Growth of Shorea contorta Vid.Inoculated with Eucalypt Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in the Nursery and in a Logged-Over Dipterocarp Forest in Surigao,Philippines

This study was conducted to determine the compatibility of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi associated with eucalypts on dipterocarps. Two nodal cuttings of Shorea contorta (Vid.) were rooted in a non-mist system for two months, and later inoculated with vegetative mycelia of three strains of Pisolithus collected under eucalypts and a strain of Scleroderma from dipterocarps. Inoculated rooted cuttings were planted in irradiated potting mix and raised in the nursery for five months. Root colonization prior to outplanting ranged from 31% to 38% and ECM fungi did not colonize the uninoculated ones. The cuttings were outplanted in a logged-over dipterocarp forest in Bislig, Surigao Sur following a Randomized Complete Block Design with four blocks;each block was planted with 50 seedlings. Two years after outplanting, Pisolithus strain from New Caledonia (H6394) promoted the highest height (46 cm) and diameter (0.48 cm) increment. Height was increased by 17% and diameter by 7% relative to the uninoculated control. By contrast, Pisolithus strain from the Philippines (H615) gave the shortest (26 cm) height increment and smallest (0.42 cm) diameter. Diameter growth of cuttings inoculated with Scleroderma D01 (from the Philippines) and a Pisolithus strain from Australia (H445) was bigger (0.47 cm) than the uninoculated treated cuttings (0.45 cm). In terms of survival, the uninoculated cuttings gave the highest (90%) percent survival while the lowest (60%) was those inoculated with Pisolithus strain from New Caledonia. It is possible that the indigenous ECM fungi infected easily the roots of the uninoculated cuttings thus contributing to the high survival rate (90%). During outplanting, fruit bodies of S. columnare were present in the field site. The results, however, show that ECM fungi were able to colonize the roots and that some strains promoted the growth and survival of S. contorta planted in a logged-over dipterocarp forest in Bislig, Surigao, Philippines.

Sodium lauryl sulfate and its potential impacts on organisms and the environment:A thematic analysis

Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment and the lack of a scientific consensus regarding the environmental safety of the widely used anionic surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(CAS No:151-21-3),a systematic literature review and thematic analysis was conducted.All studies about sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS)in the environment in key databases were reviewed,with coding methods used to identify impact categories from SLS exposure without potential narration bias.Based on the limited number of studies on SLS,there is empirical evidence of this surfactant contributing to environmental toxicity at various concentrations(0.004-3509 mg L^(-1)),with aquatic organisms at a higher risk from exposure.Furthermore,exposure to SLS can elicit changes to various organismic processes and environmental equilibrium.Hence,further study on SLS in various environmental compartments is recommended to monitor the level of SLS pollution,understand its behavior upon contact with various environmental media,and understand its impacts on flora and fauna.Lastly,SLS quantification should be done on commonly used consumer products to potentially regulate its use and to consequently curb SLS pollution from its source.