Investigating within-canopy variation of functional traits and cellular structure of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) leaves

Studies have reported divergent results on the effect of soil fertility and canopy opening on understory density and growth of sugar maple (AS; Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (FG; Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gradient of canopy opening and soil fertility on the density and growth of AS and FG saplings in southwestern Quebec, Canada. We investigated 56 stands containing both AS and FG that were subjected to different disturbance history types (DHTs) (UF, unmanaged forest; PC, partial cut; and CC, clearcut) on various soil types. AS and FG absolute and relative sapling density varied greatly among the 56 stands; however, no significant effects of DHT, soil nutrient availability, or their interaction were found. Both species responded positively in terms of radial growth to canopy openings, with FG growth being slightly better than AS growth in PC stands compared with other canopy treatments. Contrary to our hypothesis, AS did not show significantly higher growth than FG following clear-cutting. These results do not support the idea that AS abundance and growth could be promoted by increasing the intensity of the canopy opening during harvest, at least on the generally acidic and base-poor soils that were investigated.

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The Impacts of the Appalachian Mountains on the Post-Glacial Migration Pathways and Gene Flow of Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum)

Physical Geography ◽

10.2747/0272-3646.30.2.89 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 89-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Matthew D. Miller ◽

Kathleen C. Parker

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Acer Saccharum ◽

Sugar Maple ◽

Appalachian Mountains ◽

Migration Pathways

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Three sympatrically occurring species of Metarhizium show plant rhizosphere specificity

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.051102-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 157 (10) ◽

pp. 2904-2911 ◽

Cited By ~ 88

Author(s):

Michael Wyrebek ◽

Cristina Huber ◽

Ramanpreet Kaur Sasan ◽

Michael J. Bidochka

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Acer Saccharum ◽

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Sugar Maple ◽

Root Exudate ◽

Pathogenic Fungus ◽

Plant Roots ◽

Metarhizium Robertsii ◽

Grass Roots

Here we tested the hypothesis that species of the soil-inhabiting insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium are not randomly distributed in soils but show plant-rhizosphere-specific associations. We isolated Metarhizium from plant roots at two sites in Ontario, Canada, sequenced the 5′ EF-1α gene to discern Metarhizium species, and developed an RFLP test for rapid species identification. Results indicated a non-random association of three Metarhizium species (Metarhizium robertsii, Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium guizhouense) with the rhizosphere of certain types of plant species (identified to species and categorized as grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees). M. robertsii was the only species that was found associated with grass roots, suggesting a possible exclusion of M. brunneum and M. guizhouense. Supporting this, in vitro experiments showed that M. robertsii conidia germinated significantly better in Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) root exudate than did M. brunneum or M. guizhouense. M. guizhouense and M. brunneum only associated with wildflower rhizosphere when co-occurring with M. robertsii. With the exception of these co-occurrences, M. guizhouense was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of tree species, predominantly Acer saccharum (sugar maple), while M. brunneum was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of shrubs and trees. These associations demonstrate that different species of Metarhizium associate with specific plant types.

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Inherent variation of functional traits in winter and summer leaves of Mediterranean seasonal dimorphic species: evidence of a ‘within leaf cohort’ spectrum

AoB Plants ◽

10.1093/aobpla/ply027 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Giacomo Puglielli ◽

Laura Varone

Keyword(s):

Functional Traits ◽

Variation Of Functional ◽

Dimorphic Species

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Response of Acer saccharum seedlings to elevated O3 and CO2 concentrations

Phytoprotection ◽

10.7202/011709ar ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 86 (1) ◽

pp. 7-17

Author(s):

Catherine Gaucher ◽

Pierre Dizengremel ◽

Yves Mauffette ◽

Normand Chevrier

Keyword(s):

Stomatal Conductance ◽

Acer Saccharum ◽

Sugar Maple ◽

Growing Season ◽

Growth Conditions ◽

High Light ◽

Assimilation Rate ◽

Competitive Growth ◽

Elevated O3 ◽

Fertilizing Effect

The effects of three times ambient [O3] (3x) and high [CO2] (650 µL L-1 CO2) alone and in combination were studied on 2-yr-old sugar maple (Acer saccharum) seedlings for 86 days in open top chambers. Sugar maple net CO2 assimilation rate and growth were not decreased by the O3 treatment after one growing season, and the epicuticular wax was not damaged compared with the control. The absence of response to the O3 treatment is attributable to the low stomatal conductance of this species resulting in a low O3 uptake, together with the succession of periods of high and low [O3], which allowed the seedlings to alleviate the oxidative stress. At the end of August, under high [CO2], the growth of the seedlings and net CO2 assimilation to stomatal conductance to CO2 ratio in the second flush of leaves had doubled. Under the environmental growth conditions of the chambers (high light, nutrients and water availabilities), the seedlings may benefit from the availability of CO2. Sugar maple seedlings may have a competitive growth advantage under elevated CO2 conditions and three times ambient [O3] did not decreased the fertilizing effect of CO2.

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