Changes in soil carbon and nitrogen properties and microbial communities in relation to growth of Pinus radiata and Nothofagus fusca trees after 6 years at ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration can influence the growth and chemical composition of many plant species, and thereby affect soil organic matter pools and nutrient fluxes. Here, we examine the effects of ambient (initially 362 μL L^?1) and elevated (654 μL L^?1) CO₂ in open‐top chambers on the growth after 6 years of two temperate evergreen forest species: an exotic, Pinus radiata D. Don, and a native, Nothofagus fusca (Hook. F.) Oerst. (red beech). We also examine associated effects on selected carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) properties in litter and mineral soil, and on microbial properties in rhizosphere and hyphosphere soil. The soil was a weakly developed sand that had a low initial C concentration of about 1.0 g kg^?1 at both 0–100 and 100–300 mm depths; in the N. fusca system, it was initially overlaid with about 50 mm of forest floor litter (predominantly FH material) taken from a Nothofagus forest. A slow‐release fertilizer was added during the early stages of plant growth; subsequent foliage analyses indicated that N was not limiting. After 6 years, stem diameters, foliage N concentrations and C/N ratios of both species were indistinguishable (P>0.10) in the two CO₂ treatments. Although total C contents in mineral soil at 0–100 mm depth had increased significantly (P<0.001) after 6 years growth of P. radiata, averaging 80±0.20 g m^?2 yr^?1, they were not significantly influenced by elevated CO₂. However, CO₂‐C production in litter, and CO₂‐C production, microbial C, and microbial C/N ratios in mineral soil (0–100 mm depth) under P. radiata were significantly higher under elevated than ambient CO₂. CO₂‐C production, microbial C, and numbers of bacteria (but not fungi) were also significantly higher under elevated CO₂ in hyphosphere soil, but not in rhizosphere soil. Under N. fusca, some incorporation of the overlaid litter into the mineral soil had probably occurred; except for CO₂‐C production and microbial C in hyphosphere soil, none of the biochemical properties or microbial counts increased significantly under elevated CO₂. Net mineral‐N production, and generally the potential utilization of different substrates by microbial communities, were not significantly influenced by elevated CO₂ under either tree species. Physiological profiles of the microbial communities did, however, differ significantly between rhizosphere and hyphosphere samples and between samples under P. radiata and N. fusca. Overall, results support the concept that a major effect on soil properties after prolonged exposure of trees to elevated CO₂ is an increase in the amounts, and mineralization rate, of labile organic components.     

Growth,loss, and vertical distribution of Pinus radiata fine roots growing at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration

Increased below-ground carbon allocation in forest ecosystems is a likely consequence of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration. If this results in changes to fine root growth, turnover and distribution long-term soil carbon cycling and storage could be altered. Bi-weekly measurements were made to determine the dynamics and distribution of fine roots (< 1 mm diameter) for Pinus radiata trees growing at ambient (350 μmol mol^–1) and elevated (650 μmol mol^–1) CO₂ concentration in large open-top chambers. Measurements were made using minirhizotrons installed horizontally at depths of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.9 m. During the first year, at a depth of 0.3 m, the increase in relative growth rate of roots occurred 6 weeks earlier in the elevated CO₂ treatment and the maximum rate was reached 10 weeks earlier than for trees in the ambient treatment. After 2 years, cumulative fine root growth (P_t) was 36% greater for trees growing at elevated CO₂ than at ambient CO₂ concentration, although this difference was not significant. A model of root growth driven by daily soil temperature accounted for between 43 and 99% of root growth variability. Total root loss (L_t) was 9% in the ambient and 14% in the elevated CO₂ treatment, although this difference was not significant. Root loss was greatest at 0.3 m. In the first year, 62% of fine roots grown between mid-summer and late-autumn disappeared within a year in the elevated CO₂ treatment, but only 18% in the ambient CO₂ treatment (P < 0.01). An exponential model relating L_t to time accounted for between 74 and 99% of the variability. Root cohort half-lives were 951 d for the ambient and 333 d for the elevated treatment. Root length density decreased exponentially with depth in both treatments, but relatively more fine roots grown in the elevated CO₂ treatment tended to occur deeper in the soil profile.     

CO2浓度升高条件下长白赤松幼苗种植密度对净光合速率的影响

1　引　　言自 19世纪 70年代工业革命以来 ,由于人类活动的影响 ,大气ＣＯ2 浓度不断升高 ,已由工业革命前的 2 80 μｍｏｌ·ｍｏｌ-1增至目前的 35 0 μｍｏｌ·ｍｏｌ-1.据预测 ,到 2 0 5 0年将比工业革命前增加 1倍 ,到本世纪末将增加到 70 0 μｍｏｌ·ｍｏｌ-1左右[4 ,12 ,18] .大气ＣＯ2 浓度升高引起的温室效应对生物过程的影响 ,无疑是研究全球变化对陆地生态系统影响的基本问题 .目前 ,这方面的研究已成为国内外学者普遍关注的一个热点[2 ,3 ,5,6,9,17] .生态系统中的生物因子不是孤立存在的 ,每个有机体既处于无机环境之中 ,同…     

高大气CO2浓度下氮素对小麦叶片光能利用的影响

关于氮素对高大气CO₂浓度下C₃植物光合作用适应现象的调节机理已有较为深入的研究, 但对其光合作用适应现象的光合能量转化和分配机制缺乏系统分析。该文以大气CO₂浓度和施氮量为处理手段, 通过测定小麦(Triticum aestivum)抽穗期叶片的光合作用-胞间CO₂浓度响应曲线以及荧光动力学参数来测算光合电子传递速率和分配去向, 研究了长期高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片光合电子传递和分配对施氮量的响应。结果表明, 与正常大气CO₂浓度处理相比, 高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片较多的激发能以热量的形式耗散, 增施氮素可使更多的激发能向光化学反应方向的分配, 降低光合能量的热耗散速率; 大气CO₂浓度升高后小麦叶片光化学淬灭系数无明显变化, 高氮叶片的非光化学猝灭降低而低氮叶片明显升高, 施氮促进PSII反应中心的开放比例, 降低光能的热耗散; 高大气CO₂浓度下高氮叶片通过PSII反应中心的光合电子传递速率(J_F)较高, 而且参与光呼吸的非环式电子流速率(J₀)显著降低, 较正常大气CO₂浓度处理的高氮叶片下降了88.40%, 光合速率增加46.47%; 高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片J_F-J₀升高而J₀/J_F显著下降, 光呼吸耗能被抑制, 更多的光合电子分配至光合还原过程。因此, 大气CO₂浓度增高条件下, 小麦叶片激发能的热耗散速率增加, 但增施氮素后小麦叶片PSII反应中心开放比例提高, 光化学速率增加, 进入PSII反应中心的电子流速率明显升高, 光呼吸作用被抑制, 光合电子较多地进入光化学过程, 这可能是高氮条件下光合作用适应性下调被缓解的一个原因。     

O3和CO2浓度升高对油松针叶抗氧化系统的影响

利用开顶箱模拟大气O3与CO2浓度升高,对油松进行了连续4个月的熏蒸实验,探讨了油松针叶抗氧化系统化系统的响应.结果表明:1)高浓度O3显著增加了油松针叶过氧化氢的积累,到处理后期过量的过氧化氢显著地抑制了抗氧化酶活性,如SOD和APX,并且抗坏血酸被耗竭,加剧了膜质过氧化,最终导致了严重氧化伤害;2)高浓度CO2处理中油松针叶抗氧化酶活性普遍低于对照,ASA含量显著高于对照,可能是高CO2浓度促进ASA合成,或者是ASA的消耗减少,到处理后期使H2O2含量比对照降低了15.5%,从而减轻了膜质过氧化产物丙二醛含量,减轻了氧化伤害;3)与O3单因素相比,在协同处理中油松针叶具有较高的抗氧化酶活性和ASA含量,说明高CO2浓度减轻了高O3对抗氧化酶活性的抑制作用,并且提高了针叶内ASA含量,增强了针叶的抗氧化能力,有效地控制了ROS的产生与清除平衡,缓解了高O3带来的氧化伤害.     

不同二氧化碳浓度条件下红松和长白赤松幼苗根际土壤微生物数量研究

以连续5年不同CO₂浓度(开顶箱700μmol·mol^-1、500μmol·mol^-1、对照箱和裸地)处理的长白赤松和红松幼苗为研究对象,在2003年7～9月分别对幼苗根际土壤细菌、真菌、放线菌数量进行比较研究.结果表明,高浓度CO₂处理对长白赤松幼苗根际土壤细菌数量起显著的(P≤0.001)促进作用,对根际真菌和放线菌数量的促进作用却不明显;对红松来说,除8月份700μmol·mol^-1CO₂处理和7月份500μmol·mol^-1CO₂处理之外,在各月份中受高浓度CO₂处理的根际土壤细菌数量均较对照箱和裸地显著增多(P≤0.001),而根际土壤真菌数量变化除9月份(P≤0.001)外均不明显,放线菌数量受高浓度CO₂的影响亦不明显.     

Seasonal soil‐surface carbon fluxes from the root systems of young Pinus radiata trees growing at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration

Elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration may result in increased below‐ground carbon allocation by trees, thereby altering soil carbon cycling. Seasonal estimates of soil surface carbon flux were made to determine whether carbon losses from Pinus radiata trees growing at elevated CO₂ concentration were higher than those at ambient CO₂ concentration, and whether this was related to increased fine root growth. Monthly soil surface carbon flux density (f) measurements were made on plots with trees growing at ambient (350) and elevated (650 μmol mol^?1) CO₂ concentration in large open‐top chambers. Prior to planting the soil carbon concentration (0.1%) and f (0.28 μmol m^?2 s^?1 at 15 °C) were low. A function describing the radial pattern of f with distance from tree stems was used to estimate the annual carbon flux from tree plots. Seasonal estimates of fine root production were made from minirhizotrons and the radial distribution of roots compared with radial measurements of f. A one‐dimensional gas diffusion model was used to estimate f from soil CO₂ concentrations at four depths. For the second year of growth, the annual carbon flux from the plots was 1671 g y^?1 and 1895 g y^?1 at ambient and elevated CO₂ concentrations, respectively, although this was not a significant difference. Higher f at elevated CO₂ concentration was largely explained by increased fine root biomass. Fine root biomass and stem production were both positively related to f. Both root length density and f declined exponentially with distance from the stem, and had similar length scales. Diurnal changes in f were largely explained by changes in soil temperature at a depth of 0.05 m. Ignoring the change of f with increasing distance from tree stems when scaling to a unit ground area basis from measurements with individual trees could result in under‐ or overestimates of soil‐surface carbon fluxes, especially in young stands when fine roots are unevenly distributed.     

Effects of elevated CO2 and Pb on the microbial community in the rhizosphere of Pinus densiflora

Rising levels of atmospheric CO₂ may stimulate forest productivity in the future, resulting in increased carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. However, heavy metal contamination may interfere with this, though the response is not yet known. In this study, we investigated the effect of elevated CO₂ and Pb contamination on microorganisms and decomposition in pine tree forest soil. Three-year old pine trees (Pinus densiflora) were planted in Pb contaminated soils (500 mg/kg-soil) and uncontaminated soils and cultivated for three months in a growth chamber where the CO₂ concentration was controlled at 380 or 760 mg/kg. Structures of the microbial community were comparatively analyzed in bulk and in rhizosphere soil samples using community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) and 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). Additionally, microbial activity in rhizospheric soil, growth and the C/N ratio of the pine trees were measured. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased microbial activities and diversity in Pb contaminated soils due to the increase in carbon sources, and this increase was more distinctive in rhizospheric soil than in bulk soils. In addition, increased plant growth and C/N ratios of pine needles at elevated CO₂ resulted in an increase in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of the rhizosphere in Pb contaminated soil. Taken together, these findings indicate that elevated CO₂ levels and heavy metals can affect the soil carbon cycle by changing the microbial community and plant metabolism.     

浓度升高对油松针叶抗氧化系统的影响

利用开顶箱模拟大气O₃与CO₂浓度升高,对油松进行了连续4个月的熏蒸实验,探讨了油松针叶抗氧化系统化系统的响应。结果表明：1）高浓度O₃显著增加了油松针叶过氧化氢的积累,到处理后期过量的过氧化氢显著地抑制了抗氧化酶活性,如SOD和APX,并且抗坏血酸被耗竭,加剧了膜质过氧化,最终导致了严重氧化伤害;2）高浓度CO₂处理中油松针叶抗氧化酶活性普遍低于对照,ASA含量显著高于对照,可能是高CO₂浓度促进ASA合成,或者是ASA的消耗减少,到处理后期使H₂O₂含量比对照降低了15.5%,从而减轻了膜质过氧化产物丙二醛含量,减轻了氧化伤害;3）与O₃单因素相比,在协同处理中油松针叶具有较高的抗氧化酶活性和ASA含量,说明高CO₂浓度减轻了高O₃对抗氧化酶活性的抑制作用,并且提高了针叶内ASA含量,增强了针叶的抗氧化能力,有效地控制了ROS的产生与清除平衡,缓解了高O₃带来的氧化伤害。     

红松幼苗对CO2浓度升高的生理生态反应

研究了用开顶箱控制CO     

不同二氧化碳浓度条件下红松和长白赤松土壤生化特性研究

以连续5年在生长季以不同浓度CO2(700和500μmol·mol^-1)处理的长白赤松和红松幼苗为研究对象。进行了土壤微生物生物量C、纤维素分解月动态以及过氧化氢酶活性动态研究．结果表明,在秋季。红松和长白赤松土壤微生物生物量C在不同浓度CO2处理箱的大小顺序均为：对照箱>500μmol·mol^-1箱>700μmol·mol^-1箱;红松和长白赤松土壤5和10cm层在不同浓度CO2处理下,其纤维素分解强度的月动态均表现出一定的规律性,且各处理之间在每个月份中也表现出一定的规律性;在生长季,红松和长白赤松土壤纤维素分解强度在5和10cm层均表现为500μmol·mol^-1 CO2处理下较700μmol·mol^-1 CO2处理下高;红松和长白赤松土壤过氧化氢酶活性在不同浓度CO2处理之间均表现出一定的规律性。且各处理的月动态变化也呈现出一定的规律性     

Independent and contrasting effects of elevated CO2 and N-fertilization on root architecture in Pinus ponderosa

The effects of elevated CO₂ and N-fertilization on the architecture of Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. Laws & C. Laws fine roots and their associated mycorrhizal symbionts were measured over a 4-year period using minirhizotron tubes. The study was conducted in open-top field-exposure chambers located near Placerville, Calif. A replicated (3 replicates), 3×3 factorial experimental design with three CO₂ concentrations [ambient air (354 mol mol^–1), 525 mol mol^–1, and 700 mol mol^–1] and three rates of N-fertilization (0, 100 and 200 kg ha^–1 year^–1) was used. Elevated CO₂ and N treatment had contrasting effects on the architecture of fine roots and their associated mycorrhizae. Elevated CO₂ increased both fine root extensity (degree of soil exploration) and intensity (extent that roots use explored areas) but had no effect on mycorrhizae. In contrast, N-fertilization had no effect on fine root extensity or intensity but increased mycorrhizal extensity and intensity. To better understand and model the responses of systems to increasing CO₂ concentrations and N deposition/fertilization it is necessary to consider these contrasting root architectural responses.     

Nitrite utilization by Chaetoceros muelleri under elevated CO2 concentration

Chaetoceros muelleri (Lemn.) was cultured with nitrite (NO₂⁻) or nitrate (NO₃⁻) as the sole nitrogen source and aerated with air or with CO₂-enriched air. Cells of C. muelleri excreted into the medium nitrite produced by reduction of nitrate when grown with 100 μM NaNO₃ as nitrogen source. Accordingly, NO₂⁻ concentration reached 10.4 μM after 95 h at the low CO₂ condition (aerated with air); while the maximum NO₂⁻ concentration was only around 2.0 μM at the high CO₂ condition (aerated with 5% CO₂ in air), furthermore, after 30 h it decreased to no more than 1.0 μM. NO₂⁻ was almost assimilated in 80 h when C. muelleri was cultured at the high CO₂ condition with 100 μM NaNO₂ as sole nitrogen source. At the high CO₂ condition, after 3 h the activity of nitrite reductase was as much as 50% higher than that at the low CO₂ condition. It was indicated that enriched CO₂ concentration could inhibit nitrite excretion and enhance nitrite assimilation by cells. Therefore, aeration with enriched CO₂ might be an effective way to control nitrite content in aquaculture systems.     

CO2浓度倍增对城市油松抗氧化酶活性的影响

利用OTC(开顶箱)法模拟未来CO2浓度,于CO2倍增浓度(700 μmol*mol-1)和正常空气CO2浓度(≈350 μmol*mol-1)条件下,测定了沈阳市区油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)针叶超氧自由基(O(-)/(·)2)产生速率、过氧化氢(H2O2)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环(ASA-GSH cycle)主要酶活性动态变化,探讨高浓度CO2对油松抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明:在短期(60 d)内CO2浓度倍增使油松超氧自由基(O2(-)/(·))产生速率与过氧化氢(H2O2)含量减少,而SOD、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性升高;植株抗氧化能力增强,对活性氧清除能力提高;但长期(70 d以上)CO2浓度倍增处理则可能使试验结果发生逆转.     

Growth,CO2 exchange rate and dry matter partitioning in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) grown under elevated CO2

This study was conducted to determine the effects of anticipated future level of CO2 on growth and dry matter partitioning of mungbean (Vigna radiata). Plants were grown from seedlings to maturity inside the open top chamber under amhient CO2 (350 +/- 25 microL L(-1)) and elevated CO2 (600 +/- 50 microL L(-1)) at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (India). Plants were harvested at 20, 35 and 50 days after germination. Mungbean plants grown under elevated CO2 concentration resulted in greater photosynthetic rate on a leaflet area basis and no acclimation in photosynthesis was recorded due to high CO2. Plants grown under CO, enrichmcnt were taller and attained greater leaf area along with more dry matter than ambient CO2 grown plants at all growth stages. Response to high CO, depends upon the growth stage of the plant and it was more at early growth stages compared to maturity stages. The high CO2 grown mungbean plants also exhibited increased root growth along with stem and leaves. There was a substantial increase in pod number and seed number/plant under elevated CO2 conditions. The increase in dry matter and growth of root, stem and leaves proved that CO2 enrichment of the atmosphere can stimulate photosynthetic rate which can ultimately lead to an increase in dry matter and growth.     

Effects of nitrogen on Pinus palustris foliar respiratory responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration

Indirect effects of atmospheric CO₂ concentration [CO₂], onlongleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) foliage respiration werestudied by growing trees in a factorial arrangement of low andhigh [CO₂] (369 and 729µmol CO₂ mol^–1) and low andhigh N (40 and 400 kg ha^–1 yr^–1). Direct effectsof [CO₂] on leaf respiration were tested by measuring respirationrates of foliage from all treatments at two CO₂ levels (360and 720µmol CO₂mol^–1) at the time of measurement.Elevated CO₂ did not directly or indirectly affect leaf respirationwhen expressed on a leaf area or mass basis, but a significantincrease in respiration per unit leaf N was observed in treesgrown in elevated [CO₂] (indirect response to elevated [CO₂]).The lack of a [CO₂] effect on respiration, when analysed onan area or mass basis, may have resulted from combined effectsof [CO₂] on factors that increase respiration (e.g. greateravailability of non-structural carbohydrates stimulating growthand carbon export from leaves) and on factors that decreaserespiration (e.g. lower N concentration leading to lower constructioncosts and maintenance requirements). Thus, [CO₂] affected factorsthat influence respiration, but in opposing ways. Key words: Pinus palustris, elevated CO₂, nitrogen, foliar, respiration     

CO2浓度倍增对红松幼苗根尖和叶解剖结构及生理功能的影响

大气CO₂浓度升高对植物的影响是目前植物生态学研究中普遍关注的问题。以往的研究主要关注植物地上部分叶解剖结构及生理功能的改变, 而对根解剖结构和生理功能变化以及根与叶变化之间潜在联系的研究较少。该文以三年生红松(Pinus koraiensis)幼苗为研究对象, 通过CO₂浓度倍增(从350 µmol·mol^-1增加到700 µmol·mol^-1)试验, 研究当年生针叶和根尖解剖结构及生理功能的变化。结果表明: (1) CO₂浓度倍增处理的红松幼苗, 气孔密度显著降低, 叶肉组织面积、木质部及韧皮部面积明显增加; (2) CO₂浓度倍增导致红松幼苗根尖直径增粗, 皮层厚度和层数显著增加, 管胞直径变小; (3)高CO₂浓度处理下, 叶气孔导度和蒸腾速率降低, 光合速率和水分利用效率提高, 同时根尖的导水率显著下降, 但管胞的抗栓塞能力显著提高。这些结果显示, 叶和根解剖结构及生理功能在CO₂浓度升高条件下具有一致的响应。未来研究中应该同时关注全球气候变化对植物地上和地下器官结构与功能的影响。     

高CO2浓度对温带三种针叶树光合光响应特性的影响

将长白山地区阔叶红松林中主要针叶树种红松、红皮云杉和长白落叶松的幼苗 ,盆栽于模拟自然光照和人工调节CO2 浓度为 70 0和 40 0 μmol·mol-1的气室内两个生长季 ,在各自的生长环境条件下 ,利用CI 30 1PS便携式CO2 分析系统测定针叶的光合光响应曲线 .结果表明 ,不同树种及同一树种的不同CO2浓度处理间差异明显 .比较饱和净光合速率、暗呼吸、光补偿点、光饱和点、及光能利用率 (QUE)的变化可见 ,长白落叶松为阳性树种 ,其光合作用对高CO2 浓度的适应能力较好 ,红松树种次之 ,阴性树种红皮云杉光合作用对高CO2 浓度适应能力最差 .并初步探讨了供试树种光合生理特性及其演替状况间的联系     

Growth and development of Pinus radiata D. Don: the effect of light quality

Abstract. Plants of Pinus radiata of two physiological ages, juvenile (seedlings and micropropagated plantlets) and adult (rooted cuttings from mature trees), were grown under lighting fromthree combinations of metal halide (MH) and tungsten halogen (TH) lamps for up to 10 months in controlled environment rooms. The three lamp combinations, MH alone, 50: 50 MH: TH and 25:75 MH: TH by wattage, produced red: farred ratios of 4.59, 1.51, and 1.15, respectively. Photosynthetic photon flux density was 700 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. An increase in proportion of TH lamps markedly increased shoot elongation and internode length, decreased numbers of fascicles per unit stem length and increased the proportion of stem weight in both juvenile and adult material. In addition, in adult material, it increased the number of fascicle initials and expanded fascicles per growth flush, reduced the duration of the 'rest' phase between growth flushes, accelerated the rate of elongation growth during each flush, and increased apical dominance. Tracheid length, but not diameter or wall thickness, was significantly affected by light quality and found to be associated with longer internodes. Any treatment effects on needle weight or length, stem diameter or root weight were non-significant or very small. Different clones from either the juvenile micro-propagated material or the mature rooted cuttings each showed similar patterns of response, although they often differed in the degree of response to light quality. The main response could be related solely to the red: far-red ratio and the calculated phytochrome photoequilibrium. This is the first report of phytochrome-controlled photomorphogenesis in older specimens of a woody perennial. Recommendations for artificial light sources for growing P. radiata and some ecological implications of the results are presented.     

Effect of genotype on rooting of hypocotyls and in vitro-produced shoots of Pinus radiata

Significant genotypic variation at both the family and clone-within-family levels was seen for hypocotyl rooting and the rooting of adventitious shoots produced in vitro for Pinus radiata D. Don. High rooting frequencies for hypocotyls were obtained in the absence of exogenous auxin; auxin greatly stimulated the rooting of adventitious shoots. No correlation was seen between the rooting of hypocotyls and shoots; families whose hypocotyls rooted at high frequencies did not necessarily produce shoots that rooted at high frequency. No correlation was seen between adventitious shoot production and subsequent rooting at either the family or clone level. The lack of a negative correlation indicated that selecting families or clones for high levels of shoot production will not automatically select for low rooting ability, obviating a possible bottleneck for commercial propagation of Pinus radiata. Significant family by replication interaction suggests that rooting protocols could be optimized through manipulations of the rooting environment for each family.