Variable chlorophyll fluorescence in response to water plus heat stress treatments in three coniferous tree seedlings

Effects of water and heat stress treatments on chlorophyll fluorescence of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata D. Don)_seedlings were monitored during a three-cycle stress period. It was shown that ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of these three species responded differently to water stress treatments. The Fv/Fm ratio of western redcedar decreased dramatically after water stress, while that of Chinese fir had only a slight reduction and that of Masson pine had no significant change. The experiment also showed that the Fv/Fm ratio of all three species differed significantly under heat stress treatments. Concerning three different water plus heat stress cycles, it was found that the Fv/Fm ratios of Chinese fir and Masson pine measured at the end of each water plus heat stress cycle were not significantly different. However, the Fv/Fm ratio of western redcedar was diminished significantly in response to an increase of stress time. Keywords Chinese fir - Chlorophyll fluorescence - Heat stress - Masson pine - Water stress - Western redcedar CLC number Q945.17 - S791.248 Document code A Biography: Yu Fang-yuan (1965-), male, Ph. Doctor. Associate professor in College of Forest Resources and Environment, Nanjing, Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China.Responsible editor: Zhu Hong

Conifer genetic engineering: Particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer and its application in future forests

Many important advances in forest biotechnology have been made. The use of genetic transformation and the ap-plications of transgenic trees in modern forestry is now an important field. Two basic methodologies particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation have been used on conifers. However, routine procedures exist for only a limited number of conifers. As a result only a few species have been successfully transformed into stable transgenic plants. The use of a particle bombardment has been more successful and transgenic plants have been produced in Picea abies, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, and Pinus radiata, although the level of production of stable transgenic plants is lower than that of Agrobacte-rium. At present, breeding programs have been directed toward improving bole shape, growth rate, wood properties, and quality, as well as toward improving root and shoot performance, pest resistance, stress tolerance, herbicide resistance, and ability to resist stresses, which will drive forestry to enter a new era of productivity and quality. This article provides a brief overview of the current state of knowledge on genetic transformation in conifers.

Some conifers from Aptian in Yanbian area of Jilin, Northeast China

Some well-preserved conifer leafy shoots and female cones from the Lower Cretaceous Changcai For- mation near Fudong of Helong, eastern Jilin, Northeast China are studied. Based on gross morphological and cuticular study, a new species, Elatides helongensis Sun et Zhao （ sp. nov. ） is described systematically. The new species is characterized by persistent, linear or slightly falcate leaves with obtusely acute apex, attached helically on the shoots. Female cones of the new species are terminal and oval, composed of persistent helically- arranged rhomboidal scales and erect seeds. One erect seed is growing on each scale. Leaf cuticles are hyposto- matic. Monocylic stomata are ellipse, composed of 2 sunken guard ceils and 4-8 subsidiary cells. Moreover, the cuticles of a young female cone of Pityostrobus yingchengensis Yang are described for the first time.

Long-Term H2O and CO2 Trends in Conifer Disc Tree Rings and Meteorological Parameters

Results of investigations into the CO2 content in tree disc rings by the method proposed here have shown that a considerable part of CO2 generated under cell respiration is found in tree stems. Besides, annual CO2 distribution in tree rings exhibits a well-defined cyclicity. Results obtained from investigations into long-term CO2 and H2O variations in tree discs performed by different methods are presented. Wavelet and spectral analyses of the relationship between CO2 and H2O variations in a Siberian stone pine disc and meteorological parameters were made. The CO2 annual distributions of seven spruce tree discs were examined by the Caterpiller-SSA method. Wood samples of Siberian stone pine and spruce trees were taken from the same site in Tomsk region （Siberia, Russia） that characterized by an optimum growth habitat. Conclusions are made regarding the response of the annual CO2 and H2O conifer disc tree ring distributions to different climatic factors.

Recent advances in the molecular genetics of resin biosynthesis and genetic engineering strategies to improve defenses in conifers

Since the first terpenoid synthase cDNA was obtained by the reverse genetic approach from grand fir, great progress in the molecular genetics of terpenoid formation has been made with angiosperms and genes encoding a monoterpene synthase, a sesquiterpene synthase, and a diterpene synthase. Tree killing bark beetles and their vectored fungal pathogens are the most destructive agents of conifer forests worldwide. Conifers defend against attack by the constitutive and inducible production of oleoresin that accumulates at the wound site to kill invaders and both flush and seal the injury. Although toxic to the bark beetle and fungal pathogen, oleoresin also plays a central role in the chemical ecology of these boring insects. Recent advances in the molecular genetics of terpenoid biosynthesis provide evidence for the evolutionary origins of oleoresin and permit consideration of genetic engineering strategies to improve conifer defenses as a component of modern forest biotechnology. This review described enzymes of resin biosynthesis, structural feathers of genes genomic intron and exon organization, pathway organization and evolution, resin production and accumulation, interactions between conifer and bark beetle, and engineering strategies to improve conifer defenses.

Problems in the Field of Systematics and Investigation of Conifers in Russia

The largest and most important family in Russian conifers is Pinaceae （27-29 species）. The most important problems in the field of systemitics concern some critical taxa. In the result of author＇s research, the new signs of vegetative and reproductive organs have been checked out and elaborated. It leads to the clarifying of new taxonomic status and geographical distribution of certain critical taxa. A set of species are threatened and need special measures which are included into the Red Data Book of Russian Federation. for their conservation. There are 13 species and one variety

Distribution Patterns and Associations of Dominant Tree Species in a Mixed Coniferous-Broadleaf Forest in the Changbai Mountains

In 2012 a plot was established with 1-ha area in a mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest in the Changbai Mountains, northeastern China for examining local forest processes, structure and succession. A method of O-ring statistics （pair- correlation function） was applied to analyze the spatial patterns and associations of the dominant species within different vertical layers. After the evaluation by their importance values, six tree species （or group） （i.e. Abies nephrolepis, Picea jezoensis, Pinus koraiensis, Tilia amurensis, and species group of Betula ssp. and species group of Acer ssp.） were determined as dominant trees species. It was found that some of these species exhibited closely clustered distributions at fine distances. As spatial distance increased, a random or even regular distribution gradually appeared with the exception of the upper layers of A. nephrolepis and P. koraiensis, and the lower layers of P. jezoensis, P. koraiensis and Betula ssp., which were substantially randomly distributed. Intra- and inter-species spatial associations varied in accordance with species, tree height and reciprocal distances. Positive associations were observed between the lower and upper height classes of trees of the same species （except for that of P. jezoensis） at fine distances. This may be owing to limited seed dispersal and geological heterogeneity. The aggregation intensity declines with increasing distances and this consistent with the predictions of self-thinning. Some coniferous trees （e.g. Pinus koraiensis） in the lower height class were positively associated with T. amurensis and group of Betula ssp. of the upper height class at some distances, suggesting that saplings of coniferous trees occupy a broader niche and can grow well under the canopy of the adult of broad-leaved trees. Negative associations were observed between upper coniferous trees and lower broad-leaved trees and between upper P. jezoensis and lower P. koraiensis, suggesting that a canopy of these trees might not provide suitable environment for the survival, establishment, and growth of o lower individuals, corresponding well to Janzen-Connell hypothesis.

Study on the production effect and prevention index of the forthputting of sonsau cocuus sinensis chen on the Pinus tabulaeformis

The growth of Pinus tabulaeformis is influenced by the sonsau cocuus sinensis chen. When the insect density is more than 300-350 head/hundred beam conifer, sonsau cocuus sinensis chen occurred significantly influence the Pinus tabulaeformis＇ s growth. when the insect density reached 250-300 head/100 beam coniferous, sonsau cocuus sinensis chen significantly influence the accumulation of Pinus tabulaeformis volume. To determine the sonsau cocuus sinensis chen 2nd instar nymph theory control index was 220.5 / hundred beam needles has a guiding significance to the production practice.

Green synthesis of silver nanoneedles using shallot and apricot tree gum

A green synthesis method to produce silver nanoneedles was described using shallot and apricot tree gum（ATG）.A fast,simple,and low cost method was used to synthesize silver with nanoparticle and nanoneedle shape from the silver nitrate solution.Shallot as a reducing agent and apricot tree gum（ATG） as a stabilizer and a capping agent were utilized to reduce and form silver ions into silver atoms with needle and particle shape.Moreover,high crystalline structures of silver nanoparticles（AgNPs） with diameters of 8-20 nm and silver nanoneedles with average diameters of 50-60 nm and lengths of 5-10 μm were consequently synthesized by shallot and the mixture of shallot and ATG.A self-assembly mechanism was proposed to indicate the formation of needle-like structures of spherical Ag NPs via carbon chains of ATG.The results indicate that the presence of ATG with shallot can transfer the reduced Ag NPs into the silver nanoneedle.The findings were characterized using X-ray diffraction（XRD）,ultra violet visible（UV-Vis） spectrometry,field emission scanning electron microscopy（FESEM）,and transmission electron microscopy（TEM） techniques.

Vegetation Dynamism in the Mixed Conifer/Broadleaves Species Artificial Stands Crossed by Fire： The Arci Mountain Case Study in Sardinia

Immediate cutting and logging of mixed conifer/broadleaves species in a man-made forest crossed by fire in 2009 in the Arci Mountain in Sardinia can not guarantee as the best post-fire regeneration. The study case reports the differences in the density and in the height of seedlings. The release of damaged Pinus halepensis Mill. stems seems to confirm the tree seeder role of this species.

奇松迎客——妙峰山十二景之六

迎日乘风欲飞举,客心激越俗尘清.奇峰怪石本天成,松盖分披似巨鹏.

How does tree age influence damage and recovery in forests impacted by freezing rain and snow?

The response and recovery mechanisms of forests to damage from freezing rain and snow events are a key topic in forest research and management. However, the relationship between the degree of damage and tree age, i.e., whether seedlings, young trees, or adult trees are most vulnerable, remains unclear and is rarely reported. We investigated the effect of tree age on the degrees of vegetation damage and subsequent recovery in three subtropical forest types-coniferous, mixed, and broad-leaved —in the Tianjing Mountains, South China, after a series of rare icy rain and freezing snow events in 2008. The results showed that damage and recovery rates were both dependent on tree age, with the proportion of damaged vegetation increasing with age(estimated by diameter at breast height, DBH) in all three forest types and gradually plateauing. Significant variation occurred among forest types. Young trees in the coniferous forest were more vulnerable than those in the broad-leaved forest. The type of damage also varied with tree age in different ways in the three forest types. The proportion of young seedlings that were uprooted(the most severe type of damage) was highest in the coniferous forest. In the mixed forest, young trees were significantly more likely to be uprooted than seedlings and adult trees, while in the broad-leaved forest, the proportion of uprooted adult trees was significantly higher than that of seedlings and young trees. There were also differences among forest types in how tree age affected damage recovery. In the coniferous forest, the recovery rate of trees with broken trunks or crowns(DBH > 2.5 cm) increased with tree age. However, in the mixed and broad-leaved forests, no obvious correlation between the recovery rate of trees with broken trunks or crowns and tree age was observed. Trees with severe root damage did not recover; they were uprooted and died. In these forests, vegetation damage and recovery showed tree age dependencies, which varied with tree shape, forest type, and damage type. Understanding this dependency will guide restoration after freezing rain and snow disturbances.