Dolabrata Sieb Research Articles

Метод оцінки впливу екзогенних біостимуляторів на укорінення стеблових живців

Because of creation the optimal rooting conditions, the issues of improving the humidification, letting in the light to plants in the greenhouse, its structural features etc. are relevant. Under the conditions of complying with the main technological requirements, in order to increase the plant rooting efficiency, the use of exogenous biostimulants (plant rooting hormones) becomes particularly important. Objective – to develop and test the method of integrated assessment of the results of rooting of stem cuttings in experiments using exogenous biostimulators. The object of the research – rhizogenic ability of stem cuttings of phytological introduced species. Subject of researches – process of rhizogenesis in connection with the testing of exogenous biostimulators (biologically active substances) on the stem cuttings of hiba arborvitae (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc.). There were used such methods as literary-analytical, physiological, and comparative, mathematical. research the objective the following tasks were set: 1) to carry out the experiments with the use of the method that involves taking into account the number of rooted stem cuttings; 2) to propose a scale for a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the results (success) of rooting of stem cuttings; 3) to develop a method for determining the integrated (general) index of rooting of stem cuttings; 4) to carry out a comprehensive study of the rhizogenic capacity of hiba arborvitae using exogenous biostimulants. The application the method of integrated assessment of the influence of exogenous biostimulators on the rhizogenic ability of stem cuttings allows to calculate an integrated (general) index of their rooting for each of the experimental variants. The proposed index takes into account the results of not only quantitative but also qualitative evaluation, which allows identifying the best variants of the use of exogenous biostimulators for the treatment of stem cuttings. According to the results of the conducted research, a 4-point scale is proposed to apply for assessing the quality of rooting, as well as to evaluate the percentage of the results of the rooting of cuttings on a 6-point scale. For an integrated assessment of the effect of exogenous biostimulators on the rooting of stem cuttings of plants of a certain systematic or economic plant group, it is advisable to carry out the experiments in 3 stages. The method for determining the integrated index of rooting is presented for the first time in the final report on the materials of the state scientific topic To research the biological and technological basis of propagation of woody ornamental plants, No. of state registration 0106U0006299 (2006-2008). In the corresponding interpretation, the proposed method can be used in experiments to test different substrates, time of rooting of stem cuttings, methods of their preparation, greenhouse design, lighting, heating, etc., as well as to optimize the technology of care for cuttings during the time of rooting.

A Stepwise Protocol for Induction and Selection of Prominent Coniferous Cell Cultures for the Production of β-Thujaplicin

In order to demonstrate the potential of plant cell culture systems to produce a target natural bioactive compound, we proposed a stepwise protocol for β-thujaplicin production as follows. 1. Induction phase: Characteristics of callus cultures originating from newly flushed shoots of 10 conifer species were evaluated on different basal media such as Murashige and Skoog (MS), Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH), and Lloyd and McCown's Woody Plant medium (WP) containing 10 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) either alone or in combination with 1 μM of N6-benzyladenine (BA). The conifer species used were as follows: Chamaecyparis (C. obtusa Sieb. et Zucc. and C. pisifera Sieb. et Zucc.), Juniperus (J. chinensis L. 'Kaizuka', J. chinensis L. var. sargentii, and J. conferta Parlatore), Thuja (T. occidentalis L. and T. standishii (Gord.) Carr.), Thujopsis (T. dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. and T. dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondae), and Cryptomeria (C. japonica D. Don). We observed the phenotypes of each callus to determine the optimal conditions for callus induction and to infer biosynthetic activity of the calli over 4-8 weeks. 2. Habituation phase: Each of the cell cultures obtained was transferred to a modified MS medium containing 680 mg L(-1) KH2PO4 and 10 μM Picloram to select the habituated cells with synchronous growth pattern. The growth of each cell culture was highly improved in the habituation medium, except that of J. chinensis 'Kaizuka'. 3. Metabolite-production phase: The concentration of β-thujaplicin (known as hinokitiol in Japan) in the shoots of donor trees and the habituated cell cultures was analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Histochemical characteristics of the cells were also observed using laser scanning microscopy (LSM) imaging. After the third step, we tested the biosynthetic activity of two habituated calli (C. obtusa and J. conferta) on a 0.3%, w/v, yeast extract (YE)-containing medium. We found significant improvement in β-thujaplicin production in J. conferta callus (4600 μg g DW-1), which was up to 20-fold higher than in the habituation phase.

Twisting force during drying of wood

The object of this study is to investigate when wood begins to twist and the extent of the twisting force during drying. Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Gord.) and hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondae Makino) which tend to twist significantly when drying, were used in experiments to obtain multiple examples of grain angle (GA) variation in the R-direction. A measuring system to measure the twisting force during the drying of wood in real time was developed. It is thought that the time when twisting of timber by drying starts is subject to the variation in R-direction of GA; timber begins to twist when the portion with large GA begins to dry. There is concern that timber with large GA in the inner portion may become twisted during storage after kiln drying. The twisting stress measured in this study is effective for examining the load on the timber to control the twisting.

The Antifungal Compound Totarol of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai Seeds Selects for Fungi on Seedling Root Surfaces

Hinoki-asunaro (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino) is a tree endemic in Japan whose seeds produce several terpenoids. We hypothesized that antifungal compounds in seeds might select for fungi on the root surfaces of T. dolabrata var. hondai seedlings. We examined seed and soil fungi, their sensitivity to methanol extracts of the seeds, the fungi on root surfaces of seedlings grown in Kanuma pumice (a model mineral soil) and nursery soil, and the frequency at which each fungus was detected on the seedling root surface. We calculated correlation coefficients between fungal detection frequency on root surfaces and fungal sensitivity to seed extracts. We also isolated from the seeds the antifungal compound totarol that selected for fungi on root surfaces. Species of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Pestalotiopsis, and Phomopsis were the most frequently isolated fungi from seeds. Mortierella and Mucor were the dominant fungi isolated from Kanuma pumice, whereas Umbelopsis and Trichoderma were the main fungi isolated from nursery soil. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mortierella, Pestalotiopsis, and Phomopsis were the dominant fungi isolated from root surfaces of seedlings grown in Kanuma pumice, and Alternaria, Cladosporium, Pestalotiopsis, Phomopsis, and Trichoderma were the main root-surface fungi isolated from seedlings grown in nursery soil. The fungal detection frequencies on root surfaces in both soils were significantly and negatively correlated with fungal sensitivity to the seed extract. A similar correlation was found between the fungal detection frequency on root surfaces and fungal sensitivity to totarol. We conclude that totarol is one factor that selects for fungi on root surfaces of T. dolabrata var. hondai in the early growth stage.

The Mechanism of the Bactericidal Activity of Hinokitiol

Hinokitiol, the major component of Aomori Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai M(AKINO)) has already been found to show strong antibacterial activity. In this study, its mechanism of action was examined using Escherichia coli IFO 3301 and Staphylococcus aureus IFO 12732. As a result, it was suggested that at least a part of the mechanism of the bactericidal action of hinokitiol was due to the metabolic inhibition of the cell membrane in connection with the permeability of the cell membrane and respiration from the following three points. Firstly, from examination of the portraits of electron micrograph of E. coli IFO 3301 and S. aureus IFO 12732, no morphological change was found in the group treated hinokitiol as compared with the control group. Secondly, the respiration of both bacteria was remarkably suppressed by the addition of hinokitiol. Thirdly, incorporation of [U-14C]-labeled adenine into low molecular and nucleic acid moiety of cell bodies of both bacteria was strongly inhibited by the addition of hinokitiol. Strong suppression was also found in the incorporation of [U-14C] -labeled amino acid mixtures into low molecular and protein moieties of cell bodies of both bacteria treated with hinokitiol.

The Excellence of Aomori Hiba (Hinokiasunaro) in Its Use as Building Materials of Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines

Five hinokitiol-related compounds (hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin, 4-acetyltropolone and alpha -thujaplicin) isolated from the acid oil of Aomori Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var hondai MAKINO) showed clear antifungal activity against wood-rotting fungi. These compounds have obvious insecticidal effects on termites. They also exhibited potent acaricidal activity against mites. The above-mentioned features suggest that Konjiki-do, a well known national treasure, one of the buildings in Chuson-ji Temple of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, which was built of wood from the tree containing these five compounds, was kept from harm against noxious insects and wood-rotting fungi for a long time of about 840 years, until it was extensively repaired in 1962. In addition to Konjiki-do, there are some old famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines using Aomori Hiba. From the results, it was found that Aomori Hiba (Hinokiasunaro) is excellent for use as building materials.

Proportional limit of wood obtained from a load-time diagram during an impact bending test

We transferred the linear part of a load-deflection diagram from an impact bending test of wood into a load-time diagram. In addition, we proposed a method to obtain the proportional limit from the load-time diagram. Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), hondo spruce (Picea yezoensis Carr. var.hondoensis Rehd.), hiba arbor-vitae (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc.), Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.), paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa Steud.), Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.), and Japanese evergreen oak (Quercus acuta Thunb.) were used in this study. The dimensions of each specimen were 115mm (L) * 7mm (R) * 7mm (T). The results were as follows: (1) The linear region of the load-deflection diagram in the impact bending test could be transferred with sufficient accuracy to a load-time diagram using a sine function. (2) Approximating the load-time diagram by a linear equation was useful for obtaining the proportional limit.

Effects of canopy conditions on the regeneration of major tree species in an old-growth Chamaecyparis obtusa forest in central Japan

The regeneration mode of major tree species ( Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl., Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc., Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl., Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Turcz., Magnolia obovata Thunb. and Betula grossa Sieb. et Zucc.) in relation to four canopy conditions (closed evergreen conifer canopy, closed evergreen conifer canopy adjacent to canopy gap (gap-adjacent), canopy gap, and closed deciduous broad-leaved tree (DBL) species canopy) was studied from 1988 to 1998 in a 4-ha permanent plot in the Akasawa Forest Reserve, central Japan. The vertical distribution of stems and the major species composition in four height (canopy; ≥25 m tall overtopping neighboring trees, subcanopy; ≥25 m tall, middle; ≥10 m tall, and understory; <10 m tall) classes varied with canopy condition. The understory and middle layers were generally dominated by T. dolabrata, but this species in the subcanopy layer existed only under gap-adjacent. Canopy gaps were usually filled by DBL tree species, especially M. obovata and less often by T. dolabrata, while the probability that they were filled by Chamaecyparis sp. increased in larger gaps. C. obtusa and C. pisifera occurred more often under closed DBL canopy, T. dolabrata under gap-adjacent canopy, and Q. mongolica, M. obovata and B. grossa under canopy gaps. The mortality and recruitment rates of understory stems of major tree species also varied with canopy condition. Most mortality resulted from suppression with standing-dead and natural disturbances with broken trunks, although the relative importance varied with canopy condition and species. Generally, evergreen conifers died as a result of natural disturbances, especially in the 1998 frost disturbance under canopy conditions other than closed evergreen conifer canopy. In conclusion, canopy conditions affect the vertical population structure, demographic parameters, and causes of tree mortality of major tree species. Of the favored regeneration sites in this old-growth C. obtusa forest, C. obtusa and C. pisifera generally may regenerate under closed DBL canopy, T. dolabrata under gap-adjacent canopy, and Q. mongolica, M. obovata, and B. grossa under canopy gaps. Consequently, this semi-natural old-growth C. obtusa forest will gradually change into a more diverse forest.

Dynamics of major conifer and deciduous broad-leaved tree species in an old-growth Chamaecyparis obtusa forest, central Japan

Dynamics of major conifer and deciduous broad-leaved tree (DBL) species in an old-growth (ca. 300 years old) Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endlicher forest was monitored using stem mapping method for 10 years (1988–1998) in a 4 ha permanent plot of the Akasawa Forest Reserve in central Japan. The plot was dominated by C. obtusa, followed by Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. and Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endlicher, which are evergreen conifers, and DBL species such as Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Turcz., Magnolia obovata Thumb., and Betula grossa Sieb. et Zucc.. We focused the dynamics of stems ≥5 cm dbh (diameter at 1.3 m above ground) of these six major tree species. Out of 1443 stems ha −1 of these species which were alive in 1988, 154 were dead and 67 new stems recruited during 10 years. The recruitment rate was lower than the mortality rate for the conifers, but the reverse was almost true for the DBL species; the rates of recruitment and mortality of C. obtusa were 0.05 and 0.27% yr −1, respectively, and those of T. dolabrata were 0.53 and 1.48% yr −1, respectively. The recruitment rate of conifers was clearly lower than that of DBL species. The basal area of the total six major tree species was 64.2 m 2 ha −1 at the beginning and increased to 65.9 m 2 ha −1 in 1998. The gain rate of basal area was higher than the loss rate for each of the conifers and the DBL species. The gain rate of M. obovata (2.26% yr −1) and the loss rate of T. dolabrata (0.77% yr −1) were highest among major tree species. The mortality of stems was size dependent for all major tree species, which implies that smaller stems had higher mortality. Standing dead was first, especially for DBL species, and stem broken was next dominant state of the stem mortality. The recruitment and mortality of some species related to forest floor conditions or canopy gaps. The DBL species significantly recruited and died under canopy gaps. The mortality of some species depended on the local density of understory stems. These results clearly indicate that this old-growth forest has not still reached a equilibrium state.

Age, size structure and spatial pattern of major tree species in an old-growth Chamaecyparis obtusa forest, Central Japan

The age, size structure and the spatial pattern of major tree species were investigated in a temperate old-growth (ca. >300 years old) Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endlicher forest in the Akasawa Forest Reserve of Central Japan. All stems ≧ 5cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were mapped on a 4-ha plot and analyses were made of age, size structure and the spatial distribution of stems for three height classes of six species. The dominant species was C. obtusa, followed by Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc., C. pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endlicher and deciduous broad-leaved trees (DBL) species such as Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Turcz., Magnolia obovata Thunb. and Betula grossa Sieb. et Zucc. The dbh and age distribution of C. obtusa and C. pisifera was bimodal and rather continuous; two age modes were about 50 and 300 years ago. That of T. dolabrata and M. obovata was reverse J-shaped or L-shaped, and of Q. mongolica and B. grossa was bimodal and discontinuous. Canopy stems of C. obtusa were distributed randomly throughout the plot, although those of other species and understory stems of every species were distributed patchily, and were often related to forest floor conditions or canopy gaps. Intraspecific spatial, positive associations between canopy and understory stems could be found for only T. dolabrata at smaller scales. Notable positive associations between canopy and understory stems were not found for any combination of species at any quadrat size. These results suggest that, in the canopy layer of this forest, C. obtusa will become less important and T. dolabrata, which is more shade tolerant, will become more important. The DBL species which are less shade tolerant than the conifers, especially M. obovata, will also become more important, depending on forest floor conditions and/or gap formation.

Antifungal activity of Hinokitiol-related compounds on wood-rotting fungi and their insecticidal activities.

Hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), beta-dolabrin and gamma-thujaplicin isolated from Thujopsis dolabrata SIEB. et ZUCC var hondai MAKINO showed antifungal activities against all of the wood-rotting fungi examined. The antifungal activity of three compounds on Daedalea dickinsii IFO-4979 was especially strong, their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values being 0.2 microg/ml. Their antifungal activities on D. dickinsii IFO-4979 were as high as that of amphotericin B used as a positive control. Three compounds had strong insecticidal activities on Tyrophagus putrescentiae [50%-lethal concentration (LC50 : g/m2) 0.25 in hinokitiol, 0.02 in beta-dolabrin and gamma-thujaplicin. Their insecticidal activities were higher than that of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET, LC50 : 1.46 g/m2) used as a positive control. Three compounds also showed strong insecticidal activity on Coptotermes formosanus [LC50 (g/m2) 0.07 in hinokitiol, 0.05 in beta-dolabrin and gamma-thujaplicin], although their insecticidal activities were much lower than that of commercial chloropyrifos (LC50 : 0.00016 g/m2).

Phytogrowth-Inhibitory activities of beta-dolabrin and gamma-thujaplicin, hinokitiol-related compounds and constituents of Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var hondai Makino.

Beta-dolabrin and gamma-thujaplicin isolated from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var hondai Makino, like hinokitiol, showed strong phytogrowth-inhibitory activities, and their growth-inhibitory activities were as high as that of sodium 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate used as a positive control. In particular, the phytogrowth-inhibitory activity of gamma-thujaplicin was strong and it completely inhibited the germination of this seed of Brassica campestris L. subsp. rapa Hook f. et Anders at the concentration of 30 ppm. Both compounds exhibited inhibitory activities on B. campestris L. subsp. rapa Hook f. et Anders and Sesamum indicum Linne, even at the low concentration of 10 ppm. At 7 d after treatment with beta-dolabrin and gamma-thujaplicin, the amount of chlorophyll in the cotyledons of B. campestris L. subsp. rapa Hook f. et Anders treated with both compounds was greatly decreased as compared with the control. The findings indicate that the phytogrowth-inhibitory action might be a common biological activity of hinokitiol-related compounds, suggesting that at least a part of their phytogrowth-inhibitory actions seems to be related to a decrease in chlorophyll content.

Sensory evaluation of carpet cleaner containing essential oil and the effect on mites

We prepared carpet cleaners containing three wood oils extracted from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., and Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Masamune et Suzuki and studied their effects on mites and perfumerists' impressions. The oil concentrations were set at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%. The effects on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart were investigated. The sensory evaluations were conducted by seven male perfumerists using the SD method and they were asked to describe freely their impressions of the scents. These results showed that: (1) all three types of wood oil had a significant effect on making D. pteronyssinus inactive at 0.1% concentration; and (2) the wood oil of T. dolabrata evoked refreshing, natural, rich, and intellectual feelings; C. obtusa oil evoked vivacious, rich, and intellectual feelings; and C. taiwanensis evoked refreshing, natural, rich, rough, masculine feelings. According to the test subjects, T. dolabrata evoked “woody” and “earthy” impressions; C. obtusa evoked “woody,” “citrus,” and “pine-resin” impressions; and C. taiwanensis evoked “woody,” “citrus,” and “medical” impressions. Many issues remain to be investigated, but the inclusion of wood oil in carpet cleaners offered both good mite control and a pleasant aroma to humans. This study suggests a new potential for using these wood oils.

ポアソン過程の応用による択伐林での木の直径分布の検討

The theories of the Poisson process was applied to construct a pure theoretical model describing the diameter distribution of trees in selection forest stands. The author derived a diameter distribution function for selection forests under several assumptions on the cutting probability. The applicability of the derived function to the actual distribution was demonstrated using nine observed diameter distribution data from permanent sample plots of Ate (Thujopsis dolabrata SIEB. et ZUCC var. hondai MAKINO) selection forests at Noto district, Ishikawa. The derived function agreed well with the observations.

The Structure of Hibaene

Abstract The structure and absolute configuration of hibaene, a new diterpene isolated from the essential oil of the leaves of hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc.), have been presented.

The structure of Hibaene

The structure and absolute configuration of hibaene, a new diterpene isolated from the essential oil of the leaves of hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc.), have been presented.