Reduction In Radial Growth Research Articles

Management of Charcoal Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) Infection in Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L) Using Biocontrol Agents and Essential Oils

IN a trial to control charcoal rot disease (Macrophomina phaseolina) in geranium using ecofriendly strategies, antagonistic microbes and essential oils were used. the treatments included three bacterial isolates, Bacillus polymixa, B. circulance, B. Subtilis and one fungus Tricoderma harzianum in addition to five essential oils, (Syzygium aromaticum(cloves), Ocimum basilicum L. (basil), Mentha spicata (Spearmint), Majorana hortensis Moench (Marjoram) and Mentha piperita L. (Peppermint). The in vitro antagonistic effect of microbial isolates and essential oils against M. phaseolina isolated from infected geranium was estimated in Petri plats, The essential oils were used in three concentrations 1, 3 and 5 microliter/plate. the most promising treatments were applied in an artificially infested geranium in a greenhouse experiment along two growing seasons of 2017, 2018. The in vitro screening step indicated that among the treatments, Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum were the most promising microbes against the fungal pathogen under study using the dual culture technique. On the other hand, Peppermint oil recorded the highest reduction in radial growth of pathogen followed by Basil oil while Marjoram oil had no effect on the growth of pathogen. The green house experiment showed that, most treatments were efficient in pathogenicity reduction but the microbial treatment exhibited an advantage over essential oil where growth and yield parameters were sharply improved. The maximum enhancement was attained at T5 treatment (infested + dipping for 30 min before planting and spraying with T. harzianum after every cutting process) at all cuts during 2017 and 2018 seasons. Also, T. harzianum increased oil %, which recorded 0.45, 0.30 and 0.38% at 2017 season and 0.47, 0.31 and 0.39% at 2018 season for 1st, 2nd and 3rd cut respectively. Therefore, microbial and essential oil treatments not only reduced the fungal infection but also enhanced vegetative growth of geranium plants.

Condition, protection and maintenance of age-old pedunculate oak trees in Feofania forest

Large old trees are significant elements of forests, arboretums, botanical gardens and parks and perform a number of unique functions contributing to ecosystem integrity and biodiversity. At the same time human activities such as compaction of topsoil layers, deterioration of soil permeability and soil aeration drive the decline of large old trees. The human impact is also exacerbated by plants inevitable physiological age-specific changes. The presence of such old trees in urban environments brings great scientific promises enhancing a social, cultural and historical forest value, although these benefits increase responsibility for trees maintaining. Regarding old-growth trees historical, cultural, and environmental significance and their overall vulnerability, the individual-by-individual tree protection measures are required. Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) is among the most widespread long-lived species in Europe, in particular in Ukraine. In Feofania (or Theophania) forest, that is an oak-hornbeam forest located in southern part in Kyiv, the age of the oldest oak trees reaches about 300 years. In this article, we aim to estimate vitality, overall condition, and recreational digression stages of pedunculate oak trees and to develop the recommendations to maintain and extend trees longevity in Feofania forest. We estimate the stages of recreational digression and vitality using an approach of Hensiruk et al. (1987) and Sanitary Regulations in forests of Ukraine (1995) respectively. The dendrochronological analysis is performed on core samples from sixteen age-old pedunculate oaks in order to determine their exact cambial age and to evaluate their growth rates. We use at least two cores per tree extracted at a height from 0.5 m to 1.3 m above ground level with an increment borer. The tree-ring widths are measured using AxioVision (Carl Zeiss) software to the nearest 0.01 mm. To identify false rings we employ stereomicroscope MBS-1. The individual tree-ring series are cross-dated, standardized and checked using the COFECHA program. Then we determine exact cambial age of oak trees as number of tree-rings in individual series. To estimate the age of trees with cores without pith we use a graphical method. The analyze is performed on 42 increment cores containing 7335 annual rings formed in the period from 1746 to 2016. Measured diameter of the age-old oaks ranges from 57.6 cm to 165.2 cm. The longest chronological series contains 271 years. The age of studied trees varies from 202 to 275 years averaging 175 years and radial growth ranges from 1.07±0.400 mm to 2.85±1.487 mm averaging 1.95±0.792 mm. In recent years the reduction of radial growth isn’t observed, although in a long time interval in five studied trees the rings width not exceeds the individual series average value. However, the growth rate reducing could not be regarded as critical for trees vitality because it is above 10 % of the average value yet. The evaluated mean increment coefficient is 5.13±1.482 years in cm that allows to estimate the age of dominant and codominant oaks in the association of Galeobdoloni luteae-Carpinetum in other forests. The estimated vitality is mostly of 6–7 points. Five oaks are in «satisfactory condition», nine oaks are «weakened», one oak is «very weakened» and one tree is «dying». «Weakened» trees are with mechanically damaged stem and are often suffered from leaves defoliation caused by Acrocercops brongniardella and Microsphaera alphitoides. Regarding wood samples maintenance, the «dying» oak stem is found rotted in its center. The recreational digression is at the stage 1–4. For eight oaks it is at the first stage, for four oaks at the second stage, for two oaks at the third stage and for two oaks at the fourth stage with 60 % destruction of the understorey. The number of age-old Q. robur trees is limited, thus measures to care could consider individual tree-specific features. Given trees vitality and stages of recreational digression, we develop the guidelines to preserve and extend trees longevity. We also propose to include four old-growth oaks in the list of monumental plants.

Chemical control of fungal growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus isolated from Moroccan grapes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three fungicides azoxystrobin (Ortiva), hexaconazole (Hexa) and pyrimethanil (Pyrus) for their ability to inhibit the radial growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production by five ochratoxigenic strains of Aspergillus carbonarius and A. niger previously iso-lated from Moroccan grapes. Our results showed that, the addition of the fungicides to the Czapek Yeast Autolysate agar culture medium reduced the growth of the ochratoxigenic strains. Pyrimethanil caused total inhibition of spore germination and growth of the five strains, for all dose tested. Where-as hexaconazole totally inhibited the growth of 4 strains and gave growth for the MUCL 49227 strain (2.67 mm/day) at sublethal concentration. The reduction in radial growth was less marked for azoxystrobin, with growth rate varying between 0 and 6.37 mm/day depending on the strain and the azoxystrobin concentration. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of single factors (fungicides, concentration and strain) and their interactions on growth and OTA production were highly significant (P=0.000).These findings suggest that the use of tested fungicides have to potential for reduction in production of OTA.

Interaction of Glufosinate and <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> on Ammonia Levels and Glutamine Synthetase Activity in Hemp Sesbania

The use of microbes and microbial products as bioherbicides has been studied for several decades, and combinations of bioherbicides and herbicides have been examined to discover possible synergistic interactions to improve weed control efficacy. Bioassays were conducted to assess possible interactions of the herbicide glufosinate [2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid] and Colletotrichum truncatum (CT), a fungal bioherbicide to control hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata)]. Glufosinate acts as a glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitor that causes elevated ammonia levels, but the mode of action of CT is unknown. GS has also been implicated in plant defense in certain plant-pathogen interactions. The effects of spray applications of glufosinate (1.0 mM) orbioherbicide (8.0 × 104 conidia ml-1), applied alone or in combination were monitored (88 h time-course) on seedling growth, GS activity and ammonia levels in hypocotyl tissues under controlled environmental conditions. Growth (elongation and fresh weight) and extractable GS activity were inhibited in tissues by glufosinate and glufosinate plus CT treatments as early as 16 h, but CT treatment did not cause substantial growth reduction or GS inhibition until after ~40 h. Generally, ammonia levels in hemp sesbania tissues under these various treatments were inversely correlated with GS activity. Localization of hemp sesbania GS activity on electrophoretic gels indicated a lack of activity after 30 h in glufosinate and glufosinate plus CT-treated tissue. Untreated control tissues contained much lower ammonia levels at 24, 64, and 88 h after treatment than treatments with CT, glufosinate or their combination. CT alone caused elevated ammonia levels only after 64 - 88 h. Glufosinate incorporated in agar at 0.25 mM to 2.0 mM, caused a 10% - 45% reduction of CT colony radial growth, compared to fungal growth on agar without glufosinate, and the herbicide also inhibited sporulation of CT. Although no synergistic interactions were found in the combinations of CT and glufosinate at the concentrations used, further insight on the biochemical action of CT and its interactions with this herbicide on hemp sesbania was achieved.

Влияние метеофакторов на радиальный прирост культур дуба черешчатого в правобережном лесничестве УОЛ ВГЛТУ имени Г.Ф. Морозова

Exploring linkages between trees increment and meteorological elements is of great importance for understanding biological processes, assess of environmental determinants, defining growth and productivity of forest communities, forecasting growth in connection with changing climatic conditions. Dendroclimatic analysis can be used in planning and implementation of many forestry activities. The paper presents data on the effect of meteorological factors on the radial increment of English oak in isotopologues cultures originating from glague oak forest of serotinous variety. Dendrochronological analysis of radial growth was carried out in accordance with existing methodological developments. In the dynamics of radial growth of trees of English oak, periodicity is observed. 2-3-, 5-7-, 11-, 22-year cycles are seen more clearly. Growth depression is mainly due to the summer droughts with temperatures above average standards and rainfall less than average annual norms. Periods with high radial growth occur in years with high air temperatures and rainfall more than average standards. In terms of impact on the radial increment of English oak meteorological elements are arranged in the following order: hydrometric ratio; precipitation – autumn-winter, summer, annual; air temperature in the vegetation period of active growing season (April, May), summer, annual. Data on the influence of meteorological elements are confirmed by the results of analysis of variance. The highest power of the influence of the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) is 0.39, with precipitation of the warm period of is, the sum of precipitation for the year of is, the lowest effect with temperature is 0.20. Between the air temperature and increment in the warm period there is an inverse relationship: the increase in air temperature reduces growth. Both excess of precipitation and the shortage contribute to the reduction of radial growth.

Erratum to: Connecting potential frost damage events identified from meteorological records to radial growth variation in Norway spruce and Scots pine

Conifer radial growth reductions may be related to unusual snow conditions or a mismatch between frost hardiness level and minimum temperature, but not typically to low winter temperature extremes. The aim of this study was to examine if temperature conditions potentially causing frost damage have an effect on radial growth in Norway spruce and Scots pine in Finland. We hypothesized that frost damage occurs and reduces radial growth after (1) extreme cold winter temperatures, (2) frost hardiness levels insufficient to minimum temperatures, and (3) the lack of insulating snow cover during freezing temperatures, resulting in increased frost and decreased temperatures in soil. Meteorological records were used to define variables describing the conditions of each hypothesis and a dynamic frost hardiness model was used to find events of insufficient frost hardiness levels. As frost damage is likely to occur only under exceptional conditions, we used generalized extreme value distributions to describe the frost variables. Our results did not show strong connections between radial growth and the frost damage events. However, significant growth reductions were found at some Norway spruce sites after events insufficient frost hardiness levels, and alternatively, after winters with high frost sum of snowless days. Scots pine did not show significant growth reductions associated with any of the studied variables. Thus, radial growth in Norway spruce may be more sensitive to future changes in winter conditions. Our results demonstrate that considering only temperature is unlikely to be sufficient in studying winter temperature effects on tree growth. Instead, understanding the effects of changing temperature and snow conditions in relation to tree physiology and phenology is needed.

Tree growth response of Fokienia hodginsii to recent climate warming and drought in southwest China.

To date, few attempts have been made to assess the influence of climate change on forest ecosystems and on the relationship between tree growth and climate in humid areas of low latitudes. In this paper, we studied the response of tree growth and forest ecosystem to climate change by using Fokienia hodginsii tree-ring cores from the northern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, southwest of China. Tree growth correlates the highest (r=-0.64, p<0.01) with mean temperature (July-September), but the coefficients were changing with time as revealed by a moving correlation analysis. Tree growth is significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated with January-April mean temperature from AD 1961-1987, while correlations with precipitation are insignificant. In contrast, from 1988 to 2014, tree growth correlated negatively with mean temperature of previous summer and positively with precipitation of previous August-September. This indicated that the limiting factors for tree growth have changed under different climate conditions. The meteorological data suggested that from 1961 to 1987 it was cold and wet in the study area and radial growth is limited by winter and spring temperatures. This restriction is weaker if the climate is appropriate in general. However, from 1988 to 2014, the combined effects of recent warming and decreasing precipitation have led to an increasing response of tree-ring width to drought. In addition, a large proportion of mature F. hodginsii mortality occurred from 2007 to 2013, which corresponds with a drastic reduction of radial growth (narrowest in recent 100years). The recent drought, induced by decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature, may have passed the threshold which F. hodginsii could tolerate, causing tree growth reduction, tree growth-climate relationship change, as well as catastrophic tree mortality. All these changes may lead to further responses of the local ecosystem to climate change which should be highly regarded.

Connecting potential frost damage events identified from meteorological records to radial growth variation in Norway spruce and Scots pine

Conifer radial growth reductions may be related to unusual snow conditions or a mismatch between frost hardiness level and minimum temperature, but not typically to low winter temperature extremes. The aim of this study was to examine if temperature conditions potentially causing frost damage have an effect on radial growth in Norway spruce and Scots pine in Finland. We hypothesized that frost damage occurs and reduces radial growth after (1) extreme cold winter temperatures, (2) frost hardiness levels insufficient to minimum temperatures, and (3) the lack of insulating snow cover during freezing temperatures, resulting in increased frost and decreased temperatures in soil. Meteorological records were used to define variables describing the conditions of each hypothesis and a dynamic frost hardiness model was used to find events of insufficient frost hardiness levels. As frost damage is likely to occur only under exceptional conditions, we used generalized extreme value distributions to describe the frost variables. Our results did not show strong connections between radial growth and the frost damage events. However, significant growth reductions were found at some Norway spruce sites after events insufficient frost hardiness levels, and alternatively, after winters with high frost sum of snowless days. Scots pine did not show significant growth reductions associated with any of the studied variables. Thus, radial growth in Norway spruce may be more sensitive to future changes in winter conditions. Our results demonstrate that considering only temperature is unlikely to be sufficient in studying winter temperature effects on tree growth. Instead, understanding the effects of changing temperature and snow conditions in relation to tree physiology and phenology is needed.

Targeted disruption of the polyketide synthase gene pks15 affects virulence against insects and phagocytic survival in the fungus Beauveria bassiana

The reducing clade III polyketide synthase genes, including pks15, are highly conserved among entomopathogenic fungi. To examine the function of pks15, we used targeted disruption to investigate the impact of Beauveria bassiana pks15 on insect pathogenesis. Southern analysis verified that the Δpks15 mutant was disrupted by a single integration of the transformation cassette at the pks15 locus. The Δpks15 mutant had a slight reduction in radial growth, and it produced fewer spores. Our insect bioassays indicated the Δpks15 mutant to be significantly reduced in virulence against beet armyworms compared to wild type (WT), which could be partially accounted for by its markedly decreased ability to survive phagocytosis. Total haemocyte count decreased sharply by 50-fold from days 1–3 post-inoculation in insects infected with WT, compared to a 5-fold decrease in the Δpks15 mutant. The mutant also produced fewer hemolymph hyphal bodies than WT by 3-fold. In co-culture studies with amoebae that have phagocytic ability similar to that of insect haemocytes, at 48 h the mortality rate of amoebae engulfing Δpks15 decreased by 72 %, and Δpks15 CFU decreased by 83 % compared to co-culture with WT. Thus, the Δpks15 mutant had a reduced ability to cope with phagocytosis and highly reduced virulence in an insect host. These data elucidate a mechanism of insect pathogenesis associated with polyketide biosynthesis.

Minimum wood density of conifers portrays changes in early season precipitation at dry and cold Eurasian regions

Minimum wood density exhibits strong responses to precipitation and, thus, it is a robust proxy of early season water availability. Tracheids fulfil most wood functions in conifers (mechanical support and water transport) and earlywood tracheids account for most hydraulic conductivity within the annual tree ring. Dry conditions during the early growing season, when earlywood is formed, could lead to the formation of narrow tracheid lumens and a dense earlywood. Here, we assessed if there is a negative association between minimum wood density and early growing-season (spring) precipitation. Using dendrochronology, we studied growth and density data at nine forest stands of three Pinaceae species (Larix sibirica, Pinus nigra, and Pinus sylvestris) widely distributed in three cool–dry Eurasian regions from the forest-steppe (Russia, Mongolia) and Mediterranean (Spain) biomes. We measured for each annual tree ring and the common 1950–2002 period the following variables: earlywood and latewood width, and minimum and maximum wood density. As expected, dry early growing season (spring) conditions were associated with low earlywood production but, most importantly, to high minimum density in the three conifer species. The associations between minimum density and spring precipitation were stronger (r = −0.65) than those observed with earlywood width (r = 0.57). We interpret the relationship between spring water availability and high minimum density as a drought-induced reduction in lumen diameter, hydraulic conductivity, and growth. Consequently, forecasted growing-season drier conditions would translate into increased minimum wood density and reflect a reduction in hydraulic conductivity, radial growth, and wood formation. Given the case-study-like nature of this work, more research on other cold–dry sites with additional conifer species is needed to test if minimum wood density is a robust proxy of early season water availability.

Anatomical and genetic aspects of ash dieback: a look at the wood structure

Pathogen diseases are increasingly threatening forest trees under the current climate change, causing a remarkable decrease in the stability of forest ecosystems. Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) dieback due to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been noted in Poland since 1992 and has spread over many European countries. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ash trees affected by dieback could exhibit a reduced vessel size and density along the trunk, as well as a lowered width of annual wood rings, leading to the weakening of water transport towards the crown. Dead and dying ash trees were sampled in a forest district severely affected by ash decline in southern Poland. Wood samples were collected at different height along the trunk and several wood anatomical characteristics of annual tree rings over the period 2002-2011 were examined. Dead trees showed a stronger reduction in radial growth than dying trees over the period considered. Moreover, the diameter of vessels increased from the crown to the base in both dead and dying trees, while the density decreased. Significant differences between dead and dying trees were detected in size and density of vessels in the period analyzed, as well as in the width of annual rings. DNA extracted from wood samples was analyzed using SSR markers and the main genetic parameters of dead and dying trees were estimated, finding similar levels of polymorphism and only slight non-significant differences between the two health groups. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that pathogens could disrupt the hormonal control of wood formation by interfering with the polar auxin transport, progressively leading to the death of ash trees.

Drought and reproductive effort interact to control growth of a temperate broadleaved tree species (Fagus sylvatica).

Interannual variation in radial growth is influenced by a range of physiological processes, including variation in annual reproductive effort, although the importance of reproductive allocation has rarely been quantified. In this study, we use long stand-level records of annual seed production, radial growth (tree ring width) and meteorological conditions to analyse the relative importance of summer drought and reproductive effort in controlling the growth of Fagus sylvatica L., a typical masting species. We show that both summer drought and reproductive effort (masting) influenced growth. Importantly, the effects of summer drought and masting were interactive, with the greatest reductions in growth found in years when high reproductive effort (i.e., mast years) coincided with summer drought. Conversely, mast years that coincided with non-drought summers were associated with little reduction in radial growth, as were drought years that did not coincide with mast years. The results show that the strength of an inferred trade-off between growth and reproduction in this species (the cost of reproduction) is dependent on environmental stress, with a stronger trade-off in years with more stressful growing conditions. These results have widespread implications for understanding interannual variability in growth, and observed relationships between growth and climate.

Seedlings of Argan (Argania spinosa) from different geographical provenances reveal variable morphological growth responses to progressive drought stress under nursery conditions

To alleviate the combined effects of water and heat stress prevailing in drylands, the choice and introduction of appropriate plant species to these conditions is essential for the success of planting in rehabilitation projects. The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is a vigorous plant, admirably adapted to dry climates, with indisputable physiological and ecological characteristics that make of this tree an ideal plant to fight against erosion and desertification process, which seriously threaten arid lands. However, the geographical origin of seeds/seedlings represents a determining factor. In this context, we investigated the morphological responses of growth in two provenances of argan, the provenance of Tindouf ‘PT’ from Algeria and that of Agadir ‘PA’ from Morocco; under water stress conditions. The experiment attempts to evaluate the level of drought tolerance of these two provenances for selecting the planting material that copes and adapts better to hot arid lands. Argan seedlings of both provenances (PA and PT) were submitted to a water stress gradient (75, 40, 20, and 10% of field capacity), then morphological parameters (shoot height, number of leaves, number of spines, root collar diameter, length of taproot) were measured after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of growth. All variables of morphological growth varied significantly (P < 0.001) between water stress levels, seed geographical provenances and seedling growth ages. The overall of results concerning morphological parameters indicated that the increase of water stress induced in both argan provenances: a decrease in shoot height associated with an increase in length of taproot that resulted in the reduction of leaf numbers and radial growth but the increase the number of spines. The argan plantlets of Agadir have completely failed to tolerate water stress of 10% FC. Under water stress (40, 20, 10% FC), argan seedlings of Tindouf revealed higher growth results than those of Agadir. PT seedlings offset the water deficit by root elongation to ensure growth of the various components of the aerial part. PT seedlings were more resilient to drought stress as compared to those of PA. The highest growth results were obtained with 40% FC in PT seedlings, and with 75% FC among PA seedlings. It is recommended to use the PT seeds in planting projects under drought conditions, while PA seeds are more suitable under conditions of non-water deficit.

Tree-ring evidence for the historical cyclic defoliator outbreaks on Larix potaninii in the central Hengduan Mountains, SW China

Dendrochronological methods have been used to reconstruct insect outbreaks, yet the application has been scarce in the high Asia. We compiled tree-ring data from 4 host (Larix potaninii) and 4 non-host (Abies and Picea) sites in the central Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China. We assessed site-specific growth-climate responses and applied two methods to detecting larch insect defoliation events during the past 250 years. Compared with the non-host chronologies, larch trees (host) showed periodic reduction in radial growth, which may be associated with outbreaks of a larch defoliator. Synchronously, growth reductions was found for three low-elevation sites, such as during 1783–1790, 1846–1850, 1860–1865, 1873–1878, 1900–1909, 1939–1945, 1965–1970 and 1981–1986. However, these periods of outbreaks differ from those of a high-elevation site. With spectral analyses, we found 11–13 years frequency domains for three low-elevation larch chronologies, while 7–9 year peaks presented one high-elevation site. Contrastively, no significant frequency domains within the same periodicity were found in ring-width chronologies of co-occurring non-host species. We provide tree-ring evidence that larch trees growing in the central Hengduan Mountains have been infected by insect defoliators repeatedly. We suggest that appropriate approaches should be applied to correct insect-defoliation signals when using larch tree-ring data as a climatic proxy.

Identification of genes involved in fungal responses to strigolactones using mutants from fungal pathogens

Strigolactones (SLs) as components of root exudates induce hyphal branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi which is thought to favor the establishment of the beneficial symbiosis. Little is known on how AM fungi respond to SLs. Since AM fungi are poor model systems due to their obligate biotrophism and the lack of genetic transformation protocols, we took advantage of the sensitivity of several phytopathogenic fungi to GR24, a synthetic SLs analog. With the aim to identify the molecular determinants involved in SLs response in AM fungi and assuming conserved mechanisms in the fungal kingdom, we exploited the fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Cryphonectria parasitica, for which mutant collections are available. Exposure of B. cinerea and C. parasitica to GR24 embedded in solid medium led to reduction of fungal radial growth. We set up the screening of a set of well-characterized gene deletion mutants to isolate genotypes with altered responses to SLs. Two B. cinerea mutants (defective of BcTrr1, a thioredoxin reductase and BcLTF1, a GATA transcription factor) turned out to be less responsive to GR24. One feature shared by the two mutants is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Indeed, an oxidizing effect was observed in a B. cinerea strain expressing a redox-sensitive GFP2 in the mitochondrial intermembrane space upon exposure to GR24. ROS and mitochondria are, therefore, emerging as mediators of SLs actions.

Effects of prescribed burning on ecophysiological, anatomical and stem hydraulic properties in Pinus pinea L.

Prescribed burning (PB) is a widespread management technique for wildfire hazard abatement. Understanding PB effects on tree ecophysiology is key to defining burn prescriptions aimed at reducing fire hazard in Mediterranean pine plantations, such as Pinus pinea L. stands. We assessed physiological responses of adult P. pinea trees to PB using a combination of dendroecological, anatomical, hydraulic and isotopic analyses. Tree-ring widths, xylem cell wall thickness, lumen area, hydraulic diameter and tree-ring δ(13)C and δ(18)O were measured in trees on burned and control sites. Vulnerability curves were elaborated to assess tree hydraulic efficiency or safety. Despite the relatively intense thermal treatment (the residence time of temperatures above 50 °C at the stem surface ranged between 242 and 2239 s), burned trees did not suffer mechanical damage to stems, nor significant reduction in radial growth. Moreover, the PB did not affect xylem structure and tree hydraulics. No variations in (13)C-derived water use efficiency were recorded. This confirmed the high resistance of P. pinea to surface fire at the stem base. However, burned trees showed consistently lower δ(18)O values in the PB year, as a likely consequence of reduced competition for water and nutrients due to the understory burning, which increased both photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance. Our multi-approach analysis offers new perspectives on post-fire survival strategies of P. pinea in an environment where fires are predicted to increase in frequency and severity during the 21st century.

Forest dynamics and climate sensitivity of an endangered Carolina hemlock community in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA

During the last century, the eastern United States has functionally lost two major tree species (American chestnut and American elm), two more, eastern and Carolina hemlock, will likely be functionally extinct during much of their ranges by 2050. Carolina hemlock forests are geographically limited to high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains and are considered to be endangered. We collected forest stand, composition, and tree age data at the beginning of a hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infestation. Prior to the arrival of HWA, Carolina hemlocks were healthy and densely populated in the overstory and understory. While Carolina hemlock regenerated successfully and continuously from 1850 to 2010, the development of this Carolina hemlock forest will be altered by the HWA and may result in an increase in the density of northern red oak, white oak, mountain laurel, and Catawba rhododendron. Carolina hemlocks prefer cool, wet summers with older trees experiencing greater reductions in radial growth than younger trees during droughts. This study demonstrates that dendrochronological techniques can provide critical annual information on Carolina hemlock forest development and tree age–climate response. Our results provide a multicentury perspective for conservation efforts and management of Carolina hemlock forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Effect of N2* and N on GaN nanocolumns grown on Si(111) by molecular beam epitaxy

The self-induced growth of GaN nanocolumns (NCs) on SixN1−x/Si (111) is investigated as a function of the ratio of molecular to atomic nitrogen species generated via plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Relative concentrations of the molecular and atomic species are calculated using optical emission spectroscopy. The growth rate (GR), diameter, and density of NCs are found to vary with the molecular to atomic nitrogen species relative abundance ratio within the plasma cavity. With increasing ratio, the GR and diameter of NCs increase while the density of NCs seems to be decreasing. The morphologies and the coalescence of GaN NCs exhibit a trend for molecular/atomic ratios up to 11, beyond which they still change but at a lower rate. The detrimental effect of taperedness of the NCs decreases with increasing molecular/atomic ratios. This is possibly because of reduction in radial growth in NCs due to increase in diffusivity of nitrogen species with increasing ratios.

Daytime and nighttime wind differentially affects hydraulic properties and thigmomorphogenic response of poplar saplings.

This study tested how wind in daytime and nighttime affects hydraulic properties and thigmomorphogenic response of poplar saplings. It shows that wind in daytime interrupted water balance of poplar plants by aggravating cavitation in the stem xylem under high xylem tension in the daytime, reducing water potential in midday and hence reducing gas exchange, including stomatal conductance and CO2 assimilation. The wind blowing in daytime significantly reduced plant growth, including height, diameter, leaf size, leaf area, root and whole biomass, whereas wind blowing in nighttime only caused a reduction in radial and height growth at the early stage compared with the control but decreased height:diameter ratios. In summary, the interaction between wind loading and xylem tension exerted a negative impact on water balance, gas exchanges and growth of poplar plants, and wind in nighttime caused only a small thigmomorphogenic response.

In vitrocompatibility of entomopathogenic fungi,Beauveria bassiana(Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. with leaf extracts ofChromolaena odorata(Asteraceae)

The compatibility of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. with Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae) was evaluated in vitro. Aqueous and solvent extracts of leaves of C. odorata at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1% were evaluated on the growth, conidial density and germination of B. bassiana by using the poisoned food technique. The extracts exhibited varying effects on growth of the fungus ranging from toxicity to inhibitory action, which increased with increase in the concentrations. The reduction percentage of radial growth of B. bassiana over control was found to be significantly less with the aqueous extracts of C. odorata. Inhibitory action was found to be highest (96.93%) with the chloroform extracts at 1% concentration. Similarly, as the concentrations increased from 0.1 to 1%, there was a significant reduction in the conidial density and germination in all the test concentrations. Based on the findings, the order of compatibility based on percentage reduction of radial growth is as follows: water > petroleum ether > methanol > acetone > chloroform. Hence, the aqueous extracts of C. odorata at 0.1% concentration can be integrated along with B. bassiana in any biointensive pest management programme.