Phenotypic plasticity of Artemisia ordosica seedlings in response to different levels of calcium carbonate in soil

Plant phenotypic plasticity is a common feature that is crucial for explaining interspecific competition, dynamics and biological evolution of plant communities. In this study, we tested the effects of soil CaCO_3(calcium carbonate) on the phenotypic plasticity of a psammophyte, Artemisia ordosica, an important plant species on sandy lands in arid and semi-arid areas of China, by performing pot experiments under different CaCO_3 contents with a two-factor randomized block design and two orthogonal designs. We analyzed the growth responses(including plant height, root length, shoot-leaf biomass and root biomass) of A. ordosica seedlings to different soil CaCO_3 contents. The results revealed that, with a greater soil CaCO_3 content, A. ordosica seedlings gradually grew more slowly, with their relative growth rates of plant height, root length, shoot-leaf biomass and root biomass all decreasing significantly. Root N/P ratios showed significant negative correlations with the relative growth rates of plant height, shoot-leaf biomass and root length of A. ordosica seedlings; however, the relative growth rate of root length increased significantly with the root P concentration increased, showing a positive correlation. These results demonstrate that soil CaCO_3 reduces the local P availability in soil, which produces a non-adaptive phenotypic plasticity to A. ordosica seedlings. This study should prove useful for planning and promoting the restoration of damaged/degraded vegetation in arid and semi-arid areas of China.     

Water use traits and survival mechanisms of psammophytes in arid ecosystems

A combination of dune-scale observation to distinguish psammophyte distribution, field experiments to determine gradients of soil moisture and physicochemical properties, and controlled quantitative manipulation for psammophytes water use traits was employed to study an arid desert margin area in China. This study aims to: (1) interpret the survival mechanisms of plants in arid desert ecosystems, especially for pioneer species; (2) interpret the links among distribution pattern, stress-gradients, and water use traits; (3) discuss the mechanisms and probable succession processes under natural fixation for artificial ecosystem rehabilitation; and (4) discuss the possibility of recognizing quantified water use traits as a predictor to compare the variations in adaptability among different species. We classified seven psammophytes into three major types in terms of water use: prodigal, moderate, and frugal plants. Results showed that vegetation cover of all the dominant species, including shrubs and herbs, was negatively correlated with diurnal transpiration at rhizosphere moisture (P < 0.01, R² = 0.94). Herbaceous pioneer species (e.g., Agriophyllum squarrosum) survive harsh environments (shifting, hot and arid surface of dunes) by prodigal water use (high transpiration rate), low species cover, and fast production (high water use efficiency, which peaks at low soil moisture). By contrast, intrusive species (e.g., Eragrostis poaeoides) behaved as frugal plants to survive drought, thereby maintaining high vegetation cover and biomass, as well as soil water equilibration.     

黑果枸杞幼苗对干旱胁迫的生理响应

以黑果枸杞（Lycium ruthenicum Murr.）幼苗为试验材料,采用称重控水的方法,设置4个水分处理水平（对照CK、轻度胁迫D1、中度胁迫D2、重度胁迫D3）,研究黑果枸杞幼苗对不同程度干旱胁迫的生理生化响应。结果显示：① 随着干旱胁迫的加剧,黑果枸杞幼苗株高、基径生长量、生物量积累和叶重比在轻度胁迫下升高,中、重度胁迫下降低;根重比、根冠比在轻、中度胁迫下升高,重度胁迫下降低。② 随着胁迫时间的延长,各处理组脯氨酸（Pro）、可溶性糖含量逐渐升高,可溶性蛋白含量先降后升;丙二醛（MDA）含量先增后减再逐渐增加。③ 随胁迫时间的延长,各处理组超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性逐渐升高,过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性呈先升后降的趋势。综合分析认为,干旱胁迫下,黑果枸杞幼苗通过调整生长和生物量分配,减少地上部分水分散失,增加根系物质的积累,以吸收更多的水分,利用渗透调节物的积累来改变细胞渗透势,以便减少胞内水分流失。同时,通过提高保护酶活性来减弱膜脂过氧化对自身的伤害,表现出较强的耐旱性。     

Population regulation of Galinsoga ciliata and G. parviflora

The population response of the two sympatric annual weeds, Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) Blake and G. parviflora Cav., which occur abundantly in croplands and early secondary successional communities in the north-eastern hill region of India was studied in relation to sowing pattern (clump or scattered sowing), population density and soil moisture and texture. In a given sowing pattern, seed germination of both species declined with increase in sowing density and moisture stress. However, sowing of seeds in clumps and an increased proportion of sand in soil enhanced the germination, Fewer weeds died in the population raised from scattered sowing than from clumped distribution. Plants grown at high moisture level matured earlier, and fertility of the survivors was negatively correlated with both density and moisture stress in both species although G. ciliata was less affected. Seed output and dry matter yield per pot of both species increased with population density but the increase was not linearly related to the increase in plant numbers, and density-induced reduction in seed output was observed at high densities. Galinsoga ciliata appears to tolerate greater density-stress than G. parviflora. Asubstantial decrease in production of capitula, seeds and dry matter at low moisture level indicates the role played by soil moisture in regulating the population growth of the two weeds. An increased proportion of sand in soil resulted in significantly greater seed production in G. parviflora. Galinsoga ciliata also showed a similar trend although the differences were not statistically significant.     

Establishment of two native shrubby species in a degraded soil site in semiarid Central Mexico

The selection of plants for the restoration of degraded sites, the growth and survival of two shrub species in a soil degraded by construction rubble was evaluated. Two experiments were carried out, one in situ, and the other under greenhouse conditions. In the perturbed site, Zaluzania augusta had 62.8% survival, and grew 2.68?cm taller than Karwinskia humboldtiana. In greenhouse conditions, seedlings of K. humboldtiana, unlike those of Z. augusta, did not survive the experimental period on perturbed soil. In general Z. augusta had better results than Karwinskia humboldtiana and could be recommended to restoration in semiarid degraded sites.     

Responses of root growth of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. (Fabaceae) to different simulated groundwater depths in the southern fringe of the Taklimakan Desert,China

Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. (Fabaceae) is a spiny, perennial herb. The species grows in the salinized, arid regions in North China. This study investigated the response characteristics of the root growth and the distribution of one-year-old A. sparsifolia seedlings to different groundwater depths in controlled plots. The ecological adaptability of the root systems of A. sparsifolia seedlings was examined using the artificial digging method. Results showed that: (1) A. sparsifolia seedlings adapted to an increase in groundwater depth mainly through increasing the penetration depth and growth rate of vertical roots. The vertical roots grew rapidly when soil moisture content reached 3%-9%, but slowly when soil moisture content was 13%-20%. The vertical roots stopped growing when soil moisture content reached 30% (the critical soil moisture point). (2) The morphological plasticity of roots is an important strategy used by A. sparsifolia seedlings to obtain water and adapt to dry soil conditions. When the groundwater table was shallow, horizontal roots quickly expanded and tillering increased in order to compete for light resources, whereas when the groundwater table was deeper, vertical roots developed quickly to exploit space in the deeper soil layers. (3) The decrease in groundwater depth was probably responsible for the root distribution in the shallow soil layers. Root biomass and surface area both decreased with soil depth. One strategy of A. sparsifolia seedlings in dealing with the increase in groundwater depth is to increase root biomass in the deep soil layers. The relationship between the root growth/distribution of A. sparsifolia and the depth of groundwater table can be used as guidance for harvesting A. sparsifolia biomass and managing water resources for forage grasses. It is also of ecological significance as it reveals how desert plants adapt to arid environments.     

Plant invasiveness and target plant density: high densities of native Schima wallichii seedlings reduce negative effects of invasive Ageratina adenophora

Economically feasible strategies to cope with invasive species are urgently needed. Plant density can be increased to reduce competitive effects on target plants. This study indicates that increasing native plant density can be used to reduce the effect of invasive Ageratina adenophora. Seedlings of an indigenous tree species, Schima wallichii, were grown in pots containing uninvaded or invaded soil, with or without A. adenophora leaf litter on the soil surface. Schima wallichii seedlings were also grown at four densities under four levels of A. adenophora leaf litter. Root and shoot biomass and length were measured as response parameters in both bioassays. Schima wallichii growth was inhibited by A. adenophora leaf litter and invaded soil. High litter levels reduced S. wallichii root length and dry weight at low plant densities. The inhibition disappeared at high S. wallichii plant densities. As A. adenophora did not inhibit S. wallichii growth at high plant densities, adjustments of seedling density should be studied as a possible management strategy for invasion by A. adenophora and potentially by other exotic plant species. As density‐dependent growth inhibition is the key characteristic of chemical interference, we propose that phytotoxins contribute to A. adenophora invasion particularly at low densities of native seedlings.     

Effect of soil moisture during stratification on dormancy release in seeds of five common weed species

Although the effects of cold stratification on the release of physiological dormancy in seeds have been studied extensively, knowledge of the role of soil moisture content on seed dormancy release during cold stratification is limited. Our study determined seed dormancy characteristics and the effect of soil moisture content on seed dormancy breakage during cold stratification in the five common weed species Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Plantago lanceolata and Setaria glauca. Seeds of all five species were dormant at the time of harvest and their germination response to light and temperature varied. Soil moisture content had a significant effect on seed dormancy release of all species except P. lanceolata. Germination percentage of A. retroflexus, C. album, C. hybridum increased and then decreased as soil moisture content increased, regardless of germination test temperature. The optimal soil moisture content and seed moisture content for dormancy breakage of A. retroflexus, C. album, C. hybridum were 8%, 12%, 8% and 22.0%, 37.7%, 25.7% respectively. Dry storage (after‐ripening) significantly increased germination of S. glauca. Moreover, increasing soil moisture content first slowed and then increased dormancy breakage in S. glauca. These results suggest that data on soil moisture content should be incorporated into models that predict weed seed dormancy breakage and timing of seedling emergence as well as those for weed management.     

Influence of edaphic factors on plant distribution and diversity in the arid area of Xinjiang,Northwest China

The influence of edaphic factors on plant distribution is essential to community ecology and important for vegetation restoration and management in arid ecosystems. In this study, desert plant distribution and diversity as well as soil water, salinity, and nutrients were measured in the Ebinur Lake Wetland Nature Reserve (ELWNR) in arid Northwest China. We determined relationships between plant distribution and soil factors along a transect with increasing distance from the river and created optimal models using soil factors to explain variations in plant diversity. In general, soil factors decreased with increasing distance from the river. Soil volumetric water content (SVWC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) were closely related to plant distribution. According to canonical correspondence analysis, plants along the transect were divided into three groups: saline–alkaline tolerant, drought tolerant, and high P-demanding. SVWC, pH, soil organic carbon (C), N, P, and S account for 93.8% of the variations in plant diversity in the ELWNR. Compared with other soil factors, S explained the largest percentage of variations in diversity when single soil variables were considered in generalized additive models (R²?=?38.9%). Our results suggest increases in soil pH, P, N, and S would improve plant diversity significantly. We found differences among species groups in preference for habitat, and N and S content had a significant positive effect of on plant diversity, providing a scientific reference for plant restoration and saline soil remediation in desert ecosystems.     

Fenugreek root exudates show species-specific stimulation of Orobanche seed germination

Various Orobanche species are weedy and cause severe reduction in the yields of many important crops. The seeds of these parasitic weeds may remain dormant in the soil for many years until germination is stimulated by the release of a chemical signal from a host plant. In order to determine the effects of fenugreek root exudate on the induction of Orobanche crenata, Orobanche ramosa and Orobanche foetida seed germination, root exudate was collected from hydroponically grown fenugreek seedlings. Fractionation patterns obtained from column and thin layer chromatography of the fenugreek root exudate showed a set of metabolites differing in their polarity with stimulatory activity on Orobanche seed germination. The crude root exudate stimulated both O. ramosa and O. crenata seed germination to the same level caused by the synthetic germination stimulant GR24 at 10 mg L^?1. It also stimulated O. foetida seed germination which did not respond to GR24. Active fractions of root exudate stimulated the germination of Orobanche species differentially.     

The allelopathic effect of three Amaranthus spp. (pigweeds) on wheat (Triticum durum)

The allelopathic effect of Amaranthus retroflexus L., Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats, and Amaranthus gracilis Desf. on wheat Triticum durum L. was investigated under laboratory, glasshouse and field conditions. Laboratory experiments showed that fresh shoot or root extract of the three weed species reduced germination, coleoptile length, root length and root dry weight of wheat seedlings. The inhibitory effects were rate dependent, with low concentrations of shoot extract promoting shoot growth of wheat. Fresh plant extracts were more phytotoxic than dried plant extracts and shoot extracts had higher detrimental effects than root extracts. In pot experiments, dried shoot extract of A. gracilis increased shoot and root dry weights of wheat seedlings. For A retroflexus and A. blitoides the extracts of these and dried shoots (8 g kg^?1), which had been added to soil mixtures significantly reduced ger-mination and growth of wheat seedlings. Addition of up to 16 g kg^?1 of A. gracilis residues promoted shoot growth of wheat and had no significant harmful effect on root growth. Roots appeared more sensitive to allelopathic effect than shoots. Under field conditions, incorporation of A. retroflexus or A. blitoides residues in the soil reduced height, grain and straw yield of wheat, whereas A. gracilis residues stimulated plant height and increased yield.     

Growth traits of the exotic plant Hydrocotyle vulgaris and the evenness of resident plant communities are mediated by community age,not species diversity

Biological invasions are determined by interactions between resident plant communities and exotic plants. Time of invasion and species diversity of resident plant communities may greatly affect exotic plant invasions. We assembled low‐ and high‐diversity resident plant communities by sowing seeds of four and eight grassland species, respectively, and at each of three time periods (1, 4 and 7 weeks after sowing), the resident communities were invaded by Hydrocotyle vulgaris or not. We also constructed a plant community with H. vulgaris alone. Presence of H. vulgaris had no effect on biomass of the resident communities or biomass of each component species. Community age significantly affected biomass and evenness of the resident communities, and their competition with H. vulgaris, but the priority effect of the resident communities was slight. Increasing species richness did not change the interaction between H. vulgaris and the resident plant communities. These findings suggest a weaker competitive exclusionary effect of H. vulgaris on the resident communities with early germination, and H. vulgaris tended to have no significant impact on intact resident terrestrial plant communities. Thus, the potential risk of H. vulgaris invasion is low, especially in the communities with young age.     

Influence of glumes, soil and environmental conditions on germination of Ischaemum afrum (J.F. Gmel.) Dandy seeds

Studies on the germination of Ischaemum afrum seeds showed that low temperature, presence of glumes and both low and excessive soil moisture contents were conducive to delayed and low germination. The inhibitory effect of the glumes was more pronounced in freshly harvested seeds. Germinability of seeds on the soil surface was poor, but shallow burial in soil increased germination.     

Effect of sodium 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate on the germination, emergence, growth and survival of pasture species

The effect of sodium 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate (tetrapion) on the germination, emergence, growth and survival of pasture species was ascertained in petri-dishes (21 days) and in soil (114 days). Tetrapion was applied with the water in the petri-dishes and to the soil surface prior to sowing seeds 2-mm deep in plastic-lined glasshouse trays. The rates applied in the petri-dishes were 0,0.093, 0.187, 0.375, 0.75 and 1.5 kg a.i. ha^?1; the same rates, except 0.093 kg a.i. ha^?1, were applied in the glasshouse. In the petri-dishes tetrapion did not affect germination rate nor germination capacity of any species. However, it severely reduced shoot growth (22–78% for the lowest and highest rate, respectively) and moderately reduced root growth per seedling (4–44% for lowest and highest rate). In the glasshouse trays, lower emergence, at 27 days, of five of the sown species on the 1.5 kg a.i. ha^?1 treatment compared with the control, was explained by depression of shoot growth. Emergence was not affected at any other rate. Between day 27 and day 114 there was a progressive decline in the number of living seedlings of all species; the magnitude of deaths increased with time and rate of tetrapion. The rating of species for tolerance to tetrapion was: Medicago sativa > Festuca arundinacea > Dactylis glomerata > Phalaris aquatica > Eragrostis curvula. Although Trifolium subterraneum seedlings survived low rates of tetrapion they were still affected at day 114 whereas seedlings of other species were recovering. As tetrapion is readily leached from the soil profile, desirable species must be sown after sufficient rain has fallen to wash it from the soil. In this way it is possible to kill weed seedlings that germinate soon after spraying as well as to establish improved species.     

疏叶骆驼刺幼苗根系生态学特性对水分处理的响应

通过人工壕沟挖掘法,对疏叶骆驼刺幼苗在不同水分条件下的根系生态学特性的季节变化进行研究.结果表明:①在土壤水分较好的环境中,疏叶骆驼刺幼苗大量拓展水平根,并产生分蘖植株竞争光照资源;而在土壤水分相对缺乏时垂直根系发达,向深层土壤拓展资源空间.根系形态的可塑性是疏叶骆驼刺幼苗获取水分适应干旱环境的重要策略之一.②根冠比随土壤水分的减少而增加,且在生长季后期这种趋势更加明显,增加根冠比是疏叶骆驼刺幼苗适应干旱的策略之一.③幼苗根系的扎根深度和垂直生长速度随着土壤水分的减少而增加.④根系生物量、根系表面积随土壤深度的增加而减小,并在垂直剖面上呈倒金字塔状分布.根系生物量形成过程符合Logistic"慢-快-慢"的S型生长曲线,总生物量随着土壤干旱程度的增加而降低.     

From weed biology to successful control: an example of successful management of Ludwigia grandiflora in Germany

Ludwigia grandiflora (water primrose), a native to the Americas, is one of the most important invasive alien aquatic plants in Europe. In Germany, a first population was found in an oxbow lake of the River Leda in Lower Saxony, north‐western Germany, in 2004. Ludwigia grandiflora formed both dense monospecific patches and mixed stands with native plants. A study on the biology of L. grandiflora documented that the plants regrow in spring from vegetative means only, even though viable seed production occurred. Hand weeding was successfully tested in different sampling sites as a sustainable management tool and subsequently used for the management of this species. Within 3 days, more than 99% of the biomass (25 tonnes of fresh mass) was harvested in 2013. Afterwards, a one‐day post‐treatment in the same year, two‐one‐day treatments in 2014 and one‐one‐day treatment in 2015 were made to harvest the regrown plants. After the first year, plant regrowth occurred only in one extremely muddy site, while in more than 99% of the water body, L. grandiflora was eradicated. Even though L. grandiflora was not completely eradicated from the water, a total eradication seems achievable within the next few years. The study documented the difficulties in the management of aquatic weeds, particularly in heterogeneous habitats with varying sediment structure. Management measures must be adapted to the infested habitat and species biology, which is mandatory for successful management of all aquatic weeds.     

Burial effects on seed germination and seedling establishment of Prosopis juliflora (SW.) DC

Seed germination and seedling establishment are critical stages in plant life history, and both processes may be affected when buried under soil. Our aim was to investigate the effects of soil burial on the germination and seedling establishment of invasive Prosopis juliflora (Fabaceae). We studied the effects of burial, from soil surface to 4?cm deep, under greenhouse conditions and the effects of seed-storing in burial conditions at two depths (5 and 20?cm) and two storing periods (during 6 and 12?months) in field conditions. Soil burial limited the germination and the establishment of P. juliflora, which did not germinate at soil depths deeper than 3?cm. Some seedlings coming from seeds germinated at 2?cm, and every seedling at the soil surface and at 3?cm deep died. In contrast, survivorship of emerged seedlings was close to 90% between 0.5 and 2?cm depth. Seedlings developed the longest shoots at 1?cm deep, indicating that P. juliflora was able to get advantage at a moderate soil depth. Un-embedded seeds survived buried in the soil for months; however, their germination and the emerged seedling survivorship decreased after burial for 12?months.     

Performance of the invasive Eupatorium catarium and Ageratum conyzoides in comparison with a common native plant under varying levels of light and moisture

Invasive alien plants are often found to be more plastic than the natives, which enable the former to outperform the native plants under some, or in a wide range, of environmental conditions. In addition, their performance under non‐competitive conditions might not predict their performance under competitive conditions. The performance of the recent invader, Eupatorium catarium, was compared with that of a historical invader, Ageratum conyzoides, and a common native plant, Vernonia cinerea, under varying levels of light and moisture with and without competition. When grown alone and in response to decreases in light levels, E. catarium and V. cinerea were more plastic in their root‐to‐shoot ratio than A. conyzoides, while V. cinerea was more plastic in its specific leaf area (SLA) than E. catarium and A. conyzoides. Eupatorium catarium was more plastic than A. conyzoides and V. cinerea in the SLA in response to the drought treatment. However, these differences in trait plasticities did not lead to a difference in biomass production under each light and moisture treatment combination. When E. catarium was competing with either A. conyzoides or V. cinerea, the interacting species also did not differ in their biomass production and relative interaction intensity under each light and moisture treatment combination. These results indicate that the two invasive species and the native plant do not differ in their performance under relatively low soil nutrient conditions, regardless of the moisture, light and competition treatments that are imposed. Therefore, E. catarium and A. conyzoides cannot outperform V. cinerea under low nutrient conditions, regardless of the light and water availability.     

Germination, emergence and seedling growth of Hypericum perforatum L.

Germination of new seeds (1–6 months old) of Hypericum perforation L. was restricted by high temperatures (16h/8h, 20/30°C), darkness and a chemical inhibitor in exudate from the capsule, whereas germination of old seeds (9 years) was only restricted by the inhibitor. The effect of the chemical inhibitor and high temperatures was overcome, respectively, by washing seeds in water and by reducing temperatures to constant 15°C. Calcium in solution from CaCO₃ and from three different soils did not prevent the germination of new or old seeds or of seeds collected from five different locations. There were differences in the germination characteristics and dormancy mechanisms of seeds collected from different localities, Restriction of the emergence of seedlings by a covering of > 2 mm of soil appeared to be due to lack of seedling vigour rather than to lack of light. Seedling growth was much slower than in other pasture species. Thus the requirements for germination of H. perforatum of low temperature and moisture to wash away the chemical inhibitor favour its establishment but the slow growth of its seedling restricts its emergence and renders it extremely susceptible to competition from other plants.     

基于高光谱与电磁感应技术的干旱区绿洲土壤含水量反演研究

为实现干旱区绿洲土壤含水量的快速、准确监测,利用采集自渭干河-库车河绿洲的84个表层(0~10cm)土壤样本,通过利用电磁感应仪(EM38)将所测解译后数据代替实测土壤含水量数据,将高光谱反射率重采样为Landsat8卫星遥感波段反射率,在选取光谱特征参数、提取敏感波段的基础上,利用偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)方法建立土壤含水量模型,将最优估算模型应用于遥感影像,实现研究区土壤含水量遥感反演。研究结果表明:(1)利用EM38所测水平模式土壤表观电导率与土壤含水量拟合效果最优,能够代替实测土壤含水量进行后续建模分析。(2)相比3种单一的光谱特征指数,利用多种光谱特征指数所建土壤含水量估算模型的建模效果更优,其干、湿各季建模集决定系数R~2大于0.7,均方根误差(RMSE)均小于0.5%,RPD均大于2,能够作为有效手段估算干旱区绿洲土壤含水量。(3)不同季节土壤含水量遥感反演值与实测值决定系数R~2均大于0.6,均方根误差(RMSE)均小于0.6%,显示了较高的预测精度,证明利用电磁感应技术与高光谱相结合能够实现对干旱区绿洲土壤含水量的精准、高效监测。