Shading effects on spatial growth and biomass partitioning of Cynodon dactylon

Cynodon dactylon is a low-growing C4 weed that is highly sensitive to shading. This species shows severe biomass reductions and highly plastic morphological changes in response to resource availability. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of shading on the spatial and biomass growth of C. dactylon . Two experiments were carried out exploring different environmental conditions. Six treatments were applied on C. dactylon patches. Daylight and 18%, 41%, 48%, 69% and 85% shading of daylight photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) were imposed in Expt 1 and 0%, 22%, 44%, 50%, 74% and 87% shading of daylight PAR in Expt 2. Patches were slightly elliptical in shape and grew 3.2 and 1.5 cm d⁻¹ with 0% shading, on average, during the whole studied periods in Expts 1 and 2 respectively. Biomass was significantly reduced from 41% shading onwards in Expt 1 and from 50% shading in Expt 2. However, patch extension rate was only significantly reduced from 85% and 74% shading in Expts 1 and 2 respectively. Biomass partitioning was modified by shading in both experiments. A functional analysis of C. dactylon patches showed that the patch extension rate diminished linearly when patch biomass growth rate was lower than 1.66 g d⁻¹; above this value, the extension rate remained constant.     

干旱胁迫下3个油菜品种地上、地下部生长特征与抗旱性的关系

为了探索干旱胁迫下不同抗旱性油菜品种的地上、地下部生长特征与抗旱性的关系,通过土柱栽培试验,对油菜品种DR1、DR2和DR3在不同水分处理条件下不同土层根量、地上部生物量、冠层覆盖面积及抗旱性之间的关系进行研究。结果表明：3个品种在水分胁迫和正常供水条件下产量和根系生物量在品种间均达到显著性差异,3个品种的抗旱能力大小依次为：DR1>DR3>DR2;不同水分处理下油菜的根系主要分布于0~30 cm土层,占根系总量的70%以上;在干旱胁迫下,3个品种DR1、DR2和DR3的总根量分别减少了22.53%、24.17%和24.53%,但仍表现出抗旱性强的品种DR1的根系总量最大,达到12.07 g,其次为品种DR3和DR2;在大于30cm的土层中,DR1的根系量占到总根量的31.5%,这表明根系垂直分布量的多少对抗旱性的影响较大,同时植株冠层面积、总生物量、根系干重与抗旱性的直接通径系数分别为0.5861、0.4514、0.5715,说明除了根系外,大的冠层面积可减少地表蒸发有利于作物抗旱。     

Weed suppression by soil steaming in combination with activating compounds

The aim of this study was to determine the weed suppression potential of soil steaming plus activating compounds (KOH or CaO) to boost soil temperature. Different combinations between the compounds and rates were tested in experiments carried out in the field and in a controlled environment. Treatment effects were assessed on field weed vegetation and on seedbank and seedling emergence of three winter ( Alopecurus myosuroides , Matricaria chamomilla and Raphanus raphanistrum ) and four spring annuals ( Amaranthus retroflexus , Echinochloa crus-galli , Fallopia convolvulus and Setaria viridis ), were assessed on field weed vegetation. Neither maximum soil temperature (from 72 to 85°C) nor duration of high temperature in the 3 h following application consistently affected weed suppression. In the field, no significant effects on total weed density were recorded, but there were some significant effects on individual species. The weed seedbank was clearly suppressed by activated steaming: total seedling emergence was inversely related to increasing KOH rates both in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers, while for CaO the relationship was significant only in the 0–10 cm layer. Winter annuals were more sensitive to KOH than CaO and spring annuals had a more pronounced species-specific response to treatments. There was a strong negative relationship between compound rate and seedling emergence for all species. Alopecurus myosuroides was the most sensitive to the steam-alone treatment (77% reduction), whereas M. chamomilla and E. crus-galli were the least sensitive. Results from this study indicate that the type and rates of activating compounds for soil steaming must be adjusted to the weed community composition.     

The competitive interactions between winter barley and Avena sterilis are site-specific

Competition between winter barley and Avena sterilis is expected to depend on the specific conditions present in a given site. Considering that site conditions may be variable within a field, we hypothesised that the lower densities of A. sterilis frequently observed under more favourable soil conditions can be attributed to the improved growth and competitiveness of the barley crop under those conditions. Artificial populations of A. sterilis were established at three sites with different soil properties, both in the absence and the presence of a barley crop. Plant density, total biomass, dry weight per plant, seed production and seed per plant production were measured at different times in two growing seasons. Avena sterilis proved to be a generalist species when growing in monoculture, with similar seed production, regardless of the site conditions. However, when growing with the crop, differences in growth and seed production were observed at the different sites under some climatic conditions. The effect of the crop on A. sterilis biomass and seed production was more pronounced at the sites with finer textures and higher organic matter and nitrogen contents, suggesting that barley site‐specific competitive ability may contribute to limiting weed populations in favourable soils.     

Weed vegetation response to chemical and manual selective ground cover management in a shaded coffee plantation

Summary Total weed control with machete and herbicides was compared in a field experiment from 1994 to 1999, with four selective ground cover management tactics (± herbicides and ± planted ground cover legume) in the inter-rows of coffee plants. The aim of the selective management was to control weeds in patches, leaving uncontrolled species considered suitable to protect the soil from erosion and compaction, and to suppress more aggressive weed growth. Fresh biomass was sampled early and late in the rainy seasons. Weed data from the different years, treatments and blocks were analysed with a multivariate technique, partial redundancy analysis (pRDA), using different combinations of independent variables and covariables and resulting in a multivariate anova . Weed biomass and number of species drastically decreased over time as coffee and shade trees aged. The five treatments also significantly affected the composition of the weed vegetation. The combination of partial slashing and application of herbicides in patches was more effective in reducing unwanted weed biomass and also enhanced the spread of the ground cover legume, whereas the use of only partial slashing enhanced the spread of the 'weed' Oplismenus burmannii . This species was considered a suitable ground cover species to protect the soil, as it emerges at the onset of the rainy season, is more persistent late in the rainy season and sustains growth under the shade of coffee in production.     

局部高浓度硝酸盐供应对玉米根系 形态及氮累积的影响

以郑单958和鲁单981为研究对象,进行水培分根试验,在正常供水和水分胁迫条件下,分别以均匀低浓度硝酸盐处理主根和种子根(LPR-LSR)、局部高浓度硝酸盐处理主根（HPR-LSR）和局部高浓度硝酸盐处理种子根（LPR-HSR）,测定分析根系形态、生物量以及氮含量。结果表明：与氮低效鲁单981相比,氮高效郑单958具有较高的主根根长、根表面积、根系生物量、地上部生物量和氮累积量。水分胁迫条件下,郑单958和鲁单981的主根的根长、根表面积、根体积、地上部生物量和氮累积量总体上均低于正常水分条件。玉米主根和种子根对局部高浓度硝酸盐的反应存在差异。与均匀低浓度硝酸盐处理相比,局部高浓度硝酸盐处理促进正常水分条件下主根和种子根根系的生长,尤其是根长和根系表面积;在正常水分条件下,主根根长和根系表面积增加幅度范围为6.8%~27.3%和1.9%~21.9%,除HPR-LSR处理条件下的郑单958外,种子根根长和根系表面积增加幅度范围为30.4%~92.7%和10.5%~135.1%;在水分胁迫条件下,主根根长和表面积增加幅度范围为24.6%~152.9%和62.1%~229.9%,然而种子根根长降低了10.0%~29.9%,表明水分胁迫会影响种子根对高浓度硝酸盐的响应。除水分胁迫条件下LPR-HSR处理外,局部高浓度处理可同时增加两侧根系的生物量和氮累积量。无论是正常供水还是水分胁迫,与LPR-LSR处理相比,局部高浓度硝酸盐供应均能够增加地上部生物量以及氮累积量,在LPR-HSR处理条件下,增加幅度范围分别在35.0% ~107.9%和162.9%~291.1%,在HPR-LSR处理条件下分别为56.7%~109.4%和204.1%~377.0%,HPR-LSR处理条件下增加幅度较大,表明在氮素非均匀分布环境中,当主根处于高浓度硝酸盐区域时将会更显著促进生物量的增加和氮累积。     

Effects of Azolla species on weed emergence in a rice paddy ecosystem

The effects of Azolla pinnata R. Br. on weed emergence were evaluated in terms of plot area coverage by an A. pinnata mat, its biomass production and the amount of weed emergence, using fresh and dry weights, in a rice paddy field experiment. The experiment was conducted following a randomized block design with five combinations of fertilizer and A. pinnata treatments (control, A. pinnata  + superphosphate, A. pinnata  + urea, A. pinnata  + compound fertilizer, A. pinnata  + cow manure). The results revealed that after 18 days of inoculation, all superphosphate (T1) and cow manure (T4)-treated plots were fully covered by the A. pinnata mat. However, coverage of the urea (T2) and compound fertilizer (T3)-treated plots were only 80% and 70%, respectively. The full plot area coverage by the A. pinnata mat and the highest biomass production with superphosphate and cow manure-treated plots were able to completely inhibit two weed species ( Scirpus juncoides Roxb. var. hotarui Ohwi and Monochoria vaginalis Burm. f. Presl var. plantaginea (Roxb.) Solms-Laub) and significantly suppressed four other weeds ( Cyperus serotinus Rottb, Echinochla oryzicola Vasing, and Eclipta prostrata L.). In all the treatments, the fresh weight of weeds significantly reduced to 13, 29, 34, and 9%, respectively, for treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4. The dry weights also were significantly reduced to 10.00, 16.00, 22.00, and 7.26%, respectively, for treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4 over the control. The results revealed that there was a significant correlation among plot area coverage by the A. pinnata mat, its biomass production and weed emergence in a rice paddy field over the control. Azolla pinnata did not have any detrimental effect on the growth of rice plants.     

Effects of weed harrowing and undersown clover on weed growth and spring cereal yield

Weed competition and nutrient scarcity often restrict organic cereal production, especially where the availability of livestock manure is limited. While harrowing of annual weeds and legume cover crops can be used, these methods are both executed in early spring and may hinder each other. Two cycles of a 2‐year crop rotation were carried out in south‐east Norway (60°42′N, 10°51′E, altitude 250 m) with weed harrowing and undersown cover crops (WHCC) at two fertiliser rates (40 and 100 kg nitrogen ha^?1). The effect of the WHCC treatments was measured by weed density and species, weed biomass, changes in weed seedbank and grain yield. The weed density depended on the interaction between WHCC, fertiliser and year. On average, pre‐emergence weed harrowing reduced weed density by 32% and weed biomass by 49%, while pre‐ and post‐emergence weed harrowing reduced weed density by 59% and weed biomass by 67% compared with the untreated control. Spergula arvensis became more abundant at low rather than at high fertiliser rates. On average, white clover cover crop sown after pre‐emergence weed harrowing resulted in the highest yields for both oat (+12.1%) and wheat (+16.4%) compared with the untreated control. Despite differences in weed population density and biomass among WHCC treatments within years, the weed biomass, weed density and seedbank increased for all WHCC treatments over the 4‐year period. More research is required into improving the efficacy of mechanical and cultural weed suppression methods that organic systems rely on.     

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.     

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。     

干旱胁迫下3种岩石边坡生态修复植物的抗旱性

植物的抗旱性直接影响着岩石边坡生态修复的效果。为研究不同植物在持续干旱下的抗旱机理,选择草地早熟禾、狗牙根和红三叶3种常用于岩石边坡生态修复的植物,采用盆栽控水试验和室内分析相结合的方法,研究干旱胁迫下3种植物叶片的相对含水量、相对电导率、丙二醛（MDA）含量、可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸(Pro)含量和叶绿素含量6个生理生化指标的变化情况。结果表明：所有参试植物的生理生化指标都随干旱胁迫的程度而变化,但植物之间和生理生化指标之间存在差异。运用模糊数学隶属函数分析法和灰色关联分析法,综合评价3种植物的抗旱性和各指标对干旱胁迫的敏感性。结果显示：干旱前期和中期,植物的抗旱性为：狗牙根＞红三叶＞草地早熟禾;干旱后期,植物的抗旱性为：草地早熟禾＞狗牙根＞红三叶;各生理生化指标与植物抗旱隶属度的关联度从大到小依次为0.708,0.694,0.638,0.630,0.609和0.607,可作为岩石边坡生态修复抗旱性植物筛选的评价指标,其中,以叶绿素含量和相对含水量对干旱胁迫的反应最为敏感。     

Weed suppression ability of upland rice under low-input conditions in West Africa

Weeds are a major constraint to upland rice production in west Africa. The objectives of this investigation were to study differences in weed suppression ability among upland rice cultivars and to determine the morphological traits involved. Twelve contrasting cultivars, including West African indigenous Oryza glaberrima (Steudel) lines and traditional and improved O. sativa L., were cultivated under natural weed competition and low-input conditions in Côte d'Ivoire in two seasons. Significant differences between cultivars were observed in weed biomass at 100 days after seeding (DAS) in 1994 and 1995, indicating differences in their competitive ability. Weed biomass was negatively correlated with rice root growth at early growth stages and with rice shoot and root growth at later growth stages. Across cultivars, grain yields with a single hand-weeding were 60% in 1994 and 49% in 1995 of those in plots that were weeded regularly. High grain yields in weedy plots were associated with low weed biomass. IG 10, an O. glaberrima cultivar, was the most competitive against weeds.     

施肥和绿肥翻压方式对旱地冬小麦生长及土壤水分利用的影响

通过田间试验研究渭北旱原不同施肥处理(不施肥;40 kg P2O5/hm2;豆科绿肥专用肥30 kg/hm2)对夏闲期豆科绿肥生长和后茬小麦生长的效果,探讨了夏季豆科绿肥翻压方式(提前翻压、提前覆盖,播前翻压和不种绿肥即夏季休闲)对后茬冬小麦产量及水分利用的影响。研究表明:与不施肥处理相比,豆科绿肥专用肥显著提高绿肥盛花期地上部生物量,但对根系生长没有明显作用;施用磷肥则更有利于绿肥根系生物量的提高;施用绿肥专用肥和磷肥处理的后茬小麦产量较高,特别是绿肥提前翻压时。绿肥提前翻压时冬小麦分蘖数较高、春季总茎数较高、单位面积穗数较高,产量显著高于绿肥提前覆盖、播前翻压和不种绿肥处理,水分生产效率显著高于不种绿肥处理。从绿肥翻压、小麦播前直至小麦拔节期,绿肥翻压方式的3个处理土壤0~200 cm剖面水分含量与休闲处理始终有明显差异。提前翻压处理与提前覆盖、播前翻压处理的差异主要在40 cm以上土层。     

Effect of initial herbicide treatment and planting material on woody weed development and the growth of Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus regnans

A research study of establishment techniques in plantations of Eucalyptus nitens (Deane et Maiden) Maiden and Eucalyptus regnans F Mueller was assessed for growth at age 12 years. Biomass of trees and woody weeds was determined in the 13th year to evaluate the long-term effect of herbicide treatment on plots established with optimum seedling tree and site preparation. Eucalyptus regnans produced only 60% of the biomass of E. nitens. Under-storey woody weed biomass under E. regnans comprised 18–30% of the total biomass compared with 6% for E. nitens plots. There was less total under-storey weed biomass under the herbicide-treated plots, but a similar weed leaf biomass. Under-storey weed leaf biomass contributed 14–40% of the total leaf biomass on the plots. Despite under-storey weed biomass being substantially greater on the no-herbicide plots sampled, this competition had not generally reduced growth of the trees compared with the herbicide-treated plots. Suitable site preparation, providing weed-free conditions at the time of planting, resulted in woody weed control adequate to establish seedlings and allow full growth without the use of herbicides, given suitable seedling material. Although pre-planting herbicide treatment was not necessary for optimum growth of E. nitens grown from bare-root transplants, it did improve growth of slower-growing planting stock.     

樟子松幼苗水力结构参数和生长特征对模拟降水梯度的响应

水分是影响樟子松生长和存活的关键因素,为弄清樟子松幼苗对水分胁迫的响应过程,采用人工控制降水处理方法 (105%年均降水量：500 mm,无干旱; 74%年均降水量: 350 mm,轻度干旱;42%年均降水量: 200 mm,干旱),监测了2 a生樟子松幼苗水力结构和生长特征对降水处理的响应。结果表明：随着降水量减少,幼苗水分饱和亏缺没有发生显著变化;轻度干旱下幼苗组织密度显著增加,干旱下幼苗失水系数显著降低;表明樟子松幼苗的保水、抗旱能力随干旱胁迫程度增强而增加。干旱胁迫显著降低了株高、基径和各器官生物量的增加量,轻度干旱胁迫下幼苗根重比和根冠比显著增加,表明轻度干旱胁迫改变了生物量分配格局,促使幼苗向有利于水分维持方向的发展策略;与轻度干旱相比,干旱胁迫下幼苗生物量分配策略并没有发生明显变化。樟子松幼苗可以通过改变水力结构特征和生物量分配策略来适应轻度干旱;而在干旱下幼苗仅改变水力结构特征,不利于其在干旱环境下生存。     

Predicting the competitive effects of weed and crop density on weed biomass, weed seed production and crop yield in wheat

Competition between winter-sown wheat and Viola arvensis Murray or Papaver rhoeas L. was studied in two experiments in two successive years. The effects of varying crop and weed density were modelled in terms of weed biomass over time, weed seed production and crop yield. Biomass model parameters, representing maximum weed biomass and intra- and interspecific competition, were obtained for different assessment dates, enabling biomass levels to be predicted during the two growing seasons. Weed biomass declined, and its maximum level was reached earlier, with increasing crop density. Intraspecific competition was higher in the absence than in the presence of crop, increasing with time and with weed density. Halving the wheat population increased June biomass of V. arvensis by 74% and of P. rhoeas by 63%. Crop yield losses with increasing weed density were greater with low than with medium and high crop populations. P. rhoeas was significantly more competitive than V. arvensis in both years. Weed biomass in 1989 responded more to reductions in crop density following the milder winter of 1988/89 than in the previous year; however crop yields were less affected in 1989 due to summer drought, restricting late weed growth and competition. Weed seed production was related to weed biomass; the progressive lowering of crop density increased seed production, and both species were very prolific in the absence of crop. By combining models, seed production could be derived for a given competitive effect on the crop. Threshold weed populations, based on low weed levels that are not economic to control, could then be equated with the accompanying weed seed production.     

Application method of nitrogen fertilizer affects weed growth and competition with winter wheat

The management of crop fertilization may be an important component of integrated weed management systems. A field study was conducted to determine the effect of various application methods of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on weed growth and winter wheat yield in a zero-tillage production system. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 50 kg ha⁻¹ at the time of planting winter wheat over four consecutive years to determine the annual and cumulative effects. The nitrogen treatments consisted of granular ammonium nitrate applied broadcast on the soil surface, banded 10 cm deep between every crop row, banded 10 cm deep between every second crop row, and point-injected liquid ammonium nitrate placed between every second crop row at 20 cm intervals and 10 cm depth. An unfertilized control was also included. Density, shoot N concentration and the biomass of weeds was often lower with subsurface banded or point-injected N than with broadcast N. The winter wheat density was similar with all N fertilizer application methods but wheat shoot N concentration and yield were consistently higher with banded or point-injected N compared with broadcast N. In several instances, the surface broadcast N did not increase the weed-infested wheat yield above that of the unfertilized control, indicating that it was the least preferred N application method. Depending on the weed species, the weed seedbank at the conclusion of the 4 year study was reduced by 29–62% with point-injected N compared with broadcast N. Information gained from this study will be used to develop more integrated weed management programs for winter wheat.     

三叶鬼针草生长特征对土壤氮素水平的响应

利用温室盆栽试验法,研究入侵植物三叶鬼针草生长特征对不同土壤氮素水平的响应。结果表明,氮素的增加能够促进三叶鬼针草叶片数、总叶面积、分枝数及生物量的增加,提高其相对生长速率。在物质分配方面,氮肥的施用能促进该植物向地上部分分配较多的物质,显著增加生殖器官（花）生物量的投入,降低向地下部分（根）的物质投入。同时,可塑性指数表明,三叶鬼针草在形态、生物量分配及生殖器官等方面对土壤氮素响应的表型可塑性较大。以上结果充分体现了三叶鬼针草具有较强的入侵性和对土壤氮素环境较高的适应性,预警人们对其预防和管理工作应加以重视。     

The effects of sowing depth and flooding on the emergence, survival, and growth of Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl

Glasshouse experiments were conducted from March to July 2003 to determine the effects of sowing depth, and the time, duration, and depth of flooding on the emergence, survival, and growth of Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl. The treatments that were evaluated in the first experiment were three seeding depths (0, 0.5, and 1.0 cm), while in the second experiment, three flooding depths (saturated soil with no standing water and soil with water depths of 5 and 10 cm) and three flooding durations (7, 14, and 21 days from sowing) were evaluated. In the third experiment, three flooding depths (saturated soil with no standing water, and soil with water depths of 5 and 10 cm) and four flooding regimes (7, 14, 21 or 28 days after sowing [DAS]) were evaluated. Surface seeding gave the highest emergence rate compared to the 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm soil depths. A significantly higher emergence rate was recorded with the saturated conditions than with the flooded conditions. A flooding duration of ≥ 14 days showed a clear trend of reduced emergence with increasing flooding depth. A significantly higher survival rate, plant height, root length, number of leaves, and dry matter were recorded at soil saturation followed by the 5 cm and 10 cm flooding depths when flooding was simulated at 7 and 14 DAS. When the flooding was delayed to 21 and 28 DAS, the 10 cm flooding depth was required to suppress this weed. The results provide sufficient evidence to confirm that from deeper seed burial (1 cm sowing depth), flooding depths of ≥ 5 cm of durations of 14 and 21 days and at the onset of flooding within 14 DAS were effective in suppressing the emergence and growth of F. miliacea .     

Persistence of four dominant psammophyte species in central Inner Mongolia of China under continual drought

Clarifying the persistence time of seedlings of dominant species under continual drought will help us understand responses of ecosystems to global climate change and improve revegetation efforts.Drought tolerance of four dominant psammophytic shrub species occurring in different environments was studied in the semi-arid areas of Inner Mongolian grasslands.Seedlings of Hedysarum laeve,Caragana korshinskii,Artemisia sphaerocephala and Artemisia ordosica were grown under four air temperature regimes(night/day:12.5/22.5℃,15/25℃,17.5/27.5℃ and 20/30℃)within climate(air temperature and humidity)controlled,naturally lit glasshouses with a night/day relative humidity of 70%/50%.Pots were watered to field capacity for each temperature treatment.Soil water condition was monitored by weighting each pot every day using an electronic balance.Date of seedling death for each treatment was recorded and the dead plants were harvested.Plant dry weights were determined after oven drying at 80℃ for 3 days.Two Artemisia species had higher growth rates than H.laeve and C.korshinskii,and the growth of all four species increased with increasing temperatures.The two Artemisia species had the highest leaf biomass increment,followed by C.korshinskii,and then H.laeve.Shoot biomass increment was higher for A.ordosica and C.korshinskii,intermediate for A.sphaerocephala and lowest for H.laeve.C.korshinskii had the highest root biomass increment.The final soil water content at death for all four species varied from 1% to 2%.C.korshinskii,A.sphaerocephala,H.laeve and A.ordosica survived for 25-43,24-41,26-41,and 24-37 days without watering,respectively.C.korshinskii,A.sphaerocephala,H.Laeve,and A.ordosica seedlings survived longer at the lowest temperatures(12.5/22.5℃)than at the highest temperatures(20/30℃)by 18,17,15 and 13 days,respectively.Increased climatic temperatures induce the death of seedlings in years with long intervals between rainfall events.The adaptation of seedlings to droughts should be emphasized in revegetation efforts in the Ordos Plateau,Inner Mongolia.