Optimization of factors affecting the rooting of pine wilt disease resistant Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) stem cuttings.

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a devastating disease affecting trees belonging to the genus Pinus. To control the spread of PWD in the Masson pine forest in China, PWD resistant Masson pine clones have been selected by the Anhui Academy of Forestry. However, because Masson pine is a difficult-to-root species, producing seedlings is challenging, especially from trees older than 5 years of age, which impedes the application of PWD resistant clones.

Identification, classification, and characterization of AP2/ERF superfamily genes in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.).

Transcription factors (TFs) play crucial regulatory roles in controlling the expression of the target genes in plants. APETALA2/Ethylene-responsive factors (AP2/ERF) are part of a large superfamily of plant-specific TFs whose members are involved in the control of plant metabolism, development and responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the AP2/ERF superfamily has not been identified systematically in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana), which is one of the most important conifer in southern China.

Altered water uptake patterns of Populus deltoides in mixed riparian forest stands.

Plant water uptake plays an important role in regulating ecosystem water balance and its productivity. However, previous studies regarding plant water uptake were primarily conducted in wet areas under seasonal drought conditions, with a limited understanding of the proportion and drivers of plant water uptake under humid conditions. Actually, climate change and variations in global precipitation patterns could simultaneously trigger seasonal drought and flooding.

Higher soil capacity of intercepting heavy rainfall in mixed stands than in pure stands in riparian forests.

Changes in global precipitation patterns would make wet regions more humid and extreme precipitation events occur frequently, followed by widespread flooding. Riparian forests are more capable of withstanding floods than inland forests because they are frequently exposed to short-term flooding events. Although many previous studies have investigated the soil water dynamics of terrestrial forests, little is known about how the soil water of riparian forests responds to different amounts of rainfall and which factors mainly regulate the soil water-holding capacity.