Ecophysiology of Acer rubrum seedlings from contrasting hydrologic habitats: growth,gas exchange,tissue water relations,abscisic acid and carbon isotope discrimination

Eight red maple (Acer rubrum L.) provenances, four each from wet and dry sites, were grown under the same conditions and their physiological responses to soil water availability investigated. Under well-watered conditions, seedlings of wet-site provenances grew faster and had consistently higher net photosynthesis, leaf conductance, maximum carboxylation rate, maximum rate of coupled photosynthetic electron transport, apparent quantum use efficiency, light-saturated photosynthesis and dark respiration than seedlings of dry-site provenances. Under conditions of low soil water availability, only dry-site provenances responded with decreased osmotic potential at full hydration and at the turgor loss point; however, provenances from wet sites showed a smaller reduction in absolute growth rate, a greater reduction in gas exchange and a greater increase in abscisic acid concentrations than dry-site provenances.     

Dry matter production and allocation in Eucalyptus cloeziana and Eucalyptus argophloia seedlings in response to soil water deficits

Effects of soil water availability on seedling growth, dry matter production and allocation were determined for Gympie (humid coastal) and Hungry Hills (dry inland) provenances of Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell. and for E. argophloia Blakely (dry inland) species. Seven-month-old seedlings were subjected to well-watered (100% field capacity, FC), moderate (70% FC) and severe (50% FC) soil water regimes in a glasshouse environment for 14 wk. There were significant differences in seedling growth, biomass production and allocation patterns between species. E. argophloia produced twice as much biomass at 100% FC, and more than three times as much at 70% and 50% FC than did either E. cloeziana provenance. Although the humid provenance of E. cloeziana had a greater leaf area at 100% FC conditions than did the dry provenance, total biomass production did not differ significantly. Both E. cloeziana provenances were highly sensitive to water deficits. E. argophloia allocated 10% more biomass to roots than did E. cloeziana. Allometric analyses indicated that relative biomass allocation patterns were significantly affected by genotype but not by soil water availability. These results have implications for taxon selection for cultivation in humid and subhumid regions.     

不同种源白刺幼苗生理生长对水分梯度的响应差异

在乌兰布和沙漠东北部地区,依据多年平均月降水量,对5个种源的白刺幼苗进行极度干旱、干旱、轻度干旱和正常降雨水平4种不同的水分梯度处理,开展水分梯度试验.通过测定不同水分梯度、不同种源的光合生理指标表明:水分梯度显著影响白刺幼苗的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔限制值、气孔导度、光合水分利用效率、表观光能利用效率、表观CO2利用效率等生理生态特征,并影响植株的苗高和最大新枝长等生长量指标;不同种源之间的净光合速率、水分利用效率、表观光能利用效率、表观CO2利用效率存在显著差异,且在苗高和最大新枝长之间也存在显著差异,但不同种源、不同水分梯度对幼苗的地径均无显著影响.相比于临河、乌拉特后旗种源,磴口、阿拉善盟和民勤种源的蒸腾速率和资源利用效率在不同水分处理之间表现出显著差异,且3个种源的各个资源利用效率都较大.白刺幼苗在光合活动中的气体交换及资源利用效率的生理反应和外在的生长量表型指标的差异,反映了各白刺种源对不同水分环境表现出的响应差异.     

Variation in Seed and Seedling Traits of Celtis australis, a Multipurpose Tree, in Central Himalaya, India

Seeds of Celtis australis were collected from 13 different sources, ranging from 550 to 1980 masl, in Central Himalaya, India. Significant (p = 0.05) variations were observed for seed traits among provenances. However, among various characters, seed weight exhibited maximum variation between seed populations compared to other morphological characters. Between provenances, seed weight ranged from 47.8 to 83.1 g/1000 seed, with mean value of 66.9 ± 10.7 g/1000 seed. Significant (p = 0.01) positive correlation was found between morphological characters of seeds including seed weight and elevational range of seed source. For one year old seedlings, average shoot and root growth was 61.1 ± 13.3 and 30.5 ± 5.4 cm, respectively, irrespective of provenance variation. Inter-comparing biomass yield of the seedlings with altitude, average biomass production was 8.4 ± 2.5, 9.4 ± 3.3 and 12.7 ± 1.7 g/plant, respectively, for low (550–1000 masl), middle (1050–1250 masl) and high (1350–1980 masl) altitudinal populations. Significant (p = 0.01) positive correlation between growth performance of seedlings and altitude of the seed source was recorded. Across the provenances, shoots had the highest proportion of total biomass (42.3%), followed by leaves (32.6%) and roots (24.6%). Among various provenances, Badiyargaon, Agroda, Guptakashi, Jakholi, Gajeli, Srinagar and Palampur populations produced heavier seedlings and grew faster compared to seedlings of other sources.     

Variation in net photosynthesis,stomatal characteristics,leaf area and whole-plant phytomass production among ten provenances of neem (Azadirachta indica)

Variation in net photosynthesis, CO(2) exchange parameters, stomatal characteristics, leaf area and seedling dry weight were investigated among 10 provenances of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.). Significant provenance variation was established for net photosynthesis (8.14 to 15.13 &mgr;mol m(-2) s(-1)), stomatal conductance (0.37 to 0.59 mol m(-2) s(-1)), stomatal density (145 to 204 mm(-2)), and total guard cell length (2681 to 3873 &mgr;m). Net photosynthesis was positively correlated with whole-plant dry weight and leaf area. Stomatal density was positively correlated with net photosynthesis, whole-plant dry weight, and leaf area. Total guard cell length was positively correlated with all of these traits. Information on six traits was used in a cluster analysis to construct a dendrogram to assess phenetic relationships among the provenances. With a few exceptions, the dendrogram revealed three major clusters grouped according to rainfall distribution. The study indicated that whole-plant phytomass production of neem seedlings was associated with photosynthesis and stomatal characteristics during the early stages of growth.     

Are marginal beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.) provenances a source for drought tolerant ecotypes?

Due to the expected increases of number and intensity of summer droughts in Central Europe the identification of drought tolerant ecotypes becomes more important in future forestry. A common garden experiment with seedlings of Fagus sylvatica provenances from the center (Germany) and eastern margin (Poland) of the species’ distribution range was conducted. Responses of morphological, physiological, chemical and growth parameters to three drought treatments were analyzed. Relative growth rates of the marginal provenance were lower as compared to the central provenance. The marginal seedlings showed a tendency to higher total biomasses because of higher seed masses. In both provenances drought decreased biomass production and root/shoot ratio which was lower in the central provenance. A lower specific root area of the marginal provenance indicated a better adaptation to low xylem water potentials. Under moderate drought, lower leaf δ¹³C signatures may indicate lower stomatal limitation (or a reduced rate of CO₂ assimilation) in the marginal provenance. We conclude that marginal beech provenances may exhibit a better drought adaptation.     

Relationships between climate at origin and seedling traits in eight Panafrican provenances of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitellaria paradoxa</Emphasis> C.F. Gaertn. under imposed drought stress

The morphological responses of seedlings of eight African provenances of Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea tree or Karité) to imposed draught stress were compared under nursery experimental conditions. The potted seedlings were subjected to three different watering regimes (87 days after sowing): no water stress (100% of the field capacity, C), moderate water stress (75% of C) and severe water stress (50% of C). Before the application of the stress, we observed genotypical differences in the morphological variables at the scale of leaves and of above-ground parts. The six-month water stress affected aerial growth: all provenances responded to drought by down-regulating growth (in height and in diameter), leaf number and area. Katawki provenance of Uganda performed relatively poorly, possibly of it being a nilotica subspecies, contrary to the others (paradoxa subspecies). There was a lack of correlation between climate of seeds origin, seed characteristics, seeds germination and survival rate of seedlings. The study confirmed the importance of leaf area in the vigor of the initial growth in this species. Thus, Tamale and Karaba provenances performed better than other West African provenances due to their larger leaf area, which was found to be a determining factor of relative growth in height at the seedling stage.     

Geographical variation in water relations, hydraulic architecture and terpene composition of Aleppo pine seedlings from Italian provinces

Ecotypic variations in leaf conductance, soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance, components of tissue water potential, hydraulic architecture parameters and xylem embolism were examined in greenhouse-grown two-year-old Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seedlings from six origins representing the geographic range of the species in Italy. Cortical resin composition of the seedlings was also determined. Measurements were made on well-watered seedlings and on seedlings subjected to recurring severe drought. Drought-stressed seedlings had lower mean leaf conductances, transpiration rates and soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductances than well-watered seedlings. They also exhibited more negative osmotic potentials, higher relative water deficit at incipient plasmolysis, but a similar maximum modulus of elasticity. Drought-stressed seedlings showed a higher degree of xylem embolism, a lower Huber value, lower leaf specific conductivity and lower specific conductivity than well-watered seedlings. Drought-stressed seedlings of provenances from more xeric habitats (Tremiti, Porto Pino and Mottola) had greater leaf conductances, transpiration rates and soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductances than drought-stressed seedlings of provenances from more mesic habitats (Imperia, Otricoli and Vico del Gargano). They also showed higher osmotic adjustment and a lower degree of xylem embolism. Among provenances, there were no significant differences in hydraulic architecture parameters in response to the drought treatment; however, Tremiti and Porto Pino seedlings displayed smaller drought-induced reductions in specific conductivity and leaf specific conductivity, respectively, than seedlings from other provenances. These differences suggest that seedlings from xeric provenances, especially Tremiti, have greater resistance to desiccation than seedlings from mesic provenances. No clear association was found between terpene variability and the other traits investigated, although terpene composition was related to the geographical distribution of the provenances. We conclude that the drought-tolerance responses of Tremiti make it a more suitable provenance than the others for establishment on sites prone to severe soil water deficits.     

Seedling growth and water relations of three Cedrela species sourced from five provenances: response to simulated rainfall reductions

The effects of different simulated rainfall regimes on water relations, growth, and biomass production and allocation of five provenances of Cedrela fissilis, C. saltensis and C. balansae were assessed in a pot-grown seedling experiment in greenhouse under uncontrolled conditions. Four simulated rainfall regimes were applied: 600 mm year^?1 (severe water deficit), 800 mm year^?1 (mild water deficit), 1,000 mm year^?1 (mild wet), and 1,200 mm year^?1 (well-watered) used as control. Provenances were compared in terms of water relations (midday leaf water potential, Ψ _md and relative water content, RWC), growth (root, shoot and leaf length, neck diameter), growth rate (shoot- and neck growth rate, SGR and NGR), biomass production (root, shoot and leaf dry weight), and biomass allocation (root:shoot ratio, RSR). Multivariate analyses revealed that water relations differed significantly under all simulated rainfall treatments by means of several variables throughout time. Effects of species × treatment, and provenance nested within species × treatment interactions significantly were important. SGR and RSR also were important to explain differences in Ψ _md and RWC between treatments and provenances. Broadly C. balansae and C. saltensis provenances seem to display a better performance than C. fissilis provenances under severe water deficit only. However, despite differences between provenances, it was not possible to clearly separate them according to their origin, based on water relations and growth performance. Even though the results of this study performed on pot-grown seedlings are based on relatively few observations and require additional confirmation, they allow an opportunity for speculation on the factors that are related to intraspecific variations that are likely to occur during the growth of seedlings from different geographical sites in field condition.     

Seedlings of Argan (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Argania spinosa</Emphasis>) from different geographical provenances reveal variable morphological growth responses to progressive drought stress under nursery conditions

To alleviate the combined effects of water and heat stress prevailing in drylands, the choice and introduction of appropriate plant species to these conditions is essential for the success of planting in rehabilitation projects. The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is a vigorous plant, admirably adapted to dry climates, with indisputable physiological and ecological characteristics that make of this tree an ideal plant to fight against erosion and desertification process, which seriously threaten arid lands. However, the geographical origin of seeds/seedlings represents a determining factor. In this context, we investigated the morphological responses of growth in two provenances of argan, the provenance of Tindouf ‘PT’ from Algeria and that of Agadir ‘PA’ from Morocco; under water stress conditions. The experiment attempts to evaluate the level of drought tolerance of these two provenances for selecting the planting material that copes and adapts better to hot arid lands. Argan seedlings of both provenances (PA and PT) were submitted to a water stress gradient (75, 40, 20, and 10% of field capacity), then morphological parameters (shoot height, number of leaves, number of spines, root collar diameter, length of taproot) were measured after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of growth. All variables of morphological growth varied significantly (P < 0.001) between water stress levels, seed geographical provenances and seedling growth ages. The overall of results concerning morphological parameters indicated that the increase of water stress induced in both argan provenances: a decrease in shoot height associated with an increase in length of taproot that resulted in the reduction of leaf numbers and radial growth but the increase the number of spines. The argan plantlets of Agadir have completely failed to tolerate water stress of 10% FC. Under water stress (40, 20, 10% FC), argan seedlings of Tindouf revealed higher growth results than those of Agadir. PT seedlings offset the water deficit by root elongation to ensure growth of the various components of the aerial part. PT seedlings were more resilient to drought stress as compared to those of PA. The highest growth results were obtained with 40% FC in PT seedlings, and with 75% FC among PA seedlings. It is recommended to use the PT seeds in planting projects under drought conditions, while PA seeds are more suitable under conditions of non-water deficit.     

低磷胁迫对不同种源马尾松幼苗的影响

对不同种源马尾松在低磷胁迫下形态和生理生化方面的变化进行研究的结果表明:各种源幼苗的苗高、地径的净增量变化趋势一致,P3>P2>P4>P1。随磷浓度的降低根冠比增加,极低磷处理条件下各种源根冠比均最大。低磷逆境下,马尾松针叶MDA含量、保护酶活性(POD、SOD、CAT),以及游离脯氨酸含量均增加,这些指标的变化是马尾松适应低磷胁迫的主要生理影响机制之一。磷浓度为5～10 mg/L时,3个种源幼苗生长最佳。其中,贵州孟关种源较湖南汝城和广西古蓬种源更耐低磷胁迫。     

不同种源香椿苗期生长差异比较

采用14个产地种子所育的1 a生香椿播种苗为测定材料,研究了各种源苗期生长差异,发现各种源香椿苗的苗高、地径与生物量等生长性状均存在显著差异,同一种源内不同单株之间也存在较大差异.7～9月是香椿苗高生长的主要时期.香椿种源的地理变异规律主要表现为南一北变异趋势.综合其生长表现,初步选出江苏南京和湖南洞口2个种源为苗期优良种源.     

Two provenances of Quercus ilex ssp. ballota (Desf) Samp. nursery seedlings have different response to frost tolerance and autumn fertilization

Despite evidences that Holm oak has a high plasticity and great adaptability, there is limited or contradictory knowledge of the morphological and physiological variability of this species. Holm oak has been widely used for reforestation projects in Mediterranean areas, but has frequently shown poor field performance. We hypothesized that Holm oak has inter-population differences in physiological responses to abiotic stressors that could affect reforestation success. The influence of nursery culture on the characteristics of Holm oaks from different provenances has not been explored in depth. Thus, we studied the effect of nursery autumn fertilization on morphological traits, frost tolerance, root growth potential, and nutritional status of two Spanish provenances of Holm oak, La Alcarria (a region with inland Mediterranean climate) and Sierra Morena Occidental (a region with a warm coastal Mediterranean climate). There were significant differences between the provenances in frost tolerance, biomass allocation, and leaf nutrient content, suggesting a role of genetic factors. The leaves of seedlings from La Alcarria had less visual damage at ?12°C than seedlings from the warmer provenance (45% vs. 92%). Seedlings from La Alcarria, compared to those from Sierra Morena, had higher leaf P concentration (0.17% vs. 0.15%), greater stem diameter (3.1?mm vs. 2.7?mm), lower shoot-to-root dry mass ratio (0.46 vs. 0.53), and lower slenderness (4.03 vs. 5.31). For both provenances, N autumn fertilization improved growth, root growth potential, cold hardiness, and nutritional status of seedlings. We suggest that forest reforestation programs should consider to a greater extent Holm oak provenances and their tolerances to different abiotic stressors.     

3个与杉木混植木荷种源幼苗对光照响应的差异

目的]探寻不同木荷种源混交林生产力差异的光合机制。[方法]以福建建瓯、江西信丰和浙江龙泉3个木荷代表性种源1年生和2年生幼苗为试验材料,在与杉木混植条件下,设置100%(L0)、50%(L1)和25%(L2)3种光照的光环境,研究3个木荷种源幼苗的生长性状、光合生理及叶绿素荧光特性等对不同光照响应的差异。[结果]1年生和2年生木荷幼苗的苗高、地径和干质量均表现出显著的种源差异,福建建瓯种源幼苗生长优于浙江龙泉种源和江西信丰种源。随着遮阳强度的提高,1年生和2年生2个发育阶段,福建建瓯种源幼苗比叶面积和叶绿素含量等明显增加,叶绿素a/b值、光饱和点、暗呼吸速率和Fo值等均显著降低,表现出较高的形态和生理塑性;相同遮阳处理下福建建瓯种源幼苗总叶面积、叶绿素含量和Fv/Fm值等指标显著高于浙江龙泉种源和江西信丰种源,而叶绿素a/b值、光饱和点、光补偿点和暗呼吸速率则明显低于两种源;长期遮阳和混植状态下福建建瓯种源幼苗可通过较高的生物量分配塑性,增加根系在土壤中分布来响应邻株竞争,进而促进整株干物质的积累;各光环境下,3个木荷种源2年生幼苗Fo、Fm、Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo等叶绿素荧光参数均较1年生幼苗明显升高,但各光环境间差异不显著。[结论]不同木荷种源混交林生产力差异与其对光照的塑性反应能力有关,并随幼苗年龄而变化。     

不同地理种源鹅掌楸幼苗生长适应性比较

研究了南方６省７个不同地理种源鹅掌楸幼苗在南京地区阳生生境中的生长表现，测定了２年生幼苗生长量差异和光合日进程中净光合速率差异。结果表明，就光生理而言，盐津、金平和资源等种源在南京地区的阳生生境中生长状态良好，铜鼓种源则生长较差。     

木榄种源引种深圳湾后幼苗生理生态研究

将海南琼山、文昌、三亚 ,广西防城 ,雷州海康 ,廉江高桥及深圳福田本地的木榄胚轴 ,培育在深圳福田相同生境中 ,对其一龄幼苗的形态、生长和含水量、叶绿素、游离脯氨酸、过氧化氢酶、电导率、光合作用及蒸腾作用等生理指标进行定量分析 ,结果表明 :不同来源的幼苗存活率、地径生长和生理生态指标存在显著差异 ,其中高桥、琼山、三亚的种源存活率较高、生长较好 ;光合速率和蒸腾速率以琼山、三亚种源的较高 ;福田种源的过氧化氢酶活性最高 ,高桥种源的游离脯氨酸含量最高。结合深圳福田实际生境条件 ,应用坐标综合评定法 ,初步认定高桥种源可能成为深圳湾的最优种源     

Changes in physiological attributes of ponderosa pine from seedling to mature tree

Plant physiological models are generally parameterized from many different sources of data, including chamber experiments and plantations, from seedlings to mature trees. We obtained a comprehensive data set for a natural stand of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) and used these data to parameterize the physiologically based model, TREGRO. Representative trees of each of five tree age classes were selected based on population means of morphological, physiological, and nearest neighbor attributes. Differences in key physiological attributes (gas exchange, needle chemistry, elongation growth, needle retention) among the tree age classes were tested. Whole-tree biomass and allocation were determined for seedlings, saplings, and pole-sized trees. Seasonal maxima and minima of gas exchange were similar across all tree age classes. Seasonal minima and a shift to more efficient water use were reached one month earlier in seedlings than in older trees because of decreased soil water availability in the rooting zone of the seedlings. However, carbon isotopic discrimination of needle cellulose indicated increased water-use efficiency with increasing tree age. Seedlings had the lowest needle and branch elongation biomass growth. The amount of needle elongation growth was highest for mature trees and amount of branch elongation growth was highest for saplings. Seedlings had the highest biomass allocation to roots, saplings had the highest allocation to foliage, and pole-sized trees had the highest allocation to woody tissues. Seedlings differed significantly from pole-sized and older trees in most of the physiological traits tested. Predicted changes in biomass with tree age, simulated with the model TREGRO, closely matched those of trees in a natural stand to 30 years of age.     

Early growth of Calliandra calothyrsus (Meissner) provenances in the acid soils of southern Cameroon

Provenance evaluation of Calliandra calothyrsus was conducted at Minkoameyos in Yaounde and Nkoemvone, in Ebolowa, southern Cameroon. The aim was to assess early growth performance in provenances of the species in acid soils of the region. The soils of Minkoameyos are regarded as moderately acid (pH 1:1 soil:water 5 to 6 and Al saturation < 20%) while that of Nkoemvone is referred to as very acid (pH 1:1 soil:water < 5 and Al saturation > 40%). Germination potential of the seeds was assessed at two weeks after planting. The growth performance was evaluated at three, six, nine and twelve months for height, diameter, biomass, number of stems and phenological developments. In terms of all the parameters measured, significant (P < 0.05) difference was detected between provenances. Effect of site or the interaction of site by provenance was significant for only some parameters at certain periods. Variation in the over all growth performance between provenance was high and differences between sites was minimal. This indicates that C. calothyrsus grow well both on very acid and moderately acid soils of southern Cameroon. The large genetic variation in growth and biomass production suggest that further screening to isolate desirable traits for genetic improvement effort is essential. In short-term, the current result will allow for immediate selection of superior provenances with desirable traits for use in appropriate agroforestry systems in southern Cameroon. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Provenance variation in survival, growth and dry matter partitioning of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don seedlings in response to water stress

The effects of drought stress on growth and dry matter partitioning of seven provenances of Parkia biglobosa were assessed in a nursery experiment. Three different water regimes were applied: soil high, medium and low water content (HWC, MWC and LWC) corresponding respectively to 100, 75 and 50 % of field capacity. A split-plot experimental design was applied with the provenance as main plot and the water regime as sub-plot, replicated three times. Each provenance was represented by 30 seedlings in each replication, corresponding to three test periods with ten seedlings each (6, 12 and 18 months after water stress started). There were significant interactions between provenance and water regime for survival rate and the relative growth rates of diameter and height. After 18 months, the dry matter mean was 20.00 ± 0.65 g for the HWC regime, 11.50 ± 2.90 g for the MWC regime while all plants in the LWC regime died. After 6 months, the accumulated water use efficiency (WUE) showed significant differences between water regimes, but not between provenances. Seedlings from the LWC regime showed higher WUE than those from the MWC regime. However, the HWC regime displayed the highest mean value of WUE. Despite differences between provenances, it was not possible to clearly separate them according to the geographical position or climatic parameters, based on the growth performance or both fresh to dry weight and shoot to root dry weight ratios.     

Variation in seed traits and seedling vigour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cordia africana</Emphasis> Lam. provenances in Ethiopia

Cordia africana is a very important indigenous tree species for timber and other products and services in Ethiopia. Seed traits and seedling vigour of seeds from 12 provenances of the species were compared. Mean seed mass for each provenance was assessed for 1000 seeds in 10 replications, and seed length and width were measured for 100 seeds in four replications per provenance. Germination was assessed in a glasshouse taking 400 seeds from each provenance. Root collar diameter and height of 440 seedlings grown in a nursery for 290 days in Addis Ababa were measured. Seed length, seed width, seed mass, and shoot height and root collar diameter of seedlings showed significant differences (P < 0.001) among provenances. Correlation analysis between seed and seedling traits and environmental variables revealed significant positive correlations between seed width and germination percentage, seed width and altitude, seed width and longitude and seed length and latitude. Negative correlations were obtained between seed width and temperature, seed width and rainfall, seed mass and temperature, and germination and temperature of the seed source. As expected, differences in seed trait did not explain the variability in seedling vigour. Determining quantitative variations in seed traits and seedling vigour among provenances and the patterns along environmental gradients are essential for informing decisions on the tree improvement programme of the species.