Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency in Twenty Tropical Tree Species of Differing Succession Status in a Brazilian Reforestation

Leaf gas exchange characteristics were measured in twenty woody species that differ in succession status ranging from pioneer species (PS) to late succession species (LS) in a Brazilian rain-reforestation ecosystem. Photon-saturated photosynthetic rate, calculated per either a leaf area (P _NA) or a dry mass (P _NM) basis, differed among species. P _NA and P _NM were highest in PS and lowest in LS. Variation among species was 3-fold (from 7 to 23 mol m^–2 s^–1) for P _NA, and 5-fold (from 50 to 275 mol kg^–2 s^–1) for P _NM. The highest P _NA (23 mol m^–2 s^–1) and P _NM (275 mol kg^–2 s^–1) values were recorded in PS Croton urucurana, while the lowest P _NA (7 mol m^–2 s^–1) and P _NM (50 mol kg^–2 s^–1) values were recorded in LS Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon. A considerable overlap was recorded between PS and LS in values of stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), and leaf mass to area ratio (ALM). However, C. urucurana also showed highest g _s and E. P _NM was highly correlated with ALM in both PS and LS (r=–0.75 and –0.90, respectively). The high values of instantaneous transpiration efficiency (ITE) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE_i) were also observed in the PS when compared with the LS.     

Changes in Photosystem II fluorescence in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exposed to increasing levels of irradiance in relationship to the photosynthetic response to light

The effects of a 60 min exposure to photosynthetic photon flux densities ranging from 300 to 2200 mol m^–2s^–1 on the photosynthetic light response curve and on PS II heterogeneity as reflected in chlorophyll a fluorescence were investigated using the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. It was established that exposure to high light acts at three different regulatory or inhibitory levels; 1) regulation occurs from 300 to 780 mol m^–2s^–1 where total amount of PS II centers and the shape of the light response curve is not significantly changed, 2) a first photoinhibitory range above 780 up to 1600 mol m^–2s^–1 where a progressive inhibition of the quantum yield and the rate of bending (convexity) of the light response curve can be related to the loss of Q_B-reducing centers and 3) a second photoinhibitory range above 1600 mol m^–2s^–1 where the rate of light saturated photosynthesis also decreases and convexity reaches zero. This was related to a particularly large decrease in PS II centers and a large increase in spill-over in energy to PS I.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - DCMU 3,(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - F_M maximal fluorescence yield - F_pl intermediate fluorescence yield plateau level - F₀ non-variable fluorescence yield - F_v total variable fluorescence yield (F_M-F₀) - initial slope to the light response curve, used as an estimate of initial quantum yield - convexity (rate of bending) of the light response curve of photosynthesis - LHC light-harvesting complex - P_max maximum rate of photosynthesis - PQ plastoquinone - Q photosynthetically active photon flux density (400–700 nm, mol m^–2s^–1) - PS photosystem - Q_A and Q_B primary and secondary quinone electron acceptor of PS II     

Interrelationships Between Nitrogen Supply and Photosynthetic Parameters in Vicia faba L.

We determined for Vicia faba L the influence of nitrogen uptake and accumulation on the values of photon saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax), quantum yield efficiency (), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), and carboxylation efficiency (C _e). As leaf nitrogen content (N_L) increased, the converged onto a maximum asymptotic value of 0.0664±0.0049 mol(CO₂) mol(quantum)^–1. Also, as N_L increased the C _i value fell to an asymptotic minimum of 115.80±1.59 mol mol^–1, and C _e converged onto a maximum asymptotic value of 1.645±0.054 mol(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1 Pa^–1 and declined to zero at a N_L-intercept equal to 0.596±0.096 g(N) m^–2. fell to zero for an N_L-intercept of 0.660±0.052 g(N) m^–2. As N_L increased, the value of P _Nmax converged onto a maximum asymptotic value of 33.400±2.563 mol(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1. P _N fell to zero for an N_L-intercept of 0.710±0.035 g(N) m^–2. Under variable daily meteorological conditions the values for N_L, specific leaf area (_L), root mass fraction (R_f), P _Nmax, and remained constant for a given N supply. A monotonic decline in the steady-state value of R_f occurred with increasing N supply. _L increased with increasing N supply or with increasing N_L.     

Nutrient content and photosynthesis of young yellowing Norway spruce trees (Picea abies L. Karst.) following calcium and magnesium fertilisation

Severely yellowed ten-year-old spruce trees growing in the Vosges Mountains on an acidic soil were fertilised with Magnesium lime during the spring of 1990. The effects of this treatment were assessed 18 months later. A very significant improvement of the mineral status of the trees was detected, with increasing Mg contents in the needles, and as a consequence, reduced yellowing and improved chlorophyll content. Only slight differences with control trees were observed for height increase. Effects of this improved nutrition on photosynthesis were tested measuring net CO₂ assimilation rates and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Light-saturated net assimilation rates of current-year needles were high, reaching 5.3 mol m^–2 s^–1 on a total needle area basis. The improvement in chlorophyll and Mg content had no significant effect on net assimilation rates or on any parameter describing photochemical functions of both current-and previous-year needles. Despite the strong inter-individual variability in needle chlorophyll and Mg contents (ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 mg g^–1 fresh weight, and 0.05 to 0.5 mg g^-1 dry weight respectively), photochemical efficiency of PS II under limiting irradiance only decreased significantly on older needles displaying Mg contents below 0.1 mg g^–1. It is concluded from these results that spruce trees exhibit a high degree of plasticity with regard to Mg deficiency on acidic soils, and that improved Mg nutrition and increased chlorophyll content do not necessarily improve photosynthesis and height growth.Abbreviations A light-saturated net CO₂ assimilation rate (mol m^–2 s^–1) - g_w light-saturated needle conductance to water vapour (mmol m^–2 s^–1) - _wp and _wm pre-dawn and mid-day needle water potential (MPa) - osmotic potential of sap expressed from needles (MPa) - PFD photosynthetic photon flux density (mol m^–2 s^–1) - F_v/F_m photochemical efficiency of PS II after 20 min dark adaptation - F/F_m ^' photochemical efficiency of PS II reaction centres after 10 min at a PFD of 220 mol m^–2 s^–1     

Diffusion of sucrose in xanthan gum solutions

Molecular diffusion of solutes, like sucrose in the xanthan gum fermentation, is important in order to understand the complex behavior of mass transfer mechanisms during the process. This work was focused to determine the diffusion coefficient of sucrose, a carbon source for xanthan production, using similar sucrose and xanthan concentrations to those occurring in a typical fermentation. The diaphragm cell method was used in experimental determinations. The data showed that diffusion coefficient of sucrose significantly decreases when xanthan gum concentration increases. Theoretical and semiempirical models were used to predict sucrose diffusivity in xanthan solutions. Molecular properties and rheological behavior of the system were considered in the modeling. The models tested fitted well the behavior of experimental data and that reported for oxygen in the same system.List of Symbols A constant in eq. (5) - C _pg cm^–3 polymer concentration - D cm² s^–1 diffusivity - D _ABcm² s^–1 diffusivity of A through liquid solvent - D _APcm² s^–1 diffusivity of A in polymer solution - D _AWcm² s^–1 diffusivity of A in water - D _Pcm² s^–1 diffusivity of polymer in liquid solvent - E _D gradient of the activation energy for diffusion - H _P hydratation factor of the polymer in water (g of bound water/g of polymer) - K dyn sⁿ cm^–2 consistency index - K ₁ constant in eq. (5) - K _P overall binding coefficient [g of bound solute/cm³ of solution]/[g of free solute/cm³ of polymer free solution] - n flow behavior index - M _Bg g mol^–1 molucular weight of liquid solvent - M _Pg g mol^–1 molecular weight of the polymer - M _Sg g mol^–1 Molecular weight of polymer solution (= M _BX_B+M_PX_P) - R cm³ atm g mol^–1 K^–1 ideal gas law constant - T K absolute temperature - V _Bcm³ g mol^–1 molar volume of liquid solvent - V _Pcm³ g mol^–1 molar volume of polymer - V _Scm³ g mol^–1 molar volume of polymer solution - X _B solvent molar fraction - X _P polymer molar fraction - polymer blockage shape factor - _P volume fraction of polymer in polymer solution - g cm^–1 s^–1 viscosity - _ag cm^–1 s^–1 apparent viscosity of the polymer solution - _icm³ g^–1 intrinsic viscosity - ₀ g cm^–1 s^–1 solvent viscosity - _Pg cm^–1 s^–1 polymer solution viscosity - _R relative viscosity (= / ₀) - ₌₀ g cm^–1 s^–1 viscosity of polymer solution obtained at zero shear rate - ₀ g cm^–3 water density     

Apparent viscosity for non-Newtonian fermentation media in bioreactors

The apparent viscosity of non-Newtonian fermentation media is examined. The present state of this subject is discussed. The energy dissipation rate concept is used for a new evaluation of the apparent viscosity in bioreactors, i.e. stirred tank and bubble column bioreactors. The proposed definition of the apparent viscosity is compared with the definitions available in the literature.List of Symbols A _d m ² downcomer cross-sectional area - A _r m ² riser cross-sectional area - a m^–1 specific surface area - C constant in eq. (13) - D m column diameter - D _I m impeller diameter - g m s^–2 gravitational acceleration - h J m^–2 s^–1 K^–1 heat transfer coefficient - K Pa s ⁿ consistency index in a power-law model - k constant in eq. (3) - k _L m s ^–1 liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient - N s^–1 impeller speed - n flow index in a power-law model - P W power input - Re Reynolds number ND _I ^/2 /(/) - U _sg m s ^–1 superficial gas velocity - (U _sg ) _r m s^–1 superficial gas velocity based on riser - V-m³ liquid volume - v ₀ m s^–1 friction velocity Greek Symbols s^–1 shear rate - _c s^–1 characteristic shear rate - W kg^–1 energy dissipation rate per unit mass - W kg^–1 characteristic energy dissipation rate per unit mass - Pa s viscosity - _app Pa s apparent viscosity - kg m^–3 density - Pa shear stress     

Utilisation of soil organic P by agroforestry and crop species in the field,western Kenya

A field experiment in western Kenya assessed whether the agroforestry species Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray, Tephrosia vogelii Hook f., Crotalaria grahamiana Wight & Arn. and Sesbania sesban (L) Merill. had access to forms of soil P unavailable to maize, and the consequences of this for sustainable management of biomass transfer. The species were grown in rows at high planting density to ensure the soil under rows was thoroughly permeated by roots. Soil samples taken from beneath rows were compared to controls, which included a bulk soil monolith enclosed by iron sheets within the tithonia plot, continuous maize, and bare fallow plots. Three separate plant biomass samples and soil samples were taken at 6-month intervals, over a period of 18 months. The agroforestry species produced mainly leaf biomass in the first 6 months but stem growth dominated thereafter. Consequently, litterfall was greatest early in the experiment (0–6 months) and declined with continued growth. Soil pH increased by up to 1 unit (from pH 4.85) and available P increased by up to 38% (1 g P g^–1) in agroforestry plots where biomass was conserved on the field. In contrast, in plots where biomass was removed, P availability decreased by up to 15%. Coincident with the declines in litterfall, pH decreased by up to 0.26 pH units, plant available P decreased by between 0.27 and 0.72 g g^–1 and P_o concentration decreased by between 8 and 35 g g^–1 in the agroforestry plots. Declines in P_o were related to phosphatase activity (R²=0.65, P<0.05), which was greater under agroforestry species (0.40–0.50 nmol MUB s^–1 g^–1) than maize (0.28 nmol MUB s^–1 g^–1) or the bare fallow (0.25 nmol MUB s^–1 g^–1). Management of tithonia for biomass transfer, decreased available soil P by 0.70 g g^–1 and P_o by 22.82 g g^–1. In this study, tithonia acquired P_o that was unavailable to maize. However, it is apparent that continuous cutting and removal of biomass would lead to rapid depletion of P stored in organic forms.     

Some effects of long-term ozone fumigation on Norway spruce

Summary Potted cuttings of a 12-year-old Picea abies tree were fumigated with ozone, 100 or 300 g O₃· m^–3 (50 or 150 ppb O₃) being added to charcoal-filtered air during the 1985 growing season for a total of 1215 h. The wax structure of ozone-fumigated needles was no different from that of controls. Because flattened wax structures and fused wax fibrils also occurred in controls, these phenomena could not serve as bioindications for the ozone concentrations applied. A smooth layer was found beneath the soluble wax layer and covered needle surface and stomatal openings of ozone-fumigated needles to a greater extent than in controls. Wax quantity was considerably reduced by fumigation with 300 g O₃ · m^–3. Leaf pigments (as extracted with the wax) were less abundant in needles treated with 300 gO₃; the smooth layer probably contributed to the impeded extraction of pigments.     

Electrical characteristics of sensory neurons of Hirudo medicinalis

During intracellular polarization of identified sensory neurons of the leech by square pulses of hyperpolarizing current electrical parameters of the cell membranes were determined: input resistance of the neuron R_n, time constant of the membrane , the ratio between conductance of the cell processes and conductance of the soma , the resistance of the soma membrane r_s, the input resistance of the axon r _a , capacitance of the membrane C_s, and resistivity of the soma membrane R_s. The results obtained by the study of various types of neurons were subjected to statistical analysis and compared with each other. Significant differences for neurons of N- and T-types were found only between the values of , C_s, and R_s (P<0.01). These parameters also had the lowest coefficients of variation. The surface area of the soma of the neurons, calculated from the capacitance of the membrane (the specific capacitance of the membrane was taken as 1 µF/cm²) was 7–10 times (N-neurons) or 4–6 times (T-neurons) greater than the surface area of a sphere of the same diameter. The resistivity of the soma membrane R_s was 35.00 k·cm² for cells of the N-type and 19.50 k·cm² for T-neurons. The reasons for the relative stability of this parameter compared with the input resistance of the cell (coefficient of variation 22–7 and 53–31% respectively) are discussed. The possible effects of electrical characteristics on the properties of repeated discharges in neurons of different types also are discussed.A. A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol.7, No.3, pp.295–301, May–June, 1975.     

Shoot water relations and gas exchange of western hemlock and western red cedar seedlings during establishment on a reforestation site

Summary Shoot water relations, summer gas exchange response and morphological development of western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.] and western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) seedlings were monitored over the first growing season on a coastal reforestation site in British Columbia. In March, osmotic potential (_s) at saturation [_s(sat)] was –1.98 MPa and turgor loss point [_s(tlp)] –2.38 MPa for western hemlock, while western red cedar had –1.45 MPa _s(sat) and –1.93 MPa _s(tlp). Seasonally _s increased through June and then decreased through September, with western hemlock –0.15 to –0.50 MPa lower than western red cedar. Maximum bulk modulus of elasticity (_max) for western hemlock was 29.3 MPa in March, decreased to 15.0 MPa in June and increased to 25.0 MPa from July through September, while western red cedar _max was 10.6 MPa in March and around 8.0 MPa thereafter. Utilized turgor (T _util) for western hemlock was <40% from March through May, 69 to 78% from June through August and 96% in September, while western red cedar T _util was 68 to 73% during March and April, 84 to 96% from May through August and 100% in September. Maximum CO₂ assimilation rate (A) of western red cedar was more than double western hemlock, and for both species A declined in a linear fashion with increasing vapour pressure deficit (D). Maximum foliage conductance (g _wv) declined in a concave manner as D increased in both species, with western red cedar values 50 to 67% greater than western hemlock. Maximum daily g _wv declined in a concave manner as predawn shoot water potential (_pd) decreased, with maximum daily g _wv 1.8 to 3.6 times greater in western red cedar than western hemlock, when _pd was –0.25 and –1.4 MPa, respectively. Western red cedar, compared to western hemlock, had a greater increase in A as g _wv increased. Eight months after planting, western red cedar seedlings had twice the root growth, measured as root dry weight and root number, of western hemlock.     

Free energy dependence of the direct charge recombination from the primary and secondary quinones in reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The direct charge recombination rates from the primary quinone, k _AD (D⁺Q _A ^– DQ_A) and the secondary quinone, k _BD (D⁺Q _B ^– DQ_B), in reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides were measured as a function of the free energy differences for the processes, G _AD ⁰ and G _BD ⁰ , respectively. Measurements were performed at 21 °C on a series of mutant reaction centers that have a wide range of dimer midpoint potentials and consequently a large variation in G _AD ⁰ and G _BD ⁰ . As –G _AD ⁰ varied from 0.43 to 0.78 eV, k _AD varied from 4.6 to 28.6 s^–1. The corresponding values for the wild type are 0.52 eV and 8.9 s^–1. Observation of the direct charge recombination rate k _BD was achieved by substitution of the primary quinone with naphthoquinones in samples in which ubiquinone was present at the secondary quinone site, resulting specifically in an increase in the free energy of the D⁺Q _A ^– state relative to the D⁺Q_AQ _B ^– state. As –G _BD ⁰ varied from 0.37 to 0.67 eV, k _BD varied from 0.03 to 1.4 s^–1. The corresponding values for the wild type are 0.46 eV and 0.2 s^–1. A fit of the two sets of data to the Marcus theory for electron transfer yielded significantly different reorganization energies of 0.82 and 1.3 eV for k _AD and k _BD, respectively. In contrast, the fitted values for the coupling matrix element, or equivalently the maximum possible rate, were comparable (25 s^–1) for the two charge recombination processes. These results are in accord with Q_B having more interactions with dipoles, from both the surrounding protein and bound water molecules, than Q_A and with the primary determinant of the maximal rate being the quinone-donor distance.     

Uptake of sewage derived nitrogen by<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ulva rigida</Emphasis> (Chlorophyceae) in Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo,Patagonia, Argentine)

Uptake kinetics of nitrogen derived from sewage–seawater mixtures (2.5–20% v/v effluent) were determined in the laboratory for Ulva rigida (Chlorophyceae) native from Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentine). In terms of nitrogen concentration, experimental enrichment levels varied between 53.7 and 362.3M of ammonium and between 0.77 and 6.21M of nitrate+nitrite. Uptake rates were fitted to the Michaelis–Menten equation, with the following kinetic parameters: ammonium: V_max = 591.2molg^–1h^–1, K _s=262.3M, nitrate+nitrite: V _max=12.9molg^–1h^–1, K _s=3.5M). Both nutrients were taken up simultaneously, but ammonium incorporation was faster in all cases. The results show a high capability of Ulva rigida to remove sewage-derived nitrogen from culture media. In the field, most of the nitrogen provided by the effluent would be tied up in algal biomass, supporting low nitrogen levels found at a short distance away from the source.     

Flight of the honey bee VI: energetics of wind tunnel exhaustion flights at defined fuel content,speed adaptation and aerodynamics

To gain information on extended flight energetics, quasi-natural flight conditions imitating steady horizontal flight were set by combining the tetheredflight wind-tunnel method with the exhaustion-flight method. The bees were suspended from a two-component aerodynamic balance at different, near optimum body angle of attack and were allowed to choose their own speed: their body mass and body weight was determined before and after a flight; their speed, lift, wingbeat frequency and total flight time were measured throughout a flight. These values were used to determine thrust, resultant aerodynamic force (magnitude and tilting angle), Reynolds number, total flight distance and total flight impulse. Flights in which lift was body weight were mostly obtained. Bees, flown to complete exhausion, were refed with 5, 10, 15 or 20 l of a 1.28-mol·l^-1 glucose solution (energy content w=18.5, 37.0, 55.5 or 74.0 J) and again flown to complete exhaustion at an ambient temperature of 25±1.5°C by a flight of known duration such that the calculation of absolute and relative metabolic power was possible. Mean body mass after exhaustion was 76.49±3.52 mg. During long term flights of 7.47–31.30 min similar changes in flight velocity, lift, thrust, aerodynamic force, wingbeat frequency and tilting angle took place, independent of the volume of feeding solution. After increasing rapidly within 15 s a more or less steady phase of 60–80% of total flight time, showing only a slight decrease, was followed by a steeper, more irregular decrease, finally reaching 0 within 20–30 s. In steady phases lift was nearly equal to resultant aerodynamic force; tilting angle was 79.8±4.0°, thrust to lift radio did not vary, thrust was 18.0±7.4% of lift, lift was somewhat higher/equal/lower than body mass in 61.3%, 16.1%, 22.6% of all totally analysable flights (n=31). The following parameters were varied as functions of volume of feeding solution (5–20 l in steps of 5 l) and energy content. (18.5–74.0 J in steps of 18.5 J): total flight time, velocity, total flight distance, mean lift, thrust, mean resultant aerodynamic force, tilting angle, total flight impulse, wingbeat frequency, metabolic power and metabolic power related to body mass, the latter related to empty, full and mean (=100 mg) body mass. The following positive correlations were found: L=1.069·10^-9 f ^2.538; R=1.629·10^-9 f ^2.464; P _m=7.079·10^-8 f ^2.456; P _m=0.008v+0.008; P _m=18.996L+0.022; P _m=19.782R+0.021; P _m=82.143T+0.028; P _m=1.245·bm _f ^1.424 ; P _{mrel e}=6.471·bm _f ^1.040 ; =83.248+0.385. The following negative correlations were found: V=3.939–0.032; T=1.324·10^-4–0.038·10^-4. Statistically significant correlations were not found in T(f), L(), R(), f(), P _m(bm _e), P _{m rel e}(bm _e), P _{m rel f}(bm _e), P _{m rel f}(bm _f).Abbreviations A(m²) frontal area - bl(m) body length - bm(mg) body mass - c(mol·1^-1) glucose concentration of feeding solution - c _D (dimensionless) drag coefficient, related to A - D(N) drag - F _w(N) body weight - F _wp weight of paper fragment lost at flight start - f wingbeat frequency (s^-1) - g(=9.81 m·s^-2) gravitational acceleration - I(Ns)=R(t) dt total impulse of a flight - L(N) lift vertical sustaining force component - P _m(J·s^-1=W) metabolic power - P_{m ret} (W·g^-1) metabolic power, related to body mass - R(N) resultant aerodynamic force - Re v·bl·v ^-1 (dimensionless) Reynolds number, related to body length - s(m) v(t) dt virtual flight distance of a flight - s(km) total virtual flight distance - T (N) thrust horizontal force component of horizontal flight - T _a (°C) ambient temperature - t(s) time - t _tot (s or min) total flight time - v(m·s^-1) flight velocity - v(l) volume of feeding solution - W (J) energy and energy content of V - ( °) body angle of attack between body longitudinal axis and flow direction - ( °) tilting angle ( 90°) between R and the horizont in horizontal flight v(=1.53·10^-5m²·s^-1 for air at 25°) kinematic viscosity - (=1.2 kg·m^-3 at 25°C) air density     

Light response of D1 turnover and photosystem II efficiency in the seagrassZostera capricorni

Biochemical and biophysical parameters, including D1-protein turnover, chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen evolution activity and zeaxanthin formation were measured in the marine seagrassZostera capricorni (Aschers) in response to limiting (100 mol·m^–2·^–1), saturating (350 mol·m^–2·s^–1) or photoinhibitory (1100 mol·m^–2·s^–1) irradiances. Synthesis of D1 was maximal at 350 mol·m^–2·s^–1 which was also the irradiance at which the rate of photosynthetic O₂ evolution was maximal. Degradation of D1 was saturated at 350 mol·m^–2·s^–1. The rate of D1 synthesis at 1100 mol·m^–2·s^–1 was very similar to that at 350 mol·m^–2·s^–1 for the first 90 min but then declined. At limiting or saturating irradiance little change was observed in the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (Fv/Fm) measured after dark adaptation of the leaves, while significant photoinhibition occurred at 1100 mol·m^–2·s^–1. The proportion of zeaxanthin in the total xanthophyll pool increased with increasing irradiance, indicative of the presence of a photoprotective xanthophyll cycle in this seagrass. These results are consistent with a high level of regulatory D1 turnover inZostera under non-photoinhibitory irradiance conditions, as has been found previously for terrestrial plants.We would like to thank Professor Peter Böger (Department of Plant Biochemistry, University of Konstanz, Germany) for the kind gift of D1 antibodies. This work was partly supported by a University of Queensland Enabling Grant to CC.     

Changes in phosphorus concentrations and pH in the rhizosphere of some agroforestry and crop species

The aim of this work was to assess whether agroforestry species have the ability to acquire P from pools unavailable to maize. Tithonia diversifolia(Hemsley) A. Gray, Tephrosia vogelii Hook f., Zea mays and Lupinus albusL. were grown in rhizopots and pH change and depletion of inorganic and organic P pools measured in the rhizosphere. Plants were harvested at the same growth stage, after 56 days for maize and white lupin and 70 days for tithonia and tephrosia, and the rhizosphere sampled. The rhizosphere was acidified by tithonia (pH change –0.3 units to pH 4.8) and lupins (–0.2 units to 4.9), alkalinised by tephrosia (+0.4 units to pH 5.4), and remained unchanged with maize growth. Concurrent with acidification in the rhizosphere of tithonia there was a decline in resin-P (0.8 g P g^–1). However, there was also a decline in NaOH extractable inorganic P (NaOH-P_i) (5.6 g P g^–1 at the root surface) and organic P pools (NaOH-P_o) (15.4 g P g^–1 at 1.5 mm from the root), which would not be expected without specific P acquisition mechanisms. Alkalinisation of tephrosia rhizosphere was accompanied by changes in all measured pools, although the large depletion of organic P (21.6 g P g^–1 at 5 mm from the root) suggests that mineralisation, as well as desorption of organic P, was stimulated. The size of changes of both pH and P pools varied with distance away from the rhizoplane. Decline of more recalcitrant P pools with the growth of the agroforestry species contrasted with the effect of maize growth, which was negligible on resin-P and NaOH-P_i, but led to an accumulation of P as NaOH-P_o (14.2 g P g^–1 at 5 mm from the root). Overall the depletion of recalcitrant P pools, particularly P_o, suggests that the growth of tithonia and tephrosia enhance desorption and dissolution of P, while also enhancing organic P mineralisation. Both species appear to have potential for agroforestry technologies designed to enhance the availability of P to crops, at least in the short term.     

The Influence of Previous Irradiance on Photosynthetic Induction in Three Species Grown in the Gap and Understory of a Fagus Crenata Forest

Photosynthetic induction responses to a sudden increase in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from lower background PPFD (0, 25, 50, and 100 mol m^–2 s^–1) to 1 000 mol m^–2 s^–1 were measured in leaves of Fagus crenata, Acer rufinerve Siebold & Zucc., and Viburnum furcatum growing in a gap and understory of a F. crenata forest in the Naeba mountains. In the gap, A. rufinerve exhibited more than 1.2-fold higher maximum net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax) than F. crenata and V. furcatum. Meanwhile, in the understory F. crenata exhibited the highest P _Nmax among the three species. The photosynthetic induction period required to reach P _Nmax was 3–41 min. The photosynthetic responses to increase in PPFD depended on the background PPFD before increase in PPFD. The induction period required to reach P _Nmax was 2.5–6.5-fold longer when PPFD increased from darkness than when PPFD increased from 100 mol m^–2 s^–1. The induction period was correlated with initial P _N and stomatal conductance (g _s) relative to maximum values before increase in PPFD. The relationship was similar between the gap and the understory. As the background PPFD increased, the initial P _N and g _s increased, indicating that the degrees of biochemical and stomata limitations to dynamic photosynthetic performance decreased. Therefore, photosynthetic induction responses to increase in PPFD became faster with the increasing background PPFD. The differences in time required to reach induction between species, as well as between gap and understory, were mainly due to the varying of relative initial induction states in P _N and g _s at the same background PPFD.     

Influence of nitrogen on the behaviour of nickel in wheat

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of Ni on the growth and nutrients concentration in wheat (Triticum aestivum Cv. WH 291) in the presence and absence of applied N as urea. Responses to N application were observed up to 120 g N g^–1 soil. No response to Ni was observed in the dry matter yield of wheat tops (leaves + stem) in the absence of applied N while in the presence of applied N, significant yield increases were obtained at 12.5g Ni g^–1 soil. Nickel was not toxic to wheat up to 50g Ni g^–1 soil in the presence of 120g N g^–1 soil. Nitrogen and Ni concentration in wheat tops and roots increased with increasing levels of applied N and Ni, respectively. Applied Ni had an antagonistic effect on N concentration. Similarly, N reduced the Ni concentration in the wheat tissues. Positive growth responses to Ni were associated with 22 and 15g Ni g^–1 in wheat tops, in the presence of applied N at 60 and 120g N g^–1 soil, while Ni toxicity was associated with 63, 92.5 and 112.5g Ni g^–1 in wheat tops, in the absence and presence of applied N at 60 and 120g N g^–1 soil, respectively.     

Photosynthesis and Leaf Nutrient Contents in Ochroma Pyramidale (Bombacaceae)

In Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb., photon-saturated photosynthetic capacity (P _Nmax) was 13 mol(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1. Average stomatal conductance (g _s) and water-use efficiency (WUE) were greater at high irradiance, about 260 mmol(H₂O) m^–2 s^–1 and 2.15 g(C) kg^–1(H₂O), respectively. In the dark, g _s values were about 30% of maximum g _s. Leaf nutrient contents on a leaf area basis were 131, 15, 36, 21, and 12 mmol m^–2 for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. Ochroma also accumulated a greater amount of soluble saccharides than starch, 128 versus 90 g kg^–1 (DM). The availability of N and Mg, but not P, Ca, or K, may limit photosynthetic rates of Ochroma in this site.     

Optimisation of agitation and aeration in fermenters

The problem of optimising agitation and aeration in a given fermenter is addressed. The objective function is total electric power consumed for agitation, compression and refrigeration. The major constraint considered is to ensure that the dissolved oxygen concentration is above the critical value. It is shown that it is possible to analytically calculate the optimal pair (air flowrate, stirrer speed) and that, at least for the industrial antibiotics fermentation used as case-study, the optimum lies within a window for satisfactory operation, limited by other possible constraints to the problem. Savings achievable by optimal operation as compared with current industrial procedure were found to be around 10% at pilot plant scale (0.26 m³) and 20% at full scale (85 m³).List of Symbols A fermenter cross sectional area (m²) - C dissolved oxygen concentration (mole m^–3) - C ^* DO concentration in equilibrium with the gas (mole m^–3) - C _crit critical DO concentration (mole m^–3) - C _p specific heat of air at constant pressure (J kg^–1 K^–1) - C _sp dissolved oxygen set point (mole m^–3) - C _v specific heat of air at constant volume (J kg^–1 K^–1) - D agitator diameter (m) - f pressure correction of air flow-rate - (Fl _g)_F aeration number at flooding - (Fr _g)_F froude number at flooding - k coefficient in expression for mass transfer coefficient - K _La volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (s^–1) - m power exponent in expression for mass transfer coefficient - n gas flow rate exponent in expression for mass transfer coefficient - n ^* number of impellers - N rotation speed (s^–1) - N _F rotation speed at flooding (s^–1) - N _p unaerated power number - N _pg aerated power number - OUR Oxygen Uptake Rate (mole m^–3 s^–1) - p ₀ atmospheric pressure (N m^–2) - p ₁ compressor exit pressure (N m^–2) - p ₂ pressure at the bottom of the fermenter (N m^–2) - p ₃ pressure at the top of the fermenter (N m^–2) - P _c compression power (W) - P _d power added by expansion (W) - P _ev power removed by evaporation (W) - P _g agitation power (W) - P _m power added by metabolism (W) - P _r power removed by refrigeration (W) - P _t total power (W) - Q air flow-rate at atmospheric conditions (m³ s^–1) - Q _f air flow-rate at average fermenter conditions (m³ s^–1) - s ₀ absolute humidity at atmospheric conditions - s ₃ absolute humidity at fermenter exit - T tank diameter (m) - V liquid volume (m³) - v _s gas superficial velocity (m s^–1) - _i parameter defined in the text - safety margin for dissolved oxygen (mole m^–3) - ratio of specific heats of air - _g agitation efficiency - _c compression efficiency - _r refrigeration efficiency - liquid density (kg m^–3) - _g air density (kg m^–3) - latent heat of vaporisation of water (J kg^–1) The authors are grateful to Elsa Silva, Carlos Lopes, Carlos Aguiar, Fernando Mendes, and Alexandre Cardoso, who helped with parts of this work, and to CIPAN for permission to publish these data.     

Significance of the Leaf Area Ratio in Hevea brasiliensis Under High Irradiance and Low Temperature Stress

Adjustment in leaf area : mass ratio called leaf area ratio (LAR) is one of the strategies to optimize photon harvesting. LAR was recorded for 10 genotypes of Hevea brasiliensis under high irradiance and low temperature and the genotypes were categorized into two groups, i.e. high LAR and low LAR types. Simultaneously, the growth during summer as well as winter periods, photosynthetic characteristics, and in-vitro oxidative damage were studied. Low LAR (19.86±0.52 m² kg^–1) types, recorded an average of 18.0 % chlorophyll (Chl) degradation under high irradiance and 7.1 % Chl degradation under low temperature. These genotypes maintained significantly higher net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of 10.4 mol(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1 during winter season. On the contrary, the high LAR (24.33±0.27 m² kg^–1) types recorded significantly lower P _N of 4 mol(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1 and greater Chl degradation of 37.7 and 13.9 % under high irradiance and low temperature stress, respectively. Thus LAR may be one of the physiological traits, which are possibly involved in plant acclimation process under both stresses studied.