scholarly journals Effects of Different Soils on the Biomass and Photosynthesis of Rumex nepalensis in Subalpine Region of Southwestern China

Forests ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Heliang He ◽  
Lan Yu ◽  
Xiaocheng Yang ◽  
Lin Luo ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Soil Microbes ◽  
Extracellular Enzymes ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Southwestern China ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Soluble Nitrogen ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Picea Asperata

The performance of Rumex nepalensis, an important medicinal herb, varies significantly among subalpine grasslands, shrublands and forest ecosystems in southwestern China. Plant–soil feedback is receiving increasing interest as an important driver influencing plant growth and population dynamics. However, the feedback effects of soils from different ecosystems on R. nepalensis remain poorly understood. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to identify the effects of different soil sources on the photosynthesis and biomass of R. nepalensis. R. nepalensis was grown in soils collected from the rooting zones of R. nepalensis (a grassland soil, RS treatment), Hippophae rhamnoides (a shrub soil, HS treatment), and Picea asperata (a forest soil, PS treatment). The chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rates, and biomasses of R. nepalensis differed significantly among the three soils and followed the order of RS > HS > PS. After soil sterilization, these plant parameters followed the order of RS > PS > HS. The total biomass was 16.5 times higher in sterilized PS than in unsterilized PS, indicating that the existence of soil microbes in P. asperata forest ecosystems could strongly inhibit R. nepalensis growth. The root to shoot biomass ratio of R. nepalensis was the highest in the sterilized PS but the lowest in the unsterilized PS, which showed that soil microbes in PS could change the biomass allocation. Constrained redundancy analysis and path analysis suggested that soil microbes could impact the growth of R. nepalensis via the activities of soil extracellular enzymes (e.g., β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG)) in live soils. The soil total soluble nitrogen concentration might be the main soil factor regulating R. nepalensis performance in sterilized soils. Our findings underline the importance of the soil microbes and nitrogen to R. nepalensis performance in natural ecosystems and will help to better predict plant population dynamics.

scholarly journals Direct Biotic Plant–soil Feedback Promotes Dodonaea Viscosa Growth in a Dry-hot Valley, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemei Wang ◽  
Bangguo Yan ◽  
Liangtao Shi ◽  
Gangcai Liu
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Conditioning Phase ◽  
Dodonaea Viscosa ◽  
Soil Sterilization ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Soil Feedback ◽  
Feedback Phase

Abstract Biotic plant-soil feedback has been widely studied, and may be particularly important in resource-poor areas. However, the roles of soil nutrient cycling in affecting plant growth in this process still remained unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of soil biota in regulating nutrient cycling by conducting a two-phase feedback experiment in a dry-hot valley, with a conditioning phase during which there were Dodonaea viscosa or no D. viscosa growing in the soil, and a feedback phase in which the effect of the conditioned soil biota on D. viscosa performance was measured. The growth of D. viscosa significantly reduced soil N after the conditioning phase. However, D. viscosa showed a positive plant-soil feedback. In the feedback phase, the D. viscosa conditioned soil promoted the stem diameter, leaf area, and leaf dry mass content of D. viscosa. Total biomass was also significantly higher in D. viscosa conditioned soil than that in not conditioned soil. In contrast, soil sterilization had a negative effect on the growth of D. viscosa, with a significant reduction in plant biomass, especially in D. viscosa conditioned soil, and soil sterilization significantly increased the root: shoot biomass ratio and litter mass. Furthermore, we showed that although the biota-driven changes in enzyme activities correlated with the leaf N and P amount especially P amount, the enzyme activity was not the main reason to promote D. viscosa growth in the conditioned soil.

scholarly journals Early root development of Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell. seedlings from seed and stem cutting at nursery stage

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Affendy Hassan ◽  
Parveena Balachandran ◽  
Khairiyyah Razanah Khamis
Keyword(s):  
Root Development ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Stem Cutting ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Forest Plantation ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Eucalyptus Pellita ◽  
Root Intensity

Abstract BackgroundEucalyptus is among the important fast-growing species, and is typically managed on short rotation to sustain the production of timber, pulpwood, charcoal, and fire-wood. Macro-propagation using cutting for larger multiplying seedlings is cheaper and efficient instead of clonal seeds for uniform plant material seedling production. However, information on root growth of Eucalyptus pellita at early development from seed and stem cutting of E. pellita seedlings is still lacking. This is probably due to the difficulty in investigation belowground, and also due to methodological problems. With such information, it is useful for forest plantation company management in enhancing the understanding on strategies to optimize yield production with the appropriate agronomic or silvicultural approach in the field planting. Therefore, the objectives of this study were; to compare the root development of two different propagation seedlings of E. pellita; and to study the effect of various nitrogen concentration levels on two types of propagation of E. pellita seedlings. ResultsThe study was conducted using E. pellita seedlings from two types of propagation, namely, seed and stem cuttings, along with three different nitrogen concentrations (0, 50, and 200 kg N ha-1). Shoot biomass, root intensity (RI), total root intensity (TRI), root biomass, root length density (RLD), and specific root length (SRL) were recorded. Dried shoot biomass, RLD and SRL of E. pellita seedlings using stem cutting were significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to seed. Whereas, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) for root biomass, TRI and RI between the propagation types of E. pellita seedlings. Conclusions:E. pellita seedlings from stem cutting was greater in terms of root distribution compared to propagation by seeds at the nursery stage, and 50 kg N ha-1 was the optimal nitrogen concentration level from the considered levels to be applied to the E. pellita seedlings. The present study therefore provides more information and understanding on E. pellita for forest plantation companies in producing plant materials using stem cutting in a cost-effective and efficient manner. This would help the forest plantation companies in planning appropriate agronomic management in the future.

scholarly journals Lightning Damage Facilitates Beetle Colonization of Tropical Trees

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brady P Parlato ◽  
Evan M Gora ◽  
Stephen P Yanoviak
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Tropical Trees ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Forest Trees ◽  
Beetle Population ◽  
Tree Diameter ◽  
Crown Dieback ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Lightning is a common agent of disturbance in many forest ecosystems. Lightning-damaged trees are a potentially important resource for beetles, but most evidence for this association is limited to temperate pine forests. Here, we evaluated the relationship between lightning damage and beetle colonization of tropical trees. We recorded the number of beetle holes on the trunks of trees from 10 strike sites (n = 173 lightning-damaged trees) and 10 matching control sites (n = 137 control trees) in Panama. The trunks of lightning-struck trees had 370% more beetle holes than control trees. The abundance of beetle holes increased with increasing total crown dieback among both control and lightning-damaged trees, and with larger tree diameter among lightning-struck trees. Beetle holes also were more abundant in trunk sections of lightning-damaged trees located directly below a damaged section of the crown. The results of this study suggest that lightning damage facilitates beetle colonization in tropical forest trees and provide a basis for investigations of the effects of lightning-caused disturbance on beetle population dynamics and assemblage structure.

scholarly journals Effects of High Potassium and Low Temperature on the Growth and Magnesium Nutrition of Different Tomato Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 710-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huixia Li ◽  
Zhujun Chen ◽  
Ting Zhou ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Sajjad Raza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
High Potassium ◽  
Hydroponic Experiment ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
High K ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tomato Cultivars ◽  
K Concentration

The interaction between potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in plants has been intensively studied. However, the responses of different tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars to high K levels at low temperatures remained unclear. Herein, a complete randomized hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature (25 °C day/18 °C night vs. 15 °C day/8 °C night) and K concentrations (156 mg·L−1 vs. 468 mg·L−1) on the growth and Mg nutrition of tomato cultivars Gailiangmaofen (MF) and Jinpeng No. 1 (JP). Compared with the control temperature (25 °C day/18 °C night), the low temperature decreased total biomass, shoot biomass, and Mg uptake in shoot by 17.3%, 24.1%, and 11.8%, respectively; however, the root/shoot ratio was increased. High K had no significant effect on plant growth or biomass compared with the control K concentration (156 mg·L−1); however, Mg concentrations and uptake in shoot were significantly lower under high-K treatment. Significant difference was observed for K uptake, but not for Mg uptake, between the two cultivars. There was no significant interaction between temperature and high K on Mg uptake of tomato, so a combined stress of low temperature and high K further inhibited Mg uptake and transport. Low temperature and high K increased the risk of Mg deficiency in tomato.

scholarly journals Determinants of Shoot Biomass Production in Mulberry: Combined Selection with Leaf Morphological and Physiological Traits

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Cao ◽  
Qiudi Shen ◽  
Chunqiong Shang ◽  
Honglei Yang ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Leaf Expansion ◽  
Physiological Traits ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Shoot Height ◽  
Total Nitrogen Concentration

Physiological and morphological traits have a considerable impact on the biomass production of fast-growing trees. To compare cultivar difference in shoot biomass and investigate its relationships with leaf functional traits in mulberry, agronomic traits and 20 physiological and morphological attributes of 3-year-old mulberry trees from eight cultivars growing in a common garden were analyzed. The cultivars Xiang7920, Yu711, and Yunsang2 had higher shoot fresh biomass (SFB), which was closely associated with their rapid leaf expansion rate, large leaf area, and high stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C). Conversely, the cultivars 7307, Husang32, Wupu, Yunguo1, and Liaolu11 were less productive, and this was primarily the result of slower leaf expansion and smaller leaf size. Growth performance was negatively correlated with leaf δ13C and positively correlated with the total nitrogen concentration, indicating that a compromise exists in mulberry between water use efficiency (WUE) (low δ13C) and high nitrogen consumption for rapid growth. Several morphological traits, including the maximum leaf area (LAmax), leaf width and length, petiole width and length, leaf number per shoot, and final shoot height were correlated with SFB. The physiological traits that were also influential factors of shoot biomass were the leaf δ13C, the total nitrogen concentration, and the water content. Among the studied leaf traits, LAmax, leaf δ13C, and concentrations of chlorophyll a and b were identified as the most representative predictor variables for SFB, accounting for 73% of the variability in SFB. In conclusion, a combination of LAmax, leaf δ13C, and chlorophyll should be considered in selection programs for high-yield mulberry cultivars.

Novel introductions and epidemic dynamics of the sudden oak death pathogen Phytophthora ramorum in Oregon forests

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas C Carleson ◽  
Hazel Daniels ◽  
Paul Reeser ◽  
Alan Kanaskie ◽  
Sarah Navarro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Phytophthora Ramorum ◽  
Sudden Oak Death ◽  
Clonal Lineage ◽  
Epidemic Dynamics ◽  
One Year

Sudden oak death caused by Phytophthora ramorum has been actively managed in Oregon since the early 2000’s. To date, this epidemic has been driven mostly by the NA1 clonal lineage of P. ramorum, but an outbreak of the EU1 lineage has recently emerged. Here we contrast the population dynamics of the NA1 outbreak first reported in 2001 to the outbreak of the EU1 lineage first detected in 2015. We tested if any of the lineages were introduced more than once. Infested regions of the forest were sampled between 2013-2018 (n = 903) and strains were genotyped at 15 microsatellite loci. Most genotypes observed were transient, with 272 of 358 unique genotypes emerging one year and disappearing the next. Diversity of EU1 was very low and isolates were spatially clustered (< 8 km apart), suggesting a single EU1 introduction. Some forest isolates are genetically similar to isolates collected from a local nursery in 2012, suggesting introduction of EU1 from this nursery or simultaneous introduction to both the nursery and latently into the forest. In contrast, the older NA1 populations were more polymorphic and spread over 30 km2. Principal component analysis supported two to four independent NA1 introductions. The NA1 and EU1 epidemics infest the same area but show disparate demographics owing to initial introductions of the lineages spaced 10 years apart. Comparing these epidemics provides novel insights into patterns of emergence of clonal pathogens in forest ecosystems.

scholarly journals Growth and Development of Stevia Cuttings During Propagation with Hormones in Different Months of the Year

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Ma Claudia Castañeda-Saucedo ◽  
Ernesto Tapia-Campos ◽  
Jessica del Pilar Ramírez-Anaya ◽  
Jaqueline Beltrán
Keyword(s):  
Root Development ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growth Hormones ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Leaf Dry Weight

Stevia is an important non-caloric sweetener that has health-beneficial properties. The objective is to evaluate growth, development, and rooting of stevia plants during different seasons of the year using growth hormones. Eight experiments were set up in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico, with three treatments (T): T1, indol-3 butyric acid (IBA) 7.4 mM; T2, alphanaphthylacetamide (ANA) 6.4 mM + IBA 0.3 mM; and T3, control. The variables evaluated were rooted plantlets, plant height, root length, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area, shoot biomass, total biomass, as well as development and growth indexes. Four samplings were conducted in each experiment. The results show that the most appropriate months for propagating stevia cuttings are February, March, April, May, and July, when 96% to 99% of the cuttings rooted. The hormones had the best results related to production of root development. The control was outstanding only in variables related to production of shoot biomass and not to root development. It is concluded that stevia can be propagated vegetatively using cuttings treated with IBA 7.4 mM or ANA 6.4 mM + IBA 0.3 mM, preferable in the period from February to July, with the exception of June.

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