Water transport and water use efficiency differ among Populus euphratica Oliv. saplings exposed to saline water irrigation

Populus euphratica Oliv. is a unique woody tree that can be utilized for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas. The effects of saline water irrigation (0.00, 2.93, 8.78 and 17.55 g/L NaCl solutions) on water transport and water use efficiency (WUE) of P. euphratica saplings were researched for improving the survival of P. euphratica saplings and vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas of Xinjiang, China in 2011. Results showed that hydraulic conductivity and vulnerability to cavitation of P. euphratica saplings were more sensitive in root xylem than in twig xylem when irrigation water salinity increased. Irrigation with saline water concentration less than 8.78 g/L did not affect the growth of P. euphratica saplings, under which they maintained normal water transport in twig xylem through adjustment of anatomical structure of vessels and kept higher WUE and photosynthesis in leaves through adjustment of stomata. However, irrigation with saline water concentration up to 17.55 g/L severely inhibited the photochemical process and WUE of P. euphratica saplings, resulting in severe water-deficit in leaves and a sharp reduction in water transport in xylem. Thus, it is feasible to irrigate P. euphratica forest by using saline groundwater for improving the survival of P. euphratica saplings and vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas of Xinjiang, China.     

不同地下水埋深下胡杨枝条水力导度及其季节变化

植物水力结构和功能的调整是植物适应环境水分变化的重要途径。通过观测新疆塔里木河沙雅河段垂向距离河道0.01 km、3 km和40 km处3个观测点不同地下水埋深,分析胡杨枝条水力导度及水势等相关水力结构参数的季节变化。结果表明:各观测点胡杨枝条平均导水率损失百分比数(PLC)均高于60%,各观测点之间无显著差异,表明受高蒸腾压力的区域环境影响,胡杨枝条木质部普遍存在较高程度的栓塞;低地下水埋深观测点胡杨比导率(Ks)、叶比导率(Kl)均显著增加,但枝条导水面积与叶面积之比(Hv)显著低于高地下水埋深观测点,表明胡杨主要通过提高Kl控制植物体内水势梯度,以适应深地下水条件,同时Kl增加主要受Ks增加影响,而非Hv;近河道浅地下水条件下,胡杨枝条导水功能受地下水季节波动影响明显,而远离河道深地下水条件下,主要受植物生长物候影响。     

Hydraulic resistance partitioning between shoot and root system and plant water status of Haloxyolon ammodendron growing at sites of contrasting soil texture

Hydraulic resistance components and water relations were studied on Haloxyolon ammoden-dron,a small xeric tree,growing at sites significantly differed in soil texture.Soil water content,leaf water potential(ψl),xylem water potential(ψx),root water potential(ψroot),leaf transpiration rate(TR) and stomatal conductance(gs) were measured at the two sites during the growing season of 2005 and 2006.Leaf spe-cific hydraulic resistance(Rplant) during the whole growing season,hydraulic resistance of plants(Rp),shoots(Rshoot) and roots(Rroot) in the August of both years were calculated and expressed on leaf area basis.The results showed the proportion of the hydraulic resistance of the aerial part(Rshoot) to the Rp was the same to the proportion of the hydraulic resistance of the soil part(Rroot) to the Rp,indicating that both parts were equivalent important to plant water hydraulic system from soil to leaf.Positive significant corre-lations were found between Rp and Rroot,suggesting that root hydraulics resistance was a major determinant of plant hydraulic resistance(Rp) and transpiration rate.The integrated effect of stomatal control,hy-draulic regulation and morphology adjustment enabled plants at heavy soil site surviving the extreme water deficit period.     

黄土高原藓结皮覆盖土壤导水性能和水流特征

生物结皮具有特殊的水文物理性质,为探究其对土壤水分渗透性和水流特征的影响,以黄土高原风沙土和黄绵土上3种典型地表覆盖类型(裸地、藓结皮、藓结皮-草本植物混合)为对象,采用环刀法和染色示踪法对其导水性质与水流特征进行探究。结果表明:藓结皮对2种土壤类型0~5 cm土层土壤理化性质影响较大,与裸地相比土壤容重降低了9.85%~10.00%,土壤黏粒含量增加了1.01~1.29倍,表层有机质含量提高了2.73~3.02倍;藓结皮使0~5 cm土层土壤饱和导水率降低了61.32%~88.89%,而在5~10 cm土层饱和导水率则有明显上升。另外,由于草本植物的影响,藓结皮-草本植物0~5 cm土层与藓结皮土壤相比土壤饱和导水率提高了1.32~6.43倍;黄绵土藓结皮与藓结皮-草本植物的染色面积比均高于裸地,且水分下渗深度增加了10 cm,而风沙土藓结皮与风沙土裸地的染色面积比差异不明显。综上所述,藓结皮和藓结皮-草本植物的存在改变了表层土壤水分渗透性以及水流运动特征和水分下渗深度,影响着黄土高原土壤水分保持和生态恢复。     

Gas exchange, biomass partition, and water relationships of three grass seedlings under water stress

Three grass species, switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ), foxtail millet ( Setaria italica ), and Old World bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ), referred to as introduced, traditional, and indigenous species, respectively, in the Loess hilly gully region on Loess Plateau in China, were grown in a growth chamber. Water was withheld to let the soil gravimetric moisture content (SGMC) decline gradually from 14.92% for 15 days. The gas exchange characteristics, leaf water conditions, root and shoot growth, and water use efficiency (WUE) of the three grasses were compared. The SGMC of foxtail millet declined faster than that of switchgrass and Old World bluestem, and it maintained higher leaf water potential at a lower soil water content, indicating that it might have greater drought tolerance. During the process of soil drying, the stomatal conductance (Gs), photosynthesis rate, and transpiration rate (Tr) of foxtail millet and Old World bluestem declined linearly, whereas those of switchgrass declined parabolically. The Gs of each grass was significantly different between the stressed and well-watered (WW) conditions. When the SGMC declined to ≈ 11.0%, 9.5%, and 8.6%, respectively, the leaf water potential was significantly different between the two growing conditions, showing the appearance of non-hydraulic and hydraulic signals. As a result of greater stomatal adjustment ability and a smaller Gs, foxtail millet had a high WUE. Among the three grasses, switchgrass had a high Tr and root/shoot (R/S) ratio under both WW and stressed conditions, and water stress significantly improved its R/S ratio. The results showed that foxtail millet seedlings have the best drought adaptability in the flexible soil–water environment, whereas switchgrass seedlings have the worst, but a high R/S ratio might be advantageous under drought conditions once the seedlings are established.     

Safety-efficiency trade-offs in the cotton xylem:acclimatization to different soil textures

The acclimatization of plant xylem to altered environmental conditions has attracted considerable attention from researchers over several decades. Plants growing in natural environments must seek a balance between water uptake and the water loss of leaves from evaporation. Thus, the adaptation of xylem to different soil textures is important in maintaining plant water balance. In this study, we investigated the xylem changes of cotton(Gossypium herbaceum L.) xylem in sandy, clay and mixed soils. Results showed that soil texture had a significant effect on xylem vessel diameter and length of stems and roots. Compared with G. herbaceum growing in the clay soil, those plants growing in the sandy soil developed narrower and shorter xylem vessels in their roots, and had a higher percentage of narrow vessels in their stems. These changes resulted in a safer(i.e. less vulnerable to cavitation), but less-efficient water transport system when soil water availability was low, supporting the hydraulic safety versus efficiency trade-off hypothesis. Furthermore, in sandy and mixed soils, the root: shoot ratio of G. herbaceum increased twofold, which ensures the same efficiency of leaves. In summary, our finding indicates that the morphological plasticity of xylem structure in G. herbaceum has a major role in the acclimatization of this plant species to different soil textures.     

Vulnerability to drought-induced cavitation in shoots of two typical shrubs in the southern Mu Us Sandy Land,China

Salix psammophila and Caragana korshinskii are two typical shrubs in the southern Mu Us Sandy Land of China which are threatened by increasing water deficits related to climate change and large-scale human activities(e.g. coal mining and oil exploitation). In this study, we assessed their vulnerability to xylem embolism and the related anatomical traits in two-year-old regenerated shoots of these two shrubs to understand how they cope with drought environment. We also evaluated the in situ hydraulic safety margins to hydraulic failure from measurements of annual predawn and midday leaf water potentials. The results showed that S. psammophila stems had a higher water transport capacity than C. korshinskii stems. The stem xylem water potentials at 12%, 50% and 88% loss of conductivity were –1.11, –1.63 and –2.15 MPa in S. psammophila, respectively, and –1.37, –2.64 and –3.91 MPa in C. korshinskii, respectively. This suggested that C. korshinskii was more resistant to cavitation than S. psammophila. Compared with S. psammophila, C. korshinskii had shorter maximum vessel length, lower vessel density, smaller conductive area and higher wood density, which may contribute to its more resistant xylem. The in situ hydraulic safety margins indicated that even during the driest periods, both shrubs lived well above the most critical embolism thresholds, and the hydraulic safety margin was wider in C. korshinskii than in S. psammophila, suggesting that the regenerated shoots of both shrubs could function normally and C. korshinskii had greater hydraulic protection. These results provide the basis for an in-depth understanding of the survival, growth and functional behavior of these two shrubs under harsh and dry desert environments.     

The effect of Cryphonectria parasitica on water relations of American chestnut

Chestnut blight has commonly been regarded as a phloem disease due to conspicuous stem cankers that result from infection by the fungal pathogen Cryphonectria (Endothia) parasitica. Stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate (E) and leaf water potential were measured throughout the day on leaves distal to naturally-occurring virulent (sunken bark with abundant stromata) or hypovirulent (swollen bark lacking stromata) cankers and cankers induced by inoculation with virulent or hypovirulent strains of C. parasitica. Relative to control stems, hydraulic conductivity (K_h), g_s and E were reduced significantly (α = 0·05) for both natural virulent cankers, and cankers that were induced by a virulent strain. These effects were less pronounced for both natural and induced hypovirulent cankers. Isolation experiments revealed that the percentage of xylem tissue chips yielding C. parasitica was greater for virulent than for hypovirulent cankers. The data provide evidence that the localized presence of C. parasitica in cankers of American chestnut results in stomatal closure, possibly as a direct result of xylem dysfunction.     

Heritability of Ulmus minor resistance to Dutch elm disease and its relationship to vessel size,but not to xylem vulnerability to drought

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a vascular wilt disease that causes the occlusion and cavitation of xylem vessels. Therefore, it is hypothesized that those elms that are less vulnerable to cavitation by drought might be more resistant to DED. To test this hypothesis, the relationship between xylem vulnerability to cavitation and susceptibility to DED was examined in progenies of crosses between susceptible and resistant individuals of Ulmus minor. Hydraulic conductivity and xylem vulnerability curves were evaluated and anatomical features such as vessel size, length and grouping were measured. Next, elms were inoculated with Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi, the cause of DED, and pre‐dawn and midday water potentials, stomatal conductance and wilting percentages were assessed. Progenies of R × R crosses showed significantly lower mean wilting percentages (30–50%) than the progeny of S × S crosses (75%). Fifty percent conductivity loss was reached at c. ?1 MPa, pointing out a high vulnerability of this species to drought‐induced cavitation. Crown wilting percentage as a result of inoculation and xylem vulnerability to cavitation by water stress did not show any significant correlation. Nevertheless, significant differences in theoretical hydraulic conductivity and vessel size parameters (diameter, length and size distributions) were found among the tested progenies. Susceptible trees had significantly wider and longer vessels. Xylem structure of resistant elms seems to restrict pathogen spread rather than prevent cavitation.     

Strobilurin fungicides induce changes in photosynthetic gas exchange that do not improve water use efficiency of plants grown under conditions of water stress

The effects of five strobilurin (beta-methoxyacrylate) fungicides and one triazole fungicide on the physiological parameters of well-watered or water-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and soya (Glycine max Merr.) plants were compared. Water use efficiency (WUE) (the ratio of rate of transpiration, E, to net rate of photosynthesis, A(n)) of well-watered wheat plants was improved slightly by strobilurin fungicides, but was reduced in water-stressed plants, so there is limited scope for using strobilurins to improve the water status of crops grown under conditions of drought. The different strobilurin fungicides had similar effects on plant physiology but differed in persistence and potency. When applied to whole plants using a spray gun, they reduced the conductance of water through the epidermis (stomatal and cuticular transpiration), g(sw), of leaves. Concomitantly, leaves of treated plants had a lower rate of transpiration, E, a lower intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, c(i), and a lower net rate of photosynthesis, A(n), compared with leaves of control plants or plants treated with the triazole. The mechanism for the photosynthetic effects is not known, but it is hypothesised that they are caused either by strobilurin fungicides acting directly on ATP production in guard cell mitochondria or by stomata responding to strobilurin-induced changes in mesophyll photosynthesis. The latter may be important since, for leaves of soya plants, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter F(v)/F(m) (an indication of the potential quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry) was reduced by strobilurin fungicides. It is likely that the response of stomata to strobilurin fungicides is complex, and further research is required to elucidate the different biochemical pathways involved.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne ethiopica</Emphasis> parasitism on water management and physiological stress in tomato

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are obligate endoparasites that severely damage the host root system. Nutrient and water uptake are substantially reduced in infested plants, resulting into altered physiological processes and reduced plant growth. The effect of nematode infestation on the morphological changes of roots and subsequent physiological plant responses of infested tomatoes with the RKN Meloidogyne ethiopica was studied in a pot experiment. Plants were infested with two inoculum densities (10 or 50 eggs per cm³ substrate) and its effect was evaluated 74 and 102 days post inoculation (DPI). Morphological changes and root growth was determined by analysing scanned images of the whole root system. Nematode infestation reduced the portion of fine roots and increased that of coarse roots due to gall formation. Fine roots of non-infested control plants represented around 51% of the area of the whole root system at 74 and 102 DPI. In comparison to controls, plants inoculated with low and high nematode density had 2.1 and 3.2-times lower surface area of fine roots at 102 DPI. Root analyses revealed that plants had a very limited ability to mitigate the effects of the root-knot nematodes infestation by altering root growth. Root galls had a major influence on the hydraulic conductivity of the root system, which was significantly reduced. The low leaf water potential of infested plants coincided with decreased stomatal conductivity, transpiration and photosynthesis. The latter two were reduced by 60–70% when compared to non-infested control plants.     

保水剂与不同化学材料配合对玉米生理特性的影响

通过盆栽实验对玉米幼苗生长及生理特性的监测,探讨了水分胁迫和正常供水条件下保水剂分别与泥炭、沸石和稀土复合应用的互作效应。结果表明,保水剂 泥炭在两种水分条件下均能复合应用,可有效促进玉米生长和提高水分利用效率;保水剂 沸石在正常供水条件下可进行复合应用,在水分胁迫时不适合复合应用;保水剂 稀土在两种水分条件下均不适合复合应用。     

荒漠河岸林地区胡杨幼苗根系水力提升作用探究

植物水力提升作用是指低蒸腾条件下处于湿润区域根系吸水后运输到干燥区,并将水分释放到根际周围的干土中的现象。通过上下层分根试验法,研究生长季胡杨幼苗的根系提水作用。结果表明：① 与成年胡杨相似,胡杨幼苗根系存在水力提升作用;② 幼苗的水力提升作用发生在21:00 时至次日6:00时 ,生长季3株胡杨幼苗的总提水量分别为2.78 kg,2.31 kg和2.46 kg,日均提水量为0.022 6 kg,0.018 7 kg和0.02 0 kg;③ 3株胡杨幼苗的日均提水量占上层土壤蒸发量的13%~20%,在植物蒸腾作用明显的7~8月,日均提水量也较大;④ 下层土壤的根系生物量和提水量相关性显著。     

毛乌素沙地不同水分梯度根系垂直分布与土壤水分关系的研究

通过对毛乌素沙地不同水分梯度根系垂直分布的研究表明:不同水分梯度根系分布随土壤深度的增加呈指数形式下降,不同梯度由于土壤水分、植被根系类型的差异,不同水分梯度植被根系的空间分布也有差异,不同梯度根量随土壤垂直深度的模拟方程分别为:y=9.5736e-0.1341x,R2=0.8859(I);y=16.246e-0.2037x,R2=0.9301(II);y=32.001e-0.1904x,R2=0.9544(III);y=28.336e-0.1993x,R2=0.9484(IV)。不同水分梯度土壤含水率变化程度不同,同一水分梯度各层土壤含水率变化幅度亦有差异,0.1m土壤含水率变异系数最大,随着土壤深度增加变异系数减小,根据土壤含水率变异系数分析我们将各层土壤水分垂直变化划分为活跃层(0-0.1m)、次活跃层(0.2-0.6m)、相对稳定层(1m)(I、II、III);而对IV梯度划为活跃层(0-0.1m、1m)、相对稳定层(0.3m)。根系生物量垂直分布与其对应土壤含水率有明显相反的关系,土壤含水率的变化与根系生物量的变化趋于相反,当土壤含水率增大时相应区域根系生物量减小;反之则增加。随水分梯度的增加各梯度最高水分利用层逐渐向表层发展,从第I梯度0.4m的6.84到第IV梯度0.1m的14.33。     

沃特多功能保水剂保水性能研究

通过室内实验对沃特多功能保水剂在黄土高原主要类型土壤持水性能及保水作用的研究,结果表明:该保水剂在土壤持水方面,对黑垆土效果最明显,持水性均高于对照。而对土和黄绵土来讲,效果不太明显。但在土壤导水方面,黄绵土的改善效果最明显,饱和导水率随保水剂用量的增多而增大;对黑垆土导水率的提高也有一定的作用;对于土来讲饱和导水率在施入保水剂后反而降低。在土壤抗蒸发方面,保水剂抗蒸发作用明显,随用量的增多而各土壤的蒸发量减少。     

Patterns, magnitude, and controlling factors of hydraulic redistribution of soil water by Tamarix ramosissima roots

Tamarix spp.(Saltcedar)is a facultative phreatophyte that can tolerate drought when groundwater is not accessed.In addition to deep water uptake,hydraulic redistribution(HR)is another factor contributing to the drought tolerance of Tamarix spp.In this study,data on soil volumetric moisture content(θ),lateral root sap flow,and relevant climate variables were used to investigate the patterns,magnitude,and controlling factors of HR of soil water by roots of Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.in an extremely arid land in Northwest China.Results showed evident diurnal fluctuations in θ at the depths of 30 and 50 cm,indicating "hydraulic lift"(HL).θ increased remarkably at 10 and 140 cm but decreased at 30 and 50 cm and slightly changed at 80 cm after rainfall,suggesting a possible "hydraulic descent"(HD).However,no direct evidence was observed in the negative flow of lateral roots,supporting HR(including HL and HD)of T.ramosissima.The HR pathway unlikely occurred via lateral roots;instead,HR possibly occurred through adventitious roots with a diameter of 2-5 mm and a length of 60-100 cm.HR at depths of 20-60 cm ranged from 0.01-1.77 mm/d with an average of 0.43 mm/d,which accounted for an average of 22% of the estimated seasonal total water depletion at 0-160 cm during the growing season.The climate factors,particularly vapor pressure deficit and soil water potential gradient,accounted for at least 33% and 45% of HR variations with depths and years,respectively.In summary,T.ramosissima can be added to the wide list of existing species involved in HR.High levels of HR may represent a considerable fraction of daily soil water depletion and substantially improve plant water status.HR could vary tremendously in terms of years and depths,and this variation could be attributed to climate factors and soil water potential gradient.     

梭梭根系的水分再分配特征对其生理和形态的影响

采用上下分根方法及根系观测技术,设置控制处理(仅接受白天自然光照),夜间光照处理(接受24 h光照),加水及夜间光照处理(接受24 h光照+加水),对梭梭根系是否存在水分再分配作用进行了验证,在此基础之上,进一步研究了水分再分配对梭梭生理和形态的影响。结果表明:(1)控制处理梭梭黎明前及正午同化枝水势高于夜间光照处理,且控制处理和加水及夜间光照处理梭梭上管部分根水势也较夜间光照处理高,说明夜间弱蒸腾作用下,控制处理的梭梭发生了水分再分配作用。(2)水分再分配作用促进梭梭蒸腾及光合作用,控制处理与加水及夜间光照处理的梭梭蒸腾速率均大于夜间光照处理,且控制处理和加水及夜间光照处理的梭梭最大净光合速率也较夜间光照处理高。(3)控制处理与加水及夜间光照处理梭梭地上部分生物量显著高于夜间光照处理,不同处理的梭梭地下部分总生物量、上管地下部分生物量及上管比根长的关系为:加水及夜间光照处理控制处理夜间光照处理。梭梭具有水分再分配作用,在夜间弱蒸腾条件下,根系吸收下层湿润土壤中的水分并释放至上层干燥土壤中,以缓解干旱环境下植物的水分亏缺,水分再分配作用可促进植物蒸腾及光合作用,增加植物的根冠比和根系碳分配。     

保水剂对土壤的物理性质与水分入渗的动态影响

保水剂在农业上的应用对于缓解干旱具有重要的意义,但其应用后会发生降解而最终失去保水作用,因此了解其在降解过程中引起的土壤物理性质的动态变化及水分运动的机理,是其能否正确应用的关键,本试验以保水剂在农业应用中的典型用量为基础,研究了保水剂对土壤的物理性质动态影响及一维土壤水分。结果表明,保水剂施入土壤后其性能不断衰减是导致土壤物理性质不断变化的最根本原因;土壤中施用保水剂后土壤的质量饱和含水率明显增加,饱和导水率降低,但随着保水剂性能的逐渐衰减,饱和含水率呈现下降趋势,饱和导水率呈现上升趋势;施入保水剂后土壤的扩散率是一个曲面,并且随着保水剂自身性能的衰减,呈现逐渐扩展的趋势;施用保水剂后土壤入渗的湿润锋前进速度下降,这主要是由于施用保水剂土壤的饱和含水量增加和保水剂膨胀堵塞土壤孔隙造成的;通过对施用保水剂土壤的扩散率和导水率的分时段研究,最终建立施用保水剂土壤的一维水分运动方程,试验证明其可行,且精度在允许的范围内。     

Transport via xylem of atrazine, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene in tomato and wheat seedlings

Transport of atrazine (ATR), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene (TCB) from roots to shoots via xylem of wheat and tomato seedlings was measured following a 24-h exposure of plant roots to hydroponic solutions of these organic compounds. Transport of the compounds from roots to shoots reached equilibrium within 24 h, consistent with an earlier finding. Low concentrations of TCB were detected in the final external solution and the xylem efflux of control wheat seedlings. This suggested that there was a fast foliar uptake of TCB and its downward movement via phloem of the wheat seedlings. Concentrations of DNT, ATR, and TCB in xylem effluxes of wheat and tomato increased significantly with increases of their external concentrations. The translocation stream concentration factors (TSCF), i.e., the ratios of the concentrations in xylem sap to those in external solution, of the compounds with tomato seedlings followed the order of ATR > DNT >> TCB, which was inversely correlated with the log K_ow (the octanol–water partition coefficient) of the compounds. The observed xylem transports of DNT and TCB from roots to shoots with wheat seedlings were lower than those with tomato seedlings. ATR exhibited a high xylem transport with the two plant species, which resulted presumably from an atrazine–metal complex formation.     

植物根系水力提升作用研究进展综述

植物根系水力提升作用是植物深层根系吸收深层土壤水分,再通过浅层根系释放到较干燥浅层土壤中的过程。水力提升作用所释放的水分可缓解干燥土层水分匮乏,对改善自身及邻近植物的水分亏缺、促进植物养分吸收、促进土壤养分分解和矿化过程具有重要意义。随着对植物生态系统水分平衡问题的关注和研究手段的发展,水力提升作用日益成为干旱、半干旱区植物生态学与水文学共同关注的重要研究内容之一。通过回顾和分析水力提升作用的研究历史、影响因素、提升数量、研究方法、生态作用等,特别阐述了水力提升作用在半干旱区人工固沙植被恢复中的潜在应用价值,改善人工固沙植被区土壤水分条件,提高固沙植物群落的稳定性。