供氮水平对小麦生殖生长时期叶片光合速率、NR活性和核酸含量及产量的影响

在水培条件下,研究了氮素水平对小麦生殖生长时期一些生理特性及产量的影响。结果表明：生殖生长时期,外源供氮水平供应增加,叶面积、叶片光合速率及叶绿素含量均随之增加;叶片和根系硝酸还原酶活性(NRA)、叶片铵态氮含量和外源供氮水平间有显著正相关;根系DNA及RNA含量均随供氮水平升高而升高;孕穗期用不同氮素水平处理15d,对小麦成熟后生物量及经济产量有明显影响。     

异质养分环境下邻株竞争对3个木荷种源干物质积累及氮磷效率的影响

为了探究不同木荷种源混交林和纯林生产力差异原因,采用盆栽试验,模拟异质和同质性森林土壤环境,并设计木荷单植、双株纯植和与杉木混植3种栽植模式,重点研究了异质养分环境下邻株竞争对3个木荷种源(福建建瓯、江西信丰和浙江龙泉种源)干物质积累及氮磷效率的影响。结果表明:与同质养分环境相比,木荷种源在异质养分环境中具有干物质量大,氮、磷吸收效率高的特点,尤以福建建瓯种源优势最大。邻株竞争对木荷种源的干物质量和氮、磷吸收效率影响显著。在异质养分环境中,与杉木邻株竞争时,木荷福建建瓯种源干物质积累量优于单植和双株纯植模式。这与其根冠比和生理可塑性较强有关,混植时,其根冠比明显降低,将更多的干物质分配至叶片,增强了光合能力;同时氮、磷吸收效率也显著提高,进而积累了较高的干物质量,提高了竞争力。相反,混植时江西信丰和浙江龙泉种源氮和磷吸收效率却不同程度地低于其单植或与之相近,根冠比较高,结果影响了干物质积累。同种邻株竞争虽促进了浙江龙泉和江西信丰种源的氮、磷吸收,但抑制了两元素的利用效率,而福建建瓯种源氮、磷效率受影响较小,且明显高于其他种源,从而形成较高的干物质量。以上研究结果表明,福建建瓯种源较高的生物量分配和生理可塑性是其生产力高和生长竞争优势明显主要原因。     

施氮对木荷3个种源幼苗根系发育和氮磷效率的影响

以浙北、闽北和赣南3个木荷有代表性的种源作为试验材料,通过人工控制施氮来研究氮沉降对林地贫瘠土壤上木荷幼苗生长和氮磷效率的影响.实验分为4个处理组,分别人工喷施NH4NO3溶液0、50、100和200 kg N hm-2·a-1.结果表明:氮沉降对木荷幼苗生长产生了不同程度的促进作用.木荷幼苗根系干物质重、总长、平均直径、根总表面积和总体积增加了33％-73％,其中＞0.5mm直径的根系生长最为显著,根系呈粗壮舒张型.随氮水平的提高,氮磷吸收效率与根系总长、根系体积、根系平均直径和总表面积相关性增强.在中氮水平下,木荷幼苗根系氮吸收效率受＞0.5mm根长的作用显著,而磷吸收效率与≤0.5mm,0.5-1.0mm和≥1.0mm 3种直径根系根长均显著相关.木荷种源间差异显著,福建建瓯种源根系发达,氮磷的利用效率更高,低氮水平对其根系生长促进作用显著;浙江杭州种源在低氮水平下,地上部分生长促进作用显著,苗高和地径较对照分别增长34％和26％,而根系生长发育迟缓,对氮素响应迟钝;低氮促进江西信丰种源整体增长,但随氮水平提高,地下部生长抑制加强.     

不同养分环境下木荷种源生长和根系发育对邻株竞争响应的差异

研究同质和异质养分环境中邻株竞争对3个木荷种源生长和根系发育的影响,揭示了不同种源木荷生长竞争能力差异原因.结果表明: 与同质养分环境相比,3个木荷种源在异质养分环境中具有苗高生长量大、干物质积累量高和根系增生明显等特点.在异质养分环境下,福建建瓯种源木荷苗木生长量显著高于浙江龙泉和江西信丰种源,与杉木混植时尤为突出,这与其根系形态可塑性高和拓殖能力强有关,混植时,福建建瓯种源木荷的根长、根表面积和根体积等根系生长量较单植显著增长20.4 %～69.0%,其根系在富养表层大量增生的同时快速向深层贫养层拓殖,占有了更多的空间和资源,提高了觅养能力,使其生长优势更为明显,而浙江龙泉和江西信丰种源根系生长和深层土壤根系分布受邻株竞争影响不同程度的降低.纯植时,可能由于根系自我识别作用,3个木荷种源的根系生长发育均受到抑制,导致福建建瓯种源苗木生长量显著减小,而浙江龙泉种源苗高和干物质积累增长明显,这与其根系生理可塑性有关.建议生产上选用觅养效率高和竞争能力强的福建建瓯种源木荷,采用混交造林的方式提高木荷人工林生产力.     

供氮水平对小麦生殖生长时期叶片光合速率、NR活性和核酸含量及产量的影响

在水培条件下，研究了氮素水平对小麦生殖生长时期一些生理特性及产量的影响。结果表明：生殖生长时期，外源供氮水平供应增加，叶面积、叶片光合速率及叶绿素含量均随之增加；叶片和根系硝酸还原酶活性（NRA）、叶片铵态氮含量和外源供氮水平间有显著正相关；根系DNA及RNA含量均随供氮水平升高而升高；孕穗期用不同氮素水平处理15 d，对小麦成熟后生物量及经济产量有明显影响。     

中国马褂木不同种源苗期生长规律研究

对中国马褂木6个种源(云南金平、浙江安吉、福建武夷山、贵州黎平、广西全州、江西庐山)一年生实生苗的苗高生长规律进行研究。结果表明:(1)各种源在苗高生长上存在着极显著的差异。(2)利用logistic曲线拟合其苗高生长方程,发现各种源苗高生长均呈现明显的"慢—快—慢"的"S"型生长节律。(3)利用有序样本聚类分析将苗木生长划分为幼苗期、生长前期、速生期、生长后期4个阶段,福建武夷山种源最早进入速生期,且持续时间最长,江西庐山种源最晚进入速生期,且持续时间最短。速生期苗高净生长量占总生长量最大的是浙江安吉种源,达56.05%;第二是福建武夷山;最小的是江西庐山种源,只有34.29%。(4)依据苗高和地径两个性状的聚类分析把6个种源分成三大类,第一类是全州种源,苗高生长表现最好;第二类是金平、安吉、武夷山、黎平种源;第三类是庐山种源。     

Growth pattern of Liriodendron chinense seedlings from different provenances

对中国马褂木6个种源(云南金平、浙江安吉、福建武夷山、贵州黎平、广西全州、江西庐山)一年生实生苗的苗高生长规律进行研究.结果表明:(1)各种源在苗高生长上存在着极显著的差异.(2)利用logistic曲线拟合其苗高生长方程,发现各种源苗高生长均呈现明显的“慢—快—慢”的“S”型生长节律.(3)利用有序样本聚类分析将苗木生长划分为幼苗期、生长前期、速生期、生长后期4个阶段,福建武夷山种源最早进入速生期,且持续时间最长,江西庐山种源最晚进入速生期,且持续时间最短.速生期苗高净生长量占总生长量最大的是浙江安吉种源,达56.05％;第二是福建武夷山;最小的是江西庐山种源,只有34.29％.(4)依据苗高和地径两个性状的聚类分析把6个种源分成三大类,第一类是全州种源,苗高生长表现最好;第二类是金平、安吉、武夷山、黎平种源;第三类是庐山种源.     

丛枝菌根真菌和根瘤菌对白三叶氮同化的影响

为揭示丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)和根瘤菌在白三叶氮(N)同化中的作用,该研究对白三叶进行单一或联合接种隐类球囊霉(Paraglomus occultum)和三叶草根瘤菌(Rhizobium trifolii),分析其对白三叶的生长、光合作用、叶片N和氨基酸含量以及N同化相关酶活性的影响。结果表明:(1)单一接种AMF或根瘤菌以及联合接种AMF和根瘤菌均显著增加了白三叶的株高、匍匐茎长度、叶片数、地上部生物量、总生物量、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量、稳态光量子效率和叶片N含量,这种增强效应是联合接种>单一AMF>单一根瘤菌>未接种处理。(2)联合接种AMF和根瘤菌显著增加了白三叶叶片中丙氨酸、精氨酸、天冬酰胺、天冬氨酸、谷氨酰胺、谷氨酸和组氨酸的含量,显著提升了叶片N同化相关酶如硝酸还原酶、亚硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶、谷氨酸合成酶、谷氨酸脱氢酶、天冬酰胺合成酶和天冬氨酸转氨酶的活性,显著促进AMF对白三叶根系的侵染。综上认为,联合接种AMF和根瘤菌通过激活N同化相关酶活性有效促进N同化,产生更多氨基酸,进一步促进白三叶植株生长; 联合接种AMF和根瘤菌具有协同作用,有效促进了白三叶的N同化。     

不同种源刨花楠苗木生长与主要功能性状对氮添加的响应

氮是影响植物生长的重要营养物质元素,生物量分配模式和功能性状反映植物在不同环境中的适应性策略,揭示不同种源个体对氮沉降的生态响应,有助于阐明植物对氮沉降的适应机制。该研究以刨花楠(也称刨花润楠, Machilus pauhoi)典型分布区福建万木林、福建茫荡山、江西遂川、浙江建德、湖南茶陵、江西安福6个种源地的刨花楠苗木为对象,通过设置施肥和不施肥处理,探讨氮添加、种源及其交互作用对刨花楠苗木生物量分配与功能性状的影响。结果表明:1)氮添加会显著促进刨花楠苗木的生物量累积及其相对生长速率,建德种源苗木在施氮处理后长势最好;氮添加对各种源苗木生物量分配的影响表现不同,添加氮会显著增加建德和安福种源苗木叶质量分数及万木林和安福种源苗木的叶茎比。2)氮添加对各种源苗木叶性状的影响存在差异;施氮会显著降低建德、茶陵和安福种源苗木的比叶面积,增加茶陵种源苗木的叶面积及叶片氮磷比。3)各种源苗木细根主要功能性状对氮添加的响应也存在差异;施氮会显著降低建德种源苗木的细根平均直径及遂川、建德和安福种源苗木的根组织密度,但却会增加万木林种源苗木根组织密度、茫荡山和建德种源苗木的比根长及遂川和建德种源苗木...     

局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响

通过向玉米幼苗分根装置一侧根室的营养液中加入聚乙二醇(PEG 6000)来模拟植物水分胁迫,并设3种供氮形态(硝态氮、铵态氮、两者各占50%的混合氮),且只加入到一侧根室(当氮加入到和PEG同侧时为水氮异区,加入到无PEG一侧时为水氮同区),测定各处理的光合、生理指标,以研究局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:同一氮形态供给下水氮同区植株的光合速率(Pn)、最大净光合速率(Pmax)、光饱和点(LSP)、CO2饱和点(CSP)、叶绿素a、b及叶绿素总含量、根系活力、氮含量和生物量高于水氮异区,光呼吸速率(Rp)、CO2补偿点(CCP)、木质部汁液脱落酸(ABA)浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率低于水氮异区;供混合氮和硝态氮的植株Pn、Pmax、LSP、CSP、氮含量和生物量高于供铵态氮的植株,而CCP、Rp、木质部汁液ABA浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率变化趋势则相反.可见,同一供氮形态下,水氮同区比水氮异区更利于植物生长,而水氮利用效率在水氮异区下较高;混合氮和硝态氮对植物生长的促进作用优于单一供给铵态氮,但铵态氮更有利于提高水氮利用效率.     

不同种源油松幼苗的光合色素和非结构性碳水化合物对模拟氮沉降的短期响应

以不同种源(内蒙NM、北京BJ和山西SX)的3年生油松幼苗为研究对象,研究不同种源油松幼苗的光合色素以及非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)对氮沉降增加的短期响应。实验中设置5个氮处理:CK(0 kg hm-2a-1)、N1(15 kg hm-2a-1)、N2(25 kg hm-2a-1)、N3(50 kg hm-2a-1)、N4(150 kg hm-2a-1)。研究结果表明:(1)不同生长季,3个种源油松幼苗的光合色素对氮沉降增加的响应存在差异,但是只有BJ种源油松幼苗的叶绿素含量在生长季中期受到了氮沉降增加的显著促进作用,并在N4水平下达到最大值。(2)氮沉降的增加促进了3个种源油松幼苗NSC的转移和消耗,在生长季初期和中期,随着氮沉降水平的升高,3个种源油松幼苗的可溶性糖(SS)含量、淀粉(ST)含量以及总非结构性碳水化物(TNC)含量呈不同程度的降低。生长季末期,3个种源油松幼苗的SS和TNC明显积累。N4水平抑制了NM种源油松幼苗SS和BJ种源油松幼苗ST的累积,促进了NM种源油松幼苗ST含量和BJ种源油松幼苗SS含量的提高。氮沉降的增加显著抑制了SX种源油松幼苗NSC的积累,延长了幼苗的生长期,推迟了幼苗进入休眠的时间。     

Photosynthetic temperature responses of four neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) provenances in the dry-hot valley area of China

The temperature dependences of net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E) and dark respiration (R _D) of four neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) provenances of 11 years old were measured in three seasons of 2006 in the dry-hot valley area of southwest China under field conditions. The results indicated that P _N of four neem provenances showed clear parabolic responses with the increase of temperature. The optimum temperature of P _N was around 25°C in initiation stage and 30°C in prosperous stage except for neem originating from Jodhpur (MA) provenance which was very close to the mean daily temperature of the preceding week while it was around 27°C (MA provenance excepted) in last stage which was rather close to the mean daily maximum temperature of the preceding week. The optimum temperature for P _N of MA provenance was about 2–4°C higher than that of the other three neem provenances in prosperous stage and last stage. According to the fitted parameters of photosynthetic temperature response curves, the photosynthetic performance in prosperous stage was more sensitive to temperature changes than that in initiation stage and last stage while the photosynthetic performance of neem originating from MA provenance was less sensitive to temperatures than that of neem originating from Kalyani, New Delhi and Kulapachta provenances in each growing stage. Furthermore, the temperature ranges for P _N of MA provenance were much wider than those of the remaining provenances in each growing stage. These differences in photosynthetic temperature acclimation between neem provenances not only reflected temperature regime of native habitats of these provenances but suggested that MA provenance could be more tolerant to extreme temperatures compared with the remaining provenances. The temperature response curves of g _s and E were generally similar in form in the same growing stage for all neem provenances; however, shape of the response curves in initiation stage and last stage was similar to parabolic curve while that in prosperous stage was similar to linear relation. The temperature for maximum g _s and E in initiation stage was close to the optimum temperature of P _N, but the maximum g _s reached at much lower temperature than P _N and E in last stage. The response of R _D to temperature increased exponentially with temperature; however, there were obvious differences in different growing stages. R _D in initiation stage was markedly higher than that in prosperous stage and last stage at a given temperature for four neem provenances. These results suggested that four neem provenances can acclimate to their growing environment through changed photosynthetic ecophysiological responses in course of subjecting to seasonal variation of temperature.     

基于SRAP标记的紫溪山华山松种子园无性系遗传多样性分析

为明确云南楚雄市紫溪山华山松种子园内不同种源无性系间的遗传背景,该研究收集了园内6个种源的60个华山松无性系单株针叶,采用改良CTAB法提取其总DNA,并利用SRAP分子标记对其进行遗传多样性分析。结果表明:(1)从100对引物组合中共筛选出15对具有多态性的SRAP引物,经SRAP-PCR扩增后,共获得出194个位点,多态位点百分率(PPB)为85.05%,Nei's基因多样性指数(H)为0.233 7,Shannon's信息指数(I)为0.341 9,种源间的遗传分化系数(GST)为0.355 5。(2)华山松6个种源遗传多样性较高,且遗传变异主要存在于华山松种源内,种源地会泽(HZ)与巍山(WS)种源的遗传距离最近(D=0.050 1),会泽(HZ)与宜良(YL)种源的遗传距离最远(D=0.361 8)。(3)聚类分析显示将6个华山松种源一共聚为3类:会泽(HZ)和巍山(WS)种源聚为一类;楚雄(CX)、南华(NH)和宜良(YL)种源聚为一类;腾冲(TC)种源单独为一类。综合上述结果显示,紫溪山华山松种子园内无性系间的遗传分化处于较高水平,为华山松杂交育种时亲本的选配及种质资源的评价提供了分子水平的理论依据。     

桂西南不同种源蚬木光合和生长特征的研究

为选择喀斯特特有树种蚬木(Excentrodendron hsienmu)优良种源,采用完全随机区组试验设计,研究了不同种源蚬木光合生理和生长特征的月动态变化。结果表明,蚬木光合生理特性在不同月份、不同种源间差异显著,净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率表现出对气候变化的适应,均随月份发生变化。各种源蚬木净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均在8月份最高,4月份和12月份较低。水分利用效率则在8月份最低,4月份和12月份较高。相关分析表明,蚬木各种源苗高与地径、净光合速率均显著正相关,而净光合速率与地径也表现一定的正相关关系,说明净光合速率可作为蚬木生长过程中的指示性监测指标。蚬木大新、武鸣、隆安种源在整个生长季节均表现较高的净光合速率和生长量,以及较低的蒸腾速率,因此,这3个蚬木种源更适合在南宁地区引种种植。     

Effects of water stress on photosynthetic activity,dry mass partitioning and some associated metabolic changes in four provenances of neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis> A. Juss)

Chlorophyll (Chl) content, dry mass, relative water content (RWC), leaf mass per area (LMA), proline (Pro) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity, P _N-PAR response curves and gas exchange were studied to determine the effects of water stress on photosynthetic activity, dry mass partitioning and metabolic changes in four provenances of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss). The results indicated that provenance differences existed in the adaptation response to water stress that included changes to growth strategies coupled with ecophysiological and metabolic adjustments. As water stress increased, stomatal conductance (g _s), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), and leaf RWC decreased while LMA increased in all provenances. Dry mass was reduced in droughted plants and the percentage increased in dry mass allocated to roots, and enzyme activities of SOD and POD were highest in neem originating from Kalyani (KA) provenance and lowest in neem originating from New Dehli (ND) provenance. In contrast, water stress increased MDA content least in KA and most in ND. Furthermore, neem originating from ND also had the greatest decrease in Chl a/b ratio while the ratio was least affected in neem originating from KA. These findings suggest neem originating from KA may have more drought resistance than neem originating from ND. The data from P _N-PAR response curves are less clear. While these curves showed that drought stress increased compensation irradiance (I _c) and dark respiration (R _D) and decreased saturation irradiance (I _s) and maximum net photosynthetic rate (P _max), the extent of decline in P _max was provenance dependent. P _max under non-waterlimiting conditions was higher in neem originating from Jodhpur (MA) (about 14 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) than in the other three provenances (all about 10 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), but mild water stress had minimal effect on P _max of these three provenances whereas P _max of MA provenance declined to 10 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, i.e. a similar value. However, under severe water stress P _max of MA and KA provenances had declined to 40% of non-stressed values (about 6 and 4 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively) whereas the decline in P _max of neem originating from Kulapachta (KU) and ND provenances was about 50% of nonstressed values (about 5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). These data suggest the P _N responses of KU and ND provenances are most tolerant, and KA and MA least tolerant to increasing water stress, but also suggest MA provenance could be the most desired under both non-water-limiting and water-limiting conditions due to highest P _max in all conditions.     

Variation in the phenology of photosynthesis among eastern white pine provenances in response to warming

In higher‐latitude trees, temperature and photoperiod control the beginning and end of the photosynthetically active season. Elevated temperature (ET) has advanced spring warming and delayed autumn cooling while photoperiod remains unchanged. We assessed the effects of warming on the length of the photosynthetically active season of three provenances of Pinus strobus L. seedlings from different latitudes, and evaluated the accuracy of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the chlorophyll/carotenoid index (CCI) for tracking the predicted variation in spring and autumn phenology of photosynthesis among provenances. Seedlings from northern, local and southern P. strobus provenances were planted in a temperature‐free‐air‐controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) experiment and exposed to ET (+1.5/3°C; day/night). Over 18 months, we assessed photosynthetic phenology by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, leaf spectral reflectance and pigment content. During autumn, all seedlings regardless of provenance followed the same sequence of phenological events with the initial downregulation of photosynthesis, followed by the modulation of non‐photochemical quenching and associated adjustments of zeaxanthin pool sizes. However, the timing of autumn downregulation differed between provenances, with delayed onset in the southern provenance (SP) and earlier onset in the northern relative to the local provenance, indicating that photoperiod at the provenance origin is a dominant factor controlling autumn phenology. Experimental warming further delayed the downregulation of photosynthesis during autumn in the SP. A provenance effect during spring was also observed but was generally not significant. The vegetation indices PRI and CCI were both effective at tracking the seasonal variations of energy partitioning in needles and the differences of carotenoid pigments indicative of the stress status of needles. These results demonstrate that PRI and CCI can be useful tools for monitoring conifer phenology and for the remote monitoring of the length of the photosynthetically active season of conifers in a changing climate.     

铊和镉胁迫对芦竹生长及光合特征的影响

芦竹(Arundo donax)对多种重金属都有较好的耐受性,是植物修复技术较理想的选择,而关于芦竹对Cd和Tl胁迫生理反应的相关研究却较少,为了有效治理Cd和Tl的污染,本研究以芦竹为材料,通过添加不同浓度重金属Tl(4,10和20 mg·kg~(-1))、Cd(50,100和200 mg·kg~(-1))进行芦竹盆栽试验,测定芦竹的株高、分蘖数、叶绿素含量、光合生理指标以及Tl和Cd在芦竹中的累积量,探讨芦竹对Tl和Cd胁迫的响应机制。结果表明:Tl(4~20 mg·kg~(-1))和Cd(50~200 mg·kg~(-1))对芦竹株高、分蘖数以及叶绿素含量均无显著影响(P0.05);芦竹体内Tl和Cd含量随着Tl和Cd浓度的升高呈上升趋势,芦竹体内Tl含量的分布规律为根茎叶,Cd含量的分布规律:Cd浓度50 mg·kg~(-1)时为茎叶根,Cd浓度100和200 mg·kg~(-1)时为根茎叶,表明Tl和Cd主要分布在根部,芦竹对Tl、Cd有一定的富集能力。Cd和Tl处理均显著降低芦竹叶片的胞间CO2浓度,在Tl浓度为10 mg·kg~(-1)时,净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率得到显著提高,当Cd浓度为50 mg·kg~(-1)时,净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率得到显著提高。这表明芦竹对重金属Cd和Tl有较强的耐受性,可为Cd和Tl污染土壤的治理和修复提供参考。     

Drought responses in Aleppo pine seedlings from two wild provenances with different climatic features

Global warming will likely exacerbate the negative effects of limited water availability in the Mediterranean area. The Italian Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) provenances are distributed along the coasts except Otricoli provenance growing in an unusual location between 300 and 1,000 m a. s. l., in Umbria (central Italy). The aim of the present study was to investigate the photosynthetic response to a 28-day-long drought and to a subsequent reestablishment of water availability in Otricoli and North Euboea (Greece) provenances, representing different locations along a rainfall gradient in the natural range of this species. Six-month-old seedlings were used in this experiment since at this age Aleppo pine plants in Mediterranean climate face their first water stress potentially affecting plant survival. Water potential (ψ_w), net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance decreased during drought in both provenances and showed minimal values 28 days after beginning the treatment (DAT). Otricoli seedlings adjusted ψ_w gradually as the stress level increased and 21 DAT showed a lower ψ_w than North Euboea. In contrast, in North Euboea seedlings ψ_w that was not affected until 21 DAT rapidly dropped to a minimum of −3.81 MPa 28 DAT. At the onset of the stress the intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) was reduced, and the “instrinsic” water-use efficiency (WUE_i) was enhanced in both provenances, as stomatal conductance decreased more rapidly than photosynthesis. However, 28 DAT, C _i increased and WUEi decreased as stomatal conductance and photosynthesis declined to minimum levels, revealing nonstomatal limitations of photosynthesis. A rapid decrease in PSII maximal photochemical efficiency estimated by chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (F_v/F_m) was also observed when the stress became severe. At the final stage of water stress, North Euboea seedlings maintained significantly higher values of F_v/F_m than Otricoli seedlings. Upon rewatering, photosynthesis did not fully recover in Otricoli seedlings (41 DAT), while all other parameters recovered to control levels in both provenances. No drought-induced physiological differences were consistent with the regional climatic features of these two provenances. Our results suggest that phenotypic plasticity in drought response may help Otricoli provenance cope with global warming, but that recurrent drought episode may slow down the primary productivity of this provenance.     

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in eight Acacia senegal provenances in dryland clays of the Blue Nile Sudan estimated by the 15N natural abundance method

The symbiotic biological N₂fixation by Acacia senegal was estimated using the ¹⁵N natural abundance (δ ¹⁵N) procedure on eight provenances collected from different environments and soil types grown in a clay soil in the Blue Nile region, Sudan. Balanites aegyptiaca (a non-legume) was used as a non-N₂-fixing reference plant to allow ¹⁵N-based estimates of the proportion of the Acacia N derived from atmospheric N₂ (N_dfa) to be calculated. Results show variation in leaf δ ¹⁵N between A. senegal and the reference plant and among years. The relative δ ¹⁵N values (‰) were higher in B. aegyptiaca than in the N₂-fixing acacia provenances. Provenances originally collected from clay soils fixed little N in the first year, but the amount fixed increased as the trees aged. All provenances showed a decrease in δ ¹⁵N with age. The N_dfa varied between 24% (Mazmoom provenance) and 61% (Rahad provenance) 4 years after planting. There was no significant difference in δ ¹⁵N between provenance groups based on soil type or rainfall at original growing site. The amount of N_dfa increased significantly with age in all provenances. The above-ground contribution of fixed N to foliage growth in a 4-year-old A. senegal was highest in the Rahad sand–soil provenance (46.7 kg N ha⁻¹) and lowest in the Mazmoom clay-soil provenance (28.7 kg N ha⁻¹). Our study represents the first use of the δ ¹⁵N method for estimating the N input by A. senegal to the clay plain soils of the gum belt in the Sudan.