Rubber latex yield is affected by interactions between antecedent temperature, rubber phenology, and powdery mildew disease.

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) latex production is crucial to the local economy, yet Xishuangbanna's climate is considered sub-optimal for rubber cultivation. The prevalence of the powdery mildew disease (Oidium heveae) in this region has decreased the annual latex yield by 20%. Rubber latex yield is influenced by several factors, including temperature, disease, other biotic conditions, and plantation management.

The legacy effects of rubber defoliation period on the refoliation phenology, leaf disease, and latex yield.

The leaf phenology of trees has received particular attention for its crucial role in the global water and carbon balances, ecosystem, and species distribution. However, current studies on leaf phenology have mainly focused on temperate trees, while few studies including tropical trees. Little attention has been paid to globally extensive industrial plantations.

The powdery mildew disease of rubber (Oidium heveae) is jointly controlled by the winter temperature and host phenology.

Rubber powdery mildew disease (Oidium heveae) is a serious threat to natural rubber production (Hevea brasiliensis) in some rubber developing regions of the world. Both phenological- and meteorological-related factors have been reported influencing the powdery mildew disease. However, few studies have investigated the effects of both phenological- and meteorological-related factors on the disease.

Cadmium hyperaccumulation as an inexpensive metal armor against disease in Crofton weed.

Invasive plants readily invade metal-contaminated areas. The hyperaccumulation of toxic heavy metals is not an uncommon feature among plant species. Although several hypotheses were proposed to explain this phenomenon, it is currently unclear how hyperaccumulation may benefit plants.

Contrasted effects of temperature during defoliation vs. refoliation periods on the infection of rubber powdery mildew (Oidium heveae) in Xishuangbanna, China.

Rubber powdery mildew caused by the foliar fungi Oidium heveae is one of the main diseases affecting rubber plantations (Hevea brasiliensis) worldwide. It is particularly serious in sub-optimal growing areas, such as Xishuangbanna in SW China. To prevent and control this disease, fungicides causing serious environmental problems are widely used.

Responses of rubber leaf phenology to climatic variations in Southwest China.

The phenology of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) could be influenced by meteorological factors and exhibits significant changes under different geoclimates. In the sub-optimal environment in Xishuangbanna, rubber trees undergo lengthy periods of defoliation and refoliation. The timing of refoliation from budburst to leaf aging could be affected by powdery mildew disease (Oidium heveae), which negatively impacts seed and latex production.

Different Responses of an Invasive Clonal Plant Wedelia trilobata and its Native Congener to Gibberellin: Implications for Biological Invasion.

The invasive clonal plant Wedelia trilobata contains higher levels of ent-kaurane diterpenes, which are precursors of gibberellins (GAs), and higher rates of clonal growth than its native congener W. chinensis in invaded habitats. We hypothesized that the higher levels of endogenous GAs facilitate greater ramet growth in W.

Curvilinear effects of invasive plants on plant diversity: plant community invaded by Sphagneticola trilobata.

The effects of invasive plants on the species diversity of plant communities are controversial, showing either a positive or negative linear relationship. Based on community data collected from forty 5 m×5 m plots invaded by Sphagneticola trilobata in eight cities across Hainan Island, China, we found S. trilobata decreased plant community diversity once its cover was beyond 10%.

Deforestation and fragmentation of natural forests in the upper Changhua watershed, Hainan, China: implications for biodiversity conservation.

Hainan, the largest tropical island in China, belongs to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The Changhua watershed is a center of endemism for plants and birds and the cradle of Hainan's main rivers. However, this area has experienced recent and ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

Rubber and pulp plantations represent a double threat to Hainan's natural tropical forests.

Hainan, the largest tropical island in China, belongs to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and harbors large areas of tropical forests, particularly in the uplands. The Changhua watershed is the cradle of Hainan's main river and a center of endemism for plants and birds. The watershed contains great habitat diversity and is an important conservation area.