1,721,301 research outputs found

    Response of Miscanthus sinensis to prolonged applications of chromium in hydroponics

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    Plants of miscanthus were exposed for 104 days to chromium concentrations ranging from 19 to 76 mg L-1 in hydroponics. Plant growth was slightly enhanced with 19 mg Cr L-1, was decreased by approximately 16% with 38 and 57 mg Cr L-1, and by 34% with 76 mg Cr L-1. Root biomass and root length were increased with all Cr levels, whereas root diameter was decreased. Chromium caused the immediate acidification of the nutrient solution. After a two-week permanence of roots in solution a further decrease of pH Occurred with Cr levels between 19 and 57 mg L-1. In all plant parts the Cr concentration increased with increasing Cr supply, but the Cr concentrations of roots and rhizomes always exceeded by a 100 factor that of the shoot. Miscanthus plants accumulated between 217 and 507 mg Cr per plant, 99% of which was allocated in the hypogeal part

    Recover of understory vegetation in clearcut stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) plantations

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    The recovery of understory vegetation after clear-cutting of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) plantations is crucial for biodiversity conservation. The development of plant cover, and the richness, diversity and composition of understory plant communities were investigated within five years from clear-cutting. After three years, plant cover ranged from 48 to 74%, and was formed by over 90% of shrubs and graminoids. Diversity decreased in cut plots and the index of similarity showed marked shifts in species composition. Richness increased and around 50 new species per plot were inventoried over three years. New species showed a high proportion of annuals with broad ecological amplitude and aliens, which changed life form and chorology spectra. Most new species had low frequency, but some were still present after five years. Extinction of resident species was low, and their frequency increased with time from clear-cutting. Most of them were perennials with sprouting ability. Common features of plant communities developing in clear-cut stone pine plantations were: (1) the linear increase of plant cover during the first three growing seasons, (2) increased species richness, (3) decreased diversity, (4) invasion by annuals, and (5) invasion by Alien and Cosmopolitan species
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