plate-like and showed a low morphological plasticity, thus presumably a conservative strategy. Silver birch exhibited a high biomass and a foraging capacity in the topsoil but a loose root system in the subsoil. The coexistence of pine and beech roots in the upper soil presumably leads to a high belowground competition. Beech root system becomes predominant throughout the soil profile and it adopts an efficient foraging strategy, but at the expense of its belowground development. Conversely, the niche partitioning strategy between beech and birch may explain why beech develops strongly belowground in spite of the fact that birch has a dense rooting and a competitive fine-root architecture. As a consequence, beech mid-term regeneration and development may be facilitated under birch as compared with pine.