Stable genetic transformation of embryogenic cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies nordmanniana</Emphasis> (nordmann fir) and regeneration of transgenic plants

Summary Stable genetic transformation of embryogenic cultures of Abies nordmanniana (Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir) was achieved using the Biolistic^? transformation technology, followed by regeneration of transgenic plants. Selection of the transgenic tissue was based on the antibiotic resistance induced by the neomycin phosphotransferase II gene (npt II), in combination with the antibiotic geneticin. Six transclones were recovered from a total of 215 bombardments. Expression of the β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was confirmed by histochemical analysis, and expression of npt II was verified by quantification of NPTII protein by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both genes were still expressed in the embryogenic tissue after 5 yr of in vitro culture and in mature somatic embryos and plants produced from these cultures. The integration of npt II was confirmed by Southern hybridization in embryogenic tissue after 5 yr of culture. After 5 yr of growth, uidA was still expressed in needles from the transformed trees.     

Detection of plot-level changes in ectomycorrhizal communities across years in an old-growth mixed-conifer forest

Understanding spatial and temporal patterns present in ectomycorrhizal fungal community structure is critical to understanding both the scale and duration of the potential impact these fungi have on the plant community. While recent studies consider the spatial structure of ectomycorrhizal communities, few studies consider how this changes over time. Ectomycorrhizal root biomass and the similarity of community composition were measured at scales up to 20 cm replicated in nine plots and over 3 yr. Soil cores were additionally stratified into three depths. Annual occurrence of the dominant ectomycorrhizal species was constant at larger spatial scales but varied more across years at a fine spatial scale. Turnover of ectomycorrhizal species between years was observed frequently at scales < 20 cm. The ectomycorrhizal community within a plot was more similar across years than it was to other plots sampled in the same year. Our results demonstrate the dynamic nature of the ectomycorrhizal community even in the absence of large-scale disturbances. The potential role of root turnover and drought stress is discussed.     

Altering product outcome in Abies grandis (-)-limonene synthase and (-)-limonene/(-)-alpha-pinene synthase by domain swapping and directed mutagenesis

(-)-(4S)-limonene synthase (LS) and (-)-(4S)-limonene/(-)-(1S, 5S)-alpha-pinene synthase (LPS) from grand fir (Abies grandis) exhibit nearly 91% sequence identity (93% similarity) at the amino acid level, yet produce very different mixtures of monoterpene olefins. To elucidate critical amino acids involved in determining monoterpene product distribution, a combination of domain swapping and reciprocal site-directed mutagenesis was carried out between these two enzymes. Exchange of the predicted helix D through F region in LS gave rise to an LPS-like product outcome, whereas reciprocal substitutions of four amino acids in LPS (two in the predicted helix D and two in the predicted helix F) altered the product distribution to that intermediate between LS and LPS, and resulted in a 5-fold increase in relative velocity. These results, in conjunction with modeling of the two enzymes, suggest that amino acids in the predicted D through F helix regions are critical for product determination.     

Molecular markers reveal extensive intraspecific below-ground overlap of silver fir fine roots

Fine roots are expected to be important determinants of plant competition, but very little is known about the extent of root system overlap. Here, we describe the application of two highly variable plastide microsatellites to study the fine root distribution of tree individuals in a silver fir forest. We demonstrate that the spread of fine roots exceeds the width of above-ground parts, and that fine root overlaps among neighbouring trees are extensive both laterally and in depth. This approach will help to improve models of below-ground competition and will facilitate estimations of fine root biomass and thus of below-ground C pools.     

High root concentration and uneven ectomycorrhizal diversity near Sarcodes sanguinea (Ericaceae): a cheater that stimulates its victims?

Sarcodes sanguinea is a nonphotosynthetic mycoheterotrophic plant that obtains all of its fixed carbon from neighboring trees through a shared ectomycorrhizal fungus. We studied the spatial structuring of this tripartite symbiosis in a forest where Sarcodes is abundant, and its only fungal and photosynthetic plant associates are Rhizopogon ellenae and Abies magnifica, respectively. We found disproportionately high concentrations of Abies roots adjacent to Sarcodes roots compared to the surrounding soil. Rhizopogon ellenae colonizes the vast majority of those Abies roots (86-98%), and its abundance tends to decrease with increasing distance from Sarcodes plants. At 500 cm from Sarcodes plants we did not detect R. ellenae, and the ectomycorrhizal community instead was dominated by members of the Russulaceae and Thelephoraceae, which are commonly dominant in other California pinaceous forests. The highly clumped distribution of Abies-R. ellenae ectomycorrhizas indicates that Sarcodes plants either establish within pre-existing clumps, or they stimulate clump formation. Several lines of evidence favor the latter interpretation, suggesting an unexpected mutualistic aspect to the symbiosis. However, the mechanism involved remains unknown.     

The decline of Greek fir (Abies cephalonica Loudon): Relationships with root condition

Abstract

The decline of Greek fir (Abies cephalonica Loudon) has been reported throughout Greece during the last three decades. The symptoms include crown dieback, needle discoloration and loss, death of twigs, branches or whole tree death. A number of causes for the fir decline have been proposed such as drought, climatic change, air pollution and pathogens or insects. Our studies have focused on the relationship between fir decline symptoms and root growth and condition. The crown and root condition of fir trees, at different stages of decline, were assessed and the results showed that root condition was related to needle loss and crown discoloration. Declining trees were characterized by a decreased portion of fine root biomass. No significant differences in total root length and number of roots for each root order were found. In conclusion, our studies showed that the crown condition of Greek firs is reflected on root condition.     

灰楸形态多样性分析及核心种质初步构建

根据对267个灰楸的15个相关性状的方差和主成分等统计分析结果,评价灰楸种质资源的形态多样性。并且将种质资源按地理流域进行分组,以欧氏距离结合离差平方和的方法进行系统聚类,以生产或育种过程中起过重要作用的品种为必选材料,初步构建了63份核心种质,占总种质的23.6%。63份核心种质和总种质遗传多样性t检验未达到显著水平,表明初步构建的灰楸核心种质能代表总体资源的遗传多样性。     

江西南风面濒危植物资源冷杉生存状况及所在群落特征

资源冷杉是国家一级保护植物、中国特有种,呈极度濒危状态。采用样地调查法对江西南风面无人为干扰的原始森林资源冷杉所在群落特征进行研究,结果表明:调查群落共有维管植物68种,隶属34科47属; 含属种较多的科有杜鹃花科(2属8种)、山茶科(4属6种)、冬青科(1属6种)、樟科(2属5种)、壳斗科(3属4种),占总种数的42.0%; 热带性质的属共占非世界属总数的46.5%,温带性质的属共占48.8%,中国特有分布的属占4.7%; 古老的残遗属和亚热带山地的表征属占有极大的优势。群落乔木层可分为4层,第一亚层和第二亚层的优势种有资源冷杉、南方铁杉、南方红豆杉和多脉青冈等。调查的资源冷杉种群目前处于相对稳定的状态,所在群落是该地区的顶极群落。     

Strong topographic sheltering effects lead to spatially complex treeline advance and increased forest density in a subtropical mountain region

Altitudinal treelines are typically temperature limited such that increasing temperatures linked to global climate change are causing upslope shifts of treelines worldwide. While such elevational increases are readily predicted based on shifting isotherms, at the regional level the realized response is often much more complex, with topography and local environmental conditions playing an important modifying role. Here, we used repeated aerial photographs in combination with forest inventory data to investigate changes in treeline position in the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan over the last 60 years. A highly spatially variable upslope advance of treeline was identified in which topography is a major driver of both treeline form and advance. The changes in treeline position that we observed occurred alongside substantial increases in forest density, and lead to a large increase in overall forest area. These changes will have a significant impact on carbon stocking in the high altitude zone, while the concomitant decrease in alpine grassland area is likely to have negative implications for alpine species. The complex and spatially variable changes that we report highlight the necessity for considering local factors such as topography when attempting to predict species distributional responses to warming climate.     

新型树种猫儿屎的繁殖

猫儿屎(Decaisnea fargesii Franch.)是木通科猫儿屎属的一种野生植物资源,用途广泛,值得开发利用。采用扦插繁殖和种子播种繁殖,提高苗木产量和苗木种植成活率。