Empirical and optimal stomatal controls on leaf and ecosystem level CO2 and H2O exchange rates

Linkage between the leaf-level stomatal conductance (g_s) response to environmental stimuli and canopy-level mass exchange processes remains an important research problem to be confronted. How various formulations of g_s influence canopy-scale mean scalar concentration and flux profiles of CO₂ and H₂O within the canopy and how to derive ‘effective’ properties of a ‘big-leaf’ that represents the eco-system mass exchange rates starting from leaf-level parameters were explored. Four widely used formulations for leaf-level g_s were combined with a leaf-level photosynthetic demand function, a layer-resolving light attenuation model, and a turbulent closure scheme for scalar fluxes within the canopy air space. The four g_s models were the widely used semi-empirical Ball-Berry approach, and its modification, and two solutions to the stomatal optimization theory for autonomous leaves. One of the two solutions to the optimization theory is based on a linearized CO₂-demand function while the other does not invoke such simplification. The four stomatal control models were then parameterized against the same shoot-scale gas exchange data collected in a Scots pine forest located at the SMEAR II-station in Hyytiälä, Southern Finland. The predicted CO₂ (F_c) and H₂O fluxes (F_e) and mean concentration profiles were compared against multi-level eddy-covariance measurements and mean scalar concentration data within and above the canopy. It was shown that F_c comparisons agreed to within 10% and F_e comparisons to within 25%. The optimality approach derived from a linearized photosynthetic demand function predicted the largest CO₂ uptake and transpiration rates when compared to eddy-covariance measurements and the other three models. Moreover, within each g_s model, the CO₂ fluxes were insensitive to g_s model parameter variability whereas the transpiration rate estimates were notably more affected. Vertical integration of the layer-averaged results as derived from each g_s model was carried out. The sensitivities of the up-scaled bulk canopy conductances were compared against the eddy-covariance derived canopy conductance counterpart. It was shown that canopy level g_s appear more sensitive to vapor-pressure deficit than shoot-level g_s.     

Gas exchanges and chlorophyll fluorescence of young coffee plants submitted to water and nitrogen stresses

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the impact of nitrogen deprivation and water stress on gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in young plants of five cultivars of Arabic coffee. A factorial experiment 5 (cultivars) × 3 (treatments: control without stress, water stress of ?1.5?MPa and stress of N – 0.0?mmol L^?1 N) was carried out in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Before being submitted to the treatments, the plants were grown in a greenhouse for 240?days, and then transferred to a growth chamber under controlled conditions. Subsequently, after the experimental period of 96?h we measured photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g_s), transpiratory rate (E), internal and external carbon ratio (Ci/Ca), water use efficiency (A/E), electron transport rate (ETR), actual quantum yield of PS II electron transport (φFSII), and maximum photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm). Water stress reduced A, g_s, E, A/E, ETR, φFSII, and Fv/Fm. The nitrogen deficiency reduced ETR, φFSII, and Fv/Fm. Under short-term water stress Catuaí Vermelho maintain the A values due to better stomatal control, reduced water lost by transpiration (E) and better water use efficiency A/E, while Mundo Novo and Acauã show lower damage to Fv/Fm. Short-term nitrogen stress has low impact on A of young plants of Coffea arabica cultivars with adequate N-nutrition.     

Diurnal Variations in Photosynthesis,Stomatal Conductance and Leaf Water Relation in Sorghum Grown with or without Silicon under Water Stress

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was grown hydroponically with or without 50 ppm silicon (Si), and exposed to water stress from 10 days after sowing (DAS). At 15 and 23 DAS, we measured dry weight and diurnal variations in photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (T), leaf water potential (ψ _L), and water uptake rate (23 DAS only). The reduction in dry weight at 23 DAS caused by water stress was ameliorated by silicon. Under water stress, silicon-treated seedlings showed higher g _s, P _N, and T than untreated ones. ψ _L remained almost constant within treatments throughout the daytime. Water uptake rate was reduced by water stress, but the reduction was ameliorated by silicon. We conclude that silicon enhanced water uptake and g _s, improving water supply to the leaves. These effects of silicon occurred soon after exposure to water stress.     

Coupled model of stomatal conductance–photosynthesis–transpiration for paddy rice under water-saving irrigation

To improve the performance of a coupled model based on a Leuning–Ball stomatal conductance (g_s) model for rice under water deficit conditions, leaf temperature rising (ΔT) was incorporated into the Leuning–Ball model and a revised coupled model for simulation of stomatal conductance g_s–net photosynthesis rate (P_n)–transpiration rate (T_r) was developed based on data collected from a rice paddy with nonflooded controlled irrigation in 2003 and 2004. Both a Leuning–Ball and revised Leuning–Ball and coupled model based on both were evaluated with internal conductance (g_ic) determined by different equations. The performance of the Leuning–Ball model was improved under water deficit condition by incorporating ΔT, and the revised Leuning–Ball model performed better than the Leuning–Ball model in the coupled model of stomatal conductance–photosynthesis–transpiration for rice under water deficit conditions. Meanwhile, accuracy in g_ic calculation is essential for simulation of P_n, but not for simulation of T_r. Thus, leaf temperature rising ΔT is suitable as a leaf water status indicator in a simulation of rice leaf gas exchange response to water deficit conditions.     

Monitoring stomatal conductance of Jatropha curcas seedlings under different levels of water shortage with infrared thermography

Model simulations and experimental measurements were used to investigate the applicability of infrared thermography for the estimation of stomatal conductance and drought stress under sub-optimal meteorological conditions. The study focused on the stomatal conductance index I_g, calculated from the leaf temperature and the temperature of a dry and wet reference leaf. The simulations revealed that I_g is influenced by leaf dimension, wind speed and air temperature and not or hardly by leaf angle, albedo, relative humidity or insolation. In addition, I_g was found to be very sensitive to differences in wind speed, air temperature, insolation, leaf dimension and leaf angle between the measured and the reference leaves. In the experimental part, we evaluated if infrared thermography can be used to improve the knowledge on the water use of Jatropha curcas L., a tropical biofuel crop. Thermal images from Jatropha seedlings grown under three different drought treatments were made on a day with very variable insolation and a day with very low insolation. Smaller newly formed leaves and the active control of the leaf angle proved efficient ways of Jatropha to protect leaves under drought stress from overheating. I_g, assessed in four different ways, and four simplified drought stress indices were derived and related to the measured stomatal conductance (g_s) of the seedlings. The strongest correlation with g_s and the highest discriminative power between the different water treatments were achieved when I_g was calculated by taking the average leaf temperature per plant and the temperature of the dry and wet reference leaves of this plant, rather than the average temperature of several reference leaves. Using the difference between the dry reference and the measured leaf (T_dry − T_l) as a simplified index gave similar results, although correlations were weaker. Other simplified thermal indices were not well correlated with leaf stomatal conductance or with water treatment. Recommendations were formulated for the measurement of I_g and (T_dry − T_l).     

Problems with porometry: measuring stomatal conductances of potentially transpiring plants

Porometer measurements of the stomatal conductances (C_s) of potentially transpiring water hyacinth plants at Phoenix, Arizona in October of 1984, May–June of 1985, and September of 1986 indicate that C_s steadily drops as the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of the air in the measuring system's cuvette or leaf chamber rises. Utilizing this relationship to calculate the foliage-air temperature differential (T_F−T_A) response of these leaves to leaf-chamber air VPD, as per the basic equations of standard heat and water vapor transport theory; we obtain a leaf-chamber “non-water-stressed baseline” that is consistent with leaf-chamber measurements of T_F−T_A vs. air VPD. Free-air T_F−T_A vs. air VPD data, on the other hand, produce a relationship that is similarly consistent with a plant stomatal conductance which is invariant with respect to the air VPD. Hence, we conclude that the very act of stomatal conductance measurement alters a potentially transpiring plant's evaporative water loss rate in such a way that, for very high air VPD conditions, the directly measured C_s value (although correct for the leaf in the cuvette or leaf chamber) may be much reduced from that characteristic of comparable non-chamber-encumbered plants in the free air. We then demonstrate that this instrument-induced reduction in directly measured C_s values is a unique function of the leaf-chamber IJ index, evaluated with respect to the plant's free-air non-water-stressed baseline. Similar results obtained by others for cotton suggest that this phenomenon may be quite general, and that the C_s vs. air VPD interaction, believed by many to be widely operative throughout the plant kingdom, may not really exist in actual field situations.     

Evapotranspiraton estimation based on scaling up from leaf stomatal conductance to canopy conductance

Evapotranspiraton (ET) estimation based on scaling up from leaf stomatal conductance (g_s) to canopy conductance (g_c) is important in improving effective use and evaluation of agricultural water resources. Taking a summer maize field in north China as an example, after the response of g_s to main environmental factors was analyzed based on the measured value, the Jarvis model for g_s was established and calibrated. Then the weighted integration model (WI model) was established on the basis of weighted model (W model) after considering the difference of intercept diffuse radiation by shaded leaves in different canopy heights and nonlinear relationship between g_s and the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) to improve g_c estimation for shaded leaves using integration equation. Meanwhile the estimation accuracy of W and WI models for g_c was compared, and then field ET was estimated using the Penman-Monteith equation. Results indicate that the variation of g_s was similar to that of PAR and the Jarvis model could better express the response of g_s to PAR, vapour pressure deficit and air temperature. Compared to the W model, WI model could effectively improve the estimation accuracy of g_c, with the relative error of 4.4%. Penman-Monteith equation overestimated λET by 9.4% using the estimated g_c by the W model, but underestimated λET by 2.3% using the estimated g_c by the WI model. Therefore, Penman-Monteith equation can estimate maize field ET using the estimated g_c by WI model in the region.     

Water use efficiency in a soybean field: influence of plant water stress

Measurements were made in 1980 over a fully-developed soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) canopy at Mead, Nebraska to determine how crop water status influences photosynthesis, evapotranspiration and water use efficiency. Water use efficiency was calculated in terms of the CO₂—water flux ratio (CWFR). Micrometeorological techniques were used to measure the exchange rates of CO₂ and water vapor above the crop canopy. Crop water status was evaluated by reference to volumetric soil moisture (θ_v), stomatal resistance (r_s), and leaf water potential (ψ) measurements.Stomatal resistance (r_s) was independent of ψ when the latter was greater than ?1.1 MPa. r_s increased sharply as ψ dropped below this threshold. Canopy CO₂ exchange (F_c) decreased logarithmically with increasing r_s under strong irradiance. Although F_c was found to be strongly correlated with r_s, the influence of low values of ψ and of high air temperature cannot be discounted since these factors affect the enzymatic reactions associated with photosynthesis. Stomatal closure also reduced evapotranspiration and influenced the partitioning of net radiation.Under strong irradiance the CO₂ water flux ratio (CWFR) decreased with increasing stomatal resistance. This observation is at variance with predictions of certain early ‘resistance’ models, but substantiates predictions of some recent models in which leaf energy balance considerations are incorporated.     

Automated measurement of canopy stomatal conductance based on infrared temperature

Decreased water uptake closes stomates, which reduces transpiration and increases leaf temperature. The leaf or canopy temperature has long been used to make an empirical estimate of plant water stress. However, with a few supplemental measurements and application of biophysical principles, infrared measurement of canopy temperature can be used to calculate canopy stomatal conductance (g_C), a physiological variable derived from the energy balance for a plant canopy. Calculation of g_C requires an accurate measurement of canopy temperature and an estimate of plant height, but all of the other measurements are available on automated weather stations. Canopy stomatal conductance provides a field-scale measurement of daily and seasonal stomatal response to prevailing soil water and atmospheric conditions, and facilitates a comparison of models that scale conductance from single leaves (measured with porometers) to canopies. A sensitivity analysis of the input measurements/estimates showed g_C is highly sensitive to small changes in canopy and air temperature, and less sensitive to the other required measurements (relative humidity, net radiation, wind speed, and plant canopy height). The measurement of g_C becomes increasingly sensitive to all of the component factors as the conditions become cloudier, cooler, and more humid. We determined g_C for alfalfa and turfgrass by making the necessary environmental measurements and coupling them with a two-source (plant canopy layer and soil layer) energy balance model. We then compared these g_C values to maximum single leaf values scaled-up to the canopy level (g_CP, defined as potential canopy stomatal conductance herein) for the two crops. For both crops, g_C matched g_CP within approximately 10% after irrigation. The turfgrass g_C measurements were also compared to mean single leaf values measured with a porometer. At mid-day, g_C values were typically about double the single leaf values. Because this approach for determining g_C allows continuous, non-contact measurement, it has considerable potential for coupling with measurements of soil moisture to better understand plant–soil water relations. It also has potential for use in precision drought stress and irrigation scheduling.     

Photosynthetic water‐use efficiency of irrigated winter and summer crops in a typical mountain oasis of northern Oman

The millenia‐old existence of traditional, surface‐irrigated Omani mountain oases implies a remarkable sustainability of such systems in a hyperarid environment. This study was conducted in the mountain oasis of Balad Seet, situated in the Al‐Jabal‐al‐Akhdar mountains of northern Oman, to investigate the water‐use efficiency (WUE) of these oases and how farmers regulate it. In 2005, gas exchange of single leaves of 9–16 plants was measured for the most important perennial field crop alfalfa in both February and August, for the typical winter crop oat in February, and the dominating summer crop sorghum in August. The measurements were conducted five times a day in subplots irrigated the evening before and in the surrounding control plots, where plants had been withheld from irrigation for 14–16 d. Water deficit at the end of the irrigation interval reduced the stomatal conductance (g_s) strongly in summer alfalfa, oat, and sorghum, but only slightly in winter alfalfa. In oat, the reduction of net photosynthetic rate (P_N) at the end of the irrigation cycle was caused mainly by stomatal closure, in sorghum by nonstomatal factors and in summer alfalfa by both, whereas P_N in winter alfalfa remained unaffected. The ratio of net photosynthetic rate to stomatal conductance (P_N/g_s), the “intrinsic water‐use efficiency”, increased in all investigated crops in response to drought because of a stronger reduction of g_s than of P_N. This increase was small in winter alfalfa, but much stronger in oat, sorghum, and summer alfalfa. The data indicate that alfalfa maintains a relatively high CO₂ assimilation rate year‐round, contributing to a relatively high annual dry‐matter production. The decrease of the light intensity in the late afternoon caused by the shading effect of the surrounding mountains diminishes the crop evapotranspiration in the oasis.     

How weed control and fertilisation influence tree physiological processes and growth at early establishment in an exotic F<Subscript>1</Subscript> hybrid pine plantation of subtropical Australia

Purpose

This study investigated how nitrogen (N) nutrition and key physiological processes varied under changed water and nitrogen competition resulting from different weed control and fertilisation treatments in a 2-year-old F₁ hybrid (Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii?×?P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. ex Golf.) plantation on a grey podzolic soil type, in Southeast Queensland.

Materials and methods

The study integrated a range of measures including growth variables (diameter at ground level (DGL), diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H)), foliar variables (including foliar N concentration, foliar δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and physiological variables (including photosynthesis (A_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration (E), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE_i) (A/g_s) and xylem pressure potential (Ψ_XPP)) to better understand the mechanisms influencing growth under different weed control and fertilisation treatments. Five levels of weed control were applied: standard (routine), luxury, intermediate, mechanical and nil weed control, all with routine fertilisation plus an additional treatment, routine weed control and luxury fertilisation. Relative weed cover was assessed at 0.8, 1.1 and 1.6 years after plantation establishment to monitor the effectiveness of weed control treatments. Soil investigation included soil ammonium (NH₄ ⁺-N), nitrate (NO₃ ^?-N), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), gravimetric soil moisture content (MC), hot water extractable organic carbon (HWETC), hot water extractable total N (HWETN), total C, total N, stable C isotope composition (δ¹³C), stable N isotope composition (δ¹⁵N), total P and extractable K.

Results and discussion

There were significant relationships between foliar N concentrations and relative weed cover and between tree growth and foliar N concentration or foliar δ¹⁵N, but initial site preparation practices also increased soil N transformations in the planting rows reducing the observable effects of weed control on foliar δ¹⁵N. A positive relationship between foliar N concentration and foliar δ¹³C or photosynthesis indicated that increased N availability to trees positively influenced non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis. However, trees with increased foliar N concentrations and photosynthesis were negatively related to xylem pressure potential in the afternoons which enhanced stomatal limitations to photosynthesis and WUE_i.

Conclusions

Luxury and intermediate weed control and luxury fertilisation positively influenced growth at early establishment by reducing the competition for water and N resources. This influenced fundamental key physiological processes such as the relationships between foliar N concentration, A _n, E, g_s and Ψ_XPP. Results also confirmed that time from cultivation is an important factor influencing the effectiveness of using foliar δ¹⁵N as an indicator of soil N transformations.

     

Boron fertilization enhances photosynthesis and water use efficiency in soybean at vegetative growth stage

Abstract

Influence of boron (B) on photosynthesis and water use has not sufficiently been evaluated in soybean despite its worldwide importance as a crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of B application on photosynthesis and water use in soybean at vegetative growth stage. A pot experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. M8644 IPRO] was grown in a clayey Oxisol previously fertilized with 4 B rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0?mg dm^?3). Net photosynthesis rate (P_n), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g_s) were measured in the second trifoliate leaf of plants at the V4 growth stage. Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEis = P_n/E) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEic = P_n/g_s) were calculated. B application to soil increased all these variables. The most consistent increases were in P_n, WUEis, and WUEic. The critical level of hot water extractable B in soil that maximized photosynthesis and optimized water use by soybean at vegetative growth stage was calculated to be 0.38?mg dm^?3.     

Effect of Iron Deficiency on Gas Exchange and Catalase and Peroxidase Activity in Citrus

Abstract

The effects of iron (Fe) deficiency on catalase and peroxidase activity, net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (g _s ), plant water relations, and specific leaf weight, were studied under greenhouse conditions in two sweet orange (C. sinensis) cultivars grafted on sour orange (Citrus aurantium) and Swingle citrumelo (C. paradisi × P. trifoliata). Iron deficiency caused by the absence of Fe in the Hoagland nutrient solution reduced significantly catalase and peroxidase activity, photosynthesis (Pn), osmotic potential (Ψ _π ), turgor potential (Ψ _p ), and specific leaf weight, but did not influence g _s and leaf water potential (Ψ _L ). Iron deficiency caused by increasing concentrations of bicarbonate supplied as NaHCO₃ (10 and 40 mM) in the nutrient solution reduced significantly g _s , Pn, and Ψ _p and increased Ψ _L and Ψ _π . Furthermore, remarkable differences were recorded between the various cultivars/rootstocks combinations.     

Changes in gas exchange capacity and selected physiological properties of squash seedlings (Cucurbita pepo L.) under well-watered and drought stress conditions

Water use efficiency (WUE) is considered as an important component of adaptation to drought stress. This study was conducted to determine the effect of drought stress on gas exchange parameters and selected physiological properties, and also its relations with WUE in summer squash seedlings (Cucurbita pepo L.). Plants were grown in pots under different irrigation levels (D0: 100%, D1: 67% and D2: 33% of the water required to reach the field capacity) in controlled greenhouse. The results show that drought treatments significantly decreased the leaf chlorophyll reading values (LCRV), leaf relative water content (LRWC), stomatal conductance (g_s), photosynthetic rate (P_N), transpiration rate (T_r), fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) of squash seedlings by 7, 42, 69, 62, 62 63 and 82%, respectively, in D2 treatment compared to D0. However, electrolyte leakage (EL) values increased 72% with severe drought treatments (D2). The highest WUE was obtained by D0 treatment as 0.26 g mm^?1. The relationship between P_N and WUE is the strongest one among all leaf gas exchange parameters. Together with T_r, the linear relation with WUE was considerably higher compared to other measured parameters.     

GAS EXCHANGE AND GROWTH OF TRITICALE SEEDLINGS UNDER DIFFERENT NITROGEN SUPPLY AND WATER STRESS

The effect of nitrogen (30 and 120 mg N per cuvette) on photosynthetic rate of four cultivars of triticale (‘Bolero’, ‘Grado’, ‘Largo’, and ‘Lasko’) grown 14 days in phytotron was strongly modified by water content (75, 45 and 35% of full water capacity). For plants grown under 35% of full water capacity, it was higher when they were grown under 30 than under 120 mg N/cuvette (9.88 and 8.76 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1, respectively) but for plants grown under 45 and 75% of full water capacity there were not significant differences. Transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency, and internal water use efficiency were not influenced by nitrogen doses independently of water content. Photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency, and dry matter of studied cultivars of triticale grown under 45 and 35% of full water capacity and both nitrogen doses were lower than for plants grown under 75% of full water capacity. With lowering of water content stomatal conductance was decreasing similarly as photosynthetic rate e.g. for plants grown under 35% of full water capacity as compared with those grown under 75% of full water capacity average stomatal conductance decreased from 0.209 to 0.138 mol H₂O m^?2 s^?1 and photosynthetic rate from 13.69 to 9.32 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and as a result there were not significant differences in internal water use efficiency for all studied combinations (67.09 μmol CO₂ mol^?1 H₂O) which shows that stomatal factors were mainly responsible for changes of photosynthetic rate. With lowering of water content from 75 to 35% of full water capacity the decrease of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance was much higher than the decreases of transpiration (from 3.57 to 3.02 mmol H₂O m^?2 s^?1) what shows not direct dependence of transpiration on stomatal conductance (water use efficiency decreased from 3.87 to 3.10 μmol CO₂ mmol^?1 H₂O). The effect of nitrogen on dry matter production was strongly modified by water availability e.g. for plants grown under 35% of full water capacity, dry matter was similarly independent of nitrogen dose but for plants grown under 45 and 75% of full water capacity dry matter was significantly higher than when they were grown under 120 (79.05 and 86.75 mg, respectively) or with 30 mg N/cuvette (74.03 and 80.30 mg, respectively).     

Physiological responses of Quercus ilex Leaves to Water Stress and Acute Ozone Exposure Under Controlled Conditions

The combined effect of water stress and ozone (O₃) on stomatal O₃ flux, damage to photosynthesis, and detoxification by biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) in Quercus ilex leaves was studied. A 4-weeks O₃ exposure (250 ppb, 4 h per day) caused a reduction of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, which was fully recovered 1 week after the end of the treatment, in well-watered and water-stressed plants. Measurements of stomatal O₃ flux revealed a low stomatal flux of the pollutant, which became minimal after stomatal closure caused by water stress. An induction of volatile monoterpenes, important compounds in the O₃ scavenging system in Q. ilex, and a burst of lipoxygenase compounds (LOX), which are released as gaseous by-products of membrane peroxidation, was observed after 2–3 weeks of O₃ fumigation. However, these compounds were also released in control leaves that were exposed to ozone only briefly, to determine stomatal O₃ flux. The low stomatal flux that occurred in water stress conditions helped avoiding permanent damage to Q. ilex leaves, although during the O₃ treatment photosynthesis was severely limited by stomatal closure. In well-watered plants, O₃ fumigation caused a noticeable increase of nocturnal stomatal conductance. If confirmed on adult plants under field conditions, this effect can imply larger flux of O₃ at night and possible detrimental effects of O₃ on leaf functions in plants exposed to high nocturnal O₃ levels.     

贵州黄壤小白菜生长、品质、光合特性及氮素利用对新型肥料的响应

为探究不同新型肥料对贵州省酸性黄壤小白菜产量、品质、光合特性及肥料利用的影响,同时筛选出适合贵州黄壤施用的新型肥料产品,以贵州酸性黄壤为基础,通过盆栽试验设置对照(CK,不施氮肥)、西洋复合肥(常规施肥)、保水型功能性肥和稳定性缓释肥4个处理,研究了新型肥料对小白菜产量、品质、光合特性以及养分吸收利用的影响。结果表明:施用保水型功能性肥和稳定性缓释肥可显著增加小白菜播种后34 d的生物量,较常规施肥处理相比鲜重分别增加4.16%和22.28%,干重分别增加41.55%和62.35%;施用新型肥料还可以改善小白菜的营养品质,与常规施肥处理相比,保水型功能性肥可显著降低硝酸盐含量18.61%,而还原性糖、V_c和游离氨基酸含量分别增加25.74%、130.95%和16.91%;而稳定性缓释肥则使硝酸盐、还原糖和Vc含量分别提高26.68%、15.35%和50.00%,但是游离氨基酸含量则较常规施肥相比降低14.43%;而且新型肥料还增强了小白菜叶片的光合能力(净光合速率Pn、气孔导度gs、胞间CO_2浓度Ci以及蒸腾速率Tr),其中以稳定性缓释肥处理的小白菜光合能力最佳,且气孔因素是导致净光合速率增加的主要原因。施用新型肥料小白菜对氮素的吸收显著增加,氮肥利用效率显著提高,新型肥料处理的氮肥农学效率(AEN)、偏生产力(PFPN)、生理利用率(PE_N)和表观利用率(REN)平均分别为48.30 kg·kg~(-1)、59.85 kg·kg~(-1)、95.46 kg·kg~(-1)和52.79%,以稳定性缓释肥处理的氮肥利用效率最佳,尤其是氮肥表观利用率达66.66%。此外,相关性分析结果显示,小白菜产量与叶片净光合速率P_n、气孔导度g_s以及蒸腾速率T_r均呈显著正相关关系,说明提高小白菜叶片的气体交换参数P_n、g_s和T_r可以增加小白菜产量;同时小白菜叶片氮含量与氮肥生理利用率和氮肥表观利用率存在极显著相关性,r值分别为-0.937和0.978,表明增加小白菜叶片氮含量可以提高小白菜对氮肥的利用效率。综上所述,新型肥料对贵州酸性黄壤上小白菜的生物增产效应以及光合特性提高等效果显著,可为将来在贵州农业生产中推广应用提供参考和理论依据。     

Effect of silicon on photosynthetic gas exchange,photosynthetic pigments,cell membrane stability and relative water content of different wheat cultivars under drought stress conditions

This study aims to explain the effects of silicon (Si) foliar application on gas exchange characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, membrane stability and leaf relative water content of different wheat cultivars in the field under drought stress conditions. The experiment was arranged as a split-split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation regime (100%, 60%, and 40% F.C.), silicon (control and Si application) and wheat cultivars (Shiraz, Marvdasht, Chamran, and Sirvan) were considered as main, sub and sub-sub plots, respectively. This study was carried out at the Research Farm of the Collage of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran, during 2012–2013 growing season. The results showed that foliar application of silicon increased the leaf relative water content, photosynthesis pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total chl and carotenoids), chlorophyll stability index (CSI) and membrane stability index (MSI) in all wheat cultivars, especially in Sirvan and Chamran (drought tolerant cultivars), under both stress and non-stress conditions. However, more improvement was observed under drought stress as compared to the non-stress condition. In contrast, these parameters decreased under drought stress. Si significantly decreased electrolyte leakage in all four cultivars under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, the intercellular carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration (C_i) increased under drought stress. Si application decreased C_i especially under drought stress conditions. Net photosynthesis rate (A), transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (g_s) were significantly decreased under drought conditions. Under drought, Si applied plants showed significantly higher leaf photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance. Intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) and carboxylation efficiency (C_E) decreased in all cultivars under drought stress. However, the silicon-applied plants had greater WUEi and C_E under drought stress. The stomatal limitation was found to be higher in stressed plants compared to the control. Exogenously applied silicon also decreased stomatal limitation. Overall, application of Si was found beneficial for improving drought tolerance of wheat plants.     

不同氮、磷用量对杂种小麦旗叶光合特性的影响

在大田条件下研究了不同氮、磷用量对杂种小麦旗叶光合特性的影响。结果表明,在施N122.5～337.5kg/hm2,P2O590～270kg/hm2范围内,随肥料用量增加杂种小麦旗叶净光合速率(Pn)、叶绿素(Chl)含量、可溶蛋白(Pro)含量、气孔导度(gs)和叶肉导度(gm)均升高,光合功能期延长,叶源量增加。母本(C6-38)与杂种F1表现相同趋势,而父本(Py85-1)在中肥和高肥处理下各指标的表现与杂种小麦相反。在旗叶整个老化过程中,杂种小麦与双亲本均值相比的净光合速率和光合功能期的平均优势均随氮、磷用量的增加而增大,且各施肥水平下均以老化后期大于前、中期。     

WATER STRESS AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON GAS EXCHANGE,WATER RELATIONS,AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN WHEAT

A field experiment was conducted over two years to evaluate the gas exchange, water relations, and water use efficiency (WUE) of wheat under different water stress and nitrogen management practices at Crop Physiology Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Four irrigation regimes and four nitrogen levels, i.e., 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha^?1 were applied in this study. The photosynthetic gas exchange parameters [net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance] are remarkably improved by water application and nitrogen (N) nutrition. Plants grown under four irrigation treatments as compared with those grown under one irrigation treatment average stomatal conductance increased from 0.15 to 0.46 μ mol m^?2s^?1mol during 2002–2003 and 0.18 to 0.33 μ mol m^?2s^?1mol during the year 2003–2004 and photosynthetic rate from 9.33 to 13.03 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 3.99 to 7.75 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 during the year 2002–2003 and 2003–2004, respectively. The exposure of plants to water and nitrogen stress lead to noticeable decrease in leaf water potential, osmotic potential and relative water content. Relative water content (RWC) of stressed plants dropped from 98 to 75% with the decrease in number of irrigation and nitrogen nutrition. The higher leaf water potential, and relative water contents were associated with higher photosynthetic rate. Water use efficiency (WUE) reduced with increasing number of irrigations and increased with increasing applied nitrogen at all irrigation levels.