bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defoliation frequency and genotype effects on stolon and root reserves in white clover
Authors: Lawson A. R. , Sale P. W. G. , Kelly K. B.
Published: August 2004

The effect of defoliation frequency (1 or 3 defoliations over a 42-day period)
on the starch, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and nitrogen contents of 3
white clover cultivars (Haifa, Irrigation, and S184) was examined. The clover
plants consisted of single stolons growing in a sand/scoria mix in an
unheated glasshouse and fertilised weekly with a nitrogen-free solution.
Starch concentrations ranged from 1·3% in frequently defoliated
Haifa to 15·3% in infrequently defoliated S184 plants. However,
there was no interaction between cultivar and defoliation frequency, with the
starch concentration in S184 (11·2%) being twice that in
Irrigation (6·0%) and 3 times that in Haifa
(3·8%). The starch concentration was also less with frequent
(3·7%) than with infrequent (10·3%) defoliation.
The starch was localised in the old stolon material (12·2%),
with lower levels of starch in both the young stolon (6·0%) and
roots (4·0%). Furthermore, the cultivar and defoliation
frequency effects on the starch concentrations were most pronounced in the old
stolon. More frequent defoliation also resulted in a small reduction in the
WSC and nitrogen concentrations in both the young and old stolons of Haifa,
but not of Irrigation. It was concluded that although starch reserves were the
principal method of reserve storage in white clover, WSC and nitrogen reserves
will form a relatively large fraction of the reserve pool when starch reserves
are depleted under conditions such as frequent defoliation.
Reproductive strategies in Mediterranean annual clovers: germination and hardseededness
Authors: Norman H. C. , Cocks P. S. , Smith F. P. , Nutt B. J.
Published: August 2004

Clovers from 6 sites in the eastern and western Mediterranean were examined
for germination and seed dormancy strategies. At least 2 species were
collected from each site, such that 4 strategies were compared in 14
accessions of 11 species. The first trait was initial and final hardseededness
after 1 summer-autumn (long-term hardseededness), the second was the pattern
of hardseed breakdown during this period (short-term hardseededness), the
third was the rate of germination at temperatures ranging from 5ºC to
30ºC, and the fourth was the degree to which germination proceeded at
high temperatures. Logistic curves were used to describe short-term
hardseededness and germination rates, and to calculate half-lives.
The seeds of all species exhibited some form of protection against
out-of-season rains. In accessions from the eastern Mediterranean the most
common strategy was delayed breakdown of hard seed, where most seeds remained
hard until mid-to-late autumn. This was the strategy used by
Trifolium lappaceum,
T. glanduliferum,
T. clusii, and
T. purpureum. In the western
Mediterranean, the accessions also employed slow germination and high
temperature dormancy. Examples were T. obscurum and T. clypeatum (slow germination) and T. cherleri and
T. isthmocarpum (high temperature
dormancy). It was clear that no single germination-regulating mechanism
applied to genotypes collected from any 1 site. However, individual species
growing at different sites tended to exhibit the same strategies. The results
supported the idea of substitutability in reproductive traits, developed by
ecological modellers.
The efficacy of the 60º/15ºC alternating temperature oven in
predicting loss of hardseededness by the clovers in the field was poor except
for T. cherleri. The alternating
temperature ovens, which are used to predict hardseed breakdown of
subterranean clover, are unsatisfactory for most other clovers.
Interrelationships between dietary ractopamine,energy intake, and sex in pigs
Authors: Dunshea F. R. , Eason P. J. , Campbell R. G. , King R. H.
Published: August 2004

A major constraint to protein deposition in the pig is energy intake.
Ractopamine (RAC) isa b-agonist which has been shown to increase protein
deposition under both ad libitum and restrictive feeding
regimes. To assess the interactions between energy intake, sex, and dietary
RAC, 104 crossbred pigs (52 boars and 52 gilts) were used in a
slaughter-balance experiment conducted over the growth phase of 60-90 kg
liveweight. To obtain initial body composition, 4 pigs of each sex were
slaughtered at 60 kg. The remaining 96 pigs were allocated to a 2 6 2
factorial experiment. The respective factors were sex (boar or gilt), dietary
digestible energy (DE) intake (21·2, 24·7, 28·2,
32·7, 36·7MJ DE/day and ad libitum),
and dietary RAC (0 and 20 mg/kg of ractopamine.HCl). Average daily gain
increased with DE intake and was faster for boars than gilts. Dietary RAC
increased averagedaily gain in both boars and gilts independent of DE intake.
Neither dietary RAC nor sex had any effect on ad libitum
feed intakes while effects on feed : gain ratio reciprocated growth rates.
Protein deposition increased with DE intake and was higher in boars than in
gilts. Although protein deposition was increased by dietary RAC in both boars
and gilts across the range of DE intakes
investigated,ad libitum feed intakes were necessary to
maximise protein deposition. Fat deposition increased with DE intake and was
greater in gilts than in boars. Whereas dietary RAC had no effect on the
rateof fat deposition or backfat depths, the fat content of the empty body was
lower due to increased protein deposition and lower fat : protein ratio.
Dietary RAC improves growth performance and carcass composition in both boars
and gilts independent of DE intake. However, ad libitum
feed intakes maybe necessary if responses are to be maximised.
Construction of a genetic map in a sorghum recombinant inbred line using probes from different sources and its comparison with other sorghum maps
Authors: Tao Y. Z. , Jordan D. R. , Henzell R. G. , McIntyre C. L.
Published: August 2004

A genetic map was established using 120 F5 sorghum
recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross between 2 Australian
elite sorghum inbred lines, QL39 and QL41. A variety of DNA probes, including
sorghum genomic DNA, maize genomic DNA and cDNA, sugarcane genomic DNA and
cDNA, and cereal anchor probes, were screened to identify DNA polymorphism
between th eparental lines. Using 5 restriction enzymes, probe polymorphism
levels were low (26·5%). A totalof 155 restriction fragment
length polymorphism (RFLP) loci and 8 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were
mapped onto 21 linkage groups, covering a map distance of approximately 1400
cM. Genes for 3 simply inherited traits, awns (AW), mesocarp thickness
(Z), and organophosphate insecticide (OPR) reaction,
were also mapped. The relationships between this map and other published
sorghum maps were reviewed and a comparison of major sorghum RFLP maps
attempted. This comparison is expected to enhance the effectiveness of
existing mapping information and will facilitate efforts to map agronomically
important traits in sorghum.
Effect of condensed tannins on the production of wool and on its processing characteristics in sheep grazing Lotus corniculatus
Authors: Min B. R. , McNabb W. C. , Kemp P. D. , Barry T. N.
Published: August 2004

The effect of condensed tannins (CT) in
Lotus corniculatus upon voluntary feed intake (VFI),
concentration of rumen and plasma metabolites, production of wool, and wool
processing characteristics was measured in grazing ewes restricted to
maintenance feeding for 125 days during summer. A rotational grazing system
with restricted feed allowance with 40 mixed aged dry ewes
(54±1·0 kg) was used. Half of the ewes were selected randomly
for twice-daily oral polyethylene glycol (PEG; MW 3500) supplementation
(CT-inactivated), with the remainder being CT-acting animals. Measurements of
the diet selected, VFI, wool production, and wool processing characteristics
were made. The concentration of ammonia in rumen fluid and the concentrations
of methionine, cysteine, and urea in blood plasma were also measured. The diet
selected contained 32 g total nitrogen (N) and 28 g total CT/kg dry matter
(DM) and had an in vitro organic matter digestibility of
0·70. Action of CT reduced rumen ammonia concentration (256
v. 302 mg N/L), reduced blood plasma urea
concentration (7·3 v. 8·9 µM), and
increased blood plasma cysteine concentration (30 v. 27
µM) compared with sheep receiving PEG supplementation. CT had no effect
on VFI but increased clean fleece weight (2·53 v.
2·28 kg/ewe) and staple length (7·7 v.
6·9 cm), but did not affect liveweight gain (54 v
67 g/day). The CT reduced dag weight and tended to reduce wool yellowness
relative to sheep receiving PEG. There were no signifiant effects of CT on
fibre diameter, staple strength, bulk density, and wool resilience. It was
concluded that action of CT in sheep fed L. corniculatus
reduced the degradation of forage protein in the rumen and the principal
effect of this was to increase the efficiency of wool production, with more
wool being produced at the same feed intake and the wool being of reduced
yellowness.
Effect of supplemental nutrients on the growth performance of sucking pigs
Authors: Dunshea F. R. , Boyce J. M. , King R. H.
Published: August 2004

Twenty-seven sows were allocated at their first farrowing to 3 experimental
treatments in which their sucking pigs had access to no supplemental milk,
liquid cow milk (CM), or a synthetic milk supplement (SM). Liquid cow milk
contained 128 g total solids/kg, 24·2 g CP/kg, 30·4 g
fat/kg, and 1·8 g lysine/kg, whereas the supplemental synthetic
milk contained 200 g total solids/kg, 102·6 g CP/kg,
36·0 g fat/kg, and 9·0 g lysine/kg. All litters
contained 12 pigs and the supplemental milk products were offered ad
libitum from Day 4 of lactation until weaning at 28 days
of age. Between Days 0 and 14 of lactation, there was no effect of treatment
on supplemental milk intake or average piglet growth rate but between Days 14
and 28 of lactation, litters given milk supplements grew faster than litters
receiving no supplemental milk. Overall, piglet growth rates between Days 0
and 28 of lactation were greater for litters receiving supplemental milk (297
and 277 g/day for CM and SM litters, respectively) than for litters
receiving no supplemental milk (239 g/day). Piglets offered cow milk drank
more milk between Days 4 and 28 of lactation than piglets offered the
synthetic milk (5·48 v. 2·38 kg/day).
Piglets in litters which had access to cow milk visited the supplemental
feeder more often (5·5 v. 2·7 visits per suckling interval) and
spent longer at the feeder (45·4 v. 14·5
s) than pigs in litters which had access to the synthetic milk supplement.
Average sow milk production was 15·4 and 15·3 kg/day between
Days 11 and 14 and between Days 25 and 28 of lactation, respectively, and was
unaffected by treatment. Treatment also had no significant effect on average
suckling interval on Day 21 of lactation (51·7 min) or carcass
composition of representative pigs from each litter killed at 28 days of age.
Between Days 14 and 28, female pigs grew faster than male pigs
(304·3±9·3 v. 292·0±9· 2 g/day). These results demonstrate that provision of
supplemental milk to sucking pigs can improve preweaning growth rate and the
response increased as lactation proceeded.
Growth and yield in Lupinus angustifolius are depressed by early transient nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Ma Qifu , Longnecker Nancy , Emery Neil , Atkins Craig
Published: August 2004

Yield and harvest index of narrow-leafed lupin
(Lupinus angustifolius L.) are variable, and factors
affecting their reliability have not been clearly identified. In this study,
plants were grown in sand culture and were non-nodulated and supplied with
mineral nitrogen (N) or acquired N through symbiotic N2
fixation. Transient N deficiency was imposed a number of times during
development in nodulated plants by flushing pure O2 to
the roots to suppress N2 fixation and in non-nodulated
plants by changing the rate of N addition. Low N supply (0·4 mM) before
floral initiation or for 2 weeks during floral initiation caused a reduction
in seed yield. Transient N deficiency induced by O2
flush during early growth (Weeks 6 and 7 after sowing) had a marked effect on
vegetative growth, the number of main stem flowers, pod set, and seed yield.
The early N deficiency also affected shoot and root N concentrations and total
cytokinin concentrations in root exudate. Compared with
N2-fixing plants, those supplied with adequate mineral N
had a greater flower number and greater branch growth and biomass, but not
higher pod set and seed yield, resulting in lower harvest index. Seed N
concentrations were also decreased by transient N deficiencies at early
(floral initiation), mid (flowering), and late (grain filling) stages. These
findings indicate that any field conditions which transiently reduce
N2 fixation (e.g. temporary waterlogging or drought) are
likely to result in lower grain yield and quality of lupin crops.
Daylength responses, flowering time, and seed filling in lupins
Authors: Dracup Miles , Thomson Bob , Reader Mark , Kirby E. J. M. , Shield Ian , Leach John
Published: August 2004

Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) is now an
established major crop in southern Australia, albus lupin
(L. albus) is grown on a smaller
scale, and there is interest in cultivating other lupin species. With any new
crop, it is crucial that its phenology, particularly times of flowering and
maturity, matches the target environment. We investigated times of flowering,
maturity, and seed filling of several lupin species of
agricultural interest to southern Australia. Established genotypes of
L. angustifolius and
L. albus flowered earliest, in
70-75 days, but L. luteus cv. Teo
and some L. angustifolius lines
with restricted branching matured earliest. Differences between genotypes in
rates of seed filling and final seed weights meant that time of maturity was
only poorly correlated with flowering time. We investigated the role of
photoperiod in the timing of flowering and maturity in 12 lupin
species/genotypes by: (a) growing plants under both
long days in the UK and short days in Australia; and (b)
growing plants under short days in Australia with or without lighting to
extend the photoperiod. Flowering was clearly hastened by long days in all
genotypes in both situations. However, the responses were much greater when
days were naturally longer than when they were artificially lengthened. This
was probably due to the illuminance requirements for perception of photoperiod
by lupin not being saturated by the artificial lighting.
Post-fire Seedling Recruitment in Coastal Heathland in Relation to Regeneration Strategy and Habitat
Authors: Benwell Andrew S.
Published: August 2004

Post-fire seedling recruitment was studied at six heathland sites near Evans
Head, north-eastern NSW, in a range of habitats from dry to wet sand-heath.
Species fire responses were recorded and seedling density, seedling survival
and seedling shoot-growth rate were monitored for 3 years. There were marked
differences in total seedling density and survivorship in different habitats,
caused by several possible factors. Obligate seeders and facultative
resprouters were found to have overlapping yet broadly distinctive patterns of
seedling recruitment behaviour. Facultative resprouters as a group had
significantly lower levels of seedling density and survival than obligate
seeders. Six species exhibited ecotypic variation in mode of regeneration,
five accompanied by marked changes in seedling density. Patterns of seedling
recruitment behaviour in relation to fire response and habitat were consistent
with the theory that resprouting is a stress-tolerant regeneration strategy
and that for a given species regeneration strategy is linked with habitat
quality.
Genetic Control of Rooting Ability of Stem Cuttings in Eucalyptus nitens
Authors: Tibbits Wayne N. , White Timothy L. , Hodge Gary R. , Joyce Kelsey R.
Published: August 2004

Genetic parameters for rooting of stem cuttings inEucalyptus nitens (Deane & Maiden) Maiden wereestimated from almost 600 control-pollinated seedlings grown in pots in anenvironmentally controlled glasshouse. Multiple harvests spanning a 9 monthperiod were taken from the 67 families arising from a partial diallel matingdesign among 25 unrelated parents. Overall, of the 14205 cuttings that wereset, only 14% initiated roots. There was little if any biologicallyimportant harvest-by-family interaction for rooting. Individual tree narrowsense heritability (h2) was highat 0.4–0.5. The ratio of specific combining ability variance to generalcombining ability variance was low. The operational implications forincorporating this trait into a breeding program are discussed.
Late Quaternary Vegetation and Early Holocene Quantitative Climate Estimates from Morwell Swamp, Latrobe Valley, South-eastern Australia
Authors: Lloyd P. J. , Kershaw A. P.
Published: August 2004

A pollen diagram from Morwell Swamp provides a record of vegetation and
climate through the Holocene period while the application of a bioclimatic
analysis of the aquatic species Brasenia schreberi to
the occurrence of its pollen in the record allows the first quantitative
reconstruction of early Holocene climate from mainland south-eastern
Australia. The beginning of the Holocene, c. 10000 years before present (BP),
was marked by the establishment of permanent water within the basin and an
expansion of forest under conditions of increasing precipitation and probably
also temperature. The early Holocene forests were dominated by Casuarinaceae,
a situation typical of lowland south-eastern Australia. The presence of
Brasenia schreberi Gmel., a species now restricted to
lower latitudes, suggests that, by c. 9000 years BP, mean annual temperatures
had risen to slighly above today’s values, while summer temperatures may
have been at least 1.3˚C higher. These results are surprising considering
that most previous evidence has suggested that optimal climatic conditions
were achieved between about 7000 and 5000 years ago, and that radiation levels
are predicted, from Milankovitch forcing, to have been lower than today at
this time in the Southern Hemisphere. It is clearly necessary to be somewhat
cautious about the wholescale acceptance of the quantitative values at this
stage, although they are not contradicted by other palynological data.
Subsequent regional increases in the wetter forest elements,
Nothofagus and Pomaderris,
indicate a middle Holocene peak in precipitation, although it is estimated,
from a bioclimatic analysis of Nothofagus, that summer
temperatures had become substantially lower than today. This lowering may have
been due to a local or regional increase in cloud cover. There is evidence for
minor variation in vegetation and climate within the late Holocene, which is
consistent with evidence from elsewhere within the region.
Late Neogene Climates in Australia: Fossil Pollen- and Spore-based Estimates in Retrospect and Prospect
Authors: Macphail M. K.
Published: August 2004

Australian sites that are claimed to preserve evidence of fossil spores and
pollen for Late Neogene (Late Miocene, Pliocene) climates, mostly lack one or
both of the prerequisites, i.e. accurate dating and continuous preservation of
plant microfossils. Nevertheless, the available data confirm that climatic
gradients closely parallelled those of the present day in direction although
not in strength: broad-scale vegetation successions are ecologically
consistent with long-term cooling and (middle to high latitudes) drying trends
in global climate. Although it is rarely possible to establish precise
meteorological values for the individual sites along these gradients, climatic
envelopes can be estimated for many localities. For example, during the Late
Miocene–Pliocene, mean annual precipitation along the northern margin
appear to range from 600 mm to 1500 mm in the Kimberley region of
north-western Western Australia to above 2000–3000 mm on the Atherton
Tableland, north-eastern Queensland. If these and other estimates are correct,
then environments along the northern margin show only gradual
(unidirectional?) change or did not fall below biologically critical
thresholds during the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene but began to approach
modern values during Late Pliocene time. Whether the observation implies that
meteorological controls at this time were similar to modern synoptic scale
systems is unknown. Climates along the southern margin were more labile. For
example, there is unequivocal evidence that Early Pliocene climates in the
Bass Strait region were effectively more humid and warmer than at present,
possibly resembling conditions now found on the northern New South Wales and
southern Queensland coast. This phase was preceded (weak evidence) and
succeeded (strong evidence) by less temperate conditions during the Late
Miocene and Late Pliocene respectively. Forcing factors appear to include
changes in relative sea level, orographic effects and, speculatively, remote
events such as the isolation and reconnection of the Mediterranean Sea to the
world ocean. One promising direction for future research is provided by a
recently located onshore basin in Western Australia which preserves an
extraordinarily long (100 m), detailed sequence of Late Neogene palynofloras.
Habitat Segregation by Serotinous Shrubs in Heaths: Post-fire Emergence and Seedling Survival
Authors: Williams Paul R. , Clarke Peter J.
Published: August 2004

Seeds of two serotinous shrub species generally restricted to the drier edges,
and two serotinous shrub species commonly confined to the wetter drainage
channels of upland sedge–heaths were assessed for germinability and used
in manipulative field experiments. In post-fire field experiments the effects
of habitat and manipulated soil moisture were examined to test if the
distribution of adult plants was influenced by soil moisture at seed
germination. The effects of habitat on seedling survival for 11 months were
also assessed. One species from the edge zone,
Banksia marginata Cav., and one from the channel zone,
Hakea microcarpa R.Br., had germination preferences
corresponding to the distribution of adult plants. The other edge species,
Hakea dactyloides (Gaertner) Cav., did not show a
significant preference for either zone. The second channel species,
Callistemon pityoides F.Muell., did not germinate in the
field or in a laboratory germination trial. Some evidence for soil-stored
dormancy related to temperature and or waterlogging was found in both
Hakea species. Overall the results suggest that for two
species habitat segregation occurs when seeds are incorporated into the
seed-bed and germination occurs. No differential survival effects across
habitats were found in the first year of growth.
Intra- and Inter-specific Pollination of Santalum spicatum and S. album
Authors: Rugkhla A. , McComb J. A. , Jones M. G. K.
Published: August 2004

The flower morphology, receptivity and sexual compatibility between genotypes
and species were determined in Western Australian sandalwood
(Santalum spicatum) and Indian sandalwood
(S. album). The results showed that the stigma of both
species became receptive at anthesis and reached a peak at 3 or 4 days after
anthesis. Pollen tubes took 2 days to grow to the ovary when pollinated at
anthesis, and 1 day when pollinated 2 or 3 days after anthesis. The egg
apparatus matured at least 2 days after pollination and varied between
genotypes. Fertilisation occurred 2 or 3 days following cross pollination.
Although 10–40% of ovules were fertilised following
intra-specific crosses of both species, the average initial fruit set was much
lower: 4% in S. spicatum and 19% in
S. album. Most immature fruit (75–80%)
abscised following intra-specific pollination. The number of pollen tubes that
grew in styles after self-and inter-specific pollination was lower than that
for intra-specific pollination. Following self and inter-specific pollination,
growth of pollen tubes was arrested in the style, ovary and around the embryo
sac; a few penetrated the embryo sac. Initial fruit set was low and developing
fruit abscised prematurely. The results indicated that pre- and
post-fertilisation mechanisms control self-incompatibility and inter-specific
incompatibility between the sandalwood species.
Contrasting Patterns of Clonality in Two Closely Related Mallee Species from Western Australia, Eucalyptus argutifolia and E. obtusiflora (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Kennington W. J. , James S. H.
Published: August 2004

Allozymes were used to investigate patterns of clonal growth (vegetativespread) in two closely related multi-stemmed (mallee) eucalypts from WesternAustralia.Eucalyptus argutifolia Grayling & Brooker,a rare species with a localised distribution, appeared to be extensivelyclonal. Several populations had putative clones larger than 100m2, with the largest clone size estimated to be 306m2. By contrast, the more common and widespreadE. obtusiflora DC. was far less clonal and had a maximumclone size of 22 m2. Both genetic and environmentalfactors may have contributed to these contrasting patterns of clonal growth.When clonality is taken into account, most populations ofE. argutifolia had very few individuals (≤ 12 genets)and estimates from this study suggest that the entire species may consist ofless than 500 genets.
Shoot Population Dynamics of Carex kobomugi on a Coastal Sand Dune in Relation to its Zonal Distribution
Authors: Ishikawa S.-I. , Kachi N.
Published: August 2004

Shoot population dynamics of Carex kobomugi Ohwi, a
rhizomatous perennial sedge with a guerilla-type growth form, dominating on
Japanese coastal dunes, were examined to detect factors generating the zonal
distribution pattern of the plant species. Relative growth rate of shoot
(RGRS) and number of branching shoots formed by a mother
shoot in a year (NBr) were measured in three populations
occurring at three different distances from the shoreline. In 1992,
Carex kobomugi shoots at the most inland site (90 m from
the shoreline), where Imperata cylindrica var.
koenigii dominated and soil-water salinity is always
low, showed the lowest RGRS (0.0172 g
g-1 day-1 from April to June and
0.00079 g g-1 day-1 in July) and
the smallest NBr (1.3 shoots
shoot-1 year–1 averaged for
3 years). Shoots of the species at the most seaward site (40 m from the
shoreline), where the soil-water salinity is always higher than that of more
inland sites, showed the highest RGRS (0.0228 g
g-1 day-1 from April to June and
0.0093 g g-1 day-1 in July) and
the largest NBr (2.5 shoots-1).
However, Carex kobomugi population at the 40 m site had
a high fraction of injured shoots (46% of total shoots sampled), which
were recorded as shoots without any greenish above-ground part, and high
mortality (0.34) due to temporal flooding of sea water caused by storms. In
the intermediate site (70 m from the shoreline),
Carex kobomugi had
intermediateRGRS and NBr with low
injury rate. The NBr value, however, showed a decreasing
trend over the 3 years of observation, suggesting deteriorating effects of
intraspecific competition on population dynamics. In the spring of the fourth
year, shoots of Carex kobomugi at 70 m and 90 m from the
shoreline produced 1.2 to 2.0 times higher number of buds per shoot than the
3-year-averaged NBrs. This suggests that some fractions
of the buds were terminated or became dormant through intra- and/or
inter-specific competition. The sparse distribution of
Carex kobomugi at the 90 m site may be dictated by its
competitive inferiority to Imperata cylindrica which has
a denser root system and an aggressive growth form of a phalanx type.
Post-fire Seed Dispersal and Species Re-establishment in Proteaceous Heath
Authors: Hammill K. A. , Bradstock R. A. , Allaway W. G.
Published: August 2004

Aspects of seed dispersal of five functionally similar, serotinous species,
Banksia serrata L.f.,
B. ericifolia L.f., B. marginata
Cav., Hakea sericea Schrader, and
H. teretifolia (Salisb.) Britten (Proteaceae), from
coastal heath near Sydney were investigated. These species have seeds with
large papery wings apparently suited to dispersal by wind. Terminal falling
velocities of seeds of all species were close to 1 m s-1
despite significant differences in seed sizes and wing loadings. Patterns of
aerial dispersal of seeds in a wind tunnel and in a burnt heath site were also
similar among species, with seeds dispersed up to 12 m. Seeds were also
dispersed along a sandy substrate in burnt heath distances of up to 3 m in 1 h
under windy conditions. A survey of post-fire seedling distribution relative
to a seed source found seedling density to be highest in and near seed
sources, decreasing loge–linearly with distance
from the source up to 40 m. The similarity between distances of seed dispersal
determined experimentally and patterns of in situ
seedlings relative to a seed source led to the conclusion that wind dispersal
of seed is the major determinant of seedling patterns after fire.
Recolonisation of areas of local extinction of species following high fire
frequency is likely to occur at the rate of a few tens of metres after each
successive fire providing that plants have matured during the inter-fire
period.
Genetic Evidence that Lomatia tasmanica (Proteaceae) is an Ancient Clone
Authors: Lynch A. J. J. , Barnes R. W. , Vaillancourt R. E. , Cambecèdes J.
Published: August 2004

Lomatia tasmanica W.M.Curtis is an endangered species
with only one population. The population occurs over a distance of 1.2 km and
consists of several hundred stems. Although it flowers occasionally, fruit
production has never been observed, and it propagates vegetatively. The
genetic diversity in L. tasmanica, and its relationship
with the other species of this genus in Tasmania was investigated using
allozyme analysis and chromosome counts. Sixteen isozyme loci were scored on
78 L. tasmanica plants collected from throughout the
range of the species. No genetic diversity was found in
L. tasmanica. Lomatia tinctoria
possessed 22 (2n = 22) chromosomes, like other
Lomatia species previously counted, while
L. tasmanica had 33 to 29 chromosomes, which makes it an
unstable triploid. The triploid nature of L. tasmanica
would explain its lack of genetic diversity and its apparent sterility. This
suggests that the entire species may be one genet, one of the largest plant
clone ever found. Fossilised leaves identified as
L. tasmanica by Jordan et al.
(1991) and dated as at least 43 600 years old may indicate the minimum age of
this genet. This clone maybe one the world’s oldest known living plant
individual.
Review of Vegetation Classification and Mapping Systems Undertaken by Major Forested Land Management Agencies in Australia
Authors: Sun D. , Hnatiuk R. J. , Neldner V. J.
Published: August 2004

This paper provides a detailed review of the major vegetation classification
and mapping systems used by the management agencies with primary
responsibilities for forested land in Australia. It focuses on the
clarification of vegetation units and methodologies used. The paper also
provides a comparison of the different nomenclatures against a simplified
standard to show how the different systems relate to each other. In Australia,
different systems for classifying and describing forest vegetation have been
developed by various forest land management agencies to suit their own
situations. Most vegetation classification systems reviewed are similar in
using floristics and structure as the two primary elements in classifying
vegetation types, and all use growth form (physiognomy) to distinguish
vegetation units. The classification and mapping systems for wood production
purposes differ from those for conservation and environment purposes in
several aspects—wood production classifications emphasise commercial
tree species and/or attributes such as height, whereas conservation
classifications emphasise ecology, vegetation coverage, and the importance of
understorey species. There are three broad strategic approaches in the
vegetation classification programs being undertaken by the major forest land
management agencies in Australia: (1) conducting a single classification
across the whole of the agencies’ land in a State; (2) conducting a
vegetation classification at the regional level, but using the same methods in
each region; and (3) using different methods depending on the specific
objectives of individual studies. This paper highlights the value of accurate
quantitative measurements in the field. For example, for the two key
structural attributes of height and crown density, the measured raw data can
be accommodated by a number of different classification schemes whereas if the
raw data consists of only records by predetermined classes, then such
accommodation is difficult and loses precision.
Intergeneric Hybridism between Chamelaucium and Verticordia (Myrtaceae) Based on Analysis of Essential Oils and Morphology
Authors: Egerton-Warburton Louise M. , Ghisalberti Emilio L. , Burton Neville C.
Published: August 2004

‘Eric John’ is a novel variant and spontaneous hybrid that
demonstrates the floral characteristics of two myrtaceous genera,
Verticordia and Chamelaucium. A
comparison was made between the essential oil profiles and morphological
characters of ‘Eric John’,
Chamelaucium ciliatum,
C. floriferum, C. uncinatum, and
Verticordia plumosa from the site of origin of
‘Eric John’ to identify the parentage of the novel variant and
assess the potential for intergeneric crosses. Biochemically, ‘Eric
John’ was strongly aligned with C. floriferum,
while, morphologically, ‘Eric John’ was closely associated with
V. plumosa. These data distinguished ‘Eric
John’ as a possible C. floriferum
V. plumosa hybrid and indicate the potential for
development of novel gene combinations for horticulture. Large dissimilarities
between the essential-oil profiles and morphometry of ‘Eric John’,
C. ciliatum and C. uncinatum
negated these latter species as parental stock.
Seed and Seedling Biology of the Woody-fruited Proteaceae
Authors: Groom Philip K. , Lamont Byron B.
Published: August 2004

Within the Proteaceae, 353 species confined to 7 genera in the Grevilleoideae
have woody fruits. The majority (> 70%) occur in fire-prone
vegetation on nutrient-poor, summer-dry soils of south-western Australia.
These species are characterised by large, winged seeds contained within
serotinous follicles. Seed release is mediated by desiccation of the follicle
walls resulting from fruit death, although wet–dry cycles are required
in some genera. After release, germination must take place by the next wet
season, as the seeds are not long-lived. Seeds are particularly high in
protein (40–60%), P (1–2%) and Fe
(10–60‰) compared with other Proteaceae. Seeds are favoured food
for pre- and post-dispersal granivores (insects, birds, rodents) and young
seedlings are favoured by herbivores (insects, marsupials), with the more
serotinous fruits providing extra protection for their seeds. Successful
establishment is facilitated by the protective and water retentive role of the
testa during germination, and the remobilisation of N and P from the
cotyledons to the seedling within 10 weeks of emergence. Drought stress
reduces seedling establishment in otherwise favourable postfire microsites and
prevents it (assisted by herbivores) in mature vegetation. Typically, <
10% of seeds released after fire become seedlings, and < 50%
of these survive the first summer. Among fire-killed species, species that
produce few seeds are more likely to have drought-resistant seedlings, often
associated with larger seeds and/or needle-shaped leaves. Species that
resprout after fire produce a few large viable seeds per plant, whereas
fire-killed species produce many smaller seeds. Of all the Proteaceae, the
ecology of woody-fruited species is best known, providing great scope for
comparative biology studies.
Determination of Clone Size and Age in a Mallee Eucalypt Using RAPDs
Authors: Tyson M. , Vaillancourt R. E. , Reid J. B.
Published: August 2004

Fragmentation of lignotubers and the consequent problems in genotype
identification make demographic studies of mallee eucalypts unreliable. DNA
fingerprinting using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers
was employed to determine if a hybrid copse between
Eucalyptus risdonii and
E. amygdalina was clonal. Based on lignotuber morphology
this copse appeared to be composed of approximately 20 separate individuals.
No variation in RAPD genotype was observed for 67 bands scored from nine
primers among the 20 individuals. In contrast, variation was observed between
individuals sampled from outside the copse (average 28.6 band differences
between any two individuals) and within full sibling families (average 12.9
band differences between individuals). On this basis the copse was considered
to be clonal (one genet), originating from lignotuber fragmentation, and
measured 5.5 × 3.5 m. The rate of radial expansion in 15-year-old
seedling and lignotuber cohorts was measured and used to estimate the age of
the hybrid copse. The hybrid genet appeared to be at least 900 years old.
While such estimates must be viewed with caution they strongly support the
suggestion that mallee eucalypts may attain ages far in excess of
single-stemmed eucalypts.
Breeding System of Dryandra quercifolia and D. formosa (Proteaceae)
Authors: Matthews M. L. , Sedgley M.
Published: August 2004

Hand pollinations were used to investigate the timing of stigma receptivity
and the breeding system of two commercial cut flower species,
Dryandra quercifolia Meiss. and
D. formosa R.Br. Stigmas of both species showed peak
receptivity at 2–6 days post-anthesis,
D. quercifolia was receptive immediately after anthesis
while D. formosa showed little pollen tube germination
until 2 days post-anthesis. Observation of fresh pistils with an environmental
scanning electron microscope revealed the stigma of both species to be wet.
For D. quercifolia, maximum groove dimensions and
exudate area commenced at 3 days post-anthesis and continued until day 12. A
different pattern was observed for D. formosa stigmas;
maximum groove dimensions and exudate area were reached at 4 days
post-anthesis and decreased thereafter. Both species showed overlap in the
time of maximum observed pollen tube counts, groove openness and exudate area.
These factors were consistently higher in D. quercifolia
than in D. formosa. Exudate production was lower in
pollinated than in unpollinated D. formosa stigmas.
Pollen tube and seed set data indicate a mixed breeding system for both
species, with self-pollination less favoured and often resulting in
post-zygotic abortion of seeds. Dryandra formosa was
more self-compatible than D. quercifolia.
Nectar Sugars in Proteaceae: Patterns and Processes
Authors: Nicolson Susan W. , Van Wyk Ben-Erik
Published: August 2004

The nectar sugar composition is presented for 147 species from 16 genera of
South African and Australian Proteaceae. Patterns associated with flower age,
different plants and populations, plant phylogeny and pollination have been
examined. In addition to the usual three nectar sugars (sucrose, fructose and
glucose), the nectar of Protea and
Faurea contains the pentose sugar xylose at
concentrations of up to 39% of total sugar. Xylose has not previously
been reported from floral nectar and is absent from the nectar of
Adenanthos, Banksia,
Brabejum, Dryandra,
Grevillea, Hakea,
Lambertia, Leucospermum,
Macadamia, Mimetes,
Orothamnus, Paranomus,
Stenocarpus and Telopea. Most
genera and species have hexose-dominant nectar, but within the large genera
Banksia, Grevillea,
Leucospermum and Protea some of
the seemingly more derived species have sucrose-dominant nectar. This
interesting dichotomy of low versus high sucrose is of diagnostic value at the
species level and indicative of phylogenetic relationships within the larger
genera. At the generic level, the presence of xylose is a convincing
synapomorphy for Protea and
Faurea. Studies of physiological processes (e.g. enzyme
activities) and ecological processes (e.g. pollination) may help to explain
some of the conservative and taxonomically interesting nectar sugar patterns.
On the Nature of Gondwanan Species Flocks: Diversity of Proteaceae in Mediterranean South-western Australia and South Africa
Authors: Cowling Richard M. , Lamont Byron B.
Published: August 2004

The Proteaceae, a Gondwanan family, are richly represented in South
Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR) (331 species, 14 genera) and
Australia’s South West Botanical Province (SWBP) (682 species, 16
genera). Both of these regions have mediterranean-type climates, infertile
soils, similar geomorphic and climatic histories, and show strong convergences
in plant form and function. There are many similarities in the patterns and
ecological correlates of diversity in the CFR and SWBP Proteaceae. First, both
floras are overwhelmingly endemic, with many large genera and correspondingly
high species to genus ratios, indicating massive in situ
diversification (species flocks). Second, on both continents, high habitat
(mainly edaphic) specialisation leads to similar levels of beta diversity.
Third, most species are non-sprouters (i.e. killed by fire) and of
intermediate size. There are, however, several divergences in these patterns
and correlates. First, in the SWBP, Proteaceae invariably emerge as one of the
largest families in florulas, whereas they occupy a much lower rank in the
CFR. Second, species numbers in the SWBP peak in landscapes having
intermediate levels of annual rainfall, whereas CFR Proteaceae diversity peaks
in the wettest areas. Third, local diversity is higher in the SWBP where
Proteaceae have exploited a wider array of temporal and spatial habitats than
in the CFR. Fourth, despite lower environmental heterogeneity in the SWBP,
gamma (geographical) diversity is higher there. Fifth, as a result of higher
local and gamma diversity, regional richness in the SWBP is more than double
that of the CFR. Finally, sprouting, serotiny, bird-pollination and tall
stature are proportionally more important traits in the SWBP than the CFR
where most species are low, non-sprouting, myrmecochorous, insect-pollinated
shrubs. Subtle differences in the historical and contemporary climates of the
two regions have resulted in different processes leading to the origin of
these species flocks. In the CFR, milder conditions have favoured
non-sprouters (short generation times): species have accumulated largely as a
result of lineage turnover. Harsher conditions in the SWBP have favoured
sprouters: here species have accumulated as a result of both persistence and
turnover.
Growth and Seasonal Utilisation of Water and Nutrients by Banksia prionotes
Authors: Pate John S. , Jeschke Dieter , Dawson Todd E. , Raphael Carlos , Hartung Wolfram , Bowen Barbara J.
Published: August 2004

Banksia prionotes Lindley is a fire-sensitive,
fast-growing tree of nutrient-impoverished deep sands of south-western
Australia. Its root system is dimorphic, comprising proteoid root-bearing,
lateral roots absorbing superficially concentrated nutrients during the wet
winter season and a single main sinker (tap) root extending down to the water
table. Shoot extension commences in early summer coincident with drying of
topsoil and ceases at the end of summer upon initiation of inflorescences and
resting buds. Shoot growth utilises nutrients accumulated the previous and
earlier wet seasons and current photosynthate formed at the expense of ground
water abstracted by the sinker root. Rooting morphologies of differently aged
trees are described and yearly changes in dry matter distribution between
leaves, trunk and parts of root systems are related to dry matter gain and
foliage area. The seasonality of nutrient uptake by proteoid, lateral and
sinker roots and nutrient translocation in shoots is assessed by xylem and
phloem sap analyses. Specific hydraulic conductivities of xylem of sinker
roots are considerably higher than in lateral roots and higher again than in
trunk xylem. The differences involved relate to vessel lengths and diameters
and proportional transectional areas devoted to conducting tissues. Seasonal
changes in dependence on ground water as opposed to recent rain are estimated
using deuterium : hydrogen natural abundance ratios of water extracted from
xylem of lateral roots, tap root and trunk. Relationships between water stress
and timing and progress of extension growth of shoots are studied using carbon
isotope natural abundance ratios of new leaf dry matter and abscisic acid
levels in xylem and phloem sap.
Differential Impact of Insect Herbivores and Fungal Pathogens on the Eucalyptus Subgenera Symphyomyrtus and Monocalyptus and Genus Corymbia
Authors: Stone C. , Simpson J. A. , Gittins R.
Published: August 2004

Comparisons of tree height, diameter, survival and levels of canopy damage
from insect pests and fungal pathogens in young plantations of mixed eucalypt
species were undertaken at three sites in north-eastern New South Wales (NSW).
Results support the hypothesis that species of the informal subgenus
Monocalyptus suffered less damage from insects and fungi
than Symphyomyrtus. We demonstrated that under an
intensive regime of insecticide and fungicide application
Symphyomyrtus species tended to attain higher growth
rates than the Monocalyptus. However, among the
untreated controls the fastest growing trees were species of
Monocalyptus. Multivariate biplot analyses consistently
illustrated an affinity of Monocalyptus closer to
Corymbia than Symphyomyrtus in
terms of levels of damage from insects and fungi and relative growth rates.
The Constituents of Marine Sponges. VII. The Absolute Stereochemistry of Aplyroseol-1.
Authors: Hambley Trevor W. , Taylor Walter C. , Toth Stephen
Published: August 2004

The absolute stereochemistry of aplyroseol-1 (1), a diterpenoid isolated from
Aplysillarosea Barrois, has been
established as (5S; 7R;
8S; 9R; 10S;
13R; 14R;
15R) by determining the crystal structure of the
p-bromobenzoyl derivative (3) by X-ray diffraction
methods. The structure was refined to a residual of 0·032 for 1451
independent observed reflections. The crystals are monoclinic, space group
P 21, a
6·668(8), b 20·04(1),
c 10·974(3) Å, β 98·04(7)°.
Syntheses and Comparative Base Hydrolysis Reactions of Chlorocobalt(III) Complexes of Pendant-Arm Macrocyclic Polyamines and Polyamino Acids
Authors: Baran Yakup , Hambley Trevor W. , Lawrance Geoffrey A. , Wilkes Eric N.
Published: August 2004

Chlorocobalt(III) complexes of the pendant-arm macrocycles
1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecane-10-carboxylate (2) and
1,5,9,13-tetraazabicyclo[11.2.2]heptadecane-7-carboxylate (4) have
been prepared to complement the known complexes of
10-methyl-1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecan-10-amine (1) and
7-methyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazabicyclo[11.2.2]heptadecan-7-amine (3). The
pairs (1),(3) and (2),(4) differ in replacement of pendant amine and methyl
groups in the former pair by a pendant carboxylate group and hydrogen in the
latter pair. The macromonocyclic ligands (1) and (2) form
cis-chlorocobalt(III) complexes whereas the
macrobicyclic ligands (3) and (4) (which contain an additional
–CH2–CH2–
‘strap’ linking two amines) form
trans-chlorocobalt(III) complexes, defined in terms of
location of the pendant donor and the chloride donor. Chloride base hydrolysis
kinetics varies with ligand
{cis-[Co(1)Cl]2+,
kOH 6700 dm3
mol-1 s-1 ;
cis-[Co(2)Cl] +,
kOH 1800 dm3
mol-1
s-1;trans-[Co(3)Cl]2+,
kOH 3450 dm3
mol-1 s-1;
trans-[Co(4)Cl]+,
kOH 2250 dm3
mol-1 s-1 at 25°C}.
Variations in rate constant are tied mainly to variations in activation
enthalpy. Chloride hydrolyses occur with retention of configuration, but slow
following isomerization can lead to products such as
trans-[Co(2)(OH2)]
(ClO4)2.2H2O,
which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group
P21/c,
a 9·581(2), b
16·214(2), c 14·350(2) Å and β
94·66(1)°. The pendant carboxylate group and two adjacent secondary
amines necessarily occupy an octahedral face, with the water molecule bound
trans to the pendant carboxylate. The four Co–N
distances range from 1·981(2) to 2·22(3) Å, and along with
carboxylate Co–O (1·882(3) Å) and water Co-O
(1·934(2) Å) distances are similar to usual distances in
cobalt(III) complexes.