Study on Phenological Character in Seedling Period of Introduced Populus deltoids Clones

In order to provide directionally genetically improved breeding materials of poplar by exploring the phenological traits genetic variation level and its develop- ment potential of Populus deltoides and the resource evaluation was carried out; 8 phenological phases in seedling period were observed and analyzed of 60 Populus deltoids clones introduced from America. The results showed that： （1） there was obvious difference in phonological character among clones, especially in leaf-spread- ing peak stage and the end term of leaf-falling stage, with the largest variation co- efficient of 14.97% and the minimum of 3.83% respectively. （2） Leaf-spreading peak stage scattered but the end term of leaf-falling stage concentrated the most. The phonological character in early stage of seedling growth was the main factor influ- encing the length of growing season. （3） By principal component analysis, pheno- logical phases were classified into 3 typical periods, including germination stage, leaf-spreading peak stage and leaf-falling stage. （4） Totaling 60 clones were classi- fied into 4 types by using clustering analysis in phenological time variables of clones.

Effects of Fertilization on Young Populus deltoids cv. Zhonghua Hongye Growth

Using complete and orthogonal design, fertilization trials were conducted for the young growth of Populus deltoids cv. Zhonghua hongye in the fluviogenic soil in Xindu District, Chengdu City. The results showed that the application ef- fect of the single nutrient elements ranked as K〉N〉P, and that of the fertilization combinations ranked as N＋P＋K〉N＋K〉N＋P, P＋K. The optimum fertilization formula was urea [（NH2）2CO, 150 g/plant] ＋ calcium superphosphate [Ca（H2PO4）2.H20, 220 g/plant] ＋ potassium sulphate （K2SO4, 75 g/plant）.

Influences of the Populus deltoids seedlings treated with exogenous methyl jasmonate on the growth and development of Lymantria dispar larvae

Lyantria dispar larvae were fed with the leaves of Populus deltoids seedlings exposed to methyl jasmonate （MeJA） for 24 h. The growth and development of the larvae were investigated, and phenolics contents in treated leaves including pyrocatechol, caffeic acid, coumarin, fernlic acid and benzoic acid were also surveyed by high-pressure liquid chromatography （HPLC）. Results indicated that approximate digestibility, efficiency of conversion of ingested food, efficiency of conversion of digested food, and weight of the larvae were inhibited obviously, especially from the sixth day, which may result from the increase of total phenolics contents in treated leaves. This result provides strong supports for MeJA acting as the airborne signal molecule between woody plants.

Assembly and analysis of the Populus deltoides mitochondrial genome:the first report of a multicircular mitochondrial conformation for the genus Populus

Genomics research of Populus deltoides,an important timber species that is widely planted worldwide,is an important part of poplar breeding.Currently,the nuclear and chloroplast genome of P.deltoides have been sequenced,but its mitochondrial genome(mitogenome)has not been reported.To further explore the evolution and phylogeny of P.deltoides,the mitogenome of P.deltoides I-69 was assembled using reads from Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms and found to consist of 802,637 bp and three circular chromosomes(336,205,280,841,and 185,591 bp)containing 58 genes(34 protein-coding genes,21 tRNA genes,and 3 rRNA genes).RNA analysis in combination with several species showed signifi cantly fewer RNA editingsites in the mitogenomes of poplar and other angiosperms than in gymnosperms.Sequence transfer analysis showed extensive mitogenome rearrangements in Populus species,and with evolution from lower to higher plants,tRNA transfer from chloroplasts to mitochondria became increasingly frequent.In a phylogenetic analysis,the evolutionary status of P.deltoides was determined,and the section Populus was supported.Our results based on the fi rst report of a multicircular conformation of the Populus mitogenome provide a basis for further study of the evolution and genetics of P.deltoides and other Populus species and for breeding programs.

Isolation and characterization of two genes encoding polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein from Populus deltoides

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins （PGIPs） are extracellular proteins that belong to the leucine-rich repeat （LRR） protein superfamily. PGIPs inhibit fungal polygalacturonases （PGs） and promote accumulation of oligogalacturonides, which activate plant defense responses. PGIPs play important roles in resistance to infection of pathogens. In this study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RLM-RACE） were used to isolate the full-length PGIP cDNA from Populus deltoides （GenBank accession no. of PdPGIP2 and PdPGIP4：EF684913 and EF684912）. Domain analysis revealed that the deduced amino acid sequences of PdPGIP2 and PdPGIP4 had a typical PGIP topology. Phylogenetic analysis of known PGIPs indicated that the two PdPGIPs were clustered to the defense-related PGIP clade. Using real-time RT-PCR, the expression patterns of the two PdPGIPs following treatment with a fungal pathogen and defense-related signaling molecules were studied. The expression levels of PdPGIP2 and PdPGIP4 were both up-regulated when inoculated with the phytopathogenic fungus Marssonina brunnea. Therefore, it was proposed that the two PGIPs might be involved in the resistance to Marssonina brunnea in P. deltoides.

Morphological and physiological plasticity response to low nitrogen stress in black cottonwood(Populus deltoides Marsh.)

It is important to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen tolerance of trees in order to improve their productivity.In this study,both were evaluated for 338 Populus deltoides genotypes from six provenances.The plants were cultured under normal nitrogen(750μM NH_4 NO_3)and low nitrogen(5μM NH_4 NO_3)conditions for 3 months.Growth,chlorophyll content and glutamine synthetase activity of each genotype were measured.Under low nitrogen,heights,ground diameter,leaf area,leaf and root biomass,and chlorophyll contents were significantly lower than those under normal nitrogen level.Correlation analysis showed that nutrient distribution changed under different nitrogen treatments.There was a negative correlation between leaf traits and root biomass under normal nitrogen level,however,the correlation became positive in low nitrogen treatment.Moreover,with the decrease of nitrogen level,the negative correlation between leaf morphology and chlorophyll levels became weakened.The growth of the genotypes under the two treatments was evaluated by combining principal component analysis with a fuzzy mathematical membership function;the results showed that leaf traits accounted for a large proportion of the variation in the evaluation model.According to the results of comprehensive evaluation of plants under the two treatments,the 338 P.deltoides genotypes could be divided into nine categories,with wide genotypic diversity in nitrogen use efficiency and low nitrogen tolerance.As a result,26 N-efficient genotypes and 24 N-inefficient genotypes were selected.By comparative analysis of their morphological and physiological traits under the two treatments,leaf traits could be significant indicators for nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen tolerance,which is of considerable significance for breeding poplar varieties with high nitrogen use efficiencies.

Characterization and identification of leaf morphology of Populus deltoides Bartr. clones

Leaves are of fundamental importance to plants, representing their facility to generate power and are the sensing units of plants towards the environment. An attempt was made to characterize and compare the variations of leaf morphology of various Populus deltoides Bartr. clones by studying the winter buds and other leaf parameters of fully developed leaves. To achieve these objectives, forty-three exotic and indigenous clones ofP. deltoides Bartr. were evaluated for different parameters. On the basis of various morphological characteristics the results reveal that each clone has a distinct color pattern of leaves. Different colors observed in these clones varied from light green through green to dark green. Two distinct lengths of the leaf apex were found, i.e., short and long; as well both acuminate and acute apex types were found. Erratic distribution of serration of leaves was also found. In this study, the morphological traits of leaves provided discriminatory grounds for separating various populations of P. deltoides Bartr. clones. Winter bud studies indicate that different clones vary considerably with regard to shape, color, shape of leaf scars and exudation.

Compressive Strength Parallel to Grain Variation of Different Clones of Populus deltoides Marsh.

In order to explore the differences in the compressive strength parallel to grain （CSPG） between different clones and individual woods of Populus deltoides Marsh., the CSPGs of 5 15-year-old P. deltoides clones were determined and analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in CSPG of wood between different clones of P. deltoides . The CSPG of the tested clones reached more than 41 MPa, which was higher than the average compressive strength of P. deltoides （32.94 MPa）. Similar to the changes of stem height, the CSPG of the clones gradually increased with the increase of stem height. However, there were significant differences in CSPG of an individual plant at different tree heights. The CSPG of P. deltoides clones was related with their growth traits, but not significantly. Therefore, it is expected to achieve simultaneous and independent improvement on CSPG and the growth of P. deltoides , so as to get excellent individuals with fast growth and high CSPG.

Structural Association of Endoplasmic Reticulum with Other Membrane Systems in Populus deltoides Apical Bud Cells and Its Alterations During the Short Day_induced Dormancy

Electron microscopic observations revealed that the tissues of poplar ( Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh) apical bud cells, which were fixed by a modified procedure of potassium permanganate fixative, showed a distinct endomembrane organization, in particular, the structural associations of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with other membrane systems. The striking findings are that some ER elements were in connection with the nuclear envelopes of two adjacent cells through plasmodesmata, and many ER elements were also associated with mitochondria, plastids, Golgi bodies or the plasma membrane (PM), forming a bridge_like continuum among various endomembrane systems or between nucleus to nucleus. A great number of plasmodesmata existed between cells, indicating a perfectly integrated symplasmic structure in poplar apical bud meristem grown in a long day environment. During the short day_induced dormancy, ER contracted, leading to its disassociation between nuclei, and between the nucleus and organelles/plasmalemma in many cells. After dormancy broke and shoots growth resumed, contracted ER was no longer observed in the apical bud cells. The ER associations with other endomembrane systems and the intercellular communication channels were re_established similar to that of plants before dormancy induction. These observations suggest that ER may play an important role in linking_up between the nucleus and organelles, and between the nucleus and the nucleus (or cell_to_cell), and seemingly coordinating various physiological processes by the bridging_like associations. And the contraction of ER under short_day may result in the growth cessation and the development of dormancy in poplar.

Ovipositional preference and larval performance of poplar defoliator,Clostera restitura on different poplar clones in north-western India

We evaluated ten poplar clones （G-3, G-48, L-50/88, L- 154/84, L-156/89, S7C8, S7C15 WSL-22, WSL-29 and Uday） for ovi- positional preference and larval performance of Clostera restitura. Fe- male moths did not show any preference with respect to clones for ovi- position. Significant differences were observed for number of eggs laid on different plant parts. C. restitura laid eggs in clusters, preferably on upper surface of leaf and size of the egg cluster varied from 15 to 167 eggs. Clones varied for their relative resistance and susceptibility to C. restitura. L-50/88; L-156/89 were identified as most resistant clone based on minimum leaf consumption, whereas S7C15 was found to be most susceptible clone to C. restitura. In multiple choice experiments, no feeding preference by C. restitura larvae was detected amongst different poplar clones. After initial settlement of larvae on a particular clone, the larvae remained confined to that clone and negligible inter-clonal move- ment was noticed subsequently. The fresh pupal weight was correlated negatively （r = -0.37） with percentage surface leaf area eaten and positively （r = 0.47） with length of larval period, measured on different clones. Relationship between percentage leaf area eaten and length of larval period was negative （r = -0.23）. Owing to relative resistance of L- 50/88 and L-156/89 against C. restitura, these clones can be recom- mended for plantation in defoliator prone areas in north-western India.

An electron microscopic-cytochemical localization of plasma membrane Ca^(2+)-ATPase activity in poplar apical bud cells during the induction of dormancy by short-day photoperiods

Plasma membrane （PM） Ca2+-ATPase activity in poplar apical bud meristematic cells during short-day （SD）-induced dormancy development was examined by a cerium precipitation EM-cytochemical method. Ca2+-ATPase activity, indicated by the status of cerium phosphate precipitated grains, was localized mainly on the interior face （cytoplasmic side） of the PM when plants were grown under long days and reached a deep dormancy. A few reaction products were also observed on the nuclear envelope.When plant buds were developing dormancy after 28 to 42 d of SD exposure, almost no reaction products were present on the interior face of the PM. In contrast, a large number of cerium phosphate precipitated grains were distributed on the exterior face of the PM. After 70 d of SD exposure, when buds had developed a deep dormancy, the reaction products of Ca2+-ATPase activity again appeared on the interior face of the PM. The results seemed suggesting that two kinds of Ca2+-ATPases may be present on the PM during the SD-induced dormancy in poplar.One is the Ca2+-punlping ATPase, which is located on the interior face of the PM, for maintaining and restoring the Ca2+homeostasis. The other might be an ecto-Ca2+-ATPase, which is located on the exterior face of the PM, for the exocytosis of cell wall materials as suggested by the fact of the cell wall thickening during the dormancy developlnent in poplar.

Variation among poplar clones for growth and crown traits under field conditions at two sites of North-western India

We evaluated the growth and crown traits of 36 poplar clones at two distinct agro-climatic regions of Punjab （Ludhiana and Bathinda） in northwestern India, following randomized block design with three replications and plot size of four trees. Significant differences among clones （p〈0.001） were observed for diameter at breast height （DBH）, tree height, volume, crown width and number of branches under both the site conditions. Clones ‘G-3’, ‘25-N’ and ‘41-N’ at Ludhiana and ‘G-3’, ‘RD-01’ and ‘S7C8’ at Bathinda were found to be superior for volume production. All growth and crown traits registered significantly higher values at Ludhiana in comparison to those at Bathinda. Clone site interaction was also significant （p〈0.001）. For volume, clones ‘L-62/84’, ‘113520’, ‘25-N’ and ‘S4C2’ witnessed huge fluctuations in ranking between sites. The correlations between growth traits were positive and highly significant （p〈0.001） at both sites. The clonal mean heritability was moderate for DBH and volume both at Ludhiana （0.61–0.66） and Bathinda （0.61–0.62）. Across sites, the genetic advance was the highest for volume （49.76%） and the lowest （6.50%） in case of height.

Natural infectious behavior of the urediniospores of Melampsora larici-populina on poplar leaves

The uredinial stage in the life cycle of Melampsora larici-populina on poplar leaves is the most important pathogenic phase. We captured partial phases of uredinial infection in the wild, aiming to reconstruct the process of uredinial ontogeny by using scanning and transmission electron microscope. At the initial infection stage, germ tubes germinated from the echinulate urediniospores. Germ tubes were frequently seen to merge with the leaf surface and cuticle breakage was observed, indicating direct hyphal penetration. Stomata penetration occurred commonly, sometimes with more than one germ tube penetrating the same stoma. Melampsora larici-populina did not form appressoria in the infection process,implying that infectious behavior of this pathogen may differ from the other rust pathogens. In general, germ tubes branched randomly, and no distinct evidence indicated that stoma could induce or orient germ tube branches. However, oriented germ tube growth has been occasionally observed in other studies. The urediniospores collapsed and finally wizened when they became nutrient stressed. At the last stage of infection, the uredinia erupted from the leaf epidermis and appeared as orange pustules on the leaf surface.

A cDNA microarray analysis of the molecular control of poplar wood properties

Molecular biological research into wood development and formation has been the focus in recent years, but the pace of discovery of related genes and their functions in the control of wood properties has been slow. The microarray technique--with its advantages of high throughput capacity, sensitivity, and reliability over other tools developed for investigating genes expression patterns-is capable of rapidly assaying thousands of genes. In this study, a cDNA microarray prepared from two cDNA libraries of developing poplar xylem tissues was used to assay gene expression patterns in immature xylem tissues at different heights from the main stem of Populus deltoides （15 years old）, which was confirmed to have distinct wood properties （microfibrillar angle, woody density） by X-ray. Two hundred seventy-four transcripts with differ- ential expression profles between the chips were screened out, and the individual clones were subjected to 5＇ sequencing. Using bioinformatic analysis, we identified candidate genes that may influence poplar wood properties, many of which belong to various regulatory and signal transduction gene families, such as zinc finger protein transcription factor, DNA-binding transcription factor, ethylene response factors, and so on. The results suggest that these genes may regulate enzymes involved in wood formation. Further work will be performed to clone these genes and determine how they influence poplar wood properties.

Risk assessment in poplar plantations:a case study from northern Iran

Linear risk programming was used to determine the optimum cultivation pattern to increase incomes of poplar farmers.Seven clones of Populus deltoides Bartr.ex Marsh.were examined in Guilan province,northern Iran.Growth and price data were taken from previous research at the Safrabaste Poplar Research Station and in interviews with farmers.The Lingo software was used to analyze the data in different forms of E.The results show that when risk was considered,the optimal solution included the clones Pd63/51-x1,-Pd72/51-x3,Pd73/51-x4 and Pd79/51-x6.There was a high growth fluctuations of the clones Pd69/55-x2,Pd77.51-x5,and Pd caroliniensis-x7 and were not included in cultivation plans.Furthermore,the existing farm plans executed by local farmers,is neither profitoriented nor efficient in terms of income risk management according to risk efficient frontier.These results could help farmers with different levels of risk-aversion to select proper planting plans.

西洞庭管理区杨树新品种美洲黑杨区域化试验中报

为丰富长江中游地区杨树种植品种的多样性,提高杨树单位面积生产力与林分生态功能,湖南茂源林业有限责任公司联合中南林业科技大学,选育出美洲黑杨(Populus deltoides)湘林-423、湘林-623、湘林-668、湘林-680、湘林-705、湘林-740良种6个。研究通过分析选育试验在常德市西洞庭管理区的区域化试验中期结果,进一步证实6个新品种在西洞庭管理区有较强的增产效果,其中表现最好的湘林-680,6年生树高达23.3 m、胸径达27.9 cm、单株材积高达0.576 3 m^(3),其单株材积较对照湘林-77、湘林-90、南林3412、南林3804分别增产20.4%、20.6%、40.1%和49.4%,增产效果明显。研究比较了6个新品种与5个其它参试良种在西洞庭管理区的6年生单株材积生长量差异,除南林3412、南林3804外的9个良种相互之间没有显著差异。

无絮黑杨‘周雄1号’新品种选育与应用

利用杨树自然杂种资源丰富的条件,从自然界中寻找表现优异的杂种实生苗群体,通过超级苗选择,将遗传增益更大的实生苗栽入试验林培育观察,通过各种性状比较,从中选出3株优良雄性单株,进行无性系扩繁,而后进行无性系子代测定和区域试验,从中选育出无絮黑杨新品种——‘周雄1号’杨(Populus deltoides‘Zhouxiong No.1’)。该品种具有抗性强、成活率高、生长速度快、冠形好、材质优良等特性,是我国黄淮海地区杨树新一代良种,特别是在解决杨树资源匮乏和杨树飞絮污染这一矛盾问题方面,能够发挥重要而积极的作用。

Impact of monoculture of poplar on rhizosphere microbial communities over time

To date, research on the adverse effects of continuous cropping has focused on field crops;forest plantations, despite their very significant economic and ecological value, have received less attention. The evolution of microbial community in the rhizosphere of forest plantations, in particular, has rarely been examined. In this study, changes in the size, composition, and structure of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere of different generations of poplar (Populus deltoides) plantations were studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and compared with the composition of the microbial community in a bare land (control) adjacent to the plantation sites through sequencing analysis and by constructing phylogenetic trees. The numbers of bacteria and fungi increased significantly with successive poplar generations, although the increases in the two groups were not parallel. When compared with the control, the bacterial community increased greatly in the second generation, and the most significant increase occurred in the third generation. In contrast, the most significant increase in the fungal community occurred in the first generation, and the increase in the third generation was insignificant. In terms of community composition, the first generation showed little change in either community;however, the second generation showed remarkable changes in the bacterial community, and the third in the fungal community. The numbers of Gammaproteobacteria,Alphaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria increased by 10.92%, 7.38%, and 5.46%, respectively, whereas those of Acidobacteria decreased by 18.38%in the second generation. These changes in the number and composition of microbial communities in the rhizosphere could be one of the reasons for the decline in yield and quality associated with long-term monoculture.