The effects of the short-term application of Ascophyllum nodosum-fermented seaweed fertilizer on the bacterial community, soil nitrogen contents, and plant growth in maize rhizosphere soil were evaluated. The changes in the bacterial community composition and nitrogen contents including those of total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) in rhizosphere soils in response to treatment with seaweed fertilizer were determined. Furthermore, soil enzymatic activity and crop biomass were analyzed. The relative abundance of the dominant phyla varied regularly with fertilization, and bacterial α-diversity was apparently influenced by seaweed fertilizer amendment. The TN contents of all soil samples decreased gradually, and the NO3--N and NH4+-N contents of the soils treated with seaweed fertilizer were much higher than those of the control soils. Similarly, the enzymatic activities of dehydrogenase, nitrite reductase, urease, and cellulase in the soil were significantly increased on day 3, day 8, and day 13 after the application of seaweed fertilizer to the maize rhizosphere soil. However, there was no difference in the activity of soil sucrase between the treatment group and the control group. In this study, the growth of maize seedlings was confirmed to be greatly promoted by the utilization of seaweed fertilizer. These results deepen our understanding of plant-microbe interactions in agroecosystems and should benefit the wide use of seaweed fertilizer in sustainable agricultural production.

• MeSH
• Ascophyllum chemie   MeSH
• Bacteria klasifikace   MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• dusík analýza   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• kukuřice setá růst a vývoj   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mikrobiota * MeSH
• mořské řasy chemie   MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
• rhizosféra * MeSH
• vývoj rostlin MeSH
• zemědělství metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Tropical rainforests are frequently limited by soil nutrient availability. However, the response of the metabolic phenotypic plasticity of trees to an increase of soil nutrient availabilities is poorly understood. We expected that increases in the ability of a nutrient that limits some plant processes should be detected by corresponding changes in plant metabolome profile related to such processes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We studied the foliar metabolome of saplings of three abundant tree species in a 15 year field NPK fertilization experiment in a Panamanian rainforest. The largest differences were among species and explained 75% of overall metabolome variation. The saplings of the large canopy species, Tetragastris panamensis, had the lowest concentrations of all identified amino acids and the highest concentrations of most identified secondary compounds. The saplings of the "mid canopy" species, Alseis blackiana, had the highest concentrations of amino acids coming from the biosynthesis pathways of glycerate-3P, oxaloacetate and α-ketoglutarate, and the saplings of the low canopy species, Heisteria concinna, had the highest concentrations of amino acids coming from the pyruvate synthesis pathways. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The changes in metabolome provided strong evidence that different nutrients limit different species in different ways. With increasing P availability, the two canopy species shifted their metabolome towards larger investment in protection mechanisms, whereas with increasing N availability, the sub-canopy species increased its primary metabolism. The results highlighted the proportional distinct use of different nutrients by different species and the resulting different metabolome profiles in this high diversity community are consistent with the ecological niche theory.

• MeSH
• deštný prales * MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• listy rostlin růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• Magnoliopsida růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• metabolom * MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva * analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• stromy růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• tropické klima MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The total aboveground biomass production, nutritional status, bearing and branching behaviors of the central leader and one year old shoots of young apple trees have been analyzed. The shoots were further characterized according to the length, shoot demography, and the production of terminal and lateral flowers. All the characteristics are described in connection with nitrogen supply and cultivar. Nitrogen represents one of the major macronutrients involved in the growth and development of the fruit trees. The understanding of the effect of nitrogen supply for flower bud formation can be further improved by detailed analyses of tree architecture. While the biomass production was cultivar specific, the trees within particular cultivar were characterized by almost similar growth with respect to the nitrogen supply. Cultivar ́Rubinola ́ exhibited similar branching pattern, but higher vigor than ́Topaz ́. As a result of higher apical dominance, ́Rubinola ́ produced higher proportion of long shoots, but a lower quality of short shoots than ́Topaz ́. Consequently, cultivar ́Rubinola ́ produced only few terminal flowers on short shoots and lateral flowers dominantly in the distal zone, while ́Topaz ́ was characterized by intensive terminal flowering, but the lateral flowers were more abundant in the median zone. Even a lower dose of spring nitrogen improved the flower bud formation on both terminal and lateral positions extending the flowering zone on one-year-old shoots. This further changed the branching and bearing behavior of the apple trees, which particularly allows to optimize their fertilization management. However, this effect appears to be further regulated by mechanism connected with apical dominance.

• MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• fertilizace MeSH
• květy MeSH
• listy rostlin MeSH
• Malus * MeSH
• stromy MeSH
• výhonky rostlin MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Several electrical methods have been introduced as non-invasive techniques to overcome the limited accessibility to root systems. Among them, the earth impedance method (EIM) represents the most recent development. Applying an electrical field between a cormus and the rooted soil, the EIM measures the absorptive root surface area (ARSA) from grounding resistance patterns. Allometric relationships suggested that this method was a valuable tool. Crucial assumptions for the applicability of the EIM, however, have not been tested experimentally. Focusing on tree root systems, the present study assesses the applicability of the EIM. Six hypotheses, deduced from the EIM approach, were tested in several experiments and the results were compared with conventional methods. None of the hypotheses could be verified and the results allow two major conclusions. First, in terms of an analogue electrical circuit, a tree-root-soil continuum appears as a serial circuit with xylem and soil resistance being the dominant components. Allometric variation in contact resistance, with the latter being the proxy for root surface area, are thus overruled by the spatial and seasonal variation of soil and xylem resistances. Second, in a tree-root-soil continuum, distal roots conduct only a negligible portion of the electric charge. Most of charge carriers leave the root system in the proximal parts of the root-soil interface.

• MeSH
• algoritmy MeSH
• biometrie MeSH
• cykasy MeSH
• elektrická impedance MeSH
• kořeny rostlin anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• Magnoliopsida MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva MeSH
• půda MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• stromy anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• xylém fyziologie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The article summarizes outcomes of a biomass study conducted in a young speckled alder plantation on a cold mountain site. At this location, the previously existing old forest was clear felled because of damage from air pollution, and present-day surface humus is in need of restoration. The intention of this study was to quantify the biomass and nutrients accumulated by alders and their components and assess whether the initial fertilization resulted in increased biomass production and nutrient accumulation in the biomass. Besides the control, two fertilized treatments were installed. In the surface treatment (SUT), the amendment was applied as a base dressing in small circles around trees. In the planting-hole treatment (PHT), the amendment was incorporated into soil inside the planting holes. Five growth seasons after planting and fertilization, six alders from each treatment were harvested including roots. Their biomass was quantified and analyzed for macroelements. The greatest pool of dry mass (DM) was branches in the control and stem wood in the fertilized treatments. The greatest pools of macroelements were leaves and branches. The most pronounced effects of fertilization were recorded in the DM and consequently in the absolute quantities of nutrients. The DM of an average tree in the control, SUT, and PHT was 85, 226, and 231 g, respectively. The absolute contents of nutrients per tree in the fertilized treatments showed the following increases, as compared with the control: (N) 2.5-2.6 times; (P) 1.6-2.4 times; (K) 1.8-2.1 times; and (Mg) 1.8-2.0 times, respectively. Speckled alder responded positively to fertilization.

• MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• dřevo účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• kořeny rostlin chemie   účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• listy rostlin chemie   účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• olše chemie   účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• regenerace a remediace životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Non-native tree (NNT) species have been transported worldwide to create or enhance services that are fundamental for human well-being, such as timber provision, erosion control or ornamental value; yet NNTs can also produce undesired effects, such as fire proneness or pollen allergenicity. Despite the variety of effects that NNTs have on multiple ecosystem services, a global quantitative assessment of their costs and benefits is still lacking. Such information is critical for decision-making, management and sustainable exploitation of NNTs. We present here a global assessment of NNT effects on the three main categories of ecosystem services, including regulating (RES), provisioning (PES) and cultural services (CES), and on an ecosystem disservice (EDS), i.e. pollen allergenicity. By searching the scientific literature, country forestry reports, and social media, we compiled a global data set of 1683 case studies from over 125 NNT species, covering 44 countries, all continents but Antarctica, and seven biomes. Using different meta-analysis techniques, we found that, while NNTs increase most RES (e.g. climate regulation, soil erosion control, fertility and formation), they decrease PES (e.g. NNTs contribute less than native trees to global timber provision). Also, they have different effects on CES (e.g. increase aesthetic values but decrease scientific interest), and no effect on the EDS considered. NNT effects on each ecosystem (dis)service showed a strong context dependency, varying across NNT types, biomes and socio-economic conditions. For instance, some RES are increased more by NNTs able to fix atmospheric nitrogen, and when the ecosystem is located in low-latitude biomes; some CES are increased more by NNTs in less-wealthy countries or in countries with higher gross domestic products. The effects of NNTs on several ecosystem (dis)services exhibited some synergies (e.g. among soil fertility, soil formation and climate regulation or between aesthetic values and pollen allergenicity), but also trade-offs (e.g. between fire regulation and soil erosion control). Our analyses provide a quantitative understanding of the complex synergies, trade-offs and context dependencies involved for the effects of NNTs that is essential for attaining a sustained provision of ecosystem services.

• MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• klimatické změny MeSH
• stromy klasifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů * MeSH
• zavlečené druhy * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

What causes individual tree death in tropical forests remains a major gap in our understanding of the biology of tropical trees and leads to significant uncertainty in predicting global carbon cycle dynamics. We measured individual characteristics (diameter at breast height, wood density, growth rate, crown illumination and crown form) and environmental conditions (soil fertility and habitat suitability) for 26 425 trees ≥ 10 cm diameter at breast height belonging to 416 species in a 52-ha plot in Lambir Hills National Park, Malaysia. We used structural equation models to investigate the relationships among the different factors and tree mortality. Crown form (a proxy for mechanical damage and other stresses) and prior growth were the two most important factors related to mortality. The effect of all variables on mortality (except habitat suitability) was substantially greater than expected by chance. Tree death is the result of interactions between factors, including direct and indirect effects. Crown form/damage and prior growth mediated most of the effect of tree size, wood density, fertility and habitat suitability on mortality. Large-scale assessment of crown form or status may result in improved prediction of individual tree death at the landscape scale.

• MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• dřevo chemie   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• fyziologický stres MeSH
• lesy * MeSH
• stromy fyziologie   MeSH
• tropické klima MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Malajsie MeSH

• MeSH
• fertilita MeSH
• hemofilie A genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rodokmen MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH

Termites are among the few animals that themselves can digest the most abundant organic polymer, cellulose, into glucose. In mice and Drosophila, glucose can activate genes via the transcription factor carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) to induce glucose utilization and de novo lipogenesis. Here, we identify a termite orthologue of ChREBP and its downstream lipogenic targets, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase. We show that all of these genes, including ChREBP, are upregulated in mature queens compared with kings, sterile workers and soldiers in eight different termite species. ChREBP is expressed in several tissues, including ovaries and fat bodies, and increases in expression in totipotent workers during their differentiation into neotenic mature queens. We further show that ChREBP is regulated by a carbohydrate diet in termite queens. Suppression of the lipogenic pathway by a pharmacological agent in queens elicits the same behavioural alterations in sterile workers as observed in queenless colonies, supporting that the ChREBP pathway partakes in the biosynthesis of semiochemicals that convey the signal of the presence of a fertile queen. Our results highlight ChREBP as a likely key factor for the regulation and signalling of queen fertility.

• MeSH
• fertilita MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• hmyzí proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• Isoptera klasifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• lipogeneze MeSH
• mapy interakcí proteinů MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• tkáňová distribuce MeSH
• transkripční faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• upregulace * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Rapid adaptation of insect species to environmental changes can be advantageous for their development. Forest cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani) is herbivorous insect species with high food intake that has been widely studied within European conditions. It can cause huge economic and ecological losses especially in oak-dominated forest stands. Food preference of this species is mainly comprised of trees with a potential to accumulate manganese in their assimilation apparatus. In order to determine cockchafer's reactions to increased Mn concentration in its food, the adults were reared in laboratory conditions controlled for temperature, humidity, and light on a natural diet of oak (Quercus petraea) leaves. Food was contaminated by soaking in solutions of MnCl2·4H2O in concentrations from 0.5 to 10mgml-1. Food consumption, activity period of adults, quantity of eggs laid, body weights of individuals, as well as Mn concentrations in unconsumed food, excrement, and the bodies of cockchafers were determined to indicate how these change in reaction to food quality altered in terms of Mn content. The results showed that very high Mn content in the diet significantly influenced food consumption by M. hippocastani adults and thereby their development. This was in spite of the tendency of individuals to expel Mn through the faeces and incorporate it into undetermined parts of their bodies. Negative reactions of the experimental population were determined in treatments fed leaves with Mn concentration of 1800ppm and more. Our experiment proved that Mn can greatly influence the phytophagous cockchafer (decreased feeding time, food consumption, and fertility).

• MeSH
• brouci účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• býložravci MeSH
• dieta MeSH
• dub (rod) chemie   MeSH
• fertilita účinky léků   MeSH
• krmivo pro zvířata analýza   MeSH
• listy rostlin chemie   MeSH
• mangan analýza   farmakologie   MeSH
• přijímání potravy účinky léků   MeSH
• tělesná hmotnost účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH