Understory plant diversity and phenolic allelochemicals across a range of Eucalyptus grandis plantation ages

Allelopathy is an important mechanism in Eucalyptus plantations that causes detrimental impacts on understory diversity.Phenolic compounds are the main allelochemicals suppressing understory plants.However,the dynamic changes in phenolic allelochemicals and their relationship with understory diversity with increasing age of Eucalyptus plantations remain largely unclear.In this study,the understory plant diversity was assessed and phenolic compounds identified from leaf litter,roots,and rhizosphere soil samples in a Eucalyptus grandis plantation at two-year intervals for ten years using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).The abundance and diversity of under story plant species were lowest in 4-year-old plantations and increased significantly with age.Seven phenolic acids and 10 flavonoids were identified from leaf litter,roots,and rhizosphere soils.Most of the potential phenolic allelochemicals,such as salicylic acid,gallic acid,4-hydroxybenzoic acid,and epicatechin,were more abundant in younger plantations,especially at4 years old.The concentrations of phenolic compounds in the rhizosphere zone were significantly lower than in litter and root samples and did not change significantly with an increase in age.Notably,phenolic compounds contributed more to the variation in the understory plants than soil factors.Hydroxyphenyllactic acid,ellagic acid,quercetin,salicylic acid,and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main phenolic compounds explaining the variation in plant diversity with plantation age.These findings indicate that young E.grandis plantations,especially at four years of age,merit a greater focus because of their lower understory plant diversity and higher allelopathic potential.

Soil microorganisms alleviate the allelopathic effect of Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla leachates on Brassica chinensis

Soil microbes may be critical players in determining the allelopathic potential of some plants. Low levels of plant community biodiversity in Eucalyptus plantations have been attributed to the allelopathic potential of these tree species. The role of soil microbes in the allelopathic effect of leaf leachates of the hybrid tree Eucalyptus grandis×E.urophylla, was tested in Petri dish assays with Brassica chinensis as a receiver plant. Soils were collected from either a local garden(soil A) or a Eucalyptus plantation(soil B) and half of each soil was sterilized to remove microbes.These soils were then treated with E. grandis×E. urophylla leachates for 0–72 h. Seed germination of B. chinensis was significantly inhibited in soils treated with leaf leachates relative to untreated soils. The inhibitory effect of the leaf leachates was more pronounced in sterilized soils. Total phenolic content was obvious lower in nonsterile leachatetreated soils than in sterile soils. Biomass of B. chinensis was negatively correlated with the total phenolic content in soils.Our findings suggest that soil microbes can alleviate the allelopathic potential of Eucalyptus and thereby its negative impact on plant growth.

巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)人工林土壤动物群落对采伐干扰的初期响应

为了解采伐干扰对巨桉（Eucalyptus grandis）人工林土壤动物的影响,于2005～2007年采用手捡法和干湿漏斗法对四川省洪雅县巨桉人工林采伐干扰前和采伐干扰后土壤动物群落进行调查,采伐干扰前四季共获土壤动物4775头,分属4门11纲27目,采伐干扰后获土壤动物4640头,分属4门10纲23目。采伐干扰后秋季（10月）、冬季（1月）和春季（4月）土壤动物个体数较采伐干扰前分别上升224头、368头和443头,而夏季（7月）下降了1170头。采伐干扰前巨桉人工林土壤动物个体数与类群数季节变化趋势基本一致,而采伐干扰后土壤动物类群数变化受土壤动物个体数变化的影响较小。与采伐干扰前相比,采伐干扰后枯落物层各季节土壤动物密度均低于采伐前,0～5 cm土层土壤动物密度与干扰前呈相反的变化趋势,其波动较5～10 cm和10～15 cm土层大。采伐干扰后土壤动物类群数四季共减少4个,采伐干扰前后土壤动物优势类群类群数波动小,采伐后常见类群类群数上升（除冬季外）,稀有类群对采伐干扰较敏感,其类群数下降幅度较大。采伐干扰前后同功能种团均以杂食性和腐食性土壤动物为主,两者百分比之和均在89%以上。密度-类群指数（DG）和多样性指数（H′）的变化趋势相似,采伐干扰前后的变化趋势相反,表明采伐干扰对巨桉人工林土壤动物季节变化有较大影响。

Eucalyptus grandis plantations:effects of management on soil carbon,nutrient contents and yields

The expansion of fast-growing tree plantations is a worldwide process,with consequences on soil fertility and soil carbon storage.Disparate results were found on the effects of afforestation with Eucalyptus on soil carbon and other nutrient contents.These discrepancies are usually caused by differences in climate,land use history,soil texture as well as by management related factors such as plantation age,number of rotations,method of establishment(plantation or coppice),harvest residue management and soil preparation.We studied the effect of plantation age,number of rotations,and method of establishment on soils and plant nutrient concentrations in Eucalyptus grandis plantations in NE Argentina on different textured soils.We also determined if yields changed with nutrient variations in soils,and compared soils under plantations to soils under grasslands they replaced.Thirty-one E.grandis stands of different ages,number of rotations and method of establishment were evaluated as well as eight grassland sites.Levels of carbon,nitrogen,phosphorus,potassium,calcium and magnesium were determined for soils and plants.Soil carbon and nitrogen decreased over the number of rotations and were more pronounced in soils with 50-60%sand than soils with>75%sand.Coppice stands showed higher soil carbon and nitrogen levels than plantations,suggesting a negative effect of site preparation before planting on soil nutrient conservation,especially in fine-textured soils.Foliar nutrient concentrations did not follow the trends observed for soil nutrients nor did they reflect nutrient limitations.There was no evidence of decreased yields over successive rotations.Soil carbon and nitrogen contents decrease when grasslands are replaced by E.grandis plantations,and therefore a yield limitation may occur in a medium to long-term frame,especially in stands re-established for short-rotation management.Harvest residue management and site preparation must be specifically designed for improving soil nutrient management.

巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)植被和其相邻的山地雨林中土壤营养的评价(英文)

研究评价巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)植被和其相邻的山地雨林中土壤营养状况。在研究地建立了20个样方,每个小样方为20mx20m。在每个小样方内对土壤进行5个样点的采样(4角和中心点)。把每个小样方的不同点采集的土样进行混合,并独立放置。分析结果表明,巨桉植被和其相邻的山地雨林中土壤指标(全N、有效P、可交换性K、Ca和Mg含量),pH值以及全碳含量)没有明显的变化。但两种林地土壤中的粘土颗粒和可交换性N含量有明显的变化。与巨桉植被相邻的山地雨林中土壤指标比较表明,巨桉植被有提高土壤营养和全碳含量的作用。

Variation of basic density,calorific value and volumetric shrinkage within tree height and tree age of Ugandan grown Eucalyptus grandis wood

Insufficient knowledge on Ugandan grown Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden wood properties,high demand,and processing challenges led to a study into its physical properties.We obtained the variation of basic density(BD),calorific value(CV)and volumetric shrinkage(VS)within tree height and tree-age of E.grandis,and its appropriate use based on these properties.Trees with good boles were harvested from Kabarole District in western Uganda to produce specimens as prescribed by British Standards and ASTM standard wood testing procedures.Secondary data reviews and statistical analysis using ANOVA,Tukey’s test and multivariate analysis were done to obtain property estimates and their variation within trees and amongst tree ages.The mean BD of E.grandis is 413.6,380.5,471.0,and 501.1 kg m^(−3)at 3,6,9,and 12 years,respectively,showing significant increase with tree age(p=0.003).The pattern of BD with tree height showed a reduction with tree height although with higher values in the middle portion of the tree.The CV increases(p=0.014)with tree age and reduces with tree height with values of 14,560.32,15,447.3,16,079.11,and 16,932.6 kJ kg^(−1)at 3,6,9,and 12 years,respectively.The percentage VS was 11.02,9.84,12.31,and 14.45 for 3-,6-,9-,and 12-year-old trees,respectively,and it did not vary significantly(p=0.088)with tree height.Basing on these property values,E.grandis wood could be used for scaffolding,light constructions and fuel wood production.Its seasoning needs to be longer with well monitored drying schedules to reduce seasoning defects caused by the high VS.Further studies on strength properties,seasoning schedules,panel products properties and tree-age chemical variations would improve the knowledge about its wood quality and would enhance its efficient utilization.

Fire alters the availability of soil nutrients and accelerates growth of Eucalyptus grandis in Zambia

Fire has been used to prepare land during tree plantation establishment for many years but uncertainty about how ecosystems respond to prescribed burning makes it difficult to predict the effects of fire on soil nutrients.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of burning accumulated forest residues(slash)on soil chemical properties and how trees respond.We analyzed 40 burned and unburned sites and compared growth of Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden between sites.Soil pH increased by 39%after fire,suggesting reduced soil acidity and increased liming.Total nitrogen increased by 100%;other nutrients(Ca^2+,Mg^2+and K^+)also increased.Increase in nutrients had a significant effect on the growth of E.grandis;larger and taller trees were associated more with burned than unburned sites.This study provides evidence that burning accumulated slash during land preparation prior to plantation establishment alters soil nutrient status and enhances the growth of E.grandis.

Preliminary evaluation of liquefaction behavior of Eucalyptus grandis bark in glycerol

Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden bark was liquefied in glycerol with two types of catalysts.The chemical components of the residues with respect to temperature were examined to investigate the liquefaction behavior of bark.The results reveal that sulfuric acid was more efficient in converting bark into fragments in glycerol at low temperatures B 433.15 K,equivalent to 160C than phosphoric acid.The liquefaction order of chemical components was lignin,hemicelluloses,and cellulose.The decrease of liquefaction yields at high temperatures(≤453.15 K)catalyzed by sulfuric acid was possibly a result of the recondensation of lignin and/or hemicelluloses.

Corrective Interventions to End-Splitting and Surface Cracking in Kenya Grown Eucalyptus grandis Poles

This study determined the effect of three pole pre-drying handling techniques, on end-splitting and surface checking in Eucalyptus grandis poles from highland and low land areas in Kenya. A total of 144 Eucalyptus grandis trees were sampled from two sites;Kericho, representing the wet highlands and Londiani representing the drier lowlands regions of Kenya. Pole samples from both sites were subjected to the three pre-drying handling techniques for the first 30 days after felling and allowed to dry to the required moisture level under observations. The number of end splits and surface checks on each sample pole were counted and the length of the worst ones was measured in millimeters after every 15 days until all the poles reached 25% MC. The sap wood and heart wood ratios were determined from selected samples. Results showed that on the overall, poles from high land areas had the highest sapwood proportions and similarly had the highest number and the longest end splitting and surface checks. On the other hand, pre-drying techniques that allowed felled trees to dry slowly with their foliage intact for the first 30 days of felling produced the best quality poles, with fewer and shallower end splits and surface checks. The study recommended that felling and leaving poles to dry slowly with foliage intact be considered in reducing losses incurred as a result of wood stresses during drying of poles.

Density effect and self-thinning in Eucalyptus urophylla stands

Density effects on the growth and self-thinning of Eucalyptus urophylla stands were examined for 7 years.The reciprocal equation of the competition-density(C–D)effect was used to describe the C–D effect in even-aged pure stands of E. urophylla during course of self-thinning and showed a good fit to the data. The time trajectories of mean stem volume-density nearly paralleled the y-axis during early growth stages of stands, and then began to curve left. Finally, the mean stem volume-density trajectories of the low-, middle-and high-density stands tended to follow the self-thinning lines with slopes of-2.01,-1.90 and-1.99, respectively. With increasing physical time t, the biological time s increased rapidly during early growth stages and became slow gradually during later growth stages. Realized density-initial density curves tended to become more or less flat with increasing initial density, indicating the existence of an asymptotic value for density at a given time. The coefficient e, the reciprocal of which represents the asymptotic density at a given time,increased with increasing biological time s, indicating that the asymptotic density decreased with increasing stand age.Final yield Y(t) increased gradually with increasing stand age.

Impact of Natural Selection on Lignin and Cellulose Candidate Genes in a Natural Population of <i>Eucalyptus urophylla</i>

Wood plays a major role in land ecosystems and in human activity. Better understanding the genetic basis and evolutionary implication of wood variability are thus key issues with both ecological and economical implications. The present paper addresses the question of the extending and the nature of natural selection on wood related genes in Eucalyptus urophylla, a tropical tree species with key economical importance. We conducted a genetic study on an E. urophylla population from Timor Island using a set of 17 SSR characterized on a main sample of 43 individuals and six candidate genes sequenced on a subset of 18 individuals. The candidate genes include three cellulose synthase genes (EuCesA1, EuCesA2 and EuCesA3), and three genes involved in lignin synthesis (EuCAD2, EuC4H1 and EuC4H2). Based on SSR data, the investigated population appeared to have no structure and have undergone past population expansion. Accounting for this demographic history, we were able to draw neutral expectation for polymorphism distribution on candidate genes and to determine their potential selective status. We hence identified two gene portions exhibiting unexpected polymorphism pattern, consistent with natural selection imprint.

Heterosis Estimation for Growth Traits and Wood Properties of Eucalyptus urophylla under Two Sites in Southern China

Heterosis is a quicker,cheaper and easier method for increasing plantation production,and heterosis studies can provide the basis for exploitation of valuable hybrid combinations in breeding programs.Growth traits,wood properties,and bark percentage were assessed for 6×6 full diallel progenies of E.urophylla in southern China measured at age 4 years.Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences on all studied traits except dynamic modulus of elasticity among combinations.The mean diameter at breast height,wood basic density,and dynamic modulus of elasticity were 9.40 to 12.20 cm,0.45 to 0.47 g cm-3,and 5.04 to 5.72 GPa,respectively.The coefficients of variation ranged from 18.18%to 50.43%for growth traits,9.07%to 55.24%for wood properties and 22.26%to 23.93%for bark percentage.The heterosis estimation on diameter at breast height,wood basic density,and dynamic modulus of elasticity were-24.07%to 18.74%,-14.23%to 9.17%and-25.53%to 16.28%.U22×U56 generally had higher heterosis of growth traits and wood properties through three sites.Same combinations had different original and reciprocal heterosis estimation at two sites even on same traits.The combinations of same parents always had similar original and reciprocal heterosis estimation.

Morphological and kinetic parameters of the absorption of nitrogen forms for selection of Eucalyptus clones

Eucalyptus clones are selected according to productivity,wood quality,rooting capacity,and resistance to drought,frost and diseases.However,kinetic and morphological parameters that determine the absorption efficiency of nutrients such as nitrate(NO_(3)^(-)) and ammonium(NH_(4)^(+))are often not considered in breeding programs.The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological,physiological and kinetic parameters of nitrogen uptake by clones of Eucalyptus saligna(32,864) and Eucalyptus grandis(GPC23).Morphological parameters in shoot and root systems,biomass and N concentrations in different organs,photosynthetic pigment concentrations,parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthetic rates were evaluated.Kinetic parameters,maximum absorption velocity(V_(max)),Michaelis-Menten constant(K_(m)),minimum concentration(C_(min)) and influx(I) were calculated for NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+) in the two clones.E.granais clone was more efficient in the uptake of NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+),and showed lower K_(m) and C_(min)values,allowing for the absorption of nitrogen at low concentrations due to the high affinity of the absorption sites of clone roots to NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+).Higher root lengths,area and volume helped the E.grandis clone in absorption efficiency and consequently,resulted in higher root and shoot biomass.The E.saligna clone had higher K_(m) and Cmin for NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+),indicating adaptation to environments with higher N availability.The results of NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+) kinetic parameters indicate that they can be used in Eucalyptus clone selection and breeding programs as they can predict the ability of clones to absorb NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+) at different concentrations.

Monoterpene hydrocarbons,major components of the dried leaves essential oils of five species of the genus Eucalyptus from Cote d’Ivoire

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the dried leaves of five species of the genus Eucalyptus (E. camaldulensis, E. de-glupta, E. grandis, E. torelliana, E. urophylla) growing in C?te d’Ivoire, was analyzed by means of GC and GC/MS. The density and the refractive index were measured. The major components of all these oils are: α-pinene, β-pinene, α-phellandrene, limonene, γ-terpinene, p-cymene and β-caryo-phyllene. The particularity of these oils is their monoterpene hydrocarbons major components.

Influence of Planting Spacing on Mechanical Properties of Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla Planted in China

The objective of this study was to understand influence of planting spacing on mechanical properties of Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla planted as a potential species for solid wood products in China. Four trees at age of 13 were selected from each of 6 groups of planting spacing and a total of 24 sampling trees were selected from the Dongmen Forestry Center of Guangxi Province in China. Furthermore, a one-meter-long log from each tree was cut into small blocks for wood properties testing. MOE, MOR and compression strength parallel to wood grain were determined in accordance with Chinese standards. In addition, wood density and shrinkage properties were measured. Statistical analysis by SAS software indicated significant differences among the 6 groups of planting spacings on the air-dried density, radial shrinkage and bending MOR properties at the 0.05 level, and also on the compression strength at the 0.10 level. However, it was observed that there is no significant differences among shrinkages in tangential and volume, and MOE.

Growth Process of Eucalyptus urophylla × E.grandis Stand Based on Logistic Equation

Eucalyptus is the most valuable cultivated forest genus in the tropical and subtropical areas nowadays. It has been a challenge for foresters to model growth due to the genetic variations, management regimes, and multiple products generated from the plantations. In this paper, Logistic equation was used to study the stock growth process of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantation at age of 14 with 6 spacing treatments. And the biological interpretation of the parameters of Logistic equation was analyzed. The results show that it is flexible, precise and accurate to fit the growth process.

Effect of Initial Moisture Content on Solar Drying Ratefor Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla

Wood drying is one of the most important process links in wood products processing.However, the existing drying methods mainly depend on heat to desiccate wood, which makes wooddrying consume roughly 40% - 70% of the total energy in the entire wood process. Using solar energyfor drying is greatly significant in two aspects of energy conservation and environment protection. Themoisture content (MC) of lumber affects not only the target value of wood drying, but also the heattransfer properties, moisture rate of expansion, etc., affecting dried lumber quality and drying rate.Eucalyptus grandis × E.urophylla lumbers were collected from Guangdong as test materials and dried inthe solar dryer with low temperature schedule and the effect of initial moisture content were primarystudied on drying rate. Experiments showed that solar drying was suitable for timber with high MC. Interms of drying rate and dried lumber quality, solar drying was as good as traditional steam drying withthe same schedule. And the solar dryer had distinct energy-saving effect.

尾叶桉(Eucalyptus urophylla)杂种家系遗传测定及抗风选择

中国华南沿海地区台风影响频发,为选育桉树抗风和速生品种,本研究估算广东鹤山9年和11.5年生56个尾叶桉家系(含母本和对照)生长、抗风等性状的杂种优势、育种值及配合力。结果表明:两个不同年度各性状在杂种家系间存在极显著差异。以单株蓄积为指标筛选优良杂交组合,两个年度均排名前3的是37号和40号,分别是家系128号9年生平均0.207 9 m^3和11.5年生0.336 9 m^3的1.33和1.79倍以及1.28和1.52倍,11.5年生超过128号的家系共6个,6个家系平均超亲优势达到15.99%;两个年度单株蓄积育种值均超过0.05且抗风性育种值为正的仅4个家系;以11.5年生调查数据和最优56号家系为选择标准,超过其平均单株蓄积0.345 7 m^3和抗风等级值4.33的杂种单株有173株。本研究发现,2号、15号、21号、22号、和64号是具有较高母本一般配合力的亲本,而2号、21号、22号、29号和56号这5个父本的一般配合力较高,通过优化组合可获得具有优良性状的子代;生长结合抗风指标选择到的3个特殊配合力高的杂交家系和173株优株,是今后高世代育种重点利用对象,也可为台风区人工林建设提供更多资源产品。

Study on Growth and Genetic Gains of Different Families in Eucalyptus urophylla Second Generation Seed Orchards

A second-generation seedling seed orchard including 32 open-pollinated families of Eucalyptus urophylla was built at Gaoyao City, Guangdong Province to examine the genetic performance of the orchard, which were selected from the superior trees in an improvement seed orchard. Compared to the characteristics of height, DBH, individual volume, stem form, branch and blossom quantities among different families at 22 months. The results indicate that: (1) The most superior families in individual volume and bl...

黛袋蛾取食及喷施农药对尾叶桉幼苗某些生理生化指标的影响

对黛袋蛾取食及喷施农药甲胺基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐乳油后尾叶桉幼苗某些生理生化指标进行了研究。结果表明:黛袋蛾取食和喷施农药均可诱导尾叶桉叶片内保护酶(过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶)活性明显升高,说明这两种处理均能诱导尾叶桉产生一定程度的抗虫性;黛袋蛾取食对尾叶桉幼苗光合速率没有明显的影响;黛袋蛾取食后尾叶桉叶片的总酚量显著升高,而喷施农药对总酚量没有明显的影响。