A new probabilistic canopy dynamics model (SLCD) that is suitable for evergreen and deciduous forest ecosystems

There are strong uncertainties regarding LAI dynamics in forest ecosystems in response to climate change. While empirical growth & yield models (G&YMs) provide good estimations of tree growth at the stand level on a yearly to decennial scale, process-based models (PBMs) use LAI dynamics as a key variable for enabling the accurate prediction of tree growth over short time scales. Bridging the gap between PBMs and G&YMs could improve the prediction of forest growth and, therefore, carbon, water and nutrient fluxes by combining modeling approaches at the stand level.Our study aimed to estimate monthly changes of leaf area in response to climate variations from sparse measurements of foliage area and biomass. A leaf population probabilistic model (SLCD) was designed to simulate foliage renewal. The leaf population was distributed in monthly cohorts, and the total population size was limited depending on forest age and productivity. Foliage dynamics were driven by a foliation function and the probabilities ruling leaf aging or fall. Their formulation depends on the forest environment.The model was applied to three tree species growing under contrasting climates and soil types. In tropical Brazilian evergreen broadleaf eucalypt plantations, the phenology was described using 8 parameters. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm method (MOEA) was used to fit the model parameters on litterfall and LAI data over an entire stand rotation. Field measurements from a second eucalypt stand were used to validate the model. Seasonal LAI changes were accurately rendered for both sites (R-2 = 0.898 adjustment, R-2 = 0.698 validation). Litterfall production was correctly simulated (R-2 = 0.562, R-2 = 0.4018 validation) and may be improved by using additional validation data in future work. In two French temperate deciduous forests (beech and oak), we adapted phenological sub-modules of the CASTANEA model to simulate canopy dynamics, and SLCD was validated using LAI measurements. The phenological patterns were simulated with good accuracy in the two cases studied. However, IA/max was not accurately simulated in the beech forest, and further improvement is required.Our probabilistic approach is expected to contribute to improving predictions of LAI dynamics. The model formalism is general and suitable to broadleaf forests for a large range of ecological conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hot spots, hot moments, and spatio-temporal controls on soil CO2 efflux in a water-limited ecosystem

Soil CO2 efflux is the primary source of CO2 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere. The rates of this flux vary in time and space producing hot moments (sudden temporal high fluxes) and hot spots (spatially defined high fluxes), but these high reaction rates are rarely studied in conjunction with each other. We studied temporal and spatial variation of soil CO2 efflux in a water-limited Mediterranean ecosystem in Baja California, Mexico. Soil CO2 efflux increased 522% during a hot moment after rewetting of soils following dry summer months. Monthly precipitation was the primary driver of the seasonal trend of soil CO2 efflux (including the hot moment) and through changes in soil volumetric water content (VWC) it influenced the relationship between CO2 efflux and soil temperature. Geostatistical analyses showed that the spatial dependence of soil CO2 efflux changed between two contrasting seasons (dry and wet). During the dry season high soil VWC was associated with high soil CO2 efflux, and during the wet season the emergence of a hot spot of soil CO2 efflux was associated with higher root biomass and leaf area index. These results suggest that sampling designs should accommodate for changes in spatial dependence of measured variables. The spatio-temporal relationships identified in this study are arguably different from temperate ecosystems where the majority of soil CO2 efflux research has been done. This study provides evidence of the complexity of the mechanisms controlling the spatio-temporal variability of soil CO2 efflux in water-limited ecosystems. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration: effects on eucalypt rust (Puccinia psidii), C:N ratio and essential oils in eucalypt clonal plantlets

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Overexpression of the activated form of the AtAREB1 gene (AtAREB1 Delta QT) improves soybean responses to water deficit

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Classification of Eucalyptus urograndis hybrids under different water availability based on biometric traits

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

EFFECTS OF EMERGENCY IN BIOSTIMULANT SEEDLING OF PASSION FRUIT ROXINHO OF KENYA

The increase in market demand for fresh fruits along with the high price of passion fruit juice in domestic and international markets has increased the interest in fruit, especially the purple passion fruit in the center south of the country seeking to export. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulator on the emergence and development of seedlings of passion 'Roxinho of Kenya' when propagated sexually. The treatments consisted of concentrations of commercial product Stimulate (R): control (no biostimulant); 6; 12; 18; 24 and 30 mL. kg(-1) of seed. It were evaluated the percentage of seedling emergence, number of leaves, aerial part dry weight, stem and root (g), root length (mm), diameter and stem length (mm), leaf area and chlorophyll 'a' and 'b'. The application of bio-stimulant in doses of 6 and 12 mL. kg(-1) promotes increased percentage of seedling emergence of Passiflora edulis Sims in a shorter time. The use of it also promotes the development of seedlings, with better results for the dose of 12 and 24 mL. kg(-1) treated seeds.

Determinação dos tipos de resistência de genótipos de soja ao ataque de Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858) (Lepdoptera: Noctuidae)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the types of resistance of soybean genotypes to the attack of Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858), under laboratory conditions. Plants of the soybean genotypes, IAC 100, Dowling, PI 227687, PI 274454, BR 16, IGRA RA 626 RR, PI 227682, BRSGO 8360, IGRA RA 516 RR e P 98Y11 RR, were cultivated in vases and placed in a greenhouse in order to have their leaves used afterwards in free-choice and no-choice no-preference for feeding tests and evaluation of the biological parameters of S. cosmioides fed on the genotypes. For free-choice no preference for feeding test, 10 leaf discs were prepared and placed in Petri dishes equidistantly among themselves, and then two recently-hatched caterpillar per genotype were release in the center of the plate. The same test was performed for third instar larvae, so that one caterpillar per genotype was used. In non-choice test, only one genotype was used in each Petri dish, where two recently-hatched or one third instar caterpillars were released, respectively. For both tests, the attractiveness was assessed at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 360, 720 and 1440 minutes after the release of the insects. In addition, the leaf area consumed was evaluated. Randomized blocks design and completely randomized design were used for free-choice and non-choice tests, respectively, with 10 replications. In biology test, recently-hatched larvae were transferred to Petri dishes with leaves of the genotypes, evaluating the period of larvae, pupae and overall (larvae + pupae), viability of larvae, pupae and overall, weight of 12 days-old larvae and 24 hours-old pupae and longevity of the adults. Completely randomized design was used for this test, with 30 replications. Genotypes IGRA RA 516 RR and IGRA RA 626 RR were the least and the most consumed by recently-hatched larvae of S. cosmioides, respectively, in non-choice non-preference for feeding test. Genotypes PI 274454 and PI 227687 were...

Influência do etil-trinexapac no crescimento inicial do eucalipto

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Atividade enzimática no solo e dinâmica de carbono e nitrogênio em pastos de capim-tanzânia sob índices de área foliar residual

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Caracterização biométrica e germinação de mabolo (Diospyros blancoi Willd)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Os desdobramentos e conflitos da criação do Parque Estadual Ilha do Cardoso sob a ótica do modelo GTP (Geossistema – Território- Paisagem)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento inicial de Erythrina mulungu (Mart. ex. Benth)

The aim of this study was to determine the best pre-germination treatments for seeds and the best size container for seedlings growing of coral tree Erythrina mulungu (Mart. ex. Benth). Among the treatments applied to seeds, scarification with sulfuric acid during 10 minutes and cutting stylus in the region opposite to hilum resulted, respectively, in highest values of germination percentage (82.8% and 82.1%) and rates of germination speed (1.15 and 1.71). The biometric variables indicated no effect of container size on leaf area and dry mass plants. At 63 days after sowing, although with Dickson quality score statistically similar (mean 0.26), only plants grown in small and large bags reached the diameter collect close to 5 mm, minimum recommended for field planting. According to the results, for initial development of coral tree, it is recommended pre-seed treatment with sulfuric acid commercial, sowing in plastic bags of 17 x 20 cm, and wait 63 days before planting in the field.

Variabilidade entre materiais genéticos de eucalyptus spp quanto à distribuição de raízes finas em latossolos profundos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Transpiração e eficiência de uso da água em plantios puros e mistos de eucalyptus grandis e acacia mangium

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Aplicação de extratos de algas marinhas em cafeeiro sob deficiência hídrica e estresse salino

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Irrigação e Drenagem) - FCA