Carbon dioxide enrichment affected flower numbers transiently and increased successful post-pollination development stably but without altering final acorn production in mature pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

Acorn production in oak(Quercus spp.)shows considerable inter-annual variation,known as masting,which provides a natural defence against seed predators but a highly-variable supply of acorns for uses such as in commercial tree planting each year.Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases have been very widely reported to influence plant growth and seed or fruit size and quantity via the‘fertilisation effect’that leads to enhanced photosynthesis.To examine if acorn production in mature woodland communities will be affected by further increase in CO_(2),the contents of litter traps from a Free Air Carbon Enrichment(FACE)experiment in deciduous woodland in central England were analysed for numbers of flowers and acorns of pedunculate oak(Quercus robur L.)at different stages of development and their predation levels under ambient and elevated CO_(2) concentrations.Inter-annual variation in acorn numbers was considerable and cyclical between 2015 and 2021,with the greatest numbers of mature acorns in 2015,2017 and 2020 but almost none in 2018.The numbers of flowers,enlarged cups,immature acorns,empty acorn cups,and galls in the litter traps also varied amongst years;comparatively high numbers of enlarged cups were recorded in 2018,suggesting Q.robur at this site is a fruit maturation masting species(i.e.,the extent of abortion of pollinated flowers during acorn development affects mature acorn numbers greatly).Raising the atmospheric CO_(2) concentration by 150μL L^(−1),from early 2017,increased the numbers of immature acorns,and all acorn evidence(empty cups+immature acorns+mature acorns)detected in the litter traps compared to ambient controls by 2021,but did not consistently affect the numbers of flowers,enlarged cups,empty cups,or mature acorns.The number of flowers in the elevated CO_(2) plots’litter traps was greater in 2018 than 2017,one year after CO_(2) enrichment began,whereas numbers declined in ambient plots.Enrichment with CO_(2) also increased the number of oak knopper galls(Andricus quercuscalicis Burgsdorf).We conclude that elevated CO_(2) increased the occurrence of acorns developing from flowers,but the putative benefit to mature acorn numbers may have been hidden by excessive pre-and/or post-dispersal predation.There was no evidence that elevated CO_(2) altered masting behaviour.

Climate-change habitat shifts for the vulnerable endemic oak species(Quercus arkansana Sarg.)

Quercus arkansana(Arkansas oak)is at risk of becoming endangered,as the total known population size is represented by a few isolated populations.The potential impact of climate change on this species in the near future is high,yet knowledge of its predicted effects is limited.Our study utilized the biomod2 R package to develop habi-tat suitability ensemble models based on bioclimatic and topographic environmental variables and the known loca-tions of current distribution of Q.arkansana.We predicted suitable habitats across three climate change scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5)for 2050,2070,and 2090.Our findings reveal that the current suitable habitat for Q.arkansana is approximately 127,881 km^(2) across seven states(Texas,Arkansas,Alabama,Louisiana,Mississippi,Georgia,and Florida);approximately 9.5%is encompassed within state and federally managed protected areas.Our models predict that all current suitable habitats will disap-pear by 2050 due to climate change,resulting in a northward shift into new regions such as Tennessee and Kentucky.The large extent of suitable habitat outside protected areas sug-gests that a species-specific action plan incorporating pro-tected areas and other areas may be crucial for its conserva-tion.Moreover,protection of Q.arkansana habitat against climate change may require locally and regionally focused conservation policies,adaptive management strategies,and educational outreach among local people.

北京地区蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)外生菌根真菌群落特征

为揭示北京地区蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)外生菌根真菌群落特征,选取北京农学院林场、云蒙山国家森林公园和百花山国家级自然保护区3个蒙古栎山区自然分布地,以及奥林匹克森林公园和中关村森林公园2个平原引种地为采样地,采集土壤和生有外生菌根的蒙古栎根部样品,检测其土壤理化及酶活性指标,采用ITS高通量测序技术对其外生菌根真菌群落进行测定,初步分析真菌群落多样性与环境因子之间的相关性。结果表明,平原采样地和山区采样地的土壤特性存在明显差异,山区分布地的全氮、速效磷含量以及磷酸酶活性较高,而平原引种地的pH、全磷含量较高。测序后经过OTU注释和α多样性分析,发现绒盖牛肝菌属(Xerocomellus)、丝膜菌属(Cortinarius)、红菇属(Russula)、块菌属(Tuber)为北京地区蒙古栎主要外生菌根真菌类群,但各采样地的优势菌各不相同,并且平原采样地蒙古栎根部外生菌根真菌群落多样性指数低于山区采样地。真菌群落与环境因子相关性分析表明,土壤全氮含量、全磷含量、速效磷含量、碳氮比、磷酸酶活性、海拔、坡度等与真菌多样性关系密切。

刺叶高山栎(Quercus spinosa)内生真菌筛选鉴定及促生作用测定

刺叶高山栎(Quercus spinosa)是壳斗科(Fagaceae)栎属(Quercus)高山栎组常绿乔木或灌木,对极端生态环境有较强的适应能力。为了解刺叶高山栎内生真菌的促生功能作用,本研究从云南省昆明市采集刺叶高山栎的根、茎、叶等器官组织样品,采用组织分离法分离获得可培养内生真菌,继而对获得的内生真菌进行固氮、溶磷、解钾以及产吲哚乙酸(IAA)能力等促生特性测定,筛选具有多种促生特性的菌株,并对其进行分子生物学鉴定及形态学鉴定,测定其对多年生黑麦草种子萌发及盆栽幼苗生长的促生效果。结果显示,在刺叶高山栎根、茎、叶等器官组织中共分离得到74株内生真菌,挑选其中11株进行促生特性测定得出,10株具有产IAA能力,8株具有固氮能力,1株(JG2)同时具备溶磷、解钾以及产IAA的能力,2株(J06和JJ15)具有固氮及良好的产IAA能力。对JG2、J06及JJ15进行分子生物学及形态学鉴定得出,JG2为Talaromyces erythromellis,J06为淡色生赤壳菌(Bionectria ochroleuca),JJ15为光炭轮菌(Daldinia eschscholtzii)。在种子萌发与盆栽试验中,JG2菌株对多年生黑麦草幼苗均有显著的促生作用,表明JG2菌株具有促生潜力。

Tradeoffs of nitrogen investment between leaf resorption and photosynthesis across soil fertility in Quercus mongolica seedlings during the hardening period

The most important process before leaf senescence is nutrient resorption,which reduces nutrient loss and maximizes plant fitness during the subsequent growth period.However,plants must retain certain levels of nitrogen(N)in their leaves to maintain carbon assimilation during hardening.The objective of this study was to investigate the tradeoffs in N investment between leaf N resorption and N for photosynthesis in seedlings with increased soil fertility during the hardening period.A field experiment was conducted to determine if and how soil fertility treatments(17,34,or 68 mg N seedling−1)affected N resorption and allocation to the photosynthetic apparatus in Quercus mongolica leaves during the hardening period.Seedlings were sampled at T1(after terminal bud formation),T2(between terminal bud formation and end of the growing period),and T3(at the end of the growing period).Results showed that photosynthetic N content continued to rise in T2,while N resorption started from non-photosynthetic N.Leaf N allocation to the photosynthetic apparatus increased as soil fertility increased,delaying N resorption.Additionally,soil fertility significantly affected N partitioning among different photosynthetic components,maintaining or increasing photosynthetic traits during senescence.This study demonstrates a tradeoff in N investment between resorption and photosynthesis to maintain photosynthetic assimilation capacity during the hardening period,and that soil fertility impacts this balance.Q.mongolica leaves primarily resorbed N from the non-photosynthetic apparatus and invested it in the photosynthetic apparatus,whereas different photosynthetic N component allocations effectively improved this pattern.

Forest composition and red oak (Quercus sp.) response to elevation gradients across greentree reservoirs

Elevation gradients within forested wetlands have long been recognized for their role in defining species composition through factors such as hydrology and soil characteristics.Greentree reservoirs(GTRs)are leveeimpounded tracts of bottomland hardwood forest flooded throughout the winter months to provide habitat for overwintering waterfowl.Artificial flooding of GTRs alters the forest composition due to flood frequency,depth,and duration in combination with slight changes in topography.To evaluate the effect of elevation gradients,soil properties,and management techniques in the overstory species composition and red oak(Quercus spp.)species abundance,we inventoried 662 plots across 12 independent GTRs in eastern Arkansas.In the lower elevations ranging from 50.98 to 54.99 m above sea level,the importance value index(IVI)was highest for nuttall oak(Quercus texana)and overcup oak(Quercus lyrata),whereas IVI shifted to cherrybark oak(Quercus pagoda)in the higher elevations ranging from 54.99 to 58.00 m.Alpha diversity did not differ by elevation gradient,soil property,or management technique within GTRs.Beta diversity,using non-metric multi-dimensional scaling(NMDS)analysis,indicated site-specific variability significantly correlated with the environmental predictors,including elevation(R^(2)=0.57),easting(R^(2)=0.47),soil texture(R^(2)=0.21),and pH(R^(2)=0.12).Red oak species-specific mixed-effects modeling of abundance response using Poisson distribution suggested an inverse correlation of nuttall oak and a direct correlation of cherrybark oak abundance with elevation.However,willow oak(Quercus phellos)abundance was not significantly affected by elevation but was by silt loam soil texture and restoration management techniques.These findings will aid management efforts to reduce the dominance of less desirable species that are prominent under specific environmental conditions and promote the dominance of more desirable species.Ultimately GTR sustainability is increasingly important amid the unpredictable impacts of climate change on the preferred red oak species that are economically,ecologically,and environmentally valuable to the sustaining economy of the local community and managing habitats for wildlife.

Late Oligocene fossil acorns and nuts of Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis from the Nanning Basin,Guangxi,South China

Quercus is the largest genus within the Fagaceae and has a rich fossil record.Most of the fossil material is attributed to the subgenus Quercus based on leaves,pollen or rarely acorns and nuts.Fossil records of Q.section Cyclobalanopsis characterized by ring-cupped acorns are relatively few and especially those described based on nuts are scant.In this study,we described four new species of Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis based on mummified acorns and nuts:Q.paleodisciformis X.Y.Liu et J.H.Jin sp.nov.,Q.paleohui X.Y.Liu et J.H.Jin sp.nov.,Q.nanningensis X.Y.Liu et J.H.Jin sp.nov.and Q.yongningensis X.Y.Liu et J.H.Jin sp.nov.These species closely resemble the extant species Q.disciformis,Q.hui,Q.kerrii,and Q.dinghuensis.The occurrence of Q.section Cyclobalanopsis in the Oligocene stratum of Guangxi,South China,suggests that the section has diversified within its extant distribution center since the Oligocene.By combining records from other areas,we propose that the section first appeared in the middle Eocene of East Asia(Sino-Japan),has diversified in situ with a few elements scattering into West Asia and southern Europe since the Oligocene and Pliocene,respectively,and finally became restricted in East Asia since the Pleistocene.This indicates that the section originated and diversified in East Asia,before spreading into West Asia no later than the Oligocene and into southern Europe by the Pliocene.Subsequently it disappeared from South Europe and West Asia due to the appearance of the(summer dry)Mediterranean climate and widespread cooling during the Pleistocene.

Fagus sylvatica and Quercus pyrenaica:Two neighbors with few things in common

Background:The Iberian Peninsula comprises one of the largest boundaries between Mediterranean and Eurosiberian vegetation,known as sub-Mediterranean zone.This ecotone hosts many unique plant species and communities and constitutes the low-latitude(warm)margin of numerous central European species which co-occur with Mediterranean vegetation.Two of the main species found in this region are the Eurosiberian European beech(Fagus sylvatica L.)and the Mediterranean Pyrenean oak(Quercus pyrenaica Willd.).It remains unclear how the different physiological and adaptive strategies of these two species reflect their niche partitioning within a subMediterranean community and to what extent phenotypic variation(intraspecific variability)is driving niche partitioning across Eurosiberian and Mediterranean species.Methods:We quantified functional niche partitioning,based on the n-dimensional hypervolume to nine traits related to resource acquisition strategies(leaf,stem and root)plus relative growth rate as an additional wholeplant trait,and the environmental niche similarity between Pyrenean oak and European beech.Further,we analyzed the degree of phenotypic variation of both target species and its relationship with relative growth rates(RGR)and environmental conditions.Plant recruitment was measured for both target species as a proxy for the average fitness.Results:Species’functional space was highly segregated(13.09%overlap),mainly due to differences in niche breadth(59.7%)rather than niche replacement(25.6%),and beech showed higher trait variability,i.e.,had larger functional space.However,both species shared the environmental space,i.e.,environmental niches were overlapped.Most plant traits were not related to abiotic variables or RGR,neither did RGR to plant traits.Conclusions:Both target species share similar environmental space,however,show notably different functional resource-use strategies,promoting a high complementarity that contributes to maintaining a high functionality in sub-Mediterranean ecosystems.Therefore,we propose that conservation efforts be oriented to preserve both species in these habitats to maximize ecosystem functionality and resilience.

Effects of Root Cutting on Morphological Characteristics and Endogenous Hormone Levels of Quercus variabilis Seedlings

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of root cutting stress on the dynamic changes of endogenous hormone content and growth characteristics of Quercus variabilis roots,and to explore the physiological role of endogenous hormones in regulating root-crown interactions in the short term.The morphological characteristics and endogenous hormone contents of normal roots(no root cutting,CK)and cut roots(cut by 1/3 of the length of the main root,RP)were determined by liquid chromatography,which was combined with mass spectrometry at different levels of different developmental stages.The results showed that the root growth indexes and root endogenous hormones in the RP group were superior to those in the CK group.Through comprehensive analysis of endogenous hormones,it was found that the crosstalk of IAA,JA,ABA and SA could activate the root growth defense.After the root cutting treatment,the root growth of Quercus variabilis seedlings could compensate for the inhibition of taproot growth by promoting lateral root growth.The growth and development of compensatory lateral roots contribute to the increase the total root length of plants,thus promoting the absorption of water and nutrients.It is speculated that plant hormones may be the key factors affecting their development,but this is not only related to the content of a single hormone,but more importantly,it is the interaction between various hormones.

Effect of fire severity on physical and biochemical soil properties in Zagros oak(Quercus brantii Lindl.)forests in Iran

Fire affects the physical and chemical properties and soil biological activity of natural ecosystems. This study was conducted in the Miyan Tang region, Ilam Province in western Iran. The study site was 110 hectares, where we sampled soils in areas that were classified by fire severity： low （LS）, high （HS） and medium severity （MS）, and unburned （UB）, which served as the control. In each severity class, 25 transect points were randomly selected for measurement. Around each transect plot center, 3 soil samples were selected randomly and soils collected from the 0 to 20 cm depth were combined into a composite sample that was used in laboratory analysis to represent conditions at that point. Plots in the UB and LS fire classes had similar soil conditions and had higher values of factors such as saturated moisture, organic carbon, carbon dioxide, and silt and clay content. In contrast, plots in the HS and MS fire severity classes were clustered in the positive direction along the first axis that represented gradients in soil acidity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, accessible phosphorus, accessible potassium, bulk density, and sand. Soil attributes were similar in areas of HS and MS fire severity classes, whereas soil conditions in the LS class and UB controls were most similar. Fire in the LS areas either did not significantly alter the physicalchemical soil properties and microbial basal respiration, or soils were able to recover quickly after being burned.

Development of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings in response to tree shelters and mulching in northwestern Tunisia

The need for reforestation in cork oak （Quercus suber L.） areas is challenged by difficulties. Principal among these is herbivory of young plants, vegetative competition, and slow growth rates of cork oak seedlings. We evaluated the early development of cork oak seedlings treated using tree shelters and mulching in northwestern Tunisia. We tested three tree shelter treatments （non-vented, vented, and control） to shield seedlings from animal damage and five mulch types to control competing vegetation （Italian Stone Pine, Lentisk, combination of Italian Stone Pine and Lentisk （organic mulches）, gravel （inorganic mulch） and no mulch）. At the end of the two-year experiment, sheltered seedlings were 89-99% taller than unshelteredseedlings and had higher numbers and lengths of shoot growth flushes. In contrast, both stem diameter growth and dry weight biomass （from samples extracted after two years） were significantly reduced inside tree shelters. Root-to-shoot ratio was not significantly different in sheltered vs. unsheltered seedlings, suggesting that tree shelters do not adversely affect this parameter. Mulching alone did not favour growth, but could be beneficial when combined with tree shelters. The combination of vented tree shelters and gravel mulch was the most effective treatment for promoting diameter, height and stem volume growth.

Modifications in aroma characteristics of'Merlot'dry red wines aged in American,French and Slovakian oak barrels with different toasting degrees

Aging in oak barrels is widely used in enology which could bring flavor changes and aromatic complexity to wines.In the present study,the aroma compounds were analyzed from the‘Merlot’dry red wines,which were fermented in two types of fermenters(stainless steel tank and rotated oak barrel)and aged in six types of oak barrels(three geographic origins×two toasting degrees)for different time(0,3,6 and 9 months,respectively).Results showed that 30 volatiles were associated with barrels and increased during oak aging.The fermenters could influence the intensities of the toast,leathery,smoky,fruity,floral and caramel aromas.The concentration of whisky lactone,eugenol,cis-isoeugenol,and the intensities of the toast and spicy aromas were highest in the wines aged in American oak and were lowest in the wines aged in French oak barrels.The concentrations of guaiacol,syringol,trans-isoeugenol,furfural alcohol,vanilla,cis-whisky lactone enabled the medium toasting barrels to be distinguished from the light toasting ones.The compounds originating from the barrels could be used to distinguish the types of different barrels,but the other general grape-derived and fermentation-derived volatiles could not.The fermenters,oak species and toasting degrees of the barrels all had significant effects on the aroma profiles of the aged‘Merlot’dry red wines,but the influence of the geographic origin was not obvious.

Influence of mulching and tree shelters on 4-year survival and growth of zeen oak (Quercus canariensis) seedlings

We assessed the effect of mulching and tree shelters on the establishment and early growth of zeen oak(Quercus canariensis Willd.) during the first 4 years after planting in Northwestern Tunisia. Five mulch types(Italian Stone Pine(Pinus pinea L.), Lentisk(Pistacia lentiscus L.),and a combination of Italian Stone Pine and Lentisk(organic mulches), gravel(inorganic mulch) and control), and three tree shelter types(non-vented and vented tree shelters, and control) were tested. An increase in the number of internodes occurred under the gravel mulch, while a reduction in survival was found for the lentisk mulch. Tree shelters had no effect on survival, but increased mean height growth and reduced mean diameter growth during the 4 years(excepting a non-significant effect for vented tree shelter at year four). Comparison of the annual shoots and growth units(GU) between sheltered and unsheltered plants according to year of formation revealed two growth phases. In first phase, shoots were totally or partially inside the shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were greater for sheltered plants. The second phase was characterized by shoots emerging from shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were similar for all plants, with or without tree shelters. Results suggest that the use of tree shelters, particularly vented shelters, could contribute to the improvement of the artificial regeneration of zeen oak.The use of mulching alone or in combination with tree shelters did not improve zeen oak performance in the field.

Predisposing factors’effects on mortality of oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species in mature forests undergoing mesophication in Appalachian Ohio

Background:Mature oak(Quercus spp.)and hickory(Carya spp.)trees are gradually being replaced by more shadetolerant tree species across the eastern U.S.,likely due to fire suppression and increased precipitation.Oaks and hickories are highly valuable to wildlife;therefore,studying their mortality patterns can provide information on the longevity of habitat quality for many animal species.Oak mortality has most often been studied following large oak decline events,but background mortality rates in forests with aging oak and hickory canopies warrant equal attention,especially in the context of widespread oak and hickory regeneration failure.Methods:We studied background mortality rates of five oak and one hickory species over a 23–25 year time period(1993–1995 to 2018),using 821/20th hectare permanent plots on the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio.We calculated mortality rates based on remeasurement of individual trees for white oak(Quercus alba),chestnut oak(Quercus montana),northern red oak(Quercus rubra),black oak(Quercus velutina),scarlet oak(Quercus coccinea),and pignut hickory(Carya glabra).For each of these species other than scarlet oak,we also modeled the relationships of mortality probability with a priori topographic,soil,stand structural,and individual tree covariates,using a mixed-effects logistic regression framework.Results:The species with the highest mortality rate was scarlet oak(61.3%),followed by northern red oak(41.4%),black oak(26.7%),pignut hickory(23.9%),white oak(23.4%),and chestnut oak(19.1%).In our models,northern red oak mortality was associated with more mesic slope positions,shallower solums,more acidic soils,and older stand ages.Pignut hickory and chestnut oak mortality rates were associated with higher basal areas on the plot,while white oak mortality showed the opposite pattern.Conclusions:Our data suggest that red oak subgenus trees in mature forests of our area will become increasingly uncommon relative to white oak subgenus trees,as the result of higher mortality rates likely related to the shorter lifespans of these species.Particularly vulnerable areas may include more mesic topographic positions,shallower or more acidic soil,and older stands.Since maintaining oak subgenus diversity is beneficial to wildlife diversity in the eastern U.S.,managers in areas with extensive mature mixed-oak forests could choose to favor the red oak subgenus when conducting silvicultural treatments.

Changes in root growth and relationships between plant organs and root hydraulic traits in American elm(Ulmus americana L.) and red oak(Quercus rubra L.) seedlings due to elevated CO_2 level

The relationships between plant organs and root hydrological traits are not well known and the question arises whether elevated CO2 changes these relationships. This study attempted to answer this question. A pseudo-replicated experiment was conducted with two times 24 American elm （Ulmus americana L.） and 23 and 24 red oak （Quercus rubra L.） seedlings growing in ambient CO2 （around 360 μmol.L^-1） and 540 ± 7.95 μmol.L^-1 CO2 in a greenhouse. After 71 days of treatment for American elm and 77 days for red oak, 14 American elm and 12 red oak seedlings from each of the two CO2 levels were randomly selected in order to examine the flow rate of root xylem sap, root hydraulic conductance, total root hydraulic conductivity, fine root and coarse root hydraulic conductivity. All seedlings were harvested to investigate total plant biomass, stem biomass and leaf biomass, leaf area, height, basal diameter, total root biomass, coarse root biomass and fine root biomass. The following conclusions are reached： 1） plant organs respond to the elevated CO2 level earlier than hydraulic traits of roots and may gradually lead to changes in hydraulic traits; 2） plant organs have different relationships with hydraulic traits of roots and elevated CO2 changes these relationships; the changes may be of importance for plants as means to acclimatize to changing environments; 3） biomass of coarse roots increased rather more than that of fine roots; 4） Lorentzian and Caussian models are better in estimating the biomass of seedlings than single-variable models. Key words American elm, biomass, elevated CO2, modeling, red oak, root hydraulic traits

Classification of Natural Types of Quercus variabilis

[Objectives]The paper was to classify natural types of Quercus variabilis and to study its regularity of variation.[Methods]Through the analysis of correlation coefficient matrix of tree age,DBH,tree height,breast height and bark thickness,petiole length,leaf width and leaf length,the breast height and bark thickness and petiole length were chosen as the main indices for classifying natural types of Q.variabilis.[Results]There were 4 natural types of Q.variabilis in Shaanxi Province,including long-petiole-thick-bark type,short-petiole-thick-bark type,long-petiole-thin-bark type and short-petiole-thin-bark type.The short-petiole-thick-bark type accounted for the largest proportion in Q.variabilis population(34.44%).On the northern slope of Bashan Mountains and the Huanglong Mountains,the short-petiole-thick-bark type was the dominant type,while on the northern slope of Qinling Mountains the long-petiole-thick-bark type accounted for a larger proportion.[Conclusions]This study will provide a basic foundation for making full use of excellent types of Q.variabilis natural resources.

White oak (Quercus fabri Hance) regenerated stump sprouts show few senescence symptoms during 40 years of growth in a natural forest

Background:The relationship between physiological age of parental trees and lifespan of clonal offspring is unclear.White oak(Quercus fabri Hance)has a high sprouting capability after harvest,with the regenerated sprouts being typical clonal individuals.To determine whether regenerated sprouts undergo rapid senescence compared with the parent,the senescence levels of 5-,10-,20-and 40-year-old regenerated stump sprouts in a natural forest were evaluated.The antioxidative abilities and transcriptomes in these leaves and shoots were compared.Results:Older regenerated sprouts still had robust antioxidative systems,with 40-year-old sprouts having lower peroxidation product levels but similar antioxidative enzyme activity levels compared with 5-year-old sprouts.Older leaves had greater transcriptional activities in pathways related to cell growth and division than younger leaves.However,older sprouts had some unhealthy characteristics,such as increased base excision repair levels and upregulated phagosome,proteasome and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways in 40-year-old leaves,which indicates that DNA damage and tissue remodeling occurred more frequently than in younger leaves.Additionally,plant-pathogen interactions and MAPK signals pathways were upregulated in older shoots,which indicates that older shoots suffered from more pathogen-related biotic stress.Conclusions:The 40-year-old sprouts still had the same vitality level as the 5-year-old sprouts,although the former had some unhealthy characteristics.We conclude that during their first 40 years of growth,regenerated stump sprouts do not begin to senesce,and that physiological age of parental trees does not significantly affect the lifespan of its clonal offspring.

Forest land use discontinuity and northern red oak Quercus rubra introduction change biomass allocation and life strategy of lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Background:Multi-purpose use of forests in a sustainable way forces a recognition of how introduction of alien woody species in forests with different land use histories affect native plants other than trees.Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea is an important understory component of temperate and boreal forests and provider of valuable non-wood forest products.Here we studied effects of land use changes and introduction of Northern red oak Quercus rubra on lingonberry in mesic Scots pine forests(in central Poland).We measured lingonberry cover,height of shoots,biomass of stems and leaves,and fruit productivity.Shoots were collected within 200 research plots located in recent and ancient Scots pine forests,with and without Q.rubra.Results:We found that V.vitis-idaea reached lower cover,aboveground biomass and fruit production in recent than ancient forests and in forests with than without Q.rubra.The fruit production in recent pine forest was only 2%of that reported in ancient pine forest,and V.vitis-idaea did not reproduce generatively in forests with Q.rubra.Biomass and carbon sequestration of V.vitis-idaea in forests with alien(invasive)trees decreased by 75%compared to ancient pine forest.Effects were also clear at the individual shoot level–in less suitable conditions we found taller heights and higher biomass allocation into stems than foliage.Biomass allocation in fruiting and non-fruiting shoots in pine forests was also different–less of the dry biomass of fruiting shoots was allocated to leaves than to stems.Conclusions:In the age of high interest in ecosystem services and discussions about usage of alien tree species as alternatives in forest management,our results clearly indicate disruption of ecosystem services provided by V.vitisidaea in the presence of Q.rubra.Lingonberry benefited from the continuity of forest land use,however,regardless of land-use legacy,alien tree introduction led to decline in abundance of species crucial for ecosystem functioning.Therefore,to maintain valuable native species and for conservation of ecosystem services delivery,we suggest limiting the introduction of Q.rubra in areas with abundant V.vitis-idaea,especially in forests with continuous forest land-use history.

Effect of Amino Acids on Secondary Somatic Embryogenesis of Moroccan Cork Oak (<i>Quercus suber</i>L.) Tree

In the present study, we tested the effect of amino acids on secondary somatic embryogenesis of Moroccan cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Secondary mature and immature somatic embryos were obtained from primary somatic embryos cultured in N30K medium supplemented with nineteen amino acids. Stimulation of embryogenesis was dependent on the type and concentration of amino acid in the medium. Thus, L-glutamine and L-asparagine at 3.42 mM have been proved to be the most favorable for the formation of functional somatic embryos and the induction of secondary somatic embryos.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of pedunculate ( Quercus robur ) and sessile ( Q. petraea ) oaks

This study was conducted to determine the parent-off spring genetic structure of the pedunculate oak(Quercus robur L.),sessile oak(Q.petraea[Matt.]Liebl.)and their hybrids.Forty half-sib Quercus families and their maternal trees originating from one tree stand in southern Lithuania were analyzed using SSR and RAPD markers.Based on a preliminary study of leaf morphological traits,the individuals separated into six groups.The studied halfsib oak families were also compared for allelic diversity,including group variations;genotypic structure;genetic diversity;and the degree of genetic subdivision and diff erentiation.The level of genetic variation and subdivision was lower in the hybrid families than in the families of the parental species.Genotypic analysis of the half-sibling off spring showed the asymmetric nature of interspecifi c hybridization processes of pedunculate and sessile oaks in mixed stands.