Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on Native Tropical Trees Planted on Singrauli Coalfields, India

Growth performance of nine native tropical tree species planted on mine spoil under two levels of NPK treatment was studied by measuring height and diameter. Of the nine species, four were leguminous. All the tree species responded positively to NPK fertilization; however, the impact on leguminous species was little compared to non‐leguminous species. In general, the height/diameter ratio decreased from control to full‐dose NPK treatment, suggesting that nutrient enrichment influenced the resource allocation pattern such that the diameter growth was favored. The log‐transformed height‐diameter relationships were significant for the three treatments in all the tree species. The slopes ( β ) obtained were compared with three different models of tree growth (i.e., elastic similarity, geometric similarity, and constant stress). Acacia catechu, Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, and Azadirachta indica fitted the elastic similarity model, whereas Pongamia pinnata and Phyllanthus emblica followed the constant stress model. Tectona grandis was the only species that followed the geometric similarity model. In Albizia lebbeck and Terminalia bellirica, the β values were considerably lower (i.e., below 0.5) and these two species did not fit any of the three models of tree growth. In several cases the β values were considerably influenced by nutrient enrichment. Key words: chemical fertilization, coal mine spoil, growth response, tree structure, tree volume, tropical tree species, height/diameter ratio.     

Polyamines in Nodules from Various Plant-Microbe Symbiotic Associations

Polyamine compositions of root or stem nodules collected fromvarieties of nitrogen-fixing leguminous (22 species) and non-leguminous(5 species) plants were investigated. Relatively high concentrationsof homospermidine were observed in root or stem nodules of allthe leguminous plants. Based on the ratio of homospermidineto spermidine, legume nodules were generally characterized intotwo major groupes; one containing almost equal amounts of homospermidineand spermidine, and the other a high homospermidine/spermidineratio. Root nodules from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp)was the only exception which exhibited very low homospermidine/spermidineratio. Amongst the legumes, nodules of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis),siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum DC. Urb.), pea (Pisum sativumL.), and hairly vetch (Vicia hirsuta S.F. Gray) were rich indiamine putrescine. Such characters of nodule polyamine compositionwere inherent characteristics of each legume species, and notrelated to the type of infected rhizobia (Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium).In contrast to herbaceous leguminous plants, nonleguminous woodyplants, which symbiotically associate with actinomycete Frankiaspecies, contained little polyamines in their root nodules.Root nodules of non-leguminous Parasponia andersonii infectedby bradyrhizobia were found to contain large quantities of putrescineand homospermidine. No significant differences in polyaminecomposition were observed between root and stem nodules bothin Aeschynomene indica and Sesbania rostrata. (Received June 13, 1994; Accepted August 17, 1994)     

华南地区固氮与非固氮豆科树种叶片养分利用策略的对比研究

为探究富氮环境中固氮(nitrogen-fixing leguminous trees,NLT)与非固氮豆科树种(non-nitrogen-fixing leguminous trees,n-NLT)的叶片养分利用策略差异,以华南地区5种NLT植物[水黄皮(Pongamia pinnata)、大叶相思(Acacia auriculiformis)、朱樱花(Calliandra haematocephala)、海南红豆(Ormosia pinnata)、台湾相思(Acacia confusa)]和3种n-NLT植物[油楠(Sindora glabra)、中国无忧花(Saraca dives)、银珠(Peltophorum tonkinense)]为对象,测定其单位质量叶片碳(C)、氮(N)和磷(P)含量及其比值、单位面积叶片最大净光合速率(Aarea)和叶片光合氮、磷利用效率(PNUE、PPUE)等功能性状。结果表明,NLT的单位质量叶片N、P含量和Aarea均显著高于n-NLT,而两者PNUE和PPUE无显著差异;尽管两类植物单位质量叶片C含量无显著差异,但NLT的叶片C:N和C:P显...     

Heavy metal phytoextraction potential of indigenous tree species of the family fabaceae

Untreated industrial wastewater (IWW) creates a number of problems in ecosystem. This study highlights the possibility of using IWW for forest irrigation. Five tree species were selected for this study, Albizia lebbeck, Bauhinia purpurea, Dalbergia sissoo, Millettia peguensis, and Pongamia pinnata, and these species were grown in pots and were irrigated with different concentrations of IWW, rich in heavy metals. All the species showed positive results for fresh weight, plant height, and stem diameter. The maximum proline content was observed in B. purpurea (6.33), whereas the least quantity was observed in P. pinnata (3.89). Lead uptake (163.801?mg/day) by B. purpurea was promising. Uptake of Cr and Cu was slow in all species. Translocation factor of D. sissoo was maximum, that is 3.37. This study successfully combats wastewater problem. These five species are much tolerant in IWW and can be successfully used for phytoextraction processes. The chromium accumulation in stem is as follows: D. sissoo?>?A. lebbeck?>?M. peguensis?>?P. pinnata?>?B. purpurea. Metal Bioaccumulation in leaf and root was less. The idea is to utilize IWW to generate urban forests (in eco-friendly and sustainable way), which can reduce multiple problems such as IWW toxicity and air pollution through urban forestry.     

Seasonal Production of Secondary Phloem in the Twigs of Certain Tropical Timber Trees

Secondary phloem production in four deciduous (Albizzia lebbeck,Dalbergia sissoo, Tectona grandis and Terminalia crenulata)and three evergreen plants (Calophyllum inophyllum, Mangiferaindica and Morinda tinctoria) is briefly described. The totalduration of phloem production for each year was worked out forall these plants. In three of the four deciduous trees therewere two instalments of phloem production in correspondencewith the presence of two flushes of cambial activity while inTectona grandis and in all the three evergreen trees there wasonly one instalment. The time of initiation and cessation ofphloem tissue production was found to be variable in the differentplants studied. Periodicity in the production of different componentsof phloem tissue as well as the difference in the dimensionsof the different phloic elements produced during each flushof cambial activity resulted in detectable growth increments(or ‘rings’) within the phloem. There was a distinctshortening of the different phloem elements during the approachof dormancy/least activity. Conspicuous changes were found inthe ergastic contents of phloem parenchyma and ray cells adjacentto the cambial zone during the initiation of cambial activityand during the approach of dormancy/least activity. Seasonal growth, secondary phloem, deciduous and evergreen trees, cambial activity     

Inherent allocation patterns and potential growth rates of herbaceous climbing plants

We tested the hypothesis that herbaceous climbing plants, unlike non-climbing herbs, maximize height growth and leaf area, with minimal expenditure in support structures. The enhanced investment in leaf area was expected to result in high relative growth rates in terms of biomass increment. Four leguminous herbaceous climbers from nutrient-poor sites and four non-leguminous herbaceous climbers from nutrient-rich sites, were compared with non-climbing, self-supporting leguminous and non-leguminous herbaceous species from similar habitats. Plants were grown in hydroponic cultures in controlled environment chambers. All climbers had inherently taller shoots than self-supporting plants when compared at an equal amount of total plant dry weight, due to longer stems per unit of support biomass. In contrast to the hypothesis, the relative growth rates of all climbers were relatively low compared to the range found for self-supporting species. The biomass allocation patterns of the non-leguminous climbers were similar to those of the self-supporting species. Leguminous climbers allocated more biomass to support tissue and less biomass to leaves than non-climbers. As a result, height growth was even more emphasized in leguminous climbers than in non-leguminous climbers. Climbing legumes had high rates of net carbon gain, which partly compensated the lower relative leaf weight. We conclude that leguminous herbaceous climbers maximize height growth by a large investment in support biomass, enabling them to keep a large proportion of their leaves in the better illuminated environment at the top of the vegetation canopy.     

Nutrient Supply, Dry-matter Production and Nutrient Uptake of Forest Tree Seedlings

The dry-matter production and nutrient uptake of forest-treeseedlings grown under controlled levels of nutrition in sub-irrigatedsand culture were investigated. Hardwood seedlings attainedgreater dry weight than conifer seedlings, and Pinus radiataa greater dry weight than P. contorta and P. nigra, but thesegreater dry weights were not related to greater leaf/weightratios, although seed size may have been an important influenceon final seedling dry weight. P. radiata was found to have alower requirement for P than P. contorta and P. nigra in oneexperiment. The demand (total nutrient uptake per unit of time) made bythree species for nutrients upon a site was shown to dependmore upon growth-rate per annum than on efficiency (quantityof nutrients required to produce a unit of dry matter). It isconcluded that the ability of tree species to grow satisfactorilyon soils of low nutrient status depends largely on their abilityfor relatively slow growth. On the other hand, species showinggood response to favourable sites may also make satisfactorygrowth on poor sites.     

Persistent Effects of Short-term, High Exposure to Chlorine Gas on Physiology and Growth of Pinus ponderosa andPseudotsuga menziesii

Following a single acute exposure to chlorine gas, persistenteffects on epicuticular waxes, cuticular transpiration, treegrowth and mortality were studied in foliage of Pinus ponderosaand Pseudotsuga menziesii for three growing seasons. Chlorinegas exposure caused foliar injury to both exposed foliage andfoliage that flushed after exposure (P < 0.05). The tendencyto form films of water rather than droplets was greater in directlyexposed foliage (P < 0.001). Rates of cuticular transpirationwere higher for directly and indirectly exposed foliage of Pinusponderosa up to 1 year after exposure and up to 6 months afterexposure for directly exposed Pseudotsuga menziesii(P < 0.001),after which P. menziesii needles defoliated. Total water content(TWC) and relative water content were significantly correlatedwith foliar injury (P < 0.05). TWC was lower for directlyexposed foliage up to 1 year after exposure (P < 0.001).There was no persistent negative effect on F_v/F_m ratios after1 year. Exposure to chlorine gas did not affect needle lengthor annual shoot increment growth, but exposure was correlatedwith increased bud production. Needle longevity of foliage thatflushed 2 months after exposure was reduced significantly (P< 0.001). Annual stem increment growth for both species decreasedover at least three growing seasons following chlorine gas exposure(P < 0.001), and depended on distance from the spill site.Cone production was lower for exposed Pinus ponderosa treescompared to controls (P < 0.05), and tree mortality was higherwithin approx. 50 m of the release site forPseudotsuga menziesii. Growth responses for both conifers agreed well with predictedpatterns of carbon allocation after defoliation caused by chlorinegas exposure. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, conifers, chlorine gas, leaf wettability, cuticular transpiration, water relations, growth, mortality     

古代印度三果浆的传入及其影响

三果浆(三勒浆)为源于印度的传统果药剂,由使君子科植物诃子和毛诃子,以及大戟科植物余甘子等三种植物的果实为原料制作而成,是著名的藏药基础方,也是印度阿育吠陀传统药中使用频率最高的代表方剂.三种植物同时录入《中国药典》,余甘子列入我国药食两用植物目录.中古时期,三果浆随着中外文化的频繁交流及丝绸之路的开通传入中国,而今只...     

Displacement of an herbaceous plant species community by mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Gmelina arborea, an exotic tree, grown in a microcosm experiment

Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Gmelina, Yemane) is a fast growing tree, native from India and considered as a potentially invasive woody plant in West Africa. Mycorrhizal inoculation of seedlings with Glomus intraradices was performed to study (1) the effect on the growth of G. arborea, (2) the impact on the catabolic diversity of soil microbial communities and (3) the influence on the structure of herbaceous plant species communities in microcosms. Treatments consisted of control plants, pre-planting fertilizer application and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation. After 4 months’ culture in autoclaved soil, G. arborea seedlings were either harvested for growth measurement or transferred into containers filled with the same soil but not sterilized. Other containers were kept without G. arborea seedlings. After 12 months’ further culture, effects of fertilizer amendment and AM inoculation on the growth of G. arborea seedlings were recorded. AM colonization was significantly and positively correlated with plant diversity. The substrate-induced respiration response to carboxylic acids was significantly higher in the absence of G. arborea and in the presence of G. intraradices as compared to the other treatments. The influence of AM symbiosis on plant coexistence and on allelopathic processes of invasive plants are discussed.     

In vitro differentiation of plantlets from tissue cultures of Albizzia lebbeck L.

Attempts at inducing differentiation in various explants of Albizzia lebbeck resulted in the production of abundant shoot buds from the hypocotyl, root, cotyledon and leaflet explants, both directly and indirectly (i.e. without and with the intervention of callus formation). Rooting was achieved on transfer of the shoots to BM +2 mg/1 IAA after some growth. The plants could be successfully transferred to soil, providing a method for mass propagation of this important leguminous tree species.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘豆科与非豆科植物的氮分配

在豆科与非豆科植物光合特性的研究中发现,非豆科植物具有更高的光合速率,与其低的叶氮含量相矛盾。在沙漠中氮素是限制植物生长的关键因子之一,考虑到豆科植物的生物固氮作用和叶氮大部分分配于光合系统,我们假设:(1)非豆科植物具有更低的叶氮含量;(2)分配更少的叶氮于光合系统;(3)具有更高的最大净光合速率(Pmax)和光合氮素利用效率(PNUE)。为了验证这些假设,以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘的豆科植物骆驼刺(Alhagi sparsifolia)和非豆科植物柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)、花花柴(Karelinia caspica)为研究对象,比较了它们的叶氮含量、氮分配、Pmax和PNUE等。结果表明:(1)非豆科植物比豆科植物确实有更低的叶氮含量,且差异达到显著水平;(2)非豆科植物分配更少的叶氮于光合系统,但在光合系统内部具有更高效的氮分配机制;(3)非豆科植物具有更高的Pmax和PNUE。在光合系统内部,非豆科植物分配更多的叶氮于羧化系统,而豆科植物分配更多的叶氮于捕光系统。对于非豆科植物而言,其更高的Pmax、PNUE、水分利用效率和表观量子产量,取决于将更多的叶氮投入到羧化和电子传递系统中。这些生理优势决定了塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘非豆科植物高效的资源捕捉和利用能力。     

Effects of climate on the growth of exotic and indigenous trees in central Zambia

Aim Climate change has far‐reaching effects on species and ecosystems. The aims of this study were to determine how climate factors affect the growth pattern of indigenous and exotic trees in Zambia and to predict tree growth responses to a warmer climate with the use of mathematical models. Location Two savanna sites in central Zambia. Methods Diameter at breast height (1.3 m above ground, d.b.h.) of 91 permanently marked trees belonging to three indigenous and four exotic species was measured fortnightly for periods of 1–2 years from 1998 to 2003. Correlation and regression analysis was used to determine the effect of climate factors (minimum, maximum and average temperature and rainfall) on monthly daily d.b.h. increment of each species. Regression models were used to predict the growth behaviour of trees under a 0.5 °C warmer climate. Results Interactions between temperature and rainfall explained 60–98% of the variation in d.b.h. increment in all the tree species, except the exotic Eucalyptus grandis. For deciduous species, stem expansion was delayed by 2–12 weeks following leaf‐flush and d.b.h. increment peaked during the rainy season. Evergreen and deciduous species could not be separated on the basis of annual d.b.h. increment because the higher growth rates of deciduous species compensated for the shorter growing period. Mathematical models predicted slight changes in d.b.h. growth pattern under a 0.5 °C warmer climate in five of the seven species. Significant changes in d.b.h. growth patterns were predicted in the indigenous Bridelia micrantha and exotic Gmelina arborea under a warmer climate. However, models failed to adequately represent potential soil water stress that might result from changes in tree growth patterns and a warmer climate. Main conclusions Climate factors explained a large proportion of the variation in diameter growth of both indigenous and exotic trees, rendering it possible to model tree growth patterns from climate data. Tree growth models suggest that a rise in temperature of 0.5 °C is unlikely to induce significant changes in the growth behaviour of the majority of the studied species. However, because the growth behaviour of some species may be substantially affected by climate change, it is recommended that strategies for the future production of such climate‐sensitive trees should incorporate aspects of climate change.     

Mineral Nutrient Limitations of Calcifuge Plants in Phosphate Sufficient Limestone Soil

Twelve species of calcifuge plants were grown in an Ordovician-limestone soil with and without phosphate amendment, as well as in an acid silicate soil of their natural habitat. Phosphate treatment of the limestone soil raised the P concentrations of the plant biomasses to levels within sufficiency ranges reported for cultivated plants and productivity usually increased two- to five-fold. Out of twelve species studied,Scleranthus perenniswas unable to survive in the limestone soil unless treated with phosphate, whereas growth and general performance ofGalium saxatilewas impaired by phosphate additions. Biomass dilution effects on micro-nutrients, but usually not on macronutrients, were recorded as a result of the phosphate treatment. Dilution of Mn was most distinct and Fe was least distinct. However, no foliar symptoms clearly assignable to Mn deficiency were observed. Symptoms of foliar chlorosis, reminiscent of Fe deficiency, developed inGalium saxatile, Carex piluliferaandVeronica officinalis. InC.pilulifera, but not inV.officinalis, chlorosis was accompanied by decreasing foliar Fe concentrations.     

Microbial protein from leguminous and non-leguminous substrates

The biodegradation of leguminous and non-leguminous organic materials by Pleurotus sajor-caju and P. ostreatus was studied. Comparisons were made between mushroom yield on both types of substrates. The conversion percentage from dry substrate to fresh mushroom (biological efficiency) was determined. Mushrooms were analyzed for their protein content, carbohydrates, percentages of ash, fat content and crude fibre. The energy value of fruit bodies was computed. The yield obtained from leguminous substrates was significantly high as compared to that yield which was obtained from non-leguminous substrates. The lowest yield of P. sajor caju (10 g ± 0.3 g) and P. ostreatus (6.5 g ± 1.2 g) was obtained using the Bougainuillea substrate and the highest one (519 g ± 16 g, P. sajor-caju and 488 g ± 18 g, P. ostreatus) using nitrogen-fixing leguminous Leucaena leucocepholea. The nitrogen content in fruit bodies was found to be higher with leguminous substrate than with non-leguminous ones.     

Pongamia pinnata inoculated with Bradyrhizobium liaoningense PZHK1 shows potential for phytoremediation of mine tailings

Mine tailings contain high concentrations of metal contaminants and only little nutrients, making the tailings barren for decades after the mining has been terminated. Effective phytoremediation of mine tailings calls for deep-rooted, metal accumulating, and soil fertility increasing plants with tolerance against harsh environmental conditions. We assessed the potential of the biofuel leguminous tree Pongamia pinnata inoculated with plant growth promoting rhizobia to remediate iron–vanadium–titanium oxide (V–Ti magnetite) mine tailing soil by pot experiment and in situ remediation test. A metal tolerant rhizobia strain PZHK1 was isolated from the tailing soil and identified as Bradyrhizobium liaoningense by phylogenetic analysis. Inoculation with PZHK1 increased the growth of P. pinnata both in V–Ti magnetite mine tailings and in Ni-contaminated soil. Furthermore, inoculation increased the metal accumulation capacity and superoxide dismutase activity of P. pinnata. The concentrations of Ni accumulated by inoculated plants were higher than the hyperaccumulator threshold. Inoculated P. pinnata accumulated high concentration of Fe, far exceeding the upper limit (1000 mg kg⁻¹) of Fe in plant tissue. In summary, P. pinnata–B. liaoningense PZHK1 symbiosis showed potential to be applied as an effective phytoremediation technology for mine tailings and to produce biofuel feedstock on the marginal land.

     

Who really ate the fruit? A novel approach to camera trapping for quantifying frugivory by ruminants

Tropical forest ruminants disperse several plants; yet, their effectiveness as seed dispersers is not systematically quantified. Information on frequency and extent of frugivory by ruminants is lacking. Techniques such as tree watches or fruit traps adapted from avian frugivore studies are not suitable to study terrestrial frugivores, and conventional camera traps provide little quantitative information. We used a novel time-delay camera-trap technique to assess the effectiveness of ruminants as seed dispersers for Phyllanthus emblica at Mudumalai, southern India. After being triggered by animal movement, cameras were programmed to take pictures every 2 min for the next 6 min, yielding a sequence of four pictures. Actual frugivores were differentiated from mere visitors, who did not consume fruit, by comparing the number of fruit remaining across the time-delay photograph sequence. During a 2-year study using this technique, we found that six terrestrial mammals consumed fallen P. emblica fruit. Additionally, seven mammals and one bird species visited fruiting trees but did not consume fallen fruit. Two ruminants, the Indian chevrotain Moschiola indica and chital Axis axis, were P. emblica’s most frequent frugivores and they accounted for over 95% of fruit removal, while murid rodents accounted for less than 1%. Plants like P. emblica that are dispersed mainly by large mammalian frugivores are likely to have limited ability to migrate across fragmented landscapes in response to rapidly changing climates. We hope that more quantitative information on ruminant frugivory will become available with a wider application of our time-delay camera-trap technique.     

云南元江干热河谷五种优势植物的内生真菌多样性

从蔓草虫豆（Atylosia scarabaeoides）、余甘子（Phyllanthus emblica）和黄花稔（Sida acuta）等5种云南元江干热河谷植物的525个组织块中,共分离得到内生真菌371株,内生真菌的分离频率在0.61～0.92之间,且所有植物叶内生真菌的分离频率都明显高于茎（P<0.05）。经形态学鉴定,内生真菌分属于拟茎点霉属（Phomopsis sp.）、离蠕孢属（Bipolaris sp.）和交链孢属（Alternaria sp.）等32个分类单元。拟茎点霉属为干热河谷植物优势内生真菌属,从所有被调查植物的茎叶中都分离得到该属真菌,且相对分离频率高达12.90%～50.54%。内生真菌群落组成的多样性和相似性分析结果表明,云南元江干热河谷植物内生真菌多样性偏低、宿主专一性较小。     

Potential of dendrochronology to assess annual rates of biomass productivity in savanna trees of West Africa

We examined the potential of dendrochronology to assess biomass productivity of individual savanna species from a semi-arid ecosystem in southern Senegal. The 9 tree species examined in this dendrochronologial study included: Acacia macrostachya, Acacia seyal, Balanites aegyptiaca, Combretum glutinosum, Cordyla pinnata, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Terminalia macroptera, Daniellia oliveri, and Combretum nigricans. Dendrochronologial analyses were applied on cross-sectional disks obtained from the tree stem to reconstruct past tree growth (diameter and biomass) histories. Despite challenges with discerning annual tree rings in these savanna species (associated with ring suppression, wedging, indistinct ring boundaries, and fires), tree species (A. macrostachya, A. seyal, and T. macroptera) with the highest dendrochronology potential produced a clear thin band of marginal parenchyma. A. macrostachya had rapid annual diameter and biomass growth increments in the juvenile years (ages 1–10), compared to T. macroptera which showed greater growth past this early juvenile period. Given the same species, generally wetter forests had lower annual and cumulative growth rates that were likely due to increased inter-tree and tree-grass competition for soil moisture in the wetter forests. We concluded that dendrochronology is well suited for retrospective annual biomass assessment in savanna trees of Senegal, West Africa.     

Pongamia pinnata: An Untapped Resource for the Biofuels Industry of the Future

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre is a fast-growing leguminous tree with the potential for high oil seed production and the added benefit of the ability to grow on marginal land. These properties support the suitability of this plant for large-scale vegetable oil production required by a sustainable biodiesel industry. The future success of P. pinnata as a sustainable source of feedstock for the biofuels industry is dependent on an extensive knowledge of the genetics, physiology and propagation of this legume. In particular, research should be targeted to maximizing plant growth as it relates to oil biosynthesis. This review assesses and integrates the biological, chemical and genetic attributes of the plant, providing the basis for future research into Pongamia’s role in an emerging industry.