Showing papers by "Forest Research Institute published in 1979"

The contribution of stored water to transpiration in Scots pine

Abstract: . The amount of water available diurnally and annually from the storage tissues was measured in plots of Scots pine trees with four different population densities (608–3281 trees per ha) in a 40-year-old plantation in north eastern Scotland. The water storage capacity of stems, branches, and foliage was estimated from equations derived from harvested trees and measurements of relative water content. On average 64% of the water considered to be available for transpiration was in the stem sapwood and less than 5% in the phloem, cambium and foliage. Trees on the plot with the highest population density had a water storage capacity of 212 m3 ha−1 (21.2 mm), whereas those on the plot with the lowest population density had a water storage capacity of 124 m3 ha−1 (12.4 mm). The utilization of stored water in transpiration was estimated from seasonal and diurnal measurements of the relative water content of foliage and stem sapwood. The largest change in sapwood relative water content over a 2-week period was a reduction of 27% corresponding to extraction from the sapwood of 2.5 and 5.1 mm of water on the plots with the lowest and highest population densities, respectively. In rapidly changing weather conditions 1–1.5 mm day−1 could be removed from the stem sapwood alone. Since transpiration rarely exceeded 3 mm day−1, 30–50% of the transpired water was extracted from water stored in the stem sapwood over short periods. Trees on the plot with the lowest population density occasionally had slightly higher relative water contents and exhibited larger diurnal fluctuations than those on the plot with the highest population density, possibly because of differences in wood density. Sapwood water content was generally lower at times of high transpiration rate and in winter during freezing conditions. Resaturation took several months to complete during the winter.

Mycorrhizal fungi of Pinus radiata in New Zealand.

Abstract: Mycorrhizal fungi of a timber species, Pinus radiata D. Don, exotic to New Zealand were isolated. Two isolation methods were used, and root washing without surface sterilization was found to produce a higher proportion of mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal roots were plated out on Hagem medium and from 7000 pieces 32% yielded Rhizopogon spp; 3% gave rise to Amanita muscaria (L. ex Fr.) S.F. Gray, Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex St. Am.) Quel., Suillus spp, Thelephora terrestris Ehrh. ex Fr., and unidentified basidiomycetes; 14% yielded dark sterile mycelia; 19% were sporing Fungi Imperfecti presumed to be contaminants; and 32% remained free of fungal outgrowth. Some of the fungi commonly occurring in P. radiata stands, such as Laccaria laccata (Scop. ex Fr.) Berk. & Br. and Scleroderma verrucosum Vaill. ex Pers. and generally supposed to be mycorrhizal associates of this tree species, were not isolated even though they grow well on the media used for isolation. Mycorrhizas were synthesized on P. radiata seedlings by 16 basidiomycete fungi but under the test conditions Boletus piperatus (Bull. ex Fr.) O. Kuntze and Inocyhe sp., commonly assumed to be mycorrhiza formers on this tree species, did not form mycorrhizas. The results indicate Rhizopogon spp are a major component of mycorrhiza formers isolated from P. radiata in New Zealand.

Microflora of sound‐looking wood in Picea abies stems

Abstract: Ascocoryne spp. (A. cylichnium and A. cf. sarcoides) were found in 48 % of 262 60-year-old Picea abies stems. They were isolated with increasing frequency towards the pith from the lower 2-3 m, more often from thicker than from thinner stems. Neobulgaria premnophila was present in 10 % of the stems, more evenly distributed, and with no difference in occurrence between thicker and thinner stems. Nectria fuckeliana was situated at random in 8 % of the trees.

Trap comparison in the capture of flying Coleoptera

Abstract: A comparison of malaise, light, sticky, and window traps for the capture of flying Coleoptera showed the malaise trap to be far superior to the other 3 types in variety and number of insects taken. However, consideration of individual species showed a number of exceptions to this general pattern. Data on the seasonal flight activity of 11 species are presented.

The [13C]nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of a methylated humic acid

Abstract: A humic acid has been investigated by [ 13 C]NMR spectroscopy using the methylated humic acid dissolved in chloroform which gave a relatively simple spectrum. Estimates of different types of C show that 21% of the C is aromatic, 35% consists of methylene chains and methyl groups, 3%, as the carbonyl C of methyl esters, and 13% as the methoxyl C of methylated phenols and alcohols. The rest, 28%, is not accounted for and may be mostly C bound to O as in polysaccharides or in peptides. No ketonic or quinonic groups were detected. The [ 13 C]NMR spectrum of the methylated humic acid is entirely different from those of lignin and its derivatives thus suggesting that lignin residues play no significant role in the structure of the humic acid.

Effect of sodium fluoroacetate (“compound 1080”) on the soil microflora

Abstract: A range of New Zealand soils, many contaminated by sodium fluoroacetate (“Compound 1080” or NaFA) were examined for micro-organisms capable of defluorinating this animal poison. Species of Pseudomonas and Fusurium capable of growth on NaFA were isolated whilst many other soil bacteria and fungi exhibited defluorinating activity when grown on an alternative organic C source. It was concluded that NaFA has a short biological half-life in the soils investigated. Some NaFA-contaminated soils also contained species of the algae Chlorella and Chlamydomonas which were unaffected by NaFA but growth of a duck weed, Spirodela oligorrhiza , was inhibited 73% in the presence of 5 μM-NaFA.

Fate of lead in the soil and its effects onPinus halepensis

Abstract: Chemical analysis of samples of needles of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), humus and mineral soil collected in the vicinity of the Pb-smelter in Lavrion, Attica, showed that an area of about 2 km around the smelter is heavily polluted primarily with Pb and also with Zn, S and F−. Most of the Pb was found accumulated in the humus and the top layer of the mineral soil.

Ascocoryne species in living stems of Picea species. A literature review

Abstract: Ascocoryne sarcoides (Jacquin ex S.F. Gray) Groves and Wilson has been reported to be widely distributed and common in living stems of Picea spp. in Europe and Canada. A. cylichnium (L.-R. Tulasne) Korf has been reported relatively seldom from such stems in Europe and apparently not at all in Canada. However, the identifications can usually not be verified because descriptions of cultures are rarely given. A. cylichnium may be common in spruce stems in both regions. Ways of infection and distribution in the stem are mentioned, and data on enzyme production and effect on wood are given.

Interaction between simulated rain and barren rock surface

Abstract: During the latter decades extensive fish kills have been observed in the mountainous areas of southernmost Norway. These kills have been attributed to the increased acidity of the river-water. The increased acidity is generally assumed to be caused by acid precipitation. However, the relationship between precipitation and runoff quality is very complex. The present paper is concerned with the relationship between chemical composition of simulated rain and that of runoff from bare granitic rock, partly covered by lichens. When supplying simulated rain with a pH value of approximately 5 the very first runoff had pH values between 4.1 and 4.3. However, the pH in the runoff increased rapidly and leveled out at values between 4.6 and 4.7. When supplying simulated rain with pH approximately 3.5, the pH in the first runoff varied between 3.8 and 3.6. The pH then gradually decreased to the same values as those in the simulated rain. Runoff from ‘rain’ with pH 4.3, obtained the same pH value as that of the ‘rain’. The pH of the runoff was dependent not only on the rain acidity, but also on its content of neutral salts.

Fertilization of poplar clones in the nursery

Abstract: Results of experiments with four poplar clones and various chemical fertilizers in a nursery in southern Greece are presented. At the end of the first growth period the heights of the four clones, without fertilizers, decreased in the order of I-214>I-262>cv. campeator > black poplar 1/64 with significant differences only between black poplar 1/64 and the rest of the clones.

Lime-induced chlorosis inPinus radiata

Abstract: Addition of marl (CaCO3) and/or manure to an acid soil in pots caused ‘lime-induced’ chlorosis inPinus radiata seedlings, especially after excessive irrigation for 15 days. Chlorotic symptoms and their intensity were found to be related more to soil moisture and to the HCO3 − concentrations, than to percentage of free CaCO3, in the soil mixtures. Comparative chemical analysis showed lower total Fe and Mn concentrations and higher concentrations of cations and organic anions in the needles of seedlings with chlorotic symptoms than in the needles of healthy ones.

Pine canker fungus, Lachnellula pini, and L. flavovirens in Finland

Abstract: The distribution of Lachnellula pini, cause of pine canker and Lacbnellula flavovirens, occurring on pine needles and branches killed by snow blight, was studied in Finland.

The Australian longhorns Aridaeus thoracicus and Didymocantha obliqua (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae) established in New Zealand

Abstract: The presence of the Australian longhorns Aridaeus thoracicus and Didymocantha obliqua in New Zealand is confirmed. Detail of their known distribution and host plants are given.