Contents
01.12.2024.
Research paper
Clonal propagation of conifers by somatic embryogenesis (SE) – an introduction to methodology and examples of applications for research and plant production
This article is aimed as a basic introduction to conifer somatic embryogenesis for someone with a general interest in applications of this technique and/or who is interested in starting some practical work in the field. We also present data from an example study on individual trees’ ability to initiate somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce (Picea abies). A total of 158 trees were each tested for ability and relative competence to initiate somatic embryogenesis from the zygotic embryos by observing the initiation frequency for ten zygotic embryos from each individual tree. Furthermore, we conducted a case study by following the process for SE plant formation for a selection of 48 cell lines that were monitored through the SE developmental pathway, with data collected on the success rates at different steps. We then evaluated the relative importance of different steps for the outcome of plant formation and yield.
Josefine Björs, Amelia Tudoran, Daniel Gräns, Andreas Helmersson, Adriana Puentes, Elisabeth Wallin, Ulrik Brauner Nilsen, Ulrika Egertsdotter
01.12.2023.
Research paper
Morpho-anatomical traits of one-year-old Quercus sp. seedlings cultivated in the same container
In the paper was investigated the variability of the morphological and anatomical traits of one-year-old seedlings of different species from the genus Quercus (Quercus robur L., Quercus petraea Matt. Liebl. and Quercus frainetto Ten.) cultivated in a plastic container Bosnaplast 18. The acorn was sown in November 2022, while the measurements of the studied elements were performed at the end of the growing season next year. In terms of morphological characteristics, the highest mean values of both researched parameters (root collar diameter and height) were recorded in Q. robur, followed by Q. frainetto, while the lowest mean values were found in Q. petraea. As for anatomical parameters, the following were analyzed: vessels width, the proportion of bark, pith and wood, as well as the participation of early- and latewood zones. Vessels width shows the least average values in Q. petraea, while no significant differences were recorded between Q. robur and Q. frainetto. The highest presence of wood, as well as the early zone within it, was found in Q. robur. The proportion of bark is a little bit higher in Q. frainetto compared to the other two species, while the pith proportion is significantly lower in Q. robur than in the other two species. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that Q. robur seedlings show the best performance, before all from morphological point of view.
Dušan Jokanović, Vesna Nikolić Jokanović, Kristina Živanović, Milica Ilić, Nevena Antanasijević, Filip Jovanović
01.12.2023.
Research paper
Assessment of the germination potential of Myrtus communis (L.) based on seed size
The woody fodder species Myrtus communis (L.) is commonly found in the forested areas of northeastern Algeria, thus helping to alleviate the goat husbandry shortage during the summer. This study aims to conserve the species and counteract its declining populations due to various biotic and abiotic factors. A specific objective of this study is to assess the correlation between seed size and germination vigor in M. communis, as well as emergence of seedlings. A sample of 15 M. communis individuals was selected, and 500 fruits were randomly collected in the vegetation of Jijel National Park (Jijel, northeast Algeria). One month after post-ripening, when fruit moisture content reached 25.2%, seeds were manually extracted from the fruits and categorized into three sizes (large, medium, and small). Then, 100 leaves, 100 intact fruits, and 100 seeds from each size category were measured and weighed. Various morphological characteristics were recorded, including leaf and fruit length and width, pulp weight, seed number, pulp-to-seed ratio, seed size, and moisture content. Seed germination and initial seedling growth were monitored weekly. Seeds of M. communis ranged in weight from 0.03 to 0.18 grams. In comparison with medium (1.5%) and small (0%) seeds, large seeds showed significantly higher germination rates (93%) after three weeks of sowing. Moreover, seedlings originating from large seeds grew vigorously, reaching a length of 10.9 cm. According to our findings, seed size in M. communis can affect seed germination and high-quality seedling establishment.
Lahouaria Mounia Mansouri, Abdenour Kheloufi, Rabah Belatreche
Regeneration of hilly-mountainous oak forests in Serbia – past experiences and future perspectives
The regeneration of oak forests in the hilly and mountainous areas is one of the most serious and complex problems forestry practitioners face in Serbia. The success of regeneration depends on the individual or combined (often synergistic) influence of numerous biotic, abiotic, and management factors. While there is significant knowledge and experience about this process in practice so far, there is still great uncertainty regarding its proper execution and control over the influencing factors. The paper critically evaluated the available literature and current experiences from practice through a questionnaire. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, taking into consideration various databases and search engines, mostly composed of peer-reviewed publications from ISI-listed journals. A total of 187 papers were included in the base. Aiming to better understand the current state and the main problems in the regeneration of hilly-mountainous oak forests in Serbia, surveys were performed among forest practitioners. Based on this, the paper synthesized the current knowledge and addressed future perspectives in hilly-mountainous oaks management. More specifically, the factors that dominantly influence the regeneration process, their modes of action, behavior in the case of modifications, as well as the possibilities of their interaction are defined. The success of regeneration is determined by canopy openness, microclimatic conditions, presence of competitive vegetation, initial number of seedlings, and seedling growth and health, as revealed in the literature. The proposed methods for more successful regeneration and restoration of oak forests, include producing high-quality seedlings, using advanced weeding methods, developing a specific strategy for restoring native oak forests, assessing genetic resources and long-term monitoring. Overall conclusion of the conducted literature analysis is that there is a great need for conducting further long-term research on improving the regeneration systems in hilly-mountainous oak forests in Serbia.
Branko Kanjevac, Janko Ljubičić, Ivona Kerkez Janković, Ljubica Mijatović, Jovana Devetaković
01.12.2024.
Research paper
Landscape approach to Forest landscape restoration (FLR): Case study of Surčin municipality
“Planning at the landscape scale” is the new paradigm of spatial development which embraces the management, protection, and restoration of the landscape character distinguished through “landscape approach” which differs from traditional sectoral and project-based approaches. The institutionalization of “the planning at the landscape scale” has shown an upward trajectory since the Republic of Serbia ratified the European Landscape Convention (ELC). The ELC aims to promote the institutionalization of landscape planning, management, and protection across all landscapes, whether urban, rural, or natural. The landscape planning approach integrates the principles of landscape ecology, principles of landscape aesthetics, and transdisciplinary research. This approach is solution-oriented, aiming to preserve, restore, and enhance the landscape’s character – the distinctive structure and image of the landscape. It achieves this through the “conservation and development of landscape patterns (mosaic), considering land use, the relationship between built and open spaces, and the distinct qualities of the buildings." (Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbia, 2035). As one of the novel tools that can effectively support the achievement of national-level spatial planning objectives, the development of the Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) methodology holds the potential for incorporating the following goals and principles related to landscape planning, protection, and sustainable utilization: - Integrating the landscape approach (emphasizing the value of landscape character) into the forestry planning and management system; - Forestry development aligned with the recognized values of the landscape character (quality objectives, landscape capacity, and sensitivity); - Urban landscape restoration, preservation, and enhancement of the characteristic structure and image of landscapes through; a) establishing urban spatial order and preserving remnant elements of the rural landscape (reforestation and afforestation within agroforestry areas, peri-urban mosaics complexes, surface watercourses) in suburban areas; d) preserving space for green infrastructure development, as a measure of the city's adaptation to climate change, and creating a network of green and public spaces that connect the natural and cultural values of urban settlements. In this paper, we present the Surčin Forest Landscape Restoration Plan case study, demonstrating landscape character assessment (LCA) as a research method. This method evaluates the sensitivity of landscape character, addressing both resource and visual aspects. The methodological approach seeks to address the critical questions of “what”, "where" and "how" in the context of establishing new forest areas within the broader landscape framework of the forest restoration plan. By providing a strategic and spatially informed approach, it ensures that the restoration efforts are not only ecologically sound but also optimally positioned to enhance the resilience, biodiversity, landscape diversity, and connectivity of forest ecosystems, as well as to improve the cultural ecosystem services of the Municipality of Surčin.
Nevena Vasiljević, Sandra Mitrović, Jovana Devetaković, Marko Pešić
01.12.2023.
Research paper
Reforestation tax incentive impacts on financial returns of loblolly pine plantations for family forest landowners in Mississippi
Rates of return from forest plantation investments depend not only on survival and growth rates, but also costs and revenues associated with various practices. Beyond that, tax related issues are another important consideration that are often not addressed, or directly addressed at least, in forest financial assessments. Many financial assessments can be defined as “before-tax.” Forest landowners within Mississippi have the potential to reduce reforestation cost burdens through two important tax-related opportunities. The first being the Federal reforestation deduction and amortization provisions and the second being the state-based reforestation tax credit. An overabundant supply of wood in Mississippi has resulted in fairly poor pine market conditions, particularly for pulpwood stumpage. This has resulted in the likelihood of marginal returns for many landowners without some type of assistance. Beyond that, substantial inflation and increases in fuel costs have resulted in greater reforestation costs plus additional reductions in stumpage values, among other reasons, because of greater costs for loggers during forest harvesting operations.
The impacts of these two income tax reduction opportunities on loblolly pine financial returns were examined for three planting densities of 1,122 and 1,282 and 1,495 seedlings ha-1 for a site index 19.8 m site (base age 25). A combination of chemical and mechanical site preparation was conducted and mass control pollinated (MCP) bareroot seedlings were hand-planted. Varying degrees of rectangularity were assumed, reducing reforestation costs. A first-year herbaceous weed control treatment was implemented but no thinnings and fertilization treatments were conducted. A final harvest clearcut was conducted at age 26. For Federal income tax purposes, a landowner classified as an Investor within the 22% Federal income tax bracket was assumed. Whether before-tax or after-tax, the most viable planting density financially was found to be 1,122 ha-1 seedlings. Reduced reforestation costs and greater yields ha-1 of the more valuable sawlog product class were found to be more influential on landowner financial returns than any reforestation tax provisions.
Curtis VanderSchaaf, Yanshu Li
01.12.2023.
Research paper
Establishment of Gmelina arborea plantation in an uncultivated farmland inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting bacteria
Beneficial microbes are very essential for establishing tree plantations, particularly in wastelands or abandoned lands that make them suitable for cultivation. To establish a plantation in uncultivated farmland Gmelina arborea Roxb. tree seedlings were previously inoculated with the beneficial microbes (Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi - Gigaspora albida, Glomus aggregatum), plant growth promoting rhizo bacteria (PGPRs) - Azospirllum brasilense, Bacillus megaterium) in single and combinations. The effect of these beneficial microbes were analysed and it was found that the seedlings inoculated with AM fungi + PGPRs1+ PGPRs2 have improved in growth and biomass (shoot length: 85.3 cm plant-1; root length: 40.2 cm plant-1; number of leaves: 42.3 plant-1; stem girth: 9.5 mm plant-1; shoot dry weight: 8.89 g plant-1; root dry weight: 1.81 g plant-1) than the control and individual microbe inocuations. The tissue nutrients (N: 9.1 mg g-1; P: 9.5 mg g-1; K: 6.1 mg g-1) found higher particularly in AM fungi + PGPRs inoculated seedlings. Thus, improved seedlings were transplanted in an uncultivated farmland and monitored for growth and survival. The seedlings planted in the uncultivated farmland showed significant growth improvement. The single (AM fungi, PGPRs1, PGPRs2) and dual (AM fungi + PGPRs1/PGPRs2) inoculated seedlings of G. arborea showed 75 to 87% survival whereas the combined treatment (AM fungi + PGPRs1 + PGPRs2) showed 96% survival in farmland. These results confirmed that these beneficial microbes significantly contributed to the establishment of G. arborea seedlings in the uncultivated farmland through the transfer of nutrients.
Karthikeyan Arumugam, Lingam Mahalingam, Shyama Parameswaran Nair, Jini Viju Pamboor Chacko, Mayavel Annamalai, Muthu Кumar Arunachalam
01.12.2023.
Research paper
Enhancement of seed germination rate and growth of Anagyris foetida L.
Bean trefoil (Anagyris foetida L.), the only species within the Anagyris genus (L.) of the Fabaceae family in Algeria, demonstrates considerable promise for reforestation actions in arid and semi-arid areas throughout the Mediterranean basin. Nevertheless, a prominent obstacle impeding the successful establishment of the species is the hardness of its seeds, resulting in reduced germination rates and inconsistent seedling emergence. The objective of this research is to improve seed germination and seedling development in A. foetida. A total of 750 pods were randomly collected from a population including 13 individuals. From this sample, 100 intact pods and 100 seeds were chosen for measurement and weight assessment. Three different scarification techniques were utilized as pretreatments: chemical scarification, involving varying durations of immersion in 98% concentrated sulphuric acid; thermal scarification, involving 24 hours of exposure to a water bath set at 35°C; and mechanical scarification, achieved through the use of abrasive paper. Each treatment comprised four replicates of 50 seeds, while untreated seeds were utilized as controls. Germination and initial seedling development were assessed after 30 days of cultivation. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.001) among pretreatments concerning germination and seedling emergence. The highest germination percentages were observed following 120 minutes and 150 minutes of sulphuric acid soaking, with 86% and 91.5% of germination, respectively. The chemical pretreatments demonstrated correlations with shoot and root growth, as well as collar diameter. In contrast, the control group exhibited notably low germination (5.5%), while mechanical scarification resulted in a 55% germination rate. Seedling survival rates ranged from 93.7% to 99.4%. The seeds of A. foetida predominantly exhibit physical dormancy attributed to their hard and impermeable seed coat. These findings could be valuable for the generative reproduction of the species, especially for producing plants for afforestation/reforestation programs.
Lahouaria Mounia Mansouri, Abdenour Kheloufi, Mohamed Boukhecha
01.12.2023.
Research paper
The effectiveness of agroforestry on agricultural productivity and erosion control in Rwanda
Agroforestry bridges the gap that often separates agriculture and forestry by building integrated systems that address both environmental and socio-economic objectives. Agroforestry can improve the resiliency of agricultural systems and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Existing research suggests that integrating trees on farms can prevent environmental degradation, improve agricultural productivity, increase carbon sequestration, generate cleaner water, and support healthy soil and healthy ecosystems while providing stable incomes and other benefits to human welfare. This research aims to provide for identifying and adopting the evidence demonstrating the effects of agroforestry practices and interventions on agricultural productivity, erosion control, ecosystem services, and human well-being.
To study the effectiveness of agroforestry on agricultural productivity and erosion control in Rwanda, raw data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire and focus groups. It was found that most farmers (95.6%) adopted and were fully engaged in agroforestry while all the officials made up to the mark. Woody species like Grevillea robusta, Cassia siamea, Albizia spp, Acacia albida, Persea americana, and Mangifera indica were found to be tree species the most integrated with crops in all the provinces of Rwanda. It was evident that farmers practice agroforestry to enhance the overall sustainability of farming systems by improving agricultural productivity and preventing erosion.
Boniface Byiringiro, Ujjwal Akshay, Claude Kayijuka, Babita Bharti
01.12.2023.
Research paper
Emerging terms for reforestation forests
New terms have proliferated as international focus on forest condition surged because of the role forests play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. From umbrella concepts (e.g., forestation, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem restoration) to specific methods (e.g., forest landscape restoration, rewilding, and assisted migration), nuanced terms target different beginning conditions (non-forest, harvested, deforested, or degraded forest) and desired future conditions (forest cover, self-sustaining systems, ecological integrity). Human well-being may or may not be a relevant objective. Quality forest reproductive material is critical for the success of large-scale planting to meet current policy objectives and future needs as climate warming and increased intensity and frequency of extreme events add to reforestation backlogs embodied in the new terminology and attitudes toward forest management.
John Stanturf, Gillian Petrokofsky, Vladan Ivetić
