Allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratiola ericoides</Emphasis> (Empetraceae) on germination and survival of six Florida scrub species

Allelopathic inhibition of germination by Florida scrub plants has been demonstrated in the greenhouse and lab, but not in the field. We studied the allelopathic effects of Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) roots, leaves, and litter leachates on field germination and three-month survival of six Florida scrub species, three habitat generalists (Lechea deckertii, Palafoxia feayi, and Polygonella robusta), and three rosemary scrub specialists (Hypericum cumulicola, Lechea cernua, and Polygonella basiramia). We used AIC and model averaging to evaluate support for a series of non-exclusive hypotheses. Species varied in germination (2.7–24.6%) and survival (39.2–71%) percentages, and in their sensitivity to leachates. Germination of scrub species was most negatively affected by leaf > root > litter leachates, although not all species followed the overall trend. Additional germination suppression by leachate combinations (relative to single leachates) was minimal. Sites did not vary in germination, but seedling survival did differ among sites. This study further documents the negative impact of Florida rosemary leachates on the germination of co-occurring plant species. Allelopathy may be partly responsible for bare sand gaps in Florida rosemary scrub, and therefore be one of the forces structuring Florida rosemary scrub ecosystems.     

Competitive abilities of three narrowly endemic plant species in experimental neighborhoods along a fire gradient

We conducted field experiments manipulating lichens, shrubs, and herbs along a time-since-fire gradient and assessing effects on three endemic herbaceous species of Florida scrub: Eryngium cuneifolium, Hypericum cumulicola, and Polygonella basiramia. Responses included seed germination, survival, biomass, and fecundity. Transplants into recently burned patches generally had higher survival, larger biomass, and greater reproductive output than transplants into long-unburned patches. Open areas and sites near oaks frequently were more favorable than sites near Florida rosemary. Ground lichens did not affect germination but increased mortality rate of seedlings. Neighboring small shrubby and herbaceous species did not affect the performance of these species. Of the three species, naturally occurring E. cuneifolium were farthest from large shrubs, and their microhabitats had the least ground lichens and shrubs. Eryngium cuneifolium and H. cumulicola are capable of forming persistent seed banks and their recruitment after fire depends mostly on these dormant seeds. Polygonella basiramia relies on seed dispersal and immediate seed germination to colonize recently burned patches. Management for these species should involve variable fire regimes to allow all three species to persist along with many other scrub endemics.     

Conservation implications of genetic variation in three rare species endemic to Florida rosemary scrub

Habitat conversion and fire suppression during the last 50 yr have greatly reduced and altered Florida scrub vegetation, resulting in threats to the persistence of its unique flora. As part of a larger conservation project, we investigated patterns of isozyme variation in three rare perennial scrub plants with overlapping ranges endemic to Florida rosemary scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge. All three species have low levels of genetic variation, comparable to or lower than those generally reported for rare plants with restricted geographic ranges. Liatris ohlingerae has more than twice the expected heterozygosity of the other two species, with little population differentiation. In contrast, Hypericum cumulicola has highly differentiated populations with little apparent interpopulation gene flow and heterozygote deficiencies indicative of inbreeding. Eryngium cuneifolium, the species with the narrowest range and fewest populations, has intermediate values for genetic parameters. Although the three species have narrow and overlapping geographic ranges and similar habitat specificity, we discuss how optimal conservation of each species differs.     

Hypericum cumulicola demography in unoccupied and occupied Florida scrub patches with different time‐since‐fire

1 Metapopulation models predict that unoccupied, but suitable, patches will exist for species subject to extinction and colonization dynamics. We compared the demographic responses of Hypericum cumulicola , a rare herbaceous species almost entirely restricted to Florida rosemary scrub, when transplanted to occupied or unoccupied patches.
2 Seedlings were transplanted and seeds buried into Florida rosemary scrub patches differing in time since last fire, and in the presence or absence of H. cumulicola. We used a replicated, factorial design to place the transplants and seeds in the field, and monitored their performance for 18 months.
3 Neither time‐since‐fire nor prior H. cumulicola site occupancy affected survival of transplants. Only time‐since‐fire affected growth. Time‐since‐fire, H. cumulicola occupancy, and their interaction affected reproductive effort, but these effects were not consistent between years.
4 Flowering and seed production led to subsequent seedling recruitment near transplants, mainly in recently burned sites. Genetic screening of transplants and seedlings showed that transplants in occupied sites could have crossed with nearby resident plants, but that offspring in sites previously unoccupied were likely to have been parented only by nearby transplants.
5 Seeds buried, and later exhumed, germinated after 1 or 2 years of burial, demonstrating a persistent soil seed bank from which populations could recover after fire. Neither time‐since‐fire nor H. cumulicola occupancy affected seed dormancy or germination.
6 Similar demography in unoccupied and occupied patches suggests that the patchy pattern of site occupancy by H. cumulicola is probably due to limited dispersal and periodic extinction, especially associated with long fire‐free intervals. Conservation measures need to protect unoccupied patches to allow metapopulation dynamics and persistence.     

Inhibition of seedling survival under Rhododendron maximum (Ericaceae): could allelopathy be a cause?

In the southern Appalachian mountains a subcanopy species, Rhododendron maximum, inhibits the establishment and survival of canopy tree seedlings. One of the mechanisms by which seedlings could be inhibited is an allelopathic effect of decomposing litter or leachate from the canopy of R. maximum (R.m.) on seed germination, root elongation, or mycorrhizal colonization. The potential for allelopathy by R.m. was tested with two bioassay species (lettuce and cress), with seeds from four native tree species, and with three ectomycorrhizal fungi. Inhibitory influences of throughfall, fresh litter, and decomposed litter (organic layer) from forest with R.m. (+R.m. sites) were compared to similar extractions made from forest without R.m. (-R.m. sites). Throughfall and leachates of the organic layer from both +R.m. and -R.m. sites stimulated germination of the bioassay species above that of the distilled water control, to a similar extent. There was an inhibitory effect of leachates of litter from +R.m. sites on seed germination and root elongation rate of both bioassay species compared with that of litter from -R.m. sites. Native tree seed stratified in forest floor material from both forest types had a slightly higher seed germination rate compared with the control. A 2-yr study of seed germination and seedling mortality of two tree species, Quercus rubra and Prunus serotina, in field plots showed no significant influence of litter or organic layer from either forest type. Incorporating R.m. leaf material into the growth medium in vitro depressed growth of one ectomycorrhizal species but did not affect two other species. Leaf material from other deciduous tree species depressed ectomycorrhizal growth to a similar or greater extent as leaf material from R.m. In conclusion, R.m. litter can have an allelopathic effect on seed germination and root elongation of bioassay species as well as some ectomycorrhizal species. However, this allelopathic affect is not manifest in field sites and is not likely to be an important cause for the inhibition of seedling survival within thickets of R.m.     

Leaf litter of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kageneckia angustifolia</Emphasis> D. Don (Rosaceae) inhibits seed germination in sclerophyllous montane woodlands of central Chile

Leaf litter accumulation can have either positive, negative or neutral effects on seed germination and seedling recruitment. In montane woodlands of the Mediterranean zone of central Chile, large amounts of leaf litter accumulate beneath the crowns of the summer semi-deciduous tree Kageneckia angustifolia and no regeneration of this or other plant species has been observed beneath this tree throughout the year. In a sample plot of 5000 m² we selected ten K. angustifolia trees and measured (1) leaf litter accumulation beneath and outside canopy; (2) the effects of time elapsed since burial on viability of K. angustifolia seeds with and without a leaf litter cover; (3) field seed germination with presence or absence of leaf litter and (4) the possible chemical effects of K. angustifolia leaf litter leachates on seed germination of its own seeds and of other two co-occurring native shrubs species (Guindilia trinervis and Solanum ligustrinum). Our results show that a considerable accumulation of leaf litter occurred beneath K. angustifolia, and litter negatively affected seed viability and germination of this species in the field. Under laboratory conditions, K. angustifolia leaf litter leachates inhibited seed germination of its own seeds and of the two native shrub species. Chemical effects are likely involved in the negative effects of leaf litter on the recruitment of K. angustifolia in the montane sclerophyllous woodland of central Chile.     

Microhabitat distribution of two Florida scrub endemic plants in comparison to their habitat-generalist congeners

Habitat-specialist species may be restricted to a narrower range of microhabitats than habitat-generalist species. We addressed this hypothesis by comparing microhabitats of two pairs of congeners that differ in habitat specificity and co-occur in one distinct habitat type, Florida rosemary scrub. We characterized microhabitats of rosemary scrub specialists, Polygonella basiramia and Lechea cernua, their habitat-generalist congeners, Polygonella robusta and Lechea deckertii, and random points in the rosemary scrub habitat. Plants of both habitat specialists occurred in microhabitats with significantly more bare sand than plants of habitat-generalist species and random points. Plants of all four species occurred in microhabitats that were farther from dominant shrubs, Ceratiola and Quercus spp., than random points. Seedlings of both habitat specialists grew larger in bare sand microhabitats, whereas ground lichens and litter did not affect seedling growth of the habitat generalists. As the time since fire increases, bare sand cover decreases, Ceratiola density increases, Quercus density remains constant, and shrubs become taller. Physical characteristics, such as soil temperature, soil carbon, and soil moisture, differ slightly with respect to microhabitat. Our results suggest that P. basiramia and L. cernua are specialized on bare sand microhabitats that characterize their preferred habitat, rosemary scrub. Microhabitat specialization may limit the distribution of these rare species.     

Gap ecology in Florida scrub: Species occurrence,diversity and gap properties

Questions: Studies of gap effects have been conducted mainly in forests. We studied gap ecology in a pyrogenic Ceratiola ericoides (Florida rosemary) dominated shrubland and asked: How do gap size and the frequency of large gaps change across the fire chronosequence? Do larger gaps differ from smaller gaps in vegetation structure or species diversity? Are effects of gaps independent of, or dependent upon, time‐since‐fire? Are larger gaps refugia for herbs and subshrubs? Location: Archbold Biological Station, Lake Wales Ridge, south‐central Florida, USA. Methods: We investigated plant species occurrence and diversity in 805 gaps (areas free of shrubs taller than 50 cm) in 28 fire‐dependent Florida rosemary scrub sites. We collected quantitative cover data in a subset of seven sites. Results: Gap area distribution was lognormal. The largest gaps occurred throughout all but the longest time‐since‐fire intervals. Gaps were smallest in the longest unburned site but otherwise did not show strong patterns across the fire chronosequence. Species diversity measures increased with increasing gap area, with herbaceous diversity increasing with both gap area and bare sand. Herb diversity (H') decreased with time‐since‐fire. Larger gaps are refugia for some species. Of 14 species occurring in 25–75% of gaps, 13 had increased occupancy with increasing gap area, and gap area was the strongest predictor of occupancy for seven species of herbs and shrubs. Time‐since‐fire was the strongest predictor of occupancy for five species, including four ground lichens that increased with time‐since‐fire. Conclusions: Community structure within Florida scrub gaps is influenced by gap size, which in turn is affected by fire, the dominant ecological disturbance. We present a conceptual model that considers both gap size and time‐since‐fire as drivers of community structure and herbaceous plant diversity in Florida scrub. Because gap properties (independently of fire) have strong influences on species assemblages in Florida rosemary scrub gaps, fire management should consider the number and size of gaps across the landscape.     

Inhibition of Ageratina adenophora on spore germination and gametophyte development of Macrothelypteris torresiana

Allalopathy of Ageratina adenophora plays an important role in its invasion. However, we have little knowledge of its allelpathic effects on ferns. In Petri dish bioassays, the inhibitory potential of aqueous leachates from roots, stems and leaves of A. adenophora was studied on the spore germination and gametophyte development of Macrothelypteris torresiana. All leachates Inhibited the spore germination and growth of the first rhizoid of M. torresiana and inhibitory effects Increased with increasing leachate concentrations. Root leachates proved most inhibitory. Gametophyte rhizoids of M. torresiana treated with stem and leaf leachates ofA. adenophora were erect, which was similar to those of the control. However, gametophyte rhizoids of M. torresiana treated with root leachates of A. adenophora were erect, but also curving or swollen. Moreover, curving and swollen rhizoids Increased with Increasing concentrations. As time went by, rhizoids treated with root leachates were not so curved and the swelling almost disappeared. Possible causes are discussed in the present study. The increasing concentrations of leaf leachates also delayed the stages of gametophyte development. With the treatment of root leachates, the delay was more obvious. Thus A. adenophora inhibited the spore germination and gametophyte development of M. torresiana and the root leachates were most inhibitory.     

Municipal sludge-induced phytotoxicity

Municipal sludge (MS), containing various types of environmental pollutants, can exert phytotoxic effects in plants. Seed germination, chlorophyll content, plant weight, root and shoot growth, and metal levels, were measured as endpoints to assess the phytotoxic effects of leachates of MS from Lucknow city in three plants, Triticum aestivum, Brassica campestris and Phaseolus aureus. Among the five metals analysed, lead was found to be present at the highest concentration, and chromium at the lowest. Aqueous MS leachates had lower amounts of metals than pure MS. Seed germination was inhibited significantly in all three plants. The greatest inhibition of root and shoot growth was observed in B. campestris and T. aestivum. Total chlorophyll was depleted in all three plants, but the maximum depletion was observed in T.aestivum exposed to 10% leachate. Symptoms such as necrosis, leaf discoloration and root curling were also observed after exposure to 10% leachate, and plant weight was reduced significantly. It is evident that MS from Lucknow city exerted phytotoxic effects on all three test plant species.     

Ectomycorrhizal, vesicular-arbuscular and dark septate fungal colonization of bishop pine (Pinus muricata) seedlings in the first 5 months of growth after wildfire

 We followed the colonization frequency of ectomycorrhizal (EM), vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM), and dark septate (DS) fungi in 1- to 5-month-old bishop pine seedlings reestablishing after a wildfire. Seedlings were collected on a monthly basis at either a VAM-dominated chaparral scrub site or an EM-dominated forest site, both of which were burned. In both vegetation types, fully developed EM were observed from the third month after germination. EM fungi observed on the seedlings from the scrub site were limited to Rhizopogon subcaerulescens, R. ochraceorubens and Suillus pungens. Seedlings from the forest were colonized by a greater variety of EM fungi including Amanita spp., Russula brevipes and a member of the Cantharellaceae. VAM structures (vesicles, arbuscules or hyphal coils) were observed in the seedling root systems beginning 1 month after germination at the scrub site and 3 months after germination at the forest site. Seedlings from the scrub site consistently had more frequent VAM fungal colonization than those from the forest site through the fifth month after germination. DS fungi were observed in most seedlings from both the scrub and forest sites beginning in the first month post-germination. We propose that these fungi survived as a resident inoculum in the soils and did not disperse into the sites after the fire. Accepted: 14 February 1998     

Seed deposition in drift lines: Opportunity or hazard for species establishment?

Arrival at suitable sites for germination and establishment is crucial for hydrochorous plants. Seed deposition in riparian landscapes occurs mainly within litter in drift lines. We investigated whether conditions within drift lines are suitable for seed survival and germination and whether drift lines act as seed sources or sinks for species diversity in riparian fen grasslands.We analysed drift litter in a small river valley in Northern Germany (Upper Eider valley) after typical late winter floods in 2000, 2002 and 2004. The content of viable seeds in drift lines was studied via a germination trial with drift litter samples taken from five fen grassland sites representative of the vegetation of floodplain. Further, seedling recruitment of both abandoned and moderately grazed fen grasslands affected by drift line deposition was compared with equivalent sites without drift lines. Additionally, the decline of viable seeds after the deposition of drift litter was studied. Finally, the relative importance of seed-containing drift litter and microsite availability for seedling recruitment was investigated in a field experiment with the factors disturbance (mowing, large gaps, small gaps, undisturbed control) and addition of (seed-containing) drift litter (yes, no) in an abandoned riparian fen.Seedlings which recruited from drift litter collected at different sites differed in species composition. A nearly 50% reduction of the number of viable seeds in drift litter was observed already during 2 weeks after deposition. Naturally deposited drift lines had a positive effect on the number of seedlings, although an increase of seedling recruitment in areas with drift litter was only observed at the grazed site. Adding drift litter reduced the number of seedlings in the field experiment, while creating gaps enhanced seedling recruitment.These results indicate that in riparian fen grasslands, drift lines can affect species diversity either negatively by hampering germination and/or establishment or positively by increasing seed availability. As the studied river system is comparatively species poor and flooding extension is limited, the role of drift lines as seed source might be of minor importance in the study area.     

Do leaf-litter decomposers control biofilm primary production and benthic algal community structure in forest streams? Insights from an outdoor mesocosm experiment

• 1. Forested headwater streams are generally considered to be light-limited ecosystems where primary production is reduced, and the main source of energy and nutrients is composed of allochthonous detritus. We hypothesised that in these ecosystems, the development of primary producers might also be limited by (1) competition for nutrients with leaf-litter decomposers (e.g. bacteria and fungi), and (2) leaf-litter leachates or allelopathic compounds produced by aquatic fungi.
• 2. To test these hypotheses, a 48-day mesocosm experiment was performed in 12 artificial streams containing stream water inoculated with epilithic biofilm suspensions collected from a forested headwater stream. Three different treatments were applied: control without leaf litter (C), microbially conditioned leaf litter added at the beginning of the experiment and left to decompose throughout the experiment (L), or leaf litter renewed three times during the experiment (RL).
• 3. We predicted that (1) the presence of litter, through microbial nutrient immobilisation and allelopathy, would reduce primary production and that (2) this effect would be amplified by litter renewal. We also predicted that nutrient competition would mean that (3) leaf-litter decomposers will alter primary producer community composition and physiology. These predictions were tested by analysing biofilm development, physiology, stoichiometry, and benthic algal community structure. To distinguish between the effects of nutrient immobilisation and allelopathy, the biofilm responses to leaf-litter leachates collected after different microbial conditioning durations were also measured in a parallel laboratory experiment.
• 4. Contrary to our expectations, by day 28, primary producer growth was higher in the mesocosms containing leaf litter (L and RL) despite the rapid decrease in dissolved nutrients when leaf litter was present. After 48 days, the lowest phototrophic biofilm development was observed when leaf litter was renewed (RL), whereas phototrophic biofilm development was similar in the C and L treatments. Biofilm stoichiometry indicated that this effect was most probably related to greater nitrogen limitation in the RL treatment. The presence of leaf litter also affected primary producers' photophysiology, which could be attributed to changes in taxonomic composition and to physiological adjustments of primary producers.
• 5. Laboratory measurements showed that despite a strong inhibition of primary producer growth by unconditioned leaf-litter leachates, microbially conditioned leaf litter had either low or no effects on the development of primary producers.
• 6. These results reveal that leaf-litter decomposers can have both positive and negative effects on primary producers underlining the need to consider microbial interactions when investigating the functioning of forested headwater streams.

     

Experimental clipping of sagebrush inhibits seed germination of neighbours

Current views of plant communities emphasize the importance of competition for resources and colonization ability in determining seedling establishment and plant distributions. Many desert shrubs are surrounded by bare zones that lack other plants or have different suites of species beneath them compared with the open desert surrounding them. Releases of biochemicals as volatiles from leaves, leachates from litter, or exudates from roots have been proposed as mechanisms for this pattern, but such phytotoxicity has been controversial. I tested the hypothesis that experimental clipping of sagebrush foliage enhances its effect as a germination inhibitor. Germination of native forbs and grasses was reduced in association with clipped, compared with unclipped, sagebrush foliage in lath house and field experiments. Sagebrush seeds were not significantly affected. Air contact was required for this inhibition of germination. Soil contact and leaf litter were not required and added little inhibition of germination. These results suggest a potentially large, indirect, and previously overlooked role for interactions between herbivory and germination that could affect plant community structure.     

Leaf litter carbon,nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometric patterns as related to climatic factors and leaf habits across Chinese broad-leaved tree species

Our understanding of how climate and leaf habit (evergreen vs. deciduous) drive leaf litter carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometric patterns is largely limited but is particularly important for broad-leaved forests, since the forest is sensitive to climate change. Here, we investigated leaf litter C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios of broad-leaved tree species in relation to climate and leaf habit using previous publications and our additional samplings across China. We found that mean leaf litter C:N across Chinese broad-leaved tree species was within the range of the global flora, whereas C:P was lower and N:P higher. Evergreen species displayed higher leaf litter C:N, C:P, and N:P than their deciduous counterparts. Both leaf litter C:P and N:P for all species pooled were negatively correlated with latitude, driven by mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature, respectively, while leaf litter C:N displayed no clear latitudinal trend. The direction and magnitude of leaf litter C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios in response to climate diverged between leaf habits. For example, evergreen leaf litter C:N was negatively correlated with MAP, while deciduous counterparts did not respond significantly to MAP. We conclude that leaf litter C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios shifted along the climatic gradient, and the strength of such shifts differed between leaf habits. Therefore, leaf litter stoichiometric patterns across leaf habits suggest that any climate change-driven shift in species distribution may potentially alter the ecosystem’s nutrient cycling processes of evergreen- and deciduous-dominated broad-leaved forests differentially.     

中国温带和亚热带8个树种叶和吸收根协同分解

叶和细根(2mm)是森林生态系统的分解主体,二者是否协同分解,将极大影响所属植物在生态系统碳(C)循环中的物种效应。已有研究显示,叶和细根的分解关系具有极大的不确定性,认为很大程度上归因于细根内部具有高度的异质性,导致叶和细根在功能上不相似。为此,使用末梢1级根和细根根枝作为研究对象,它们在功能上同叶类似,称为吸收根。通过分解包法,分别在黑龙江帽儿山和广东鹤山,研究了2个阔叶树种和2个针叶树种(共8个树种)的叶和吸收根持续2a多的分解。结果发现,分解速率k(a~(-1),负指数模型)在8个树种整体分析时具有正相关关系(P0.05),在相同气候带或植物生活型水平上是否相关,受叶的分解环境及吸收根类型的影响;N剩余量整体上并不相关,亚热带树种的叶和细根根枝的N剩余量在分解1a后高度显著正相关,温带树种的叶和1级根的N剩余量在分解2a后显著高度正相关。本研究中,根-叶分解过程是否受控于相同或相关的凋落物性质是决定根-叶分解是否相关的重要原因,其中分解速率与酸溶组分正相关、与酸不溶组分负相关。比较已有研究,总结发现,根-叶分解关系受物种影响较大,暗示气候变化导致物种组成的改变将极大影响地上-地下关系,也因此影响生态系统C循环。     

广西主要人工林凋落物分解过程及其对淋溶水质的影响

为探讨不同人工林各组分凋落物分解过程特征及其释放物质对淋溶水质的影响,恒温(28 ℃)培养条件下,在室内人工定期淋水模拟自然环境中凋落物的淋溶过程,对1年生和4年生尾巨桉、7年生杂交相思、13年生马尾松以及软阔林5种人工林的凋落叶、凋落枝、凋落皮进行255 d的模拟淋溶.结果表明：1年生和4年生尾巨桉各组分凋落物分解0～105 d的淋溶液色度和化学需氧量（COD）、总N和总P含量显著高于杂交相思、马尾松、软阔林,淋溶液pH值显著低于其他3种林分人工林;至255 d,1年生和4年生尾巨桉凋落叶淋溶液的COD累积量（193.9和212.8 g·kg^-1）分别是杂交相思、马尾松、软阔林的4.2、4.0、4.3倍和5.3、4.4、4.7倍;1年生尾巨桉凋落叶质量损失率、N和P淋失率显著大于杂交相思、马尾松和软阔林,凋落皮显著大于马尾松,而凋落枝与后三者基本相当.1年生尾巨桉凋落叶和凋落皮比4年生尾巨桉更易被分解淋溶,但凋落枝差异不显著.5种林分凋落物不同组分间,凋落叶最易被分解淋溶,凋落枝难于被分解淋溶.尾巨桉凋落物淋溶液pH值与色度、COD含量呈显著负相关,COD与色度、总N和总P呈显著正相关.     

In vitro inhibitory effects of rosemary and sage extracts on mycelial growth and sclerotial formation and germination of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

The anti-fungal efficacy for two Labiate plants, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and Greek sage (Salvia fructicosa Mill.), against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fungus (Lib.) de Bary has been investigated. The inhibitory effect of these plants as crude leaf ethanolic extract on the radial mycelial growth as well as on sclerotial production and germination was measured in vitro at various concentrations (stock?=?0.5?g dry leaf powder/ml ddH₂O) in the growth medium. In general, rosemary extract revealed a remarkable anti-fungal effect against the fungus, being more inhibitory than Greek sage in this respect. This was evident as total inhibition of radial mycelial growth by rosemary occurred at 10% extract concentration, while sage was half as potent producing such an effect at double the concentration (20%). Both rosemary and sage extracts were more inhibitory to sclerotial formation than to mycelial growth as the fungus ceased to produce any sclerotia at the lower concentrations of 5 and 5–10%, respectively. In addition, rosemary was highly effective in inhibiting sclerotia germination as total inhibition of germination occurred at 20% extract concentration at three?days and onward after incubation. Moreover, at this level, the survival of sclerotia was totally lost when examined after 12?days of incubation. For sage, inhibition of sclerotial germination/death was only 20% at 12th day of incubation. The results of this study indicate that the extracts of rosemary and Greek sage leaves could become natural alternatives to synthetic fungicides to manage diseases of S. sclerotiorum.     

西双版纳季节雨林更新的研究

 根据定位试验研究和组成森林树种的生态习性,对季节雨林的更新进行了研究。结果表明雨林种子年产量高。残落物中、下层至表土2—4cm处是种子,特别优势种种子的贮存库。一年中,种子萌发,幼苗生长是雨季>雾季>干季,死亡则是干季>雨季>雾季。1—2龄苗易死,多龄苗不易死,雨季腐烂,干季干旱缺水致死,雾季叶锈病是致死的主因。年复一年的种子萌发、幼苗生长、抑制、死亡、残存、补充是该雨林更新的特征。如果除去残落物层或羽蕨层,保羽蕨层翻土,除蕨层、残落物层翻土可促进种子萌发,幼苗生长,减少死亡,由此可反映出蕨层,残落物层,表土层是影响森林更新的主要生态因子。借助乔木死亡形成林窗而繁衍的种和无须林窗繁衍的种,其幼苗经干旱后残存,可发育成顶极种及先锋种的更新苗和小树,其中顶极种更新苗在更新中起主要作用,是本雨林与典型雨林共有的特点。根据优势顶极种的更新苗和小树罕见,而常见顶极种的更新苗和小树相对地多来看,当优势顶极种消亡后,整个森林或森林片段将被那些相对多度小的常见顶极种替换,从而形成循环镶嵌更新。     

Effects of Light Gaps and Litter Removal on the Seedling Performance of Six African Timber Species1

Valuable timber tree species frequently show poor regeneration after selective logging in tropical forests. Small size of logging gaps, lack of soil disturbance, and limited seed availability have each been blamed for observed regeneration failures. We investigated seed germination and seedling performance using a split‐plot factorial design involving light availability and litter removal for six Central African timber tree species, hypothesizing that canopy gaps and litter removal would improve seedling establishment, and that less shade‐tolerant species would show stronger responses to both factors. Contrary to our expectations, significantly more germinants established on intact litter than on exposed mineral soil 3 mo after seeding. After 18 mo, seedling survival, height and diameter growth, leaf area, and rooting depth were all much higher in gap plots than in the understory for all species, with the exception of Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, a highly shade‐tolerant species whose survival was higher in the understory. Leaf production was negatively influenced by litter removal in the least shade‐tolerant species, Nauclea diderrichii, with weak or positive effects in other species. G. dewevrei, while displaying a low‐light threshold for growth, exhibited a surprisingly high growth response to increasing light comparable to more shade‐intolerant species, a response that may help explain its local competitive dominance in the region. Due to the rapid closure of small gaps, we suggest that shade‐intolerant species such as N. diderrichii, Khaya anthotheca, and Entandrophragma utile might benefit from more intensive silvicultural practices that create larger canopy gaps.