Pollen and non-pollen palynomorph records of the Holocene part of the composite sediment core TMD from lake Tso Moriri (NW India) and of modern surface samples from the Tso Moriri region

The high-altitude lake Tso Moriri (32°55'46'' N, 78°19'24'' E; 4522 m a.s.l.) is situated at the margin of the ISM and westerly influences in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh. Human settlements are rare and domestic and wild animals are concentrating at the alpine meadows. A set of modern surface samples and fossil pollen from deep-water TMD core was evaluated with a focus on indicator types revealing human impact, grazing activities and lake system development during the last ca. 12 cal ka BP. Furthermore, the non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) record, comprising remains of limnic algae and invertebrates as well as fungal spores and charred plant tissue fragments, were examined in order to attest palaeolimnic phases and human impact, respectively. Changes in the early and middle Holocene limnic environment are mainly influenced by regional climatic conditions and glacier-fed meltwater flow in the catchment area. The NPP record indicates low lake productivity with high influx of freshwater between ca. 11.5 and 4.5 cal ka BP which is in agreement with the regional monsoon dynamics and published climate reconstructions. Geomorphologic observations suggest that during this period of enhanced precipitation the lake had a regular outflow and contributed large amounts of water to the Sutlej River, the lower reaches of which were integral part of the Indus Civilization area. The inferred minimum fresh water input and maximum lake productivity between ca. 4.5-1.8 cal ka BP coincides with the reconstruction of greatest aridity and glaciation in the Korzong valley resulting in significantly reduced or even ceased outflow. We suggest that lowered lake levels and river discharge on a larger regional scale may have caused irrigation problems and harvest losses in the Indus valley and lowlands occupied by sedentary agricultural communities. This scenario, in turn, supports the theory that, Mature Harappan urbanism (ca. 4.5-3.9 cal ka BP) emerged in order to facilitate storage, protection, administration, and redistribution of crop yields and secondly, the eventual collapse of the Harappan Culture (ca. 3.5-3 cal ka BP) was promoted by prolonged aridity. There is no clear evidence for human impact around Tso Moriri prior to ca. 3.7 cal ka BP, with a more distinct record since ca. 2.7 cal ka BP. This suggests that the sedimentary record from Tso Moriri primarily archives the regional climate history.

Estudios de eficiencia en el uso de la luz y estimaciones de biomasa en cultivos energéticos de Salix sp. en Central New York, USA

La productividad es un factor importante que influye en la viabilidad económica de un cultivo energético de sauce y maximizarla se convierte en un tema primordial. Esta investigación está directamente relacionada con dicha característica. La productividad varía según los clones cultivados, que pueden ser mejorados y seleccionados genéticamente. Los programas genéticos requieren de una información previa (productividad media en función del porte y número de los tallos, características de las hojas, resistencia a las plagas, etc.) que ayudará a obtener clones más productivos y resistentes. Por ello, nuestra investigación consta de dos estudios: (1) Evaluación de la eficiencia del uso de la luz o LUE (Light Use Efficiency). El incremento de biomasa y la eficiencia del uso de la luz (LUE) fue estudiado en 15 clones del genero Salix durante los meses de junio a septiembre de 2011 en Belleville (Central New York, USA). Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: (1) Evaluar la eficiencia del uso de la luz en la explicación a la variación en la producción de biomasa y (2) Determinar si existen diferencias significativas entre clones evaluando el índice de área foliar (LAI) y algunos componentes de las hojas (N, P, K,…). Se concluye que la variación de biomasa está relacionada con la cantidad de luz interceptada y con la eficiencia de su uso. Dicha información debe de ser transferida para ayudar a mejorar genéticamente los futuros clones a comercializar, con el fin de maximizar la productividad y aumentar la resistencia a plagas. (2) Estimación de biomasa a través de modelos de regresión. Los estudios de investigación relacionados con la productividad requieren estimaciones no destructivas de la biomasa aérea. Sin embargo, el nivel de precisión requerido y la inversión de tiempo son excesivos para operaciones comerciales con grandes extensiones (plantaciones de 10.000 ha). Por esta razón, se estudia el nivel de especificidad (específico, intermedio y general) en la toma de datos de campo sobre los mismos 15 clones (12 de ellos se pueden agrupar en 5 grupos según su genotipo origen) del genero Salix, empleados en el estudio anterior. Para todos los niveles estudiados se observaron diferencias significativas. Pero desde nuestro punto de vista, las diferencias obtenidas no son relevantes. Para validar los modelos finalmente seleccionados se calcularon los porcentajes de error entre la biomasa estimada por los modelos de regresión calculados y la biomasa real obtenida tras los pesajes de biomasa, todo ello se realizó para cada clon según nivel de especificidad. ABSTRACT Productivity is an important factor in the economic viability of a willow crop´s, therefore, maximize it becomes a major factor. This study is directly related to this feature. Productivity, among other factors, may vary depending on different clones, which can be improved and selected genetically. Genetic programs require prior information (average productivity, size and number of stems, leaf characteristics, resistance to pests, etc.) to help you get more productive clones resistant to local pests. Our research consists of two studies: (1) Evaluation of the efficiency of use of light (LUE, Light Use Efficiency). The increase of biomass and light use efficiency (LUE) was tested on 15 clones of the genus Salix during June and September 2011 in Belleville (Central New York, USA). The objectives of this study were: (1) evaluate the light use efficiency and its relationship with the variation in biomass production and (2) determine whether there are significant differences between clones evaluating the leaf area index (LAI) and some traits of the leaves (N, P, K). We studied the correlation with the light use efficiency. It is concluded that the variation of biomass was related to the amount of light intercepted and its efficiency. Such information must be transferred to help improve future genetically clones to market in order to maximize productivity and increase resistance to pests. (2) Estimation of biomass through regression models. Research studies related to productivity estimates require precision and non destructive biomass. However, the level of accuracy required and the investment of time are excessive for large commercial operations with extensions (plantations of 10,000 ha). Precisely for this reason, we study the level of specificity (specific, intermediate and general) in making field data on the same 15 clones (12 of them can be grouped into five groups according to their genotype origin) of the genus Salix, employees in the previous study. For all levels studied some significant differences were observed. But from our practical standpoint, the differences are not relevant. Finally, to validate the selected models, we calculated the percent of bias between estimated biomass (by the regression models) and real biomass obtained after the weighing of biomass, all this process was done for each clone by level of specificity.

Phytoremediation of Metal Contamination using Salix (willows)

Abandoned hardrock mines and the resulting Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) are a source of vast, environmental degradation that are toxic threats to plants, animals, and humans. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are metal contaminants often found in AMD. In my mine outwash water samples, cadmium and lead concentrations were 19 and 160 times greater than concentrations in control waterways, and 300 and 40 times greater than EPA Aquatic Life Use water quality standards, respectively. I tested the phytoremediation characteristics of three montane willows native to the Rocky Mountains: Salix drummondiana, S. monticola, and S. planifolia. I tested the willows’ accumulation and tolerance characteristics of cadmium and lead contamination. I found that S. drummondiana accumulated more cadmium in stems than both S. monticola and S. planifolia, and that all three willow species accumulated similar concentrations of lead. I found similar trends for leaf accumulation. I also found that S. monticola had a greater growth and tolerance to the lower lead concentrations than high lead concentrations in addition to containing higher field stem concentrations of lead than S. planifolia. Salix planifolia contained nearly 2.5 times greater concentrations of cadmium in field stems than S. drummondiana. Based on my results, S. drummondiana could aid in aboveground accumulation of cadmium polluted watersheds, and S. monticola could aid in aboveground accumulation and tolerance of lead pollution.

Studier öfver släget Salix.

Akademisk afhandling--Stockholm.

Alsographia Americana, or, An American grove of new or revised trees and shrubs of the genera myrica, calycanthys, salix, quercus, fraxinus, populus, tilia, sambucus, viburnum, cornus, juglans, aesculus &c : with some new genera, monographs, and many new sp. in 330 articles, completing 1405 g. and sp. as a continuation of th Syla telluriana and North American trees and shrubs /

Includes index.

Verhandeling over het geschlacht der Wilgen (Salix) en de natuurlijke familie der Amentaceae /

Reprinted from: Bijdragen tot de Natuurkundige Wetenschappen. [1826. I:] 44-61.

Experiments and observations on the cortex Salicis latifoliæ, or broadleaved willow bark; interspersed with general observations and remarks on the different species of the Cinchona, &c., general history and progressive introduction of the Salix latifolia, with a variety of experiments, etc.

Mode of access: Internet.

The genus Salix (willows) in the Black Hills of South Dakota /

Literature cited: p. 73-74.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals six new species of Diaporthe from Australia

Six new species of Diaporthe, D. beilharziae on Indigofera australis, D. fraxini-angustifoliae on Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa, D. litchicola on Litchi chinensis, D. nothofagi on Nothofagus cunninghamii, D. pascoei on Persea americana and D. salicicola on Salix purpurea from Australia are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. Three of the new species no longer produced sporulating structures in culture and two of these were morphologically described from voucher specimens. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other Diaporthe species are revealed by DNA sequence analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and partial regions of the β-tubulin (BT) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF). © 2013 Mushroom Research Foundation.

Enantio sensing property of helicin, the derivative of a natural product: Discrimination of amines and amino alcohols

The chiral sensing property of helicin (the derivative of natural product obtained by partial oxidation of salicin, extracted from willow tree (Salix helix)) is reported. The use of helicin as a chiral derivatizing agent for the discrimination of amines and amino alcohols is convincingly established using H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The large chemical shift separation achieved between the discriminated peaks facilitated the accurate quantification of enantiomeric composition. The consistent trend observed in the shifting of imine proton peak (Delta delta) of helicin in all the derivatized molecules might aid the determination of spatial configuration. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enantio sensing property of helicin, the derivative of a natural product: Discrimination of amines and amino alcohols

The chiral sensing property of helicin (the derivative of natural product obtained by partial oxidation of salicin, extracted from willow tree (Salix helix)) is reported. The use of helicin as a chiral derivatizing agent for the discrimination of amines and amino alcohols is convincingly established using H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The large chemical shift separation achieved between the discriminated peaks facilitated the accurate quantification of enantiomeric composition. The consistent trend observed in the shifting of imine proton peak (Delta delta) of helicin in all the derivatized molecules might aid the determination of spatial configuration. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enantio sensing property of helicin, the derivative of a natural product: Discrimination of amines and amino alcohols

The chiral sensing property of helicin (the derivative of natural product obtained by partial oxidation of salicin, extracted from willow tree (Salix helix)) is reported. The use of helicin as a chiral derivatizing agent for the discrimination of amines and amino alcohols is convincingly established using H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The large chemical shift separation achieved between the discriminated peaks facilitated the accurate quantification of enantiomeric composition. The consistent trend observed in the shifting of imine proton peak (Delta delta) of helicin in all the derivatized molecules might aid the determination of spatial configuration. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.