Delayed inducible resistance against a leaf-chewing insect in four deciduous tree species

Summary Both mechanical damage to mountain birch foliage and rearing of moth larvae on the trees reduced the growth of Epirrita autumnata larvae reared on these trees in the following year. The effects of physical damage and some other cues from insects were additive. On bird cherry the performance of Epirrita larvae was equal on untreated trees and on trees artificially defoliated in the previous year, but larval growth was reduced on previously insect-damaged branches. With mountain ash just physical damage per se reduced the performance of Epirrita larvae. On Salix phylicifolia there were no significant differences in the growth or survival of Epirrita on untreated control bushes and on bushes with partial larval damage during the previous year. Among untreated control trees the growth and survivorship of Epirrita were higher on fast-growing willow and bird cherry than on the slow-growing mountain birch. Mountain birch and mountain ash, the two deciduous tree species adapted to nutrient-poor soils, showed delayed inducible resistance triggered by defoliation (artificial or insect-made). This supports the hypothesis that delayed inducible resistance may be a passive response due to nutrient-stress caused by defoliation. On the other hand, the additional increase in the resistance of mountain birch triggered by specific cues from insects suggests that this response may be an evolved defense against leaf-eating insects.     

Aphid–willow interactions in a high Arctic ecosystem: responses to raised temperature and goose disturbance

Recently, there have been several studies using open top chambers (OTCs) or cloches to examine the response of Arctic plant communities to artificially elevated temperatures. Few, however, have investigated multitrophic systems, or the effects of both temperature and vertebrate grazing treatments on invertebrates. This study investigated trophic interactions between an herbivorous insect (Sitobion calvulum, Aphididae), a woody perennial host plant (Salix polaris) and a selective vertebrate grazer (barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis). In a factorial experiment, the responses of the insect and its host to elevated temperatures using open top chambers (OTCs) and to three levels of goose grazing pressure were assessed over two summer growing seasons (2004 and 2005). OTCs significantly enhanced the leaf phenology of Salix in both years and there was a significant OTC by goose presence interaction in 2004. Salix leaf number was unaffected by treatments in both years, but OTCs increased leaf size and mass in 2005. Salix reproduction and the phenology of flowers were unaffected by both treatments. Aphid densities were increased by OTCs but unaffected by goose presence in both years. While goose presence had little effect on aphid density or host plant phenology in this system, the OTC effects provide interesting insights into the possibility of phenological synchrony disruption. The advanced phenology of Salix effectively lengthens the growing season for the plant, but despite a close association with leaf maturity, the population dynamics of the aphid appeared to lack a similar phenological response, except for the increased population observed.     

Low host specificity of root‐associated fungi at an Arctic site

In High Arctic ecosystems, plant growth and reproduction are limited by low soil moisture and nutrient availability, low soil and air temperatures, and a short growing season. Mycorrhizal associations facilitate plant nutrient acquisition and water uptake and may therefore be particularly ecologically important in nutrition‐poor and dry environments, such as parts of the Arctic. Similarly, endophytic root associates are thought to play a protective role, increasing plants' stress tolerance, and likely have an important ecosystem function. Despite the importance of these root‐associated fungi, little is known about their host specificity in the Arctic. We investigated the host specificity of root‐associated fungi in the common, widely distributed arctic plant species Bistorta vivipara, Salix polaris and Dryas octopetala in the High Arctic archipelago Svalbard. High‐throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) amplified from whole root systems generated no evidence of host specificity and no spatial autocorrelation within two 3 m × 3 m sample plots. The lack of spatial structure at small spatial scales indicates that Common Mycelial Networks (CMNs) are rare in marginal arctic environments. Moreover, no significant differences in fungal OTU richness were observed across the three plant species, although their root system characteristics (size, biomass) differed considerably. Reasons for lack of host specificity could be that association with generalist fungi may allow arctic plants to more rapidly and easily colonize newly available habitats, and it may be favourable to establish symbiotic relationships with fungi possessing different physiological attributes.     

Volatile Composition Screening of Salix spp. Nectar Honey: Benzenecarboxylic Acids,Norisoprenoids, Terpenes,and Others

Salix spp. nectar honey volatiles of Croatian origin were analyzed by headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE), followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC, GC/MS). Isolated volatiles were found in the honey headspace and extracts with almost exclusive distribution of several abundant compounds (e.g., phenylacetic acid, pinocembrin, 8‐hydroxy‐4,7‐dimethylcoumarin, and 3‐hydroxy‐trans‐β‐damascone in the extracts, or safranal and lilac alcohols in the headspace). Comparison with Croatian Salix spp. honeydew honey revealed similarities regarding distribution of important shikimate pathway derivatives (e.g., high percentage of phenylacetic acid) and several norisoprenoids (α‐isophorone and 4‐oxoisophorone). On the other hand, distinct features of this honey were occurrence of compounds such as pinocembrin, 8‐hydroxy‐4,7‐dimethylcoumarin, phenylacetonitrile, norisoprenoids (major ones: 3‐hydroxy‐trans‐β‐damascenone and trans‐β‐damascone), more pronounced variability of linalool‐derived compounds, as well as the abundance of 3‐methylpropanoic acid, 3‐methylbutanoic acid, 2‐methylpentanoic acid, and 3‐methylpentan‐1‐ol.     

甘肃柳属一新种

灌木,高约1.5m;当年生小枝被淡黄灰色丝状长柔毛,去年生枝多少被毛;芽光滑无毛。叶圆形、宽椭圆形或倒卵圆形,长1.5-2.5(-3) cm,宽1.2-2cm,先端圆形,基部圆形或近圆形,全缘,腹面暗绿色,无毛,背面淡绿色,密被丝状长柔毛,侧脉5-7对,网脉在背面明显;叶柄长0.2-0.4cm,被丝状长柔毛。花枝长1-1.2cm,被丝状长柔毛,具2-3枚正常叶     

Buchbesprechungen

Morris, C. J. O. R.; Morris, P.: Separation methods in biochemistry. London, Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd., 1964, 887 S., 155 Abb., Leinen, £ 5, 15 s. Reviewed by H. Wolffgang.

Neuman, M.: Vade-mecum des antibiotiques et agents chimiothérapiques anti-infectieun. Paris, Librairie Maloine G. Doin et Cie Editeurs, 1962, 410 S., 8 Abb.; 15 Tab., Karton. 40,00 NF. Reviewed by Thren.

Umbreit, W. W.: Modern microbiology. San Francisco und London, W. H. Freeman and Company, 1962, 507 S., 307 Abb., Leinen, 48 s. Reviewed by H. J. Müller.

Gold, V.: pH-Measurements. Their theory and practice. London, Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1963, 125 S., 11 Abb., Leinen, 10 s 6 d. Reviewed by H. Wolffgang.

Horsfall, J. G. (Ed.): Annual review of phytopathology. Vol. 1, Palo Alto, Annual Reviews, Inc., 1963, 469 S., 6 Abb., Leinen, 9,00 $. Reviewed by M. Schmiedeknecht.

Rubin, B. A.; Artsikhovskaya, Ye. V.: Biochemistry and physiology of plant immunity. Oxford, Pergamon Press, 1963, IX und 358 S., 68 Abb., Leinen, £ 5. Reviewed by H. Wolffgang.

Nord, F. F. (Ed.): Advances in Enzymology. Vol. 24, New York und London, Interscience Publishers a division of John Wiley & Sons, 1962, 572 S., 23 Abb., Leinen, 120 s. Reviewed by H. Wolffgang.

Nord, F. F. (Ed.): Advances in Enzymology. Vol. 25, New York und London, Interscience Publishers a division of John Wiley & Sons, 1963, 565 S., 56 Abb., Leinen, 115 s. Reviewed by H. Wolffgang.

Forbes, J.: A laboratory manual for histology. 2. Aufl., New York, Fordham University Press, 1961, 132 S., 3 Abb., brosch., 3,00 $. Reviewed by J. H. Scharf.

Guaoliumi, P.: Las Plagas de la Caña de Azucar en Venezuela. Bd. 1 und 2, Maracay/Yenezuela, Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria Centro de Investigaciones Agronoinicas, 1962, 850 S., 212 Abb., 14 ganzs. Farbtafeln, brosch., 8,00 $. Reviewed by G. Fröhlich.

Clifton, C. E. (Ed.): Annual review of microbiology. Vol. 17, Palo Alto, Annual Reviews, Inc., 1963, 628 S., 19 Abb., Leinen, 9,00 $. Reviewed by K. Naumann.

Ramschandran, G. N. (Ed.): Aspects of protein structure. Proceedings of a symposium held in Madras 14–18 January 1963 and organized by the University of Madras. London und New York, Academic Press, 1963, 380 S., 130 Abb., Leinen, 84 s. Reviewed by P. Hermann.     

Changes in Florets’ Vertical Direction within Inflorescence Affects Pollinator Behavior,and Fitness in <i>Trifolium repens</i>

Ecological interactions between flowers and pollinators greatly affect the reproductive success. To facilitate these interactions, many flowers are known to display their attractive qualities, such as scent emission, flower rewards and floral vertical direction, in a rhythmic fashion. However, less is known about how plants regulate the relationship between these flower traits to adapt to pollinator visiting behavior and increase reproduction success. Here we investigated the adaptive significance of the flower bending from erect to downward in Trifolium repens. We observed the flowering dynamic characteristics (changes of vertical direction of florets, flowering number, pollen grain numbers, pollen viability and stigma receptivity over time after blossom) and the factors affecting the rate of flower bending in T. repens. Then we altered the vertical direction of florets in inflorescence of different types (upright and downward), and compared the pollinator behaviors and female reproductive success. Our results showed that florets opened sequentially in inflorescence, and then bend downwards slowly after flowering. The bending speed of florets was mainly influenced by pollination, and bending angle increased with the prolongation of flowering time, while the pollen germination rate, stigma receptivity and nectar secretion has a rhythm of “low-high-low” during the whole period with the time going. The visiting frequency of all the four species of pollinators on upward flowers was significantly higher than that of downward flowers, and they especially prefer to visit flowers with a bending angle of 30°–60°, when the flowers was exactly of the highest flower rewards (nectar secretion and number of pollen grains), stigma receptivity and pollen germination rate. The seed set ratio and fruit set ratio of upward flowers were significantly higher than downward flowers, but significantly lower than unmanipulated flowers. Our results indicated that the T. repens could increase female and male fitness by accurate pollination. The most suitable flower angle saves pollinators’ visiting energy and enables them to obtain the highest nectar rewards. This coordination between plants and pollinators maximizes the interests of them, which is a crucial factor in initiating specialized plant-pollinator relationships.     

Responses of riparian trees to interannual variation in ground water depth in a semi-arid river basin

We investigated the physiological and growth responses of native (Populus fremontii S. Wats. and Salix gooddingii Ball) and exotic (Tamarix chinensis Lour.) riparian trees to ground water availability at the free‐flowing Hassayampa River, Arizona, during dry (1997) and wet (1998) years. In the drier year, all species experienced considerable water stress, as evidenced by low shoot water potentials, low leaf gas exchange rates and large amounts of canopy dieback. These parameters were significantly related to depth of ground water (DGW) in the native species, but not in T. chinensis, in 1997. Canopy dieback was greater in the native species than in T. chinensis when ground water was deep in 1997, and dieback increased rapidly at DGW > 2·5–3·0 m for the native species. Analysis of combined data from wet and dry years for T. chinensis tentatively suggests a similar physiological sensitivity to water availability and a similar DGW threshold for canopy dieback. In 1998, shoot water potential and leaf gas exchange rates were higher and canopy dieback was lower for all species because of increased water availability. However, T. chinensis showed a much larger increase in leaf gas exchange rates in the wet year than the native species. High leaf gas exchange rates, growth when water is abundant, drought tolerance and the maintenance of a viable canopy under dry conditions are characteristics that help explain the ability of T. chinensis to thrive in riparian ecosystems in the south‐western United States.