Synthesis of plant-based biogenic jarosite nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus gunni leaf extracts and its application in Fenton degradation of dicamba

Bio-jarosite,an iron mineral synthesized biologically using bacteria,is a substitute for iron catalysts in the Fenton oxidation of organic pollutants.Iron nanocatalysts have been widely used as Fenton catalysts because they have a larger surface area than ordinary catalysts,are highly recyclable,and can be treated efficiently.This study aimed to explore the catalytic properties of bio-jarosite iron nanoparticles syn-thesized with green methods using two distinct plant species:Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus gunni.The focus was on the degradation of dicamba via Fenton oxidation.The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited different particle size,shape,surface area,and chemical composition characteristics.Both particles were effective in removing dicamba,with removal efficiencies of 96.8%for A.indica bio-jarosite iron nano-particles(ABFeNPs)and 93.0%for E.gunni bio-jarosite iron nanoparticles(EBFeNPs)within 120 min of treatment.Increasing the catalyst dosage by 0.1 g/L resulted in 7.6%and 43.0%increases in the dicamba removal efficiency for EBFeNPs and ABFeNPs with rate constants of 0.025 min^(-1) and 0.023 min^(-1),respectively,confrming their catalytic roles.Additionally,the high efficiency of both catalysts was demonstrated through five consecutive cycles of linear pseudo-first-order Fenton oxidation reactions.

尾叶桉Eucalyptus urophylla对8种乡土树种的化感作用

测试了尾叶桉叶片水提取液和叶片挥发物对8种乡土树种的种子萌发和幼苗根茎生长的影响,包括鸭脚木Schefflera octophylla,肖蒲桃Acmena acuminatissima,水翁Cleistocalyxoperculatus,三花冬青Ilextriflora,荷木Schima superba,小叶青冈Cyclobalanopsis myrsinaefolia,拐枣Hovenia dulcis和火力楠Michelia maclurei,结果表明:①水提取液的母液对这8种植物的种子萌发都没有显著影响,但在幼苗的根茎生长方面,对其中的鸭脚木、肖蒲桃和三花冬青产生了显著的抑制作用,对小叶青冈和拐枣则产生了显著的促进作用;3种水提取稀释液则对所有受体植物都没有显著影响。②叶片挥发物在150 g处理以下对所有物种的种子萌发均没有显著抑制作用,在较高浓度的处理中对部分植物的种子发芽率产生了显著或极显著的抑制作用,如肖蒲桃在350 g处理时,荷木在250 g和350 g处理时都受到极显著抑制;在幼苗根茎生长方面,肖蒲桃、三花冬青、荷木、拐枣和火力楠都受到了挥发物的显著抑制作用,而鸭脚木和水翁在250 g和350 g处理中受到了显著抑制,小叶青冈只在350 g处理中受到显著抑制。总之,尾叶桉叶片挥发物的化感作用强度比水提取液的高,而幼苗根茎生长比种子萌发更易受化感物质的抑制。

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 x 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 x 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 leachate-treated 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.

Comparative microsporogenesis and flower development in Eucalyptus urophylla×E.grandis

Microsporogenesis and flower development in Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis were examined using chromosome tableting to provide a method to predict the meiotic stages in this species. Although microsporogenesis was normal, cytokinesis during meiosis of pollen mother cells occurred simultaneously, with strong asynchronism observed in the two different lengths of stamens in a flower bud. In a single flower, the developmental period of microsporogenesis in anthers on the longer stamens was always ahead of those on the shorter stamens. Flower development was also asynchronous at different locations on a branch. Flower buds on the upper side of the branch were larger in diameter than those on the lower side. In addition, a correlation was observed between microsporogenesis development and flower bud diameter growth. The pachy- tene stage was first observed when the diameter of the flower buds increased to 3.0 mm, and the majority of the meiotic stages were observed when bud diameters ranged from 3.5 to 5.0 mm. This study showed that the developmental stages of microsporogenesis in Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis could be distinguished readily, which may be applicable to future breeding studies.

Micropropagation of Eucalyptus grandis×E.urophylla AEC 224 clone

Genetic transformation systems require protocols that allow regenerating transgenic plants from transformed tissues. This study aimed to establish a protocol for indirect organogenesis in leaf explants of a Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla AEC 224 clone. During callogenesis stage, several concentrations of NAA and then NAA or 2,4-D combined with TDZ were tested in JADS culture medium for 30 days, followed by subculture of the explants in the regeneration medium, containing 5.0 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA for another 30 days. In these media, the explant oxidation rate was high （95 %）. Thus, in order to reduce oxidation, different ;culture media were compared： WPM, MS, JADS and modified QL, followed by explant transfer onto regeneration medium. The highest percentage of regeneration and the lowest oxidation rate were achieved on WPM medium. Then, NAA and 2,4-D were tested in combination with TDZ and also TDZ and BA combined with NAA in WPM medium. The most efficient culture media in terms of shoot regeneration were WPM supplemented with 0.25 μM TDZ and 0.1μM NAA during 30 days for callus induction and then with 5.0 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA for another 30 days. This protocol yielded a regeneration rate of 43 %, with a low oxidation of tissues. A rooting experiment was conducted using half strength MS medium and comparing three concentrations of IBA （2.46, 4.90 and 7.35μM）. The highest rooting percentage （35 %） was obtained on medium containing 2.46μM IBA. Once the shoots were rooted, acclimatization in a greenhouse was not challenging and plant survival reached 100 %.

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.

Axial variations in anatomical properties and basic density of Eucalypt urograndis hybrid(Eucalyptus grandis 3 E. urophylla)clones

We studied two clones of Eucalypt urograndis hybrid （Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla）, GR283 and GR330, grown in Tumkur district of Kamataka （India）, and felled 5-6 years old three trees of each clone. We recorded axial variations in heartwood content, bark properties, wood density and anatomical characteristics of wood in- cluding fibre length, fibre diameter, fibre wall thickness, lumen diameter, vessel frequency, vessel diameter and vessel element length. Clone GR283 had about 10 % heartwood, significantly lower than for clone GR330 （37 %）. Basic wood density along the tree height varied significantly within and between the clones. We observed significant variations in fibre length, fibre diameter and wall thickness within and between the two clones. Vessel frequency and vessel element length did not vary but vessel diameter differed significantly between the clones. With a greater proportion of sapwood, clone GR283 can be uti- lized for paper and pulp applications. Clone GR330 had a higher proportion of heartwood and lower wood density and, hence, is more suitable for light-weight material applications.

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.

Co-Production of High-Grade Dissolving Pulp,Furfural,and Lignin from Eucalyptus via Extremely Low Acid Pretreatment and Pulping Technologies and Catalysis

Hemicellulose and lignin are not reasonably utilized during the dissolved pulp preparation process.This work aimed to propose a process for the co-production of dissolving pulp,furfural,and lignin from eucalyptus.High-grade dissolving pulp was prepared from eucalyptus using a combination of extremely low acid(ELA)pretreatment,Kraft cooking,and elementary chlorine-free(ECF)bleaching.The obtained pre-hydrolysate was catalytic conversion into furfural in a biphasic system,and lignin during Kraft cooking and ECF was recovered.The process condition was discussed as well as the mass flow direction.The results showed that ELA pretreatment could effectively remove 80.1%hemicellulose.Compared with traditional hydrothermal pretreatment,the ELA pretreatment significantly increased the xylose yield from 5.05 to 14.18 g/L at 170℃ for 2 h,which had practical significance for furfural production.The 82.7%furfural yield and 82.9%furfural selectivity were obtained from xylose-rich pre-hydrolysate using NaCl as a phase modifier in a biphasic system with 4-methyl-2-pentanone(MIBK)as an organic phase by ion exchange resin catalysts at 190℃ for 2 h.Subsequently,the pretreated eucalyptus was subjected to Kraft cooking,and the optimal alkali amount was 14%.Then,the Kraft pulp was bleached using the O-D1-EP-D_(2) sequence,and dissolving pulp was obtained with an ISO brightness of 86.0%,viscosity of 463 mL/g,andα-cellulose content of 95.4%.The Kraft lignin which has a potential application was investigated by 2D-HSQC NMR and 31P NMR.The results showed that the S/G ratio of Kraft lignin was 1.93,and the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups was 2.53 mmol/g.Moreover,based on the above proposed process,30.5 g dissolving pulp,5.5 g furfural,and 21.2 g lignin per 100 g eucalyptus chips(oven dry)were produced.This research will provide new catalysis and pulping technical routes for dissolving pulp,furfural,and Kraft lignin products,which are in great demand in the chemical industry.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Eucalyptus urophylla clone BRS07-01

Genetic transformation is becoming routine for engineering specific traits in important clones of recalcitrant species such as Eucalyptus;however,the efficiency is still low for most species,so many researchers still use seeds instead of clones as initial explants.This work aimed to develop a genetic transformation protocol,based on a highly efficient in vitro organogenesis protocol,for an Eucalyptus urophylla clone selected in our breeding program.Plant growth regulators were evaluated for indirect organogenesis and rooting.In a two-step protocol,the combination of callus induction media supplemented with 0.5 μM thidiazuron+0.5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid(NAA)and shoot induction media supplemented with 5.0 μM benzylaminopurine+1.0 lM NAA allowed up to 85.6%shoot formation with more shoots per explants when compared with other concentrations.Transgenic plants expressing the uidA gene were obtained using Agrobacterium tumefaciens and selected for kanamycin resistance.A RAPD analysis was used to check for somaclonal variation.In tests using 11 RAPD primers,we did not observe somaclonal variation in the in vitro stages evaluated.

Physiological plasticity in eucalyptus clones in the vegetative stage contributes to drought tolerance

With the expansion of eucalyptus crops to areas with severe water limitations,physiological studies involving eucalyptus clones to identify those that are tolerant to water stress become important.The objective of this study was to assess morphological and physiological responses by eucalyptus clones subjected to drought stress and rehydration.The experiment consisted of three eucalyptus clones:VC865,I224 and I144 and two water regimes:control and water stress followed by rehydration,with six replicates.Leaf water potential,gas exchange,maximum quantum efficiency of photo systemⅡand plant height and stem diameter were evaluated under drought stress and rehydration.After6 d of rehydration,the number of leaves,leaf area and dry mass of root,leaf,stem and their total were evaluated.All clones showed intense reduction of gas exchange during the drought stress period,and only VC865 and 1144 showed rapid recovery with 3 d of rehydration.Clone 1224 showed greater reduction in height,stem diameter,number of leaves,water potential at midday(Ψ_(w)_(Midday)),and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystemⅡ(F_(v)/F_(m)).Clones VC865and T144 showed lower reductions inΨ_(wMidday)and F_(v)/F_(m) under stress.VC865 had lower reductions in leaf number,leaf area and higher leaf dry mass,while clone I144 had higher height and lower reduction in root dry mass under.Both these clones showed higher water use efficiency with 3d of rehydration.These different phenotypic plasticities gave the clones VC865 and 1144 efficient mechanisms of acclimatization to stress and more drought tolerance,enhancing their greater capacity for recovery after stress,which allowed lower dry mass reduction.Clone 1224,however,was more susceptible to drought stress,undergoing greater physiological damage with only partial recovery during rehydration.

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.

Effects of site productivity on individual tree maximum basal area growth rates of Eucalyptus pilularis in subtropical Australia

Inventory data were available from 96 plots of even-aged,monoculture,tall-open forests of Eucalyptus pilularis Smith,aged 2-63 years,growing in sub-tropical regions along the east coast of Australia.A model was developed relating the maximum possible stem basal area growth rate of individual trees to their stem basal area.For any tree size,this maximum increased as site productivity increased.However,the size at which this maximum occurred decreased as productivity increased.Much research has shown that,at any stand age,trees of a particular stem basal area are taller on more productive sites than on less productive ones.Taller trees incur greater respiratory costs to ensure maintenance of the photo synthetic capacity of their canopies;this reduces their growth rates.It was concluded that trees with larger basal areas will have the maximum possible growth rate on a less productive site,whilst trees with smaller basal areas will have the maximum possible on a more productive site.The model developed may constitute the first stage of a complete individual tree growth model system to predict wood yields from these forests.

Eucalyptus carbon stock estimation in subtropical regions with the modeling strategy of sample plots–airborne LiDAR–Landsat time series data

Updating eucalyptus carbon stock data in a timely manner is essential for better understanding and quantifying its effects on ecological and hydrological processes.At present,there are no suitable methods to accurately estimate the eucalyptus carbon stock in a large area.This research aimed to explore the transferability of the eucalyptus carbon stock estimation model at temporal and spatial scales and assess modeling performance through the strategy of combining sample plots,airborne LiDAR and Landsat time series data in subtropical regions of China.Specifically,eucalyptus carbon stock estimates in typical sites were obtained by applying the developed models with the combination of airborne LiDAR and field measurement data;the eucalyptus plantation ages were estimated using the random localization segmentation approach from Landsat time series data;and regional models were developed by linking LiDAR-derived eucalyptus carbon stock and vegetation age(e.g.,months or years).To examine the models’robustness,the developed models at the regional scale were transferred to estimate carbon stocks at the spatial and temporal scales,and the modeling results were evaluated using validation samples accordingly.The results showed that carbon stock can be successfully estimated using the age-based models(both age variables in months and years as predictor variables),but the month-based models produced better estimates with a root mean square error(RMSE)of 6.51 t⋅ha1 for Yunxiao County,Fujian Province,and 6.33 t⋅ha1 for Gaofeng Forest Farm,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.Particularly,the month-based models were superior for estimating the carbon stocks of young eucalyptus plantations of less than two years.The model transferability analyses showed that the month-based models had higher transferability than the year-based models at the temporal scale,indicating their possibility for analysis of carbon stock change.However,both the month-based and year-based models expressed relatively poor transferability at a spatial scale.This study provides new insights for cost-effective monitoring of carbon stock change in intensively managed plantation forests.

An Experimental Study of Composite Columns Filled with Eucalyptus nitens Timber under Axial Compression

Eucalyptus nitens(E.nitens)has been much used for producing paper but also shows promise for structural applications.In this study,static compressive tests were undertaken to examine its suitability to be used in an innovative composite column.The composite column was comprised of a rectangular steel tube with E.nitens timber infill.The nonlinear compressive behaviour of the composite column filled with E.nitens wood for both dry and wet conditions was examined.The same tests on rectangular steel tubes and bare dry and wet E.nitens samples were also undertaken as a comparison.For samples with different conditions,the ultimate capacity was evaluated and the effect of each condition on the compressive behaviour of the composite column was clarified.The steel tubes showed greater ductile behaviour,and more ductility was found in the wet samples.The steel tubes with E.nitens timber infill samples exhibited a greater linear elastic range connected with higher maximum loads,while the bare timber samples could support only lower maximum loads.The results from this research were promising for the use of rectangular steel tubes with E.nitens timber infill in structural applications.

Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract and Fractions of Eucalyptus camadulensis (Denhn) in Albino Wistar Mice

Nigeria is one of the malaria-endemic countries, where the treatment of malaria has relied heavily on natural and traditional medicines. This study was designed to investigate and ascertain the preference of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in treating malaria using three standard models among local herbalists. Extraction was carried out on the leaves of Eucalyptus camadulensis using methanol. The methanol crude extract and other solvent fractions obtained were used for analysis. An acute toxicity test (LD50) was carried out using Lorke’s Method. The extract and its fractions were screened for phytochemical constituents using standard procedures. Different doses of the methanol crude extract (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg) and other solvent fractions (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg) were assessed for their antiplasmodial property using the Suppressive, Curative, and Prophylactic models on different days. One hundred and eighty grams (18% w/w) of the extract were recovered from 1000 g of powdered leaves. The weight of fractions and their yields calculated from 50 g crude extract are n-hexane fraction (3.45 g, 6.9%), ethylacetate fraction (11.65 g, 23.3%), and butanol (7.84 g, 15.68%). The result of the acute toxicity test showed that the lethal dose of the plant was above 5000 mg/kg. For the crude extract, the 1000 mg/kg dose had the highest percentage of parasitemia suppression of 97.3%, 95.30%, and 75.97% in the curative, suppressive, and prophylactic models, respectively. The fractions exhibited a significant chemosuppressive effect when compared with the negative control, with the butanol fraction (500 mg/kg) showing a higher percentage suppression. The findings in this study justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the management of malaria fever and tally with its folkloric use. However, more research is needed to establish the functions of the constituents in relation to antiplasmodial activity.

Effect of Different Soil Regulation Measures on Yield and Soil Fertility of Eucalyptus Plantation in Southern Guangxi

In view of the problems of decreased unit yield,soil acidification,decreased soil organic matter and soil fertility caused by high generation single pure Eucalyptus plantation in southern Guangxi,a field experiment was conducted to study the yield,soil organic matter and soil fertility under six soil conditioning measures[interplanting Tephrosia candida under the forest,interplanting Sesbania cannabina under the forest,organic fertilizer application,residue to woodland,soil testing and formulated fertilization,and applying pure chemical fertilizer(CK)],and the enhancing effects of each treatment on the yield and soil improvement of Eucalyptus plantations were further comprehensively evaluated.The results showed that compared with the control,the five treatments could increase the average stock of Eucalyptus,among which the average stock under the treatment of interplanting T.candida under the forest was the highest,followed by soil testing and formulated fertilization.The soil organic matter content and soil fertility of the forest were significantly improved by interplanting green manure,organic fertilizer application and soil testing and formulated fertilization models,while the short-term(1 a)effect of the residue treatment on the improvement of soil organic matter and soil fertility was insignificant.During the actual production process,interplanting green manure and residue treatment were not effective due to the inoperability,and the applicability were not wide,which still needed further study.Therefore,organic manure application and soil testing and formulated fertilization were suitable choices to promote the improvement of productivity and soil quality of Eucalyptus plantation in Guangxi.