Effects of short- and long-term salinity on leaf water relations, gas exchange, and growth in Ipomoea pes-caprae

Ipomoea pes-caprae is widespread in pantropical coastal areas along the beach. The aim of this study was to investigate the salinity tolerance level and physiological mechanisms that allow I. pes-caprae to endure abrupt increases in salinity under brief or prolonged exposure to salinity variations. Xylem sap osmolality (X_osm), leaf water relations, gas exchange, and number of produced and dead leaves were measured at short- (1-7 d) and long- (22-46 d) term after a sudden increase in soil salinity of 0, 85, 170, and 255 mM NaCl. In the short-term, X_osm was not affected by salinity, but in the long-term there was a significant increase in plants grown in presence of salt compared with control plants. After salt addition, the plants showed osmotic stress with temporal cell turgor loss. However, the water potential gradient for water uptake was re-established at 4, 7 and 22 d after salt addition, at 85, 170 and 255 mM NaCl, respectively. In the short-term I. pes-caprae was able to tolerate salinities of up to 255 mM NaCl without significant reduction in carbon assimilation or growth. With the duration of stress, leaf ion concentration continued to increase and reached toxic levels at high salinity with a progressive decrease in photosynthetic rate, reduced leaf formation and accelerated senescence. Then, if high levels of soil salts from tidal inundation occur for short periods, the survival of I. pes-caprae is possible, but prolonged exposure to salinity may induce metabolic damage and reduce drastically the plant growth.     

Do low standing biomass and leaf area index of sub-tropical coastal dunes ensure that plants have an adequate supply of water?

Water status in relation to standing biomass and leaf area indices (LAI) of the subtropical foredune species Arctotheca populifolia, Ipomoea pes-caprae and Scaevola plumieri were studied in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The plants showed little evidence of water stress, never developing leaf water potentials more negative than –1.55 MPa, a value which is typical of mesophytes rather than xerophytes. The plants showed no seasonal changes in osmotic potential, an indication that they did not need to osmoregulate, nor were there significant alterations in tissue elasticity. Turgor potential for the most part remained positive throughout the day or recovered positive values at night, a condition suitable for the maintenance of growth that may be essential to cope with sand accretion. All three species show relatively high transpiration rates and only I. pes-caprae showed any evidence of strong limitations of transpiration rate through reductions in midday stomatal conductance. All three species had relatively high instantaneous water use efficiencies as a result of high assimilation rates rather than low transpiration rates. Simple water budgets, accounting for losses by transpiration and inputs from rainfall, suggest that the water stored in the dune sands is sufficient to meet the requirements of the plants, although water budgets calculated for I. pes-caprae suggest that this species may on occasion be water limited. The results suggest that it is the low biomass and LAI that lead to these favourable water relations.     

Long-Distance Dispersal by Sea-Drifted Seeds Has Maintained the Global Distribution of Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis (Convolvulaceae)

Ipomoea pes-caprae (Convolvulaceae), a pantropical plant with sea-drifted seeds, is found globally in the littoral areas of tropical and subtropical regions. Unusual long-distance seed dispersal has been believed to be responsible for its extraordinarily wide distribution; however, the actual level of inter-population migration has never been studied. To clarify the level of migration among populations of I. pes-caprae across its range, we investigated nucleotide sequence variations by using seven low-copy nuclear markers and 272 samples collected from 34 populations that cover the range of the species. We applied coalescent-based approaches using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods to assess migration rates, direction of migration, and genetic diversity among five regional populations. Our results showed a high number of migrants among the regional populations of I. pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis, which suggests that migration among distant populations was maintained by long-distance seed dispersal across its global range. These results also provide strong evidence for recent trans-oceanic seed dispersal by ocean currents in all three oceanic regions. We also found migration crossing the American continents. Although this is an apparent land barrier for sea-dispersal, migration between populations of the East Pacific and West Atlantic regions was high, perhaps because of trans-isthmus migration via pollen dispersal. Therefore, the migration and gene flow among populations across the vast range of I. pes-caprae is maintained not only by seed dispersal by sea-drifted seeds, but also by pollen flow over the American continents. On the other hand, populations of subsp. pes-caprae that are restricted to only the northern part of the Indian Ocean region were highly differentiated from subsp. brasiliensis. Cryptic barriers that prevented migration by sea dispersal between the ranges of the two subspecies and/or historical differentiation that caused local adaptation to different environmental factors in each region could explain the genetic differentiation between the subspecies.     

Comparison of water potentials measured by in situ psychrometry and pressure chamber in morphologically different species

Leaf water potentials measured by in situ psychrometry were compared with leaf water potentials measured by the pressure chamber technique at various values of water potential in Helianthus annuus, Helianthus nuttallii, Vigna unguiculata, Nerium oleander, Pistacia vera, and Corylus avellana. In V. unguiculata, the leaf water potentials measured by the in situ psychrometer oscillated at the same periodicity as, and proportional to, the leaf conductance. In all species, potentials measured by in situ psychrometers operating in the psychrometric mode were linearly correlated with potentials measured with the pressure chamber. However, the in situ psychrometers underestimated the leaf water potential in the two Helianthus species at low water potentials and overestimated the water potential in P. vera, N. oleander, and C. avellana. The underestimation in the two Helianthus species at low water potentials resulted from differences in water potential across the leaf. The overestimation in P. vera, N. oleander, and C. avellana was considered to arise from low epidermal conductances in these species even after abrasion of the cuticle. Pressure-volume studies with Lycopersicon esculentum showed that less water was expressed from distal than proximal leaflets when the whole leaf was slowly pressurized. The implication of this for water relations characteristics obtained by pressure-volume techniques is discussed. We conclude that in situ psychrometers are suitable for following dynamic changes in leaf water potential, but should be used with caution on leaves with low epidermal conductances.     

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF IPOMOEA PES-CAPRAE (CONVOLVULACEAE) AROUND THE GULF OF MEXICO

The reproductive biology of Ipomoea pes-caprae, a pantropical beach morning glory, was studied at five sites around the Gulf of Mexico. The primary pollinators were Xylocopa species (carpenter bees) which dispersed pollen up to 90 m. Exclusion experiments demonstrated that ants feeding on extrafloral nectaries increased seed set but did not protect seeds from predation by the bruchid beetle Megacerus. The water-dispersed seed and long-range dispersal of pollen may function to counter the sporophytic incompatability mechanism of the plant; populations exhibit a large neighborhood size. Key reproductive factors in the life cycle of I. pes-caprae are the long-range pollen flow and mass germination of water-dispersed seeds.     

Water potential,water saturation deficit and their relationship in leaves of different insertion levels

The water potential (Ψ _w ) and the water saturation deficit (δW _sat) in leaves of different insertion levels of potted kale plants were simultaneously measured. In non-wilting plantsδW _sat gradually decreased andΨ _w slightly increased from the upper to the lower leaves. During the wilting of the plants induced by decreasing of soil moistureΨw practically decreased paralelly in all the leaves but the same decrease ofΨ _w was connected with the lowest increase ofδW _sat in upper leaves and the highest increase ofδW _sat in lower leaves. Not only the values ofΨ _w andδW _sat but also their relationship varied considerably with the leaf insertion levels.     

鄱阳湖湿地水位变化的景观响应

根据《湿地公约》和《全国湿地资源调查技术规程(试行)》关于湿地内涵和界定条件,利用现代遥感技术和地理信息技术,提取鄱阳湖湿地面积为3886km²。在此基础上,利用多时段遥感影像,分析了湿地在相似水位条件和不同水位条件下的景观变化。结果表明,在相似水位条件下,鄱阳湖湿地景观变化主要表现为居民地和裸地面积增加,水域面积变化不明显;在不同水位条件下,鄱阳湖湿地景观变化比较显著。景观变化驱动力分析表明,湿地水位变化是湿地景观变化的主要因素。     

Effect of Light and NaCI Salinity on the Growth of Callus Cultures of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Brown and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam

Callus cultures of Ipomoea pes-caprae and I. batatas were establishedon MS medium containing 10^–5 M 2,4-D and 10^–8 Mbenzyladenine. Ipomoea pes-caprae calli exhibited green pigmentationand grew better in the light than in darkness. Callus tissuesof I. batatas showed a pale-yellow colouration and they grewat the same rate in light as in dark conditions. I. pes-capraeand I. batatas callus cultures were sensitive to the presenceof 60 mM NaCl in the culture medium, the growth of the formerbeing more sensitive in light than in darkness. The significanceof the responses of I. pes-caprae callus cultures in relationto the mechanism of salt tolerance is discussed. Ipomoea batatas, Ipomoea pes-caprae, sweet potato, railroad vine, callus cultures, salinity, light     

Treatment by glyphosate-based herbicide allowed recovering native species after Oxalis pes-caprae L. invasion: indications from a Mediterranean island

Biological invasions represent a global threat to biodiversity. Particular attention should be devoted to the management of alien plants, focusing on the opportunity to obtain a rapid response to invasion and restoration of the invaded areas. In this study we aimed to evaluate five different methods for controlling Oxalis pes-caprae, a well-known invasive plant native to South Africa, also focusing on the restoration of the native flora. We set an experiment on the island of Montecristo (central Mediterranean). Treatment methods varied from chemical to low risk methods, including manual removal, covering with mulching sheets, and foliar spraying with acetic acid (30% solution) and two different concentrations of glyphosate (3 and 5% solutions, respectively). The total cover of O. pes-caprae and of other native plants was sampled before treatments, and then several times during the subsequent year; while the plant species composition was sampled in late winter (March 2015–2016) and late spring (May 2015–2016). The use of glyphosate was found to be the only efficient control method, leading to a significant decrease in O. pes-caprae cover as well as to a recovery in native species cover and richness. The effect of the other control methods was negligible.     

Floral fungal-bacterial community structure and co-occurrence patterns in four sympatric island plant species

Flowers’ fungal and bacterial communities can exert great impacts on host plant wellness and reproductive success—both directly and indirectly through species interactions. However, information about community structure and co-occurrence patterns in floral microbiome remains scarce. Here, using culture-independent methods, we investigated fungal and bacterial communities associated with stamens and pistils of four plant species (Scaevola taccada, Ipomoea cairica, Ipomoea pes-caprae, and Mussaenda kwangtungensis) growing together under the same environment conditions in an island located in South China. Plant species identity significantly influenced community composition of floral fungi but not bacteria. Stamen and pistil microbiomes did not differ in community composition, but differed in co-occurrence network topological features. Compared with the stamen network, pistil counterpart had fewer links between bacteria and fungi and showed more modular but less concentrated and connected structure. In addition, degree distribution of microbial network in each host species and each microhabitat (stamen or pistil) followed a significant power-law pattern. These results enhance our understanding in the assembly principles and ecological interactions of floral microbial communities.     

滨海沙地植物厚藤叶片生理特征的季节变化

滨海沙地条件恶劣,季节气候环境差异较大,植物生存困难。厚藤是南方滨海沙地广泛分布的重要固沙植物。为探究厚藤对不同季节环境变化的适应机制,研究其叶片生理性状的季节变化,该文以广西滨海沙地自然生长的厚藤为实验材料,分别测定了不同季节厚藤叶片的叶绿素含量、渗透物质含量、抗氧化酶活性、叶绿素荧光参数等生理指标,并进行相关性分析和主成分分析。结果表明:(1)叶绿素含量随季节变化的趋势一致,春季均显著大于其他三个季节,但叶绿素a/b在各季节间无显著变化。(2)叶绿素荧光参数的F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o具有相同的变化趋势,整体表现为夏冬季显著高于春秋季。(3)脯氨酸含量随季节逐渐增大,冬季时含量最高; 可溶性糖含量冬季显著高于其他三个季节; 丙二醛(MDA)含量各季节间差异不显著。(4)春季的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著高于其他季节,夏秋冬季节间无显著差异; 过氧化物酶(POD)活性在各季节间差异不显著。(5)相关性分析和主成分分析显示,各生理指标与气候因子间存在一定的关联。温度和日照数显著影响可溶性糖含量; 叶绿素含量和抗氧化酶活性能够较好地反映厚藤对季节气候变化的响应。综上可知,厚藤可通过调节叶绿素a与叶绿素b含量使叶绿素a/b保持稳定,同时提高渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶活性以适应季节变化,其中光合作用和抗氧化酶系统是影响其季节性适应能力的关键。     

Carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen isotope ratios in creekside trees in western Kansas

Three species of creekside trees were monitored weekly during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. The 2007 growing season was wet early, but became drier as the season progressed. In contrast, the 2008 growing season was dry early, but became wetter as the season progressed. Creekside trees were measured to determine effects of changing water regimes on leaf-level processes. Lonicera tatarica plants were compared to Morus alba and Celtis occidentalis trees. Leaves were monitored for changes in stomatal conductance, transpiration, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δD, leaf temperature, and heat losses via latent, sensible, and radiative pathways. δD of creek water was more similar to ground water than to rain water, but the creek was partially influenced by summer rains. δD of bulk leaf material was significantly higher in individuals of C. occidentalis compared to the other species, consistent with source water coming from shallower soil layers. Despite decreasing water levels, none of these tree species showed signs of water stress. There were no significant differences between species in stomatal conductance or transpiration. Leaf δ¹³C was significantly lower in individuals of L. tatarica compared to the other species. Differences in δ¹³C were attributed to a lower carboxylation capacity, consistent with lower leaf nitrogen content in L. tatarica plants. Leaf δ¹⁵N was significantly lower in individuals of L. tatarica compared to the other species, consistent with uptake of a different N source. Two of the three sites appeared to be affected by inorganic N from fertilizer run-off. Evidence is presented that these species acquired water and nitrogen from different sources, resulting from differences in root uptake patterns.     

A comparative study of the hormonal response to high temperatures and stress reiteration in three Labiatae species

Mediterranean plants are usually exposed to a combination of stresses, which may occur simultaneously or at different times throughout their life. Here, the hormonal response to high temperatures was compared in plants of three Labiatae species, including rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). Plants exposed to increasing temperatures for 5 days were subsequently exposed to heat stress and compared to plants experiencing heat stress for the first time (controls). Despite the three species showing a similar tolerance to a single heat stress event, stress recurrence had a different impact on each species. Lemon balm was the most sensitive species to stress reiteration, showing decreased relative water content upon heat stress repetition, together with enhanced levels of α-tocopherol and salicylic acid (SA). Some acclimation responses were observed in rosemary and sage, including improved water contents and reduced jasmonic acid levels in rosemary, and reduced abscisic acid (ABA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in sage plants previously exposed to high temperatures. Furthermore, the response of plants to a combination of heat stress and water deficit was evaluated in plants previously exposed to heat stress and compared to controls. Rosemary and sage were much more resistant than lemon balm, which died when stresses were combined. Despite stress pre-exposure not having any effect on plant performance in terms of F_v/F_m, MDA and relative water content in rosemary and sage, it resulted in higher α-tocopherol levels in both species. The hormonal response differed between species: while the hormonal content did not change in sage, rosemary showed increased ABA and decreased SA levels as a result of repeated stress exposure. Overall, different stress imprints particular to each species and stress scenario were found in α-tocopherol and hormone levels, which led to similar protective effects in rosemary and sage.     

Effect of slight vegetation degradation on soil properties in Brachypodium pinnatum grasslands

Water is the most important factor controlling plant growth, primary production, and ecosystem stability in arid and semi-arid grasslands. Here we conducted a 2-year field study to explore the contribution of winter half-year (i.e. October through April) and summer precipitation (May through September) to the growth of coexisting plant species in typical steppe ecosystems of Inner Mongolia, China. Hydrogen stable isotope ratios of soil water and stem water of dominant plant species, soil moisture, and plant water potential were measured at three steppe communities dominated by Stipa grandis, Caragana microphylla, and Leymus chinensis, respectively. The fraction of water from winter half-year precipitation was an important water source, contributing 45% to plant total water uptake in a dry summer after a wet winter period (2005) and 15% in a summer where subsoil moisture had been exploited in the previous year (2006). At species level, Caragana microphylla exhibited a complete access to deep soil water, which is recharged by winter precipitation, while Cleistogenes squarrosa completely depended on summer rains. Leymus chinensis, Agropyron cristatum, and Stipa grandis showed a resource-dependent water use strategy, utilizing deep soil water when it was well available and shifting to rain water when subsoil water had been exploited. Our findings indicate that differentiation of water sources among plants improves use of available soil water and lessens the interspecific competition for water in these semi-arid ecosystems. The niche complementarity in water sources among coexisting species is likely to be the potential mechanism for high diversity communities with both high productivity and high resilience to droughts.     

Plant Interactions with Changes in Coverage of Biological Soil Crusts and Water Regime in Mu Us Sandland,China

Plant interactions greatly affect plant community structure. Dryland ecosystems are characterized by low amounts of unpredictable precipitation as well as by often having biological soil crusts (BSCs) on the soil surface. In dryland plant communities, plants interact mostly as they compete for water resources, and the direction and intensity of plant interaction varies as a function of the temporal fluctuation in water availability. Since BSCs influence water redistribution to some extent, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the intensity and direction of plant interactions in a dryland plant community can be modified by BSCs. In the experiment, 14 combinations of four plant species (Artemisia ordosica, Artemisia sphaerocephala, Chloris virgata and Setaria viridis) were subjected to three levels of coverage of BSCs and three levels of water supply. The results show that: 1) BSCs affected plant interaction intensity for the four plant species: a 100% coverage of BSCs significantly reduced the intensity of competition between neighboring plants, while it was highest with a 50% coverage of BSCs in combination with the target species of A. sphaerocephala and C. virgata; 2) effects of the coverage of BSCs on plant interactions were modified by water regime when the target species were C. virgata and S. viridis; 3) plant interactions were species-specific. In conclusion, the percent coverage of BSCs affected plant interactions, and the effects were species-specific and could be modified by water regimes. Further studies should focus on effects of the coverage of BSCs on plant-soil hydrological processes.     

Do Amplitudes of Water Level Fluctuations Affect the Growth and Community Structure of Submerged Macrophytes?

Submerged macrophytes are subjected to potential mechanical stresses associated with fluctuating water levels in natural conditions. However, few experimental studies have been conducted to further understand the effects of water level fluctuating amplitude on submerged macrophyte species and their assemblages or communities. We designed a controlled experiment to investigate the responses of three submerged macrophyte species (Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum and Elodea nuttallii) and their combinations in communities to three amplitudes (static, ± 30 cm, ± 60 cm) of water level fluctuations. Results showed that water level fluctuating amplitude had little effects on the community performance and the three tested species responded differently. H. verticillata exhibited more growth in static water and it was negatively affected by either of the water level fluctuations amplitude, however, growth parameters of H. verticillata in two fluctuating water level treatments (i.e., ± 30 cm, ± 60 cm) were not significantly different. On the other hand, the growth of C. demersum was not significantly correlated with different amplitude treatments. However, it became more abundant when water levels fluctuated. E. nuttallii was inhibited by the two fluctuating water level treatments, and was less in growth parameters compared to the other species especially in water level fluctuating conditions. The inherent differences in the adaptive capabilities of the tested species indicate that C. demersum or other species with similar responses may be dominant species to restore submerged macrophyte communities with great fluctuating water levels. Otherwise, H. verticillata, E. nuttallii or other species with similar responses could be considered for constructing the community in static water conditions.     

Preliminary study on the determination of selenium compounds in some selenium-accumulating mushrooms

Using various chromatographic techniques (size exclusion, anion exchange, and cation exchange) combined with several detectors (neutron activation analysis and atomic fluorescence spectrometry), an attempt was made to characterize selenium compounds in some edible, selenium-accumulating mushrooms (Albatrellus pes-caprae and Boletus edulis). The mushrooms contained mostly low-molecular-weight (6 kDa) selenium compounds. After proteolysis, only a small fraction of the extractable selenium could be identified as selenite (3.0–9.2%, Albatrellus pes-caprae), selenocystine (minor, Albatrellus pes-caprae; 7.5%, Boletus edulis), or selenomethionine (1.0%, Boletus edulis), leaving the form of the bulk still to be elucidated.     

Absence of VA colonization in Oxalis pes-caprae inoculated with Glomus mosseae

Although members of the Oxalidaceae family have been described as host plants of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Oxalis pes-caprae did not become colonized by Glomus mosseae. Extracts of Ox. pes-caprae root inhibited the germination of G. mosseae spores. However, the presence of G. mosseae in the rhizosphere of Ox. pes-caprae produced browning of the roots, which was interpreted as a hypersensitivity response of the plant to the presence of VA fungus.     

Facing drought in a Mediterranean post-fire community: tissue water relations in species with different life traits

Bulk shoot water potential, the osmotic component and the bulk modulus of elasticity were measured throughout one growing season in four species co-occurring in a post-fire Mediterranean community in southern Italy: Pinus halepensis, Phillyrea latifolia, Cistus salvifolius and Rosmarinus officinalis. A severe drought occurred throughout the measurement period. Large seasonal fluctuations have been observed for both predawn and afternoon water potential in all species. Although minimum values down to –4 MPa have been measured, plant water potential always recovered to less negative values after drought. Daily amplitude of water potential decreased with increasing plant water stress in all species. In Cistus and Rosmarinus less ability for short-term control of plant water status has been assessed. Osmotic potential at full turgor did not display clear seasonal patterns, with no consistent ranking of species by their osmotic values. In most cases, no osmotic adjustment (lowering of osmotic potentials) and no change in tissue elastic properties were observed in response to increasing summer drought and intensity of water stress.     

Identifying factors inducing trophozoite differentiation into hypnospores in Perkinsus species

Trophozoites of species of Perkinsus in host tissues readily differentiate into hypnospores when incubated in Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM). In contrast, hypnospores have rarely been observed in vivo, and when reported they have been associated with dying hosts. The objective of this study was to determine what altered environmental conditions trigger the differentiation of Perkinsus trophozoites into hypnospores. In the first part of the study, cultured P. chesapeaki trophozoites were exposed to lowered oxygen, acidic pH, increased nutrient levels, heat shock, or osmotic shock conditions, and hypnospore density was measured. Acidic pH, lowered oxygen, or increased nutrient levels significantly increased P. chesapeaki hypnospore formation. In the second part of the study, P. olseni and P. marinus trophozoites were exposed to acidic pH, lowered oxygen, or increased nutrient levels resulting in hypnospore formation in P. olseni but not P. marinus. This study demonstrated that changes in environmental conditions consistent with changes expected in decaying tissues or with RFTM incubation induce trophozoite differentiation. The response of the cultured trophozoites varied between species and between isolates of the same species.