Large scale development of selectively amplified microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) markers in spruce (Picea)

The spruce (Picea) species are ecologically and economically important in Canada. Highly informative markers with high multiplex ratios are needed to assist spruce genomics, genetics, and breeding programs. Selectively amplified microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) markers are highly suitable for these programs. We have developed, optimized, and characterized a set of 10 new SAMPL primers in combination with 16 MseI primers and resolved a large number of polymorphic SAMPL markers in spruce. The SAMPL primers were designed from the compound microsatellite repeats found in Norway spruce (Picea abies) and white spruce (Picea glauca). A total of 6313 polymorphic SAMPL makers were produced by 160 SAMPL–MseI primers combinations in eight progeny of a spruce mapping population.     

The effects of SO2 and O3 on the foliar nutrition of Scots pine, Norway spruce and Sitka spruce in the Liphook open-air fumigation experiment

Foliar elements were analysed in Scots pine, Sitka spruce and Norway spruce over a 6 year period before and during continuous exposure to SO₂ and O₃ in an open-air fumigation experiment. Sulphur dioxide treatment elevated foliar sulphur concentration in all species, and there were increases in foliar nitrogen in the two spruce species but not in pine. The concentrations of cations were frequently increased by SO₂ treatment, but there was no correlation between the sulphur concentration of needles and their total cation charge. SO₂-related elevations of foliar magnesium were correlated with the concentration of this element in soil solution, but the mechanism by which other cations were enhanced remains unclear. The only consistent effects on nutrient ratios were for SO₂ treatments to increase sulphur/cation ratios.     

Response to three seasons of elevated ozone in the progeny of healthy and unhealthy Norway spruce trees from a plantation with the 'top dying' syndrome

We tested a hypothesis that elevated ozone was an eliciting or contributing factor in outbreaks of the 'top dying' (or 'subtop dying') syndrome in Norway spruce ( Picea abies ). Progeny were used from open-pollinated trees within a stand with the 'top dying' syndrome. The mother trees were classified in relation to the expression of the 'top dying' syndrome, and progeny from the healthiest and least healthy thirds of the population were exposed to high and low concentrations of ozone for three seasons. Elevated ozone did not affect height growth of the trees. It did not measurably affect net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance or instantaneous water use efficiency. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were also not significantly affected by ozone concentration. In the first year, instantaneous water use efficiency was lower in the progeny of the unhealthy mother trees than in the healthy mother trees. Furthermore, the unhealthy mother trees tended to produce longer annual shoots and showed more winter damage at the end of the experiment. None of these parameters were related to ozone concentration in the atmosphere. These results do not support a hypothesis that elevated ozone is a significant contributory factor or an eliciting factor in the development of the syndrome.     

The interpretation of leaf-drying curves

A theoretical expression for the rate of water loss through the surface of excised leaves has been derived so that curves fitted to experimental data can be used to infer physical properties of the leaves such as the solute concentration and the conductance for water vapour loss. The use of the equations is illustrated by reference to data from an experiment in which red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and Norway spruce (P. abies(L.) Karst.) seedlings were grown under five different regimes: outdoors (±50% shade), in a greenhouse (±50% shade) and in controlled-environment chambers.     

Ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity and influence of air pollution in spruce

Methods were established, which render possible a simultaneous determination of ri-bulose-l,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity and chlorophyll content of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) needles from a detergent-containing aqueous crude extract. Spruce RuBP carboxylase was tentatively characterized with regard to kinetic properties. Recovery experiments employing purified wheat RuBP carboxylase proved quantitative extraction of the enzyme from spruce foliage. Five timber stands consisting of 35–62 years old spruce, two of which exhibited the typical symptoms of recent spruce decline, were compared. For the needle generations 1 to 4 the enzyme activities as well as chlorophyll and protein concentrations were determined. The results do not indicate an involvement of RuBP carboxylase in spruce decline.     

亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠混合液对2种云杉某些生理指标影响的比较

八年生嫩江云杉和红皮云杉苗木,经喷施20、50、100mmol·L-1Na2SO3和NaHSO3(摩尔浓度为3:1)的混合液后第3、11、20天测定多个生理指标的结果显示,喷后第3天,2种云杉的净光合速率(Pn),光系统II(PSII)的最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm),光化学量子效率(ΦPSII),叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)和类胡萝卜素含量均下降;相对电导率上升;苗木受到胁迫的程度随着Na2SO3和NaHSO3混合液浓度的提高而增大。喷后第8~20天各种生理指标开始恢复。气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)变化不显著。红皮云杉对胁迫的敏感度高于嫩江云杉,但其在重度胁迫后的修复能力强于嫩江云杉。     

The response of Norway spruce seedlings to simulated acid mist

Four pot experiments are reported in which Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst) seedlings, of different nutrient status, were treated with acid mist for one growing season in open-top chambers (OTCs). Combinations of H⁺, SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ were applied at different frequencies of application and supplying different doses of S and N kg ha⁻¹. Plant growth, visible injury, frost hardiness and nutrient status were observed. These experiments were undertaken to improve our understanding of the interaction of environmental factors such as nutrition and mist-exposure frequency on seedling response to N and S deposition.
Both acidity (pH 2·7) and SO₄²⁻ ions were necessary to induce visible injury. Mist containing SO₄²⁻, H⁺ and to a lesser extent NH₄⁺ significantly reduced winter frost hardiness. Increasing the misting frequency, and to a lesser extent the overall dose, increased the likelihood of acid mist causing visible injury and reducing frost hardiness. Post-planting stress, low N status and needle juvenility increased the likelihood of acid mist causing visible injury. Increased plant vitality, adequate N status and growth rate reduced the likelihood of acid-mist-induced reductions in frost hardiness.
Principles underlying the responses of spruce seedlings treated in controlled conditions to acid mist are discussed.