Pine Litter from Afforestations Hinders the Establishment of Endemic Plants in Semiarid Scrubby Habitats of Natura 2000 Network

A sowing experiment was carried out using three endemic secondary successional species that commonly co‐occur with Pinus halepensis in afforestations in southeast Spain. The experiment simulated the natural arrangement of needle litter over soil to test the litter's effect on seedling emergence and early growth of dwarf‐shrubs and annual species, the main components of some European Habitats of Community Interest in Spain. Three sowing treatments were compared in a growth chamber: (1) soil without litter taken from clearings in a pine plantation (BARE); (2) intact soil and litter forming two distinct layers as in the field (PINE); and (3) soil and pine litter mixed in the laboratory (PINEMX). Seedling emergence of Diplotaxis harra and Thymus zygis were seven and two times higher, respectively, on BARE than on the pine litter treatments. Pine litter significantly decreased seedling biomass, length, and number of leaves of D. harra and T. zygis. Thymus capitatum was weakly affected by the presence of pine litter. We suggest that plant recruitment in the understory of P. halepensis is partially controlled by interference of pine litter, which might affect dynamics of the studied species. We propose that management practices counteract this negative effect by manipulating the pine litter layer to achieve successful ecological restoration and conservation of endemic‐rich secondary communities in Natura 2000 sites in semiarid western Mediterranean areas.     

Indications of Hydraulic Lift by Pinus halepensis and Its Effects on the Water Relations of Neighbour Shrubs

We measured the stable deuterium isotopic composition of xylem sap, the shoot predawn and midday water potentials, and the leaf δ¹³C of Mediterranean shrubs Pistacia lentiscus, Globularia alypum and Rosmarinus officinalis in a south-oriented transect from a large (12 m tall) Aleppo pine tree, Pinus halepensis. We aimed to study the possibility of hydraulic lift from the deep roots of this pine tree to the shallow soil layers and its influence on these neighbour shrubs. These same traits were also studied in several individuals of the shrub Pistacia lentiscus growing with different types of neighbours: just shrubs, a small (3 – 4 m) pine tree, and the above mentioned large pine tree. The greater the distance from P. halepensis the plants grew, the higher xylem water δD, the lower the soil water content, and, the lower the predawn and midday water potentials were found. These results suggest the existence of an hydraulic lift from deep roots to shallow soil in this big tree. Further indication of this existence is provided by the improved water status of P. lentiscus (higher water potentials and δD, and lower δ¹³C and, therefore, lower water use efficiencies) when growing close to the big pine in comparison with the same shrub species growing close to small pines or just surrounded by other shrubs. Moreover, all these trends occurred in the dry summer season, but disappeared in the wet spring season. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparative effects of four mycorrhizal fungi on loblolly pine seedlings growing in a greenhouse in a Piedmont soil

Summary A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ectomycorrhizae on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) growing in a Piedmont soil. Pine seedlings were inoculated with one of four species of fungi (Scleroderma aurantium, Pisolithus tinctorius, Thelophora terrestris, andRhizopogon roseolus). The seedlings were grown in pots containing a Cecil sandy clay loam amended to create a gradient of extractable P ranging from 5.9 to 52.5 g/g. After ten months, all colonized seedlings were significantly larger than control seedlings. However, of the four fungi,Scleroderma aurantium mediated a far superior shoot growth response to increasing levels of soil P; the seedlings were significantly larger than those colonized by any other fungus and also had the largest root systems and greatest degree of mycorrhizal colonization.     

Coinoculation of aseptically grown Douglas fir with pairs of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Douglas fir seedlings grown under aseptic conditions in a peat-vermiculite substrate were inoculated with four pairs of ectomycorrhizal fungi to assess the relative inoculum dosages needed to establish two mycorrhizal fungi simultaneously in the same root system. The dual fungal combinations tested were: Pisolithus arhizus + Rhizopogon subareolatus, P. arhizus + R. roseolus, Laccaria bicolor + P. arhizus and L. bicolor + R. subareolatus. A total of 12 ml of inocula per plant was applied at the rates: 0+12, 3+9, 6+6, 9+3, 12+0, and 0+0 (v+v) for each combination. After 3 months growth, the number of mycorrhizas and uninfected short roots as well as the total plant biomass produced were recorded. Inoculations were successful with the fungal combinations P. arhizus + R. subareolatus and L. bicolor + P. arhizus. Plants developed P. arhizus and R. subareolatus mycorrhizas only at the rate 9Pa + 3Rs; at other rates tested, only monospecific mycorrhizas were formed. Plants developed L. bicolor and P. arhizus mycorrhizas at the three rates containing both fungi. L. bicolor behaved as an aggressive root colonizer and its level of root colonization remained constant at increasing rates of P. arhizus inoculum. L. bicolor displaced R. subareolatus at all inocula rates. P. arhizus displaced R. roseolus except at the rate 3Pa + 9Rr, with only a low number of mycorrhizas formed by either fungus. Total plant biomass was significantly increased by the presence of any fungal combination up to four times the values for uninoculated controls. P. arhizus and R. subareolatus were more effective in promoting plant growth and stimulating short root formation than either L. bicolor or R. roseolus.     

The significance of Cognettia sphagnetorum(Enchytraeidae) on nitrogen availability and plant growth in wood ash-treated humus soil

A laboratory microcosm experiment was established to study whether the role of Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) in affecting Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedling growth is influenced by wood ash-amendment, i.e., neutralisation of the raw humus soil. Coniferous forest soil, inoculated with soil microbes and nematodes, was either treated with wood ash or left as ash-free control. Wood ash (corresponding to an amount of 5000 kg ha^–1) was either spread on the soil surface or mixed into the soil. Enchytraeid and pine seedling biomass, abundance of nematodes, and water leachable NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N were measured 26 and 51 weeks after initiation of the experiment and root length and N concentration of needles were measured 51 weeks after initiation of the experiment. Wood ash when mixed into the soil, reduced the biomass of C. sphagnetorum. Nematodes were unaffected by the treatments. In the ash-free soils C. sphagnetorum had little influence on pine growth, but it did decrease root length and root to shoot ratio. In the absence of enchytraeids wood ash decreased pine biomass production and root length. However, the presence of enchytraeids in the ash-treated soil compensated the ash-induced negative effects on the pine performance. Enchytraeids increased and wood ash decreased water leachable NH₄ ⁺-N in the presence but not in the absence of enchytraeids, while water leachable NO₃ ^–-N was not affected by the treatments. It was concluded that C. sphagnetorum can be important in ensuring nutrient cycling and plant growth in situations when an ecosystem encounters disturbances.     

Seasonal fluctuations in soil phenolics of a coniferous forest: effects on seed germination of different coniferous species

This study examined seasonal variations in the content of water-soluble phenolics extracted from litter and Ah horizon of forest soil under Pinus laricio Poiret trees. After having identified and quantified different phenolics, the effects of seasonal phenolic extracts, single phenolic acids and synthetic phenol mixtures on seed germination of Pinus laricio Poiret, Pinus pinaster Aiton and Pinus halepensis Mill. were evaluated, and the activity of phenolics on the main enzymes involved in the glyoxylate cycle was tested. The results indicated a seasonal variation of phenol content in soil, with largest concentrations of water-soluble phenolic acids in autumn and smallest concentrations in summer. Addition of phenol extracts to germination medium reduced seed germination showing phytotoxic effects which differed, depending on the species and the fractions tested. Phenols extracted from litter and Ah horizon in autumn and winter, vanillic acid, and synthetic mixtures reproducing phenols extracted from soil in winter inhibited seed germination of Pinus laricio, pinaster and halepensis more than other treatments. A greater inhibitory effect was observed on seed germination of Pinus pinaster and halepensis compared to Pinus laricio. The phenols also had the greatest inhibitory effect on glyoxylic enzyme activities. Section Editor: H. Lambers     

Spatial variation of seedling distribution in an east Mediterranean pine woodland at the beginning of post-fire succession

Most of the area in pine woodlands is occupied by perennial seeders that regenerate from seeds in the first winter after the fire and by annuals. Control of the germination in the regenerating vegetation after wildfire is therefore a primary ecological component of the post-fire succession in this ecosystem. The aim of the study presented here was to determine the distribution of Pinus, Cistus and other plants seeds around burned Pinus halepensis trees, and to measure the conditions related to seed germination in the upper soil layers in the same locations. The study was carried out in a 50-year old planted Pinus halepensis woodland that was burned down by a wildfire in July 1995. The variation of seedbank density was determined by collecting samples under the canopies of burned trees and in a nearby open area. Pine seedbank density decreased and that of Cistus and annuals increased with increasing distance from the burned trunks. Most pine seeds were present in the ash layer while those of the other plants were in the soil. In situ germination experiments showed that seedling density decreased with distance from the burned trunks while the proportion of pines in the seedling population increased. This was a result of seedbank variation and germination inhibition by the high pH conditions caused by the ash. The establishment of sparse pine seedling under the dead tree canopies insured their rapid development without interference by other plants and played a key role in the regeneration and stability of the pine woodland community. The concomitant mass germination of the perennial seeders in the rest of the area prevented invasion by annuals.     

Effects of plant species on phosphorus availability in a range of grassland soils

Vegetative conversion from grass to forest may influence soil nutrient dynamics and availability. A short-term (40 weeks) glasshouse experiment was carried out to investigate the impacts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil phosphorus (P) availability in 15 grassland soils collected across New Zealand using ³³P isotopic exchange kinetics (IEK) and chemical extraction methods. Results from this study showed that radiata pine took up more P (4.5–33.5 mg P pot^–1) than ryegrass (1.1–15.6 mg pot^–1) from the soil except in the Temuka soil in which the level of available P (e.g., E _1min P_i, bicarbonate extractable P_i) was very high. Radiata pine tended to be better able to access different forms of soil P, compared with ryegrass. There were no significant differences in the level of water soluble P (Cp, intensity factor) between soils under ryegrass and radiata pine, but the levels of Cp were generally lower compared with original soils due to plant uptake. The growth of both ryegrass and radiata pine resulted in the redistribution of soil P from the slowly exchangeable P_i pool (E _{> 10m} P_i, reduced by 31.8% on the average) to the rapidly exchangeable P_i (E _1min-1d P_i, E _1d-10m P_i) pools in most soils. The values of R/r ₁ (the capacity factor) were also generally greater in most soils under radiata pine compared with ryegrass. Specific P mineralisation rates were significantly greater for soils under radiata pine (8.4–21.9%) compared with ryegrass (0.5–10.8%), indicating that the growth of radiata pine enhanced mineralisation of soil organic P. This may partly be ascribed to greater root phosphatase activity for radiata pine than for ryegrass. Plant species × soil type interactions for most soil variables measured indicate that the impacts of plant species on soil P dynamics was strongly influenced by soil properties.     

Short-term effects of thinning and liming on forest soils of pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations in central Korea

The influences of thinning (50% of standing density) and liming (Ca+Mg, 2 Mg ha⁻¹) on soil chemical properties were investigated for 2 years (2001, 2002) in 40-year-old pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.) and 44-year-old Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gord.) plantations established on similar soils. In general, soil properties varied significantly among plantations and treatments. For both plantations, thinning significantly increased soil organic C (SOC) concentrations whereas there were no significant changes in soil pH and Ca and Mg concentrations. In addition, thinning increased total soil N and Na concentrations for the pitch pine plantation and available P concentration for the Japanese larch plantation in the second year after the treatment. Liming did not affect soil chemical characteristics for the pitch pine plantation except for Na concentration. However, for the Japanese larch plantation, liming significantly increased soil pH and K, Ca and Mg concentrations and decreased SOC and total soil N concentrations. For both plantations, soil Al concentration did not change after thinning and liming and decreased exponentially with increased pH values. The increases in SOC and total soil N concentrations after thinning were possibly due to increases in decomposition of organic matter and root death. Although differences were not statistically significant, soil available P concentration tended to increase at early stages of liming for both plantations. These results suggested that thinning and liming seemed to regulate soil chemical properties for pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations established on similar soils.     

Differential field response of two Mediterranean tree species to inputs of sewage sludge at the seedling stage

Land degradation and desertification is a common feature in Mediterranean landscapes due to extensive and intensive land use and natural or man induced disturbances. The ecosystem may need external inputs to recover its composition and function as soils are often impoverished and vegetal key stone species lost. We evaluated the effects of the application of fresh and air-dried biosolids in the establishment and morphological and physiological performance of seedlings of Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex under dry Mediterranean field conditions. Seedling survival was not affected by biosolid treatments in any of the studied species both two and ten years after planting. During the first two years, growth was enhanced by the two biosolid treatments in relation to control, although the change in the biomass allocation pattern differed between species. Rooting depth was significantly enhanced by liquid biosolid in Q. ilex and marginally reduced in P. halepensis as well as the exploration of soil. As a consequence, root-to-shoot ratio reduced significantly with dry and liquid sludge due to promoted aboveground growth while maintaining and even reducing belowground fractions. An improvement of the nutritional status, of fertilized seedlings especially of phosphorus, is the explanation for the better field performance. Vector analysis revealed an important phosphorus limitation for both species that was overcome with the application of liquid (both species) and air-dried biosolid (pine). The higher growth of pine seedlings attained in the liquid biosolid treatment was coupled with a significant decrease in foliar δ¹³C, suggesting lower water use efficiency. The significant increase in foliar δ¹⁵N in the biosolid treatments in both species suggested that a large proportion of the total nitrogen uptake came from the applied biosolids. Instead, with regard to the low biosolid application rate used in the study, treatments had an overall positive effect as a restoration tool by improving nutritional status and promoting growth of planted seedlings.     

松材线虫侵染的马尾松人工林细根形态及生物量分异特征

中龄林的马尾松受松材线虫侵染后,林木生长、生理生化指标、群落多样性等会发生异质性变化,但是,针对患病林木地下细根的响应尚不清楚。本研究以松材线虫疫区患病马尾松和健康马尾松为研究对象,采用土柱法,分0-15 cm和15-30 cm土层,对细根进行分级研究,定量分析1-5级细根的形态、生物量以及养分元素,探讨松材线虫侵染的马尾松人工林细根形态、生物量以及养分元素的分异特征。结果表明:(1)患病马尾松人工林细根的健康状态与根长密度、生物量呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),低级根(如1级根)患病后,响应会更加强烈。(2)马尾松人工林患病后,细根有效磷、速效钾浓度会显著降低(P<0.05),而全氮、钙浓度会显著升高(P<0.05)。(3)松材线虫病使林分的土壤有机质含量显著高于健康林分(P<0.05),而土壤速效钾含量会显著低于健康林分(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,松材线虫侵染的马尾松人工林会在细根形态、细根养分和土壤养分上会发生特异性响应,揭示了松材线虫病对马尾松人工林地下细根的影响,旨在为松材线虫病防治提供一定参考。     

Effects of long-term experimental night-time warming and drought on photosynthesis, <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>v/<Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>m and stomatal conductance in the dominant species of a Mediterranean shrubland

We conducted a night-time warming and drought field experiment for 7 years (1999–2005) in a Mediterranean shrubland. We focused on the two dominant shrub species, Erica multiflora L. and Globularia alypum L. and the tree Pinus halepensis L. and the final years to study the effects of the experimental night-time warming and drought on Fv/Fm, photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance. Warming treatment increased mean air temperature and mean soil temperature through the years by an average of 0.7 and 0.9°C respectively, and drought treatment reduced soil moisture through the years by an average of 19%. Warming tended to increase photosynthetic rates in E. multiflora, G. alypum and P. halepensis mostly in the cold seasons, when plants were more limited by temperature, as shown by the lowest values of Fv/Fm being detected in winter in the three studied species. A negative effect of warming was only detected for E. multiflora in summer 2003. Drought treatment generated different responses of net photosynthetic rates depending on the species, season and year. Stomatal conductance showed the same pattern as photosynthesis for the three studied species, displaying seasonal and inter-annual variability, although with an overall negative effect of drought for P. halepensis. Photosynthetic rates decreased significantly in the dry winter 2005 and spring 2005 in comparison to the same seasons of 2003 and 2004. There were positive correlations between the photosynthetic rates in different seasons for E. multiflora, G. alypum and P. halepensis and the soil moisture of the week prior to measurements. The great variation in the photosynthetic rates was thus explained in a significant part by soil moisture levels. The lowest Fv/Fm values usually corresponded with lowest stomatal conductances suggesting that drought stress could be associated to stress by low temperatures in winter.     

Effects of mycorrhizae and chitin-hydrolysing microbes on Vicia faba

The effect of Streptomyces albovinaceus (S-22) and Bacillus sp. (B1) on the growth response, nodulation, nutrition and nitrogenase activities of faba bean (Vicia faba) varieties infected with Glomus mosseae under pot conditions in sterile soil amended with chitin was studied. The growth, nodulation, nutrients content and nitrogenase activity of mycorrhiza-treated plants of Giza-667 were significantly increased compared to untreated ones. Such increases were related to the increase in mycorrhizal root infection. Amendment of soil with chitin alone reduced the growth, nodulation, total nitrogen contents and nitrogenase activities of mycorrhiza-treated faba bean plants (Giza-667) compared to untreated plants. Inoculation of plants with S. albovinaceus or Bacillus sp. significantly increased the level of mycorrhizal roots infection, but addition of chitin to the soil in combination with Bacillus sp. reduced the mycorrhizal infection of faba bean roots. Highest phosphorus contents of faba bean Giza-667 were recorded after G. mosseae inoculation in the presence of all treatments. Similar results were observed for the other varieties. The microbial populations were significantly increased in rhizospheres amended with chitin. Such increases were not in response to the mycorrhizal inoculation. Generally, the microflora of faba bean rhizospheres was increased after treatment with G. mosseae in the absence of chitin amendment alone compared with non-mycorrhizal rhizospheres.     

Responses of Pinus halepensis growth, soil microbial catabolic functions and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria after rock phosphate amendment and ectomycorrhizal inoculation

We examined the effects of an ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungus, Pisolithus sp., on of the growth of Pinus halepensis (Allepo pine) seedlings, soil microbial functions and rock phosphate solubilization in a un-disinfected soil amended or not with a Moroccan rock phosphate. Allepo pine seedlings were inoculated with an EM fungus (Pisolithus sp. strain PH4) isolated from a P. halepensis plantation and selected for its high ability to mobilize P from an inorganic form of phosphate. After 4 month’s culture in a disinfected substrate, plants were transferred in 10 l-containers filled with a natural forest soil and amended or not with rock phosphate powder. After 12 month’s culturing, the growth, needle nutrient concentrations of P. halepensis plants were measured. Soil microbial catabolic diversity was assessed by measuring CO₂ production of substrate induced respiration responses. Fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from each soil treatment and tested in axenic conditions for their ability to solubilize a source of inorganic phosphate. The results clearly showed that (i) P. halepensis growth was greatly promoted by the presence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus strain PH4 in a disinfected soil/vermiculite mixture and in a non disinfected soil, (ii) ectomycorrhizal inoculation induced significant changes in the functions of soil microbial communities and selected microorganisms potentially beneficial to the plant growth (i.e. phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonad) and (iii) rock phosphate solubilisation was mainly dependent on EM inoculation and mycorrhizosphere microorganisms. These results were in accordance with previous studies where it was demonstrated that EM symbiosis has a beneficial effect on plant growth through a direct effect on the host plant but also an indirect effect via a selective pressure on soil microbiota that favours microorganisms potentially beneficial to plant growth.     

Effects of forest fire ash on germination and early growth of four pinus species

Fire modifies the germination of seeds of numerous species. One of the fire factors that cause these modifications is the ash. This study analysed the germination of seeds of Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus nigra Arn. Pinus radiata D. Don and Pinus pinaster Aiton, subjected to different ash treatments, and the development of seedlings that grew in these conditions for 14 weeks. We obtained the ash by completely burning leaves and small twigs from the most abundant woody species in populations of pines. The ash treatments applied were as follows: Control (without ash), Low (half of the amount registered in a fire), Medium (equal to the amount registered in a fire) and High (double the amount registered in a fire). Germination took place on paper inside Petri dishes and in soil, and growth was only analysed for the plants that grew in the soil. For all species, and especially P. nigra, germination rate decreased as the amount of ash applied increased. The negative effects of the ash were more apparent following treatments in Petri dishes than in the soil. In the dishes, the average germination time varies little between the four species of pine. In soil, the average germination time is more prolonged, and only some differences were observed between treatments in P. sylvestris and P. nigra. In these species the high treatment significantly increased the average germination time. We found a greater sensitivity of P. sylvestris and P. nigra to the addition of ash, showing a higher seedling mortality rate. However, it appears that seedling development (length and weight) was not affected in any of the species through the addition of ash. These tests allow us to deduce that, in P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. radiata and P. pinaster, the ash produced by forest fires has an inhibiting effect on germination and little effect on the development of seedlings in the first months of life. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mycorrhizal functioning of Phialocephala fortinii with Pinus contorta on glacier forefront soil: interactions with soil nitrogen and organic matter

 Plants growing on an environmentally stressed glacier forefront on soil low in N and organic matter have abundant root colonizations by dark-septate fungi. As the plants appeared fit for this severe habitat, it was hypothesized that the dark-septate endophytes were neutral or beneficial rather than detrimental to the plants. To test this hypothesis, we designed a growth-room experiment with Pinus contorta grown on forefront soil inoculated with the dark-septate fungus Phialocephala fortinii in the absence of climatic stress. N and organic matter treatments were included to explore their interaction with the fungal inoculation. P. fortinii colonized roots inter- and intracellularly and occasionally formed microsclerotia. Inoculated plants absorbed significantly more P than noninoculated plants in all combinations of N and organic matter. Without added N, neither inoculation nor organic matter addition improved plant growth or N uptake, showing that N indeed limits plant growth in this substrate. With added N, however, both organic matter addition and inoculation significantly increased total pine biomass and N uptake. The enhanced P uptake by the P. fortinii-inoculated pine as well as the increased pine growth and N uptake in the treatment combining P. fortinii and N appear as typical mycorrhizal responses. Accepted: 20 October 1997     

赤泥掺拌马尾松叶对芦竹与翠芦莉生长的影响

赤泥是铝土矿提炼氧化铝后排放的强碱性废渣,数量巨大且环境风险大,如何改良及筛选适生植物是其生态修复的关键。该研究通过掺拌不同比例的马尾松叶2%,4%,6%(w/w),分析其对赤泥pH与有机质含量及芦竹与翠芦莉生长的影响。结果表明:掺拌马尾松叶35 d后,赤泥pH由11.08显著下降至9.70,但随后趋于平稳;随着掺拌比例的增加,赤泥pH呈下降趋势,有机质含量由6.13 g·kg~(-1)显著增至17.52 g·kg~(-1)。芦竹与翠芦莉在纯赤泥上生长2个多月后死亡,但在掺拌4%马尾松叶的赤泥上均能较好地生长。其中,芦竹的生物量及相对生长速率(RGR)与栽培土相比不受影响,但地下/地上生物量比(B/A)显著增加;相反,翠芦莉的生物量和相对生长速率与栽培土相比显著降低,但B/A不受影响。     

Seedling performance in sewage sludge-amended degraded Mediterranean woodlands

Biosolids have been widely used for land reclamation, but information on their use in restoration, i.e., on less degraded areas, is scarce. Biosolids may be used to restore forest ecosystems by fostering tree establishment in degraded shrublands. Detailed knowledge on the effects of biosolid application is needed to optimize such practice. We evaluated the effect of different rates (0, 7.5 and 14.5 kg dry weight per plant) and types of biosolid application on the performance of Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex seedlings, and operational costs. Biosolids increased seedling mortality in both species, particularly when seedlings were planted in direct contact with them. Mortality mostly occurred during the first year, and was probably favored by soil shrinking and salinity. Foliar and needle nitrogen concentration increased with biosolid rate in the short term, but biosolids affected negatively (P. halepensis), or had no effect (Q. ilex) on phosphorus and potassium concentration. Biosolids had a positive effect on P. halepensis growth, and a negative effect on Q. ilex growth at the highest rate when seedlings were in contact with biosolids. Cost of this type of biosolid application approximately doubled plantation cost, but were similar or cheaper that landfill disposal of biosolids. The lowest application rate showed the best balance between seedling response and costs for P. halepensis, whereas biosolid use cannot be recommended for Q. ilex.     

Early seedling growth of pine (Pinus densiflora) and oaks (Quercus serrata,Q. mongolica,Q. variabilis) in response to light intensity and soil moisture

In climatic chambers seed germination and seedling growth of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc., Quercus serrata Thunb., Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Turcz. and Quercus variablilis Bl. were investigated as functions of light intensity and soil moisture. In Korea these tree species occur widely and form mixed forests with different distributions. Species clearly differed in the pattern of germination and early seedling growth between light and soil treatments. The germination of pine did not differ between the experimental treatments until the breaking of the primary buds. After that, light intensity was the deciding factor for further development. In the most moist treatment (approx. field capacity) growth of the pine seedlings was strongly inhibited. For the three oak species, differences between experimental treatments first occurred after complete formation of primary leaves. Seed development strongly correlated with the weight of the acorn. The large seeded Q. variabilis (acorns with mean weight of 4.7 g) developed faster and reached larger dimensions towards the end of the experiment than Q. mongolica (2.8 g per acorn) and Q. serrata (0.9 g per acorn). Regarding height and biomass growth, the oak species showed a higher shade tolerance than pine. The proleptic shoot growth was clearly influenced by the light intensity. Root formation was favoured by a high exposure to light. In case of the oak species reduction of soil moisture increased the length of primary roots and the number of secondary roots.     

Edaphic limitations to growth and photosynthesis in Sierran and Great Basin vegetation

Summary Soils derived from hydrothermally altered andesite support unique communities of Sierran conifers (Pinus ponderosa Laws. and P. jeffreyi Grev. and Balf.) amongst sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) vegetation in the western Great Basin. Plants grown in soil derived from hydrothermally altered bedrock had lower growth rates, total biomass, and net photosynthetic rates than plants grown in soil derived from unaltered andesite of the same formation. Total dry mass was 10 to 28% lower for conifers grown in altered soil whereas dry mass of Artemisia tridentata and Bromus tectorum L. was reduced by over 90%. Results from a nutrient amendment experiment indicated that low phosphorus was the dominant limitation in altered soil, and phosphorus-deficiency affected growth primarily by limiting leaf area development rather than direct inhibition of photosynthesis. The proportionately greater reduction of biomass for Artemisia and Bromus grown in altered soil supports our hypothesis that Great Basin vegetation is excluded from altered soil by intolerance to nutrient deficiency. The Sierran conifers growing on this rock type are therefore free of competition for water with Great Basin vegetation and are able to persist in an exceptionally dry climate.