Pinus Sibirica Research Articles

Постгеномные технологии в практическом лесном хозяйстве: разработка полногеномных маркеров для идентификации происхождения древесины и других задач

The forest genetics, tree improvement and protection can greatly benefit from complete genome sequence data made recently available for several major conifer species. They allow to identify and annotate genes, other functional elements (sRNA, transcription factors, regulatory elements, etc.) and genetic networks that control adaptation and dis-ease resistance. They can be used to develop highly informative genetic markers that can be used in population genetic studies to create database of barcodes for individual populations to fight illegal timber harvest and trade. They are very much needed for development of genome-wide genetic markers for association studies for linking genetic variation (SNPs, alleles, haplotypes, and genotypes) with environmental factors, adaptive traits and phenotypes for better understanding genetic control of agronomically and economically important traits. They can be also used to develop genome-wide genetic markers for genomic-assisted selection to breed for better adapted, stress resistant and climate change resilient trees with desirable quality ecological and economic traits. Finally, whole genome sequences allow to integrate proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics and provide reference genomes for resequencing. In this brief summary we would like to present one of many practical applications of genetics and genomics in forestry– development of highly polymorphic and informative molecular genetic markers for several very important boreal for-est species in Eurasia, Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), based on the whole genome data obtained in the “Genomics of the Key Boreal Forest Conifer Species and Their Major Phytopathogens in the Russian Federation” project funded by the Government of the Russian Federation (grant no. 14.Y26.31.0004).

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BY-PRODUCTS OF CONIFEROUS RAW MATERIALS PROCESSING

Development of natural biological products – an actual problem of rational and economical use of wood bioresources with which Russia is rich. The coniferous raw material is a source of biologically active extractive compounds possessing immunostimulating, fungicidal, bactericidal activity.
 Company «Ecovit» makes food and cosmetic production from Pinus Silvestris L., Abies sibirica and Pinus sibirica R. Maur wood greenery. This paper presents results of research of a chemical composition of the by-products formed in coniferous essential oils processing: residue after distillation and florentine water. The extraction of these products is carried out by petroleum ether, diethyl ether, ethyl-acetate consistently and quantitative maintenance of extractive compounds is certain. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of macro- and micro-elements in investigated samples is lead.
 Chemical structure of extractive compounds is characterized with use of physicochemical meth-ods. In residue after distillation of Abies and Pinus wood greenery carotenoids, natural phenolic com-pounds, carboxylic acids are identified. Ethanol extracts of the fulfilled pine and cedar raw material contain sesqui- and diterpenes, polyprenols, carotenoids, fat acids and phenolic compounds. In Abies ethanol extracts maltol and triterpenoids are identified. The basic components of pine florentine water are monoterpenoids.
 The received results cause practical application of by-products of coniferous raw material processing for obtaining of biologically active additives, preparations for agriculture, pharmacology, perfumer-cosmetic production.

Postpyrogenic Variability of Litter in Mountain Forests of Baikal Region

The data of experimental studies on the postpyrogenic dynamics of the litter in mountain taiga cedar (Pinus sibirica), pine (Pinus sylvestris) and subtaiga forest-steppe pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests in the Baikal region are analyzed. Ground fires prevailing in this region transform the surface organic diagnostic horizons of soils and result in the formation of new pyrogenic organic horizons (Opir, OLpir, OL/Opir, OApir). The adverse impact of ground fires on the thickness, reserves, moisture capacity and fractional composition of forest litters is shown. The data on the chemical ash composition of litters, as well as the content of mobile microelement compounds is also given. The tendency of reducing the concentration of mobile elements in the organic horizons of soils from the taiga Siberian pine (cedar) altitudinal zonal complex (AZC) to the subtaiga forest-steppe pine AZCC of forest types was revealed. Forest fires were found to cause great quantitative and qualitative changes in the chemical composition of surface organic pyrogenic horizons; they are especially manifested in the transformation of their labile properties (рН, exchangeable cations, total and mobile nitrogen, etc.).

Позднеголоценовая динамика растительного покрова и увлажнённости климата юго-восточного сектора Западно-Сибирской равнины по данным палинологического и ризоподного исследований торфяных отложений

Позднеголоценовая динамика растительного покрова и увлажнённости климата юго-восточного сектора Западно-Сибирской равнины по данным палинологического и ризоподного исследований торфяных отложений

Using transcriptome sequencing and pooled exome capture to study local adaptation in the giga-genome of Pinus cembra.

Despite decreasing sequencing costs, whole-genome sequencing for population-based genome scans for selection is still prohibitively expensive for organisms with large genomes. Moreover, the repetitive nature of large genomes often represents a challenge in bioinformatic and downstream analyses. Here, we use in-depth transcriptome sequencing to design probes for exome capture in Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra), a conifer with an estimated genome size of 29.3 Gbp and no reference genome available. We successfully applied around 55,000 self-designed probes, targeting 25,000 contigs, to DNA pools of seven populations from the Swiss Alps and identified >160,000 SNPs in around 15,000 contigs. The probes performed equally well in pools of the closely related species Pinus sibirica; in both species, more than 70% of the targeted contigs were sequenced at a depth ≥40× (number of haplotypes in the pool). However, a thorough analysis of individually sequenced P.cembra samples indicated that a majority of the contigs (63%) represented multi-copy genes. We therefore removed paralogous contigs based on heterozygote excess and deviation from allele balance. Without putatively paralogous contigs, allele frequencies of population pools represented accurate estimates of individually determined allele frequencies. We show that inferences of neutral and adaptive genetic variation may be biased when not accounting for such multi-copy genes. Without individual genotype data, it would have been nearly impossible to recognize and deal with the problem of multi-copy contigs. We advocate to put more emphasis on identifying paralogous loci, which will be facilitated by the establishment of additional high-quality reference genomes.

Cone structure and seed development in grafted witches’ broom and normal crown clones from the same trees of Pinus sibirica

Mutational witches’ broom represents a fragment of the tree crown with slower shoot growth, abnormally dense branching, decreased apical dominance and often with abundant cone-bearing compared with a normal crown. Mutational witches’ broom is a major source for the majority of ornamental dwarf conifer cultivars with abundant branching. Pinus sibirica is also capable of forming mutational witches’ brooms. The species has valuable edible seeds, and therefore, dwarf cultivars with abundant cone-bearing could be used to establish cone crop plantations. To reveal how the mutation causing witches’ broom affects the quality of cones and seeds, we carried out a comparative analysis of cone size, cone structure and seed quality in six grafted clones with witches’ broom and normal clones from the same trees, determining seed losses at the different developmental stages. Cones from mutant clones had 1.5–2.9 times smaller size than normal clones. Cones from 50% of the normal clones were more elongated in shape. In mutant clones, the numbers of fertile scales and ovules were 1.4 times lower than in normal clones. Seeds had a smaller size in all mutant clones, and seed quality and seed efficiency were lower in two-thirds of the clones compared with normal clones. Seed losses were observed at different developmental stages, but there were significantly more losses before pollination and during embryo development in mutants. Therefore, the majority of mutants had small cones and therefore a rather ornamental value because of reduced seed efficiency and small seeds. At the same time, individual mutant clones had a seed efficiency and the number of filled seeds close to those of normal clones. They could therefore be promising as cone-bearing cultivars for the commercial production of pine kernel.

NEW DATA ON CORTINARIUS FUNGA ( AGARICALES , BASIDIOMYCOTA ) FROM ALTAISKIY NATURE RESERVE AND GORNO-ALTAYSK AREA (SW SIBERIA, RUSSIA)

During an expedition in 2018 to Teletskoye Lake, Altaiskiy Nature Reserve and Gorno-Altaysk area (Altay Republic), 49 Cortinarius species were collected and documented, including ITS DNA sequencing of 32 samples. A total of 29 telamonioid species, 3 dermocyboid species, 6 anomaloid species, 6 phlegmacioid species, 3 myxacioid species and 2 species from other groups were found, of which 32 species are new to Altay and 14 species new to Russia. The Cortinarius funga of the Pinus – Betula – Abies forests of Altay is apparently very similar to that of boreal North Europe, and indicates a remarkable uniformity of the taiga from Scandinavia to western Siberia, with respect to fungal communities. Cortinarius privignipallens coll., C. subheterocyclus, C. nodosisporus appeared to be rare Eurasian species. A few undescribed species were also recorded, but since belonging to species complexes, they need further studies. Most of Cortinarius species (33) were found in Pinus sylvestris (Betula) mossy delta forests on sand/pebbles, whereas 9 species were found in the Pinus sibirica – Abies sibirica – Betula mixed tall herb slope forests. A few species were also found in the Alnus viridis subsp. fructicosa – Salix viminalis (Betula) riparian delta forest (3 taxa). Altogether 13 species were recorded in the calciphilous semi-open, partly grazed Betula pendula woodland around Gorno-Altaysk.

Кедровый стланик (<i>Pinus pumila</i> (Pall.) Regel, <i>Pinaceae</i>) – история изучения, современное состояние в ботанических садах Санкт-Петербурга и перспективы его использования в озеленении на Северо-Западе России

Кедровый стланик (<i>Pinus pumila</i> (Pall.) Regel, <i>Pinaceae</i>) – история изучения, современное состояние в ботанических садах Санкт-Петербурга и перспективы его использования в озеленении на Северо-Западе России

Alkaline treatment of pine nutshells to improve the treatment of model water from dye methylene blue

In the article presented the data on the possibility of using crushed pine nutshell to extract methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions. In Russia, in Siberia, located up to 80% of the world's reserves of Siberian cedar pine. Up to 12 million tons of pine nuts can be acquired annually, when processed into kernels or cedar oil, pine nut shell is formed as a waste, representing 51-59% of the nut weight itself. Despite proposed technological options for usage of pine nutshells, the issue of disposal of this material has not been fully resolved. One of the alternative options for the disposal of pine shells is obtaining sorption material for the extraction of pollutants from aqueous media. To improve the cleaning efficiency, the pine shell was treated with 10% NaOH solution. It was found that processing pine nutshells with 10% NaOH solution for 5 minutes at a temperature of 25 °C gives an improvement in cleaningefficiency of 96%, and an increase in the temperature of NaOH solution up to 97%. The recommended particle size of the pine nuts shell is less than 2 mm.

Diversity of Pinus sibirica forest types in different bioclimatic sectors of Sayan Mountains

The typological diversity of the three climatic facies of Siberian pine forests is considered in various bioclimatic sectors of the Prienisseysky Sayans. In each of the Sayan bioclimatic sectors, Siberian pine forests have a number of characteristic features of floristic composition and phytocenotic structure, restoration-age dynamics, productivity, and renewal process.

Rare Plants and Plant Communities of the Projected “Togul” National Park (Altai Region)

The value of the Salair Ridge territory for the creation of the “Togul” National Natural Park is determined primarily by the natural complex of black coniferous forests with the participation of relict plant species of the Miocene-Pliocene coniferous-deciduous forests and a group of early flowering ephemeroid plants, old-aged Pinus sibirica, Picea obovata and linden forests and a variety of tall grasses. Based on the performed geobotanical descriptions, the phytocenotic characteristic of linden forests was compiled. Information is provided on the location of 10 rare and endangered species of plants and fungi found during a survey of the territory of the planned national park.

Ecological Aspects of Pinus sibirica Du Tour Mycotrophy in Forest Ecosystems of West Siberia

Samples of Pinus sibirica Du Tour ectomycorrhizas (ecm), the correlations of ecm-tips morph-anatomical indicators and host tree growth parameters, biotic and abiotic factors were analysed. The correlation between the numbers of ectomycorrhizal morphotypes per sample and the vegetation period was shown. High occurrence of contact exploration type in the most disturbed biotope was indicated. A positive relationship between the radius of the tree root and the thickness of the fungal mantle was recorded.

Дендрохронологическая оценка состояния Тундринского кедрового бора (ХМАО-Югра)

Дендрохронологическая оценка состояния Тундринского кедрового бора (ХМАО-Югра)

The Estimate of NaturaL Regeneration of Siberian Pine in Middle Taiga (Western Siberia) under Forest Canopy and on Clearings

Проанализирована специфика условий работы фильтров для предварительной очистки сточных вод. Предложена новая конструкция механического ступенчатого фильтра, описан принцип его работы, преимущества и недостатки.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of Pinus sibirica Du Tour

The complete nucleotide sequence of Pinus sibirica Du Tour chloroplast genome (cp DNA) was determined in this study. The cpDNA was 116,635 bp in length, containing a pair of 473 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions (IRa and IRb), which were separated by large and small single-copy regions (LSC and SSC) of 63,908 and 51,781 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contained 113 genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, 4 ribosomal RNA genes, and 28 tRNA genes. The majority of these genes were single copy genes, while 4 genes existed as double copies, including 2 protein-coding genes (psbA and ycf2), 2 tRNA genes (trnAP and trnS). The overall GC content of P. sibirica cpDNA is 38.7%, while the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 38.0, 39.7, and 37.8%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed clusterization of P. sibirica in Strobus subgenus.

Ценотическое разнообразие растительности горно-тундрового и подгольцового поясов хребта Маньпупунёр (Северный Урал, Печоро-Илычский заповедник)

The study of coenotical diversity of mountain tundra and open woodland altitudinal belts at Manpupuner ridge (Pechoro-Ilych Nature Reserve) in 2012–2013 continues the previous researches by Institute of Biology Komi Scientific Centre RAS at ridges Schuka-Yol-is, Kychyl-is, Makar-is, Tonder and Turynya-ner, and Mankhambo in 2007–2011 (Deg­teva, Dubrovskiy 2009, 2012, 2014). The data were obtained using the complex of traditional and modern methods of phytocoenotical and floristical researches (Ipatov, Mirin, 2008). 184 relevés (kept in the Phytocoenarium of the Institute of Biology KSC RAS), made at 400 m2 plots in open woodland and forests stands, at 100 m2 plots in meadow, tundra and shrub stands or within the limits of the communities, were set along the profiles at the elevation gradients. The assessment of vertical and horizontal structure, species number and abundance of vascular plants, main mosses and lichens as well as community classification according the dominant approach was carried out. In mountain tundra communities which are located at flat plates and terraces of the upper part of slopes 122 species of vascular plants, 36 of mosses and 37 of lichens were found. Three associations (Fruticuleto-betuletum nanae flavocetrariosum (Fig. 2), Fruticuletum cladinosum, Myrtilletum cladinosum, Fruticuletum cladinosum) of lichen tundra (Table 2), two ones (Fruticuleto-betuletum nanae hylocomiosum, Myrtilletum hylocomiosum) of green moss tundra (Fig. 3, 4) and ass. Bistorto majoris-avenelletum poly­trichosum of Polytrichum-dominated tundra (Table 3) were distinguished. More diverse is vegetation of the open woodland belt where the complex of open woodlands, bushes and meadows is presented. Poor in species number spruce open woodlands with total tree crown density is 0.1–0.2 and of 2–3 m height in the upper part of the belt and 6 m in the lower slope parts, which occur at about 680–760 m,1 belong to associations Piceetum betuloso nanae–caricoso-empetroso-cladinosum and P. avenelloso-myrtilloso-hylocomiosum (Table 4; Fig. 5). Pinus sibirica open woodlands (Table 4) of lichen (Cembretum betuloso nanae–arctoetoso alpinae–flavocetrariosum (Fig. 6) and C. caricoso globularis–vaccinioso uliginosii–cladinosum) and green moss (C. caricoso globularis–vaccinioso uliginosii–hylocomiosum) types were met at 620–640 m at flat terraces (first time in the Pechoro-Ilych Nature Reserve). Open woodlands dominated by mountain ecological form of Betula pubescens occur at 580–770 m more common at east and north-west exposition, but also occur at south-west and north slopes and in the southern part of the Manpupuner Ridge, on terraces. Taxation parameters of the stands change with the elevation changes. In the upper part of this belt, the canopy density is 0.1–0.2, tree height 1.5–2.5 m and stem diameter 2–4 cm, at elevations about 600 m, 0.4–0.6, 8–12 m and 18–26 cm respectively. Five associations are distinguished within this formation: Montano-Betuletum gymnocarpiosum, M.-B. geraniosum albiflorii, M.-B. calamagrostidosum, M.-B. aconitosum (Fig. 7), M.- B. avenellosum (Table 5). Shrub vegetation is presented by Salix spp., Betu­la nana and Juniperus sibirica stands. The willows (Sali­cetum lanatae geraniosum albiflorii and Salicetum lanatae mixtoherboso–calamagrostidosum) (Table 6, Fig. 8) are developed in stream runoffs/valleys at ele­vations 700–770 m. Juniperus communis communities (Juniperetum sibiricae avenelloso-myrtilloso-hylocomiosum (Fig. 9) and Juniperetum sibiricae gymnocarpiosum; Table 6) in the Pechoro-Ilych Nature Reserve are found at 670–780 m in the drained ecotopes at terraces, flat and convex slopes. Betula nana stands (Betuletum nanae empetroso-caricoso-hylocomioso-cladinosum (Fig. 10), Betuletum nanae caricoso-hylocomiosum (Fig. 11) and Betuletum nanae fruticuloso-hylocomiosum; Table 6) cover the largest areas at 680–750 m on terraces, flat, convex and concave slopes and saddles between the individual vertices. In mountain meadows (Calamagrostidetum geraniosum (Fig. 12) and Geranietum mixtoherbosum (Fig. 13)) which do not cover large areas at the ridge and occur on rich wet soils at stream runoffs, valleys and the borders of the stone-fields, 117 species of vascular plants, 27 of mosses and 32 of lichens are found (Table 7). Coenotical core of their flora is formed by species of meadow and mountain meadow eco-coenotical group. Species number at 100 m2 plot vary from 12 to 45 (mean 27). Three associations (Piceetum fruticuloso-hylocomiosum, P. aconitosum and P. dryopteridosum expansae) dominate in the mountain forest belt. The common number of syntaxa of association level at the Manpupuner Ridge is 27 including mountain tundras, bushes, meadows, open woodlands and forests.

Prospects for using pine nut products in the dairy industry

Abstract: Functional products are currently attracting a lot of research interest. Modern people’s diet does not satisfy their need for nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and functional products can make it more balanced. In particular, our diet is lacking in protein. This paper discusses the prospects for enriching dairy products with plant protein derived from pine nuts and their products. Pine nut paste, fat-free milk, and oil cake are a valuable source of fatty acids, vitamins, and microelements. The protein, lipid, vitamin, and mineral content of these products makes them suitable for combining with milk. Their water-holding and fat-emulsifying capacities allow their use as stabilizers and emulsifiers. Siberian pine nuts grow wild in the Kemerovo Region, which makes their use as a raw material economically feasible. The article introduces a number of functional dairy products enriched with pine nut products, such as cheese, ice cream, and cottage cheese. Further, it describes the production process and the products’ nutritional value. The chemical composition of new types of dairy products shows that using pine nut oil cake, fat-free flour, paste, and oil enriches them with plant proteins, vegetable fats, vitamins as well as macro- and microelements. Replacing dairy raw materials with plants does not reduce the nutritional value of new dairy products. Dairy foods are rich in protein, fat, and minerals. The vitamin content of new dairy products with functional ingredients is similar to that of dairy-based products. Moreover, using functional products (pine nut oil cake, fat-free flour, paste, and oil) enriches new types of dairy products with tocopherols.

Regeneration of Larix sibirica boreal forest patches in the forest-steppe ecotone in Gorkhi Terelj National Park, Mongolia

ABSTRACTTo demonstrate the dynamics of forest patches in the Mongolian forest-steppe ecotone and examine how forest structure changes with distance from the forest edge, we investigated forest structure and tree age according to two spatial scales: transects and quadrats within transects. The transects shifted with distance across the treeline and we focused on two representative tree species (Larix sibirica and Pinus sibirica) in Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Pure L. sibirica stands were observed in quadrats with a lower maximum tree age; in contrast, P. sibirica occurred only in quadrats with a maximum tree age over 100 years. This result indicated that the forest patches experienced successional changes from L. sibirica to P. sibirica. In all transects, tree stands mainly presented multiaged regeneration patterns. Disturbances such as forest fire may result in the regeneration of younger L. sibirica. The basal area and maximum age increased with increasing distance from the treeline. The increase in the basal area and number of P. sibirica saplings suggested that succession from L. sibirica to P. sibirica was more advanced in the forest interior than at the forest edge. Differences in the disturbance regime may explain the changes in forest structure that occur with increased distance from the forest edge.

DETERMINATION of QUANTITATIVE CONTENT of EXTRACTIVE SUBSTANCES FROM the WOOD, ROOTS AND BARK of CONIFEROUS SPECIES in SIBERIA: LARCH (LARIX SIBIRICA L.), Scotch PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.), FIR (ABIES SIBIRICA L.), SPRUCE (PICEA OBOVATA L.) AND CEDAR (PINUS SIBIRICA DU TOUR.)

The study of the quantitative content of extractive substances from various tree organs (wood, roots, bark) of coniferous Siberian specieswas conducted. The larch (Larix sibirica L.), pines (Pinus sylvestris L.), fir (Abies sibirica L.), spruce (Picea obovata L.) and cedar (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) were investigated.
 Samples of coniferous tissues were selected in the Lake Baikal area in September-October 2015. Extractive substances were extracted from the ground raw material by extraction with ethyl acetate at the boiling point of the solvent for 4 hours. The resinous substances were extracted from the obtained ethyl acetate extracts by hexane by the infusion method for 2 days. The raw material samples, after extraction with ethyl acetate, were dried from solvent residues, then water-soluble substances were extracted by extraction with distilled water at 90 °C for 4 hours [1].
 It is established the bark of the investigated coniferous species is most rich in extractive substances. It can contain up to 15% of the mass of absolutely dry matter (a.d.m.) of compounds soluble in ethyl acetate (for example, fir bark). The yield of extractive substances from coniferous wood is comparable with their content in the roots and ranges from 2 to 6% of the a.d.m.
 The greatest amount of resinous substances contain in wood of cedar and pine. This is more than 3% of a.d.m. The highest yield of water-soluble substances was from larch wood (18% of a.d.m.) and fir bark (10% of a.d.m.).
 A generalization and systematization of data on the chemical composition of phenolic extractive compounds of various coniferous tissues was carried out. It is shown that all the species under study contain a variety of biologically valuable polyphenols and have good potential for pharmacology, agriculture and forestry.

Thinning-Based Formation of Siberian Pine Forests in the Dark Chern Zone of Western Sayan

We have tested management practices at monitoring plots of the Institute of Forest, Russian Academy of Sciences, in Ermakovo station (Western Sayan) to develop Siberian pine forests (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) from young coniferous–deciduous forests that were formed in the place of clearcuttings in tall-grass–fern fir and Siberian pine forests in the low-mountain dark Chern zone. The dynamics of all layers and structural elements of the communities were studied from 1966 to 2014 at two experimental monitoring plots (each with an area of 2500 m2) and compared to the control. The article considers the case of admitting the complete lighting of Siberian pine undergrowth at first thinning. This practice proved to be optimal for further forest-management recommendations. Siberian pine gained competitive advantages over aspen or fir after the first thinning for a short period until the dominant species (aspen, birch, or fir) started to actively regenerate. Repeated thinning made Siberian pine steadily dominant in stands. Our experiment has shown that highly productive Siberian pine forests can be formed for 50 years under the unique natural and climate conditions of the low-mountain Chern zone of the Western Sayan, while the natural course of succession could not yield this result even after 200 or more years. These forests are comparable to indigenous dark Siberian pine forests with respect to their density (0.4–0.6) and wood stock (182 m3/ha at the age of 70–80 years and 270 m3/ha at the age of 80–90 years); however, the managed stands yield many more nuts (about 300 kg/ha) at the age of 70–90 years. Thinning induced the growth of a stand dominated by Siberian pine, as well as the formation of a phytocenotic structure similar to indigenous dark Siberian pine forests, i.e., a structure with a high diversity.