Genotypic variation in growth and resistance to insect herbivory in silver birch ( Betula pendula ) seedlings

Forest health problems arising from climate change, pests and pathogens are a threat to the main timber tree species. As a result, silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) has become a precious asset for meeting oncoming forestry challenges in western Europe. However, silviculture guidelines to produce high-value birch logs in this region are lacking. Producing large-sized birch trunks requires crown release, i.e., removing crown competitors around selected target trees. These interventions are currently seldom carried out or else too late when the growth potential of the trees has already diminished. This study set out to ascertain the diameter at breast height (dbh) that could be reached by crown-released birch, determine dbh-associated crown diameters, and further characterize the gain obtained from early crown release on birch dbh growth. We measured 704 birch trees that had undergone crown release in 38 naturally regenerated pure birch stands in southern Belgium and in northeastern France. We then evaluated the variation in stem and crown diameter, and analyzed increments in response to the earliness of the interventions in three subsamples, also compared with control target birch. We found that trees with a dbh of 50 cm could be grown within 60 years. Based on crown diameter, to produce 40, 50 and 60 cm dbh trunk, the distance required between target birch trees at the end of the rotation was around 8, 10 and 12 m. With no intervention and in ordinary dense birch regenerations, the dbh increment was found to decline once the stand reached age 4–7 years. Starting crown release in stands aged 4–5 years can double the dbh increment of target trees and provide a continual gain that may last up to 20 years. When birch crowns are released after 9–12 years, it may already be too late for them to recover their best growth rate. Our contribution should help complete emerging guidelines in support of birch silviculture development.

Download Full-text

Density and Composition of an Insect Population in a Field Trial of Chitinase Transgenic and Wild-type Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Clones

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1603/0046-225x-37.6.1582 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 1582-1591 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Liisa Vihervuori ◽

Hanna-Leena Pasonen ◽

Päivi Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa

Keyword(s):

Field Trial ◽

Betula Pendula ◽

Insect Population ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Wild Type

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Antioxidative Mechanisms In Vitro and Triterpenes Composition of Extracts from Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth) and Black Birch (Betula obscura Kotula) Barks by FT-IR and HPLC-PDA

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26154633 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (15) ◽

pp. 4633

Author(s):

Aleksandra Ostapiuk ◽

Łukasz Kurach ◽

Maciej Strzemski ◽

Jacek Kurzepa ◽

Anna Hordyjewska

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Betula Pendula ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Biologically Active Substances ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Outer Bark ◽

Betula Pendula Roth ◽

Production Of Hydrogen ◽

Active Substances

Silver birch, Betula pendula Roth, is one of the most common trees in Europe. Due to its content of many biologically active substances, it has long been used in medicine and cosmetics, unlike the rare black birch, Betula obscura Kotula. The aim of the study was therefore to compare the antioxidant properties of extracts from the inner and outer bark layers of both birch trees towards the L929 line treated with acetaldehyde. Based on the lactate dehydrogenase test and the MTT test, 10 and 25% concentrations of extracts were selected for the antioxidant evaluation. All extracts at tested concentrations reduced the production of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion radical, and 25% extract decreased malonic aldehyde formation in acetaldehyde-treated cells. The chemical composition of bark extracts was accessed by IR and HPLC-PDA methods and surprisingly, revealed a high content of betulin and lupeol in the inner bark extract of B. obscura. Furthermore, IR analysis revealed differences in the chemical composition of the outer bark between black and silver birch extracts, indicating that black birch may be a valuable source of numerous biologically active substances. Further experiments are required to evaluate their potential against neuroinflammation, cancer, viral infections, as well as their usefulness in cosmetology.

Download Full-text

Genome- Wide Identification, Structure Characterization and Expression Pattern Profiling of the Aquaporin Gene Family in Betula pendula

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22147269 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (14) ◽

pp. 7269

Author(s):

Jean-Stéphane Venisse ◽

Eele Õunapuu-Pikas ◽

Maxime Dupont ◽

Aurélie Gousset-Dupont ◽

Mouadh Saadaoui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cold Stress ◽

Gene Family ◽

Betula Pendula ◽

Large Family ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Structure Characterization ◽

Transcriptional Expression ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

Aquaporin water channels (AQPs) constitute a large family of transmembrane proteins present throughout all kingdoms of life. They play key roles in the flux of water and many solutes across the membranes. The AQP diversity, protein features, and biological functions of silver birch are still unknown. A genome analysis of Betula pendula identified 33 putative genes encoding full-length AQP sequences (BpeAQPs). They are grouped into five subfamilies, representing ten plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), eight tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), eight NOD26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs), four X intrinsic proteins (XIPs), and three small basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs). The BpeAQP gene structure is conserved within each subfamily, with exon numbers ranging from one to five. The predictions of the aromatic/arginine selectivity filter (ar/R), Froger’s positions, specificity-determining positions, and 2D and 3D biochemical properties indicate noticeable transport specificities to various non-aqueous substrates between members and/or subfamilies. Nevertheless, overall, the BpePIPs display mostly hydrophilic ar/R selective filter and lining-pore residues, whereas the BpeTIP, BpeNIP, BpeSIP, and BpeXIP subfamilies mostly contain hydrophobic permeation signatures. Transcriptional expression analyses indicate that 23 BpeAQP genes are transcribed, including five organ-related expressions. Surprisingly, no significant transcriptional expression is monitored in leaves in response to cold stress (6 °C), although interesting trends can be distinguished and will be discussed, notably in relation to the plasticity of this pioneer species, B. pendula. The current study presents the first detailed genome-wide analysis of the AQP gene family in a Betulaceae species, and our results lay a foundation for a better understanding of the specific functions of the BpeAQP genes in the responses of the silver birch trees to cold stress.

Download Full-text