Cell wall polysaccharides in black currants and bilberries—characterisation in berries, juice, and press cake

Cell wall polysaccharides from black currants and bilberries were characterised in three approaches. First, compositions of skin, pulp, and seeds show the distribution of polysaccharides over these tissues. A sequential extraction of cell wall material with different aqueous extractants informs about the extractability of the different polysaccharides, viz. pectins, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Finally, by isolation of cell wall polysaccharides from juice and press cakes obtained by the conventional juice manufacturing. The polysaccharide distribution was followed during juice processing. The main difference between bilberries and black currants is the dominant sugar residue in seeds: mannose for black currants and xylose for bilberries. Most of the hemicellulolytic sugars and cellulose can be found back in the press cake. The sugar composition of the press cake is similar to the composition of the residue after sequential extraction. Black currants contain more pectic sugars than bilberries. Consequently, a commercial enzyme used during processing releases more pectic material into the juice.     

Cytotaxonomic observations in tropical Vaccinieae (Ericaceae)

Chromosome numbers are reported for 36 accessions representing 31 species from nine genera of the tribe Vaccinieae, family Ericaceae. The plants are tropical and come from Southeast Asia and Central and South America. The taxonomy of the tribe is outlined in these regions. Genera are often poorly defined and taxa were chosen to reflect the range of variation of the Vaccinieae. Most Southeast Asian Vaccinium species were diploid (2 n = 24) as were those of Agapetes subgenus Agapetes (apart from the Himalayan A. flava ), Agapetes scortechinii and Costera endertii. All other accessions were found to be polyploid. The correlation between polyploidy, geographical distribution and the possession of an 'anatomical complex' of the leaf and stem in Vaccinieae of New Guinea and the neotropics is discussed.     

Ambient ultraviolet radiation in the Arctic reduces root biomass and alters microbial community composition but has no effects on microbial biomass

We assessed the effects of ambient solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation on below‐ground parameters in an arctic heath in north‐eastern Greenland. We hypothesized that the current UV fluxes would reduce root biomass and mycorrhizal colonization and that these changes would lead to lower soil microbial biomass and altered microbial community composition. These hypotheses were tested on cored soil samples from a UV reduction experiment with three filter treatments (Mylar, 60% UV‐B reduction; Lexan, up to 90% UV‐B reduction+UV‐A reduction; UV transparent Teflon, filter control) and an open control treatment in two study sites after 3 years' manipulation. Reduction of both UV‐A and UV‐B radiation caused over 30% increase in the root biomass of Vaccinium uliginosum, which was the dominant plant species. UV reduction had contrasting effects on ericoid mycorrhizal colonization of V. uliginosum roots in the two sites, while it had no clear effects on fungal (ergosterol) or microbial biomass (measured both with fumigation–extraction and quantitative lipid biomarker analysis) in soil. However, principal component analysis of lipid biomarkers (phospholipid and glycolipid fatty acid profiles) showed that microbial community composition was altered by UV reduction. Although the UV responses were slight considering the large dose difference between the treatments (from near‐ambient to up to 90% UV‐B reduction), we cannot rule out the possibility that the recovery of ozone layer would change the below‐ground functioning of arctic ecosystems.     

Rhizosphere and root surface fungi of some heath plants and the role of Dark Sterile forms

Many different species of fungi have been isolated from the root region of heath plants. In the absence of rapidly growing species,Dark Sterile forms predominated in culture plates. It is suggested that these have an important ecological role in the soil-root interface. AsDS forms do not appear in culture plates easily any floristic list of fungi from the root surface not mentioningDS forms must be accepted with caution. Attention is drawn to the fact that these are truly root-inhabiting fungi possessing some parasitic or mycorrhizal propensities.     

Effects of Jack Pine Plantation Management on Barrens Flora and Potential Kirtland's Warbler Nest Habitat

Jack pine barrens, once common in northern lower Michigan, mostly have been converted to managed jack pine plantations. Management of the disturbances associated with logging provides the opportunity to maintain the unique plant assemblages of jack pine barrens and nest habitat of the federally endangered Kirtland's warbler. Studies indicate that Carex pensylvanica can develop into dense mats and strongly compete with other barrens species such as Vaccinium angustifolium, which seem to be important species for Kirtland's warbler nest locations. According to forest managers, the most important factors facilitating high cover of V. angustifolium and reducing cover of C. pensylvanica are the amount of shade produced by tree crowns before harvest (pre‐harvest shade), the length of time between harvest and planting (planting delay), and fire. We found that high or low levels of pre‐harvest shade had no effect on cover of either V. angustifolium or C. pensylvanica. Planting delays of at least three years following prescribed burns generally increased cover of V. angustifolium in forest plots, which are important for warbler nesting. Analysis of community composition in openings indicated that burning enhanced the growth of barrens species. We found only weak evidence for a negative correlation between the cover of V. angustifolium and C. pensylvanica on our study sites. The openings created in the jack pine plantation are important refugia for barrens flora that would likely be lost under forests managed strictly for jack pine. Maintenance of jack pine barrens flora and Kirtland's warbler nest habitat is possible within the context of a heavily managed forest plantation system.