Effects of local scouring and saturation of soil due to flooding on maximum resistive bending moment for overturning Robinia pseudoacacia

The effects on Robinia pseudoacacia (an exotic and invasive plant in Japanese rivers) of local scouring and saturation of the soil in the root-anchoring zone due to flooding were investigated. Scouring has been defined as the removal of substrate in the root-anchoring zone, exposing the tree roots. Tree-pulling experiments were conducted, simulating flood action, and the resulting damage was examined in order to assess the effect of local scouring on the maximum resistive bending moment (M _max) for overturning. Scouring was artificially created to three different depths, 0, 25, and 50 cm. A nonlinear model was developed that included soil strength characteristics to calculate the critical overturning moment (M _cri) under dry and saturated soil conditions. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) of M _max with different tree and root–soil plate characteristics, such as diameter at breast height (D _bh), tree weight, root depth, and root–soil plate radius, were developed in order to elucidate the effects of scouring on M _max. M _max was slightly reduced with scouring depth for trees with D _bh <10 cm (small) trunks, and it was significantly and negatively (p < 0.05) correlated with scouring depth for trees with 10 < D _bh < 20 cm (medium) trunks. However, M _max did not change significantly with scouring depth for trees with a D _bh >20 cm (big) trunks. The nonlinear model was useful for determining the M _cri of R. pseudoacacia under dry and saturated soil conditions. The overturning moments of all (small, medium, and big) trees were considerably reduced under the saturated soil condition. It could be concluded that medium-sized trees were greatly affected by scouring, and that small and big trees were mainly affected by saturation of the soil under severe flooding conditions.     

The root–soil system of Norway spruce subjected to turning moment: resistance as a function of rotation

The reactions of trees to wind, rockfall, and snow and debris flow depend largely on how strong and deformable their anchorage in the soil is. Here, the resistive turning moment M of the root–soil system as a function of the rotation ϕ at the stem base plays the major role. M(ϕ) describes the behavior of the root–soil system when subject to rotational moment, with the maximum M(ϕ) indicating the anchorage strength M _a of the tree. We assessed M(ϕ) of 66 Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) by pulling them over with a winch. These 45- to 170-year-old trees grew at sites of low and high elevation, with a diameter at breast height DBH = 14–69 cm and a height H = 9–42 m. M(ϕ) displayed a strong nonlinear behavior. M _a was reached at a lower ϕ for large trees than for small trees. Thus overhanging tree weight contributed less to M _a for the large trees. Overturning also occurred at a lower ϕ for the large trees. These observations show that the rotational ductility of the root–soil system is higher for small trees. M _a could be described by four monovariate linear regression equations of tree weight, stem weight, stem volume and DBH ² ·H (0.80 < R ² < 0.95), and ϕ at M _a, ϕ _a, by a power law of DBH²·H (R ² = 0.85). We found significantly higher M _a for the low-elevation spruces than for the high-elevation spruces, which were more shallowly anchored, but no significant difference in ϕ _a. The 66 curves of M(ϕ), normalized (_n) by M _a in M-direction and by ϕ _a in ϕ-direction, yielded one characteristic average curve: . Using and the predictions of M _a and ϕ _a, it is shown that M(ϕ) and the curves associated with M(ϕ) can be predicted with a relative standard error ≤25%. The parameterization of M(ϕ) by tree size and weight is novel and provides useful information for predicting with finite-element computer models how trees will react to natural hazards.     

Impacts of forest management type and season on soil carbon fluxes in Eastern Mau Forest,Kenya

The value of ecosystems functions performed by forests in the climate change era has prompted increasing attention towards assessment of carbon stocks and fluxes in tropical forests. The aim of this study was to understand how forest management approaches and environmental controls impacted on soil CO₂ efflux in a tropical Eastern Mau forest which is one of the blocks of the greater Mau complex in Kenya. Nested experimental design approach was employed where 32 plots were nested into four blocks (disturbed natural, undisturbed natural, plantation and glades). In 10 m² plots, data were collected on soil CO₂ efflux, soil temperature and soil moisture using soda lime methods, direct measurement and proxy techniques, respectively. There was significant forest management type effect (F_3,127 = 3.01, p = 0.033) and seasonality effect (t test = 3.31, df = 1, p < 0.05) on mean soil CO₂ efflux. The recorded mean soil CO₂ efflux levels were as follows: plantation forest (9.219 ± 3.067 g C M^?2 day^?1), undisturbed natural forest (8.665 ± 4.818 g C M^?2 day^?1), glades (8.592 ± 3.253 g C M^?2 day^?1) and disturbed natural forest (7.198 ± 3.457 g C M^?2 day^?1). The study concludes that managing a forest in plantation form is primarily responsible for forest soil CO₂ efflux levels due to aspects such as increased microbial activity and root respiration. However, further studies are required to understand the role and impact of soil CO₂ efflux on the greater forest carbon budget.     

Effects of tree characteristics and substrate condition on critical breaking moment of trees due to heavy flooding

To elucidate tree breakage conditions with different breaking mechanisms, i.e., moment by drag force, local scour, and degradation of the substrate around trees, field surveys were conducted after a flood event (September 2007 flood due to Typhoon 9) in the Tamagawa River, Japan. Trees in a river have two main breaking mechanisms during a flood event, moment by fluid force and erosion of the substrate. Moment by fluid force causes two breaking phenomena, trunk damage (bending, breakage) and overturning. Trunk bending or breakage can be expressed as a function of d ^c , where d is the trunk diameter at breast height and the power c equals 3 for trunk bending or breakage, and approximately 2 for overturning. Smaller diameter trees experienced trunk breakage, but larger trees were overturned. The range for these two breaking patterns changes with the substrate condition. If severe scouring has occurred, the threshold for overturning moment can be quite small. Tree overturning occurred mostly on the bank side of the gravel bar; however, some trees, especially Robinia pseudo acacia and Morus bombycis, were overturned if the substrate was a thin deposited soil or silt layer on gravel. The roots were anchored in the small-particle deposited layer in that case. As for the erosion of the substrate, the tree-breaking patterns can be classified into three types depending on the relationship between the nondimensionalized bed shear stress of d ₅₀ and d ₈₄, the representative grain diameters at which 50 and 84% of the volume of the material, respectively, is finer. The nondimensionalized shear stress of d ₈₄ is an important parameter for discussing the rehabilitation of the gravel bed bar. The boundary region for tree overturning can be changed by the effects of plant cover and debris attachment.     

Growth and functional responses of different cultivars of Lotus corniculatus to aluminum and low pH stress

Aluminum toxicity is an important stress factor in acid soils. Growth, respiration and permeability properties of root cells were studied in five cultivars of Lotus corniculatus subjected to aluminum (Al) or low pH stress. The cultivars showed significant differences in root elongation under stress conditions, which correlated with changes in membrane potential (E_M) of root cortical cells. A pH drop from 5.5 to 4.0 resulted in significant membrane depolarization and root growth inhibition. The strongest inhibition was observed in cv. São Gabriel (33.6%) and least in cv. UFRGS (25.8%). Application of an extremely high Al concentration (2 mM) stopped the root growth in cv. INIA Draco, while inhibition in cv. UFRGS reached only 75%.The E_M values of cortical cells of Lotus roots varied between −115 and −144 mV. Treatment with 250 μM of AlCl₃ (pH 4) resulted in rapid membrane depolarization. The extent of the membrane depolarization ranged between 51 mV (cv. UFGRS) and 16 mV (cv. INIA Draco). The membrane depolarization was followed by a loss of K⁺ from Al-treated roots (2 mM Al) and resulted in a decrease of the diffusion potential (E_D). The total amount of K⁺ in Al-treated roots dropped from 31.4 to 16.8 μmol g⁻¹ FW in sensitive cv. INIA Draco, or from 26.1 to 22.7 μmol g⁻¹ FW in tolerant cv. UFGRS. The rate of root respiration under control conditions as well as under Al treatment was higher in cv. INIA Draco than in cv. UFRGS. Al-induced inhibition of root respiration was 21–34% of the control.     

Manganese dynamics in the rhizosphere and Mn uptake by different crops evaluated by a mechanistic model

Understanding of the mechanisms of Mn supply from the soil and uptake by the plants can be improved by using simulation models that are based on basic principles. For this, a pot culture experiment was conducted with a sandy clay loam soil to measure Mn uptake by summer wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Planet), maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pirat) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Orbis) and to simulate Mn dynamics in the rhizosphere by means of a mechanistic model. Seeds of three crops were sown in pots containing 2.9 kg soil in a controlled growth chamber. Root and shoot weight, Mn content of plants, root length and root radius were determined 8 (13 days in case of sugar beet) and 20 days after germination. Soil and plant parameters were determined to run nutrient uptake model calculations. Manganese content of the shoot varied from 25 mg kg^-1 for sugar beet to 34 mg kg^-1 for maize. Sugar beet had the lowest root length/shoot weight ratio but the highest relative shoot growth rate, resulting in the highest shoot demand on the root. This is reflected by the Mn influx which was 0.9 × 10^-7, 1.7 × 10^-7 and 2.5 × 10^-7 nmol cm^-1 s^-1 for wheat, maize and sugar beet, respectively. Nutrient uptake model calculations predicted similar influx values. Initial Mn concentration of 0.2 μM in the soil solution decreased to only 0.16 μM for wheat, 0.13 μM for maize and 0.11 μM for sugar beet at the root surface. This shows that manganese transport to the root was not a limiting step. This was confirmed by the fact that an assumed 20 times increase in maximum influx (I_max) increased the calculated Mn influx by 3.7 times. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that for controlling Mn uptake the initial soil solution concentration (C _Li), the root radius (r₀), I_max and the Michaelis constant (K _m) were the most sensitive factors in the listed order. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ionic Strength Dependence of Calcium, Adenine Nucleotide, Magnesium, and Caffeine Actions on Ryanodine Receptors in Rat Brain

Abstract: [³H]Ryanodine binding studies of ryanodine receptors in brain membrane preparations typically require the presence of high salt concentrations in assay incubations to yield optimal levels of binding. Here, radioligand binding measurements on rat cerebral cortical tissues were conducted under high (1.0 M KCI) and low (200 mM KCI) salt buffer conditions to determine the effects of ionic strength on receptor binding properties as well as on modulation of ligand binding by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, β,γ-methylene-adenosine 5′-triphosphate (AMP-PCP), and caffeine. In 1.0 M KCI buffer, labeled titration/equilibrium analyses yielded two classes of binding sites with apparent K_D (nM) and B_max (fmol/mg of protein) values of 2.4 and 34, respectively, for the high-affinity site and 19.9 and 157, respectively, for the low-affinity site. Unlabeled titration/equilibrium measurements gave a single high-affinity site with a K_D value of 1.9 nM and a B_max value of 95 fmol/mg of protein. The apparent K_D value derived from association and dissociation studies was 20 pM. Equilibrium binding was activated by Ca²⁺ (K_D/Ca²⁺= 14 nM), inhibited by Mg²⁺ (IC₆₀= 5.0 mM), and unaffected by AMP-PCP or caffeine. In 200 mM KCI buffer conditions, labeled titration analyses gave only a single site with a K_D value similar to and a B_max value 1.8-fold greater than those obtained for the low-affinity site in 1.0 M KCI buffer. In unlabeled titration measurements, the K_D value was fivefold lower, whereas the B_max value was unaffected. The K_D value derived from association and dissociation analysis was 2.4-fold greater in 200 mM KCI compared with 1.0 M KCI buffer conditions. In 200 mM compared with 1.0 M KCI, the potency with which Mg²⁺ inhibited binding was increased by 3.8-fold, whereas the affinity of the activation site for Ca²⁺ was reduced by 13-fold. Addition of caffeine in the presence of low salt increased the affinity of Ca²⁺ activation by 1.7-fold. The inhibitory effect of Mg²⁺ on [³H]-ryanodine binding in the presence of 200 mM KCI was reversed by AMP-PCP and caffeine with apparent EC₅₀ values of 0.25 and 7.6 mM, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that ionic strength is an important consideration in binding studies of brain ryanodine receptors and their interactions with modulatory agents.     

Kinetics of ammonium, nitrate and phosphorus uptake by Canna indica and Schoenoplectus validus

Canna indica L. is an upright perennial rhizomatous herb, and Schoenoplectus validus (Vahl) A. Löve and D. Löve is a tall, perennial, herbaceous sedge. The nutrient uptake kinetics of C. indica and S. validus were investigated using the modified depletion method after plants were grown for 4 weeks in simulated secondary-treated wastewater. The maximum uptake rate (I_max) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) were estimated by iterative curve fitting. The I_max for NH₄N (623 μmol g⁻¹ dry root weight h⁻¹) was significantly higher than that for NO₃N (338 μmol g⁻¹ dry root weight h⁻¹) in S. validus. In contrast, no difference was observed in C. indica. The I_max values for NO₃N and NH₄N were higher in S. validus than in C. indica. A significantly lower K_m was detected for NO₃N uptake in C. indica (385 μmol L⁻¹) compared to that in S. validus (1908 μmol L⁻¹). The I_max for PO₄P did not differ between the plant species. The K_m for PO₄P was significantly higher in C. indica (157 μmol L⁻¹) than in S. validus (60 μmol L⁻¹). In conclusion, we found that S. validus preferred NH₄N over NO₃N, had greater capacity for N uptake and higher affinity for PO₄P, but C. indica had greater affinity for NO₃N. Nutrient uptake capacity is likely related to habitat preference, and is influenced by the structure of roots and rhizomes.     

Disentangling factors limiting diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.), spatio‐temporal population abundance: A tool for pest forecasting

Data‐mining techniques play an important role in hyperparameter optimization of heterogeneous environmental factors and their relative contribution as determinants of incidences in insect pest ecological studies. A multidimensional field‐based surveillance was conducted in two seasons (24 months), July–June of each season (2015/2016 ‐ season 1 and 2016/2017 ‐ season 2) using sex‐pheromone‐baited traps and Thermocron i‐Buttons to identify key determinants of population abundance of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., across spatial horticultural hotspots of Botswana. The moth is a notorious global brassica pest. Pearson's product moment correlation matrix showed month of the year (M), mean temperature (T_mean) and maximum temperature (T_max) as positively correlated (p < 0.001) to number of moths (N), while minimum temperature (T_min), minimum relative humidity (RH_min), mean relative humidity (RH_mean), maximum relative humidity (RH_max) and host plant (h) were negatively correlated (p < 0.001) to N. Using Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) data‐mining techniques, two models were developed: (a) M5P decision‐tree algorithm associated with nine linear models (LMs) and (b) principal component analysis (PCA) based on four principal components. Both approaches identified M as the major predictor of moth abundance, followed by h and farming region (R). However, R was a function of T_max (positive auto‐correlation) and RH_max (negative auto‐correlation). These results provide simplified relative contribution of heterogeneous factors in influencing P. xylostella spatio‐temporal abundance, essential for early warning systems in pest management. This is an important component of sustainable pest management aimed at managing insect pests and minimizing pesticides abuse in brassica production systems.     

Carbon balance and allocation of assimilated CO2 in Scots pine, Norway spruce, and Silver birch seedlings determined with gas exchange measurements and 14C pulse labelling

Carbon dioxide is released from the soil to the atmosphere in heterotrophic respiration when the dead organic matter is used for substrates for soil micro-organisms and soil animals. Respiration of roots and mycorrhiza is another major source of carbon dioxide in soil CO₂ efflux. The partitioning of these two fluxes is essential for understanding the carbon balance of forest ecosystems and for modelling the carbon cycle within these ecosystems. In this study, we determined the carbon balance of three common tree species in boreal forest zone, Scots pine, Norway spruce, and Silver birch with gas exchange measurements conducted in laboratory in controlled temperature and light conditions. We also studied the allocation pattern of assimilated carbon with ¹⁴C pulse labelling experiment. The photosynthetic light responses of the tree species were substantially different. The maximum photosynthetic capacity (P _max) was 2.21 μg CO₂ s⁻¹ g⁻¹ in Scots pine, 1.22 μg CO₂ s⁻¹ g⁻¹ in Norway spruce and 3.01 μg CO₂ s⁻¹ g⁻¹ in Silver birch seedlings. According to the pulse labelling experiments, 43–75% of the assimilated carbon remained in the aboveground parts of the seedlings. The amount of carbon allocated to root and rhizosphere respiration was about 9–26%, and the amount of carbon allocated to root and ectomycorrhizal biomass about 13–21% of the total assimilated CO₂. The ¹⁴CO₂ pulse reached the root system within few hours after the labelling and most of the pulse had passed the root system after 48 h. The transport rate of carbon from shoot to roots was fastest in Silver birch seedlings.     

Effect of temperature on light-limited growth of the harmful diatom Eucampia zodiacus Ehrenberg, a causative organism in the discoloration of Porphyra thalli

The diatom Eucampia zodiacus Ehrenberg is one of the harmful diatoms which indirectly cause, through nutrient depletion, discoloration of Porphyra thalli. The effect of temperature on light-limited growth of E. zodiacus was examined at 13 irradiance levels (5–350 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) in combination with five temperatures (8.0–25.0 °C). The results showed that all the parameters of growth-irradiance curves, such as the maximum growth rate (μ_m), half saturation constant (K_s), threshold value of irradiance (I₀) and saturation irradiance for growth (S), increased with increasing temperature. On the basis of the relationship between temperature and growth-irradiance curves and seasonal fluctuation of the light environment in Harima-Nada, the effect of irradiance on the population dynamics of E. zodiacus during the period from October to March was evaluated using two indices, depth of the threshold irradiance for growth (D_t) and depth where a half of its maximum growth rate is attained (D_k). D_t and D_k remained almost stable from October to December, but gradually increased in early March. This indicates that the range of depth at which E. zodiacus was able to grow increased markedly in early spring when E. zodiacus blooms in Harima-Nada. As the vegetative cells of E. zodiacus tend to distribute in relatively deeper water layers, where growth is limited by irradiance, the increase in the depth range over which E. zodiacus is able to grow is concluded to be an important factor allowing development of its blooms.     

Root Morphology and Anchorage of Six Native Tree Species from a Tropical Montane Forest and an Elfin Forest in Ecuador

Root architecture of tree species was investigated at two different altitudes in tropical forests in Ecuador. Increasing altitude was accompanied by higher wind speeds and more shallow soils, while slope angles of both sites were comparable (20–50°). Three tree species typical for the montane forest at 1900 m (Graffenrieda emarginata (Ruiz & Pav.) Triana (Melastomataceae), Clethra revoluta (Ruiz & Pav.) Spreng. (Clethraceae), Vismia tomentosa Ruiz & Pav. (Clusiaceae)) and for the elfin forest at 3000 m (Weinmannia loxensis Harling (Cunoniaceae), Clusia spec. (Clusiacaea) Styrax foveolaria Perkins (Styraceae)) were examined. At 1900 m, 92% of the trees grew upright, in comparison to 52% at 3000 m. At 3000 m, 48% of the trees were inclined, lying or even partly uprooted. At this altitude, all trees with tap roots or with shoots connected by coarse rhizomes, 83% of the trees with stilt roots, and 50% of the trees in which stems or roots were supported by other trees grew upright, suggesting that these characteristics were relevant for tree stability. Root system morphology differed markedly between altitudes. In contrast to 1900 m, where 20% of structural roots originated in the deeper mineral soil, root origin at 3000 m was restricted to the forest floor. The mean ratio of root cross sectional area to tree height decreased significantly from 6.1 × 10⁻³ m² m⁻¹ at 1900 m to 3.2 × 10⁻³ m² m⁻¹ at 3000 m. The extent of root asymmetry increased significantly from 0.29 at 1900 m to 0.62 at 3000 m. This was accompanied by a significantly lower number of dominant roots at 3000 m (2.3 compared to 3.8 at 1900 m). In conclusion, native tree species growing in tropical montane and elfin forests show a variety of root traits that improve tree stability. Root system asymmetry is less important for tree stability where anchorage is provided by a deep and solid root–soil plate. When deep rooting is impeded, root traits improving the horizontal extension of the root–soil plate are more pronounced or occur more frequently. Furthermore, mutual mechanical support of roots and stems of neighboring trees seems to be an appropriate mechanism to provide anchorage in soils with low bulk density and in environments with high wind speeds.     

Characterization of a root-specific β-thioglucoside glucohydrolase gene in Carica papaya and its recombinant protein expressed in Pichia pastoris

Plant β-thioglucoside glucohydrolases (TGGs or myrosinases) are a young class of enzymes in the glycosyl hydrolase family 1 and have a narrow distribution. TGG genes have mainly been cloned from crucifers, while TGGs in other species have received little attention. The TGG gene CpTGG2 and its recombinant protein from papaya were characterized in this paper. This is the first plant TGG gene without unusual intron splicing borders, as present in all other available TGG genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that plant myrosinases are divided into two major lineages. CpTGG2 is located in the lineage constituted by AtTGG4–6 from Arabidopsis thaliana, while the rest of myrosinases (including MA, MB and MC subfamilies) are grouped into another lineage. RT-PCR analysis indicated that CpTGG2 was specifically expressed in the root. The recombinant CpTGG2 expressed in yeast had a subunit mass of 70 kDa, and had low basal TGG activity without addition of ascorbate. Low concentrations of ascorbate stimulated CpTGG2 activity, while high concentrations were inhibitory. CpTGG2 was active in broad pH and temperature ranges, similar to AtTGG4 and AtTGG5. The apparent K_m and V_max were 2.24 mM and 24.3 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ when sinigrin was the substrate. The calculated k_cat/K_m value was 1.3 × 10⁴ S⁻¹ M⁻¹_. Our results reshaped and expanded the myrosinase family structure and provided clues to the evolution of myrosinase genes.     

Nitrogen utilization by the raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo: Growth and uptake kinetics in laboratory cultures

The nitrogen uptake and growth capabilities of the potentially harmful, raphidophycean flagellate Heterosigma akashiwo (Hada) Sournia were examined in unialgal batch cultures (strain CCMP 1912). Growth rates as a function of three nitrogen substrates (ammonium, nitrate and urea) were determined at saturating and sub-saturating photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs). At saturating PPFD (110 μE m⁻² s⁻¹), the growth rate of H. akashiwo was slightly greater for cells grown on NH₄⁺ (0.89 d⁻¹) compared to cells grown on NO₃⁻ or urea, which had identical growth rates (0.82 d⁻¹). At sub-saturating PPFD (40 μE m⁻² s⁻¹), both urea- and NH₄⁺-grown cells grew faster than NO₃⁻-grown cells (0.61, 0.57 and 0.46 d⁻¹, respectively). The N uptake kinetic parameters were investigated using exponentially growing batch cultures of H. akashiwo and the ¹⁵N-tracer technique. Maximum specific uptake rates (V_max) for unialgal cultures grown at 15 °C and saturating PPFD (110 μE m⁻² s⁻¹) were 28.0, 18.0 and 2.89 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹ for NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻ and urea, respectively. The traditional measure of nutrient affinity—the half saturation constants (K_s) were similar for NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ (1.44 and 1.47 μg-at N L⁻¹), but substantially lower for urea (0.42 μg-at N L⁻¹). Whereas the α parameter (α = V_max/K_s), which is considered a more robust indicator for substrate affinity when substrate concentrations are low (<K_s), were 19.4, 12.2 and 6.88 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹/(μg-at N L⁻¹) for NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻ and urea, respectively. These laboratory results demonstrate that at both saturating and sub-saturating N concentrations, N uptake preference follows the order: NH₄⁺ > NO₃⁻ > urea, and suggests that natural blooms of H. akashiwo may be initiated or maintained by any of the three nitrogen substrates examined.     

干旱胁迫下胡杨实生幼苗氮素吸收分配与利用

胡杨(Populus euphratica)是塔里木河流域荒漠河岸林的建群种,水分和氮素是限制胡杨幼苗的存活及早期生长的主要因子。利用~(15)N同位素示踪技术分析水和氮素的交互作用对胡杨幼苗不同生长阶段氮素的吸收分配利用及幼苗生长的影响,进一步探究氮素对胡杨实生苗早期形态建成的作用及对干旱胁迫的缓解效应,以期提高幼苗的存活率。实验以一年生胡杨实生幼苗为研究对象,采用温室内盆栽实验,设置4个干旱处理(D_1、D_2、D_3、D_4,土壤相对含水量为:20%—25%、40%—45%、60%—65%、80%—85%)和3种氮素水平(N_0、N_1、N_2:0、3、6 g/盆)测定胡杨幼苗的生长指标和各部分的Ndff、分配率及利用率。结果表明:胡杨幼苗在土壤相对含水量60%—65%(D_3)、氮素添加量3 g/盆(N_1)时,其生长表现为最佳状态;干旱胁迫下,不同氮素添加量对胡杨幼苗各部分的Ndff值存在显著差异,N_2低于N_1;随干旱胁迫减弱(D_3、D_4),植株在生长早期(25 d)根部吸收的~(15)N优先向地上部分转运,生长后期(75 d)植株Ndff最高,其中以根系中Ndff最高;不同生长期幼苗各部分的~(15)N分配存在显著差异,根系~(15)N分配率较高,但不同氮量处理间差异不显著;随生长期的推移,植株对~(15)NH_4~(15)NO_3的利用率表现为粗根最大,各处理中D_3N_1处理均显著高于其他处理。结论:轻度干旱胁迫下添加适量的氮素能够增强植株对氮素的吸收征调能力,优化水资源获取以维持生存的重要机制。     

Effect of Paenibacillus alvei, strain K165, on the germination of Verticillium dahliae microsclerotia in planta

Verticillium wilt is a devastating disease of a wide range of herbaceous and woody plant hosts, incited by the soilborne fungus Verticillium dahliae. In the present study, the effect of the potential biocontrol isolate Paenibacillus alvei, strain K165, on the germination of V. dahliae microsclerotia (msc) was investigated. Strain K165 was isolated from tomato root tips and its activity against V. dahliae has been shown in glasshouse and field experiments. In the present study, the application of K165 resulted in the reduction of msc germination of V. dahliae, in the root tips and the zone of elongation, of eggplants by 50% compared to the control treatment; whereas 10 and 12 cm away from root tips and in soil without plants the percentage of msc germination was reduced by 26% and 40%, respectively. However, K165 did not significantly affect the number and length of hyphae per germinated msc. In a split-root system, K165 triggered induced systemic resistance in eggplants against V. dahliae by reducing disease severity and msc germination by 27% and 20%, respectively. In addition, K165 colonised the rhizosphere of eggplants and soil in a population density of 5 and 3 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹, 7 dpi, respectively. This is the first report of evaluating the direct/indirect effect of a rhizospheric bacterium on msc germination in the rhizosphere of eggplants, indicating that strain K165 reduces msc germination.     

黄浦江中上游杨树人工林生态系统碳储量研究

以上海地区黄浦江中上游杨树人工林为研究对象,构建了杨树立木及各器官(根、干、皮、枝、叶)生物量方程,并对杨树人工林林分生物量(乔木层、地表枯落物层)、碳储量和土壤碳储量进行了估测。结果表明:杨树立木及各器官的生物量方程拟合效果较好(R2=0.96～0.99,P0.001)。9年生杨树人工林生态系统碳储量为90.9 t·hm-2。其中乔木层碳储量所占比例为36.6%,乔木层各组分碳储量大小排序为树干树根树枝树皮树叶;地表枯落物层碳储量所占比例仅为1.7%。土壤碳储量(0～50 cm)所占比例最大,为61.6%。这些杨树人工幼龄林正处于快速生长阶段,对上海地区人工林碳汇经营具有重要意义。     

The Increase in Anchorage with Tree Size of the Tropical Tap Rooted TreeMallotus wrayi, King (Euphorbiaceae)

The mechanical development of the anchorage system of the taprooted tropical speciesMallotus wrayiKing (Euphorbiaceae) wasinvestigated by pulling over and examining trees with a diameterat breast height (d_bh) of 4.2 cm to 14.3 cm. The mode of mechanicalfailure depended upon the size of the tree: thicker trees (d_bhapprox.9 cm) failed in the ground with their tap roots pushing intothe soil on the winchward side; in smaller trees (d_bhapprox.7 cm) the trunk snapped before anchorage failure; and in verysmall trees (of d_bh<6 cm) neither type of failure occurredand the trees returned to their original upright position undamagedafter the test. The anchorage strength of the trees was correlatedwith the second power of trunk diameter rather than with thethird power that theory suggests is optimal because tap rootsdid not show an isometric increase in length or diameter. Thereforeas trees grow larger the ‘factor of safety’ againstanchorage failure falls, making them prone to fail in theirroots. These results suggest that only relatively small treespecies can rely solely on the tap root to prevent uprooting.It may be for this reason that most larger trees develop thicklateral roots.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Anchorage, tap roots, scaling,Mallotus wrayi, isometric growth, functional development, windthrow, root systems.     

Effect of soil moisture and phosphate level on root hair growth of corn roots

Summary Root hairs have been shown to enhance P uptake by plants growing in low P soil. Little is known of the factors controlling root hair growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of soil moisture and P level on root hair growth of corn (Zea mays L.). The effect of volumetric soil moistures of 22% (M₀), 27% (M₁), and 32% (M₂) and soil (Raub silt loam, Aquic Argiudoll) P levels of, 0.81 (P₀), 12.1 (P₁), 21.6 (P₂), 48.7 (P₃), and 203.3 (P₄) mol P L^–1 initially in the soil solution, on shoot and root growth, P uptake, and root hair growth of corn was studied in a series of pot experiments in a controlled climate chamber. Root hair growth was affected more by soil moisture than soil P. The percentage of total root length with root hairs and the density and length of root hairs on the root sections having root hairs all increased as soil moisture was reduced from M₂ to M₀. No relationship was found between root hair length and soil P. Density of root hairs, however, was found to decrease with an increase in soil P. No correlation was found between root hair growth parameters and plant P content, further suggesting P plays a secondary role to moisture in regulating root hair growth in soils. The increase in root hair growth appears to be a response by the plant to stress as yield and P uptake by corn grown at M₀ were only 0.47 to 0.82, and 0.34 to 0.74, respectively, of that measured at M₁ across the five soil P levels. The increase in root hair growth at M₀, which represents an increase of 2.76 to 4.03 in root surface area, could offset, in part, the reduced rate of root growth, which was the primary reason for reduced P uptake under limited soil moisture conditions.Journal Paper No. 10,066 Purdue Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn., W. Lafayette, IN 47907. Contribution from the Dep. of Agron. This paper was supported in part by a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority.     

Assessing sapwood depth and wood properties in Eucalyptus and Corymbia spp. using visual methods and near infrared spectroscopy (NIR)

Accurate measurement of sapwood depth (D _S) is essential for calculating volumetric water use of individual trees and stands. Various methods are available to measure D _S but their accuracy is rarely cross-validated. We sampled 15 Eucalyptus and 1 Corymbia species along a gradient of aridity and obtained reference values of D _S in fresh wood cores using light microscopy, which represents our reference method. We compared this method to the simpler and widely used macroscopic method: visual assessment of natural or induced colour change from sapwood to heartwood. In a third method, estimation of D _S was based on species-specific models that rely on wood properties measured using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Microscopy allowed clear identification of D _S based on the presence of blocked vessels. Measurement of D _S using microscopic methods was possible for 78 of a total of 80 cores and ranged from 3.6 mm (E. loxophleba) to 43.8 mm (E. viminalis). Macroscopic assessment clearly differentiated sapwood and heartwood in 60 cores. Results from microscopic and macroscopic methods agreed closely (<10% deviation between estimates) in 35 of 78 cores. After elimination of clearly erroneous measurements (>50% deviation between estimates), macroscopic measurement across all species agreed well with microscopic assessment of D _S (R ² = 0.92). Models developed for differentiation between sapwood and heartwood using NIR spectroscopy were very robust (high coefficient of determination) for four species, but D _S could only be predicted well for one (E. obliqua) of the four species. Even after elimination of apparent false estimates, prediction of D _S by NIR across species was not as strong as for macroscopic assessment (R ² = 0.88). D _S can accurately be measured using microscopy if vessel occlusion is clearly visible. Although slightly overestimated, D _S from macroscopic assessment was generally similar to that measured by microscopy. NIR spectroscopy was unable to predict D _S with acceptable accuracy for the majority of species. Further improvements in the prediction of D _S using NIR will require more intensive model calibration and validation, and may not be applicable to all species.