Discrimination among pinyon pine trees by Clark's Nutcrackers: effects of cone crop size and cone characters

Summary The influences of Colorado pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) cone crop size, cone and seed weight, cone length, number of seeds per cone, number of viable seeds, and percent viable seeds on the foraging behavior of avian seed dispersal agents were examined in field and laboratory settings. In the field, there was a significant positive relationship between cone number per tree and both the absolute number of cones and the percentage of the cone crop from which seeds were harvested. Cone weight and the number of viable seeds were also significantly related to seed harvest intensity. Laboratory experiments examined the relationship between crop size and cone characters on seed harvest by 18 Clark's Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana). Nutcrackers were offered a choice of two tree types: one with 20 cones attached, and another with 10 cones attached. Significantly more birds chose to remove seeds first from the tree with 20 cones than the tree with 10 cones. In timed trials, they also harvested seeds from significantly more cones on the tree with the higher cone density. In the laboratory, cones chosen for seed removal by the nutcrackers had significantly more viable seeds, more seeds, and were longer compared to cones that were not chosen. Such discriminatory foraging behavior may increase avian foraging efficiency and result in differential reproductive success of pinyon pines. This behavior may therefore influence the evolution of pinyon pine reproductive traits.     

Early postfire seed dispersal, seedling establishment and seedling mortality of Pinus coulteri (D. Don) in central coastal California, USA

Seedling recruitment in many highly serotinous populations of Pinus coulteri on California's central coast depends almost entirely on periodic, stand-replacing fire. Compared to serotinous pines of the Mediterranean Basin, little detailed information is available on the postfire demography of California closed-cone pines, including P. coulteri. In September 1996 a wildfire burned the 760-ha American Canyon Research Natural Area (RNA). Using aerial photography, we mapped burn severity of P. coulteri-chaparral woodlands and forests within the RNA. From May to September of 1997, we also quantified seedling establishment and mortality in relation to biophysical site characteristics including fire severity. Seventy-six percent of P. coulteri forests and woodlands experienced high-severity burns, 9% moderate-severity burns, and 15% low-severity or unburned. Of the 53 plots used for seedling counts, 70% were high-severity, 26% moderate-severity, and 4% low-severity. Seedling densities 13 months postfire were low (0.21 m^–2), but seedling mortality also was low (8.4%). Aerial seed bank size increased from north-facing to south-facing slopes and from high-severity to low-severity burns. Seedling recruitment was unrelated to burn severity and increased with the size of the canopy seed bank (cone density). Many seedlings established from rodent seed caches; 23% of the seedlings established in clumps from seeds cached by Dipodomys agilis, Chaetodipus californicus and Peromyscus maniculatus. Pinus coulteri seeds have low potential for dispersal by wind, but secondary dispersal by rodents moves seeds away from source trees and into neighboring chaparral. We discuss the potential importance of rodent seed caching to postfire demography of California and Mediterranean serotinous pines.     

Direct and residual effects of nitrogen fertilization, foliar application of potassium and plant growth retardant on Egyptian cotton growth, seed yield, seed viability and seedling vigor

In order to obtain high productivity for a cotton crop, one of the major requirements is to establish an adequate plant population. The use of good-quality seed may ultimately be the best approach to attain this goal problem. The objective of this research was to study the effect of N-fertilization (at rates of 95.2 and 142.8 kg of N ha⁻¹), foliar application of K (at rates of 0, 0.38, 0.77, 1.15 kg of K₂O ha⁻¹, applied twice during square initiation and boll development stages) and the plant growth retardant (PGR), mepiquat chloride (applied twice, 75 days after planting at 0.0 [control] and 0.048 kg a.i. ha⁻¹, and 90 days after planting at 0.0 [control] and 0.024 kg a.i. ha⁻¹), on seed yield, viability, and seedling vigor of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense cv. Giza 86). A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt in two growing seasons. Growth, mineral uptake, seed yield per plant and per ha, seed weight, seed viability, seedling vigor and cool germination test performance were all found to increase significantly due to the addition of the high N-rate, the foliar application of three potassium concentrations, and the PGR mepiquat chloride. The N and K rates as well as application of mepiquat chloride had no significant effect on the germination rate index in both seasons. Under the conditions of this study, applying N at a rate of 142.8 kg ha⁻¹ combined with spraying cotton plants with K₂O at 1.15 kg ha⁻¹ and with mepiquat chloride at 0.048 + 0.024 kg ha⁻¹ were found to improve seed yield as well as seed viability and seedling vigor in the next season.     

Direct and residual effects of nitrogen fertilization, foliar application of potassium and plant growth retardant on Egyptian cotton growth, seed yield, seed viability and seedling vigor

In order to obtain high productivity for a cotton crop, one of the major requirements is to establish an adequate plant population. The use of good-quality seed may ultimately be the best approach to attain this goal problem. The objective of this research was to study the effect of N-fertilization (at rates of 95.2 and 142.8 kg of N ha^?1), foliar application of K (at rates of 0, 0.38, 0.77, 1.15 kg of K₂O ha^?1, applied twice during square initiation and boll development stages) and the plant growth retardant (PGR), mepiquat chloride (applied twice, 75 days after planting at 0.0 [control] and 0.048 kg a.i. ha^?1, and 90 days after planting at 0.0 [control] and 0.024 kg a.i. ha^?1), on seed yield, viability, and seedling vigor of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense cv. Giza 86). A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt in two growing seasons. Growth, mineral uptake, seed yield per plant and per ha, seed weight, seed viability, seedling vigor and cool germination test performance were all found to increase significantly due to the addition of the high N-rate, the foliar application of three potassium concentrations, and the PGR mepiquat chloride. The N and K rates as well as application of mepiquat chloride had no significant effect on the germination rate index in both seasons. Under the conditions of this study, applying N at a rate of 142.8 kg ha^?1 combined with spraying cotton plants with K₂O at 1.15 kg ha^?1 and with mepiquat chloride at 0.048 + 0.024 kg ha^?1 were found to improve seed yield as well as seed viability and seedling vigor in the next season.     

种子萌发和幼苗生长对沙丘环境的适应机制

综述了植物沙生适应机制的研究及其进展.一些植物的种子在刚成熟时具有休眠特性.种子需要适度沙埋促进萌发并实现幼苗定居,但过度沙埋则会抑制种子萌发和出苗.在沙层深处,没有萌发的种子会进入休眠状态,形成土壤种子库.幼苗通过增加节数和延长节间来适应沙埋.沙埋深度超过植物的忍耐限度会抑制幼苗生长,甚至导致幼苗死亡.沙生植物必须适应其他环境因子,如盐风与土壤盐分、昆虫采食、土壤养分亏缺等,才能在沙丘上成功生长.沙蚀可导致幼苗根系暴露并干燥脱水.一些沙漠植物的幼苗在萌发后可忍耐一段时期的干燥,水分条件得到满足之后,幼苗能够恢复生长.     

胁迫时间与非毒性离子对重金属抑制拟南芥种子发芽及幼苗生长的影响

测定了Hg²⁺、Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺单一重金属胁迫对拟南芥种子发芽和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,重金属对幼苗生长的毒性大于对种子发芽的毒性,以抑制种子发芽的IC₅₀为指标,4种重金属的毒性顺序为Hg²⁺＞Cd²⁺＞Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺,以幼苗生长为指标,则毒性顺序为:Cu²⁺＞Hg²⁺＞Cd²⁺/Pb²⁺,并随着胁迫时间延长,种子萌发率下降.此外,不同重金属在不同发芽时段对种子的毒性也不尽相同,Cd²⁺的毒性在种子吸水后的0～12 h大于12～24 h,而Hg²⁺毒性在12～24 h大于0～12 h,其中,种皮对减轻重金属毒性起着十分重要的作用.通过非毒性离子(Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺)与重金属离子(Hg²⁺、Cd²⁺、Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺)交互作用对拟南芥种子发芽及幼苗生长效应的研究发现, mmol·L^-1的Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺可以增强Hg²⁺对种子发芽的毒性,但对Cd²⁺的毒性却没有影响.对于幼苗来说,Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺可以显著增强Hg²⁺的毒性,Ca²⁺可以缓解Cd²⁺的毒性,但却增加Cu²⁺的毒性,K⁺可以缓解Pb²⁺对幼苗的毒害作用.最后,本文对重金属的毒害机理进行了探讨.     

Gene expression in the soybean seed axis during germination and early seedling growth

Copy-DNA clones have been obtained that distinguish eight messenger mRNAs, moderately abundant in the axes of the germinating soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seedling. These clones have been used to characterize the size of the mRNAs and to anlyze the accumulation of the mRNAs at different time points and in different parts of the axis during germination and early seedling growth. Three of the mRNAs accumulate to a substantial level by 9 h, a time point before either the beginning of growth or the accumulation of polyribosomes. Four other mRNAs reach a substantial level only at 24 h, a period when rapid seedling growth is occurring. Those mRNAs whose accumulation begins at 24 h were found only in the top (hypocotyl) half of the 24-h seedlings, while the remaining mRNAs were present also in the bottom half of the seedlings in different amounts. By 44 h, the bottom 0.5 cm of the seedlings, i.e., the region of meristematic growth, had little or none of the mRNAs, with the exception of one mRNA. These temporal and spatial observations indicate that many of the mRNAs are not involved simply in the general maintenance of ongoing cell proliferation, but that they may be related to differentiation during early seedling formation. Further, the early accumulating mRNAs may be functioning in regulating the onset of seedling growth.Abbreviations cDNA copy DNA - poly(A)⁺RNA polyadenylated RNA     

Effect of autoclave sterilization of a tropical andept on seed germination and seedling growth

Summary Steam sterilization of a Typic Dystrandept in Costa Rica resulted in a six-fold increase in extractable Mn, to levels often considered toxic. Seeds of eight species, comprised of six successional taxa and two cultivars (soybean,Glycine max and raddish,Raphanus sativus) were planted in the sterilized soil and in unsterilized soil after delays of 1, 8, 15, and 28 days. Germination and mortality were not different in the two soils, indicating that steamsterilized soil can safely be used in seed traps. Six species (including both cultivars) grew better in unsterilized soil, but two of the native taxa (Phytolacca rivinoides andBocconia frutescens) grew significantly faster in sterilized soil.     

Old-field seedling responses to insecticide,seed addition,and competition

The controls of seedling emergence and survival determine the potential distribution of adult plants and, thereby, plant community structure. Seed availability, competition from established neighbors, and seedling predation may all limit seedling recruitment. In this field experiment, we followed the emergence and survival of seedlings of three perennial forbs, Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum, and Monarda fistulosa, in old-fields in southeastern Michigan, USA. As adults, all three have aromatic foliage that may deter herbivory, but seedlings may be more susceptible than adults. To establish the relative importance of potential controls on seedling numbers, we manipulated seed availability through seed additions, the influence of competitors by neighbor-removals, and the influence of insect herbivores with insecticide in a fully factorial field experiment. Seed addition and insecticide never affected seedling emergence for any species. Competition from established neighbors controlled seedling emergence for all three species and decreased Achillea survival. Insecticide significantly increased Monarda seedling survival in competition plots, significantly increased Hypericum survival in open plots, and had no effect on Achillea. Notably, insecticide increased survival of the native Monarda fistulosa more than the two introduced species. While neighbors strongly reduced emergence and survival of all three species, herbivores acted on a species-specific basis. These results suggest the differential effects of insects may contribute more to the seedling species composition and abundance patterns than the less-selective influence of competition.     

Relative Importance of Environmental Stress and Herbivory in Reducing Litter Fall in a Semiarid Woodland

We examined the impact of soil stress (low water and nutrient availabilities) and two keystone insect herbivores on pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) needle litterfall. We compared trees growing on two distinct soil types: volcanic cinders, which exhibit pronounced water and nutrient limitation, and sandy-loam soils, which have higher water-storage capacity and nutrient availability. Using two long-term herbivore removal experiments (15 and 18 years, respectively), we also examined the effects of the pinyon needle scale (Matsucoccus acalyptus, which attacks juvenile trees) and the stem-boring moth (Dioryctria albovittella, which attacks mature trees) on pinyon litterfall. These herbivores reach high densities on cinder soils but are absent or occur at much lower levels on sandy-loam soils. Four years of litterfall measurements showed four major patterns. First, independent of herbivory, needle litterfall was 20% lower under trees on high-stress cinder soils than on sandy-loam soils. Second, in agreement with the negative impact of scales on tree growth (that is, a 30% decline in stem growth), trees with scale infestations had 25% lower litterfall rates than trees resistant to scale; however, 15 years of scale-insect removal did not significantly increase needle litterfall. This implies possible intrinsic differences in litter production between scale-resistant and scale-susceptible trees. Third, in contrast with significant negative effects of moth herbivory on tree growth (that is, a 27% decline in stem growth), moth herbivory had no effect on needle litterfall. This, along with increased stem density in moth-susceptible trees, may be evidence of compensatory production. Fourth, there were strong year by soil type and year by scale herbivory interactions, such that in some years the effect on litterfall can be obscured or reversed by some other factor. In summary, soil stress has a strong and predictable effect on needle litterfall, whereas the relationship between insect herbivory and needle litterfall is weaker and depends on the individual herbivore. These effects, however, are mediated by other environmental factors that have considerable annual variation.     

铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长影响的初步研究

通过水培实验和土培实验,研究了铜陵铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,五种豆科植物种子在尾矿浸提液中均能萌发,但萌发率比对照组低,而且浸提液对种子萌发产生一定的阻滞作用,酸化尾矿浸提液对种子萌发初期的吸胀吸水有促进作用。尾矿与土壤5种不同改良方式的基质试验也发现铜尾矿对种子萌发着阻滞作用,其中大豆、赤豆、赤小豆在70d内未发现死苗现象。     

Irrigation and fertilization effects on seed number,size, germination and seedling growth: implications for desert shrub establishment

Plants with limited resources adjust partitioning among growth, survival, and reproduction. We tested the effects of water and nutrient amendments on seed production, size, and quality in Sarcobatus vermiculatus (greasewood) to assess the magnitude and importance of changes in reproductive partitioning. In addition, we assessed interactions among the environment of seed-producing plants (adult plant scale), seed size, and seedling microenvironment (seedling scale) on successful seedling establishment. Interactions of these factors determine the scale of resource heterogeneity that affects seedling establishment in deserts. Both total number of seeds produced per plant and seed quality (weight and germination) increased significantly in the enriched treatment in a 3-year field experiment. Seedling length 3 days after germination and seed N concentration, other measures of seed quality, were higher for seed from both irrigated and enriched plants than for seed from control plants. Field S. vermiculatus seed production and quality can be substantially increased with irrigation and nutrient enrichment at the adult plant scale and this allows management of seed availability for restoration. However, based on a greenhouse study, seedling environment, not the environment of the seed-producing plant or seed size, was the most important factor affecting seedling germination, survival, and growth. Thus it appears that production of more seed may be more important than improved seed quality, because higher quality seed did not compensate for a low-resource seedling environment. For both natural establishment and restoration this suggests that heterogeneity at the scale of seedling microsites, perhaps combined with fertilization of adult shrubs (or multi-plant patches), would produce the greatest benefit for establishing seedlings in the field.     

长白山暗针叶林苔藓植物对三种针叶树种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

研究了长白山暗针叶林两种主要地面苔藓植物——塔藓和拟垂枝藓对红松、红皮云杉和落叶松种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,在一定浓度下,塔藓浸提液抑制红松发芽,拟垂枝藓浸提液促进红松发芽;苔藓浸提液对红皮云杉和落叶松的发芽率没有显著影响,但不同程度地加快了种子日萌发高峰的出现.用苔藓植物体直接培养红皮云杉和落叶松种子,发现活植物体量大时对发芽率没有显著影响,但延迟了红皮云杉种子萌发高峰的出现,加速了落叶松种子萌发高峰的出现;杀青后的苔藓植物体则明显地抑制种子发芽.通过幼苗培养实验,发现苔藓植物浸提液抑制红皮云杉和红松幼苗生长,但促进了落叶松幼苗的生长;不同处理的苔藓植物体对幼苗生长的影响差异较大,活植物体量大时,两种苔藓均促进了红皮云杉和落叶松幼苗生长,而杀青后植物体则明显地抑制幼苗生长.     

城市污泥对作物种子发芽及幼苗生长影响的初步研究

不同类型污泥及其堆肥对通菜、菜心种子发芽和幼苗生长影响的研究表明 ,深圳生污泥、佛山生污泥和广州生污泥及其堆肥对通菜种子的发芽率有明显的影响 ,前者仅为73% ,其余的在 85%左右 ,均低于对照处理 ( 93% ) .而它们对菜心种子的发芽率 ,除了深圳生污泥有抑制作用外 ( 75% ) ,其余均表现为促进作用 ( 90 % ) ,均高于对照处理 ( 85% ) .它们对于两种作物幼苗的生长则均表现为不同程度的抑制作用甚至是损害作用 .污泥及其堆肥中抑制作物种子发芽和幼苗生长的物质主要是有机酸和醛类等有机物 .生污泥经过消化作用或适当的堆沤作用可降解这些有机物 ,从而减弱或消除这种抑制作用 .因此 ,生污泥经过消化作用或适当的堆沤作用后用于农业生产更为安全 .但对刚施用污泥或污泥堆肥的耕地最好不要直接播种 .     

Photosynthetic functions of cembran pines and dwarf pines during winter at timberline as regulated by different temperatures,snowcover and light

Trees at timberline in the high Alps are exposed to a variety of climatic conditions. Most climatic stresses occur during winter and spring, when frost, occasionally low snow cover, and high irradiation interact. In this study, we follow reactions of photosynthesis from high winter to spring in two dominating tree species of the alpine timberline, which may indicate the status of stress response to a changing environment. The results indicate a level of physiological stability in trees, which are important for stabilising natural high mountain ecosystems. Trees of Pinus cembra and of Pinus mugo were selected at altitudes between 1850 m a.s.l. and 1950 m a.s.l. near innsbruck, Austria. At six sampling times from January to May, fast chlorophyll fluorescence was measured in the field and twigs were collected for further investigation in the laboratory. The following measurements were taken: photosynthetic oxygen formation, needle chlorophyll and carotenoid determination, and kinetic studies of the xanthophyll cycle. In general, both tree species showed similar results in most parameters studied. P. mugo seems to have some advantages if winter precipitation is high, when, because of its growth habitus, most needles will be snow covered. Primary photochemistry (trapping per reaction centre) in PS II does not change with sampling dates despite the fact that temperature and light are changing. However, first events in electron transport and whole needle photosynthesis are strongly affected by light and temperature conditions during the days before sampling. The kinetics of the xanthophyll cycle indicate not only light, but also strong temperature effects. P. mugo photosynthesis seems to have a higher stability under changing weather. Both tree species are well prepared to start with photosynthesis in winter, if favourable conditions, like foehn events, occur.     

Interactive effects of salt and alkali stresses on seed germination,germination recovery,and seedling growth of a halophyte Spartina alterniflora (Poaceae)

Soil salinization and alkalinization frequently co-occur in nature, but there is little information on the interactive effects of salt and alkali stresses on plants. Seed germination and early seedling growth are crucial stages for plant establishment. We investigated the interactive effects of salt and alkali stresses on seed germination, germination recovery and seedling growth of a halophyte Spartina alterniflora. Seed germination percentage was not significantly reduced at low salinity (≤ 200 mM) at pH 6.63–9.95, but decreased with increased salinity and pH. Ungerminated seeds germinated well after transfer to distilled water from treatment solutions, indicating that seeds can remain viable in high salt–alkaline habits. Shoot growth was stimulated at low salinity and pH, but decreased with increased salinity and pH. Radicle elongation decreased sharply with increased salinity and pH, and was significantly inhibited when pH ≥ 9.0, indicating that the radicles are very sensitive to salt–alkaline stress. The deleterious effects of salinity or high pH alone were less than when combined. A reciprocal enhancement of salt and alkali stresses is a characteristic feature for salt–alkaline stress. Stepwise regression analysis indicates that salinity is the dominant factor, while pH and buffer capacity are secondary for salt–alkaline mixed stress.     

Responses of maternal siblings ofPinus densiflora to simulated add rain

Because most research on acid rain does not consider the genetic composition of seeds and the inherent variations in seed mass and germination date, the potentially diverse patterns of plant response are neglected within a population. Therefore, we examined the effects of both family identity and simulated acid rain onPinus densiflora seedlings over a 34-week period, beginning at germination. We were able to evaluate the importance of family and pH treatment independent of seed mass and germination date by considering the latter two variables as covariates. Seeds were collected from six randomly chosen trees that were assumed to represent different genotypes. After germination in a controlled environment, the seedlings were moved outdoors. Each was then subjected twice a week to 40 mL of simulated acid rain, at a pH of either 3.0 or 5.6. We examined variations in germination date, seedling height, needle numbers and lengths, and root and shoot masses. The maternal family effect was significant for all characters over the entire test period. Strong effects of pH treatment were detected only at the later growth stages. Artificial rain with a pH of 3.0 enhanced growth rates, particularly aboveground, compared with seedlings treated with pH 5.6 rain. However, regardless of pH, certain groups of maternal siblings consistently performed better in almost all parameters. The exception was for mean germination date, which differed among families only at a pH of 3.0. Therefore, although we demonstrated that acid rain affected both the date of germination as well as seedling growth rates inP. densiflora, the responses differed among maternal families, and were also associated with seed mass and germination date.     

Effects of three systemic insecticides on seed germination and growth ofPinus halepensis seedlings

Summary The systemic insecticides Acephate, Chlorpyrifos, and Oxamyl were variously toxic toPinus halepensis seeds and seedlings. When applied directly to seeds. Oxyamyl completely suppressed germination; Acetate and Chlorpyrifos greatly inhibited germination. The insecticides either prevented emergence or inhibited elongation of cotyledons and radicals. The insecticides were toxic to youngPinus halepensis seedlings whether applied to the soil or as shoot dips. Oxamyl was the most toxic of the three insecticidesResearch supported by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisonsin.     

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.     

六种阔叶树种叶片水浸提液对云南松种子萌发生长的化感作用

为了筛选营建云南松抗虫混交林的树种,该研究观察了云南切梢小蠹非寄主植物川滇桤木、缅桂、滇朴、樟树、麻栎和山茶六种阔叶树种叶片不同浓度的水浸提液对云南松种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用.结果表明:(1)川滇桤木、滇朴、麻栎和山茶四种阔叶树种叶片的水浸提液对云南松种子萌发和幼苗生长表现出低浓度促进,高浓度抑制效应.(2)在测试...