Richard F. Fisher

Ailanthus triphysa at different density and fertiliser levels in Kerala, India: tree growth, light transmittance and understorey ginger yield

Ailanthus triphysa (Family – Simaroubaceae) growth is known to vary in response to different stocking and fertiliser levels. Understorey productivity related to these differences remain elusive, yet are important for optimising the combined production of tree and crop components. A split plot experiment to evaluate the effect of different stocking levels and fertiliser regimes on ailanthus growth, stand leaf area index (LAI) and understorey PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) transmittance was started at Vellanikkara, India in June 1991. Main plot treatments included four densities (3,333, 2,500, 1,660 and 1,111 trees ha−1), replicated thrice. Four fertiliser levels (0:0:0, 50:25:25, 100:50:50 and 150:75:75 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha−1) formed the sub plot treatments. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) was planted as an understorey crop in May 1994 with contiguous treeless control plots. Soil nutrient availability before and after ginger was assessed. Higher densities stimulated ailanthus growth modestly, while fertiliser response of tree and ginger was inconsistent. PAR transmittance below the canopy was related to tree density, LAI and time of measurement. Midday PAR flux having low standard deviations is ideal for evaluating canopy effects on understorey light availability. Ginger in the interspaces exhibited better growth compared to sole crop. Highest rhizome yield was observed in the 2,500 trees ha−1 stocking level, which is optimum for below five year-old ailanthus stands on good sites. It represents 52% mean daily PAR flux or 73% midday PAR flux. Ailanthus+ginger combinations improved the site nutrient capital when ginger was adequately fertilised, despite treeless controls having relatively higher initial soil nutrient availability.

A comparative analysis of prognostic factor models for follicular lymphoma based on a phase III trial of CHOP-rituximab versus CHOP + 131iodine- tositumomab

Purpose: There is currently no consensus on optimal frontline therapy for patients with follicular lymphoma. We analyzed a phase III randomized intergroup trial comparing six cycles of CHOP-R (cyclophosphamide–Adriamycin–vincristine–prednisone (Oncovin)–rituximab) with six cycles of CHOP followed by iodine-131 tositumomab radioimmunotherapy (RIT) to assess whether any subsets benefited more from one treatment or the other, and to compare three prognostic models. Experimental Design: We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of 532 patients enrolled on this trial and compared the prognostic value of the FLIPI (follicular lymphoma international prognostic index), FLIPI2, and LDH + β2M (lactate dehydrogenase + β2-microglobulin) models. Results: Outcomes were excellent, but not statistically different between the two study arms [5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 60% with CHOP-R and 66% with CHOP-RIT (P = 0.11); 5-year overall survival (OS) of 92% with CHOP-R and 86% with CHOP-RIT (P = 0.08); overall response rate of 84% for both arms]. The only factor found to potentially predict the impact of treatment was serum β2M; among patients with normal β2M, CHOP-RIT patients had better PFS compared with CHOP-R patients, whereas among patients with high serum β2M, PFS by arm was similar (interaction P value = 0.02). Conclusions: All three prognostic models (FLIPI, FLIPI2, and LDH + β2M) predicted both PFS and OS well, though the LDH + β2M model is easiest to apply and identified an especially poor risk subset. In an exploratory analysis using the latter model, there was a statistically significant trend suggesting that low-risk patients had superior observed PFS if treated with CHOP-RIT, whereas high-risk patients had a better PFS with CHOP-R. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6624–32. ©2013 AACR.

Galangal Growth and Productivity Related to Light Transmission in Single-Strata, Multistrata and ‘No-Over-Canopy’ Systems

ABSTRACT Galangal (Kaempferia galanga L.) is a promising medicinal and aromatic oil-yielding herb grown in the subcanopy of multistrata production systems in the tropics. The effects of differing light transmission levels on its growth, yield, quality and nutrient dynamics under a solitary canopy, six multistrata canopies and ‘no-over-canopy’ were evaluated in a randomized-block experiment. Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) provided the solitary canopy while coconut+dicot trees (Vateria indica, Ailanthus triphysa or Grevillea robusta grown in two planting geometries-single row and double row) represented the multistrata environment. Stand leaf area index (LAI) and subcanopy photosynthetic photon flux density were measured when the palms were 17 to 18 years of age and other trees, 3 to 4 years old. Understorey photosynthetic photon flux density was controlled by tree species and stand LAI. Ailanthus-based treatments consistently registered lower photon flux densities. Mean daily subcanopy photon flux density (50 cm above ground) ranged from 95 to 646 µmoles s−1 m−2, as against 968 µmoles s−1 m−2 in the open. Presence or absence of over-canopy, however, seemed to have little effect on galangal rhizome yield; as yield responses under ‘no-over-canopy,’ single-strata and multistrata systems were similar. Likewise, rhizome quality did not exhibit any remarkable trends with respect to canopy structure. However, ‘subcanopy’ foliar P and K concentrations were significantly greater than that of ‘no-over-canopy.’ Soil fertility assessment suggests that galangal cultivation modestly depressed site N, while K levels recuperated.

The Role of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative in Forest Landscape Changes in Texas, USA

We studied the changes in landscape pattern and function resulting from the application of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) in East Texas, USA. Changes in landscape structure were studied by comparing landscapes with different management histories. A methodology to integrate landscape and stand pattern dynamics with processes was developed based upon modeling and simulation. The effects of pattern on processes were analyzed with this methodology considering the quality, quantity and configuration of vertebrate habitat and hydrological processes.

Effects of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative on the Quality, Abundance, and Configuration of Wildlife Habitats

Abstract We analyzed the effects of landscape measures within the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program on the suitability, abundance and spatial pattern of vertebrate habitats based on modeling and simulation of landscape and stand structure in a forested watershed in East Texas. Eight vertebrate species representing guilds established according to breeding and foraging requirements were selected: American beaver (Castor canadensis), American woodcock (Scolopax minor), pine warbler (Dendroicapinus), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), barred owl (Strix varia), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Habitat suitability of the landscape in general increased with the implementation of SFI measures and habitat conditions were more diverse and even. Fragmentation and establishment of narrow and elongated habitat areas in a network configuration were the main consequences of the implementation of SFI measures in terms of habitat spatial structure. These changes were usually not limiting for the species analyzed. Mature pine and hardwood stands were absent from the simulated landscapes limiting the habitat for species like downy woodpecker or barred owl. Most of the species considered in this work benefited particularly from the implementation of streamside management zones (SMZs).