Study on Relationship of Root Morphological Characters and Biomass of Cupressus lusitanica in Different Age Classes

[Objective] The aim was to explore biomass and growth of Cupressus lusitanica seedlings in order to provide technological supports for afforestation. [Method] The introduced Cupressus lusitanica seedlings at different ages were re- searched to explore biomass （ground or underground） morphological shape, surface area and volume of a root system. [Result] As age grew, plant height and ground diameter increased significantly, varying dramatically upon seed provenance, and root-canopy ratio, root length, surface area and volume of seedlings were increas- ing. Specifically, seedlings at two-year-old and three-year-old kept a stable growth; moderate and big roots took higher proportions in a root system; underground parts for a plant required more photosynthetic products; root systems of young seedlings grew to moderate and big roots. [Conclusion] Ground biomass is of correlation with root system indices and the morphological characteristics of root systems are close to biomass. The accumulation capacity of biomass differed for seedlings from differ- ent provenances, even in the same environment and at the same time.

Status of cypress aphid on Cupressus lusitanica and Juniperus procera in protected and cultivated forests of South Wollo,Ethiopia

In Ethiopia,Cupressus lusitanica and Juniperus procera are important tree species.The incidence of the cypress aphid,Cinara cupressi,which has not been reported before on the exotic Cupressus lusitanica is becoming catastrophic.The appearance of the insect was reported for the first time in 2003 in Ethiopia.However,information is scarce on the status of this species in northeast Amhara state.The objectives of this study were to assess the extent of damage,abundance and status of the cypress aphid on C.lusitanica and J.procera in the protected and cultivated forests of South Wollo,Ethiopia.Results reveal that tree compositions of the three study areas differed.The dominant tree species were C.lucitanica(15–80%),Olea europaea(5–90%)and J.procera(14–70%).The cypress aphid showed significantly higher levels of infestation on C.lusitanica(35–90%)than on J.procera(1–16%).Moreover,there was higher C.lusitanica mortality(40–93%).In contrast,there was low infestation(1–16%)on J.procera and no mortality.The results reveal that the cypress aphid causes enormous losses of C.lusitanica.Therefore,it is recommended that insect surveillance be strengthened and the introduction bioagents be considered and integrated with other insecticides to minimize the degree of C.lusitanica infestation and loss.