In vitro zygotic embryo germination and propagation of an endangered Boswellia serrata Roxb., a source of boswellic acid

This study aims to establish an efficient protocol for development of seedlings of an endangered medicinally important forest tree Boswellia serrata Roxb., for mass plantation and consistent supply of salai guggul. The green mature fruits served as source of seeds. The excised green zygotic embryos were cultured on Gamborg (B5), McCown and Loyd (WPM) and Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) media fortified with different concentration of sucrose and on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3 % sucrose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (0–300 mg l^−l), Gibberellic acid (GA₃), Indoleacetic acid (IAA), Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), Indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) or kinetin (Kin) individually. The highest frequency of embryo germination (96 %) and conversion into seedling was obtained on MS medium containing 3 % sucrose together with 200 mg l^−l PVP; other media were either inferior or induced abnormalities in the seedlings including callus formation from the zygotic embryos. Fully developed seedlings could be successfully established in soil with about 94 % survival. The embryos from mature dry seeds did not respond for germination in any of the experiments. In conclusion, selection of zygotic embryo from green mature seeds and their in vitro germination is important for propagation of B. serrata.     

Fate and Mobility of Copper in Soil of Cocoa Plantations in Two Southwestern States of Nigeria Treated with Copper-Based Fungicides

Soils from cocoa plantations treated with Boudreaux mixture in two southwestern states of Nigeria were collected at different depths, 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm, and subjected to five-stage sequential extraction to obtain the speciation forms of copper: exchangeable, carbonate, manganese and iron oxides, organic and residual fractions. The Cu content in the extracts from the sequential extraction was read with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The total Cu content of the soil and the physicochemical parameters of the soils were also determined. The results from the study showed that the soils had high organic matter and copper is mostly bounded to the more mobile exogenic phase much more than the stable lithogenic phase, indicating higher mobility. Within the exogenic species, carbonate fraction was the highest followed by the organic bound and the exchangeable fraction in decreasing order. Cu was not detected in the Fe/Mn bound fraction. The implication is that the fate of the administered Cu-based pesticide is more in the relatively stable carbonate bound species than the other, more mobile phase. The results showed variation in the distribution of the copper species from one depth to another. The most transported metal from the surface to the lower layer is the exchangeable fraction. The carbonate bound species is less mobile and is not readily transported into the bottom soil layer. The organic bound Cu has nearly equal distribution between the top and bottom soils and there was little or no transport of the residual metal specie from the top to the bottom. The existence of copper in the soil largely in the anthropogenic (exogenous) phase is not the most desirable for the ecosystem. This may increase the availability of Cu in the cocoa plant and bean and may lead to potential exposure risk.     

Carbon stocks in above‐ground biomass of monoculture plantations,mixed species plantations and environmental restoration plantings in north‐east Australia

Summary The emergence of carbon markets has provided a potential source of funding for reforestation projects. However, there is concern amongst ecologists that these markets will promote the establishment of monoculture plantations rather than more diverse restoration plantings, on the assumption that fast‐growing monocultures are likely to store more carbon than restoration plantings. We examined the validity of this assumption for three predominantly rainforest plantation types established in the moist tropical uplands of north‐east Australia: monoculture plantations of native rainforest conifers (n = 5, mean age 13 years); mixed species plantations of rainforest cabinet timber species, rainforest conifers and eucalypts (n = 5, mean age 13 years); and, environmental restoration plantings comprised mostly of a diverse range of rainforest trees (n = 10, mean age 14 years). We found that restoration plantings stored significantly more carbon in above‐ground biomass than monoculture plantations of native conifers (on average, 106 t vs 62 t carbon per ha); and tended to store more carbon than mixed species timber plantations which were intermediate in value (86 t carbon per ha). Carbon stocks were higher in restoration plantings than in monoculture and mixed species plantations for three reasons. First, and most importantly, restoration plantings were more densely stocked than monoculture and mixed species plantations. Second, there were more large diameter trees in restoration plantings than monoculture plantations. Third, the trees used in restoration plantings had a higher average wood density than the conifers used in monoculture plantations. While, on average, wood density was higher in mixed species plantations than restoration plantings, the much higher stocking rate of restoration plantings meant they stored more carbon than mixed species plantations. We conclude that restoration plantings in the moist tropics of north‐east Australia can accumulate relatively high amounts of carbon within two decades of establishment. Comparison with reference rainforest sites suggests that restoration plantings could maintain their high stocking rates (and therefore high biomass) as they develop in future decades. However, because restoration plantings are currently much more expensive to establish than monoculture plantations, restoration plantings are unlikely to be favoured by carbon markets. Novel reforestation techniques and designs are required if restoration plantings are to both provide habitat for rainforest biota and store carbon in biomass at a cost comparable to monoculture plantations.     

Study on Population Genetic Structure in Castanopsis fargesii with Microsatellite Markers

Genetic structure of four populations in Castanopsis fargesii Franch. in Fujian Province was studied with microsatellite (SSR) markers. A high level of genetic variation was detected in the populations of C. fargesii by using SSR with A=9.0, Ne=4.8, He=0.65 and the population differentiation coefficient ( Fst ) was only 0.031. The distributions of alleles of all loci were significantly different among the populations of C. fargesii , and the population differentiation could be found according to the distributions of SSR alleles. Some rare alleles in the populations of C. fargesii were revealed by SSR: Fifteen of 54 alleles appeared in one or two populations with lower frequencies; conservation of these rare alleles is of great importance.     

盐胁迫对四季竹细胞膜透性和矿质离子吸收、运输和分配的影响

采用盆栽控制试验,研究了土壤不同NaCl浓度(0(CK)、1‰、2‰、3‰、4‰、5‰和6‰)处理45 d对四季竹叶片脱落率和细胞膜透性以及立竹器官K+、Na+、Ca2+和Cl-等矿质离子的吸收、运输和分配的影响.结果表明,1‰～2‰NaCl处理对四季竹叶片脱落率和离子渗漏率无显著影响,3‰～6‰ NaCl处理显著提高了叶片脱落率和离子渗漏率,四季竹的盐胁迫伤害随土壤盐浓度的增大而加剧.随着Na+、Cl-在四季竹立竹各器官中的显著增加,竹根、竹秆、竹枝K+含量逐渐下降,Ca2+含量变化较小,并且K+、Ca2+在竹根、竹秆中的向上选择性运输能力逐渐减弱.由于竹叶在低浓度(1‰～2‰)和高浓度(3‰～6‰)盐胁迫下分别对Ca2+和K+具有较高的选择性吸收能力,随盐浓度的增大,竹叶K+含量迅速升高,Ca2+含量先升高后下降,这对维持竹叶的营养平衡和正常生长具有重要意义.3‰～6‰NaCl处理时,Na+、Cl-在竹叶中的浓度显著高于立竹其他器官,不仅降低了竹叶的渗透势,有利于水分的向上运输,而且四季竹还可以通过叶片脱落的方式降低体内的盐分含量,减轻盐离子毒害.     

Studies on the Biomass of Robinia pseudoaeacia Plantation

The average height of 31-aged Robinia pseudoacacia plantation in west mountain of Beijing is 7 in and the mean breastheight diameter of tree is 8.3 cm. The number of tree per hectare appears 1750. The canopy coverage of plantation shows 0.5. Using tile diameter square at tree breast height times tree height (D2H), as an independing variable, to estimate the dry weight of various parts of trees, between them the significient correlations occur. According to the modle of Wstem=58.88(D2H)0.88 (WBranch)=e7.77+0.001(D2H) (Wleaf)=e5.71+0.0008(D2H) (Wroot)＝e7.67+0.0009(D2H) 28.45 t/ha of the stem biomass, 11.6 t/ha of the branch biomass. 0.97 t/ha of the leaf biomass, 7.6 t/ha of the root biomass are estimated in arbor layer. The aboveground and belowground biomass of shrub and herb layers axe 13.71 t/ha and 10.72 t/ha respectively in September, the biomass of shrub and herb layer is 24.43 t/ha. 73.05 t/ha of the total biomass in Robinia pseudoacacia plantation is obtained.     

长白落叶松（Larix olgensis）工业人工林的模拟间伐

应用马尔柯夫过程理论,在获得林分直径转移概率的基础上,采用间伐最小径阶林木,最大径阶林木,中间径阶林木三种间伐方式,在保留不同密度情况下对长白落叶松工业人工林进行模拟间伐,提出了适宜的保留密度和相应的抚育间伐对象。结果表明：马尔柯夫过程确能反映长白落叶松工业人工林的直径转移过程,利用马尔可夫过程理论对长白落叶松工业人工林进行模拟间伐实现了依据培育时间来确定间伐方法和措施,提高了长白落叶松工业人工林经营管理的精准性;长白落叶松工业人工林成林后的间伐无论从培育森林方面,还是从取得木材、加大林分收益方面考虑,都应该以间伐小径阶的林木为主,注重培育I、II级木,间伐III, IV级木;20～25 a长白落叶松工业人工林间伐后的保留经营密度以0.7为宜。     

第2代杉木幼林生态系统水化学特征

对第 2代杉木幼林生态系统的降雨、穿透水、茎流、地表和地下径流等水文过程中 N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Cu、Fe、Zn和 Mn9种养分元素含量进行了连续 5 a的测定 ,结果表明 :降雨通过林冠后其化学特性发生明显变化 ,p H值出现酸化现象 ,穿透水中 Zn和 Org-N为负淋溶 ,其余各元素浓度有所增加。树干茎流的富集作用比穿透水强 ,其中 Zn为负 ,其它元素的浓度均比林外降雨的高。地表径流中 Zn>Org-N>NO3 -N,与降雨中含量相比较为淋失迁移型 ,Ca>K>Cu>Mg>P>NH4 -N>Mn>Fe为内贮型 ,p H值增大。地下径流中 Zn>Org-N>NH4 -N>K>Mn为淋失迁移型、Ca>Mg>Cu>NO3 -N>P>Fe为内贮型。该系统的水循环中 Ca>Mg>Fe>P为净损失、Zn>K>Org-N>NH4 -N>Mn>NO3 -N>Cu为净积累 ,与第 1代杉木林相比 ,第 2代杉木幼林水化学过滤与吸贮功能较差 ,系统稳定性也较弱 ,生态功能的恢复需要一定的时间     

基于不同可加性方法的黑龙江省红松人工林林分生物量模型

大尺度估算森林生物量一直是人们关注的焦点,而构建林分水平的生物量模型是一种估算森林乔木层生物量的方法。本研究基于聚合法1、聚合法2、平差法、分解法构建红松人工林林分生物量模型,并对比分析4种可加性方法的预测精度,为黑龙江省红松人工林的生物量预测提供科学依据。各模型均使用权函数来消除各模型的异方差,并以留一交叉验证法(LOOCV)作为各模型的检验方法。结果表明: 平差法的整体预测能力略优于聚合法1、聚合法2和分解法,预测精度排序为平差法>聚合法1>聚合法2>分解法;分别对比不同林分断面积的预测能力时,4种可加性方法的预测精度不一致。当红松人工林的林分断面积分布于0～10或50～60 m²·hm^-2区间时,建议采用分解法的参数估计值,而林分断面积分布于其他区间时,建议采用平差法的参数估计值。     

Soil‐dwelling insect pests of tree crops in Sub‐Saharan Africa,problems and management strategies—A review

This review aims to draw the attention of researchers, ecologists and farmers to the threats of soil‐dwelling insect pests on important tree crops in sub‐Saharan Africa, with a special focus on termites. It synthesizes the information on the effects of various factors affecting soil pest occurrence and damage, suggesting that the resultant undesirable effects of soil pests in this region are largely as a result of indiscriminate tree cutting, slash‐and‐burn agriculture and indiscriminate use of pesticides. Major insect orders, their host ranges and the nature of damage on selected tree crops are described. This study further critiques existing soil pest management practices, showing that majority of soil pest management practices are ineffective. Thus, management strategies like “attract and kill” approach based on entomopathogenic fungi need to be studied, developed and emphasized for the management of soil insect pests in sub‐Saharan Africa. A conclusion section attempts to offer suggestions for ways in which future work on soil pests in sub‐Saharan Africa could proceed.