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Ants have been widely used as bioindicators of natural and disturbed environments. In Argentine Chaco Seco, ants represent an important part of the total biodiversity and fulfil various functions in forest ecosystems. With the aim of evaluating β diversity and identifying indicator ants, surveys were carried out in three types of implanted forests: Neltuma alba (mesquite), Eucalyptus tereticornis (eucalyptus) and mixed forests without intervention for 50 years, mainly composed of Ceiba speciosa and Phoenix canariensis, located at the Fernández Experimental Station of the Catholic University of Santiago del Estero. The samplings were carried out in spring, summer and autumn, between 2019 and 2022, using pitfall traps that remained active for 24 h. The abundance and composition of Formicidae at each site and season were evaluated using the Jaccard similarity index and generalized linear mixed models. A total of 7366 individuals grouped into 28 species belonging to 6 Formicidae subfamilies were identified. Some species were present at all sites and seasons, with Solenopsis saevissima, Camponotus mus and Pheidole bergii being the most abundant in the mesquite, eucalyptus and mixed stands, respectively. In addition, three exclusive species of N. alba, two of E. tereticornis and one of the mixed stand were identified. Furthermore, it was observed that the myrmecological composition varied seasonally, mainly during autumn. These results demonstrate that due to the characteristics of each site, representative groups of ants can be found for each that could be used as indicators of each type of environment and that the temporal variation of the communities is favored by the diversification of the habitats, which offer different resources during each season of the year, increasing the turnover rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four year field investigation was carried out in sub-temperate conditions of Palampur, Himachal Pradesh (India) to study the performance of Napier bajra hybrid at variable levels of nitrogen under Eucalyptus tereticornis trees plantation. Significantly better growth as well as green and dry forage yields was obtained under no shade (open) condition. Tree shade reduced the herbage yield and economic returns appreciably. Herbage yield increased with increasing doses of nitrogen upto 125% recommended nitrogen. Quality parameters i.e. crude protein, ADF, NDF, nitrate and oxalate contents in forage were higher under tree shade conditions. Crude protein, nitrate and oxalate contents increased with increasing doses of nitrogen but reduction in ADF and NDF contents were observed at higher doses of nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ants have been widely used as bioindicators of natural and disturbed environments. In Argentine Chaco Seco, ants represent an important part of the total biodiversity and fulfil various functions in forest ecosystems. With the aim of evaluating β diversity and identifying indicator ants, surveys were carried out in three types of implanted forests: Neltuma alba (mesquite), Eucalyptus tereticornis (eucalyptus) and mixed forests without intervention for 50 years, mainly composed of Ceiba speciosa and Phoenix canariensis, located at the Fernández Experimental Station of the Catholic University of Santiago del Estero. The samplings were carried out in spring, summer and autumn, between 2019 and 2022, using pitfall traps that remained active for 24 h. The abundance and composition of Formicidae at each site and season were evaluated using the Jaccard similarity index and generalized linear mixed models. A total of 7366 individuals grouped into 28 species belonging to 6 Formicidae subfamilies were identified. Some species were present at all sites and seasons, with Solenopsis saevissima, Camponotus mus and Pheidole bergii being the most abundant in the mesquite, eucalyptus and mixed stands, respectively. In addition, three exclusive species of N. alba, two of E. tereticornis and one of the mixed stand were identified. Furthermore, it was observed that the myrmecological composition varied seasonally, mainly during autumn. These results demonstrate that due to the characteristics of each site, representative groups of ants can be found for each that could be used as indicators of each type of environment and that the temporal variation of the communities is favored by the diversification of the habitats, which offer different resources during each season of the year, increasing the turnover rate.

Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) is a genus of extremely varied blooming trees that produce valuable essential oil as well as hard and durable heartwood. The primary sources of eucalyptus oil are the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus, E. citriodora, E. tereticornis. The essential oil is isolated by hydro-distillation and is used as a medication, antibacterial, repellent, flavouring agent and in aromatherapy. Monoterpenes like 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene are the major components of the oil. The present study was planned to do the quantitative analysis of essential oil in Eucalyptus tereticornis leaves by qNMR as an alternate analytical technique in addition to more commonly used GC–MS. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness. The developed method can be used to analyse Eucalyptus oil from diverse species as they also contain these volatiles but in different ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of Eucalyptus tereticornis leaves was studied by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Forty-five constituents were identified in the oil hydrodistilled from the sample collected from Ghudda Village, Bathinda (Pb), India of which eucalyptol (34.39%) and ledol (9.92%) were the major constituents. In vitro antioxidant and anticancer potential of EO was analysed by DPPH 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and MTT assay. The percentage free radical scavenging activity was found to be 63.77%. The antiproliferative activity was analysed using MTT assay in adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial A549 cancer cell line and showed IC50 value of 47.14 µg/ml. In silico study of EO, constituents were performed using Maestro 12.9 against EGFR (PDB ID-2RGP). Five constituents from EO showed high dockscore as compared to standard Mobicertinib which indicated the effectiveness of oil constituents against lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) isolated from aerial parts (leaves, buds and twigs) of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh were analysed for yield, specific gravity (SG), refractive index (RI) and chemical composition. Chemical composition analysis of the EOs was carried out by GC/MS technique. The transverse section (TS) of the leaf was subjected to oil glands measurement by Stereoscopic Zoom Microscope. EOs yield from aerial parts of E. tereticornis varies from 1.0-2.0 % (10-20 g kg−1 leaves biomass), 0.7-1.5 % (7-15 g kg−1 buds biomass) and 0.3-0.5 % (3-5 g kg−1 twigs biomass), while in E. camaldulensis 0.8-1.4 % (8-14 g kg−1 leaves biomass), 1.0-1.4 % (10-14 g kg−1 buds biomass) and 0.4-0.7 % (4-7g kg−1 twigs biomass). RI and SG values for EOs from E. tereticornis were observed in the ranges of 1.442-1.479 and 0.883-0.913 respectively. Similarly, RI and SG values for EOs from E. camaldulensis were observed in the ranges of 1.44-1.462 and 0.889-0.993 respectively. Chemical composition analysis confirms that E. tereticornis oil was a cineole type (1,8-cineole: 21.31-29.15 %) whereas E. camaldulensis terpinene type (γ-terpinene: 22.33-26.91 %). Average oil gland density in leaf of E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis was observed as 2.7×107 n/m2 and 2.5×107 n/m2 respectively. Cluster analysis differentiates both the eucalyptus species in terms of EO composition. In addition, four and five principal components can be extracted for E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis respectively and which explains 96.26 % and 97.87 % of the accumulated variation of the data analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical pulping of raw wood material is a highly energy intensive and pollution generating step in the papermaking process. This study focused on combined mechanical and xylanase treatment prior to the kraft pulping of E. tereticornis. A screened pulp yield of 49.1% (on oven-dry wood basis) with a Kappa number of 24.9 was obtained at the optimum cooking temperature of 160 °C without any pretreatment of the wood chips. After mechanical treatment (destructuring), a slightly higher screened pulp yield (49.4%) was obtained with a Kappa number of 24.2 at the cooking temperature of 145 °C with the same active alkali charge (15%). The optimum cooking temperature was further reduced to 140 °C for the destructured xylanase-treated wood chips. The xylanase treatment resulted in a 2% reduction in screened pulp yield due to hydrolysis of xylan. However, the Kappa number was reduced to 18.2 after xylanase pretreatment of the mechanically destructured wood chips. The combined pretreatment (destructured and xylanase treatment) of wood chips resulted in a reduction in cooking temperature by 20°C compared to untreated wood chips. Such a reduction in cooking temperature can effectively reduce steam consumption. The combined pretreatment improved the pulp brightness by 2.0 (ISO points) and physical strength properties, which included the tensile index, tear index, and burst index by 11.06%, 21.72%, and 21.79%, respectively, compared to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus development and is characterized by an abnormal expansion of adipose tissue and low-grade chronic inflammation that contribute to insulin resistance. Although there are multiple treatments, most therapies can produce undesirable side effects and therefore, new and effective treatments with fewer side effects are necessary. Previously, we demonstrated that a natural extract from the leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis (OBE100) has anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. The major compounds identified in OBE100 were three pentacyclic triterpenoids, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid lactone. Triterpenoids have shown multiples biological activities. This current study compared the biological effect produced by OBE100 with five different reconstituted mixtures of these triterpenoids. Different cell lines were used to evaluate cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species production, inflammatory cytokine expression, glucose uptake induction, leptin and adiponectin expression, and lipid accumulation. OBE100 treatment was the most efficacious and none of the formulated triterpenoid mixtures significantly improved on this. Moreover, OBE100 was less toxic and reduced reactive oxygen species production. Our study showed that the proven beneficial properties of triterpenoids may be enhanced due to the interaction with minor secondary metabolites present in the natural extract improving their anti-inflammatory properties.

The current study investigated inter-annual growth, biomass production, carbon storage, and sequestration in Eucalyptus tereticornis plantation of different age (1–8 years) in North-west India. Nondestructive sampling using the allometric equation assessed aboveground and belowground biomass of E. tereticornis plantations. The growth, biomass accumulation, and CO2 assimilation followed the log-normal distribution with age of the plantation. At early stages, E. tereticornis showed rapid growth and within six months 1.4-time increment in DBH and height of one-year tree. Total carbon stock in E. tereticornis increased from 18.7–20.6 Mg C ha−1 in 1-year to 91.8–96.2 Mg C ha−1 after 8-year of planting. The soil organic carbon in 0–15 cm depth showed 34.8% increment in 8 years of plantation cycle highlighting the significance of litter input. Terrestrial C sequestration in the matured plantation (8 years) varied from 85.3 to 88.7 Mg C ha−1 during September 2012 and March 2013, respectively. Total carbon stock (plant+soil) in 8-year plantation ranges from 114.1 to 118.8 Mg C ha−1. Results confirm that E. tereticornis based plantation forestry offers a low-cost strategy for carbon sequestration besides increasing farm income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The chemical transformation of ursolic acid (UA) into novel C-3 aryl ester derivatives and in vitro and silico assessment of their antitubercular potential., Background: UA is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid with many pharmacological properties. Semisynthetic UA analogs have demonstrated enhanced anticancer, antimalarial, and antifilarial properties in our previous studies., Methods: The C-30 carboxylic group of previously isolated UA was protected, and various C-3 aryl ester derivatives were semi-synthesized. The agar dilution method was used to evaluate the in vitro antitubercular efficacy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H 37 Ra. In silico docking studies of the active derivative were carried out against Mtb targets, catalase peroxidase (PDB: 1SJ2), dihydrofolate reductase (PDB: 4M2X), enoyl-ACP reductase (PDB: 4TRO), and cytochrome bc1 oxidase (PDB: 7E1V)., Results: The derivative 3-O-(2-amino,3-methyl benzoic acid)-ethyl ursolate (UA-1H) was the most active among the eight derivatives (MIC1 2.5 μg/mL) against Mtb H 37 Ra. Also, UA-1H demonstrated significant binding affinity in the range of 10.8-11.4 kcal/mol against the antiTb target proteins, which was far better than the positive control Isoniazid, Ethambutol, and co-crystallized ligand (HEM). Moreover, the predicted hit UA-1H showed no inhibition of Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), suggesting its potential for favorable metabolism in Phase I clinical studies., Conclusion: The ursolic acid derivative UA-1H possesses significant in vitro antitubercular potential with favorable in silico pharmacokinetics. Hence, further in vivo assessments are suggested for UA-1H for its possible development into a secure and efficient antitubercular drug., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Large‐scale land‐clearing has threatened Australian forest biodiversity, particularly within the South East Queensland bioregion where nearly 55% of humid‐climate eucalypt forest has been cleared. Restoration is key to the persistence of these forests but conventional reforestation techniques, including the exclusive use of locally sourced seed and nursery‐raised planting stock, are being reconsidered in terms of cost‐effectiveness and ability to create climatically resilient forests. In this study, we examined the success of a 2‐year‐old direct seeding restoration project of Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus tereticornis from one local and two nonlocal provenances. We established a field trial to compare germination rates of E. tereticornis seed and seed‐balls from the varying provenance sources in the field and in controlled laboratory growth chambers. We found no evidence of local provenance superiority in the field or in laboratory conditions. Periods of unseasonable rainfall and flooding may have constrained E. tereticornis germination in the field site. We conclude that direct seeding with seed‐balls may represent an effective method for establishing C. citriodora in South East Queensland, and that the approach warrants further investigation with other restoration species. Matching species with site conditions should be an initial consideration before long‐term revegetation investments are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Eucalyptus tereticornis leaves extract as bioreducing agent. Prepared AgNPs were characterized and confirmed using various analytical tools such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM with EDS and TEM. Crystallographic studies were carried by XRD analysis. Size, morphology was studied by SEM, TEM and elemental composition confirmed by EDS respectively. AgNPs showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains. AgNPs also exhibited promising 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity with IC50 59.0 μg/mL. Further, cytotoxic activity performed on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line proved that the prepared AgNPs have potential anticancer activity having 63.257 μg/ml 50% inhibition concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how tree growth is affected by rising temperature is a key to predicting the fate of forests in future warmer climates. Increasing temperature has direct effects on plant physiology, but there are also indirect effects of increased water limitation because evaporative demand increases with temperature in many systems. In this study, we experimentally resolved the direct and indirect effects of temperature on the response of growth and photosynthesis of the widely distributed species Eucalyptus tereticornis. We grew E. tereticornis in an array of six growth temperatures from 18 to 35.5°C, spanning the climatic distribution of the species, with two watering treatments: (a) water inputs increasing with temperature to match plant demand at all temperatures (Wincr), isolating the direct effect of temperature; and (b) water inputs constant for all temperatures, matching demand for coolest grown plants (Wconst), such that water limitation increased with growth temperature. We found that constant water inputs resulted in a reduction of temperature optima for both photosynthesis and growth by ~3°C compared to increasing water inputs. Water limitation particularly reduced the total amount of leaf area displayed at Topt and intermediate growth temperatures. The reduction in photosynthesis could be attributed to lower leaf water potential and consequent stomatal closure. The reduction in growth was a result of decreased photosynthesis, reduced total leaf area display and a reduction in specific leaf area. Water availability had no effect on the response of stem and root respiration to warming, but we observed lower leaf respiration rates under constant water inputs compared to increasing water inputs at higher growth temperatures. Overall, this study demonstrates that the indirect effect of increasing water limitation strongly modifies the potential response of tree growth to rising global temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus is the genus of trees that is most planted around the world because of its large number of species, the ability to adapting in many different sites, and the possibilities of producing wood for many different uses. The present study was conducted to construct the two-way volume table of Eucalyptus tereticornis for mid-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. For the purpose, secondary data for diameter and height of Eucalyptus trees were collected from four different sites viz. Khaltoo, Ucchagaon, Kharkog and Pandah. From each plantation site,150 trees of Eucalyptus tereticornis were selected and the data were subjected to variability analysis in order to test the variability among different sites. Bartlett's chi-square test for testing the homogeneity of variances suggested that there were no variability with respect to DBH, height and volume among different sites. Site wise comparison was also performed to test the equality of means among different sites. Maximum mean diameter (m) was observed at Khaltoo (0.2097) and minimum was observed at Ucchagaon (0.1767). Mean height (m) was observed maximum in Kharkog (10.6374) and minimum in Pandah (9.7873). Maximum mean volume (m3) was recorded at Khaltoo (0.3955) and Minimum mean volume was recorded at Ucchagaon (0.2105) which was statistically at par with Kharkog (0.2815). Regression analysis was performed to estimate the volume of Eucalyptus trees using ordinary least square estimation method. For the construction of two way volume table, linear model (V=0.0003+0.7842 D2H) was observed best fit on the basis of highest R2 value (0.96) and least root mean square error value (0.0282). These models may be used for the construction of volume table. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus tereticornis is most preferred, adopted by farmers in Haryana as agroforestry species due to regular and assured income from expanding market of wood. Accurate and reliable predictive models are important tool to estimate biomass and C-stocks non-destructively in view of emerging carbon credit market mechanism. Allometric models (non-linear) were developed to estimate biomass and biomass carbon in different tree components. Adjusted R2 for fitted functions varied from 0.911 to 0.995 for different components. Above ground biomass (AGB) = 0.493 × (DBH)1.81 with adjusted R2 value of 0.992 and below ground biomass (BGB) = 0.130 × (DBH)1.89 with adjusted R2 value of 0.987 were found best fit equations. Using models, the estimated total dry biomass was 225 mg/ha with biomass accumulation in decreasing order of bole>roots>twigs and leaves>fuelwood (branches). Mean C-concentration in different tree components varied from 43-46%. C-stocks ranged from 2.30 in fuel wood to 69.8 mg/ha in bole. Total C-stocks (AGB carbon+BGB carbon+soil carbon) were estimated to 122.6 mg/ha with CO2 mitigation potential of 369.2 mg/ha in 6 year old E. tereticornis plantation. Carbon sequestration rate in plantations yielded 12.9 mg C/ ha/year. C-storage in soil (0-30 cm) was estimated to 21.2-22.8 mg/ha in agri-silvicultre and recorded 44.4% gain over rice-wheat cropping system. Therefore, this study recommends E. tereticornis planting as a viable option for sustainable production and carbon mitigation.

To quantify stem respiration (RS) under elevated CO2 (eCO2), stem CO2 efflux (EA) and CO2 flux through the xylem (FT) should be accounted for, because part of respired CO2 is transported upwards with the sap solution. However, previous studies have used EA as a proxy of RS, which could lead to equivocal conclusions. Here, to test the effect of eCO2 on RS, both EA and FT were measured in a free‐air CO2 enrichment experiment located in a mature Eucalyptus native forest. Drought stress substantially reduced EA and RS, which were unaffected by eCO2, likely as a consequence of its neutral effect on stem growth in this phosphorus‐limited site. However, xylem CO2 concentration measured near the stem base was higher under eCO2, and decreased along the stem resulting in a negative contribution of FT to RS, whereas the contribution of FT to RS under ambient CO2 was positive. Negative FT indicates net efflux of CO2 respired below the monitored stem segment, likely coming from the roots. Our results highlight the role of nutrient availability on the dependency of RS on eCO2 and suggest stimulated root respiration under eCO2 that may shift vertical gradients in xylem [CO2] confounding the interpretation of EA measurements. In phosphorus‐limited sites, stem respiratory metabolism will remain unaffected by elevated CO2 as long as stem growth does not respond to it. Stimulated carbon allocation belowground and greater root respiration under elevated CO2 may shift vertical gradients in xylem [CO2] confounding the interpretation of stem CO2 efflux measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantify stem respiration (RS) under elevated CO2 (eCO2), stem CO2 efflux (EA) and CO2 flux through the xylem (FT) should be accounted for, because part of respired CO2 is transported upwards with the sap solution. However, previous studies have used EA as a proxy of RS, which could lead to equivocal conclusions. Here, to test the effect of eCO2 on RS, both EA and FT were measured in a free‐air CO2 enrichment experiment located in a mature Eucalyptus native forest. Drought stress substantially reduced EA and RS, which were unaffected by eCO2, likely as a consequence of its neutral effect on stem growth in this phosphorus‐limited site. However, xylem CO2 concentration measured near the stem base was higher under eCO2, and decreased along the stem resulting in a negative contribution of FT to RS, whereas the contribution of FT to RS under ambient CO2 was positive. Negative FT indicates net efflux of CO2 respired below the monitored stem segment, likely coming from the roots. Our results highlight the role of nutrient availability on the dependency of RS on eCO2 and suggest stimulated root respiration under eCO2 that may shift vertical gradients in xylem [CO2] confounding the interpretation of EA measurements. In phosphorus‐limited sites, stem respiratory metabolism will remain unaffected by elevated CO2 as long as stem growth does not respond to it. Stimulated carbon allocation belowground and greater root respiration under elevated CO2 may shift vertical gradients in xylem [CO2] confounding the interpretation of stem CO2 efflux measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a Commentary on Drake et al. (2019a), 222: 1298–1312 and Drake et al. (2019b), 222: 1313–1324. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Kok and Laisk techniques can both be used to estimate light respiration Rlight. We investigated whether responses of Rlight to short‐ and long‐term changes in leaf temperature depend on the technique used to estimate Rlight.We grew Eucalyptus tereticornis in whole‐tree chambers under ambient temperature (AT) or AT + 3°C (elevated temperature, ET). We assessed dark respiration Rdark and light respiration with the Kok (RKok) and Laisk (RLaisk) methods at four temperatures to determine the degree of light suppression of respiration using both methods in AT and ET trees.The ET treatment had little impact on Rdark, RKok or RLaisk. Although the thermal sensitivities of RKok or RLaisk were similar, RKok was higher than RLaisk. We found negative values of RLaisk at the lowest measurement temperatures, indicating positive net CO2 uptake, which we propose may be related to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Light suppression of Rdark decreased with increasing leaf temperature, but the degree of suppression depended on the method used.The Kok and Laisk methods do not generate the same estimates of Rlight or light suppression of Rdark between 20 and 35°C. Negative rates of RLaisk imply that this method may become less reliable at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate resources, diminution in petroleum reserves, environmental pollution hazards and escalated crude oil pricing have become major points of concern for energy use. This urged the researchers to identify an alternative source of fuel energy similar to petroleum hydrocarbons to be used in internal combustion engine. In the present study, biodiesel from leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis was used in the processed form in compression ignition engine. The steam distillation process yielded 4.8% of Eucalyptus bio-oil through a batch process. Single stage transesterification process using methanol and sodium hydroxide produced Eucalyptus biodiesel effectively at molar ratio of 8:1. The physico-chemical properties of Eucalyptus biodiesel were found to be comparable to commercial diesel and within ASTM limits. Eucalyptus biodiesel in straight and blended form at ratio of 50:50 with commercial diesel was used in a single cylinder compression ignition engine to understand its emission characteristics. Lower unburnt hydrocarbon and smoke emission was observed when D50EBD50 fuel blend was used at part and full load condition. EBD100 fuel emitted higher CO2 across all loads. Oxides of nitrogen emission were found to be relatively higher at full load condition when compared with D100 and D50EBD50 fuel blends. The emission parameters of EBD100 and D50EBD50 were found to be comparable with mineral diesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, bio-oil from Eucalyptus teriticornisis is extracted through steam distillation process. The effect of esterified bio-oil is analysed in a single cylinder compression ignition engine. For this purpose, Eucalyptus biodiesel is prepared by transesterification process with methanol and NaOH as catalyst under variable parameters. The performance, combustion and emission features of a four stroke diesel engine were investigated using methyl ester of eucalyptus biodiesel (EBD100) and its blend with 50% diesel (D50-EBD50). The test outcome reveals that there is marginal increase in brake thermal efficiency and slight drop in brake specific fuel consumption for biodiesel fuel when compared to that of mineral diesel fuel. The use of this biodiesel resulted in decreased emission of Hydrocarbons and Carbon monoxide and higher emission of Nitrogen oxide and Carbon dioxide at part loads. EBD100 exhibits similar heat release rate and lower in-cylinder pressure compared to that of the diesel fuel at same loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto del ataque de Leptocybe invasa en las propiedades dendrométricas de la madera de dos clones de eucalipto (Eucalyptus urophylla y Eucalyptus tereticornis), cultivados en los municipios de Imperatriz (Estado do Maranhão) y Darcinópolis (Estado de Tocantins), Brasil, destinados para la producción de pulpa kraft. Se analizaron 10 árboles de 3 años de edad atacados por Leptocybe invasa, para cada clon. El diagnóstico fue basado en la formación de grandes agallas en la copa, y con orificio de emergencia (cerrando el ciclo). Los resultados fueron constatados por la variación de las características de las especies evaluadas con relación a su altura total, diámetro, volumen de corteza, frecuencia de vasos, longitud de fibras, perfil radial de densidad y contenido de cenizas. Los árboles hospederos presentaron alteraciones en las variables dendrométricas, contenido de pentosanos y cenizas en la madera para ambos materiales genéticos, no siendo observadas variaciones en la densidad básica, dimensión de vasos y fibras, así como en los contenidos de lignina y extractivos de la madera.

Phytocapping is increasingly regarded as an economical and environmentally sustainable post-closure landfill management strategy. During 2013, a phytocap comprised of koala habitat trees was established on a historic landfill site in Lismore as part of an Australian trial program (A-ACAP). This case study was conducted to determine trace element contamination of the Lismore phytocap soil and foliage, and identify risks to grazing koalas. Foliage of Eucalyptus tereticornis, a key koala food tree, and Acacia melanoxylon, a reference native species, were assessed at the phytocap and an uncontaminated reference site. Concentrations of Ag, As, Hg and Pb were significantly higher in foliage from the phytocap compared to that from the reference site (p < 0.0001df 7, 52). Mean trace element concentrations in phytocap E. tereticornis foliage were compliant with state and international standards for contaminants in food and animal feed (NSW State Government, 2010; WHO and FAO, 2015) and soil was compliant with national health-based investigation levels for contaminated sites (NEPC, 2011). However, contaminant distribution was not homogenous, and As and Pb concentrations exceeded guidelines in some soil and foliage samples. Based on available guidelines and weekly dietary intake calculations, risks to koala health posed by trace element contamination of phytocap foliage are currently low, though should be managed by continued monitoring as the vegetation matures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (eCa) might reduce forest water‐use, due to decreased transpiration, following partial stomatal closure, thus enhancing water‐use efficiency and productivity at low water availability. If evapotranspiration (Et) is reduced, it may subsequently increase soil water storage (ΔS) or surface runoff (R) and drainage (Dg), although these could be offset or even reversed by changes in vegetation structure, mainly increased leaf area index (L). To understand the effect of eCa in a water‐limited ecosystem, we tested whether 2 years of eCa (~40% increase) affected the hydrological partitioning in a mature water‐limited Eucalyptus woodland exposed to Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE). This timeframe allowed us to evaluate whether physiological effects of eCa reduced stand water‐use irrespective of L, which was unaffected by eCa in this timeframe. We hypothesized that eCa would reduce tree‐canopy transpiration (Etree), but excess water from reduced Etree would be lost via increased soil evaporation and understory transpiration (Efloor) with no increase in ΔS, R or Dg. We computed Et, ΔS, R and Dg from measurements of sapflow velocity, L, soil water content (θ), understory micrometeorology, throughfall and stemflow. We found that eCa did not affect Etree, Efloor, ΔS or θ at any depth (to 4.5 m) over the experimental period. We closed the water balance for dry seasons with no differences in the partitioning to R and Dg between Ca levels. Soil temperature and θ were the main drivers of Efloor while vapour pressure deficit‐controlled Etree, though eCa did not significantly affect any of these relationships. Our results suggest that in the short‐term, eCa does not significantly affect ecosystem water‐use at this site. We conclude that water‐savings under eCa mediated by either direct effects on plant transpiration or by indirect effects via changes in L or soil moisture availability are unlikely in water‐limited mature eucalypt woodlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening of plants for medicinal purposes represents an effort to discover newer, safer, and possibly more effective drugs. Design of the present study was made aiming to the optimization of the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis (leaves) and Nigella sativa (seeds) against bacteria belongings to both Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) spectrum by using response surface methodology. 20 g powder of each E. tereticornis (leaf) and N. sativa (seeds) were mixed with 200ml of ethanol at room temperature, and then it was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 min to separate the supernatants, and allowed to dry in order to obtain ethanol free extracts. A fresh bacterial culture of 100μl of test microorganism was inoculated onto media and spread homogeneously. The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts showed that all the concentrations tested were effective against the test microorganisms. The diameters of zones of inhibition exhibited by S. aureus PCSIR-83 were in the range of 0-28mm, E. coli PCSIR-102 (0-28mm) and B. subtilis PCSIR-05 (15-26mm). The combination of N. sativa (15mg/μl) and E. tereticornis (20mg/μl) were found most effective at pH 9.0 and temperature 35°C. Our results clearly indicate that Gram positive bacteria showed more sensitivity than Gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of correlation between photosynthesis and plant growth under sink-limited conditions is a long-standing puzzle in plant ecophysiology that currently severely compromises our models of vegetation responses to global change. To address this puzzle, we applied data assimilation to an experiment in which the sink strength of Eucalyptus tereticornis seedlings was manipulated by restricting root volume. Our goals were to infer which processes were affected by sink limitation and to attribute the overall reduction in growth observed in the experiment to the effects on various carbon (C) component processes. Our analysis was able to infer that, in addition to a reduction in photosynthetic rates, sink limitation reduced the rate of utilization of nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC), enhanced respiratory losses, modified C allocation and increased foliage turnover. Each of these effects was found to have a significant impact on fi- nal plant biomass accumulation.We also found that inclusion of an NSC storage pool was necessary to capture seedling growth over time, particularly for sink-limited seedlings. Our approach of applying data assimilation to infer C balance processes in a manipulative experiment enabled us to extract new information on the timing, magnitude and direction of the internal C fluxes from an existing dataset.We suggest that this approach could, if used more widely, be an invaluable tool to develop appropriate representations of sink-limited growth in terrestrial biosphere models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of the attack Leptocybe invasa in dendrometric variables and wood properties of two clones of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus tereticornis), grown in the municipalities of Imperatriz (state of Maranhão) and Darcinopolis (state of Tocantins), Brazil, for Kraft pulping. Data were collected 10 trees for each clone, the 3-year-old attacked by L. invasa. The diagnosed was based on formation of large guts all over the glass, and emergency hole (closing the loop). The results were confirmed by the variation of the characteristics of species assessed relative to their total height, diameter, volume of bark, vessel frequency, fiber size, radial density profile vessel frequency, fiber size, radial density profile, and ash content. Host trees obtained alterations in dendrometric variables, content of pentosans and wood ashes for both genetic materials, not being observed variations in specific gravity, and size of vessels and fibers, as well as the contents of lignin and wood extractives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids (FPMs), eucalteretials A−E ( 1 – 5 ), along with eight known analogues ( 6 − 13 ), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis . Their structures were established mainly by analysis of comprehensive spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were determined by electron circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Within FPMs, both 1 and 2 are rare adducts of formyl phloroglucinol moiety and germacrene unit with different coupling patterns, respectively. Compound 3 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HCT116 cell line with an IC 50 value of 4.76 μM. In addition, 5 and 9 were proved to be rare topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic responses to rising CO2 will have consequences for the productivity and management of the world’s forests. This has been demonstrated through extensive free air and controlled environment CO2 enrichment studies. However intraspecific variation in plasticity remains poorly characterised in trees, with the capacity to produce unexpected trends in response to CO2 across a species distribution. Here we examined variation in photosynthesis traits across 43 provenances of a widespread, genetically diverse eucalypt, E. camaldulensis, under ambient and elevated CO2 conditions. Genetic variation suggestive of local adaptation was identified for some traits under ambient conditions. Evidence of genotype by CO2 interaction in responsiveness was limited, however support was identified for quantum yield (φ). In this case local adaptation was invoked to explain trends in provenance variation in response. The results suggest potential for genetic variation to influence a limited set of photosynthetic responses to rising CO2 in seedlings of E. camaldulensis, however further assessment in mature stage plants in linkage with growth and fitness traits is needed to understand whether trends in φ could have broader implications for productivity of red gum forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought strongly influences terrestrial C cycling via its effects on plant H 2 O and CO 2 exchange. However, the treatment of photosynthetic physiology under drought by many ecosystem and earth system models remains poorly constrained by data. We measured the drought response of four tree species and evaluated alternative model formulations for drought effects on photosynthesis ( A ). We implemented a series of soil drying and rewetting events (i.e. multiple droughts) with four contrasting tree species in large pots (75 L) placed in the field under rainout shelters. We measured leaf-level gas exchange, predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψ pd and Ψ md ), and leaf isotopic composition (δ 13 C) and calculated discrimination relative to the atmosphere (Δ). We then evaluated eight modeling frameworks that simulate the effects of drought in different ways. With moderate reductions in volumetric soil water content ( θ ), all species reduced stomatal conductance ( g s ), leading to an equivalent increase in water use efficiency across species inferred from both leaf gas exchange and Δ, despite a small reduction in photosynthetic capacity. With severe reductions in θ , all species strongly reduced g s along with a coincident reduction in photosynthetic capacity, illustrating the joint importance of stomatal and non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis under strong drought conditions. Simple empirical models as well as complex mechanistic model formulations were equally successful at capturing the measured variation in A and g s , as long as the predictor variables were available from direct measurements ( θ , Ψ pd , and Ψ md ). However, models based on leaf water potential face an additional challenge, as we found that Ψ pd was substantially different from Ψ soil predicted by standard approaches based on θ . Modeling frameworks that combine gas exchange and hydraulic traits have the advantage of mechanistic realism, but sacrificed parsimony without an improvement in predictive power in this comparison. Model choice depends on the desired balance between simple empiricism and mechanistic realism. We suggest that empirical models implementing stomatal and non-stomatal limitations based on θ are highly predictive simple models. Mechanistic models that incorporate hydraulic traits have excellent potential, but several challenges currently limit their widespread implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of climate warming depend on the degree to which plants are constrained by adaptation to their climate-of-origin or exhibit broad climatic suitability. We grew cool-origin, central and warm-origin provenances of Eucalyptus tereticornis in an array of common temperature environments from 18 to 35.5°C to determine if this widely distributed tree species consists of geographically contrasting provenances with differentiated and narrow thermal niches, or if provenances share a common thermal niche. The temperature responses of photosynthesis, respiration, and growth were equivalent across the three provenances, reflecting a common thermal niche despite a 2,200 km geographic distance and 13°C difference in mean annual temperature at seed origin. The temperature dependence of growth was primarily mediated by changes in leaf area per unit plant mass, photosynthesis, and whole-plant respiration. Thermal acclimation of leaf, stem, and root respiration moderated the increase in respiration with temperature, but acclimation was constrained at high temperatures. We conclude that this species consists of provenances that are not differentiated in their thermal responses, thus rejecting our hypothesis of adaptation to climate-of-origin and suggesting a shared thermal niche. In addition, growth declines with warming above the temperature optima were driven by reductions in whole-plant leaf area and increased respiratory carbon losses. The impacts of climate warming will nonetheless vary across the geographic range of this and other such species, depending primarily on each provenance's climate position on the temperature response curves for photosynthesis, respiration, and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To eliminate the problem of heavy metals, there are naturally occurring materials that are locally and commonly found and are very much encouraged as low cost adsorbents such as industrial and agricultural wastes. Several agricultural and industrial wastes as potential adsorbents have been viewed, which includes wood ash and bone ash, cassava waste, chitosan-g-poly (butyl acrylate)/ bentonite nano composite, Eucalyptus tereticornis bark, sarooj clay, orange fruit peel, fly ash, potato peels, coconut shell charcoal, pecan shells, bagasse fly ash, waste sludge, pith and saw dust, maize cob and husk, hazelnut shell, soybean hull, jackfruit, crab shell, neem leaves, cooked tea dust, teak leaves, cashewnut shells, aerogel carbon, sewage sludge ash and lignite-based fly ash. The adsorption details of these adsorbents have been keenly viewed and judged in batch studies mostly. The judgment is on the basis of adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics and parameters like contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, initial metal concentration and adsorption capacity. Hence, it is proved from the review of these adsorbents that they are highly selective in terms of separation, thermally and mechanically stable and do not foul, regenerative and less soluble in liquids. They are commonly available and are very less costly with removal efficiency up to 99%. The usage of these adsorbents is better applicable at low pH and oxidized or carbonized or activated before using them as adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions from agricultural, industrial and municipal wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koalas are iconic Australian tree-dwelling marsupials that are classified as vulnerable because of threatening processes that include urban development, habitat fragmentation and inbreeding. Koalas eat the leaves of specific eucalypt trees but urban planners and landowners often prefer to plant smaller trees that pose less risk from falling limbs. We have conducted a long-term project to develop shorter koala-food trees for planting in parklands, schools, streets and gardens. We identified a little-known and geographically-confined species, Eucalyptus kabiana , that had potential for urban plantings. We assessed the height of E. kabiana trees in cultivation, determined whether their foliage was palatable to koalas, and compared the amenability to vegetative propagation of E. kabiana with that of an extensively-propagated related species, E. tereticornis . Cultivated E. kabiana trees were short, reaching around 3–5 m height after 6 years. Their foliage was highly palatable to koalas, and their cuttings proved to be amenable to propagation. Average rooting percentages for E. kabiana cuttings were 31–46%, similar to values obtained with E. tereticornis cuttings. Over 600 E. kabiana trees have thus far been distributed for planting in wildlife corridors, parklands, schools and gardens. The planting of more koala-food trees will help to alleviate the risks of inbreeding faced by koala populations in fragmented urban landscapes. School plantings also provide opportunities for students to learn about and interact with organisms such as koalas that inhabit the Eucalyptus trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]