Abstract: Though it is recognized that both stochastic and deterministic processes structure all communities, empirical assessments of their relative importance are rare, particularly within any single community. In this paper, we quantify the dynamic effects of dispersal assembly and niche assembly on the seedling layer in a diverse neotropical rain forest. The two theories make divergent predictions regarding the roles of seed arrival and environmental heterogeneity in generating community structure. Put simply, dispersal assembly posits that the stochasticity inherent to seed arrival structures communities, whereas niche assembly suggests that heterogeneity in post-dispersal environmental conditions is more important. We experimentally sowed 15,132 seeds of eight tree species at varying levels of density and diversity. Every six months we censused the seedlings that germinated and assessed the abiotic and biotic conditions of each plot. We assessed the density, diversity, and species composition of three nested subsets of the seedling layer: seedlings germinated from sown seeds, all seedlings germinated between July 2003 and 2004, and all woody seedlings. We partitioned the variance in density and diversity of each subset of the seedling layer into components representing seed-addition treatments and environmental conditions at 6- to 12-month intervals. Seed additions initially explained more variance in the density and diversity than did environmental heterogeneity for seven of eight sown species, but explained little variance in the density or diversity of the entire seedling layer. Species composition was better explained by seed-addition treatments than by environmental heterogeneity for all three subsets and in all time periods. Nevertheless, the variance in community structure explained by seed-addition treatments declined over the two years following germination, presaging shifts in the relative importance of dispersal assembly and niche assembly. Our study quantifies how dispersal assembly and niche assembly may vary among the components of an ecological community and shift dynamically through time.

Abstract: Wood maturation strains can be estimated from the change in curvature that occurs when a stem grown staked in tilted position is released from the stake.
Trees have a motor system to enable upright growth in the field of gravity. This motor function is taken on by reaction wood, a special kind of wood that typically develops in leaning axes and generates mechanical force during its formation, curving up the stem and counteracting the effect of gravity or other mechanical disturbances. Quantifying the mechanical stress induced in wood during maturation is essential to many areas of research ranging from tree architecture to functional genomics. Here, we present a new method for quantifying wood maturation stress. It consists of tilting a tree, tying it to a stake, letting it grow in tilted position, and recording the change in stem curvature that occurs when the stem is released from the stake. A mechanical model is developed to make explicit the link between the change in curvature, maturation strain and morphological traits of the stem section. A parametric study is conducted to analyse how different parameters influence the change in curvature. This method is applied to the estimation of maturation strain in two different datasets. Results show that the method is able to detect genotypic variations in motor power expression. As predicted by the model, we observe that the change in stem curvature is correlated to stem diameter and diameter growth. In contrast, wood maturation strain is independent from these dimensional effects, and is suitable as an intrinsic parameter characterising the magnitude of the plant’s gravitropic reaction.

Abstract: Genetic variation for intrinsic water use efficiency (W-i) and related traits was estimated in a full-sib family of Quercus robur L. over 3 years. The genetic linkage map available for this F1 family was used to locate quantitative trait loci (QTL) for W-i, as estimated by leaf carbon stable isotope composition (delta C-13) or the ratio of net CO2 assimilation rate (A) to stomatal conductance to water vapour (g(w)) and related leaf traits. Gas exchange measurements were used to standardize estimates of A and g(w) and to model the sensitivity of gw to leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit (sg(VPD)). delta C-13 varied by more than 3% among the siblings, which is equivalent to 40% variation of W-i. Most of the studied traits exhibited high clonal mean repeat-abilities (> 50%; proportion of clonal mean variability in global variance). Repeatabilities for delta C-13, leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf nitrogen content were higher than 70%. For delta C-13, ten QTLs were detected, one of which was detected repeatedly for all 3 years and consistently explained more than 20% of measured variance. Four genomic regions were found in which co-localizing traits linked variation in W-i to variations in leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content, LMA and sg(VPD). A positive correlation using clonal means between delta C-13 and A/g(w), as well as a co-localisation of QTL detected for both traits, can be seen as validation of the theoretical model linking the genetic architecture of these two traits.

Abstract: Quercus robur L. is a mid-European broadleaved tree species that grows readily on temporary waterlogged soils. An experiment aiming to identify potential markers of tolerance to waterlogging in this species and to assess the degree of genetic control over the corresponding traits was conducted. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were assessed in an F-1 progeny for responses to waterlogging, and the relevance of the observed traits as markers of tolerance was investigated using a precise description of the time course of their expression. Five significant QTL involved in the response to waterlogging were identified. In particular, QTL were detected for the development of hypertrophied lenticels and for the degree of leaf epinasty, but not for the formation of adventitious roots. A multi-environment QTL model allowed a detailed description of the time course (7 weeks) of the allelic substitution effect of some of these QTL. Correlation clustering identified significant clusters of QTL, at inter-trait as well as at intra-trait level. These clusters suggest the occurrence of a genetically controlled response cascade to waterlogging.

Abstract: Aim of the study: Our objective was to assess whether it could be contemplated to recommend Quassia amara young leaf tea for treatment against malaria. and if yes. set up a standard protocol for preparing the herbal tea. Materials and methods: The leaf tea was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic extract was fractionated with HPLC. Pure compounds were characterized and their in vitro cytotoxicity and antiplasmodial activity was determined. Results and discussion: We discovered that antimalarial Quassia amara young leaf tea contains several quassinoids: simalikalactone D (SkD. 1), picrasin B (2). picrasin H (3), neoquassin (4), quassin (5), picrasin 1(6) and picrasin J (7). These last two compounds are new. In addition. our experiments demonstrate that both biological activity and cytotoxicity of the remedy may be attributed solely to the presence of SkD. Conclusion: In conclusion, this preparation Should not be recommended for treatment of malaria until a clinical Study in humans is performed with SkD. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved