Short-term impacts of nutrient manipulations on leaf gas exchange and biomass partitioning in contrasting 2-year-old Pinus taeda clones during seedling establishment

We conducted a 1-year greenhouse experiment to assess the impact of nutrient manipulations on seedling growth, biomass partitioning, and leaf gas exchange between two fast growing Pinus taeda clones that differed in growth efficiency. After 1 year we observed significant treatment and treatment by clone effects on growth, biomass partitioning, and gas exchange parameters. Fertilization increased total seedling biomass 18% primarily through an increase in foliage and coarse-roots. Clones did not differ in total seedling biomass, however, clone 85 produced more stem than clone 93 leading to 37% greater stem:leaf, while clone 93 maintained more branch biomass. The logging residue treatment increased stem:leaf by 30%, but had no effect on total biomass or partitioning. Differences in leaf morphology resulted in significantly greater canopy leaf area in clone 93 than clone 85. Increased foliar N concentration from fertilization had only minor effects on specific photosynthesis under saturating light (A_Sat), but lowered stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration (E), and internal to external CO₂ concentration ratio (C_i/C_a) as well as improved water use efficiency (WUE) independently of genotype. When gas exchange data was scaled to the canopy level both genotypes achieved similar canopy level CO₂ assimilation rates, but our data suggests they did this by different means. Although we did see a small effect of nutrient limitations in total canopy photosynthesis under saturating light (A_Canopy), A_Sat, and total leaf area (TLA), our foliar N concentration ([N]) indicated that our level of logging residue incorporation did not cause [N] to decrease below sufficiency limits. From a practical standpoint, a better understanding of strategies for capturing and partition C may lead to better selection of clonal material, thereby, optimizing productivity.     

Species selection in hardwoods research: variations in baseline physiological responses of select temperate hardwood tree species

Drought periods are becoming more extreme worldwide and the ability of plants to contribute towards atmospheric flux is being compromised. Properly functioning stomata provide an exit for water that has been absorbed by the roots, funneled into various cell parts, and eventually released into the atmosphere via transpiration. By observing the effects that weather conditions such as climate change may have on stomatal density, distribution, and functioning, it may be possible to elucidate a portion of the mechanisms trees use to survive longer periods of water stress. This study analyzed stomatal density (SD), stomatal conductance (gs ), CO2 assimilation (A), instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUEi ), and transpiration (E) rates in six native tree species in the Midwestern USA and showed that trees within the same ecotype followed similar trends, but that trees within the same family did not when exposed to identical greenhouse conditions. Naturally drought tolerant tree species demonstrated lower g s and higher WUEi , while intolerant species had higher SD. This study showed negative or no correlation between SD and g s , A, E, and WUEi and positive correlations between E and A and gs and E.     

Variability and grouping of leaf traits in multi-species reforestation (Leyte,Philippines)

Conventional reforestation in the tropics often results in stands with low tree species and functional diversities. A different approach to reforestation, the so-called rainforestation, has been developed in the Philippines. It emphasizes mixed stands and the preferential use of native species supplemented by fruit trees. In such stands, we studied several functional leaf traits (stomatal conductance for water vapour, leaf morphology and chemistry) with the objectives (1) of assessing the species-specific variation of leaf traits and in particular that of maximal leaf stomatal conductance (g_smax), (2) of determining relationships between g_smax and other tree variables, and (3) of assessing whether leaf traits group the species studied. Sixteen broad-leaved species were studied, using five individual trees per species and ten fully expanded sunlit leaves per individual tree. Species-specific g_smax differed fivefold (165–772 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Among studied leaf traits, only the carbon isotope ratio δ¹³C exhibited a simple linear correlation with g_smax. A separate analysis for dipterocarp species indicated a strong negative relationship between g_smax and specific leaf area (SLA) (r² = 0.96, P < 0.001, n = 5). For all 16 species, a multiple linear regression with the combinations leaf size/tree height and leaf size/canopy projection area also resulted in significant relationships, which partly explained the variability in g_smax. A multivariate approach (principal component analysis) combining the leaf traits provided an explanation of 75% of the variability along the first two axes. All native dipterocarps species, a native Guttiferae and the durian tree (Durio zibethinus) were associated with more depleted δ¹³C, small leaves and a low leaf width to length ratio. Two exotic species frequently used for reforestation (Gmelina arborea and Swietenia macrophylla) and the native early successional Terminalia microcarpa were differentiated by their high SLA and high leaf nitrogen content per leaf area (N_area). Both species of Artocarpus (A. blancoi and A. odoratissima) were also differentiated and had large leaves with low SLA and low N_area. These associations of species with leaf traits as variables indicate that species have different leaf investment strategies, which may imply that there are differences in whole plant performance. We conclude that rainforestation creates substantial variation in leaf traits, which is based on the combination of species with different leaf trait groupings. This can be seen as an important step towards – partly – restoring the functional diversity which characterizes many natural tropical rainforests.     

Abscisic acid in leaves and roots of willow: significance for stomatal conductance

Excised leaves and roots of willow (Salix dasyclados Wimm.) accumulated abscisic acid (ABA) in response to desiccation. The accumulation of ABA was greater in young leaves and roots than in old leaves and roots. In mature leaves, ABA accumulation was related to the severity and duration of the desiccation treatment. Water loss equal to 12% of initial fresh weight caused the ABA content of mature leaves to increase measurably within 30 min and to double in 2.5 h. The drying treatment caused significant (P = 0.05) reductions in leaf water potential and stomatal conductance. Recovery of leaf water potential to the control value occurred within 10 min of rewatering the dehydrated leaves, but recovery of stomatal conductance took an hour or longer, depending on the interval between dehydration and rewatering. The addition of ABA to the transpiration stream of well-watered excised leaves was sufficient to cause partial stomatal closure within 1 h and, depending on ABA concentration, more or less complete stomatal closure within 3 h. When the ABA solution was replaced with water, stomatal conductance increased at a rate inversely related to the concentration of the ABA solution with which the leaves had been supplied.     

Growth, physiology, and nutrient retranslocation in nitrogen-15 fertilized Quercus rubra seedlings

We evaluated gas exchange, chlorophyll index (CI) using SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter, and leaf nutritional responses in one-year-old northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) container seedlings transplanted into control (unfertilized) or fertilized (0.86 g N plant^?1) sand culture and grown in a greenhouse for 90 days. We labeled current nitrogen (N) uptake with (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ and directly quantified proportional contributions of N derived from fertilizer (NF) compared with retranslocation or N derived from plant (NP) in leaf growth of red oak seedlings. NF met a greater N demand in leaf growth of fertilized plants while unfertilized seedlings relied entirely on NP for their leaf growth. Fertilization increased leaf dry mass by 67% and new stem dry mass by 253% 90 days after transplanting compared to control seedlings. Specific leaf area (SLA) was not significantly altered but CI increased 90 days after transplanting. Higher leaf N concentration and content in fertilized compared with control seedlings was linked to greater chlorophyll concentrations in the former plants. The higher coefficient of determination (r ² = 0.72) noted between leaf N concentrations and CI suggests that the SPAD meter could be a useful tool for assessing leaf N status in northern red oak seedlings. Fertilized seedlings exhibited higher net assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates compared with controls. Increased seedling growth in response to fertilization was related to maintenance of higher gas exchange and greater nutrient uptake, which could improve outplanting success.     

Changes in leaf water use after removal of leaf lower surface hairs on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mallotus macrostachyus</Emphasis> (Euphorbiaceae) in a tropical secondary forest in Malaysia

Leaf hairs may assist in maintaining high leaf water use efficiency in tropical secondary forest tree species. We compared leaf temperature, transpiration, photosynthesis and water use efficiency between hairy and depilated leaves in Mallotus macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae), to determine the role of leaf hair in leaf water use efficiency (WUE) in tropical degraded secondary forest in Malaysia. Measurements were made on five mature individuals growing in sun-exposed conditions and five in shaded conditions. The hair dry weight per unit leaf area was significantly greater in sun leaves than in shade leaves. The transpiration rate (Tr_max) of depilated leaves in sun-exposed conditions was slightly higher than in hairy leaves in both morning and afternoon measurements. In contrast, Tr_max in the shade leaves was almost identical in hairy and depilated leaves. Leaf stomatal conductance (g _s) in the morning showed almost the same value among leaf types and light conditions. In the afternoon, g _s slightly decreased from the morning values in both sun and shade conditions. In the morning, the leaf water use efficiency (A _max/Tr_max) in both conditions did not differ significantly between hairy and depilated leaves. However, in the afternoon, WUE in the depilated leaves was significantly lower than in hairy leaves in sun-exposed conditions. These observations suggest that leaf hairs in M. macrostachyus contribute to the high leaf water use efficiency in drought conditions, such as high vapor pressure deficit experienced at midday in degraded tropical secondary forests.     

Variability in Populus leaf anatomy and morphology in relation to canopy position, biomass production, and varietal taxon

Twelve poplar (Populus) genotypes, belonging to different taxa and to the sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca, were studied during the third growing season of the second rotation of a high density coppice culture. With the objective to highlight the relationships between leaf traits, biomass production and taxon as well as the influence of canopy position, anatomical and morphological leaf characteristics (i.e. thickness of epidermis, of palisade and spongy parenchyma layers, density and length of stomata, leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA) and nitrogen concentration) were examined for mature leaves from all genotypes and at two canopy positions (upper and lower canopy). Above ground biomass production, anatomical traits, stomatal and morphological leaf characteristics varied significantly among genotypes and between canopy positions. The spongy parenchyma layer was thicker than the palisade parenchyma layer for all genotypes and irrespective of canopy position, except for genotypes belonging to the P. deltoides × P. nigra taxon (section Aigeiros). Leaves at the upper canopy position had higher stomatal density and thicker anatomical layers than leaves at the lower canopy position. Leaf area and nitrogen concentration increased from the bottom to the top of the canopy, while SLA decreased. Positive correlations between biomass production and abaxial stomatal density, as well as between biomass production and nitrogen concentration were found. A principal component analysis (PCA) showed that genotypes belonging to the same taxon had similar anatomical characteristics, and genotypes of the same section also showed common leaf characteristics. However, Wolterson (P. nigra) differed in anatomical leaf characteristics from other genotypes belonging to the same section (section Aigeiros). Hybrids between the two sections (Aigeiros × Tacamahaca) expressed leaf characteristics intermediate between both sections, while their biomass production was low.     

Physiological and morphological variations of Picea asperata populations originating from different altitudes in the mountains of southwestern China

Population differences in dry matter accumulation and allocation, conifer leaf nitrogen status, stomata parameters and water use efficiency were studied in a 7-year-old Picea asperata Mast. plantation that contains seven populations grown from seed collected from different altitudes in the mountains of southwestern China. In our study, we measured dry matter accumulation (DMA), total projected leaf area (LA), specific projected leaf area (SLA), root/shoot ratio (RS), root mass/projected leaf area ratio (R/LA), projected leaf area/stem cross-sectional area ratio (LA/SA), leaf stomatal density (SD), stomatal length (SL) and total stomatal length (TSL), nitrogen content per unit leaf mass (N_mass) and nitrogen content per unit projected leaf area (N_area), and carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C). Significant differences in these properties among the populations were detected, but these morphological and physiological responses to altitudinal gradients of origins varied non-linearly with increasing altitude. We found that seed source near 2950 m altitude was likely an optimum zone for P. asperata; growth was most vigorous at this altitude, and with increasing altitudinal distance from this optimum the growth decrease. In addition, seedling early growth, including DMA and LA, negatively correlated with RS, R/LA, N_mass, N_area and δ¹³C, and positively correlated with SLA, LA/SA, SD, SL and TSL. Our results provided strong evidence that variations in these physiological and morphological properties of P. asperata populations reflected genetic adaptations to native habitats. These differences may be used as criteria for genotype selection in the mountains of southwestern China.     

Heterotrophic respiration causes seasonal hysteresis in soil respiration in a warm-temperate forest

To assess the effect of changes in organic litter stock on seasonal changes in heterotrophic respiration (R _H), soil respiration (R _S), and total ecosystem respiration (R _E), we measured seasonal changes in leaf litter respiration (R _LL) by the chamber method and estimated the seasonal change in total R _H using the RothC model in a warm-temperate mixed deciduous?Cevergreen forest in Japan. Both R _E and R _S had seasonal hysteresis and were higher in spring than at the same temperature during autumn. Under warm and humid conditions, the rate of decomposition of newly supplied leaf litter in one?year was high (60% loss). Consequently, R _LL and R _H were higher in spring after leaf drop, when more fresh material was available, than in autumn. In this study, 42 and 88% of the difference in R _E and R _S between spring and autumn (soil temperature 16?C18°C) could be accounted for by the difference in R _H, respectively, and 71% of the difference in R _H could be accounted for by the difference in R _LL. This study showed that seasonal changes in heterotrophic respiration (R _LL and R _H) could be a major factor in the seasonal hysteresis of R _E and R _S.     

Interannual variability of net ecosystem production for a broadleaf deciduous forest in Sapporo, northern Japan

To estimate net ecosystem production (NEP), ecosystem respiration (R _E), and gross primary production (GPP), and to elucidate the interannual variability of NEP in a cool temperate broadleaf deciduous forest in Sapporo, northern Japan, we measured net ecosystem exchange (NEE) using an eddy covariance technique with a closed-path infrared gas analyzer from 2000 to 2003. NEP, R _E, and GPP were derived from NEE, and data gaps were filled using empirical regression models with meteorological variables such as photosynthetic active radiation and soil temperature. In general, NEP was positive (CO₂ uptake) from May to September, either positive or negative in October, and negative (CO₂ release) from November to the following April. NEP rapidly increased during leaf expansion in May and reached its maximum in June or July. The four-year averages (±?standard deviation) of annual NEP, GPP, and R _E were 443?±?45, 1,374?±?39, and 931?±?11?g?C?m^?2?year^?1, respectively. The lower annual NEP and GPP in 2000 may have been caused by lower solar radiation in the foliated season. During the foliated season, monthly GPP varied from year to year more than monthly R _E. Variations in the amount of incoming solar radiation may have caused the interannual variations in the monthly GPP. Additionally, in May, the timing of leaf expansion had a large impact on GPP. Variations in GPP affected the interannual variation in NEP at our site. Thus, interannual variation in NEP was affected by the incoming solar radiation and the timing of leaf expansion.     

Ozone fumigation of Quercus ilex L. slows down leaf litter decomposition with no detectable change in leaf composition

Context

The evaluation of changes in litter decomposition rate due to increasing trend in tropospheric ozone is an emerging field of investigation, providing relevant information on long-term forest ecosystem sustainability.

Aims

This research aims to clarify the effects of ozone exposure on Quercus ilex leaf chemical composition and decomposition slow down.

Methods

Young plants were fumigated in growth chambers at a cumulative dose of 17.15 ppm h. To assess the fumigation effectiveness, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis were monitored. Leaves were analysed for C, N, S, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, total soluble sugars, starch, acid-detergent fibre (ADF), lignin and cellulose prior to the incubation in litter bags in mesocosms, and during decomposition along 395 days.

Results

Ozone-exposed leaves showed a significant reduction in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance but did not differ from control leaves in all the chemical parameters analysed. Nevertheless, leaf decomposition rate was lower in treated leaves. The main differences between the models describing the mass loss in exposed and control leaves were played by ADF for exposed leaves and by lignin for control leaves, as well as by N, that showed a greater contribution in the model for the exposed leaves.

Conclusion

Ozone fumigation of Q. ilex results in leaf litter decomposition slowing down, mainly due to ADF joint dynamics with the other variables describing mass decay, even if no detectable changes in initial leaf composition occur.     

Interspecific variation in leaf water use associated with drought tolerance in four emergent dipterocarp species of a tropical rain forest in Borneo

By use of tree-tower and canopy-crane systems we studied variations in the water use, including transpiration, stomatal conductance, and leaf water potential, of the uppermost sun-exposed canopy leaves of four emergent dipterocarp species in an aseasonal tropical rain forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. Midday depression in stomatal conductance and leaf water potential was observed in all the species studied. Interspecific differences were clearly observed in the maxima of transpiration rates and stomatal conductance and the minima of leaf water potential among the four dipterocarp species. These interspecific variations were closely related to wood density and to factors affecting ecological patterns of distribution. Specifically, Shorea parvifolia and S. smithiana, both of which have a relatively low wood density for Dipterocarpaceae and are found on clay-rich soil, had a high transpiration rate in the daytime but had a large midday depression and a low leaf water potential. In contrast, Dryobalanops aromatica, which has a high wood density and is found in sandy soil areas, consumed less water even during the daytime. Dipterocarpus pachyphyllus, which has a high wood density and is found on clay-rich soil, stood intermediate between Shorea and D. aromatica in leaf water use. The two Shorea species had higher mortality than the others during the severe drought associated with El Ni?o in 1998, so daily pattern of leaf water use in each dipterocarp species might be correlated with its susceptibility to unusual drought events.     

Comparison of leaf stomatal conductance models for typical desert riparian phreatophytes in northwestern China

Stomatal regulation plays a vital role related to plant functioning, especially with a limited water supply. Estimating the leaf stomatal conductance (g _s) is pivotal for further estimation of transpiration as well as energy and mass balances between air and plant in arid regions. Based on successive measurements of leaf gas exchange of two typical desert riparian phreatophytes, Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., and Populus euphratica Oliv., we estimated g _s using the empirical, optimal, and mechanistic models. Measurements were conducted on T. ramosissima during the growing seasons in 2011 and 2012 and P. euphratica in 2013 and 2014. Estimated values were compared with those measured by the portable open-path gas exchange measurement system. Results indicated that Ye’s mechanistic model always performed best among all the g _s models tested here with R ² values of 0.878 and 0.723 for T. ramosissima in 2011 and 2012, and 0.625 and 0.867 for P. euphratica in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Meanwhile, Medlyn’s optimal model exhibited the least reliable performance with R ² at values of 0.514 and 0.398 for T. ramosissima in 2011 and 2012, and 0.385 and 0.101 for P. euphratica in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Empirical models may not be suitable for application in novel situations because they have been developed from experimental observations rather than from any mechanistic understanding or theory of stomatal behavior. Consequently, the application of Ye’s mechanistic model will be of great significance for the modeling and up-scaling of g _s in extremely arid regions in the future.     

Intraspecific variation in drought response of Populus cathayana grown under ambient and enhanced UV-B radiation

? The effects of drought, enhanced UV-B radiation and their combination on plant growth and physiological traits were investigated in a greenhouse experiment in two populations of Populus cathayana Rehder originating from high and low altitude in south-west China.

? In both populations, drought significantly decreased biomass accumulation and gas exchange parameters, including net CO₂ assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance (g _s ), transpiration rate (E) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE). However, instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE _i ), transpiration efficiency (WUE _T ), carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (N) content, as well as the accumulation of soluble protein, UV-absorbing compounds and abscisic acid (ABA) significantly increased in response to drought. On the other hand, cuttings from both populations, when kept under enhanced UV-B radiation, showed very similar changes, as under drought, in all above-mentioned parameters.

? Compared with the low altitude population, the high altitude population was more tolerant to drought and enhanced UV-B, as indicated by the higher level of biomass accumulation, gas exchange, water-use efficiency, ABA concentration and UV-absorbing compounds.

? After one growing season of exposure to different UV-B levels and watering regimes, the decrease in biomass accumulation and gas exchange, induced by drought, was more pronounced under the combination of UV-B and drought. Significant interactions between drought and UV-B were observed in WUE _i , WUE_T, δ¹³C, soluble protein, UV-absorbing compounds, ABA and in the leaf and stem N, as well as in the leaf and stem C:N ratio.

? Our results showed that UV-B acts as an important signal allowing P. cathayana seedlings to respond to drought and that the combination of drought and UV-B may cause synergistically detrimental effects on plant growth.

     

Leaf photosynthetic properties in a willow (Salix viminalis and Salix dasyclados) plantation in response to fertilization

Specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic characteristics were studied in upper and lower canopy leaves of Salix viminalis and S. dasyclados grown at two nutrition levels. Fertilization increased SLA and leaf mass-based nitrogen concentration in most cases. Positive effects of fertilization on leaf light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A _max ^A ) and maximum carboxylation rate (V _cmax) were not detected. Significant differences between the leaves from upper and lower canopy layers in area-based nitrogen, A _max ^A , SLA, mass-based chlorophyll, V _cmax and stomatal conductance were found for most plots. We attempted to estimate the fraction of non-photosynthetic nitrogen and found that it tended to be higher due to fertilization. Thus, the insensitivity of leaf photosynthesis to fertilization could be caused by higher proportion of non-photosynthetic nitrogen in the leaves of fertilized plots. Though leaf-level photosynthesis was not increased by fertilization, considerably higher leaf area index of fertilized plots still resulted in increased canopy carbon gain.     

Response of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) to soil and atmospheric water deficits under Mediterranean mountain climate

The physiological responses to water deficits of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) were studied under Mediterranean mountain climate. Minimum leaf water potentials were ?3.2 MPa for oak and ?2.1 MPa for pine, with higher predawn values for pubescent oak. Relative sap flow declined in both species when vapour pressure deficit (D) went above ca. 1.2 kPa, but stomatal control was stronger for pine during the 2003 summer drought. P. sylvestris plant hydraulic conductance on a half-total leaf area basis (k _L,s?1) was 1.2–2.6 times higher than the values shown by Q. pubescens, and it showed a considerably steeper decrease during summer. Leaf-level gas exchange was positively related to k _L,s?1 in both species. Scots pine was more vulnerable to xylem embolism and closed stomata to prevent substantial conductivity losses. The results of this study confirm that pubescent oak is more resistant to extreme drought events.     

The impact of climate change on the growth of tropical agroforestry tree seedlings

Several studies have been conducted on the response of crops to greater concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ (CO₂ fertilization) as a result of climate change, but only few studies have evaluated this effect on multipurpose agroforestry tree species in tropical environments. The objectives of this study were to quantify differences in growth parameters and in leaf carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations of Cedrela odorata L. and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. seedlings under current ambient temperature (32°C daytime, 22°C night time) and CO₂ (360 ppm) (AMB); CO₂ fertilization (800 ppm, 32°C daytime, 22°C night time) (_fCO₂); elevated ambient temperature (360 ppm, 34°C daytime, 25°C night time) (TEMP); and a combination of elevated temperature (32°C daytime, 22°C night time) and CO₂ fertilization (800 ppm) (TEMPx_fCO₂). Results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in seedling growth parameters (seedling height, number of stem leaves, leaf area ratio, shoot and root biomass, and shoot/root ratio) between treatments for both tree species. The greatest increases in growth parameters occurred in the TEMP and TEMPx_fCO₂ treatments compared to the AMB treatment for both tree species. However, growth parameters were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the _fCO₂ treatment compared to that of the AMB treatment. Leaf N concentration was 1.1 to 2.1 times lower (P < 0.05) in all treatments when compared to current ambient conditions (AMB) in both tree species, but no significant changes in leaf C concentrations were observed. Results from our study suggested that _fCO₂ had the greatest negative impact on tree growth parameters, and leaf N concentrations were affected negatively in all treatments compared to current ambient conditions. It is expected that such changes in growth parameters and plant N content may impact the long-term cycling of nutrients in agroforestry systems.     

Determining thresholds of low soil temperature for ecophysiological traits of black spruce and jack pine seedlings

Many studies have estimated approximately ranges of thresholds of low soil temperature in the growth and ecophysiological traits of trees, but difficultly determined the exact values. To resolve the problem, black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedlings were exposed to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C soil temperature in greenhouses. After 90 days of the treatment, net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE) and specific l...     

水分胁迫对四倍体刺槐苗生长和光合作用的影响

刺槐是我国三北地区的主要防护造林树种,尤其是西北干旱、半干旱地区有广泛的种植;但由于当地气候条件的制约,刺槐难于获得生长所需的足够水分[1],生长受到严重抑制,在黄土高原出现了大面积的"小老树"和低劣残次林[2-4],其生态、经济效益都很低.     

Na2SO4胁迫对沙枣幼苗生长和光合生理的影响

采用盆栽控制试验,研究了不同浓度(0、60、120和180 mmol·L-1)Na2SO4胁迫对沙枣幼苗生长和光合特性的影响。结果表明:(1)盐胁迫对沙枣幼苗生长具有显著的抑制效应。不同浓度Na2SO4胁迫沙枣的株高、侧枝数、总叶面积、单株叶片数、比叶面积以及各组织(除根)生物量均显著低于对照,且均随盐胁迫浓度的升高呈下降趋势,而根冠比值则由对照的0.153 1显著增加到180 mmol·L-1Na2SO4胁迫幼苗的0.348 7。(2)盐胁迫显著降低了沙枣幼苗的光合能力。随着Na2SO4胁迫的加剧,净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均呈下降的趋势,而气孔限制值(Ls)和水分利用效率(WUE)则依次增加,且Pn下降主要受气孔限制;180 mmol·L-1Na2SO4胁迫沙枣幼苗的Pn、Gs、Ci和Tr分别为对照的71.57%、30.85%、67.15%和51.65%,而Ls和WUE则分别为对照的1.91、1.38倍。(3)盐胁迫强度与幼苗株高、总叶面积、单株叶片数、比叶面积、茎生物量、叶生物量、总生物量等生长指标以及Pn、Gs、Ci、Tr等光合参数呈极显著负相关,叶片的光合参数与总叶面积、单株叶片数呈显著或极显著正相关,而叶片的生长指标、光合参数与幼苗的株高生长和生物量累积也呈显著或极显著正相关。