Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2009
Authors
Igor A. Yakovlev Harald Kvaalen Carl Gunnar Fossdal Øystein JohnsenAbstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that can have large-scale regulatory effect and could participate in epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plants. We show for the first time that temperature during zygotic embryogenesis and seed maturation in Norway spruce regulates an “epigenetic memory” in the progeny, regenerated through somatic embryogenesis. The warmer the in vitro temperature applied, the later the regenerated plants formed terminal buds in the common environment the second growth season. The differences were very large, and similar in size to a provenance separation of 4 – 6 degrees of latitude (Kvaalen and Johnsen, 2008). To study a molecular mechanisms of a memory from embryo development we have prepared two concatemerized small RNA libraries representing small RNAs predominantly expressed in plants growing from seeds obtained after embryogenesis in cold environment (CEL) and warm environment (WEL) after short day (SD) treatment (going to bud set). In total we obtained 201 different small RNAs, with dominated length of 21-nt, 123 from WEL and 93 from CEL. Using multiple methods, including BLAST, sequence alignment and sequence folding we found 27 novel candidate miRNAs and only 3 earlier described. Additionally 103 small RNAs have exact matches in spruce EST database, which could be their putative targets and 67 small RNAs have no matches. We used quantitative RT–PCR to study the expression patterns of 31 chosen candidate miRNAs and monitor the occurrence stage-dependent miRNA-mediated cleavage for 4 regions of putative mRNA targets. All miRNA show difference in transcript levels after SD treatment and 12 miRNAs show constitutively differential expression in progeny from CE and WE. Kvaalen H, Johnsen O (2008) Timing of bud set in Picea abies is regulated by a memory of temperature during zygotic and somatic embryogenesis. New Phytologist 177: 49-59
Authors
Jarl-Gunnar Salin Peder GjerdrumAbstract
Wooden poles are frequently used for power and telecommunication lines. After creosote preservation the durability is secured for many decades. This study is related to a Norwegian plant where such poles are produced using Scots pine. Prior to the preservation process the poles have to be dried to a moisture content below the fibre saturation point everywhere in the pole. This is done outdoors in open stacks of poles, i.e. as air-drying. A problem is caused by the difficulties to determine when the target moisture content has been reached. The inventory of drying poles represents considerable value in a company\"s balance sheet and risk of downgrading. Knowledge of drying times during the annual seasons has been insufficient, and no efficient method is known for accurately observing the MC through the various parts of the poles.....
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Evaluation of climate change consequences and national carbon reporting such as under the Kyoto protocol require long-term monitoring of carbon fluxes. We report on an ongoing project aimed at a national-level assessment of the terrestrial carbon sequestration potential under present conditions and under various climate and land use change scenarios, in particular in terms of their temperature effect. We develop empirical models for national soil carbon stock assessment and evaluate process-based soil carbon models for prediction of future carbon dynamics.....
Authors
Håkon BorchAbstract
This poster presents a new low cost model for modelleing phosphorus and soil loss from agriculture land, and to do evaluation of different mitigation scenarios where the cost effectiveness of the meassures influence each other. The model has been used in several Norwegian catchments to evaluate mitigation options, and to build packages of measures to comply with the demands from the European Water Framework Directive.
Authors
Aksel DøvingAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Ole Martin Bollandsås Ingvild Rekstad Erik Næsset Ingvald RøsbergAbstract
The objectives of this study were (1) to develop models for estimation of total above-ground biomass, tree crown biomass and stem biomass of mountain birch (Betula pubescens spp. czerepanovii), and (2) to test the stability of the relationships between biomass and biophysical tree properties across geographical regions and tree size ranges. The models were developed using a mixed modelling approach accounting for the hierarchical structure of the data that originated from sample plots. Diameter at breast height, tree height, and the ratio between height and diameter were candidate explanatory variables, but only diameter was statistically significant (p0.05). The model fit values (pseudo-R 2) were 0.91, 0.60 and 0.85 for the three respective models. A substantial part of the model random errors could be attributed to between-plot variations. The conclusion related to objective (1) was that the models are well suited for biomass prediction of mountain birch in the mountain areas of southern Norway. Furthermore, models reported in previous research that had been calibrated on data from other regions were applied on the current data set. The results indicate that models calibrated for small trees produced predictions diverging from the observed values of the current data set. The differences between predicted and observed values also seem to vary along a site productivity gradient. Still, even though the differences between predicted and observed values using the different models varied quite a lot, the relationships were relatively stable within certain limits. The conclusion related to objective (2) was that biomass models can be applied outside the region for which they were developed, which in many cases is necessary because local models do not exist. However, the properties of the model development data related to tree size range and site productivity should be similar to those of the area for which predictions are being made.
Authors
Per Otto Flæte Olav HøibøAbstract
Variation in heartwood diameter (HWD) along the stem was studied in 106 mature Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) sampled from southern Norway. HWD decreased from the base towards the treetop, following a profile similar to that of the stem diameter (shape of the tree). A few trees deviated from this general pattern. In these trees HWD increased from the base of the stem to a maximum at 2-2.5 m and then decreased towards the top of the tree. Random coefficient mixed models based on a second-degree polynomial of vertical position in the tree and tree variables that can be measured in the forest were developed to predict HWD profiles of pine stems. Seven different models were developed in steps, based on how easily the input variables can be measured. Input variables consisted of information describing the size and shape of trees and information from increment cores. Performances of the models were validated with an independent sample (R-2 = 0.88-0.95, root mean square error = 12-19 mm). The high predictive abilities of the models indicate that they can be prospective tools for selecting trees and stem sections within trees to produce logs with HWD suitable for manufacturing of heartwood sawn-wood products.
Authors
Nadeem Yaqoob Carl Gunnar Fossdal Jan Karlsson Benedicte Riber Albrectsen Halvor SolheimAbstract
Due to the great economic losses caused by the root and butt-rot pathogen Heterobasidion annosum, development of efficient control measures is warranted. H. annosum a necrotroph colonize the Norway spruce from inside and is responsible for 100s of millions of Euros losses annually. Considerable clonal variation has been recorded for Norway spruce in resistance towards H. annosum, but the defence mechanisms contributing to host resistance against both necrotrophic and biotrophic fungi remain poorly understood. The recent genome sequencing of Populus has made the genus a model to facilitate tree genetics. Genome-wide transcript profiling of Populus tremula upon pathogen attack will now be used, and homologues of Norway spruce genes to defence genes up-regulated in Populus will be identified. Two aspen clones (23 and 72) from the SwAsp collection (Luquez 2007) were used in the present study. Plants were propagated from tissue culture and kept in greenhouse under un-manipulated conditions. To study the host defence mechanisms, the rust (Melampsora magnusiana Wagner) and a bluestain fungus were used as a biotrophic and necrotrophic fungus respectively. Melampsora spores solution was applied to the underside of the leaf. To control for sectoriality six leaves were infected on each plant. To ensure high humidity and avoid cross contamination, plastic bags were wrapped around infected leaves. Leaves above infected leaves (10, 9, and 8) were harvested respectively 1, 3 and 14 days after inoculation. Initial results from microarray data indicate a clear separation between two Aspen clone (23 and 72) lines. For line 23 the response to biotroph and necrotroph seems to be similar. Whereas the response for line 72 is divergent for the treatments as they go in opposite direction. The controls show that there is an initial difference in the 2 lines (controls are separated). What are the genes that make biotrohic and necrotrophic treatment of 72 look so different will be worked out from microarray data. Differential expression of defense genes in biotrohic and necrotrophic treatment will be verified further with quantitative real time PCR. Chemical analysis of Aspen leaves gave less phenolic compounds as plants were kept in greenhouse. HPLC will be carried out after reaching some conclusion from microarray data analysis.
Abstract
Information given in EN 350-2 on natural durability of different wood species against wood destroying fungi is mainly based on heartwood tested in ground contact. The objective of this study was to test and compare durability of many different wood species in a field test in ground contact. The material consisted of Norwegian wood species able to give sufficient sawn wood dimensions (commercial and less utilised species, indigenous and introduced species) and imported species (Larch from Russia; Oak, Douglas fir and Western Red Cedar from North America; Merbau and Teak from Asia). Additionally, modified wood (thermally modified and tall oil treated) and preservative treated wood (CCA- and Cu-preservative) were included in the test. The wood types, 31 in total, were tested according to EN 252 and EN 350-1 at NTIs test site in Sørkedalen, Norway. Results after five years exposure show that most of the Norwegian grown wood species have low durability. This study also provides information on durability of four species not included in EN 350-2: Juniperus communis, Salix caprea, Sorbus aucuparia and Populus tremula.