Simple 3D distributions of the interplanetary dust cloud deríved from observations in the visible and distributions suggested by IR investigators are compared. Predictions of visual brightness based on IR models are falrly compatible with observations for large (ε<70°) elongations but not close to the Sun. Some reasons for this behaviour and first steps towards more realistic models are díscussed.
Changes in chlorophyll (Chl) a+b and a/b, senescence patterns during Chl loss and changes in net photosynthetic rate (P^) of four leaf flushes in Quercus acutissima and Q. serrata were studied. Emergent current-year leaves were classified according to the order of shoot growth flushes (first to fourth flush groups). Senescence patterns showed that leaf fall started from the leaf cohorts of the first flush group (the "oldest" leaf cohorts) which cuhninated upwards to the fourth leaf flush group (the "yoímgest" leaf cohorts). Senescence during Chl loss was accompanied by a decline in Pf^. A strong influence by the leaf flushing phenomenon on senescence was found which limited leaf bearing period and duration of Having large total leaf area and moderately long duration, tiie third and second leaf flush groups reflected the highest photosynthetic potential. This may be a positive attribute since the duration by which these plants maximize the use of its assimilatory organs is an important factor for their carbon fixation.
Increase in salinity is predicted to affect plant growth and survival in most arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. is an important medicinal tree species distributed throughout the semiarid regions of India; however, it is facing a threat of its extinction in its natural habitat. We examined the effects of increasing NaCl salinity on two-month-old M. parvifolia seedlings grown in an environment-controlled chamber and exposed to soils of different electrical conductivity (EC) caused by NaCl [0-5 (control), 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, and 20-25 dS m-1)] for 85 days. Seedlings transferred to soil of EC >15 dS m-¹ did not survive beyond 1 week. Increase in the Na+ concentration negatively correlated with their height and positively correlated with their water-use efficiency (WUE). However, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate showed varying correlations and an overall decrease in these parameters compared with the control. At EC of 10-15 dS m-1, the seedling height was reduced by 37% and PN was lowered by 50% compared with those of the control. An increase in the Na+/K+ ratio was observed with increasing salinity. The maximum quantum efficiency of PSII significantly decreased with increasing salinity compared with the control. Our results suggest that the increase in salinity reduced the overall performance of the M. parvifolia seedlings. However, the maintenance of WUE and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII might help M. parvifolia to tolerate NaCl salinity of 15 dS m-1., A. Bidalia, M. Hanief, K. S. Rao., and Obsahuje bibliografii