Automated measurement of canopy stomatal conductance based on infrared temperature

Decreased water uptake closes stomates, which reduces transpiration and increases leaf temperature. The leaf or canopy temperature has long been used to make an empirical estimate of plant water stress. However, with a few supplemental measurements and application of biophysical principles, infrared measurement of canopy temperature can be used to calculate canopy stomatal conductance (g_C), a physiological variable derived from the energy balance for a plant canopy. Calculation of g_C requires an accurate measurement of canopy temperature and an estimate of plant height, but all of the other measurements are available on automated weather stations. Canopy stomatal conductance provides a field-scale measurement of daily and seasonal stomatal response to prevailing soil water and atmospheric conditions, and facilitates a comparison of models that scale conductance from single leaves (measured with porometers) to canopies. A sensitivity analysis of the input measurements/estimates showed g_C is highly sensitive to small changes in canopy and air temperature, and less sensitive to the other required measurements (relative humidity, net radiation, wind speed, and plant canopy height). The measurement of g_C becomes increasingly sensitive to all of the component factors as the conditions become cloudier, cooler, and more humid. We determined g_C for alfalfa and turfgrass by making the necessary environmental measurements and coupling them with a two-source (plant canopy layer and soil layer) energy balance model. We then compared these g_C values to maximum single leaf values scaled-up to the canopy level (g_CP, defined as potential canopy stomatal conductance herein) for the two crops. For both crops, g_C matched g_CP within approximately 10% after irrigation. The turfgrass g_C measurements were also compared to mean single leaf values measured with a porometer. At mid-day, g_C values were typically about double the single leaf values. Because this approach for determining g_C allows continuous, non-contact measurement, it has considerable potential for coupling with measurements of soil moisture to better understand plant–soil water relations. It also has potential for use in precision drought stress and irrigation scheduling.     

Long-term soil feedback on plant N allocation in defoliated grassland miniecosystems

Defoliation of plants is known to have effects on soil organisms and nutrient availability in grassland communities, but few studies have examined whether changes in soil attributes can further feed back to plant growth and plant nutrient content. To examine defoliation-induced soil feedbacks, we established replicated miniecosystems with a grass Phleum pratense, defoliated half of the systems, collected soil from both defoliated and non-defoliated systems and planted new seedlings into each soil. The two soils did not differ in promoting shoot and root growth. However, seedlings that grew in the soil collected from defoliated systems had higher shoot N content, allocated relatively more N to shoots and had lower root N concentration than those growing in the soil collected from non-defoliated systems. Our study provides novel evidence that defoliation can generate long-lasting changes in grassland soil that in turn can affect plant N allocation.     

Effect of silicon on photosynthetic gas exchange,photosynthetic pigments,cell membrane stability and relative water content of different wheat cultivars under drought stress conditions

This study aims to explain the effects of silicon (Si) foliar application on gas exchange characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, membrane stability and leaf relative water content of different wheat cultivars in the field under drought stress conditions. The experiment was arranged as a split-split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation regime (100%, 60%, and 40% F.C.), silicon (control and Si application) and wheat cultivars (Shiraz, Marvdasht, Chamran, and Sirvan) were considered as main, sub and sub-sub plots, respectively. This study was carried out at the Research Farm of the Collage of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran, during 2012–2013 growing season. The results showed that foliar application of silicon increased the leaf relative water content, photosynthesis pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total chl and carotenoids), chlorophyll stability index (CSI) and membrane stability index (MSI) in all wheat cultivars, especially in Sirvan and Chamran (drought tolerant cultivars), under both stress and non-stress conditions. However, more improvement was observed under drought stress as compared to the non-stress condition. In contrast, these parameters decreased under drought stress. Si significantly decreased electrolyte leakage in all four cultivars under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, the intercellular carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration (C_i) increased under drought stress. Si application decreased C_i especially under drought stress conditions. Net photosynthesis rate (A), transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (g_s) were significantly decreased under drought conditions. Under drought, Si applied plants showed significantly higher leaf photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance. Intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) and carboxylation efficiency (C_E) decreased in all cultivars under drought stress. However, the silicon-applied plants had greater WUEi and C_E under drought stress. The stomatal limitation was found to be higher in stressed plants compared to the control. Exogenously applied silicon also decreased stomatal limitation. Overall, application of Si was found beneficial for improving drought tolerance of wheat plants.     

Do interactions with soil organisms mediate grass responses to defoliation?

Defoliation-induced changes in grass growth and C allocation are known to affect soil organisms, but how much these effects in turn mediate grass responses to defoliation is not fully understood. Here, we present results from a microcosm study that assessed the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and soil decomposers in the response of a common forage grass, Phleum pratense L., to defoliation at two nutrient availabilities (added inorganic nutrients or no added nutrients). We measured the growth and C and N allocations of P. pratense plants as well as the abundance of soil organisms in the plant rhizosphere 5 and 19 d after defoliation. To examine whether defoliation affected the availability of organic N to plants, we added ¹⁵N-labelled root litter to the soil and tracked the movement of mineralized ¹⁵N from the litter to the plant shoots.When inorganic nutrients were not added, defoliation reduced P. pratense growth and root C allocation, but increased the shoot N concentration, shoot N yield (amount of N in clipped plus harvested shoot mass) and relative shoot N allocation. Defoliation also reduced N uptake from the litter but did not affect total plant N uptake. Among soil organisms, defoliation reduced the root colonization rates of AM fungi but did not affect soil microbial respiration or the abundance of microbe-grazing nematodes. These results indicate that interactions with soil organisms were not responsible for the increased shoot N concentration and shoot N yield of defoliated P. pratense plants. Instead, these effects apparently reflect a higher efficiency in N uptake per unit plant mass and increased relative allocation of N to shoots in defoliated plants. The role of soil organisms did not change when additional nutrients were available at the moment of defoliation, but the effects of defoliation on shoot N concentration and yield became negative, apparently due to the reduced ability of defoliated plants to compete for the pulse of inorganic nutrients added at the moment of defoliation.Our results show that the typical grass responses to defoliation—increased shoot N concentration and shoot N yield—are not necessarily mediated by soil organisms. We also found that these responses followed defoliation even when the ability of plants to utilize N from organic sources, such as plant litter, was diminished, because defoliated plants showed higher N-uptake efficiency per unit plant mass and allocated relatively more N to shoots than non-defoliated plants.     

Changes in tree growth resulting from simulated browsing have limited effects on soil biological properties

Herbivores can indirectly affect ecosystem productivity by modifying feedbacks that occur between dominant plants and below-ground properties, especially through altering nutrient availability in soil. The aim of this study was to examine, under controlled conditions, the effect of simulated browsing by large herbivores on the growth characteristics of downy birch (Betula pubescens), a dominant tree species of native regenerating forests in northern Britain, and to determine how effects of browsing on tree growth cascaded through to soil microbial communities, thereby affecting nutrient availability in soil. Downy birch seedlings were grown in mesocosms for 2 years and subjected to simulated browsing in the form of defoliation and clipping treatments. Upon destructive harvest, a number of measures of both tree growth characteristics and soil biological and nutrient properties were made. Clipping of birch trees significantly reduced total root biomass (27%), fine root biomass (29%), coarse root biomass (27%) and above-ground biomass (18%), whereas defoliated trees were significantly shorter than non-defoliated trees. Despite these significant and negative effects of browsing on tree growth, soil biological properties remained largely unaffected, other than rates of N mineralisation, which were greater under defoliated trees. We conclude that other factors, such as herbivore effects on litter quantity and quality which feedback to soil biological properties in the longer-term are more important in determining ecosystem responses to browsing.     

Evidence for a transient increase of rhizodeposition within one and a half day after a severe defoliation of Plantago arenaria grown in soil

Plants are often grazed resulting in a sudden and significant removal of shoot tissue, which decreases photosynthesis and changes C allocation between within the plant. From results obtained in percolated sand it is possible to demonstrate an increase of rhizodeposition within few days after defoliation followed by a decrease of rhizodeposition. The aim of our study was to test if this pattern can be also observed for plants grown in soil. We grew Plantago arenaria in microcosms and defoliated half of them after 45 d. Half of the defoliated and non-defoliated microcosms were harvested 1.5 d, and the other half 8.5 d, after defoliation. We observed an increase of microbial biomass 1.5 d after defoliation followed by a decrease assessed 8.5 d after the treatment. In parallel, soil soluble C and the metabolic quotient of the microbial biomass first decreased and then increased at the second harvest reaching values equivalent to those of the non-defoliated treatment. Based on these results together with results obtained in artificial soil, we conclude that the defoliation of P. arenaria grown in soil leads to a transient peak of root exudation.     

Root-mediated allelopathic interference of bhringraj (Eclipta alba L.) Hassk. on peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and mung bean (Vigna radiata)

The root mediated allelopathic interference of Eclipta alba infested soil on growth, physiological parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity was conducted on Arachis hypogaea L. and vigna radiata L. It was found that rhizosphere soil significantly reduced the germination percentage, seedling growth and dry biomass depending upon the species sensitivity. The germination inhibition was correlated with membrane deterioration as proved by a strong electrolyte leakage, increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ content. The physiological parameters like chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (P_n), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), stomatal conductance (G_s), and transpiration (E) also showed significant reduction in E. alba infested soil and non-significant increase in leaf temperature (L_t) of two test species. The test seedlings have circumvented the allelochemicals stress, by both significant decrease and non-significant increase in the antioxidant activities in E. alba infested soil in contrast to control soil. Rhizosphere soil contained significantly higher amount of water-soluble phenolics as the putative allelochemicals, which were vanillic acid, benzoic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid. The study concluded that rhizosphere soil exerts an allelopathic influence on peanut and mung bean by releasing water soluble phenolic acids as putative allelochemicals in soil.     

半干旱黄土地区幼龄侧柏叶蒸腾的数学模型

 通过人工控制水分,形成单株幼龄侧柏的不同土壤水分梯度环境。在自然环境下对侧柏叶片定时、定位进行蒸腾速率及林冠层的光照、空气温度、空气湿度、叶水势和土壤水分等因子的同步观测。蒸腾速率与各个因子的相关分析表明:黄土半干旱地区侧柏蒸腾速率η_t/(μg·cm^-2·s^-1)与光照强度E/(μmol·m^-2·s^-1)、空气饱和差p_v/kPa、叶水势Ψ/kPa、气温t/℃的关系可以分别表示为:η_t=>αE_b,η_t=αp_vb,η_t=αψ^b,η_t=αt²+bt+c;侧柏的蒸腾速率η_t与气孔阻力R_s/(s·cm^-1)和土壤含水量W/％有密切关系,可以分别表示为:η_t=α+bW+cW₂+dW₃,R_s=α+bW+cW₂+dW₃。用气温、空气饱和差、叶水势3个因素建立了半干旱黄土地区幼龄单株侧柏蒸腾速率的非线性指数预测模型:η_t=0.6950_exp（0.03158t-14.2492/p_v+0.7606/Ψ）,经检验获得了满意的数值模拟结果。     

Empirical and optimal stomatal controls on leaf and ecosystem level CO2 and H2O exchange rates

Linkage between the leaf-level stomatal conductance (g_s) response to environmental stimuli and canopy-level mass exchange processes remains an important research problem to be confronted. How various formulations of g_s influence canopy-scale mean scalar concentration and flux profiles of CO₂ and H₂O within the canopy and how to derive ‘effective’ properties of a ‘big-leaf’ that represents the eco-system mass exchange rates starting from leaf-level parameters were explored. Four widely used formulations for leaf-level g_s were combined with a leaf-level photosynthetic demand function, a layer-resolving light attenuation model, and a turbulent closure scheme for scalar fluxes within the canopy air space. The four g_s models were the widely used semi-empirical Ball-Berry approach, and its modification, and two solutions to the stomatal optimization theory for autonomous leaves. One of the two solutions to the optimization theory is based on a linearized CO₂-demand function while the other does not invoke such simplification. The four stomatal control models were then parameterized against the same shoot-scale gas exchange data collected in a Scots pine forest located at the SMEAR II-station in Hyytiälä, Southern Finland. The predicted CO₂ (F_c) and H₂O fluxes (F_e) and mean concentration profiles were compared against multi-level eddy-covariance measurements and mean scalar concentration data within and above the canopy. It was shown that F_c comparisons agreed to within 10% and F_e comparisons to within 25%. The optimality approach derived from a linearized photosynthetic demand function predicted the largest CO₂ uptake and transpiration rates when compared to eddy-covariance measurements and the other three models. Moreover, within each g_s model, the CO₂ fluxes were insensitive to g_s model parameter variability whereas the transpiration rate estimates were notably more affected. Vertical integration of the layer-averaged results as derived from each g_s model was carried out. The sensitivities of the up-scaled bulk canopy conductances were compared against the eddy-covariance derived canopy conductance counterpart. It was shown that canopy level g_s appear more sensitive to vapor-pressure deficit than shoot-level g_s.     

Fostering sustainable water use in almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) orchards in a semiarid Mediterranean environment

This work examines the long-term effects of deficit-irrigation (DI) practices in almond crop (Prunus dulcis Mill.) in agronomical and physiological terms. The trial was conducted during four-year monitoring period (2014–2017), in an experimental orchard (SW Spain), subjected to three irrigation regimes; i) a full-irrigation treatment (F_I), which received 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ET_C); ii) a regulated-deficit irrigation (RDI₅₀), which received 50% of ET_C during the kernel-filling period; and iii) a low-frequency deficit irrigation (LFDI), that was subjected to continuous periods of irrigation-restriction defined in terms of threshold values of leaf-water potential (Ψ_leaf) during the kernel-filling period. During the water stress period, there were monitored Ψ_leaf, stomatal conductance (g_s) and canopy temperature (T_C). Significant improvements in terms of water-use efficiency were found, as no differences in terms of yield between F_I and LFDI were found, leading to the conclusion that significant water savings (between 27 and 40%) can be achieved without compromising the yield. Moreover, threshold values of Ψ_leaf and thermal indicators were defined which will allow establishing future irrigation scheduling without compromising almond yield, especially when DI strategies are being applied.     

Effect of land-use on soil water dynamic in dehesas of Central–Western Spain

Dehesa ecosystems are open woodlands with scattered oak trees as their main component. As a result of differing land-uses, the structure of vegetation found within dehesas varies between: (i) oak trees and intercropped cereals (cropped), (ii) oak trees and native grass vegetation (grazed), and (iii) oak trees with abundant understorey shrubs (encroached). The aim of this study is to investigate whether land-use influences the water dynamics of dehesas by measuring available soil water content (AWC) in the upper 250 cm of the soil at different distances from tree trunks (maximum 30 m) at four Quercus ilex dehesas in Central–Western Spain. The technique used was Time Domain Reflectometry and the study was undertaken between May of 2002 and December of 2005. Leaf water potential (Ψ) was also measured on trees at one site by mean of a pressure chamber. Within the upper meter of the soil, it appears that trees, grasses and shrubs extracted soil water resources in a similar way from both beneath and beyond the tree canopy. However, encroached plots in general showed lower average AWC values than cropped or grazed plots (3.7, 5.6, and 6.2% in encroached, cropped and grazed, respectively). Cereal crops do not compete more strongly than grasses with trees for available soil water resources. The similar Ψ values found at cropped and grazed plots supported these results. From our results, it could be hypothesized that ploughed dehesas could facilitate soil re-watering in the plots with pronounced slopes. The decrease of AWC values at encroached plots with respect to the cropped and grazed plots was found mostly beyond the tree trunk at deeper soil layers, indicating that shrubs use water partly not accessible to trees. The presence of an understory of shrubs seems to have slightly increased the water constraints on trees during the summer period (Ψ_d values of − 0.5, − 0.5, and − 0.8 MPa in cropped, grazed, and encroached plots, respectively). In cropped and grazed plots, an important amount of water seems to have remained unused for trees and grasses.     

Silicon Decreases Transpiration Rate and Conductance from Stomata of Maize Plants

ABSTRACT

To characterize the effect of silicon (Si) on decreasing transpiration rate in maize (Zea mays L.) plants, the transpiration rate and conductance from both leaves and cuticula of maize plants were measured directly. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions with and without Si under both normal water conditions and drought stress [20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration in nutrient solution] treatments. Silicon application of 2 mmol L^?1 significantly decreased transpiration rate and conductance for both adaxial and abaxial leaf surface, but had no effect on transpiration rate and conductance from the cuticle. These results indicate that the role of Si in decreasing transpiration rate must be largely attributed to the reduction in transpiration rate from stomata rather than cuticula. Stomatal structure, element deposition, and stomatal density on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a light microscope. Results showed that changes in neither stomatal morphology nor stomatal density could explain the role of Si in decreasing stomatal transpiration of maize plants. Silicon application with H₄SiO₄ significantly increased Si concentration in shoots and roots of maize plants. Silicon concentration in shoots of maize plants was higher than in roots, whether or not Si was applied. Silicon deposits in cell walls of the leaf epidermis were mostly in the form of polymerized SiO₂.     

Controls on latent heat flux and energy partitioning at a peat bog in eastern Canada

Surface and atmospheric controls on latent heat flux (Q_E) and energy partitioning were assessed during three growing seasons at the Mer Bleue peat bog. The surface consisted of a sparse canopy (maximum leaf area index 1.3) of low, mostly evergreen shrubs over moss-covered hummocks and hollows. Available energy was partitioned mostly to Q_E (Bowen ratio often less than 0.5) throughout the growing seasons over an extensive range of water table fluctuation (as much as 50 cm). Q_E was often at or below the equilibrium rate due to surface (low moss water content, strong vascular stomatal control) and/or atmospheric (low vapour pressure deficit (D_a)) factors. Turbulent energy fluxes varied with net radiation and the magnitude of the fluctuations were affected by D_a and moss water content. It is suggested that a change in source partitioning for Q_E led to a change in Q_E − D_a dynamics. Early in the growing season the moss was wet and the vascular canopy was replacing leaves, thus Q_E increased as D_a increased because moss, which reacts passively to D_a, contributed strongly to Q_E. Later in the growing season as water table declined and the evaporation load reduced moss and fibric peat water contents, moss contributed less strongly to Q_E and vascular contribution became more important. Also, stomatal control became more influential in reducing bulk surface conductance for water vapour and Q_E in response to increasing D_a.     

Drought constraints on transpiration and canopy conductance in mature aspen and jack pine stands

Half-hourly mean values of transpiration measured by eddy covariance over the course of six growing seasons in two boreal forest sites were used to develop stand-level relationships between transpiration and soil water content. The two sites were an aspen site on fine-textured soil and over five growing seasons for a jack pine site on coarse-textured soil in Saskatchewan, Canada. About half of the data record covered a multi-year drought that was more severe at the aspen site than the jack pine site. Measurements of transpiration and environmental variables were used to adjust a transpiration model to each site, with environmental variables retained in the model based on their capacity to improve the model adjustment. The model was also used to produce estimates of maximum canopy conductance (g_cMAX). The fit of the model to the aspen half-hourly transpiration is better than to the jack pine data (r² of 0.86 versus 0.60). Relative soil water content explains more of the variability in half-hourly transpiration at the aspen site (46%) than at the jack pine site (10%). The relationships between transpiration and environmental variables are stable throughout the drought suggesting an absence of acclimation. Published soil water modifier curves for loamy clay soils compare well with the modifier function we obtained for a similar soil at the aspen site, but the agreement between the published curve and our curve is poor for the sandy soil of the jack pine site. Values of g_cMAX computed at the half-hourly scale are greater at the aspen site (14.3 mm s⁻¹) than at the jack pine site (10.2 mm s⁻¹), but we hypothesize that the coarse soil and perennially lower water content of the jack pine site may cause this difference. Finally, we also present values of g_cMAX computed at the daily and monthly scales for use in models that operate at these time steps.     

A model to simulate response of plant stomata to environmental conditions

In order to simulate plant transpiration under different field climatic conditions we have developed and verified a semi-empirical model for predicting the stomatal response to solar global radiation, leaf temperature, vapour pressure difference between the leaf and ambient air, ambient air CO₂ concentration and soil water potential. The transpiration and the stomatal relative conductance of a Nicotania Tabaccum var “samsun” plant leaves were measured in a laboratory apparatus and compared to those predicted by the model: good agreement was obtained between them for the different investigated cases. The model was incorporated in a numerical greenhouse microclimate model and its effects on the canopy microclimate are discussed here.     

Nitrogen Accumulation in Soybean Following Defoliation

The effects of defoliation on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and yield have been well studied, but relatively little is known about its nitrogen (N) accumulation after defoliation. An experiment was conducted to examine soybean recovery and N accumulation following defoliation. The indeterminate cultivar (‘Tousan 69’) was planted in a greenhouse, and two defoliation treatments (no defoliation and 67% defoliation) were imposed at the R₂ stage when plants had at least one flower in the two uppermost nodes. At 0, 15, 30 and 45 days after defoliation (DAD), plants were destructively sampled to measure dry mass production, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen fixation. Seed yield and N concentration also were measured at maturity. Neither the seed yield nor its N concentration was affected by defoliation. Although defoliation temporarily reduced soybean dry weight and N accumulation during 15 DAD, defoliated plants completely recovered their dry weight and N accumulation 30 DAD. There was little difference in N concentration between defoliated and non defoliated plants, indicating that N acquisition was restored during the recovery process. Recovery of N accumulation in defoliated plant was due to complete recovery of N₂-fixing ability and maybe related to improvement in N absorption after defoliation.     

Does plant growth phase determine the response of plants and soil organisms to defoliation?

To test a hypothesis that the effects of defoliation on plant ecophysiology and soil organisms depend on the timing of defoliation within a growing season, we established a greenhouse experiment using replicated grassland microcosms. Each microcosms was composed of three plant species, Trifolium repens, Plantago lanceolata and Phleum pratense, growing in grassland soil with a diverse soil community. The experiment consisted of two treatment factors—defoliation and plant growth phase (PGP)—in a fully factorial design. Defoliation had two categories, i.e. no trimming or trimming a total of four times at 2 week intervals. The PGP treatment had four categories, i.e. 1, 3, 7 or 13 weeks growth following planting before the first defoliation (subsequently referred to as PGP1, PGP2, PGP3 and PGP4, respectively). In each PGP treatment category, microcosms were harvested 1 week after the final defoliation. Harvested shoot and root mass and total shoot production (including trimmed and harvested shoot mass) increased with time and were lower in defoliated than in non-defoliated systems. The fraction of root biomass of harvested plant biomass decreased with time but was increased by defoliation at PGP3 and PGP4. The proportion of T. repens in total shoot production increased and those of P. lanceolata and P. pratense decreased with time. Defoliation increased the proportions of P. lanceolata and P. pratense in total shoot production at PGP3 and PGP4. Root N and C concentrations increased and root C-to-N ratio decreased with time in non-defoliated systems. Defoliation increased root N concentration by 38 and 33% at PGP1 and PGP2, respectively, but decreased the concentration by 22% at PGP4. In contrast, defoliation reduced root C concentration on average by 1.5% at each PGP. As with the effects on root N concentration, defoliation decreased the root C-to-N ratio at PGP1 and PGP2 but increased the ratio at PGP4. Among soil animal trophic groups, the abundance of herbivorous nematodes was higher at PGP4 than at PGP1-3 and that of predacious nematodes higher at PGP2-4 than at PGP1, while the abundance of bacterivorous, fungivorous and omnivorous nematodes and that of detritivorous enchytraeids did not differ between the PGP categories. Among bacterivorous nematodes, however, Acrobeloides, Chiloplacus and Protorhabditis species decreased and that of Plectus spp. increased with time. Defoliation did not affect the abundance of soil animal trophic groups, but reduced the abundance of herbivorous Coslenchus spp. at each PGP and raised the abundance of herbivorous Rotylenchus spp. and bacterivorous Eucephalobus spp. at PGP4. Confirming our hypothesis, the results suggest that the effects of defoliation on the attributes of grassland plants, such as biomass allocation between roots and shoots and root quality, may depend on the timing of defoliation within a growing season. However, contradicting our hypothesis, the results suggest that significant changes in plant attributes after defoliation may not always lead to substantial changes in the abundance of belowground organisms.     

Short-term effects of defoliation on the soil microbial community associated with two contrasting Lolium perenne cultivars

Intra-species variation in response to defoliation and soil amendment has been largely neglected in terms of the soil microbial community (SMC). The influence of defoliation and soil fertiliser amendment on the structure of the SMC was assessed with two Lolium perenne cultivars contrasting in ability to accumulate storage reserves. Plant response to defoliation was cultivar specific and depended on the nutrient amendment of the soil. Results suggested a greater ability to alter plant biomass allocation in the low carbohydrate accumulating cultivar (S23) compared to the high carbohydrate cultivar (AberDove) when grown in improved (IMP), but not in unimproved (UNI), soil. Although differences in plant growth parameters were evident, no treatment effects were detected in the size of the active microbial biomass (total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) 313.8 nmol g⁻¹ soil±33.9) or proportions of PLFA signature groups. A lower average well colour development (AWCD) of Biolog sole carbon source utilisation profiles (SCSUPs) in defoliated (D) compared to non-defoliated (ND) treatments may be indicative of lower root exudation 1 week following defoliation, as a consequence of lower root non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations. Within the bacterial community the lower cyclopropyl-to-precursor ratio of PLFAs, and the trans/cis ratio of 16:1w7, in UNI relative to IMP soil treatments indicates lower physiological stress in UNI soils regardless of L. perenne cultivar. Discrimination of broad scale SMC structure, measured by PLFA analysis, revealed that soil treatment interacted strongly with cultivar and defoliation. In IMP soils the SMCs discriminated between cultivars while defoliation had little effect. Conversely, in UNI soils defoliation caused a common shift in the SMC associated with both cultivars, causing convergence of overall community structure. Separation of SMC structure along the primary canonical axis correlated most strongly (P<0.001) with root:shoot ratio (47.6%), confirming that differences in cultivar C-partitioning between treatments were influential in defining the rhizosphere microbial community.     

Defoliation and fertiliser influences on the soil microbial community associated with two contrasting Lolium perenne cultivars

The influence of repeated defoliation on soil microbial community (SMC) structure and root turnover was assessed in two contrasting Lolium perenne cultivars (AberDove and S23) grown in fertilised (+F) and non-fertilised (NF) soil. BiOLOG sole carbon source utilisation profiles (SCSUPs) indicated consistently greater potential carbon utilisation in defoliated (+D) compared to non-defoliated (ND) soils regardless of cultivar and fertiliser, and was accounted for in a variety of substrate groups (sugars, carboxylic, amino and phenolic acids). Potential carbon utilisation was also stimulated in +F compared to NF soils, primarily through increased potential utilisation of carboxylic acids. PLFA indicators for the bacterial biomass did not significantly differ between cultivar, soil fertilisation, or defoliation. Defoliated swards grown in fertilised soil (+F+D) had a higher fungal:bacterial ratio and a greater bacterial stress index (cy19:0/18:1w7c), compared to that of +F ND, NF ND and NF+D, and regardless of cultivar. Overall SMC structure (canonical variate (CV) analysis of PLFAs) discriminated based on cultivar, defoliation and soil fertilisation. Primary discrimination of the SMCs could be related to differences in root density and total plant biomass, and in the case of NF soils, secondary community shifts, evident with defoliation, related to root disappearance over the growing season. Despite the strong common effects of defoliation, and to a lesser extent soil fertilisation, cultivar specific drivers of the soil microbial community were maintained, resulting in consistent, but subtle, discrimination of the SMC associated with the contrasting L. perenne cultivars.