Increase in lodging safety factor of thigmomorphogenically dwarfed shoots of mulberry tree

The lodging safety factor of mechanically stimulated shoots of mulberry tree ( Morus bombycis Koidz. cv. Kenmochi) was measured to test the hypothesis that thigmomorphogenic dwarfing increases mechanical stability of plants. The lodging safety factor, an indicator of mechanical stability of erect shoots, has been defined as the ratio of critical lodging load to leaf fresh weight. Two-year-old shoot cuttings of mulberry tree were rubbed, brushed, and shaken every day. During the experimental period, the lodging safety factor of the control shoots remained at about 5. while the safety factor of the thigmomorphogenically dwarfed ones was ca 1.6 times larger, which supports the hypothesis. The mechanical stimulation reduced the stem elongation rate, but did not greatly change the partitioning of dry matter between leaves and stem. Therefore, it is concluded that the reduction of stem elongation rate was the main cause of the increase in the lodging safety factor of the stimulated shoots.     

Changes in phenology of the locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Hungary

 Intense research is being carried out on climate variability and change and the estimation and detection of anthropogenic effects. In addition to statistical methods, the use of plants, as biological indicators is becoming more popular as they are sensitive to environmental conditions. In this article we compare maps of the flowering dates of the locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) for three different time intervals between 1851 and 1994. The maps revealed noticeable shifts of dates, of approximately 3–8 days, towards earlier flowering. This change is related to the average temperature of spring (15 March–15 May), via a simple statistical model that is accurate enough to be able to quantify phenological changes and to calculate the corresponding warming. The model developed can estimate spring mean temperature using phenological data from R. pseudoacacia L. with an accuracy of 0.2° C. Estimates of mean temperature based on phenological changes are compared to climatic series. This comparison emphasizes the possibility of using R. pseudoacacia. L. as a bio-indicator. Estimates of temperature changes are also given. Received: 5 August 1996 / Revised: 14 April 1997 / Accepted: 11 November 1997     

Stem biomechanics of three columnar cacti from the Sonoran Desert

The allometric relationship of stem length L with respect to mean stem diameter D was determined for 80 shoots of each of three columnar cactus species (Stenocereus thurberi, Lophocereus schottii, and S. gummosus) to determine whether this relationship accords with that predicted by each of three contending models purporting to describe the mechanical architecture of vertical shoots (i.e., geometric, stress, and elastic similitude, which predict L proportional to D(alpha), with alpha = 1/1, 1/2, and 2/3, respectively). In addition, anatomical, physical, and biomechanical stem properties were measured to determine how the stems of these three species maintain their elastic stability as they increase in size. Reduced major axis regression of L with respect to D showed that alpha = 2.82 ± 0.14 for S. thurberi, 2.32 ± 0.19 for L. schottii, and 4.21 ± 0.31 for S. gummosus. Thus, the scaling exponents for the allometry of L differed significantly from that predicted by each of the three biomechanical models. In contrast, these exponents were similar to that for the allometry previously reported for saguaro. Analyses of biomechanical data derived from bending tests performed on 30 stems selected from each of the three species indicated that the bulk stem tissue stiffness was roughly proportional to L2, while stem flexural rigidity (i.e., the ability to resist a bending force) scaled roughly as L3. Stem length was significantly and positively correlated with the volume fraction of wood, while regression analysis of the pooled data from the three species (i.e., 90 stems) indicated that bulk tissue stiffness scaled roughly as the 5/3-power of the volume fraction of wood in stems. These data were interpreted to indicate that wood served as the major stiffening agent in stems and that this tissue accumulates at a sufficient rate to afford unusually high scaling exponents tot stem length with respect to stem diameter (i.e., disproportionately large increments of stem length with respect to increments in stem diameter). Nevertheless, the safety factor against the elastic failure of stems (computed on the basis of the critical buckling height divided by actual stem length) decreased with increasing stem size tot each species, even though each species maintained an average safety factor equal to two. We speculate that the apparent upper limit to plant height calculated for each species may serve as a biomechanical mechanism for vegetative propagation and the establishment of dense plant colonies by means of extreme stem flexure and ultimate breakage, especially for S. gummosus.     

Predictivity in taxonomy and the probability of a tree

The contribution ofJ. S. L. Gilmour to numerical taxonomy is reviewed. His important concept of natural classification, as being general-purpose classifications with high predictivity, led to the development of ideas of information content, unit characters and equal character-weighting. The concept of predicitivity is extended to taxonomic trees (phenograms or cladograms). Under certain assumption of random sampling of characters it is shown that the probability of recovering the correct tree topology or tree-form may be small if characters are few. There may be very many topologies or tree-forms, every one of which has individually a low probability. It is, however, possible to estimate the aggregate probability of trees which have more than some specified resemblance to the correct tree. The practical prospects of estimating the distribution of tree probabilities are discussed.Dedicated to the memory of JohnS. L. Gilmour.     

Effects of moderate high-temperature stress on photosynthesis in three saplings of the constructive tree species of subtropical forest

During the exposition to moderate high-temperature stress, photosynthetic rates and fluorescence of chlorophyll a were measured with a photosynthetic measurement system (Li-Cor 6400) and leaf chamber fluorometer (Li-Cor6400 LCF), respectively, in leaves of saplings, sun-adapted species (Schima superba), shade-adapted species (Cryptocarya concinna), and in mesophytic plant (Castanopsis hystrix) (42°C). The results showed that moderate high-temperature stress led to a decrease in F_v/F_m, namely the primary photochemical quantum efficiency, indicating that moderate high-temperature stress causes a partial inhibition of PSII. It also showed that such an effect was more severe in the shade-adapted plant C. concinna than in the sun-adapted species S. superba. However, except for the sun-grown leaves of C. concinna, the moderate high-temperature stress increased the photosynthetic rate of leaves at high light intensity. Simultaneously, less photoinhibition was found to occur under high-light intensity, suggesting that the capacity of resistant-photoinhibition was stimulated by moderate high-temperature stress. The quantum yield of PSII (ϕ_PSII) decreased in the sun-grown leaves of S. superba and C. hystrix but did not show any significant change in leaves of the shade plant C. concinna and shade-grown leaves of sun plant S. superba or the mesophytic plant C. hystrix because they already had a very low ϕ_PSII under this condition. Moderate high-temperature stress led to a decrease in ϕ_PSII/ϕ_CO2 ratios, an estimate of the quantum requirement for CO₂ assimilation, in the sun plant S. superba and the mesophytic plant C. hystrix because they were associated with the dissipation of a lower fraction of excitation energy. However, no significant changes were found in shade plant C. concinna and in shade-grown leaves of the other examined plants. The effect of moderate high-temperature (42°C) on photosynthesis depends on species and leaf type (sun and shade leaves) in the saplings of subtropical broad-leaved trees.     

Effects of moderate high-temperature stress on photosynthesis in three saplings of the constructive tree species of subtropical forest

During the exposition to moderate high-temperature stress, photosynthetic rates and fluorescence of chlorophyll a were measured with a photosynthetic measurement system (Li-Cor 6400) and leaf chamber fluorometer (Li-Cor6400 LCF), respectively, in leaves of saplings, sun-adapted species (Schima superba), shade-adapted species (Cryptocarya concinna), and in mesophytic plant (Castanopsis hystrix) (42°C). The results showed that moderate high-temperature stress led to a decrease in F_v/F_>m, namely the primary photochemical quantum efficiency, indicating that moderate high-temperature stress causes a partial inhibition of PSII. It also showed that such an effect was more severe in the shade-adapted plant C. concinna than in the sun-adapted species S. superba. However, except for the sun-grown leaves of C. concinna, the moderate high-temperature stress increased the photosynthetic rate of leaves at high light intensity. Simultaneously, less photoinhibition was found to occur under high-light intensity, suggesting that the capacity of resistant-photoinhibition was stimulated by moderate high-temperature stress. The quantum yield of PSII (?_PSII) decreased in the sun-grown leaves of S. superba and C. hystrix but did not show any significant change in leaves of the shade plant C. concinna and shade-grown leaves of sun plant S. superba or the mesophytic plant C. hystrix because they already had a very low ?_PSII under this condition. Moderate high-temperature stress led to a decrease in ?_PSII/?_CO2 ratios, an estimate of the quantum requirement for CO2 assimilation, in the sun plant S. superba and the mesophytic plant C. hystrix because they were associated with the dissipation of a lower fraction of excitation energy. However, no significant changes were found in shade plant C. concinna and in shade-grown leaves of the other examined plants. The effect of moderate high-temperature (42°C) on photosynthesis depends on species and leaf type (sun and shade leaves) in the saplings of subtropical broad-leaved trees.     

适度高温胁迫对亚热带森林3种建群树种幼树光合作用的影响

利用Licor-6400光合作用测定系统和叶室荧光仪（Licor-6400LCF）测定适度高温（42℃）胁迫下阳生树种荷木（Schima superba）、耐荫树种黄果厚壳桂（Cryptocarya concinna）和中生性树种红锥（Castanopsis hystrix）在全日光和遮阴（20％全日光）生长下的叶片光合速率和叶绿素a荧光。适度高温胁迫引起全日光和遮阴叶片PSII原初最大光化量子产率（Fv/Tm）降低,反映适度高温胁迫引起PSII功能的部分抑制。其中适度高温对阴生树种黄果厚壳桂和遮阴下生长叶片的PSII抑制较阳生树种荷木在全日光下生长的叶片大。除在全日光下生长的黄果壳桂外,适度高温胁迫能增高全日光或遮阴下生长的荷木和红锥叶片的光合速率。同时亦表现较高的耐高光强抑制的能力。适度高温胁迫降低全日光下生长荷木和红锥叶片的PSII量子产率（ФPSII）,但对具有低西ФPSII的阴生树种黄果厚壳桂或在遮阴下生长的阳生树种荷木或中生性树种红锥叶片则影响较小。适度高温胁迫引起生长在全日光下的阳生树种荷木或中生性树种红锥叶片的CO2同化量子需要量降低,但甚少影响阴生树种黄果厚壳桂或遮阴下生长叶片CO2同化量子需要量。适度高温对亚热带森林建群种幼树光合作用的影响依赖于植物种类和叶类型（阳生和阴生叶）。     

Crown development in a pioneer tree, Rhus trichocarpa, in relation to the structure and growth of individual branches

Based on an allometric reconstruction, the structure and biomass-allocation patterns of branches and current-year shoots were investigated in branches of various heights in the pioneer tree Rhus trichocarpa, to evaluate how crown development is achieved and limited in association with height. Path analysis was conducted to explore the effects of light availability, basal height and size of individual branches on branch structure and growth. Branch angle was affected by basal height, whereas branch mass was influenced primarily by light availability. This result suggests that branch structure is strongly constrained by basal height, and that trees mediate such constraints under different light environments. Previous-year leaf area and light availability showed positive effects on current-year stem mass. In contrast, branch basal height and mass negatively affected current-year stem mass. Moreover, the length of stems of a given diameter decreased with increasing branch height. Therefore the cost of biomass investment for a unit growth in length is greater for branches of larger size and at upper positions. Vertical growth rate in length decreased with increasing height. Height-dependent changes in stem allometry and angle influenced the reduction in vertical growth rate to a similar degree.     

福建地区马尾松生物量转换和扩展因子的影响因素

基于第8次国家森林资源清查福建省331块马尾松的固定样地调查数据,利用增强回归树法(BRT)研究地上生物量转换和扩展因子(BCEF)和地下BCEF的影响因素。研究结果表明:林分特征因子和地形因子是影响地上BCEF以及地下BCEF的主导因素,二者对地上BCEF影响的相对贡献率之和为87.20%、地下BCEF为86.59%。其中,龄组和坡向分别是林分特征因子和地形因子中影响地上BCEF的最大因素(41.13%和14.52%)。地上BCEF随龄组的增大而逐渐减小;在东南坡最大、西坡最小。此外,龄组和坡向分别是林分特征因子和地形因子中影响地下BCEF的最大因素(41.54%和15.16%)。地下BCEF随龄组的增大而逐渐减增大;在东南坡最小、西坡最大。土壤因子对地上BCEF以及地下BCEF的影响都较小(12.80%和13.41%),腐殖层厚度是土壤因子中影响地上BCEF以及地下BCEF的最大因素(9.02%和9.13%)。在所有的影响因素中,龄组对地上BCEF以及地下BCEF的影响均最大,依据龄组计算相应的BCEF或者建立林龄普适的BCEF模型,可以有效地提高生物量的估算精度。     

鼎湖山针阔叶混交林优势种树干液流特征及其与环境因子的关系

运用Granier热扩散式探针法,于2010年干湿季对鼎湖山自然保护区针阔混交林4种优势树种马尾松、锥栗、木荷和广东润楠的树干液流密度进行连续监测,并同步观测气温、相对湿度和光合有效辐射等环境因子的变化,研究其树干液流特征及其对环境因子的响应.结果表明:在干湿季,4种优势树种的树干液流速率日变化均呈“昼高夜低”的典型单峰曲线,阔叶树锥栗、木荷和广东润楠的平均液流速率和峰值以及日液流量均显著大于针叶树马尾松;马尾松、锥栗、木荷和广东润楠的最大树干液流密度分别为29.48、38.54、51.67、58.32g H2O·m-2·s-1.优势树种树干液流速率的变化与环境因子的昼夜变化存在时滞;液流速率变化与光合有效辐射、水汽压亏缺和气温等环境因子的变化呈显著正相关,其中湿季以光合有效辐射为主导因子,干季以气温为主导因子.     

Insulin-like growth factor 1 improves the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in a rat model of myocardial infarction

Background Previous study demonstrated the improvement of cardiac function was proportional to the number of cells implanted. Therefore, increasing cell survival in the infarcted myocardium might contribute to the improvement of the functional benefit of cell transplantation. Methods and results MSCs were treated with IGF-1 in vitro and infused into the acute myocardial infarction rats via the tail vein. After treatment of MSCs with IGF-1 for 48 h, flow cytometric analysis showed marked enhancement of expression of CXCR4 in the cell surface. After 4 weeks of transplantation, we found 1) a greater number of engrafted MSCs arrived and survived in the peri-infarct region; 2) TnT protein expression and capillary density were enhanced; 3) LV cavitary dilation, transmural infarct thinning, deposition of total collagen in the peri-infarct region and cardiac dysfunction were attenuated. Conclusion 1) IGF-1 treatment has time-dependent and dose-dependent effects on CXCR4 expression in MSCs in vitro. 2) IGF-1 improves the efficacy of MSCs transplantation in a rat model of myocardial infarction mainly via enhancement of the number of cells attracted into the infarcted heart. These findings provide a novel stem cell therapeutic avenue against ischemic heart disease.     

鼎湖山针阔叶混交林优势种树干液流特征及其与环境因子的关系

运用Granier 热扩散式探针法,于2010年干湿季对鼎湖山自然保护区针阔混交林4种优势树种马尾松、锥栗、木荷和广东润楠的树干液流密度进行连续监测,并同步观测气温、相对湿度和光合有效辐射等环境因子的变化,研究其树干液流特征及其对环境因子的响应.结果表明： 在干湿季,4种优势树种的树干液流速率日变化均呈“昼高夜低”的典型单峰曲线,阔叶树锥栗、木荷和广东润楠的平均液流速率和峰值以及日液流量均显著大于针叶树马尾松;马尾松、锥栗、木荷和广东润楠的最大树干液流密度分别为29.48、38.54、51.67、58.32 g H₂O·m-2·s-1.优势树种树干液流速率的变化与环境因子的昼夜变化存在时滞;液流速率变化与光合有效辐射、水汽压亏缺和气温等环境因子的变化呈显著正相关,其中湿季以光合有效辐射为主导因子,干季以气温为主导因子.     

Changes in vegetation structure and composition of a lowland mire over a sixty‐five‐year interval

1. Mires are characterized by plant communities of high conservation and societal value, which have experienced a major decline in area in many parts of the world, particularly Europe. Evidence suggests that they may be particularly vulnerable to changes in climate and nutrient addition. Although they have been the focus of extensive paleoecological research, few attempts have been made to examine the dynamics of mire vegetation during the current era of anthropogenic environmental change.
2. To assess long‐term change in the spatial structure and composition of a lowland mire community, in 2016 we resurveyed plots first surveyed in 1951. Measures of species richness and composition were compared between the two surveys, and changes in community composition were related to plant traits.
3. Overall, mean species richness declined by 26%. The area of occupancy declined in 37% of species, which were primarily oligotrophic species typical of nutrient‐poor bog communities. Conversely, occupancy increased in 21% of species, especially those that were more tolerant of higher nutrient availability. These changes were associated with variation in plant functional traits, as indicated by an increase mean Ellenberg trait values for nitrogen and mean temperature, and a decline in values for precipitation. These results suggest that eutrophication and climate change have been key drivers of floristic change on this site.
4. Synthesis. This investigation provides a rare assessment of the dynamics of a mire community over a multi‐decadal interval. Results indicate that substantial change has occurred in the composition of the community, and the distribution of species within it. The investigation provides evidence of the impact of environmental change on the composition and structure of a lowland mire community, and highlights challenges for its future conservation.

     

Stem extension and mechanical stability of Xanthium canadense grown in an open or in a dense stand

Background and Aims

Plants in open, uncrowded habitats typically have relatively short stems with many branches, whereas plants in crowded habitats grow taller and more slender at the expense of mechanical stability. There seems to be a trade-off between height growth and mechanical stability, and this study addresses how stand density influences stem extension and consequently plant safety margins against mechanical failure.

Methods

Xanthium canadense plants were grown either solitarily (S-plants) or in a dense stand (D-plants) until flowering. Internode dimensions and mechanical properties were measured at the metamer level, and the critical buckling height beyond which the plant elastically buckles under its own weight and the maximum lateral wind force the plant can withstand were calculated.

Key Results

Internodes were longer in D- than S-plants, but basal diameter did not differ significantly. Relative growth rates of internode length and diameter were negatively correlated to the volumetric solid fraction of the internode. Internode dry mass density was higher in S- than D-plants. Young''s modulus of elasticity and the breaking stress were higher in lower metamers, and in D- than in S-plants. Within a stand, however, both moduli were positively related to dry mass density. The buckling safety factor, a ratio of critical buckling height to actual height, was higher in S- than in D-plants. D-plants were found to be approaching the limiting value 1. Lateral wind force resistance was higher in S- than in D-plants, and increased with growth in S-plants.

Conclusions

Critical buckling height increased with height growth due mainly to an increase in stem stiffness and diameter and a reduction in crown/stem mass ratio. Lateral wind force resistance was enhanced due to increased tissue strength and diameter. The increase in tissue stiffness and strength with height growth plays a crucial role in maintaining a safety margin against mechanical failure in herbaceous species that lack the capacity for secondary growth.     

Functional identity is the main driver of diversity effects in young tree communities

Two main effects are proposed to explain biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships: niche complementarity and selection effects. Both can be functionally defined using the functional diversity (FD) and functional identity (FI) of the community respectively. Herein, we present results from the first tree diversity experiment that separated the effect of selection from that of complementarity by varying community composition in high‐density plots along a gradient of FD, independent of species richness and testing for the effects of FD and community weighted means of traits (a proxy for FI) on stem biomass increment (a proxy for productivity). After 4 years of growth, most mixtures did not differ in productivity from the averages of their respective monocultures, but some did overyield significantly. Those positive diversity effects resulted mostly from selection effects, primarily driven by fast‐growing deciduous species and associated traits. Net diversity effect did not increase with time over 4 years.     

Drivers of aboveground wood production in a lowland tropical forest of West Africa: teasing apart the roles of tree density,tree diversity,soil phosphorus,and historical logging

Tropical forests currently play a key role in regulating the terrestrial carbon cycle and abating climate change by storing carbon in wood. However, there remains considerable uncertainty as to whether tropical forests will continue to act as carbon sinks in the face of increased pressure from expanding human activities. Consequently, understanding what drives productivity in tropical forests is critical. We used permanent forest plot data from the Gola Rainforest National Park (Sierra Leone) – one of the largest tracts of intact tropical moist forest in West Africa – to explore how (1) stand basal area and tree diversity, (2) past disturbance associated with past logging, and (3) underlying soil nutrient gradients interact to determine rates of aboveground wood production (AWP). We started by statistically modeling the diameter growth of individual trees and used these models to estimate AWP for 142 permanent forest plots. We then used structural equation modeling to explore the direct and indirect pathways which shape rates of AWP. Across the plot network, stand basal area emerged as the strongest determinant of AWP, with densely packed stands exhibiting the fastest rates of AWP. In addition to stand packing density, both tree diversity and soil phosphorus content were also positively related to productivity. By contrast, historical logging activities negatively impacted AWP through the removal of large trees, which contributed disproportionately to productivity. Understanding what determines variation in wood production across tropical forest landscapes requires accounting for multiple interacting drivers – with stand structure, tree diversity, and soil nutrients all playing a key role. Importantly, our results also indicate that logging activities can have a long‐lasting impact on a forest's ability to sequester and store carbon, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding old‐growth tropical forests.     

Functional differentiation between the inner and outer leaves in a mechanical support by a pseudostem of Veratrum album subsp. oxysepalum

The pseudostem of Veratrum album subsp. oxysepalum consists of radical leaves, which have tubular and concentrically aggregated petioles. We examined a hypothesis that the major role of the inner leaves is to raise the leaf blades higher for increased photosynthesis, while that of the outer leaves is to mechanically support the inner leaves at the expense of displaying their leaf blades. The removal of outer leaves resulted in the collapse of the remaining inner leaves, showing outer leaves provide important support for inner leaves. The estimation of mechanical properties for the constituting leaves revealed that inner leaves possess greater mass of leaf blades for their capacity of mechanical support them compared to outer leaves. These results uphold the hypothesis that the primary role of inner leaves is to display leaf blades for photosynthesis, while that for outer leaves is to mechanically support the less stable inner leaves.     

Evaluation of a non-targeted "omic" approach in the safety assessment of genetically modified plants

Genetically modified plants must be approved before release in the European Union, and the approval is generally based upon a comparison of various characteristics between the transgenic plant and a conventional counterpart. As a case study, focusing on safety assessment of genetically modified plants, we here report the development and characterisation of six independently transformed ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA lines modified in the flavonoid biosynthesis. Analyses of integration events and comparative analysis for characterisation of the intended effects were performed by PCR, quantitative Real-time PCR, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Analysis by cDNA microarray was used as a non-targeted approach for the identification of potential unintended effects caused by the transformation. The results revealed that, although the transgenic lines possessed different types of integration events, no unintended effects were identified. However, we found that the majority of genes showing differential expression were identified as stress-related genes and that environmental conditions had a large impact on the expression of several genes, proteins, and metabolites. We suggest that the microarray approach has the potential to become a useful tool for screening of unintended effects, but state that it is crucial to have substantial information on the natural variation in traditional crops in order to be able to interpret "omics" data correctly within the framework of food safety assessment strategies of novel plant varieties, including genetically modified plant varieties.