Decidua Mill Research Articles

Differences in Soil and Leaf Litterfall Nitrogen Dynamics for Five Forest Plantations

AbstractVegetation can influence N cycling in forest soils; however, it is difficult to isolate the positive feedback of vegetation on N cycling because other factors are often not held constant. The objective of this study was to measure and compare leaf litterfall N and in situ and laboratory N mineralization rates for 28‐yr‐old northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), European larch (Larix decidua Miller), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), red pine (P. resinosa Aiton), and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] plantations on a similar soil in southwestern Wisconsin. Average seasonal soil NO‐3 and NH+4 concentrations (mg kg −1) were 3.9 and 3.4 for red oak; 7.7 and 5.8 for European larch; 5.4 and 6.7 for white pine; 4.9 and 5.1 for red pine; and 5.2 and 6.2 for Norway spruce, respectively. Annual in situ net N mineralization in the top 20 cm of mineral soil differed significantly (P < 0.01) among species and ranged from 46 kg ha−1 yr−1 for Norway spruce to 117 kg ha−1 yr−1 for European larch. Annual in situ nitrification differed significantly (P < 0.001) among species and comprised from 42 (red oak) to 95% (European larch) of the total annual net N mineralized. Laboratory net N mineralization rates also differed significantly among the five species. Average annual leaf litterfall N content for a 2‐yr period ranged from 26 kg ha−1 yr−1 for white pine to 40 kg ha−1 yr−1 for Norway spruce but was not correlated to annual net N mineralization. We suggest that leaf litterfall lignin/N may be an important positive feedback mechanism that influences N mineralization.

Nitrogen and phosphorus distribution for five plantation species in southwestern Wisconsin

Nutrient distribution was determined in the soil and vegetation for 28-year-old red oak ( Quercus rubra L.), European larch ( Larix decidua Miller), white pine ( Pinus strobus L.), red pine ( Pinus resinosa Ait.) and Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L) Karst.) plantations on a similar soil in southwestern Wisconsin. The concentration and content of several soil nutrients differed among the five species, but no consistent patterns were observed between deciduous and evergreen species. Current foliage nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration for European larch and N concentration for red pine decreased down the canopy but did not differ significantly among canopy positions for the other tree species. In general, total N and P content were greatest in the upper 30 cm of soil followed by aboveground vegetation and forest floor. Total N and P content in aboveground vegetation were positively correlated to leaf longevity ( r 2 = 0.83, P < 0.05 for N; r 2 = 0.79, P < 0.05 for P); aboveground N and P content (kg ha −1) were 258 and 26 for red oak, 261 and 41 for European larch, 500 and 57 for white pine, 431 and 49 for red pine, and 687 and 97 for Norway spruce. We estimated that whole tree harvesting (stem + branch + foliage) would remove 120–380% more N and 100–610% more P than stem-only harvests in these plantations.

Aboveground nitrogen and phosphorus use by five plantation-grown trees with different leaf longevities

Aboveground nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) requirement, retranslocation and use efficiency were determined for 28-year-old red oak (Quercus rubra L.), European larch (Larix decidua Miller), white pine (Pinus strobes L.), red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L) Karst.) plantations on a similar soil in southwestern Wisconsin. Annual aboveground N and P requirements (kg/ha/yr) totaled 126 and 13 for red oak, 86 and 9 for European larch, 80 and 9 for white pine, 38 and 6 for red pine, and 81 and 13 for Norway spruce, respectively. Nitrogen and P retranslocation from current foliage ranged from 81 and 72%, respectively, for European larch, whereas red pine retranslocated the smallest amount of N (13%) and Norway spruce retranslocated the smallest amount of P (18%). In three evergreen species, uptake accounted for 72 to 74% of annual N requirement whereas for two deciduous species retranslocation accounted for 76 to 77% of the annual N requirement. Nitrogen and P use (ANPP/uptake) was more efficient in deciduous species than evergreen species. The results from this common garden experiment demonstrate that differences in N and P cycling among species may result from intrinsic characteristics (e.g. leaf longevity) rather than environmental conditions.

Tamarack and European Larch can be Overwinter-Stored

Three fall-lifting and overwinter storage trials of tamarack (Larix laricina [Du Roi] K. Koch) and European larch (L. decidua Mill.) were conducted in southern Ontario to determine whether these species were suitable for overwinter storage. Fifth-year outplanting results demonstrate stored stock performed as well after outplanting as fresh spring-lifted stock.

Larch -- A Fast-Growing Fiber Source for the Lake States and Northeast

Abstract Preliminary comparisons between Japanese (Larix leptolepis Gord.) and European larch (L. decidua Mill.) plantings indicate that these species, together with their hybrids, will outgrow pine and spruce, particularly on the better Lake States forest soils. Larch has adequate genetic diversity and grows rapidly. It also hybridizes readily, has good wood quality, is resistant to scleroderris canker and spruce budworm, and is adapted to a variety of soils. Recently, the Institute of Paper Chemistry, at Appleton, Wisconsin, established a cooperative larch tree improvement program using seed orchard approach. Pulping studies indicate that 18- to 23-year-old larch and larch hybirds (Larix x eurolepis Henry) can produce higher kraft yields than 50- to 60-year-old jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and with pulp strength properties similar to those of jack pine.

Decay of Wood by the Dacrymycetales

Thirty-two strains representing sixteen species in the Dacrymycetales were tested for ability to decay wood using the soil block test. Dacrymyces stillatus, D. capitatus, D. dictyosporus, D. spathularia, Cerinomyces ceraceus, Calocera cornea and C. lutea caused considerable decay of wood. Dacrymyces palmatus, D. minor, D. novae-zelandiae and Calocera viscosa decayed wood to a lesser but significant extent. Three distinct types of brown-rot were noted, and one type of white-rot. Some brown-rotting strains were unusual since they were able to remove considerable amounts of lignin. That Heterobasidiomycetes cause insignificant decay of wood has been a prevailing feeling among forest pathologists (Boyce, 1961; Gilbertson, 1980). Very few species have even been considered as possible agents of decay. Within the Auriculariales, only Helicobasidium corticioides Bandoni has had its decay abilities confirmed in culture; it causes a brown pocket rot of softwoods (Davidson and Hinds, 1958). No members of the Tremellales have been tested for capacity to decay wood in culture, but a few have been observed in association with whiterotted hardwood (Macrae, 1955; Lindsey and Gilbertson, 1978). The Dacrymycetales is an order of approximately eighty species, all of which grow on wood. Shields and Shih (1975) studied decay capabilities of three species in this order using a modified soil block test. Strains of Calocera cornea caused weight losses of 40% and 37.9% on yellow birch and 62.3% on red pine; Dacrymyces stillatus 12% and 33.5% on red pine, and Dacrymyces capitatus 3.5% on red pine. All caused brown-rots. Another member of the order, Calocera viscosa causes a heart rot in stumps of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco (Siepmann, 1977, 1979) and Larix decidua Miller (Pawsey, 1971) in Europe. This information suggests that members of the Dacrymycetales may be important in decay of wood. There is practical benefit to studying decay abilities within this order since certain species, most notably Dacrymyces stillatus, frequently grow on wood products in service (Buller, 1922; Ramsbottom, 1953; Reid, 1974). This study focuses on three fungi: Dacrymyces palmatus, D. stillatus, and Dacryopinax spathularia. Isolates of thirteen additional species in the order have been screened for ability to decay wood.

Effect of growth regulators, girdling, and mulching on flowering of young European and Japanese larches under field conditions

Two experiments were undertaken in 1977 and 1979 to promote flowering of 5- and 7-ycar-old field-grown seedlings of Larixleptolepis Gord. and L. decidua Mill. A gibbcrellin A4/7 mixture (GA4/7) was applied alone or in combination with GA3 and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) to both girdled and nongirdled trees or branches by two methods, perfusion into the xylem and spraying with an aqueous cationic surfactant solution. Perfusion was most effective, especially on girdled branches, although spraying was reasonably effective for male flowering in L. decidua. Only GA4/7 alone significantly increased flowering. Male flowering was doubled and female flowering increased eightfold by GA4/7 in the best treatments, over all application dates. Generally, male flowering doubled and female flowering increased eightfold by GA4/7. Even more flowering was obtained at optimal application dates. May and June applications were best, especially for treatments associated with girdling. However, some flowering occurred with applications as late as August and September. More strobili of both sexes develop in the upper crown. However GA4/7 treatment induced seed cone buds to appear in the lower crown, an abnormal location. An unusual effect occurred in that a positive flowering response of the 1977 experiment occurred only in 1979, whereas the 1979 experiment yielded enhanced flowering in 1980. Soil mulching with a plastic film, with or without hormone treatment, was a very effective adjunct treatment for both male and female flowering.

Etude de l'émission des ascospores du Lachnellula willkommii (Hartig) Dennis dans l'Est de la France

AbstractStudy on the ascospore release of Lachnellula willkommii (Hartig) Dennis in East of France. We studied the airborne ascospores of Lachnellula willkommii (Hartig) Dennis during 2 years in the Arboretum ?Amance (Meurthe‐et‐Moselle, 15 km north‐east of Nancy) in a plot of Larix decidua Miller. Lachnellula willkommii releases, all the year, ascospores which are able to germinate. Ascospore discharge is related closely to rainfall, and temperature has an effect, only when daily mean temperature is negative (no emissions).

Variation in Larch Sawfly Attack of Different Species and Geographic Strains of Larch, Exhibiting Diverse Growth Rates12

Growth rates and susceptibility of different larches ( Larix spp.) to Pristiphora erichsonii (Hartig) were studied for 5 years in western Maryland when trees were 6 to 10 years old. Most rapidly growing were some geographic strains of L. leptolepis (Sieb. and Zucc.) Cordon L. decidua Miller, and their F2 hybrids, reaching heights ca. 20 ft in 10 years from seed. L. sibirica Ledeb., L. gmelini (Rupr.) Kuzeneva, and L. occidentalis Nutt. grew slower. Most susceptible to larch sawfly was L. x eurolepis Henry F2 followed by L. leptolepis, L. gmelini , and L. decidua; L. sibirica was less susceptible , and L. occidentalis most resistant. In L. leptolepis and L. decidua , some geographic strains were less susceptible than others. Among such less susceptible strains were L. leptolepis from the Okunikko region and L. decidua from the western Alps.