Pinus Nigra Var Research Articles

Рост и состояние сосны черной (Pinus nigra var austriасa (Hoess) L.M. Neumann) в Воронежской области

Оценка всех совокупных свойств сосны чёрной, как вида важна не только в целом, но и для ее разновидностей из изолированных популяций. Ассортимент достаточно устойчивых и декоративных видов сосен в регионе европейской части Российской Федерации оказывается весьма ограниченным, но в нем отведено место сосне черной австрийской. Отсюда цель исследования - рассмотреть особенности роста и состояния сосны черной австрийской в условиях интродукции на территории лесостепного района европейской части Российской Федерации (Воронежская область). По отношению к различным заболеваниям ее следует отнести к весьма устойчивой породе, подтверждением чего является соответствующая категория санитарного состояния на объекте – I,1. Расчеты показывают, что сосна черная австрийская на плодородной почве по запасу древесины превосходит сосну обыкновенную в характерных условиях последней. В результате дифференциации пород по декоративным признакам следует отдать первенство сосне черной (24 балла) с незначительным перевесом над сосной обыкновенной (20 баллов). С учетом полученных данных можно рекомендовать в условиях зеленого строительства куртинное размещение породы по три дерева на посадочное место с расстоянием между деревьями в куртине до 2,5 м, а между самими куртинами – 5 м. Assessment of all aggregate properties of black pine as a species is important not only in general, but also for its varieties from isolated populations. The assortment of fairly stable and ornamental pine species in the region of the European part of the Russian Federation turns out to be very limited, but a place in it is given to Austrian black pine. Hence, the purpose of the study is to consider the features of the growth and condition of the Austrian black pine in the conditions of introduction in the foreststeppe region of the European part of the Russian Federation (Voronezh region). In relation to various diseases, it should be attributed to a very resistant species, which is confirmed by the corresponding category of sanitary condition at the site – I,1. Calculations show that the Austrian black pine on fertile soil surpasses the common pine in the characteristic conditions of the latter. As a result of differentiation of species by decorative features, we should give priority to black pine (24 points) with a slight preponderance over Scots pine (20 points). Taking into account the data obtained, we can recommend in terms of green building the location of the species in a cluster of three trees per planting place with a distance between trees in the cluster to 2.5 m, and between the clumps themselves – 5 m.

Resistance of wood from black pine (Pinus nigra var. austriaca) against weathering

At present tapped wood of black pines (Pinus nigra var. austriaca) is mainly combusted. The priority of material use over thermal recycling has led to some considerations regarding the utilization of tapped wood. The high content of extractives suggests a higher natural durability, and therefore, the suitability for outdoor applications. Tapped and not tapped wood boards from black pine (sapwood and heartwood) were subjected to weathering tests to find out its resistance against abiotic stress. Additionally tapped wood particles with a high content of resin were exposed to weathering and to composting. Weathering caused roughness to increase. Infrared spectral characteristics revealed the differences before and after tapping and weathering. Principal component analyses supported the grouping according to the chemical changes. In heartwood the lignin band at 1510 cm− 1 disappears and the typical resin band at 1688 cm− 1 decreases considerably. The lignin band of resinous parts is affected neither by weathering nor by composting. However, the resin band shows an intensity decrease and broadening due to weathering and disappears during composting.

Dothistroma spp. in Western Ukraine and Georgia

SummaryDothistroma needle blight (DNB) is among the most serious foliar diseases affecting Pinus spp. globally. Infected needles were collected from potential host species in four locations in western Ukraine and in four locations in eastern Georgia during spring–summer 2015 to update the knowledge on pathogen distribution in these countries. Dothistroma spp. were detected using isolation, sequencing and species‐specific priming (SSPP) PCR. Two new hosts for Dothistroma spp. were recorded in western Ukraine: D. septosporum on Pinus nigra var. australica and D. pini on P. nigra var. mollet. D. septosporum was found on 15‐year‐old P. strobus in western Ukraine. New hosts for D. septosporum were recorded in Georgia on 5‐ to 10‐year‐old naturally regenerated P. sylvestris var. hamata and on 40‐ to 50‐year‐old P. ponderosa trees. D. pini was found for the first time in Georgia on 30‐ to 40‐year‐old P. nigra trees. The work confirmed the presence of both D. septosporum and D. pini in western Ukraine and Georgia, and demonstrated new hosts for both Dothistroma species.

Estimation of vertical migration velocity of 137Cs in the Mount IDA/Kazdagi, Turkey

This paper presents the results obtained from a radioecological study carried out in the forest sites of Mount IDA (Kazdagi)/Edremit, Turkey. For 118 soil profiles, the depth distribution of 137Cs activity was established by fitting the experimental points to an exponential, a gaussian or a log-normal function. The relaxation lengths were in the range of 1.09–16.7 cm with a mean of 5.73 cm, showing a slow transport and a strong retention capacity of 137Cs even after the 26-y period of Chernobyl accident. From the data for the vertical distribution of 137Cs in soil profiles, the mean annual migration velocity of 137Cs was in the range of 0.11–0.62 cm year−1 with a mean of 0.30 cm year−1. Statistically significant correlations between the thickness of the humus layer and the mean annual velocity of 137Cs were found for both coniferous and mixed forest sites. The mean annual velocity of 137Cs in the forests sites with Pinus nigra var pallasiana was significantly higher than sites with Pinus brutia. External dose-rates from the 137Cs in forest soils were estimated using a conversion factor used in many studies and comprised with the external dose-rates determined according to the vertical distribution of 137Cs within the soil depth profiles. It is clearly seen that both levels and spatial distribution patterns of the external dose-rates from 137Cs were influenced considerably with the vertical migration rate and the vertical distribution of 137Cs.

A chronosequence study of soil nutrient status under oak and Corsican pine with Ellenberg assessed ground vegetation changes

Ellenberg indices (light, nitrogen, reaction and water) were derived from the Environmental Change Network groundflorasurveyunderpedunculateoak(Quercus robur(L.) ,200years)andCorsicanpine(Pinus nigra var maritima ((Ait.) Melville) ,60 years) at Alice Holt Forest and compared with soil factors analysed for moisture, pH and nutrients,NH4-N,NO3-Nandwater-solublenitrogen(N)(TsolN).Resultsfromreplicateplotsweregroupedbystand age.SoilpHrosewithageexceptundertheoldestoak.JulyNH4-Nlevelsunderoldoakonallclaysoilsweredouble those under old pine on sandier surface deposits, but NO3-N levels were halved under the oak. Floristic indices showed an N increase with age under both species, as soil N stock also significantly rose (oak: P , 0.01, pine, P , 0.05). Ellenberg N values were significantly correlated with Tsol N under oak (P , 0.01), and loss on ignition per cent under pine (P , 0.001). There was direct relation between Ellenberg R and soil pH across both communities (P , 0.05), but Ellenberg R and N values were highly inter-correlated (P , 0.001). The combined values (Ellenberg RandN)weresignificantlycorrelatedwithlevelsofmid-summerTsolN(P , 0.01),indicatingwater-solubleorganic N to be a good measure of N availability to ground flora plants. Ellenberg L values rose under pine with age but decreased under oak. Measured leaf area index of oak understorey shrubs increased from 10 to 20 per cent of the total with age, contributing to the loss of floristic diversity beyond middle age.

A 323-year long reconstruction of drought for SW Romania based on black pine (Pinus Nigra) tree-ring widths

Increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation pose a major future challenge for sustainable ecosystem management in Romania. To understand ecosystem response and the wider social consequences of environmental change, we constructed a 396-year long (1615-2010) drought sensitive tree-ring width chronology (TRW) of Pinus nigra var. banatica (Georg. et Ion.) growing on steep slopes and shallow organic soil. We established a statistical relationship between TRW and two meteorological parameters-monthly sum of precipitation (PP) and standardised precipitation index (SPI). PP and SPI correlate significantly with TRW (r = 0.54 and 0.58) and are stable in time. Rigorous statistical tests, which measure the accuracy and prediction ability of the model, were all significant. SPI was eventually reconstructed back to 1688, with extreme dry and wet years identified using the percentile method. By means of reconstruction, we identified two so far unknown extremely dry years in Romania--1725 and 1782. Those 2 years are almost as dry as 1946, which was known as the "year of great famine." Since no historical documents for these 2 years were available in local archives, we compared the results with those from neighbouring countries and discovered that both years were extremely dry in the wider region (Slovakia, Hungary, Anatolia, Syria, and Turkey). While the 1800-1900 period was relatively mild, with only two moderately extreme years as far as weather is concerned, the 1900-2009 period was highly salient owing to the very high number of wet and dry extremes--five extremely wet and three extremely dry events (one of them in 1946) were identified.

First report of Mycosphaerella dearnessii on Pinus nigra var. nigra in Austria

SummaryMycosphaerella dearnessii, the causal agent of brown‐spot needle blight (BSNB), has been known to occur in Austria since 1996. In 2011, the disease was for the first time confirmed on Austrian pine (Pinus nigra var. nigra) in this country. As previous records are doubtful, this may also be the first definite report of M. dearnessii on P. nigra in entire Europe.

What proportion of the costs of urban trees can be justified by the carbon sequestration and air-quality benefits they provide?

The i-Tree Eco programme estimates carbon sequestration and air pollution removal by urban forests. Previously we applied i-Tree Eco to the Torbay area of England; in this paper we use these results to assess the extent to which these benefits justify the costs of urban trees. We combined our benefits estimates with cost data to produce a single year “snapshot” comparison of costs and benefits for the urban forest. We then extended the discussion by modelling the lifetime benefits of four species of tree in the Torbay context. Two were assumed to be street trees: Lime (Tilia cordata) and cherry (Prunus avium). Two were assumed to be park trees: Maritime pine (Pinus nigra var maritima) and English oak (Quercus robur). We used this to produce an illustrative, partial, cost: benefit ratio for these trees. The central estimate of the “snapshot” comparison significantly exceeded costs and this remained the case when we sensitivity tested by halving the air-quality benefit to account for an uncertainty in the input data. The central cost-benefit ratios for the individual trees were cherry 1:0.01, lime 1:0.07, pine 1:0.12, and oak 1:0.21. We tested these results for sensitivity to the discount rate; reanalysing with a discount rate of 2.1% as opposed to the standard 3.5%. This produced the following results: Cherry 1:0.01, lime 1:0.76, pine 1:0.97, oak 1:4.96. These results suggest that, in common with other projects, cost-benefit analysis of investment in trees is very sensitive to the discount rate used, but that whilst carbon sequestration and air pollution removal may not justify tree planting by themselves, they do add to the justification. The significance of these benefits vary by tree, location and assumptions used, but larger and longer-lived trees appear to offer the greatest carbon sequestration and air-quality benefit, with the native oak performing particularly strongly.

A fungal pathogen in time and space: the population dynamics of Beauveria bassiana in a conifer forest

The fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana is ubiquitous in below-ground systems; however, there is a dearth of information on the above-ground diversity, temporal and spatial distribution of this fungus. Therefore, we assessed its occurrence in a conifer forest (Pseudotsuga monziesii and Pinus nigra var. maritima) using selective media to isolate B. bassiana from soil, branch and bark samples collected in October 2005, March and June 2006. Fungal density was the highest at all locations in October, declining in March and June, and absent from conifer branches in June. This above-ground decline most likely resulted from more extreme environmental conditions compared with those below ground. Molecular analyses (ISSR-PCR) indicated that B. bassiana is genetically diverse, comprising both distinct microhabitat-specific and seasonal isolates. The occurrence of dissimilar above- and below-ground isolates suggests that B. bassiana occupies various overlapping niches in these systems.

Microsporogenesis and meiotic behavior in nine species of the genusPinus

The meiotic behavior of 10 taxa (nine species and one variety) of the genus Pinus was investigated using pollen mother cells (PMCs) to reveal the differentiation among karyotypes. Chromosome spreads were prepared by conventional squashing. The meiotic index and the average configuration were higher, whereas the frequency of aberrance (chromosomal bridges, fragments, or micronuclei) was lower, in all 10 taxa compared with other gymnosperms. The meiotic index, average configuration, and frequency of irregularity were found to be uniform among the species. It was shown that the genomes of the Pinus species investigated were highly stable, confirming results of previous mitotic analyses in this genus. However, slight differentiation of homologous chromosomes among genomes was revealed by analysis of meiotic configurations in Pinus nigra var. poiretiana. Quadrivalents were observed in 9.31% of PMCs in this species. This is the first time that quadrivalents have been observed in gymnosperms.

Drying schedules calculation of Camiyani Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallasiana var. pallasiana) by computer programming

In this study, computer aided drying schedules were developed for Camiyani Black Pine (Pinus nigra var. pallasiana) lumber for less than 30 mm thick, between 30-60 mm thick and larger than 60 mm. Schedules were calculated on drying gradient basis. In this software (named KILNBRAIN), users can find more then one hundred other species’ data (density, fiber saturation point, temperatures for warming up and drying periods, drying gradients for moisture contents above and less than 20%). Users can choose lumber thickness, initial and final moisture content, kiln type, air velocity and drying quality. One of the advantages of KILNBRAIN is that the drying schedule can be operated manually according to this data. Moreover, possible total drying duration can be predicted.

The effect of woodland growth on a containment landfill site in Hertfordshire, UK

Below-ground growth of four tree species (ash ( Fraxinus excelsior L.), alder ( Alnus spp.), sycamore ( Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and Corsican pine ( Pinus nigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melville)) was investigated on a 15-year-old containment landfill in Hertfordshire, UK. The site was restored using a variable but predictable thickness of soil-forming material over the mineral cap and this permitted a study of the relationship between soil thickness and indices of tree root growth. Tree root habit was affected by soil thickness, and the likelihood of root penetration into the cap was significantly reduced when soil cover was greater than 1.25 m. Penetration into the cap appeared to occur because bulk density was often lower than threshold values set to meet permeability criteria necessary for pollution control. The study results suggest that previously published guidance on minimum soil thickness over unprotected landfill caps (1.5 m) should be adhered to, and that risk of root penetration into the cap will be acceptable if it is.

Lachnellula pseudofarinacea . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Lachnellula pseudofarinacea , which appears to be entirely saprobic, with all observations as fruitbodies erumpent from the bark of dead twigs and small branches. Information is included on geographical distribution (Denmark, (?)Estonia, France, Germany, UK, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine) and hosts ( Pinus maritima [ P. pinaster ], P. pallasiana [ Pinus nigra var. pallasiana ], P. sylvestris and Pinus sp.).

Retention of tannic acid and condensed tannin by Fe-oxide-coated quartz sand

This paper intends to shed light on the interactions between tannin and mineral soil particles. For that purpose, aqueous solution of condensed tannin (CT) (derived from Black pine ( Pinus nigra var. maritima)) and commercially available tannic acid (TA) were added to purified quartz (Qtz) sand and quartz sand coated with either goethite (Gt) or ferrihydrite (Fh). After solvent removal by evaporation the samples were extracted by water. The extracts were analysed for organic carbon, total phenolics and CT. The extractability of the two tannins was small and increased in the order Qtz–Fh < Qtz–Gt < Qtz. For all mineral samples, TA was more extractable than CT. Bonding of tannins to the mineral samples and the partial peptisation of the Fe oxide coatings upon the binding resulted in complex tannin release curves. Our results suggest that the inextractability of tannins from natural soils and the absence of tannins in soil leachates might be caused by strong adsorption on soil minerals such as Qtz and Fe (oxy)(hydr)oxides. The results of competition experiments with mixtures of both tannins demonstrate that the CTs, and TA in particular, can release large amounts of Fe (oxides), suggesting that the tannins are excellent metal-mobilising agents. We therefore suggest that the fate of tannins in the mineral soil environment is highly dependent on the abundance of weakly bonded secondary oxides.

A new species of Viola (Violaceae) from south-west Turkey

Viola dirimliensis Blaxland is described as a new annual species from south-west Turkey, belonging to section Melanium Gingins. It was found growing only on serpentinite, in two adjacent locations in Mula vilayet, west of Antalya, at altitudes of 1500–1690 m. The locations were typical serpentinite barrens, almost bare of vegetation, with some plants of Muscari macrocarpum, and a few trees of Pinus nigra var. caramanica. The Viola is named after the type location, the Dermil Pass or Dirimli Gecidi, where the tiny plants were growing between the rocks on south-facing slopes. Their distinct golden-yellow flowers are unlike any of the other small annual Viola species found in Turkey. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 145, 505–509.

Organic matter formation in sandy subsurface horizons of Dutch coastal dunes in relation to soil acidification

Subsurface horizons contain considerable amounts of soil organic matter (SOM), which has generally a relatively recalcitrant nature and may be an important key in the examination of the role of soils in the sequestration of carbon. Nonetheless, this part of SOM is hardly studied. This paper focuses on the effects of soil acidification on the formation of SOM in sandy subsurface horizons under Corsican pine (Pinus nigra var. maritime) and common oak (Quercus robur L.) forests in coastal dunes (The Netherlands) as characterized by pyrolysis and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation. In the pine forests of 50–70 y old SOM appeared to be only slightly affected by soil pH, whereas SOM from oak forests (100–200 years) showed pronounced changes upon soil acidification. With decreasing soil pH in the oak forests, lignin was more degraded (decrease in syringyl/guaiacyl ratio, reduction of the relative concentration) and the contribution of suberin-derived aliphatic moieties increased. The latter compounds may therefore play an important role in the formation of SOM in the studied subsoils.

The impact of host plant species on the larval development of the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L.

Abstract The developmental performance of the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis was studied in the laboratory on four species of conifer, Corsican pine Pinus nigra var. maritima, Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis, Douglas‐fir Pseudotsuga menziesii and Japanese larch Larix kaempferi. All species supported development, but, there was considerable variation in larval mortality, development time and weight of adults on emergence between host species. Levels of mortality were highest in Japanese larch (77%) and lowest in Corsican pine (8.2%), and the heaviest adults emerged from Corsican pine (130 mg) and the smallest from Douglas‐fir (74 mg). A constitutive plant defence chemical, lignin, found to vary within a northern provenance of Sitka spruce, also strongly affected larval development. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the management of H. abietis.

Effects of crown size on wood characteristics of Corsican pine in relation to definitions of juvenile wood, crown formed wood and core wood

Current use of the terms ‘juvenile wood’, ‘crown formed wood’ and ‘core wood’ is confusing: some authors have used the terms synonymously, while others have used each term in a more restricted sense to imply the region of a log where wood structure and properties are influenced by ring number from the pith (or distance from it), or by crown size. The present work was designed to clarify the use of these terms, since their definition is relevant to interpretation of the influence of silvicultural management on the wood quality of a log. Wood production and properties were studied in 23‐year‐old suppressed, co‐dominant and dominant Corsican pine ( Pinus nigra var. maritima ) trees, in relation to crown size as determined by leaf dry weight profiles. At comparable ring number from the pith, differences in crown size from suppressed to dominant tree class resulted in a substantial increase in average ring width, decrease in mean percentage latewood, MOR, MOE and maximum compression strength, inconclusive differences in mean specific gravity, and negligible differences in tracheid length. From these trends, it is here suggested that ‘juvenile wood’ should be defined as the region around the pith in which there are inherent changes in structural characteristics associated with cambial age, independent of crown influences. The term ‘crown formed’ wood should be used to describe fluctuations in wood structure associated with the size of the crown, which are superimposed upon the inherent trends due to cambial age. The term ‘core wood’ should be retained for use in a more generalized sense, indicating the central region of the log where structure and properties are variable and differ from those of the outer wood.

Antibiotic Action of Seed Lipids from Five Tree Species Grown in Turkey

In this study, the seed lipids of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.), Ehrami pine (Pinus nigra var. pyramidalis), Caucasian fir [Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach], Eastern red (Thuja orientalis L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) grown in Turkey were extracted with a mixture of methanol and chloroform. The bacterial and antifungal activities of the seed lipids were tested against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi by applying the disc-diffusion method. The seed lipids of A. nordmanniana were found to be most effective against the tested microorganisms, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus luteus bacteria, followed by T. orientalis and P. sylvestris, respectively. However, the seed lipids of P. nigra var. pyramidalis were not effective on the growth of any microorganism. Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria were found as the most resistant bacteria in the study. Furthermore, the seed lipids of A. nordmanniana and, somewhat, T. orientalis, were generally comparable to two reference antibiotics.

The potential contribution of conifer plantations to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan

Summary The detrimental effects of conifer plantations on open ground habitats have been well catalogued and discussed, but the potential contribution of planted forests to the conservation of woodland biodiversity has not been quantified to the same extent. This quantification is needed urgently to help forest managers fulfil commitments to biodiversity enhancement as outlined in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the UK Forestry Standard and the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS). Results are presented from a five-year programme of research aimed at obtaining baseline information on biodiversity in planted forests and evaluating the contribution of planted forests to the conservation of native flora and fauna. Fifty-two plots were surveyed in total, covering a range of different tree crops (Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L., Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr., Norway spruce Picea abies L. and Corsican pine Pinus nigra var maritima (Aitón) Melville) and stand ages (pre-thicket, mid-rotation, mature and over-mature) in three contrasting bioclimatic zones (upland, foothills and lowlands) throughout Britain. Additional plots were established in semi-natural woodland to allow comparisons between the biodiversity of plantations and native stands. Over 2000 species were recorded in total, including 45 Red Data Book species. Planted stands had similar or richer fungal and invertebrate communities to those of the native stands but poorer lichen and vascular plant communities. The latter were strongly affected by shading, dense, mid-rotation Sitka spruce stands having the lowest species counts. In contrast, these stands had a high diversity of mycorrhizal fungi, including a number of rare and threatened species normally associated with native pine wood. Bryophyte species-richness was related more to climate than woodland type, with the wetter upland spruce and native oak stands having the most diverse communities. Compared to the younger planted stands, over-mature planted stands had a higher proportion of species characteristic of semi-natural woodland stands. This related to greater structural diversity and higher deadwood volumes in the over-mature stands. It is concluded that conifer plantations make a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation in the UK and hence to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. No single stand or crop type provides ‘optimal’ conditions for biodiversity, but the habitat value of plantations could be enhanced by increasing the area managed under alternative systems to clear-felling, such as ‘continuous cover’ and/or non-intervention natural reserves.