Species divergence in seedling leaf traits and tree growth response to nitrogen and phosphorus additions in an evergreen broadleaved forest of subtropical China

Tree competitiveness generally depends on trait plasticity in response to environmental change.The effects of nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)on leaf trait variability by species is poorly understood,especially in China’s subtropical forests.This study examined the seedling leaf traits and net primary productivity of all trees>5 cm DBH of two dominant species,Schima superba and Castanopsis carlesii,in an evergreen broadleaved forest fertilized with nitrogen(+N),phosphorus(+P),and nitrogen plus phosphorus(N+P).The effect of N on seedling leaf traits was stronger than P,while fertilization in general was species dependent.Leaf mass per unit area decreased with N for S.superba seedlings but not for C.carlesii.Leaf N,P,and N/P ratios changed with N addition for both species.All four N fractions of carboxylation,bioenergetics,cell wall,and other N metabolites in C.carlesii leaves responded significantly to fertilization,while only the cell wall in S.superb a leaves responded.Other leaf functional traits,including light-saturated photosynthetic rates,water,N,and P use efficiencies,chlorophyll and non structural carbohydrate contents increased with N addition in S.superb a and by P addition in C.carlesii.Canopy closure at the stand-level increased due to N.Litter biomass and relative growth rate of S.superb a was not affected by any treatments,while both for C.carlesii significantly decreased with N+P addition.Collectively,nutrient limitation may vary at a small scale among species in a subtropical forest based on their responses of seedling traits and net primary productivity to fertilization.Seedling traits are not correlated with the net primary productivity of larger trees except for N fractions,because low light conditions induced by fertilization reduces the proportion of N allocated to photosynthesis in seedlings.In addition,acclimation differences of tree species may increase the uncertainty of community succession.

Relationships of growth and mortality to enzymatic activity,and the relative mRNA expression of cultured scallops Patinopecten yessoensis in the Yellow Sea, China

The bottom aquaculture of yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) has developed rapidly in the north of Yellow Sea, China, but not without accompanying productivity problems. We, therefore, conducted field surveys to investigate factors related to growth and mortality rates of bottom-cultured scallops after release. Specifically, we focused on the effects of total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and three key enzymes involved in antioxidant and metabolic function:glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Across summer and winter, we also measured the relative mRNA expression of GPT and SOD to understand their seasonal variation in the scallops, along with how such variation correlated to growth and mortality. Results show that bottom cultured scallops experienced mass mortality during the first six months post-release. During winter (December), scallops grew more rapidly and suffered less mortality than in summer (August). The observed lower performance probably resulted from less advantageous environmental factors during the summer seasons, such as high temperature and low dissolved oxygen. These environmental stressors enhance protein consumption while decreasing energetic resources in scallops. Furthermore, scallops in summer exhibited high antioxidant levels that probably competed for energy with process integral to growth and survival. These negative factors combined to elevate mortality rates. In conclusion, we provided evidence suggesting correlations between metabolic/antioxidant activity and growth and mortality of bottom-cultured yesso scallops. These correlations implied us an accurate method to estimate the performance of bottom culture system. Suggestions about innovative aquaculture techniques were also discussed in the study. Our results might provide a possible guideline to the improvement of bottom culture techniques for this commercially valuable seafood species.

Wave growth rate in a cylindrical metal waveguide with ion-channel guiding of a relativistic electron beam

This paper addresses the formulae and numerical issues related to the possibility that fast wave may be grown when a relativistic electron beam through an ion channel in a cylindrical metal waveguide. To derive the dispersion equations of the beam-wave interaction, it solves relativistic Lorentz equation and Maxwell＇s equations for appropriate boundary conditions. It has been found in this waveguide structure that the TM0m modes are the rational operating modes of coupling between the electromagnetic modes and the betatron modes. The interaction of the dispersion curves of the electromagnetic TM0m modes and the upper betatron modes is studied. The growth rates of the wave are obtained, and the effects of the beam radius, the beam energy, the plasma frequency, and the beam plasma frequency on the wave growth rate are numerically calculated and discussed.

Predicting Compensatory Growth and Reproduction in Agricultural Weeds Using a Plant＇s Growth Rate Trajectory： A Test with Defoliation of Abutilon theophrasti

A plant＇s capacity to compensate for pest damage as a function of resource availability needs to be predictable in order to apply biocontrol agents effectively. In this research, it was hypothesized that a weedy plant species＇ capacity to compensate for defoliation is related to how resource availability affects a plant＇s growth trajectory. Growth rate trajectory is defined as the percent change in relative growth rate or the slope of a plant＇s relative growth rate. 90 Abutilon theophrasti, a common weed species, in cultivated fields of corn and soybean, grew in a greenhouse for 70 d under three nitrogen （N） fertilization treatments. ＂Unfertilized＂ plants were not fertilized, ＂bulk＂ fertilized plants received 0.6 g N on day 15 and ＂exponential＂ fertilized plants received a total of 0.6 g N supplied at an exponential rate of 10% per day with a starting concentration of 0.02 g N on day 15. On day 25, 15 plants in each N treatment had 75% of total leaf area removed. Biomass and reproductive compensation were determined after 50 d and 70 d of growth. Results showed that bulk plants had the greatest absolute growth, but also the greatest decline in growth rates and the least capacity for compensation. Unfertilized plants had the lowest absolute growth, but declines in growth rates were similar to bulk plants with only a slightly greater compensatory capacity. Exponential plants had intermediate absolute growth, but the least decline in growth rates and the greatest capacity for compensation. This experiment indicates that a plant＇s growth rate trajectory, and not high or low relative growth rates or N availability per se, can be used to predict a weedy plant＇s capacity to compensate for herbivory, and has implications for biocontrol of weedy species.

Growth performance and scale insect infestation of Shorea leprosula in a common garden experimental plot

Many tree planting programmes have long been initiated to increase forest cover to mitigate the effects of global climate change.Successful planting requires careful planning at the project level,including using suitable species with favourable traits.However,there is a paucity of improvement data for tropical tree species.An experimental common garden of Shorea leprosula was established to study traits related to growth performance which are key factors in planting success.Seedlings of S.leprosula were collected from nine geographical forest reserves.To study the effects of genetic variation,seedlings were planted in a common environment following a randomized complete block design.From performance data collected 2017‒2019,one population showed the highest coefficient for relative height growth,significantly higher than most of the other populations.Interestingly,this population from Beserah also exhibited the lowest coefficient for scale insect infestation.This study provides preliminary results on growth performance and susceptibility to scale insect infestation in S.leprosula and the first common garden experiment site conducted on dipterocarp species.It lays a foundation for future genome-wide studies.

Effects of Sand Burial on the Survival, Growth, and Biomass Allocation in Semi-shrub Hedysarum laeve Seedlings

Hedysarum laeve Maxim. (Leguminosae) is one of the major species used frequently in revegetation of dune_field in the sandlands of the northern part of China by means of aerial sowing. Seedlings of the species after emergence above the sand surface may be buried in sand to various depths during its establishment in late spring and early summer. A study was made to examine the effects of sand burial at different levels of 0 (control), 33%, 67%, 100% and 133% of their shoot height, on the survivorship, growth, and biomass allocation pattern of H. laeve seedlings (one and two weeks old after emergence). When burial depth was up to 100% of their shoot height, about 70% seedlings died; and the burial at depth of 133% of their shoot height led to death of all seedlings. When seedlings was buried at depth of 33% and 67% of their shoot height, respectively, after six_week growth, their biomass of whole plant, blade, and root and relative growth rate were higher than the unburied counterparts. The seedlings in both 33% and 67% sand burial treatments did not significantly change their biomass allocation pattern comparing with the unburied ones. Furthermore, the number of leaves and shoot height of the seedlings in both 33% and 67% sand burial treatments were not significantly different from those of unburied individuals, respectively. The newly born leaves of the surviving seedlings, in 33%, 67%, and 100% burial treatments, during the period of experiment, were significantly more than those in control.

高速公路涉路拼宽施工对驾驶员心率增长率的影响

文中以浙江甬台温高速温州东—塘下段拼宽涉路工程为依托开展实车试验.利用Physiolab无线心理仪采集驾驶员心生理数据,研究驾驶员心率增长率指标变化特征.结果表明:涉路工程作业区路段比一般路段的驾驶员心率增长率均值和变化区间长度分别提高了16.34%、20%,并基于突变理论得到心率增长率安全水平阈值为35%,由此确定基于驾驶员心生理影响的涉路施工作业区风险路段.为驶入涉路工程作业区路段前200 m和驶出作业区后120 m.通过对涉路工程作业区六个区段的驾驶员心率增长率均值和标准差进行分析比较发现驾驶员心率增长率在工作区、上游过渡区、以及警告区变化更明显,均值较安全水平阈值分别高出18.56%、4.81%、3.52%.

Seedling dynamics differ between canopy species and understory species in a tropical seasonal rainforest,SW China

We used 11 years of census data from 450 seedling quadrats established in a 20-ha forest dynamics plot to study seedling dynamics in tree species of a tropical seasonal rainforest in Xishuangbanna,southwestern China.We found that overall seedling recruitment rate and relative growth rate were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season.Both the recruitment rate of seedlings from canopy tree species(two species)and the relative growth rate of seedlings from understory species(nine species)were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season.However,in the rainy season,the recruitment rate of seedlings was higher for canopy tree species than for understory tree species.In addition,relative growth rate of seedlings was higher in the canopy species than in understory seedlings in the dry season.We also observed that,in both rainy and dry seasons,mortality rate of seedlings was higher for canopy species than for understory species.Overall,canopy tree species appear to have evolved a flexible strategy to adapt to the seasonal changes of a monsoon climate.In contrast,understory tree species seem to have adopted a conservative strategy.Specifically,these species mainly release seedlings in the rainy season and maintain relatively stable populations with a lower mortality rate and recruitment rate in both dry and rainy seasons.Our study suggests that canopy and understory seedling populations growing in forest understory may respond to future climate change scenarios with distinct regeneration strategies.

A GENERAL CONSTITUTIVE RELATION FOR FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH ANALYSIS OF METAL STRUCTURES

Crack growth rate curves are the fundamental material property for metal structures under fatigue loading. Although there are many crack growth rate curves available in the literature, few of them showed the capability to explain various special phenomena observed in tests. A modified constitutive relation recently proposed by McEvily and his co-workers showed very promising capability. This modified constitutive relation is further generalized by (1) introducing an unstable fracture condition; (2) defining a virtual strength to replace the yield stress; and (3) defining an overload and underload parameter. The performances of this general constitutive relation for fatigue crack growth is extensively studied and it is found that this general constitutive relation is able to explain various phenomena observed with particular strong capability on load sequence effect.

Effects of N:P ratio of Artemisia ordosica on growth influenced by soil calcium carbonate

Soil calcium carbonate(CaCO_3) has a strong solid phosphorus effect, and high content of CaCO_3 can significantly reduce the effectiveness of soil phosphorus. To reveal the limiting effect of soil CaCO_3 on the growth of plants on sand land and its mechanism of plant physiology, we performed pot experiments with a two-factor randomized block design and a three-factor orthogonal design for different soil CaCO_3 content treatments using Artemisia ordosica seedlings. In the experiments, we surveyed plant height, aboveground biomass, root length and root weight and analyzed N, P concentrations and RNA content of the seedlings, and discussed the relationships between relative growth rate(RGR) of the seedlings and N:P ratio as well as RNA. Results show that, the RGRs of plant height and above-ground biomass of the seedlings decreased significantly with the increase of soil CaCO_3 content, and those for root length and root weight decreased. The RGRs of plant height and above-ground biomass of the seedlings were significantly negatively correlated with leaf N:P ratios, but significantly positively correlated with leaf RNA content and leaf P concentrations. It can be seen that soil CaCO_3 is a stress factor for the growth of A. ordosica seedlings, and the growth response of the seedlings under the influence of soil CaCO_3 is in line with the Growth Rate Hypothesis.

Effect of NaNO_3 Concentrations on the Growth and Fatty Acid Compositions of Nitzschia closterium and Chaetoceros gracilis*

Fatty acid compositions of two strains of marine diatoms Nitzschia closterium ( MACC B222 ) and Chaetoceros gracilis ( MACC B13 ) have been examined. The microalgae have been grown at different initial NaNO3 concentrations ( 75, 375, 750, 1 125, 1 500, 1 875 mg/L ) and harvested at the late exponential phase. The results by one factor analysis of variance show that the NaNO3 concentrations have no significant influence on the relative growth rate of two strains of marine diatoms; the influence of NaNO3 concentrations on the fatty acids differs from species to species. The major fatty acids of two --diatom strains are 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n7 and 20:5n3 ( EPA ) , B13 also has high percentage -of 20:4n6 ( 6.0 ~ 9.1% ).

Phytoremediation of Rocky Slope Surfaces: Selection and Growth of Pioneer Climbing Plants

INTRODUCTION As a result of the massive construction following rapid economic growth in China, extraction of building materials from mountain resources has left behind many quarries. Those quarries usually have rocky surfaces and steep slopes. The existence of rocky slopes is not only a safety hazard but also increases soil erosion and affects landscape aesthetics. Natural restoration of vegetation on rocky slope surfaces is a very slow process, which might require hundreds of years, and is not considered an acceptable restoration strategy （Cullen et al., 1998）. Phytoremediation methods have been widely considered as a better option for vegetation establishment on rocky slope surfaces （Muzzi et al., 1997）.

Impacts of Date Palm Seeds （Phoenix dactyliferous L.） on Growth Indices and Nutrient Utilization of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio L,

This study was carried out to study the effect of adding different levels of date palm seed （Phoentix dactyliJProus） powder in the diet of common carp （Cyprinus carpio） at fish laboratory of Animal Production Department, College of Agricultural Sciences, Sulaimani University, Sulaimani, Iraq. The actual experimental feeding trials were conducted for 70 d and the adaptation period for 21 d. A total of 81 common carp fingerlings weighted 62 ± 2 g were divided into three experimental groups. The control treatment T1 was with 0 g date palm seed, T2 with 2.5 g date palm seed per kg diet and T3 with 5 g date palm seed per kg diet. Each treatment was in three replicates in which three common carp fingerlings were stocked in each aquarium which fed the experimental diets twice daily. The results indicated that weight gain （WG） and specific growth rate （SGR） in the third treatment （T3） group were significantly higher than those of fish fed control diets. T2 consumed more diet than other treatments with 306.940 g with higher feed conversion ratio （FCR）; T3 was higher significantly in food efficiency. No significant （P 〈 0.05） differences obtained from consumed protein while the protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in T3 with 319.323. Control was higher significantly in flesh weight without viscera with the third treatment; in flesh weight without head and viscera each the control and the second treatment was significantly higher than the third treatment. As a conclusion, the date palm seeds powder have a positive effect on growth performance of common carp.

Carbon Dioxide Concentrations and Light Levels on Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Juvenile Cacao Genotypes

In many countries cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is invariably grown as an understory crop in agroforestry types of cropping systems and subjected to low levels photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) due to presence of large number of upper story shade trees with poorly managed canopy structure. In recent years carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is steadily increasing and it is unclear what impact this will have on performance of cacao grown under shade of upper story shade trees. A climatically controlled greenhouse experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ambient and elevated carbon dioxide (400 and 700 μmol·mol-1) and three levels of PPFD (100, 200, and 400 μmol·m-2·s-1) on growth, and macro- and micronutrient use efficiency of three genetically contrasting cacao genotypes (CCN 51, VB 1117 and NO 81). Intraspecific variations were observed in cacao genotypes for growth parameters at ambient to elevated carbon dioxide and low to adequate levels of PPFD. With the exceptions of total root length and leaf area, irrespective of carbon dioxide and PPFD levels, all three genotypes showed significant differences in all the growth parameters. For all the cacao genotypes, increasing PPFD from 100 to 400 μmol·m-2·s-1 and carbon dioxide from 400 to 700 μmol·mol-1 increased overall growth parameters such as leaf, shoot and root biomass accumulation, stem height, leaf area, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. Irrespective of carbon dioxide and PPFD, invariably genotypes differed significantly in macro-micronutrient uptake parameters such as concentration, uptake, influx, transport and use efficiency. With few exceptions, raising PPFD from 100 to 400 μmol·m-2·s-1 and carbon dioxide from 400 to 700 μmol·mol-1 increased nutrient use efficiency for all the cacao genotypes. Elevated carbon dioxide and adequate PPFD are beneficial in improving cacao growth and mineral nutrient uptake and use efficiency.

Nitrogen Fertilization on Maize Sowing:Plant Growth and Seed Vigor

The management of fertilization in maize plants is a preponderant factor in the search for higher yields and obtaining quality seeds. In this sense, the study of nitrogen (N) management is predominant in improving the efficiency of its application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, partition assimilation and vigor expression of maize seeds submitted at different doses of nitrogen applied at sowing. The treatments were constituted by different doses of nitrogen fertilization at sowing, being: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended dose for the crop, according to the recommendation of nitrogen fertilization. The plants were collected at regular intervals of 21 days after sowing until the end of the growth cycle. For the analysis of growth and partition of dry matter between the organs, the accumulation of dry matter and leaf area was measured. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 4 × 7 factorial scheme (four N rates at sowing and seven collection times with three replications). The maize plants under the influence of nitrogen fertilization at sowing presented differential growth and distinct responses in the assimilated partition between their structures, with the intensity dependent on the dose used. Plants grown using 75% of the recommended dose of N at sowing had a higher relative growth rate, with more pronounced effects compared to the other doses. The expression of maize seed vigor increases to an increase of 82.5% N at sowing.

政治关系、经济增长率对中国在欧洲OFDI的影响——基于33个欧洲国家面板数据的实证研究

欧洲是中国重要的投资目的地,近年来因其内部政治格局调整、经济增速放缓,使中国对欧洲OFDI的风险增大。文章选取33个欧洲国家2010年—2019年面板数据,构建固定效应模型探讨双边政治关系及经济增长率对中国在欧洲OFDI的影响。结果表明:良好的双边政治关系不仅能够促进中国OFDI,还能减弱东道国监管对中国OFDI的不利影响;东道国经济增长率可通过调节市场规模对中国OFDI的正向影响,进而促进中国OFDI;中国对东道国出口额、东道国市场规模、东道国税收负担对中国OFDI均具有显著影响;同时,中国OFDI存在地区异质性和经济体异质性,表明中国对不同地区或不同经济体进行直接投资的动机和目标差异较大。今后应进一步巩固和深化双边政治关系,积极构建并逐步完善中国OFDI安全审查机制,助力中国对欧洲OFDI持续增长。

The relationship between relative growth rate and whole-plant C:N:P stoichiometry in plant seedlings grown under nutrient-enriched conditions

Aims Recent theories indicate that N is more in demand for plant growth than P;therefore,N concentration and N:C and N:P ratios are predicted to be positively correlated with relative growth rate(RGR)in plants under nutrient-enriched conditions.This prediction was tested in this study.Methods We examined the whole-plant concentrations of C,N and P and RGR,as well as the relationship between RGR and the concentrations and the ratios of N:C,P:C and N:P,for different harvest stages(the days after seed germination)of the seedlings of seven shrub species and four herbaceous species grown in N and P non-limiting conditions.The relationships among plant size,nutrient concentrations and ratios were subsequently determined.Important Findings RGR was positively correlated with N concentration and the ratios of N:PandN:C when the data were pooled for all species and for each shrub species,but not for individual herbaceous species.However,the relationship between RGR and P concentration and P:C was not significantly correlated for either shrubs or herbs.The variation of N among harvest stages and species was much greater than that of P,and the variation in N:P ratio was determined primarily by changes in N concentration.The shrub species differed from the herbaceous species in their N and P concentrations,nutrient ratios and in intraspecific relationships between RGR and nutrient ratios.These differences possibly reflect differences in the capacity for P storage and biomass allocation patterns.In general,our data support recent theoretical predictions regarding the relationship between RGR and C:N:P stoichiometry,but they also show that species with different life forms differ in the relationships among RGR and C:N:P stoichimetries.

Temperature responsiveness of seedlings maximum relative growth rate in three Mediterranean Cistus species

Aims Relative growth rate(RGR)is an indicator of the extent to which a species is using its photosynthates for growth and it is affected by environmental factors,including temperature.Nevertheless,most of plant growth studies have been carried out at a single growth temperature or at different temperature treatments,resulting in the lack of information on the relationship between RGR and chang-ing mean daily air temperature.We analyzed the temporal changes in RGR during early growth stages in three Cistus species grown outdoor in a common garden from seeds of different provenances.Moreover,we wanted to define the relationship between daily changes in RGR and mean daily air temperature for the considered provenances.The hypothesis that intra-specific temporal variations in RGR can reflect differences in the behavior to maximize RGR(RGRmax)in response to temperature was tested.Methods Seedlings of C.salvifolius,C.monspeliensis and C.creticus subsp.eriocephalus were grown outdoor in the experimental garden of the Sapienza University of Rome under a Mediterranean climate.We analyzed early growth with non-linear growth models and calcu-lated function-derived RGRs as the derivative with respect to time of the parameterized functions used to predict height divided by cur-rent height.The relationships between function-derived RGRs and mean daily air temperature were analyzed by linear and non-linear models,which were ranked according to their standard errors and correlation coefficients.The temperature dependency of RGRmax per each provenance was evaluated through the relationship between RGRmax and the coefficients of the best regression model obtained.Important Findings A parameter that could summarize the temperature dependency of RGR up to RGRmax during the early growth stages for the selected provenances was defined.This allowed us to highlight that a greater RGR temperature responsiveness was related to a delay in the time to reach RGRmax independently by the species.Nevertheless,a greater temperature sensitivity of RGR lead to a reduced maximum height which reflects a negative trade-off between the length of the developmental phases and the extent of RGR temperature respon-siveness.Thus,variations in temperature responsiveness of RGR up to RGRmax have a significant role in shaping the early growth for the investigated species.Our findings quantitatively define provenance dependent strategies by which the selected species cope with daily air temperature variations during early growth.

单盐胁迫对盐生植物碱地肤的影响

将中性盐NaCl和Na2SO4、碱性盐NaHCO3和Na2CO3按不同浓度对碱地肤苗进行单盐胁迫处理。测定其日相对生长率(RGR)等4项胁变指标。结果表明:碱地肤对4种单盐胁迫的最高耐受浓度不同,其顺序是:NaCl(1 000 mmol/L)、Na2SO4(800 mmol/L)、NaHCO3(600 mmol/L)、Na2CO3(175 mmol/L)。

垃圾堆填区渗出液对干旱季节树苗生长的影响

本试验于１９９４年７月至１月在香港望后石垃圾堆填区进行，研究了垃圾堆填区渗出液浇灌对几种亚热带树种生长及其生理学过程的影响．结果表明，在高温低湿、植物遭受水分亏缺的条件下，应用适当浓度的垃圾堆填区渗出液浇灌同水灌和肥水灌溉类似，可显著地提高树苗的移栽成活率，促进树苗的生长，尤其对耐干旱能力低的树种，其效果更为显著．与对照相比，用适当浓度的渗出液或水浇灌显著地改善植株的水分关系，降低叶片的脱落酸（ＡＢＡ）含量，促进气孔的开放．另外，处理植株叶片的光合特性也得到了不同程度的改善．根据以上结果，作者认为，在干旱季节植物遭受严重水分亏缺的条件下，应用适当浓度的垃圾堆填区渗出液浇灌可显著地缓解干旱对树苗生长的影响，为综合治理垃圾堆填区渗出液提供了一条经济、实用和可行的途径．