Promoting survival prospects of rare plants

Many hypotheses have been put forward to explain the structure and position of alpine treelines. The spatial complexity of the ecotone, ranging from sharp boundaries to networks of tree patches within a heath matrix, may explain why no consensus has been reached. In this paper, we discuss factors from abiotic disturbances to herbivory that may help understand the spatial structure of the alpine treeline ecotone in Fennoscandia. The ecotone is dominated by mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa), and may show a wide range of spatial structures. We discuss the influence of topography, seed limitations, seedling establishment, growth limitations, abiotic disturbances and herbivory as structuring factors. All of these factors may operate, but their relative importance in space and time is unknown. There is a basic difference between factors that prevent the establishment of trees, and thus act on early life history stages, and factors that thin out a previously dense forest, and thus act on adult trees. Mortality caused directly or indirectly by geometrid moths may belong to the latter category. We suggest that seedling and sapling mortality is more important than seed limitation for the establishment of new individuals in the treeline ecotone. Important mortality factors may be abiotic disturbances, competition (or allelopathy) from field layer plants and herbivory. The relative role of these factors needs to be examined further.     

白桦MYB基因响应激素及盐旱处理的表达研究

转录因子参与到植物激素不同的信号通路中及非生物胁迫的调控中，为研究白桦MYB转录因子家族基因对不同激素信号及非生物胁迫的响应，本研究以野生型白桦（Betula platyphylla）种子为材料，分别用10 μmol·L^-1的茉莉酸甲酯（MeJA）、100 μmol·L^-1的乙烯利（ETH）、20 μmol·L^-1的脱落酸（ABA）、50 μmol·L^-1的细胞激动素（KT）、200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl、100 mmol·L^-1 Mannitol以及水为对照进行处理，对激素处理4周的白桦下胚轴进行表型观察及基因表达分析，结果显示：激素处理能够影响白桦下胚轴及胚根的生长，经过ETH处理的白桦下胚轴和根短于水处理的对照，KT处理过的白桦下胚轴和根长于水处理的对照；MeJA、Ethylene及ABA处理对大部分BpMYBs的表达存在负调控，而BpMYB2，8，12基因上调表达；KT处理后，只有BpMYB11下调表达，其他的BpMYBs基因上调表达；NaCl处理后，大部分基因表现出先下调后上调的表达模式，在48 h被高度诱导；Mannitol模拟干旱处理条件下，大部分基因表现出先微弱上调后下调的表达模式。这些结果说明白桦MYB家族基因能够响应激素、盐和旱的处理，在调控白桦下胚轴及胚根应答外界信号的发育中起作用。本研究为探索激素调控木本植物生长发育的分子机制研究提供了数据和材料。     

Tree population dynamics,stand structure and species composition in the montane virgin forest of Vallibäcken,northern Sweden

The population dynamics of Betula pubescens and Picea abies in a boreal forest near Kvikkjokk, northern Sweden, are governed by a process of storm gap regeneration similar to the gap regeneration described for boreo-nemoral forests. Cumulative age distribution curves, interpreted as static survivorship curves, lead to a simple theory of differential survival based on properties of the species, i.e. shade tolerance and relative growth rate. The theory is sustained by diameter and height distributions and by the spatial distributions of logs and of trees in different life-phases. Species of the field and ground layers respond differentially to gap formation and the ensuing successional stages. Browsing by moose (Alces alces) may prevent tree species, mainly Sorbus aucuparia, Betula pubescens and Pinus sylvestris, from developing into a tree layer. The regeneration ability for tree species growing in a stand at 460 m a.s.l. is limited compared with the regeneration at 330 m a.s.l., and typical storm gap formation involving more than one tree seems to occur rarely if at all, while overthrown trees with exposed rootplates are uncommon. Spruce at 460 m a.s.l. shows also a lower growth rate and a lower height/diameter ratio compared to the lower situated stands.     

The influence of population,fire and time of dissemination on the germination of Betula pendula seeds

The Betula pendula Roth. seeds used in this study were collected from three different natural populations in the province of Lugo (NW Spain). Three samplings were obtained from each population during the dispersal period of the species. The objective of our research was to assess the germination response of the seeds from each population and sampling when exposed to some of the most important effects of fires: high temperatures, ash and their joint effect.Significant differences have been found in the germination percentages of the seeds from the different populations and also from the three samplings. However, the tested effects of fire: heat, ash and their joint effect did not significantly affect the germination percentage of this species.     

Elemental concentrations in plant tissues as influenced by low pH soils

Summary Soils influenced by acid mine drainage (pH<5.0) are characterized by low concentrations of essential nutrients and increased solubility of heavy metals. The conditions typically reduce plant establishment and growth. However, river birch (Betula nigra L.) is commonly found along low pH streams in southeastern Ohio. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of Al, Mn, Ca and Mg inB. nigra tissues.The results indicate Al and Mn are accumulating inB. nigra when compared to other species. Within river birch, Al concentrations are highest in roots; Mn concentrations are highest in leaves. There is not a concomitant reduction in Ca and Mg concentrations as suggested by soil levels.     

白桦Trihelix家族全基因组鉴定及抗病表达模式分析北大核心CSCD

Trihelix家族是植物中特有的一类转录因子家族,在植物生长发育、抗逆反应中具有重要的调控作用。该研究基于白桦基因组数据库,对白桦Trihelix家族基因的表达特性以及抗病功能等进行分析,为Trihelix家族成员在白桦抗病过程中的功能研究奠定基础。结果显示:(1)共筛选到白桦8个Trihelix家族成员(BpTrihelix1~BpTrihelix8),分布在6条染色体上;氨基酸分子量在35 633.96~81 871.27 Da之间,等电点在5.32~8.67之间,均为疏水性氨基酸。(2)组织特异性表达分析表明,8个家族成员在白桦根、茎、叶中均有不同程度的表达,且BpTrihelix3在根、茎、叶中的表达量均最高。(3)病原菌侵染试验结果发现,链格孢霉菌(Alternaria alternata)感染白桦植株叶片48 h和立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani)感染白桦幼苗根部24 h时,BpTrihelix3、BpTrihelix4和BpTrihelix7均显著上调,其余家族基因表达量无明显变化,说明该家族基因成员中的BpTrihelix3、BpTrihelix4和BpTrihelix7响应了病原菌的感染,推测三者在白桦抗病过程中可能发挥重要作用。