Soil organic carbon storage in forest restoration models and environmental conditions

The scale of forest and landscape restoration is expected to increase during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and its contribution to the provision of critical ecosystem services to society.Several models of forest restoration may improve ecosystem services,including soil organic carbon(SOC)storage.A review was carried out to access:(1)the variability of SOC storage between worldwide forest restoration models and,(2)the effects of climate,soil class,soil texture,and vegetation type on SOC storage.We reviewed 119 primary studies with information on SOC and soil texture for different forest restoration models.The restoration models were grouped into four categories:natural regeneration,monocultures,agroforestry,and mixed forest.SOC data was extracted from these four restoration models,other land uses(cropland,bare land,grassland,and natural forest),climate regimes,and soil properties.The SOC storage in the forest restoration models and other land uses at a global scale ranged between 0.1 to 514 Mg ha^(-1).The overall mean value for SOC storage was higher for natural regeneration(112 Mg ha^(-1)),followed by agroforestry(74 Mg ha^(-1)),mixed forest(73 Mg ha^(-1)),and monocultures(68 Mg ha^(-1)).However,the average SOC storage was similar among the four restoration models in the moist warm climate zone.The SOC storage mean value in the moist cool zone was 23%higher than the dry cool zone(81 and 62 Mg ha^(-1),respectively),and 50%higher for the moist warm zone when compared to the dry warm climatic zone(74 and 38 Mg ha^(-1),respectively).The SOC storage of the restoration models was positively related to soil depth(0.59;p<0.01),clay content(0.29;p<0.01),and stand age(0.17;p<0.01).Globally,the mean values of SOC storage were 26,66,and 139 Mg ha^(-1) at zero-10,zero-30,and zero-100 cm depths,respectively.In addition,sandy soils showed smaller mean values of SOC storage than medium to clay soils,especially in deeper soil layers.Furthermore,SOC storage was positively related between restoration models and other land uses(0.93;p<0.01),suggesting a prominent effect of climate and soil properties on SOC.Forest restoration models showed larger SOC storage when compared to croplands and bare land,but in general it was smaller or similar when compared to pasture and natural forest.

Forage Offer and Nutritive Value of Elaeagnus angustifolia in North Patagonia,Argentina

The presence and growth cycle of the browse Elaeagnus angustifolia(olivillo,Russian olive),naturalized in the Mid Valley,Rio Negro,Argentina,must be considered in the yearly schedule of rangeland management.Field observations showed that cattle prefer the leaves of this species that are included on the reproductive branches which develop as a thyrse inflorescence.In this trial,authors studied the incidence of E.angustifolia in the breeding cow’s diet as determined by microhistological analysis of cow feces;mapped the distribution patterns in a cattle farm and quantified its abundance in different parcels;estimated the volume of forage produced by this species and determined the nutritive value of the edible parts of the plants.The quality and quantity of the thyrses accessible for cow’s browse suggest that E.angustifolia must be considered as an important feed input.The results are used to schedule grazing periods in a valley farm divided into plots with different abundances of E.angustifolia and a known floristic composition.

Breaking Dormancy of “Tupy” Blackberry in Subtropical Conditions

In subtropical or tropical conditions, the insufficient winter chill accumulation is often a limiting factor to break the dormancy of temperate-climate species such as the blackberry, which requires using products to help break dormancy. This study evaluates the efficacy of compounds in breaking dormancy of blackberry and its consequent influence on phenology and crop yields. The experiment was conducted in S?o Manuel, State of S?o Paulo, Brazil, in the 2011/2012 production cycle. The plants used were two-year-old “Tupy” blackberry (Rubus spp.), with 0.6 × 4.0 m spacing (4.166 plants·ha-1). Pruning was performed in August, followed by the application of these treatments: control (water);hydrogen cyanamide (Dormex?);nitrogen fertilizer (Erger?) and mineral oil (Assist?). The concentrations of each compound used were: 2.0%, 4.0%, 6.0% and 8.0%. The compounds used influenced the budding, flowering and fruit harvest stages, in addition to providing increased yields depending on the concentration used. For hydrogen cyanamide the recommended concentration is of 4.2% and 5.4% for nitrogen fertilizer;doses above these concentrations may cause phytotoxic effects. For mineral oil the dose recommended is of 8.0%.

Genetic Correlation between Agronomically Important Traits in Yellow Passion Fruit

Breeding programs have sought to determine the minimum period of genotype evaluation, which is a long term-process. The objective of this work was to determine the association between qualitative traits of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) and relate maturity to other characteristics. To carry out this work, 113 families of full-sibs and half-sibs were planted in Vi&ccedil;osa (MG), Brazil, in a randomized block experimental design arranged in sets (treatment groups). The association between the analyzed characteristics was studied using path analysis and canonical correlation techniques. It was found that lower-yielding but larger-fruit bearing genotypes of passion fruit plant also require more days until reaching anthesis. Round-shaped fruits are linked to higher contents of total soluble solids. More intense pulp color also indicates higher contents of total soluble solids. The riper the fruit, the more intensely orange is the color of the pulp. The ratio between the levels of total soluble solids and total titrimetric acidity was the main determinant of pulp color for passion fruit.

Endophytic species of Colletotrichum associated with mango in northeastern Brazil

Endophytic species of Colletotrichum associated with Mangifera indica(mango)are poorly understood.In this study,Colletotrichum species were isolated from mango in Pernambuco State,Brazil.There were significant differences in isolation frequencies of Colletotrichum species among sites and plant tissues.Mature leaf blades were colonized by most Colletotrichum isolates at the majority of sites.Partial sequences of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)of 97 Colletotrichum isolates were amplified as an initial measure of genetic diversity.Phylogenetic analysis with a subset of 22 isolates were performed based on a multilocus dataset(ACT,TUB2,CAL,CHS-1,GAPDH,ITS)followed by Apn2/MAT IGS sequence-analysis for isolates within the C.gloeosporioides species complex.Molecular analysis associated with phenotypic characteristics revealed six previously described species[C.asianum,C.cliviae,C.dianesei(syn.C.melanocaulon),C.fructicola,C.karstii and C.tropicale]and one new species.This new species is introduced as C.endomangiferae.All species isolated were pathogenic on mango fruits but varied in their virulence.There was no distribution pattern of species among sites and plant tissues,although C.asianum was the most prevalent species at all sites and in all plant tissues studied.Five previously reported Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose in mango fruits in northeastern Brazil were also recovered as endophytes.

Five Colletotrichum species are responsible for mango anthracnose in northeastern Brazil

Colletotrichum species are the most important and widespread form of decay affecting mango fruit worldwide.In this study,Colletotrichum species associated with fruit anthracnose isolated from mango in northeastern Brazil were subject to molecular and morphological analyses.The partial sequences of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of 143 Colletotrichum isolates was amplified,as an initial measure of genetic diversity.A subset of 47 isolates,selected to represent the range of genetic diversity and geographic origin,were further sequenced using the partial actin,β-tubulin,calmodulin,glutamine synthetase genes and rDNA-ITS region.The multilocus sequence analysis,together with a critical examination of the phenotypic characters,revealed four previously described species(Colletotrichum asianum,Colletotrichum fructicola,Colletotrichum tropicale and Colletotrichum karstii)and one new species.The new species is introduced as Colletotrichum dianesei and formally described,illustrated and compared with similar taxa.Only C.asianum and C.karstii have previously been reported from mango,while the other species represent the first report associated with the mango fruits worldwide.All species are reported for the first time associated with the mango fruits in Brazil.

Botryosphaeria, Neofusicoccum, Neoscytalidium and Pseudofusicoccum species associated with mango in Brazil

Members of the Botryosphaeriaceae are well known fungi associated with dieback,canker and fruit rot on various hosts worldwide,including mango.The aim of this study was identify a large collection of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with dieback and stem-end rot of mango in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil,and compare the species in relation to mycelial growth,pathogenicity and virulence.A total of 115 isolates were sampled and based on morphology and DNA sequence data(ITS and EF1-α)seven taxa were identified,namely,Botryosphaeria dothidea,B.mamane,Fusicoccum fabicercianum,Neofusicoccum parvum,N.brasiliense sp.nov,Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Pseudofusicoccum stromaticum.B.dothidea and P.stromaticum were the most commonly isolated species,which represented 37%and 33%of all isolates respectively.B.mamane is reported for the first time in association with mango diseases worldwide.There were significant differences among the species obtained in this study in relation to optimum temperature for mycelial growth and mycelial growth rates.All species were pathogenic on mango fruit.There were significant differences in virulence among the species,with Ne.dimidiatum and N.parvum being the most virulent species,while P.stromaticum was the least virulent.

Species of Lasiodiplodia associated with papaya stem-end rot in Brazil

This study aims to identify and characterize species of Lasiodiplodia associated with stem-end rot of papaya in six different populations in the Northeast of Brazil.Fungal identifications were made using a combination of morphology together with a phylogenetic analysis based on partial translation elongation factor 1-αsequence(EF-1α)and internal transcribed spacers(ITS).Five species of Lasiodiplodia were identified:Lasiodiplodia brasiliense sp.nov.,L.hormozganensis,L.marypalme sp.nov.,L.pseudotheobromae and L.theobromae.Only L.theobromae had previously been reported in papaya,while all the other species are reported for the first time in association with this host in Brazil and worldwide.Lasiodiplodia theobromae was the most prevalent species.All species of Lasiodiplodia were pathogenic on papaya fruit,with L.hormozganensis being the most virulent.

Species of Lasiodiplodia associated with mango in Brazil

Mango(Mangifera indica)is a major tropical fruit species cultivated in Brazil.The objective of this study was to identify species of Lasiodiplodia associated with dieback and stem-end rot of mango in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil,and compare the species in relation to mycelial growth,pathogenicity and virulence.A total of 120 isolates of Lasiodiplodia were used and identifications were made using a combination of morphology and phylogenetic analysis based on partial translation elongation factor 1-αsequence(EF1-α)and internal transcribed spacers(ITS).The following species were identified:Lasiodiplodia crassispora,L.egyptiacae,L.hormozganensis,L.iraniensis,L.pseudotheobromae,L.theobromae and Lasiodiplodia sp..Lasiodiplodia theobromae was the most frequently isolated species,which represented 41%of all the isolates.Only this species had been previously reported on mango in Brazil,while the other species represent the first report associated with mango tree diseases in this country.Lasiodiplodia crassispora is reported for the first time associated with mango diseases worldwide.There were significant differences in mycelial growth rates among the Lasiodiplodia species and also in the optimum temperature for growth.All species of Lasiodiplodia were pathogenic on mango fruit.There were significant differences in virulence among the species,wherein L.hormozganensis and Lasiodiplodia sp.were the most virulent,while the least virulent were L.iraniensis,L.pseudotheobromae,L.crassispora and L.egyptiacae.

Changes in Olsen P in Relation to P Balance in Contrasting Agricultural Soils

Maintaining soil phosphorus(P) at adequate levels for plant growth requires assessing how the long-term P balance(viz., the difference between P inputs and outputs) results in changes in soil test P. The hypothesis that routinely measured soil properties can help predict the conversion factor of P balance into Olsen P was tested at 39 sites in agricultural areas of the Mediterranean region in Spain. A set of soil samples from each site was analyzed for Olsen P, inorganic P(P extracted using 0.5 mol L^(-1) H_2SO_4), pseudototal P(P extracted using 0.5 mol L^(-1) H_2SO_4 following ignition at 550℃), and organic P(the difference between pseudototal P and inorganic P). Organic and Olsen P were uncorrelated in most of the 39 soil sets, which suggests that organic P content changed little with P inputs and outputs. The slopes of the regression lines of Olsen P against pseudototal and inorganic P, which were used as two different measures of the conversion factor, ranged widely(from 0.03 to 0.25 approximately), with their average values(about 0.10) being similar to those found in long-term experiments conducted in temperate areas. Neither conversion factor was significantly correlated with any routinely measured soil property; however, the conversion factor for inorganic P was significantly lower for calcareous soils than for noncalcareous soils. Our negative results suggest the need to isolate the influence of soil properties from that of management systems and environmental factors relating to P dynamics in future studies.

Using dung beetles to evaluate the effects of urbanization on Atlantic Forest biodiversity

We used dung beetles to evaluate the impact of urbanization on insect biodi- versity in three Atlantic Forest fragments in Londrina, Parana, Brazil. This study provides the first empirical evidence of the impact of urbanization on richness, abundance, compo- sition and guild structure of dung beetle communities from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We evaluated the community aspects （abundance, richness, composition and food guilds） of dung beetles in fragments with different degrees of immersion in the urban matrix using pitfall traps with four alternative baits （rotten meat, rotten fish, pig dung and decaying ba- nana）. A total of 1 719 individuals were collected, belonging to 29 species from 11 genera and six Scarabaeinae tribes. The most urban-immersed fragment showed a higher species dominance and the beetle community captured on dung presented the greatest evenness. The beetle communities were distinct with respect to the fragments and feeding habits. Except for the dung beetle assemblage in the most urbanized forest fragment, all others exhibited contrasting differences in species composition attracted to each bait type. Our results clearly show that the degree of urbanization affects Atlantic Forest dung beetle communities and that the preservation of forest fragments inside the cities, even small ones, can provide refuges for Scarabaeinae.