Biochar effects on germination and radicle extension in temperate tree seedlings under field conditions

Pyrolyzed organic matter, or biochar, generally increases the growth of established plants; in some cases, biochar also promotes seed germination in agricultural species, but comparable effects on tree species have received little attention. Potential biochar effects on seed germination and early seedling development were examined in a field experiment involving 14 species of temperate forest trees. Replicated sets of seeds with and without biochar (at 5 t·ha–1) were placed in mesh bags beneath leaf litter near the time of autumnal leaf fall and retrieved the following spring. Pooled analyses show a positive but small average effect of biochar on germination. Effects on seedling radicle extension growth were more pronounced, with more than a doubling in growth observed overall and large increases observed in some species, including both conifers (e.g., Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb. and Pinus resinosa Sol. ex Aiton) and angiosperms (Betula papyrifera Marsh., Prunus virginiana L., and Ulmus americana L.). Species varied in responses, but differences were not related to fire or shade tolerance. The results indicate that biochar can substantially enhance early seedling development in temperate trees; likely mechanisms involve “priming” effects resulting from increased pH and potassium availability or sorption of germination-inhibiting phenolics in the litter layer.

The Experience of Using Fruit and Berry Shrubs in Recultivation of an Industrial Organization Territory

Цель. На примере участка шламонакопителей ООО «ЛУКОЙЛ-Волгограднефтепереработка» показать возможность использования плодово-ягодных и лекарственных растений для рекультивации территории прмышленных предприятий. Материал и методы. Экспериментальные посадки выполнены на территории бывших очистных сооружений. В опыте участвовали 5 видов кустарников: Arónia melanocárpa, Rósa canína, Crataegus submollis, Hippóphae rhamnoídes, Prúnus virginiána. Результаты. Исследуемые растения показали хорошую ростовую активность. В течение трех лет образовали разветвленную крону и перешли в генеративную фазу развития. Цветение и плодоношение данной группы растений в сложных условиях роста является важным показателем их адаптивности, а также повышает хозяйственную ценность культур, не только как мелиорантов. Выводы. Проведенные исследования показали, что лекарственные и плодово-ягодные культуры в условиях техногенно нарушенных земель растут и плодоносят. Проведенные исследования показывают возможность создания плантаций лекарственных и плодово-ягодных растений на рекультивируемых участках с целью получения дополнительной продукции.

Antioxidant Content of Frozen, Convective Air-Dried, Freeze-Dried, and Swell-Dried Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana L.)

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) is rich in bioactive molecules as phenolics, which can act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, among others; however, due to its high perishability, most of this fruit is wasted. Freezing and sun drying have been the most adopted techniques to avoid its postharvest deterioration. Nevertheless, both processes have presented some drawbacks as high storage costs and losses of bioactive molecules. Therefore, to preserve these molecules, this study compared the impact of convective airflow drying (CAD), freezing (FR), freeze drying (FD), and swell drying (SD). Total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), kuromanin concentration (KC), and antioxidant activity (antiradical activity (ARA) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC)) of chokecherries were measured. “Swell drying” is a drying process coupling convective airflow drying to the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) expansion. A central composite rotatable design was applied to optimize the DIC variables and responses. Results showed that both freezing and swell drying effectively preserve the TPC, TFC, KC, and ARA. Moreover, SD samples also presented the highest TEAC. Contrary, in the case of CAD, it caused the highest losses of both antioxidant content and activity. Swell drying remedies the shrinkage and collapsing of dried food structure, which results in a better antioxidants extraction.

Physicochemical composition of buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) fruit harvested in Saskatchewan, Canada

Green, R. C. and Low, N. H. 2013. Physicochemical composition of buffaloberry ( Shepherdia argentea ), chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana ) and sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides ) fruit harvested in Saskatchewan, Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 1143–1153. There is increasing interest in the commercialization of native fruits for utilization as foods and medicinal extracts. This study was undertaken to determine the physicochemical properties of buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) fruit grown in Saskatchewan. The physicochemical analyses of samples of each of these fruits included carbohydrate content, CIELAB color values, organic acid composition, pH, percent seed weight, phenolic compound content, soluble solids content, total titratable acidity (TTA) and proximate composition (ash, fibre, lipid, moisture and protein). Buffaloberry was found to contain high TTA and was especially high in ascorbic acid at 209±37 mg 100 g−1 fruit, fresh weight basis. Chokecherry contained high levels of anthocyanin at 237±41 mg 100 g−1 fruit, fresh weight basis. The results of this study suggest all of these native fruits possess compounds important to the human diet.