BACTERIAL DISEASES OF STONE-FRUIT TREES IN BRITAIN

A bacterial shoot wilt, observed at the East Malling Research Station in 1923 and 1924, is described.
A bacterium isolated from infected shoots has been shown by inoculation experiments to be the cause of the disease.
The organism not only infects young green shoots, but experiments have shown that it can also cause leaf spots, and that it can induce gummosis and cankers on woody branches and on stems.
Cultural studies of the organism suggest that it has not previously been described, so the name Ps. prunicola is proposed for it.     

Phenological influences on the utilization of woody plants by eland in semi-arid shrubland

Our study monitored the acceptability, shoot phenology and chemical content of karoid woody species over the seasonal cycle. Species favoured by eland as long as they retained leaves, were classified as palatable, while those neglected for part of the seasonal cycle, even though they retained leaves, were classified as unpalatable. Changes in the acceptability of unpalatable species over the seasonal cycle appeared to be related to changes in the proportion of young shoots on plants, as influenced by rainfall and temperature. These species were typically only favoured when they offered relatively high proportions of young shoots. Our study identified total fibre as the most important chemical factor influencing the acceptability of woody species to eland. The shoots of palatable species contained low fibre concentrations, while the shoots of unpalatable species were more variable in fibre content. When favoured, the shoots of unpalatable species typically had similar levels of fibre to palatable species, but when neglected, the shoots of unpalatable species generally had increased fibre levels. Eland have thrived since being introduced into our study area, which is dominated by microphyllous and leptophyllous woody species. We suggest that this is because eland are able to select a diet sufficiently low in fibre content.     

Spring versus autumn leaf colours: Evidence for different selective agents and evolution in various species and floras

Red colouration is common in young and old leaves of broadleaf woody species. Assuming that leaf colours are adaptive, we examined, by comparing the colouration in young versus old leaves, the possibility that different selection agents may have operated on spring versus autumn leaf colouration. We observed spring versus autumn colouration in three very different woody floras (Finland, Japan and Israel) in order to allow for a broad ecological and evolutionary spectrum. The null hypothesis was that if the same selective agents operated in spring and autumn, it is expected that when spring leaves are red, they should always be red in autumn, and when spring leaves are green, they should be green or yellow in autumn. We found that green spring leaves are almost exclusively associated with yellow leaf colour at senescence in autumn. Species with red autumn leaves almost always have at least some red colouration in their spring leaves. However, about half of the species with red spring leaves have yellow autumn leaves. Brown autumn leaves were not common in the species we studied. As about half of the species with red spring leaves have yellow autumn leaves but not vice versa, we conclude that there are many cases in which the selecting agents for spring versus autumn leaf colour were not the same.     

STUDIES IN THE BACTERIAL DIE-BACK AND CANKER DISEASE OF POPLAR

The bacterial die-back and canker of poplar is characterized by dark necrotic areas in the leaves, die-back accompanied by cracks in the bark of 1–4-year-old branches, and by cankers on the trunk and branches of different ages. The cankers may be 'closed' or 'open' and when moist exude slime containing bacteria.
The disease is caused by Pseudomonas syringae f. sp. populea , a new forma specialis closely resembling Ps. syringae in bacteriological characters but differing from it in parasitism. The association of the slime with the bacteria is essential for the production of typical lesions.
Inoculations with the pathogen alone, or in association with other organisms produce atypical symptoms.
The bacteria attack the cortical parenchyma and occasionally invade the xylem vessels.     

Red young leaves have less mechanical defence than green young leaves

In many plants, leaves that are young and/or old (senescent) are not green. One adaptive hypothesis proposed that leaf color change could be a warning signal reducing insect attack. If leaf coloration involves less herbivory, it remains unclear why leaves in many species are constantly green. To examine whether green leaves reduce herbivory by physical defense as an alternative to the supposed warning signal of red leaves, we conducted comparative analyses of leaf color and protective tissues of 76 woody species in spring. The protective features (trichomes, enhanced cuticle and multiple epidermis) and the distribution of red pigments within leaves were examined in both young and mature leaves. We observed that redness was more frequent in young leaves than in senescent leaves. Compared to 36 species with red young leaves, 40 species with green young leaves showed a significantly higher incidence of enhanced cuticle and trichomes in both phylogenetic and non‐phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the multiple origins of mechanical protection were generally associated with loss of red coloration. Our finding of relatively poor mechanical protection in red young leaves provides additional evidence for the adaptive explanation of leaf color change.     

Plant structural defences against browsing birds: a legacy of New Zealand's extinct moas

Browsing by large vertebrates has been a major force in the evolution of terrestrial plants but Holocene extinctions of the browsers have left a legacy of broken biotic partnerships. Ratite birds were the largest herbivores in several regions, such as the moas of New Zealand. Many woody plants there have a distinct form of branching, described as "divaricate", with thin, wide angled, branches intertwining to form a tangled canopy. Divaricate branching has been interpreted as a form of protection against climate extremes or as an anachronistic defense against the extinct moas. Here we report the first experimental evidence that many of these plants are defended against extant ratite browsers. In feeding experiments on two tree species with different (heteroblastic) juvenile and adult branch morphology, emus and ostriches obtained adequate feeding rates from adult shoots but sub-maintenance feeding rates from juvenile shoots with the ratite-resistant traits. Divaricate juvenile shoots suffered 30–70% less biomass removal to the birds than adult shoots. Ratites browse by a distinctive clamping and tugging action. Structural defence traits that exploit the limitations of this feeding mode include narrow, strong, elastic branches that resist being torn off, wide branching angle ("divaricate") that makes shoots difficult to swallow, and small, widely spaced leaves. This novel plant architectural defence has developed in at least 20% of the native woody flora of New Zealand, including 10 heteroblastic tree species that exhibit the ratite-resistant strategy until they reach ca 3 metres height. It is also a major axis of variation amongst homoblastic woody shrub species. The defences are useless against mammalian browsers that shear shoots, contributing to marked decreases in the abundances of ratite-resistant species in New Zealand after the introduction of mammals.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PATHOGENICITY OF CALONECTRIA RIGIDIUSCULA (BERK. & BR.) SACC. ON THEOBROMA CACAO L

Calonectria rigidiuscula has been found associated with an acute and a chronic form of dieback of cacao. It can also infect cankers caused primarily by Phytophthora palmivora , and the lesions following attack by the capsids Sahlbergella singidaris and Distantiella theobroma. The association with the capsid lesions is of great economic importance since it appears that capsids alone are capable of killing only green shoots, and that the severe damage caused to woody shoots follows C. rigidiuscula infection of the capsid lesions. Acute dieback occurs only in certain districts after exceptional drought and may be considered primarily the result of environmental conditions. The main importance of chronic dieback is that it prevents the recovery of cacao which has been seriously weakened from other causes. C. rigidiuscula infection retards the healing of P. palmivora cankers and also produces a lesion in the xylem tissue which may be extensive.
C. rigidiuscula has been established in wounded cacao stems of all ages without difficulty. The spread of the fungus is slow, but is more rapid in the xylem than in the cortical tissues. Spread is greatest in the unlignified tissues.     

Bud composition, branching patterns and leaf phenology in cerrado woody species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plants have complex mechanisms of aerial biomass exposition, which depend on bud composition, the period of the year in which shoot extension occurs, branching pattern, foliage persistence, herbivory and environmental conditions. METHODS: The influence of water availability and temperature on shoot growth, the bud composition, the leaf phenology, and the relationship between partial leaf fall and branching were evaluated over 3 years in Cerrado woody species Bauhinia rufa (BR), Leandra lacunosa (LL) and Miconia albicans (MA). KEY RESULTS: Deciduous BR preformed organs in buds and leaves flush synchronously at the transition from the dry to the wet season. The expansion time of leaves is <1 month. Main shoots (first-order axis, A1 shoots) extended over 30 d and they did not branch. BR budding and foliage unfolds were brought about independently of inter-annual rainfall variations. By contrast, in LL and MA evergreen species, the shoot extension rate and the neoformation of aerial organs depended on rainfall. Leaf emergence was continuous for 2-6 months and lamina expansion took place over 1-4 months. The leaf life span was 5-20 months and the main A1 shoot extension happened over 122-177 d. Both evergreen species allocated biomass to shoots, leaves or flowers continuously during the year, branching in the middle of the wet season to form second-order (A2 shoots) and third-order (A3 shoots) axis in LL and A2 shoots in MA. Partial shed of A1 shoot leaves would facilitate a higher branching intensity A2 shoot production in LL than in MA. MA presented a longer leaf life span, produced a lower percentage of A2 shoots but had a higher meristem persistence on A1 and A2 shoots than LL. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to identify different patterns of aerial growth in Cerrado woody species defined by shoot-linked traits such as branching pattern, bud composition, meristem persistence and leaf phenology. These related traits must be considered over and above leaf deciduousness for searching functional guilds in a Cerrado woody community. For the first time a relationship between bud composition, shoot growth and leaf production pattern is found in savanna woody plants.     

云南元江干热河谷木本植物的物候

在中国西南干热河谷的典型地段——元江干热河谷,连续3年观测了32种木本植物的枝条生长、叶片动态、花期、果期和果实类型。这些植物的枝条生长方式可以分为连续生长、枝条枯死、陡长和间歇生长4个类型。其中连续生长型占优势,包括13种植物,它们的枝条在雨季连续不断伸长。9种植物雨季的枝条伸长与连续生长型的相似,但它们顶部的枝条在旱季末期出现枯死现象。6种植物属于陡长型,在2周内完成抽枝,且一年只抽一次枝。4种植物属于间歇生长型,枝条在雨季来临后伸长一段时间,然后生长停滞,过一段时间后再接着伸长。从叶片物候类型看,元江干热河谷植被以落叶植物占优势。落叶植物中冷凉旱季（11月～2月）落叶植物占优势（19种）,而干热旱季（3—4月）落叶植物很少（4种）。除红花柴（Indigofera pulchella）和狭叶山黄麻（Trema angustifolia）从雨季中期开始脱落叶片外,其它30种植物从雨季末期开始脱落叶片,落叶期至少延续3个月以上。常绿植物脱落近1／3～1／2的当年生叶片。共有6种植物能在旱季末期长出新叶。常绿植物的叶面积、单个枝条上的总叶面积和枝条承载（总叶面积／枝条长度）比落叶植物小。虽然一年四季都有不同植物开花和结果,但多数植物（29种,占观测树种的91％）的花期集中在旱季和雨季初期,而果实（种子）成熟期从雨季末期延续到旱季末期和下个雨季初期。果实多为核果。     

Structural and functional characteristics of photosynthetic apparatus of chlorophyll-containing grape vine tissue

Photosynthesis in tissues under periderm of woody stems and shoots of perennial plants occurs in environment that is very different from the internal environment of leaf chloroplasts. These tissues are characterized by high CO₂ and low O₂ concentrations, more acidic surroundings, besides that only light which have passed through periderm reaches photosynthetic antennas. In contrast to leaves of deciduous plants chlorenchyma tissues of wintering plant organs are exposed to temperature fluctuations during all seasons, that is why the photosynthetic apparatus of woody stems has to be able to adapt to a wide range of environmental temperatures. In order to reveal unique features, which enable photosynthetic apparatus of chlorenchyma cells in woody plant organs to implement biological functions under different light and temperature conditions, we studied photosynthetic tissues of stem cortex in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) under normal conditions and after exposure to suboptimal temperatures and high light intensity. Comparative analysis of photosynthetic pigment composition and low-temperature chlorophyll fluorescence emission spectrum of leaves, young shoots and chlorenchyma of lignified shoots revealed relatively high level of chlorophyll b and carotenoids, and high photosystem II (PSII) to photosystem I (PSI) ratio in woody shoots. Analysis of parameters of variable chlorophyll fluorescence revealed high PSII activity in grapevine shoot cortex and demonstrated improved freeze tolerance and higher sensitivity to light of photosynthetic apparatus in grape vine in comparison to leaves. It was shown for the first time that photosynthetic apparatus in chlorenchyma cells of vine undergoes so-called “state-transition”–fast rearrangements leading to redistribution of energy between photosystems. Analysis of fatty acid (FA) compositions of lipids in examined tissues showed that the FA unsaturation index in green tissue of vine is lower than in leaves. A distinct feature of FA compositions of lipids in vine cortex was relatively high level of linoleic acid.     

Thorn and hook ontogeny in Artabotrys hexapetalus (Annonaceae)

Artabotrys hexapetalus is widely planted in the tropics and is known as "climbing ylang-ylang," an ornamental liana or woody climber. New natural sprouts, or water shoots, and those induced by the damage of Hurricane Andrew (24 August 1992) were collected and fixed in formalin/acidic acid/alcohol. Seeds from these plants were planted and grown in a greenhouse where seedling morphology was observed and young material collected and fixed. The development of lateral plagiotropic and orthotropic shoots was studied using both epi-illumination light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A series of buds develops in the axils of leaves on the orthotropic shoot. At the lateral margins of the axillary shelf, plagiotropic shoots form that will develop into either vegetative shoots, or thorns, or sympodial shoots that bear hooks and flowers. In between the two marginal buds, a series of median vertical buds develop that either remain dormant or grow out as renewal orthotropic shoots. Previous work that suggested that the plagiotropic shoot buds were displaced out of the median vertical series of supernumerary buds is not supported. The sympodial development of plagiotropic branches as inflorescence hooks is documented.     

Isolation and Identification of Eutypa lata from Pistacia vera in Greece

The fungus Eutypa lata (syn. E. armeniacae), known as the causal agent of the death of many different woody plants, was found on dead branches of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) in Greece. Isolations from diseased branches yielded consistently typical colonies of the asexual stage of the fungus (Libertella blepharis, syn. Cytosporina sp.), which proved to be undistinguishable from other cultures of the pathogen obtained from 15 different hosts. Furthermore, all isolates from pistachio tested for pathogenicity on apricot were pathogenic and yielded characteristic cankers.     

Movement of water from old to young leaves in three species of succulents

A hypothetical adaptive response of succulent plants to drought-stress is the redistribution of water from old to young leaves. We examined the effects of possible movement of water from old to young leaves in three succulent species, Carpobrotus edulis (weak CAM-inducible), Kalanchoe tubiflora (CAM) and Sedum spectabile (possibly a CAM-cycler or CAM-inducible). Old leaves were removed from plants, and photosynthesis, transpiration, f. wt : d. wt ratios, diurnal acid fluctuations, stomatal conductance and internal CO2 concentrations of the remaining young leaves were measured during drought-stress. Comparison was made with plants retaining old leaves. There was no evidence that water moved from old to young leaves during drought-stress as previously hypothesized. Only in drought-stressed plants of K. tubiflora, were photosynthetic and transpiration rates of young leaves greater on shoots with old leaves removed compared with attached. There was a trend in all species for greater fluctuations in acidity in young leaves on shoots that lacked older leaves. For two of the three species studied, the f. wt : d. wt ratios of young leaves were greater under drought-stress, on shoots with old leaves removed than with them attached. Absence of old leaves may reduce competition for water with young leaves, which consequently have higher water content and greater photosynthetic rates.     

Periods of organogenesis in mono- and bicyclic annual shoots of Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae)

The organogenetic cycle of shoots on main branches of 4-year-old Juglans regia trees was studied. Mono- and bicyclic floriferous and vegetative annual shoots were analysed. Five parent annual shoot types were sampled between October 1992 and August 1993. Organogenesis of summer growth units was monitored between 16 Jun. and 3 Aug. 1993. Variations over time in the number of nodes, cataphylls and embryonic green leaves of terminal buds were studied. The number of nodes of parent shoot buds was compared with the number of nodes of shoots derived from parent shoot buds. The spring growth units of mono- and bicyclic shoots consist exclusively of preformed leaves which were differentiated, respectively, during the spring flush of growth (mid-April until mid-May) or the summer flush of growth (mid-June until early August) in the previous growing season. Thus, winter buds may consist of flower and leaf primordia differentiated in two different periods during annual shoot extension. The summer growth units of bicyclic shoots consist of preformed leaves that were differentiated in spring buds during the spring flush of growth in the current growing season. Bud morphology is compared between spring and summer shoots.     

Apical control of branch growth and angle in woody plants

Apical control is the inhibition of a lateral branch growth by shoots above it (distal shoots). If the distal shoots are cut off to remove apical control, the lateral branch can grow larger and may bend upwards. Apical control starts when new lateral buds grow after passing through a period of dormancy. Buds initially break and produce leaves, then apical control is exerted and the lower (proximal) laterals stop growing. Apical control also inhibits growth of large, old branches. Gravimorphism and restricted water and nutrient transport can inhibit branch growth, but they are not primary mechanisms of apical control. Apical control may reduce branch photosynthesis. Under apical control allocation of branch-produced assimilate to the stem is relatively high, so low assimilates in the branch may limit branch growth even though hormone levels are adequate for growth. Hormones appear to be involved in apical control, but it is not known how. One role of hormones may be to maintain the strength of the stem sink for branch-produced assimilate. Upward bending of a woody branch after release from apical control requires both new wood production and production of wood cells that can generate an upward bending moment. Apical control inhibits radial growth of branches and, in some species, may regulate the production of wood with an upward bending moment.     

甜瓜子叶离体培养直接再生不定芽的形态学和解剖学观察

对甜瓜品种“西莫洛托”子叶离体培养直接再生不定芽过程进行了形态学和解剖学观察,结果表明：以子叶远轴面接触培养基培养能直接再生不定芽,以子叶近轴面接触培养基培养只能得到无序组织块;不定芽再生过程中,培养4d时,子叶变绿,但还不见有细胞分裂,约6d时,在子叶外植体的形态学下端切口处的近轴面到有局部的表皮细胞和亚表皮细胞分裂活跃,初步形成了拟分生组织,7－9d时,这些拟分生组织形成了肉眼可见的小突起,10－14d时,这些突起变得狭长,发育成幼叶或叶状体,它们在外植体上成族存在,但此时还没有典型的“芽”结构出现,15－20d时,成族突起形成幼叶丛,一些幼叶和叶状体的近轴面的基部出现叶腋分生组织,这些将外植体转入伸长培养基,3－5d后,幼叶充分展开,成丛叶状,多个叶腋分生组织同时发育成芽,再过2－7d,相继有不定芽从丛叶外植体上伸长,将伸长的不定芽切下,可促使外 植体上的其它不定芽伸长。     

江西阳际峰30种阔叶树叶片氮磷含量及再吸收效率

养分再吸收是植物养分利用的重要策略,体现了植物对养分留存、利用和适应环境的能力.为研究亚热带不同生活型(常绿与落叶)阔叶树养分含量与养分再吸收的关系,以江西阳际峰国家级自然保护区内30种阔叶树为研究对象,测定成熟和衰老叶片氮(N)和磷(P)含量,分析常绿和落叶树种叶片N和P含量及其再吸收效率差异,揭示阔叶树种叶片养分再...     

Consequences of the Elimination of Old Leaves upon Spring Phenological Events and the New Leaves Nutrient Concentration in a Wintergreen Woody Species in the Southern Hemisphere

Previous studies analyzed the importance of old leaves conservancy for wintergreen species plant growth only after early spring old leaves elimination. However, carbon and nutrient resources for growth could have already been translocated from old leaves to shoots during autumn. In this work, the effect of old leaves absence on the leaf mass per area (LMA, g m⁻²) and nutrient concentration of new spring leaves, shoot growth, and flowering was studied in Aristotelia chilensis, an Andean Patagonic woody wintergreen species of Argentina. Plants were studied after autumn defoliation (AD) or late winter defoliation (WD) and results were compared to those of undamaged control plants (CO). The new leaves LMA and mineral nutrient (N, P, K, and Mg) concentration values did not decrease in AD or WD compared to CO plants. Conversely, CO plants showed higher flowering intensity and shoot lengthening compared to AD or WD plants. There were not remarkable differences regarding the defoliation time, though non-flowering shoots grew in a lesser degree than the flowering shoots in WD plants. It was concluded that A. chilensis old leaves cohort is an important source to shoot growth and flowering but their absence does not affect the new leaves structure or nutritional status from early spring in either AD or in WD plants. New leaves formation probably is guaranteed by resources (carbon and nutrients) previously stored in stems or even in the buds containing the preformed leaves since March, by the end of summer. Provided the availability of complete resources for the new leaf flush independently of the old leaves A. chilensis would restore the carbon balance as soon as possible to resume the growth of heterotrophic tissues at normal rates. Endogenous response to counterbalance the old leaves absence on non-flowering shoots was more effective when there was greater lag time between defoliation and shoot growth resume. Flowering and non-flowering shoots compete for the available resources when A. chilensis have not yet expanded leaves and shoots supporting reproductive structures were stronger sinks compared to non-flowering shoots in WD plants.     

Variation in the nutritional value of leaf and stem fractions of nineteen leucaena lines

In two experiments, 2.5-month-old edible regrowth of the genus Leucaena (varying in tolerance to the leucaena psyllid pest attack) were analysed for nutritive value. In Experiment 1, forage of nine lines was separated into young leaves, young stems (within woody fraction < 5 mm diameter), old leaves and old stems (within a woody fraction 5-10 mm diameter) whereas in Experiment 2, forage of the other 10 lines was separated in main stem leaves, branch leaves, young branches, young main stems, old main stems and old branches for analysis. Major differences were recorded between lines and forage fractions. Nutrient contents in dry matter were: nitrogen 0.7-4.8%, phosphorus 0.1-0.3%, potassium 0.2-2.5%, calcium 0.2-1.6%, magnesium 0.1-0.6%, acid detergent fibre 20-63%, lignin 8-23% and in vitro dry matter digestibility 15-69%. The leaves and immature fractions were higher in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and digestibility but lower in calcium, magnesium and fibre. Nutrient content in L. Leucocephala lines exceeded that in L. esculenta, L. diversifolia, leucaena hybrids and the composites. Based on the data, a management strategy that will promote young growth is suggested as appropriate for high quality forage production.     

Shoot regeneration of dwarf dogwood (Cornus canadensis L.) and morphological characterization of the regenerated plants

Dwarf dogwoods (or the bunchberries) are the only suffrutex in Cornaceae. They are attractive ground cover ornamentals with clusters of small flowers surrounded by petaloid bracts. Little has been reported on plant regeneration of dogwoods. As a step toward unraveling the molecular basis of inflorescence evolution in Cornus, we report an efficient regeneration system for a dwarf dogwood species C. canadensis through organogenesis from rejuvenated leaves, and characterize the development of the plantlets. We used the nodal stem segments of vegetative branches as explants. Micropropogated shoots were quickly induced from axillary buds of nodes on an induction medium consisting of basal MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BAP and 0.54 μM NAA. The new leaves of adventitious shoots were used as explants to induce calli on the same induction medium. Nearly 65% of leaf explants produced calli, 80% of which formed adventitious buds. Gibberellic acid (1.45 μM) added to the same induction medium efficiently promoted quick elongation of most adventitious buds, and 0.49 μM IBA added to the basal MS medium promoted root formation from nearly 50% of the elongated shoots. The growth of plantlets in pot soil was characterized by the development of functional woody rhizomes, which continuously developed new aboveground vegetative branches, but not flowering branches, within the past 12 months. Potential reasons causing the delay of flowering of the regenerated plants are discussed. The establishment of this regeneration system facilitates developing a genetic transformation system to test candidate genes involved in the developmental divergence of inflorescences in Cornus. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.