Allozyme variation in 16 natural populations of Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev

The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the genetic variability; and (2) to determine the phylogenetic relationship in the leguminous tree Faidherbia albida through out its range of distribution in East, West and Southern Africa. A total of 16 populations were subjected to enzyme electrophoresis and 6 enzyme systems (Adh, Mdh, G6pdh, Idh, 6Pgdh, and alpha-Est) encoded by 12 loci were scored. A total of fifty one different alleles were detected, with an average of 2.5 alleles per locus. Forty three percent of the loci were polymorphic at a 95% criterion. The average expected heterozygosity (gene diversity index H(e)) was 0.141. All provenances showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation. The UPGMA cluster analysis, based on Modified Rogers distance revealed close similarities between Eastern and Southern African provenances, except Debre zeit from Ethiopia, which was closest to West African populations than to the East African populations. Also, Bignona from West Africa was peculiarly closer to East African provenances. Differentiation of West African populations from Eastern and Southern African provenances was quite evident, emphasising the clinical pattern of variation in these two major geographical races of F. albida in Africa. Wright's F-statistics showed an overall significant deficit of heterozygotes, a common feature in mixed mating, entomophilous, widespread species such as F. albida. The dendrogram analysis showed wide separation among the three Ethiopian provenances indicating a high level of genetic differentiation and diversity among them.     

Response of Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev., Acacia nigrescens Oliver. and Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del. seedlings to simulated cotyledon and shoot herbivory in a semi‐arid savanna in Zimbabwe

Woody plant seedling establishment is constrained by herbivory in many semi‐arid savannas. We clipped shoots and cotyledons of three woody species 5‐day (=‘early’) or 28‐day (= ‘late’) post‐emergence to simulate herbivory. Seedlings had shoot apex, one or two cotyledon(s) removed, or were retained intact. Survival rates were ≥80%, ≥40% and ≥20% for Acacia nilotica, Acacia nigrescens and Faidherbia albida respectively. F. albida mobilized stored cotyledon reserves faster and consequently shed the cotyledons earlier than the two Acacia species. Cotyledons were shed off as late as 70 days post‐emergence with 5‐day shedding earlier than 28‐day and cotyledon life‐span decreasing with intensity of defoliation. Shoot apex removal 28‐day resulted in higher compensatory growth than 5‐day in all three species. Cotyledon removal had no effect on shoot length, while shoot apex removal reduced shoot length. In F. albida root growth was stimulated by shoot apex removal. We conclude that potential tolerance to herbivory in terms of seedling survival was of the order A. nilotica > A. nigrescens > F. albida, timing of shoot apex and cotyledon removal influenced seedling growth in terms of biomass and that shoot apex removal stimulated compensatory growth which is critical to seedling survival.     

Climate Change Impacts on Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev. Distribution in Dry Lands of Ethiopia

Given recent and projected climate change, the study of adaptation and mitigation strategies which involve ecologically and economically important plant species is urgently needed. Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev. is a species of both economic and ecological importance. We use 229 locational records gathered in the dry highlands of Ethiopia, nineteen environmental variables and the modelling program MaxEnt to model both the present and possible future distributions of this species. To model future distributions, we used two emission scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways 2.6 and 8.5) for two time slices (2050 and 2070). Mean temperature of wettest quarter was the major factor which determines the species' potential distribution. Suitable habitat for F. albida under the current climatic conditions is the mid‐highlands. However, its future distributions would shift upwards in elevation and will likely lead to some decrease in suitable areas, especially towards the end of the century. At the same time, however, other areas would become suitable for colonization, so that, overall, the species does not appear to face a significant reduction in distribution within our study region. Future studies should consider the possible effects of climate extremes, further environmental factors and of evolutionary adaptation of the species to new conditions.     

华北石质山区核桃-绿豆复合系统氘同位素变化及其水分利用

通过对比核桃枝条和绿豆茎内δD值差异来分析核桃和绿豆水分来源和利用。结果表明,核桃-绿豆农林复合系统的根系在表层土壤(0—30cm)中交叉存在,生态位重叠。旱季中表层土壤含水量与δD值之间存在显著的负相关关系(R2=0.77,P=0.02),雨季相关关系不显著(R2=0.03,P=0.73)。δD值分析表明,旱季中核桃利用深层土壤(30—80cm)水分占总水分来源的51%以上,雨季中则主要利用浅层土壤水分,间作绿豆和单作绿豆主要利用表层土壤水分。雨季中表层土壤水分能同时满足核桃和绿豆生长需要,但复合系统中光能竞争导致间作绿豆光合速率显著地低于单作绿豆。旱季间作绿豆0—20cm土壤水分含量、凌晨叶片水势和光合速率明显高于单作绿豆,显示间作绿豆体内水分状况好于单作绿豆。线性模型分析结果显示间作绿豆体内约有1.58%—5.39%的水分来核桃夜晚水力提升,表明复合系统在旱季一定程度上缓冲季节性水分胁迫对农作物生长的影响。     

Effects of pre-storage conditions on storage of in vitro cultures of Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott and Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev.

In vitro cultures of Nephrolepis exaltata and Cordyline fruticosa were stored at 5°, 9° or 13°C, at a low irradiance (3–5 mol m^–2 s^–1) or in darkness. Prior to storage the cultures were subjected to 18°, 21°, 24° or 27°C and 15, 30 or 45 mol m^–2 s^–1 in a factorial combination.The optimal storage conditions for Nephrolepis were 9°C in complete darkness. These cultures were still transferable to a peat/perlite mixture at the end of the experimental period of 36 months.The optimal storage conditions for Cordyline were 13°C and a low light level (±3–5 mol m^-2 s^-1). When the pre-storage conditions were normal growth room conditions (24°C and 30 mol m^-2 s^-1), in vitro cultures could be stored for 18 months. With the most favourable pre-storage treatment (18°C and 15 mol m^-2 s^-1) some cultures still had green shoots after 36 months of storage, but did not survive transfer to peat/perlite.Pre-conditioning before storage was most favourable for Nephrolepis, and not that important, but still favourable, for Cordyline. There was an interaction between pre-storage temperature and pre-storage irradiance. For both species a high irradiance level was less favourable than a low irradiance level when combined with high growth room temperatures.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NOA 2-naphthoxyacetic acid     

The significance of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the late Holocene environments of west and west central Africa: A further consideration

Abundant archaeological evidence of the occurrence of the endocarp of the oil palm,Elaeis guineensis, in the rain forest and woodland savanna zones of west and central Africa from about 5000 B.P. has shown the tree to be an important element in the subsistence economy of the region; its pollen also has been recorded in most of the regional terrestrial sediments studied so far. The distinct and consistently sudden and more marked increases in this pollen during the late Holocene when compared with the late Tertiary and late Pleistocene frequencies strongly indicate that the late Holocene upsurges were due to both natural and human factors favourable for the expansion of this heliophytic tree. Reasons are given for suggesting that upsurges in oil palm pollen during the late Holocene period in this region can be used as indices of plant cultivation. While the oil palm is known from early Tertiary deposits in west Africa, its earliest palynological record from terrestrial sediments in the west central part dates back only to the early Holocene. More palynological studies of Tertiary and Quaternary terrestrial cores are required to establish with more certainty the antiquity ofE. guineensis in west central Africa.     

The phenology of leaf life spans in woodland populations of the ferns Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott and D. dilatata (Hoffm.) A. Gray in Derbyshire

WILLMOT, A., 1989. The phenology of leaf life spans in woodland populations of the ferns Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott and D. dilatata (Hoffm.) A. Gray in Derbyshire. The results of a survey on the number of upright fronds per plant in a population of Dryopteris filix-mas and in a population of D. dilatata over a 14 month period are presented. These coupled with similar information on the number of developing fronds per plant demonstrate that large plants in the population of each species were summergreen, while small ones were wintergreen. This size-specific difference in leaf phenology does not seem to have been recorded before in Dryopteris filix-mas. It is suggested that this difference, in both species, may have been due to either the different environments in which the plants grew or to a risk-sensitive strategy in the small plants. It is considered that such a strategy might be concerned with the obtaining or retention of resources at a critical period in the life history of the species.     

A Comparative Study by δ13C-Analysis of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) in Kalanchoë (Crassulaceae) Species of Africa and Madagascar

The carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C values) of samples of Kalanchoë species collected in Africa were compared with previous data obtained with species from Madagascar. In contrast to the Malagasy species which cover the whole range of δ¹³C values from ?10 to ? 30%_o, indicating high inter- and intraspecific diversity of CAM performance, in the African species nearly all δ¹³C values were less negative than ?18%₀. Thus, in the African species the CAM behaviour is characterized by CO₂ uptake proceeding mainly during the night. The distribution of δ¹³C values among the species clearly mirrors the taxonomic groups and the three sections of the genus Kalanchoë sensu lato. The Kitchingia section comprises only groups having CAM with a high proportion of carbon acquisition by the C₃-pathway of photosynthesis. The same holds true for the first three groups of the Bryophyllum section, whereas in the following groups of the section CAM with CO₂ proceeding mainly during the night is common. The latter CAM mode is typical also for the majority of groups and species in the section Eukalanchoë. The African Kalanchoë species belong to the Eukalanchoë section, whereas in Madagascar all three sections are abundant. The data support the view that the centre of adaptive radiation of the genus is located in Madagascar. They also suggest that high CAM variability is abundant in the more primitive taxa of the genus, whereas the phylogenetically more derived taxa show a stereotype CAM with CO₂ uptake taking place only during the night.     

Stable isotope analysis of water extraction from subsoil in upland rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) as affected by drought and soil compaction

Water extraction from subsoil in upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) was examined as related to topsoil desiccation and subsoil compaction. The water extraction was observed by measurements of heavy water concentrations in transpiring plants. The plants were grown in pots that were filled with sandy soil and vertically compartmented into two columns. Heavy water was applied to the subsoil. Plants exposed to mild topsoil desiccation (–120 kPa in water potential) eventually increased water extraction from the subsoil and maintained photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at the wet condition level. The rates of the plants subjected to severely droughted topsoil (–190 kPa) were significantly lowered due to less water uptake from the subsoil. Subsoil compaction at bulk densities of 1.45 and 1.50 Mg m^–3 inhibited increase of root length densities. Limited water extraction from the subsoil was insufficient to maintain plant productivity under drought conditions. Daily water uptake per unit of root length in the lower tube did not apparently increase even if water demand on the unit root length increased. When water to topsoil was completely withheld, water extraction from the subsoil gradually increased as the topsoil dried out. Plants that were watered and rewatered took up very little water from the subsoil. The extraction from the subsoil occurred only when water potential of the topsoil was below about –190 kPa.     

In situ measurements of uptake of inorganic carbon and nitrogen by the aquatic liverworts Jungermannia vulcanicola Steph. and Scapania undulata (L.) Dum. in an acid stream,Kashiranashigawa, Japan

In situ uptake of inorganic carbon and nitrogen by the aquatic liverworts Jungermannia vulcanicola Steph. and Scapania undulata (L.) Dum. was measured in an acid stream, Kashiranashigawa, Japan. The uptake activities were similar in the both species. The activities were highest at the tip of shoots, and decreased gradually towards the base. Carbon uptake at the tip in the light was 10.4 × 10^–4 for J. vulcanicola and 8.1 × 10^–4 g C g dry wt^–1 h^–1 1 for S. undulata. Ammonium was effectively incorporated into the shoots, and the uptake activity at the tip was between 1.9 × 10^–5 and 5.8 × 10^–5 g N g dry wt^–1 h^–1. Nitrate uptake was smaller than ammonium uptake. The ratio of dark to light uptake in ammonium uptake experiments was larger than that in carbon uptake experiments. These results suggest that the liverworts use ammonium as a major nitrogen source, and that ammonium uptake was less dependent on light than carbon uptake.     

Comparative evaluation of water quality on the St. Joseph River (Michigan and Indiana,U.S.A.) by three methods of algal analysis

Samples from 28 stations along the St. Joeeph River in Michigan and Indiana were collected in the Summer and late Fall of 1972. The samples were analyzed chemically (BOD, soluble orthophosphate, total phosphate, and NH₃), physically (temperature and suspended solids) and biologically (algal units, Palmer's index, bacteria, and microalgal spectral analysis). Three methods of algal evaluation (microalgal spectral analysis, algal units, and the Palmer's index) provided especially good information indicating that nutrients and degradation were a distinct problem in the lower half of the river, not only in the Indiana portion, but also in Michigan. A pronounced water quality deterioration occurred in Michigan at Niles and at St. Joseph-Benton Harbor at the mouth of the river. Evidence of improved water quality was provided by the algal analyses after the installation of improved waste water treatment facilities. Microalgal spectral analysis was judged the best and most accurate of the methods of algal analysis in spite of its extensive terminology and necessity of determination of the algae to species.     

Expression of dehydration-stress-related genes in the crowns of wheatgrass species [Lophopyrum elongatum (Host) A. Love and Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link.) Schult.] having contrasting acclimation to salt, cold and drought

Agropyron desertorum and Lophopyrum elongatum were grown in a control environment or acclimated in high‐salt (daily exposure to 75 or 150 m M NaCl for 6 d), cold (6/2 °C for 14 d) or drought environments (watering withheld for 6 d). Lophopyrum elongatum was constitutively tolerant to salt and also acclimated more to salt than did A. desertorum whereas A. desertorum acclimated more to cold and drought. Dehydrin and non‐specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) mRNA sequences and polypeptides increased more, during acclimation to cold and drought, in A. desertorum than in L. elongatum crowns. Expression of immunologically identified dehydrin polypeptides was much higher in drought‐acclimated A. desertorum than in any other species/treatment combination. The most strongly expressed were 42 and 20 kDa. No change in dehydrin or nsLTP polypeptides were detected in the crowns during acclimation to salt. Overall, there was stronger acclimation to dehydrative stresses, at the molecular level, in A. desertorum than in L. elongatum crowns. Differences in dehydrin and nsLTP mRNA and polypeptide expression during acclimation to different stresses indicated that plants sense the differences between different primary potential causes of cellular dehydration.     

A study by cryo-scanning electron microscopy of the initiation and early development of an inflorescence in glasshouse celery (Apium graveolens L. var. dulce (Miller) Pers.) grown under inductive conditions

The morphology of flower initiation and early development in glasshouse celery (Apium graveolens L. var. dulce (Miller) Pers.) cv. Celebrity was studied by means of apical dissections and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Easily recognisable morphological features were used to define seven stages in the early development of the inflorescence. A highly significant linear regression was established between the logarithm of the apical diameter (measured diametrically across the apical dome between the two most recently initiated leaf or inflorescence primordia) and these discrete floral stages. There was no strong evidence that either the origin or the slope of the regression varied with different combinations of temperature (viz. 10°C or 14°C) and daylength (viz. natural, short or long) which were conducive for the initiation and development of an inflorescence. It is suggested that both apical diameter and floral stage may be used as parameters for assessing the influence of environmental factors such as temperature and daylength on the floral development of glasshouse celery.     

Genetic diversity and structure of populations in Pilosocereus gounellei (F.A.C.Weber ex K.Schum.) (Cactaceae) in the Caatinga biome as revealed by heterologous microsatellite primers

Microsatellite transferability was used as a method to examine the genetic diversity and structure of populations in Pilosocereus gounellei seedling samples that have potential to implement effective restoration strategies for degraded and disturbed areas of the Caatinga biome. Genomic DNA was extracted from 85 seedlings obtained from fruit collected from plants growing in native areas in the Brazilian states of Piaui (PI), Rio Grande do Norte (RN), and Bahia (BA). Six microsatellite primers were polymorphic. AMOVA showed higher genetic variation within (72%) than among (28%) the samples from the three states. The high level of similarity between the seedlings from PI, BA, and RN indicated that samples collected at any of the three sites can be used to represent the genetic diversity of the species. Seeds of plants from the three States are recommended as samples for germplasm banks and/or the production of plantlets to i) plant in areas of strategic reserves for forage, ii) deploy new cultivation areas, iii) restore degraded areas in the semi-arid Northeast, and iv) maintain ecological reserve banks and fodder with genetically divergent plants.     

Light absorption by phytoplankton and chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the drainage basin and estuary of the Neuse River, North Carolina (U.S.A.)

1. We examined the absorption of solar radiation by phytoplankton and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) taking into account riparian shading in the rivers, reservoirs, swamps of the Neuse River Estuary and its drainage basin. 2. In the streams, CDOM typically absorbed 55 and 64% of photons in the spectral range of 400–700 nm (photosynthetically active radiation, PAR) and 500–600 nm, respectively. The large proportion of photons absorbed by CDOM indicates high potential for abiotic photochemial reactions in the 500–600 nm region. 3. Despite the high concentration of nutrients, phytoplankton contributed little (2%) to the total absorption of PAR in the streams. Small (<30 m wide) streams typically received only 7% of incident PAR that impinged onto the more exposed reservoirs and estuary. Riparian shading and the low contribution of phytoplankton to the total absorption resulted in conditions where phytoplankton absorbed nearly two orders of magnitude less PAR in the streams than in the estuary and reservoirs. 4. The results indicated that riparian shading and non‐algal absorbing components can significantly restrict phytoplankton production in nutrient‐rich streams with a high concentration of CDOM flowing throughout forested catchments.     

A comparative survey of the Erpobdella octoculata (L.) populations in the Afon Crafnant,N. Wales,above and below an input of zinc from mine-waste

The life-cycle, growth, and reproductive success of a stream-dwelling Erpobdella octoculata (L.) were studied over a 19-month period at two sites, one above and one below an input of zinc pollution from mine-waste. Samples were collected monthly using quadrats. The blotted wet weight of all leeches was measured. An histological technique was employed to determine sexual maturity. Reproductive success was measured by estimating the numbers of cocoons and number of eggs per cocoon at each site. A wet ashing technique, followed by analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, was used to determine the extent of bioaccumulation of zinc. Total zinc and other metals in the waters were similarly analysed.Differences were found between the populations at the two sites. The life-history of the Erpobdella above the contamination was comparable to that found for other stream-dwelling populations previously studied. Observed differences in densities of leeches between sites in the present and in previous studies by other workers may be due to recorded differences in the abundance of available food. At the polluted site, there was evidence that (a) there was a delay in cocoon deposition and hence hatching of young, (b) the adult leeches produced more misshapened and empty cocoons, (c) no relationship existed between the area of cocoons with eggs and number of eggs present, and (d) the proportion of young to adult leech was smaller at the polluted site. At the polluted site, higher levels of zinc were recorded in the tissues of Erpobdella and there was some evidence for the active intake of zinc by the leech.