National Arboretum Research Articles

A Study on Activating ways of Korea National Arboretum Utilization and Educational Program Operation of the Disabled

A Study on Activating ways of Korea National Arboretum Utilization and Educational Program Operation of the Disabled

Evaluation of Flowering Cherry Species, Hybrids, and Cultivars Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

Flowering cherries belong to the genus Prunus, consisting primarily of species native to Asia. Despite the popularity of ornamental cherry trees in the landscape, most ornamental Prunus planted in the United States are derived from a limited genetic base of Japanese flowering cherry taxa. A diverse collection of ornamental Prunus germplasm is maintained at the U.S. National Arboretum as part of an ongoing flowering cherry improvement program, but the genetic backgrounds of many trees are unclear. We characterized this germplasm using five simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs, including one chloroplast primer pair. These primers generated 140 unique alleles that were used to assess genetic relationships among species, hybrids, and cultivars in this collection. We found that these markers followed expected Mendelian inheritance from parents to progeny in controlled hybridizations. In general, species clustered according to published taxonomic groupings, including a distinct separation of the ornamental cherries (Prunus subgenus Cerasus section Pseudocerasus) from other subgenera. Individual accessions of several taxa did not cluster with other samples of the species, indicating possible misidentification or interspecific combinations. The resulting information will be useful in guiding decisions on breeding methodology and germplasm preservation.

북한 지의류에 대한 보고

Total 222 lichen specimens of North Korea including 23 family, 54 genera and 119 species were newly obtained from the Hungarian Natural History Museum for the last 3 years. Among them, 12 species were added to Korean lichen checklist as new. All the species were deposited at the herbarium of Korea National Arboretum. In addition, unpublished list of lichen species distributed in Mt. Myohang was kindly donated from the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The list was originally prepared by North Korean lichenologists and kept in the museum from 1988. In the list, 26 family, 57 genera and 179 species of lichens were described and 17 species were included as new reports. This list provided 29 lichen species as new to the Korean Peninsula. This information will make significant contribution to lichenological study in the Korean Peninsula.

Global plant hardiness zones for phytosanitary risk analysis

Plant hardiness zones are widely used for selection of perennial plants and for phytosanitary risk analysis. The most widely used definition of plant hardiness zones (United States Department of Agriculture National Arboretum) is based on average annual extreme minimum temperature. There is a need for a global plant hardiness map to standardize the comparison of zones for phytosanitary risk analysis. Two data sets were used to create global hardiness zones: i) Climate Research Unit (CRU) 1973-2002 monthly data set; and ii) the Daily Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN). The CRU monthly data set was downscaled to five-minute resolution and a cubic spline was used to convert the monthly values into daily values. The GHCN data were subjected to a number of quality control measures prior to analysis. Least squares regression relationships were developed using GHCN and derived lowest average daily minimum temperature data and average annual extreme minimum temperatures. Error estimate statistics were calculated from the numerical difference between the estimated value for the grid and the station. The mean absolute error for annual extreme minimum temperature was 1.9ºC (3.5ºF) and 2/3 of the stations were classified into the correct zone.

Successional Changes in Seed Banks in Abandoned Rice Fields in Gwangneung, Central Korea

In order to understand the role of seed banks for restoration, seed banks in abandoned rice fields in the Gwangneung National Arboretum, central Korea were investigated using the seedling emergence method. The study sites represented three stages: an initial stage dominated by forbs such as Persicaria thunbergii and Juncus effuses var. decipiens, a middle stage dominated by Salix, and a late stage dominated by Quercus aliena and Prunus padus (in nearby riparian forest chosen as a reference stand). DCA ordination arranged the stands according to the number of years since abandonment. CCA ordination identified the dominant environmental variables correlated most closely with Axes 1 and 2 as Mg 2+ (intraset correlation was 0.827) and K + (intraset correlation was -0.677), respectively. Species richness and diversity decreased from the initial stage (H'=2.61) to the middle (H'=1.79) and late (H'=0.75) stages. A total of 49 species (/m 2 ) and 18,620 seedlings (/m 2 ) emerged out of the seed bank samples. The DCA ordination and similarity analysis detected a large discrepancy between the composition of the actual vegetation and the seed bank. We conclude that the contribution of seed bank to restoration is low. However, seed bank may help the recovery of forbs after disturbance. Some of our results are consistent with the tolerance model of succession whereas others follow the trajectory of the facilitation model. More research on succession will be required to understand the underlying mechanisms.

전이함수를 통한 광릉 산림 유역의 토양수분 모델링

토양수분은 사면에서의 수문학적 과정의 가장 중요한 요소이며, 불포화대에서의 흐름을 결정하는 중요요소이다. 본 연구는 전이함수모형을 이용하여 토양수분의 시간적 공간적 분포 양상을 인지하고자 한다. 이를 위하여, 광릉 수목원 슈퍼사이트 원두부 소유역 내에서 TDR을 이용하여 2시간 간격으로 연속 측정한 10cm 깊이의 토양수분 결과를 전이함수를 통하여 분석하였다. 강우 자료를 입력변수로, 지표면으로부터 10cm 깊이의 실측 토양수분 자료를 출력변수로 선정하여 단일 입출력 전이함수를 전개하였다. 토양수분의 계절적인 변화를 분석하기 위해 5월과 9월의 전이함수를 비교하였다. 시계열 전이 함수는 크게 자료의 전처리, 모형구조의 규명, 후보 모형군의 구성, 모수추정, 모형진단 등의 과정을 통해서 전개되며 10cm 깊이의 토양수분과 강우의 상관관계를 보여준다. 도출한 전이함수 시계열 모형에서 10cm 깊이의 토양수분은 강우에 의한 영향이 지배적이었으며, 지점별 경사에 따라 토양수분의 변동성이 크게 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 이는 10cm 깊이의 토양수분 변동량은 각 지점의 경사보다 강우에 의한 반응이 우세하다는 것을 시사한다. 계절별로 상이한 모의 결과는 식생의 활동이 활발한 5월에는 식생이 토양수분 이동에 많은 영향을 미치며 식생이 토양수분을 해석하는데 중요한 변수로 작용함을 나타낸다. 본 연구 결과는 광릉 산림과 같은 복잡 경관에서 토양수분의 분포를 이해하는 기반자료가 될 것으로 기대된다. Soil moisture is one of the important components in hydrological processes and also controls the subsurface flow mechanism at a hillslope scale. In this study, time series of soil moisture were measured at a hillslope located in Gwangneung National Arboretum, Korea using a multiplex Time Domain Reflectometry(TDR) system measuring soil moisture with bi-hour interval. The Box-Jenkins transfer function and noise model was used to estimate spatial distributions of soil moisture histories between May and September, 2007. Rainfall was used as an input parameter and soil moisture at 10 cm depth was used as an output parameter in the model. The modeling process consisted of a series of procedures(e.g., data pretreatment, model identification, parameter estimation, and diagnostic checking of selected models), and the relationship between soil moisture and rainfall was assessed. The results indicated that the patterns of soil moisture at different locations and slopes along the hillslope were similar with those of rainfall during the measurment period. However, the spatial distribution of soil moisture was not associated with the slope of the monitored location. This implies that the variability of the soil moisture was determined more by rainfall than by the slope of the site. Due to the influence of vegetation activity on soil moisture flow in spring, the soil moisture prediction in spring showed higher variability and complexity than that in early autumn did. This indicates that vegetation activity is an important factor explaining the patterns of soil moisture for an upland forested hillslope.

Dynamics and conservation of the gwangneung national forest in central Korea: A national model for forest restoration

Forests in Gwangneung National Arboretum District (GNAD) have been protected since the 15th century. Consequently, these forests support more than 20% of all plant species in Korea. We constructed vegetation maps for landscape analysis, and forest dynamics, species diversity, and sustainable management were discussed. Secondary forests compose 51.0% of the whole vegetation, while plantations compose 45.2%.Quercus serrata dominates the forest, and the plantations are comprised mainly ofPinus koraiensis. Although dominated by plantations and human installations, the presence of a rare riparian hardwood forest, composed primarily of Q.aliena, was notable. Species diversity of the riparian (H′ = 3.38) was significantly (p<0.0001) higher than the upland (H′ = 1.56). Species turnover rate as a spatial heterogeneity was also higher. Such high species diversity and heterogeneity are justification to conserve the riparian and lowland forests in GNAD. Extensive recruitments of their own seedlings and saplings suggest a sustainable regeneration of Q.serrata and Q.aliena stands in the lower elevations, and the opposite is true for the Q.mongolica andP. rigida stands in higher elevations. GNAD contains diverse natural landscape elements that range from riparian to upland vegetation, which may well serve as a national model for forest restoration.

Database Model for Korea Plant Name Index

Korea national arboretum has worked with the plant taxonomic society of Korea to make the first fully electronic floristic checklist in Korea. The result is an ever-expanding online plant name index containing scientifically authorative, up-to-date information on the approximately 7,000 taxa including cultivars. With 37 contributing taxonomists, KPNI is the largest collaborative research projects ever assembled in Korea. A comprehensive database model for the taxonomic data from literature and other sources is presented, which was devised for the Korea National Plant Index database project (KPNI). Gwangreung database model is based on an approach using entity-relationsip diagram. It encompasses taxa of all ranks, nothotaxa and hybrid formulae, cultivars, full synonymy, basionyms, Korean name, and other nomenclatural information. Ths paper presents an analysis of KPNI work processes and an overview how we are approaching the construction of Gwangreung databaese model. It can help the system engineers of other biological information systems to develop their database based on the accurate and integrative taxonomic database.

(1785) Proposal to conserve the name Zinnia elegans against Z. violacea (Compositae)

TAXONVolume 56, Issue 3 p. 958-959 Proposals to Conserve or Reject NamesFree Access (1785) Proposal to conserve the name Zinnia elegans against Z. violacea (Compositae) Joseph H. Kirkbride Jr., Corresponding Author Joseph H. Kirkbride Jr. joseph.kirkbride@ars.usda.gov USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C., 20002-1958 U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorJohn H. Wiersema, John H. Wiersema USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Rm. 304, BARC-West, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705-2350 U.S.A.Search for more papers by this author Joseph H. Kirkbride Jr., Corresponding Author Joseph H. Kirkbride Jr. joseph.kirkbride@ars.usda.gov USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C., 20002-1958 U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorJohn H. Wiersema, John H. Wiersema USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Rm. 304, BARC-West, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705-2350 U.S.A.Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 August 2007 https://doi.org/10.2307/25065881AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume56, Issue3August 2007Pages 958-959 RelatedInformation

‘Dream Catcher’ and ‘First Lady’ Flowering Cherry

Ornamental flowering cherry trees (Prunus L. species) are popular landscape plants, made famous in the U.S. by the historic Tidal Basin cherries planted in Washington, DC. Although planted primarily for their spring bloom, flowering cherries are also used as street or shade trees and are valued for their fall foliage as well as ornamental bark. Approximately 1.3 million flowering cherry trees are sold each year in the U.S. with an estimated total sales of $24.8 million (NASS, 1998). The U.S. National Arboretum has an ongoing breeding program aimed at developing new cultivars of ornamental cherry with disease and pest resistance, tolerance to environmental stresses, and superior ornamental characteristics. Breeding strategies include broadening the genetic base of ornamental Prunus by incorporating germplasm from diverse Prunus species into new cultivars, analyzing genetic diversity using molecular markers, and exploring the use of genetic engineering to increase disease and pest tolerance. This report documents the first two flowering cherry selections, Prunus Dream Catcher and First Lady , released from the flowering cherry breeding program at the U.S. National Arboretum.

MICROSATELLITE MARKERS FOR VERIFYING PARENTAGE OF PECANS

Microsatellite or Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers are being developed in ongoing research in the USDA ARS Pecan Breeding Program. These co-dominant markers provide a powerful tool for the verification of parentage. To confirm their utility, SSR profiles were used to confirm the parentage of 19 of the 25 controlled crosses released by the breeding program. Questions were raised concerning the parentage of some crosses thought to be known. When the genotype of the maternal parent is known, the paternal genotype necessary to have produced the progeny can be determined. A SAS program was written to query a database that includes 288 pecan accessions to find appropriate paternal genotypes given a maternal pattern. If neither parent is known, all possible parental combinations can be derived based on the progeny. Putative parents can be qualified on the basis of genotype as well as other evidence, such as nut morphology, dates of origin, locations of origin, and dichogamy. Using these techniques, putative parents are suggested for the historic cultivars `Riverside' and `Western'. Although the probabilities for a particular genotypic pattern can be determined based on allele frequencies within the population, assigning numeric probabilities to other evidence is more challenging. Meticulous records are necessary to establish the linkage between an inventory of an accession and its historic origin, thereby placing putative parents in combination at the proper place and appropriate time. Records of USDA–ARS National Plant Germplasm System, as exemplified by logbooks and vouchers of the McKay Collection of the National Arboretum, provide evidence for confident molecular genetic verification of cultivar identity and parentage, increasing the value of the living accessions in the NPGS.

Variation in Leafhopper Species Abundance and Diversity among Elm Seedlings and Cultivars

A survey was conducted in the 2001 growing season to determine the leafhopper species composition, abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness among trees of three elm (Ulmus sp.) cultivars, two U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) seedling selections of U. szechuanica Fang, and two USNA seedling selections of U. bergmanniana Schneid. in a mixed stand. Yellow sticky traps were used to qualify and quantify the number of aerial leafhoppers from 1 May 2001 until 4 September 2001. A total of 4,523 individuals, belonging to 39 species within seven leafhopper subfamilies, were trapped. The weekly mean number of leafhoppers collected was significantly higher on traps from `Patriot', followed by `Frontier' and `Prospector', than on traps from the USNA seedling selections. Although the weekly mean species richness for `Prospector' was lower than the other two cultivars, the three cultivars had higher mean species richness than the USNA seedling selections of U. szechuanica and U. bergmanniana. Diversity among cultivars was higher than among the USNA seedling selections. Ulmus bergmanniana 68983 and U. szechuanica 68986 shared the highest percentage of species similarity, while `Frontier' and U. szechuanica 68991 were the most dissimilar. Of the species collected, Agallia quadripunctata, Empoasca fabae and Graphocephala versuta were the most abundant. The other species were mostly rare based on their low abundance. Scaphoideus luteolus, the only confirmed vector of elm yellows in North America, was found among the elm cultivars only. Yet, the Cicadellinae leafhoppers that are vectors of Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of bacterial leaf scorch, were found among both the cultivars and USNA seedling selections. Such data could allow for the screening and selection of elms resistant to economically important leafhoppers.

Comparison of the Munsell and Royal Horticultural Society’s color charts in describing flower color

AbstractThe flower color of daylily (Hemerocallis L.) cultivars at the U. S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C. was documented using the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHSCC) and the Munsell Book of Color (MBC). The RHSCC descriptions did not allow discrimination between cultivars that were distinguishable by eye. The MBC, however, allowed the description of colors that fell between color chart chips, and had the ability to compare the specific color attributes of different cultivars of similar color. The ability to interpolate colors with the MBC allows a greater accuracy in documentation and discrimination of floral color.

Capsicum annuum L. 'Black Pearl'

The Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture announces the release of a new pepper (C. annuum) cultivar named 'Black Pearl'. 'Black Pearl' is a true-breeding F8 selection derived from an initial cross between a segregant identified in a population of the open-pollinated heirloom pepper cultivar Royal Black and a selection designated '86 Arboretum-1' that was introduced by Dr. Thomas Barksdale to the Beltsville Capsicum genebank from a 1986 display garden at the U.S. National Arboretum. 'Black Pearl' is intended for ornamental applications and affords growers a new crop to add to their bedding and landscape plant assortment. The vibrant fruit and foliage colours of this new cultivar add interest to the summer and autumn garden. Other characteristics (including morphology, growth habit and cultural requirements) of 'Black Pearl' are given.

(241) Genotyping of Ornamental Flowering Cherry Germplasm (Prunus species) using SSR Technology

Ornamental flowering cherry trees (Prunus species) are popular landscape plants that are used in residential and commercial landscapes throughout most temperate regions of the world. Most of the flowering cherry trees planted in the United States represent relatively few species. The U.S. National Arboretum has an ongoing breeding program aimed at broadening this base by developing new cultivars of ornamental cherry with disease and pest resistance, tolerance to environmental stresses, and superior ornamental characteristics. Knowledge of the genetic relationships among species would be useful in breeding and germplasm conservation efforts. However, the taxonomy of flowering cherry species and cultivars is complicated by differences in ploidy levels and intercrossing among species. We have used simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed for other Prunus species to screen a diverse collection of over 200 ornamental cherry genotypes representing 70 taxa in order to determine the genetic relationships among species, cultivars, and accessions. Data were generated from 9–12 primer pairs using an automated DNA genetic analyzer (ABI3770), and subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis. Extremely high levels of polymorphism were exhibited among the materials studied, thus indicating that ornamental flowering cherry germplasm has substantial inherent genetic diversity. This information, combined with traditional morphological characteristics, will be useful in determining genetic relationships among accessions in our collection and for predicting crossability of taxa.

International Registration of Cultivar Names for Unassigned Woody Genera July 2003-June 2004

During July 2003 to June 2004, two cultivar names in unassigned woody genera were registered. Individuals introducing new cultivars of ornamental plants are encouraged to register these names with a view to nomenclatural stabilization. A directory of International Cultivar Registration Authorities is available at http://www.ishs.org/sci/icralist/icralist.htm and from the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, 100 West 10 Street, Suite 614, Wilmington, DE 19801. The present International Registration Authority for unassigned woody ornamentals can be contacted at the address above. Parrotia persica ‘Jennifer Teates’. Registered 31 May 2004. Registrant: Alex X. Niemiera, Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Parrotia ‘Jennifer Teates’ was selected in 1994 from a chance wild seedling located at 509 Draper Road, Blacksburg. The cultivar’s name honors the registrants’ wife, Jennifer Teates. The new cultivar is distinctly fastigiate and relatively fast growing. It has not yet been released commercially. Like other variants of P. persica the new cultivar is very tolerant of dry and poor soils and is hardy in zones 5b-8 (USDA). Prunus ‘First Lady’. Registered 31 May 2004. Registrant: Research Geneticist Margaret Pooler, United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002. Prunus ‘First Lady’ was selected in 1988 by D. Egolf and R. Dix from a breeding program at the United States National Arboretum. It is an artifi cial hybrid of P. ‘Okame’ × P. campanulata. The new cultivar has a strongly upright, almost columnar habit, dark pink to almost red, semi-pendulous single fl owers and dark green leaves. It differs from its parents in being much more upright and by its particularly dark pink fl owers. Prunus ‘First Lady’ was released commercially in the autumn of 2003 via Shadow Nursery, Winchester, Tenn. (P.I. # 584481). Further information on this cultivar is available at www.usna.usda.gov/Newintro/FS-FirstLady. jpg. Prunus ‘First Lady’ prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 6-8 (USDA). It is propagated by budding or grafting, or by rooting softwood cuttings from juvenile plants. A herbarium specimen has been deposited at the Herbarium of the United States National Arboretum and a photograph has been deposited at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Latest Developments in Crapemyrtle Breeding at the U.S. National Arboretum

The crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia) is one of the most widely planted and beloved woody ornamental landscape plant in the Southern United States. With hundreds of named cultivars that offer the grower and gardener diverse combinations of flower color, growth habit, and bark characteristics, crapemyrtles are planted primarily for their spectacular bloom in mid to late summer. The crapemyrtle breeding program at the U.S. National Arboretum was started in the early 1960s, and has resulted in the release of 31 improved cultivars of L. indica, L. indica × L. fauriei, and most recently, hybrids between L. indica, L. fauriei, and L. limii. The development of these cultivars, with a focus on the newly released red-flowering cultivars `Arapaho' and `Cheyenne', will be the focus of this poster. Information on Lagerstroemia germplasm, historical perspective, and breeding methodology and goals will be presented.

Plaza of the National Capitol Columns of the US National Arboretum

Plaza of the National Capitol Columns of the US National Arboretum

First Report of Xylella fastidiosa Associated with Leaf Scorch in Black Oak in Washington, D.C.

Bacterial leaf scorch caused by Xylella fastidiosa has been reported in 17 species of oak including bur, pin, red, scarlet, shingle, and white oaks (3). In September 2002, a leaf scorch symptom characterized by marginal necrosis of leaves bordered by a darker brown band was observed in a mature black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.) at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. The leaf petiole of the black oak was processed in general extraction buffer (Agdia, Inc., Elkhart, IN) contained in a FastDNA lysing matrix tube using the FastPrep FP120 instrument (Qbiogene, Inc., Carlsbad, CA) (1). The leaf petiole extract reacted with an antiserum specific for X. fastidiosa (Agadia, Inc.) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A slow-growing bacterium was cultured from leaf petioles of the affected black oak tree by soaking the surface-sterilized, finely cut leaf petioles in sterile water for 30 min, followed by spreading the bacterial suspension on periwinkle wilt plates (1). When the cultured bacterium was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific for X. fastidiosa (2), a 472-bp PCR product was detected. The PCR product was confirmed to be the predicted X. fastidiosa product by sequencing and sequence comparison with the reported genomic sequence of X. fastidiosa. ELISA and bacterial isolation from leaf petioles of a nearby symptomless white oak (Q. alba L.) tree were negative. To our knowledge, this is the first report of X. fastidiosa associated with leaf scorch in black oak in the United States, expanding the host range of the bacterium in economically important landscape tree species.

Molecular Genetic Diversity Among 12 Clones of Lagerstroemia fauriei Revealed by AFLP and RAPD Markers

Many popular crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia L.) cultivars grown in the United States are interspecific hybrids between L. indica L. and L. fauriei Koehne. The 22 hybrid cultivars released from the U.S. National Arboretum contain primarily genetic material from L. fauriei PI 237884. Examining the genetic diversity ofL. fauriei specimens in the U.S. is valuable because of the historical and economic significance of the species, the increasing interest it is receiving as a source of new cultivars, and its threatened status in the wild. Our objectives were to examine molecular genetic diversity among L. fauriei accessions using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLP) markers. Our results indicate: 1) RAPD and AFLP markers are generally consistent in the genetic relationships that they suggest; 2) the L. fauriei germplasm we examined falls into at least three distinct clusters; and 3) the genetic base of cultivated Lagerstroemia could be broadened significantly by incorporating some of this more diverse L. fauriei germplasm into breeding programs.