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Pine Seedlings (pine + seedling)
Selected AbstractsSpatial patterns of tree recruitment in a relict population of Pinus uncinata: forest expansion through stratified diffusionJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 11 2005J. Julio Camarero Abstract Aim, To infer future changes in the distribution of isolated relict tree populations at the limit of a species' geographical range, a deep understanding of the regeneration niche and the spatial pattern of tree recruitment is needed. Location, A relict Pinus uncinata population located at the south-western limit of distribution of the species in the Iberian System of north-eastern Spain. Methods,Pinus uncinata individuals were mapped within a 50 × 40-m plot, and their size, age and reproductive status were estimated. Data on seed dispersal were obtained from a seed-release experiment. The regeneration niche of the species was assessed based on the associations of seedling density with substrate and understorey cover. The spatial pattern of seedlings was described using point-pattern (Ripley's K) and surface-pattern (correlograms, Moran's I) analyses. Statistical and inverse modelling were used to characterize seedling clustering. Results, Pine seedlings appeared aggregated in 6-m patches. Inverse modelling estimated a longer mean dispersal distance (27 m), which corresponded to the size of a large cluster along the north to north-eastward direction paralleled by an eastward trend of increasing seedling age. The two spatial scales of recruitment were related to two dispersal processes. The small-scale clustering of seedlings was due to local seed dispersal in open areas near the edge of Calluna vulgaris mats: the regeneration niche. The long-range expansion might be caused by less frequent medium-distance dispersal events due to the dominant north-westerly winds. Main conclusions, To understand future range shifts of marginal tree populations, data on seed dispersal, regeneration niche and spatial pattern of recruitment at local scales should be obtained. The monitoring of understorey communities should be a priority in order to predict correctly shifts in tree species range in response to global warming. [source] Phytophthora cinnamomi and other fine root pathogens in north temperate pine forestsFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2007Didier Chavarriaga Abstract A number of fine root pathogens, including Phytophthora cinnamomi, Pythium ultimum var. ultimum, Pythium undulatum, Pythium violae, Fusarium sp., and two incompletely identified Verticillium species, were isolated from soils taken from under Scots pine trees at five sites in north Scotland, including semi-natural forests and plantations. At least two root pathogens were recovered from each forest. Morphological and molecular data supported the identification of Phytophthora cinnamomi from three of the sites investigated. Isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi, Pythium ultimum var. ultimum and an incompletely identified Fusarium sp. caused growth reductions of Scots pine seedlings, as determined by dry weight; the most virulent species were Phytophthora cinnamomi and Fusarium sp. The most severe disease symptoms were caused by a mixed inoculum containing Phytophthora cinnamomi, Pythium ultimum var. ultimum and Fusarium sp., or by the Fusarium isolate alone. These nonspecific pathogens may persist on the roots of understorey and herbaceous plants in the pine forests. [source] Analysing scots pine defence-related transcripts and fungal DNA levels in seedlings single- or dual-inoculated with endophytic and pathogenic Rhizoctonia speciesFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2009H. Grönberg Summary Fungal DNA and induction of host defence-related transcripts were monitored by real-time PCR in young Scots pine seedlings inoculated with pathogenic uninucleate (UNR) and endophytic binucleate (BNR) Rhizoctonia species. The UNR (teleomorph Ceratobasidium bicorne) causes root dieback in conifer seedlings following invasion of the vascular cylinder via root apex and destroying apical meristems whilst the BNR, representing anastomosis group AG-I of genus Ceratobasidium, is primarily restricted to the cortex in basal root regions. In the experiment 1 the fungi were simultaneously inoculated on roots, while in experiment 2, BNR was pre-inoculated 168 h before inoculation with UNR. Nucleic acids were extracted from infected roots at intervals up to 192 h post-infection (hpi), and the genomic DNA levels of the host and fungi and the transcript levels of a house-keeping gene (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and nine putative defence genes were quantified. In simultaneous inoculation UNR was more competitive than BNR whereas pre-inoculation of BNR suppressed but did not completely prevent root colonization by UNR. Stilbene synthase (STS) transcription was significantly up-regulated in single-inoculations with both fungi and in dual inoculation in both experiments. Maximum STS transcript levels were observed in roots single-inoculated with UNR; the peak level at 48 hpi in experiment 2 was significantly higher than in seedlings single-inoculated with BNR or co-inoculated with both fungi, the latter two treatments showing relatively similar STS transcript levels. Similarly, transcript levels of phenylalanine ammonia lyase at 48 hpi in experiment 2 were significantly higher in roots single-inoculated with UNR compared with BNR or in UNR+BNR co-inoculations. The other seven putative defence genes monitored did not show any clear-cut up-regulation following fungal inoculation. We conclude that BNR suppresses UNR in Scots pine roots via direct competition for infection sites, since the studied transcripts showed no evidence of BNR induced resistance against UNR. [source] Studies on anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani isolates causing disease in two forest nurseries in PolandFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2006S. St, pniewska-Jarosz Summary Thirty-eight isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings with damping-off symptoms, originating from two forest nurseries in central-west Poland (Wronczyn and Jarocin) and from diseased seedlings grown in soil from Wronczyn nursery. Majority of these isolates (79%) had multinucleate cells and were identified as Rhizoctonia solani. The remaining isolates were recognized as binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. R. solani isolates were characterized using hyphal anastomosis and were divided into five anastomosis groups (AG). The most prevalent was AG5 (37% of isolates), followed by AG2-1 (30%) and 27% of the isolates were identified as AG4. Groups AG1-IB and AG2-2 were only represented by single isolates. The virulence recorded as mortality (in percentage) was comparatively high for binucleate and multinucleate isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. Sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region was used for phylogenetic analysis. The dendrogram showed that isolates were distinctly separated based on their AG types and there was no relationship between pathogenicity on Scots pine seedlings and the AG to which the isolates belong to. The results are discussed with respect to pathogenic potential of the various AG groups. Résumé Trente-huit isolats de Rhizoctonia spp. ont été isolés de semis de Pin sylvestre (Pinus sylvestris) présentant des symptômes de fonte, dans deux pépinières forestières du Centre-Ouest de la Pologne (Wronczyn and Jarocin) et de semis malades élevés dans du sol provenant de la pépinière de Wronczyn. La majorité de ces isolats (79%) ont des cellules multi-nucléées et ont été identifiés comme des Rhizoctonia solani. Le reste des isolats ont été reconnus comme des Rhizoctonia spp. binucléés. Les isolats de R. solani ont été caractérisés en utilisant l'anastomose d'hyphes et répartis dans cinq groupes d'anastomoses (AG). Le plus important est le groupe AG5 (37% des isolats), suivi par AG2-1 (30%) et AG4 (27%). Les groupes AG1-IB et AG2-2 sont représentés chacun par seulement un isolat. La virulence, estimée par le pourcentage de mortalité, est relativement forte pour les isolats binucléés et multinucléés de Rhizoctonia spp. L'analyse des séquences de la région ITS de l'ADNr amplifiées par PCR a été utilisée pour l'analyse phylogénétique. Le dendrogramme montre que les isolats sont séparés selon leur groupe d'anastomose mais il n'y a pas de relation entre le groupe d'anastomose et la virulence sur semis de Pin sylvestre. Les résultats sont discutés dans la perspective du pouvoir pathogène des différents groupes d'anastomoses. Zusammenfassung Von Kiefernsämlingen (Pinus sylvestris) mit Umfallkrankheit, die aus zwei Forstbaumschulen in Zentral-Westpolen stammten (Wronczyn und Jarocin) und aus erkrankten Sämlingen, die in Bodenproben aus der Baumschule Wronczyn kultiviert worden waren, wurden 38 Stämme von Rhizoctonia spp. isoliert. Die meisten dieser Isolate (79%) hatten vielkernige Zellen und wurden als R. solani identifiziert. Die restlichen Isolate waren zweikernige Rhizoctonia spp. Die Isolate von R. solani wurden durch Anastomosierungstests charakterisiert und fünf Anastomosierungsgruppen zugeordnet. Die häufigste Gruppe war AG5 (37% der Isolate), gefolgt von AG2-1 (30%) und AG4 (27%). Die Gruppe AG1-IB und AG2-2 waren nur durch einzelne Isolate vertreten. Die Virulenz (gemessen als % Mortalität) war sowohl für zweikernige als auch für vielkernige Isolate vergleichsweise hoch. Mit den Sequenzen der PCR-amplifizierten ITS-rDNA-Region wurde eine phylogenetische Analyse durchgeführt. Das Dendrogramm zeigte, dass die Isolate aufgrund ihrer Zugehörigkeit zu den Anastomosierungsgruppen deutlich voneinander getrennt waren, und es bestand keine Beziehung zwischen ihrer Virulenz gegenüber Kiefernsämlingen und der Gruppenzugehörigkeit. Die Befunde werden im Hinblick auf das pathogene Potential der verschiedenen Anastomosierungsgruppen diskutiert. [source] Symptoms in slash pine seedlings following inoculation with the cone rust fungus Cronartium strobilinumFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2001A. N. Shukla Six-week-old seedlings of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) were inoculated with sporidia of Cronartium strobilinum, which is the cause of southern cone rust disease, by wounding the apical tips of the seedlings. Pycnial sori developed abundantly within 1 month of inoculation on the epicotyl and primary needles. The progress of the pathogen was confirmed histologically within the cells of the stem and haustoria were observed near the nucleus of the cells. In the needles, pycnial pustules developed and the fungus was abundant in the mesophyll. Symptômes chez les semis de Pinus elliottii inoculés par Cronartium strobilinum Des semis de six semaines de Pinus elliottii ont été inoculés avec des basidiospores de l'agent de la rouille des cônes Cronartium strobilinum, sur blessure de l'extrémité apicale des semis. Des spermogonies se sont développées abondamment en un mois sur les épicotyles et les aiguilles primaires. La progression du parasite dans les cellules de la tige a été confirmée par histologie. Des haustorias ont été observés près du noyau des cellules. Des spermogonies se sont développées sur les aiguilles et le champignon était abondant dans le mésophylle. Symptome an Pinus elliottii , Sämlingen nach Inokulation mit dem Zapfenrost Cronartium strobilinum An sechs Wochen alten Sämlingen von Pinus elliottii wurden Wunden an der Triebspitze mit Basidiosporen von Cronartium strobilinum, dem Erreger des Südlichen Zapfenrostes, inokuliert. Innerhalb eines Monats nach der Inokulation entwickelten sich zahlreiche Spermogonien auf dem Epikotyl und den Primärnadeln. Die Ausbreitung des Pathogens in den Zellen des Triebes wurde histologisch bestätigt. Haustorien wurden in der Nähe des Zellkerns beobachtet. Die Spermogonien entwickelten sich innerhalb der Nadeln, das Mesophyll war stark von Pilzmyzel durchwachsen. [source] Responses of gas exchange and growth in Merkus pine seedlings to expected climatic changes in ThailandGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Jarkko Koskela Abstract Responses of gas exchange and growth in Merkus pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. et de Vriese) seedlings to changing climate were analysed for high- and low-altitude sites in Thailand. A gas exchange model, based on the optimality approach, derived the effect of drought from the probability of rains. A carbon-and nitrogen-balance growth model applied structural regularities of a tree and a modification of functional balance between foliage and fine roots as growth- guiding rules. Adaptation to local climates was incorporated in the models. The simulations yielded physiologically reasonable behaviour for annual photosynthesis (A) and transpiration (E) in relation to the distributions of precipitation over the course of a year. An annual temperature increase of 2 °C and a prolonged dry season (scenario 2) reduced A by 5,11% and E by 5,8% as compared to present climate (scenario 1). Doubled CO2 concentration and the increased temperature (scenario 3) enhanced A by 56,59% and E by 14%. Simultaneously these changes (scenario 4) increased A by 41,53% and E by 1,5%. Simulated growth in scenario 1 fitted reasonably well to field data. By the age of five years, simulated total biomass (TB) and height (h) were reduced by 31,67% and 12,42%, respectively, in scenario 2 compared to scenario 1. In scenario 3, TB and h increased by 279,330% and 94,191%, and in scenario 4, by 83,241% and 55,69%, respectively. Large increases in TB and h are explained by the exponential growth phase of the young seedlings. These results suggest that climatic changes enhance growth and thus shorten the duration of the grass stage in these seedlings. However, the effects of climatic changes on growth depend strongly on how rainfall seasonality is altered in SE Asia because prolonged drought episodes may retard the fertilizing effects of the increasing CO2 concentration. [source] Soil seed banks in Mediterranean Aleppo pine forests: the effect of heat, cover and ash on seedling emergenceJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2000Ido Izhaki Summary 1 ,East Mediterranean Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests are subjected to periodic stand-replacing fires. We simulated two of the effects of fire on the germinable soil seed bank in four pine stands on Mt. Carmel, Israel, that differed in their post-fire ages. Soil samples were heated to 100 °C, or covered by pine ash. Vermiculite was used to simulate litter cover. 2 ,Heat exposure increased overall seedling density, richness and taxon diversity in all stands, but density of annual taxa (e.g. grasses and legumes) were not clearly affected. 3 ,Ash cover dramatically decreased germination of all taxa and highest germination was achieved with heating and no cover. Vermiculite cover resulted in intermediate germination levels. 4 ,The combined effect of heat exposure and ash cover, simulating a post-fire situation under a canopy of pine, reduced the germination level of all taxa in the soil seed bank. However, it also creates conditions that facilitate the establishment of pine seedlings from the canopy stored seed bank. [source] Tolerance of Pinus taeda and Pinus serotina to low salinity and flooding: Implications for equilibrium vegetation dynamicsJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Benjamin Poulter Abstract Questions: 1. Do pine seedlings in estuarine environments display discrete or continuous ranges of physiological tolerance to flooding and salinity? 2. What is the tolerance of Pinus taeda and P. serotina to low salinity and varying hydrologic conditions? 3. Are the assumptions for ecological equilibrium met for modeling plant community migration in response to sea-level rise? Location: Albemarle Peninsula, North Carolina, USA. Methods: In situ observations were made to quantify natural pine regeneration and grass cover along a salinity stress gradient (from marsh, dying or dead forest, to healthy forest). A full-factorial greenhouse experiment was set up to investigate mortality and carbon allocation of Pinus taeda and P. serotina to low-salinity conditions and two hydrology treatments over 6 months. Treatments consisted of freshwater and two salinity levels (4 ppt and 8 ppt) under either permanently flooded or periodically flushed hydrologic conditions. Results: Natural pine regeneration was common (5,12 seedlings per m2) in moderate to well-drained soils where salinity concentrations were below ca. 3.5 ppt. Pine regeneration was generally absent in flooded soils, and cumulative mortality was 100% for 4 and 8 ppt salinity levels under flooded conditions in the greenhouse study. Under weekly flushing conditions, mortality was not significantly different between 0 and 4 ppt, confirming field observations. Biomass accumulation was higher for P. taeda, but for both pine species, the root to shoot ratio was suppressed under the 8 ppt drained treatment, reflecting increased below-ground stress. Conclusions: While Pinus taeda and P. serotina are commonly found in estuarine ecosystems, these species display a range of physiological tolerance to low-salinity conditions. Our results suggest that the rate of forest migration may lag relative to gradual sea-level rise and concomitant alterations in hydrology and salinity. Current bioclimate or landscape simulation models assume discrete thresholds in the range of plant tolerance to stress, especially in coastal environments, and consequently, they may overestimate the rate, extent, and timing of plant community response to sea-level rise. [source] | ||||||||||