Successful vegetative propagation by stem cuttings of Tetraena mongolica Maxim.

Techniques have been developed for the vegetative propagation of Tetraena mongolica,a rare and endangered species endemic to the western Ordos Plateau in the northcentral portion of China.The purpose of the study was to investigate the rooting characteris-tics of the plant species from the aspects of length and ages of cuttings,external hormone concentration,leaf retention,cutting orientations,and cutting positions.The results obtained from the experiments indicated that the rooting ratio of 2-year or 3-year old cuttings was larger than more than of 4-year old cuttings.The influence of external hormone concentration on rooting was ob-vious;the rooting ratio of cuttings was increased by external hormone treatment,especially when treated by ABT1(ABT No.1 Rooting Powder) 50 mg/L for 3 hours,in which case,the rooting ratio reached 91 percent.Leaf retention influenced rooting sig-nificantly;the rooting rate of cuttings became greater as the leaf retention increased.There was no significant difference in rooting capability between south and north orientations of the ortets.The rooting ratio of the cuttings obtained from the distal portions of shoots was significantly larger than those obtained from the middle and the basal portions of the shoots.On day three after treat-ment,calluses started appearing at the incisions of some cuttings dipped in 500 mg/L IAA(indole acetic acid).Most cuttings were healed or swelled,and 6 percent of cuttings rooted on day 6 after treatment.Higher rooting period occurred 7-10 days after the experiment was set up.

Study on characteristics and regeneration rules of Salix gordejevii in Hunshandak Sandland, China

Salix gordejevii, a species of dune-fixing pioneer shrub in the Hunshandak Sandland in China, plays a vital role in maintenance and improvement of the local ecological environment. Salix gordejevii has an r-type reproductive countermeasure, which means it produces large quantifies of seeds that have a high germination rate but relatively low seedling viability. Our research on the seed regeneration and sprouting regeneration characteristics of Salix gordejevii shows that its sprouting regeneration process is more productive and efficient than its seed regeneration process. At the same time, growth of Salix gordejevii would decline when the drifting sand dune was fixed. To assess its sprouting regeneration process, we analyzed the number, length, and diameter of new shoots under different cutting treatments, and found significant differences based on various cutting heights and different cutting times （April vs. October）. We conclude that cutting measures which take advantage of this species＇ robust sprout tillering can in- crease the biomass of this shrub and also can improve its canopy density and its forage properties for livestock grazing, with the added benefits of improved sand-fixing and prevention of wind erosion.

Habitat suitability assessment of endangered plant Tetraena mongolica Maxim.

This paper uses Landsat TM images, GIS technology, Digital Elevation and Habitat Assessment Models to assess the habitat suitability of the endangered plant Tetraena mongolica in western Ordos Plateau of China by selecting terrain, soil, climate, and human activity factors as assessment indices. The results are as follows： natural factors such as climate and terrain are not restrictive factors for the survival and development of T. mongolica in the research region, whereas human activity causes habitat quality of T. mongolica to change intensively in quantity and distribution. The area of less suitable habitat increased by 23.87 km2 compared to potential habitat suitability. Thus, in some areas, human activity may be a key factor causing the endangerment of T. mongolica. There were obvious differences of potential and practical habitat suitability between different habitat regions in the study area. The habitat quality was better in Wujiamiao, Dishan and Qipanjing regions, and worse in Wuda and Qianlishan regions.