Effects of water stress on gas exchange of field grown <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L. in Southern Italy: an analysis at canopy and leaf level

Zea mays is cultivated in the Mediterranean regions where summer drought may lead to photoinhibition when irrigation is not available. In this work the response of maize to water stress was evaluated by gas exchange measurements at the canopy and leaf level. Leaf gas exchange was assessed before, during and after water stress, while canopy turbulent fluxes of mass and energy were performed on a continuous basis. In the early growth period, a linear increment of net ecosystem photosynthetic rate (P _NE) to incoming of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was found and net leaf photosynthetic rate (P _NL) showed the tendency to saturate under high irradiance. During water stress, the relationship between P _NE and PPFD became curvilinear and both P _NE and P _NL saturated in a range between 1,000 and 1,500 μmol (photons) m⁻² s⁻¹. Leaf water potential (ψ_l) dropped from −1.50 to −1.88 MPa during water stress, indicating that leaf and canopy gas exchanges were limited by stomatal conductance. With the restoration of irrigation, P _NE, P _NL and ψ_l showed a recovery, and P _NE and P _NL reached the highest values of whole study period. Leaf area index (LAI) reached a value of 3.0 m² m⁻². The relationship between P _NE and PPFD remained curvilinear and P _NE values were lower than those of a typical well-irrigated maize crop. The recovery in P _NE and P _NL after stress, and ψ_l values during stress indicate that the photosynthetic apparatus was not damaged while soil moisture stress after-effects resulted in a sub-optimal LAI values, which in turn depressed P _NE.     

Effect of soil drying on growth,biomass allocation and leaf gas exchange of two annual grass species

Influence of short-term water stress on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was studied simultaneously in a growth chamber experiment using two annual grass species differing in photosynthetic pathway type, plant architecture and phenology:Triticum aestivum L. cv. Katya-A-1 (C₃, a drought resistant wheat cultivar of erect growth) andTragus racemosus (L.) All. (C₄, a prostrate weed of warm semiarid areas). At the leaf level, gas exchange rates declined with decreasing soil water potential for both species in such a way that instantaneous photosynthetic water use efficiency (PWUE, mmol CO₂ assimilated per mol H₂O transpired) increased. At adequate water supply, the C₄ grass showed much lower stomatal conductance and higher PWUE than the C₃ species, but this difference disappeared at severe water stress when leaf gas exchange rates were similarly reduced for both species. However, by using soil water more sparingly, the C₄ species was able to assimilate under non-stressful conditions for a longer time than the C₃ wheat did. At the whole-plant level, decreasing water availability substantially reduced the relative growth rate (RGR) ofT. aestivum, while biomass partitioning changed in favour of root growth, so that the plant could exploit the limiting water resource more efficiently. The change in partitioning preceded the overall reduction of RGR and it was associated with increased biomass allocation to roots and less to leaves, as well as with a decrease in specific leaf area. Water saving byT. racemosus sufficiently postponed water stress effects on plant growth occurring only as a moderate reduction in leaf area enlargement. For unstressed vegetative plants, relative growth rate of the C₄ T. racemosus was only slightly higher than that of the C₃ T. aestivum, though it was achieved at a much lower water cost. The lack of difference in RGR was probably due to growth conditions being relatively suboptimal for the C₄ plant and also to a relatively large investment in stem tissues by the C₄ T. racemosus. Only 10% of the plant biomass was allocated to roots in the C₄ species while this was more than 30% for the C₃ wheat cultivar. These results emphasize the importance of water saving and high WUE of C₄ plants in maintaining growth under moderate water stress in comparison with C₃ species.     

Gas exchange and leaf metabolism of irrigated maize at different growth stages

Abstract

Net ecosystem exchange (NEE), leaf gas exchange and biochemical traits were investigated in an irrigated maize crop grown under Mediterranean conditions. Sub-optimal irrigation water supply determined a drought stress during the early vegetative growth stage (45–49 days after swing) that decreased NEE. Drought, in the late vegetative stage, also caused a reduction of leaf gas exchange. In the latter period, proline, glycine and serine, as well as sucrose leaf contents increased, while starch, proteins and glucose contents decreased. In the early reproductive stage, the crop experienced a longer dry spell that induced a reduction in canopy as well as in leaf gas exchanges, while protein and free amino acid contents decreased with respect to the late vegetative stage. Both ecophysiological and biochemical data demonstrate a good capacity of cultivar Pioneer PR32D99 to endure the environmental stress, related to Mediterranean summer drought, leading to an elevated dry matter yield at harvest. Photosynthetic apparatus appeared fairly resistant to soil water shortage due likely to the increased leaf content of organic solutes, such as amino acids and soluble sugars.     

玉米叶片水分利用效率的保守性

水分利用效率是植物个体或生态系统水分利用过程的重要特征参数,可表征不同时空尺度的植物碳-水耦合关系,对植物适应气候变化研究具有重要意义。以玉米为例,利用中国气象局固城农业气象野外科学试验基地2013—2014年玉米不同灌溉方案模拟试验资料,对不同叶位叶片的水分利用效率特征及其影响因素进行分析。结果表明:植株顶部第1片叶片水分利用效率在拔节期和乳熟期呈现明显的峰值,反映出明显的周期变化规律及其与叶片生理生态特征的紧密相关。在相同环境条件下,不同叶位叶片的水分利用效率不存在显著性差异,即玉米叶片水分利用效率具有空间稳定性与叶龄保守性。同时,研究指出叶片光合速率和蒸腾速率在叶位之间的协调变化是导致空间稳定性和叶龄保守性的主要原因。研究结果可为植物水分关系研究提供参考,也可为水分利用效率的尺度化研究提供依据。     

夏玉米叶片水分变化与光合作用和土壤水分的关系

叶片是光合作用的重要器官,其含水量的变化必将影响光合作用,但关于叶片水分变化对光合作用的影响报道较少。以华北夏玉米为研究对象,利用三叶期不同水分梯度的持续干旱模拟试验资料,分析夏玉米叶片水分变化及其与叶片净光合速率和土壤水分的关系。结果表明:夏玉米叶片净光合速率对叶片水分变化的响应显著且呈二次曲线关系,叶片含水量约为70.30%时,叶片净光合速率为零;叶片含水量与土壤相对湿度呈非直角双曲线关系,叶片最大含水量约为85.14%。研究结果可为准确描述叶片水分变化对光合作用的影响及客观辨识夏玉米干旱的发生发展及监测预警提供参考。     

Effects of Long-Term Fertilization on Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics and Grain Yield in Winter Wheat

Based on a 20-year fertilization experiment with wheat-maize double cropping system, the effects of different long-term fertilization treatments on leaf photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield in different winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were studied in the growing seasons of 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. A total of nine fertilization treatments were implemented, i.e. no fertilizer (CK), N fertilizer (N), N and P fertilizers (NP), N and K fertilizers (NK), N, P, and K fertilizers (NPK), only organic manure (M), organic manure and N fertilizer (MN), organic manure and N and P fertilizers (MNP), and organic manure and N, P, and K fertilizers (MNPK). With the treatments of combined organic manure and inorganic fertilizers (TMI), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), maximal activity of photosystem 2, PS2 (F_v/F_m), and chlorophyll content (SPAD value) of flag leaves and leaf area index (LAI) were much higher at the mid grain filling stage (20 or 23 d post anthesis, DPA), and exhibited slower declines at the late grain filling stage (30 DPA), compared with the treatments of only inorganic fertilizers (TI). The maximal canopy photosynthetic traits expressed as P _N×LAI and SPAD×LAI at the mid grain filling stage were also higher in TMI than those in TI, which resulted in different grain yields in TMI and TI. Among the treatments of TMI or among the treatments of TI, both flag leaf and canopy photosynthetic abilities and yield levels increased with the supplement of inorganic nutrients (N, P, and K fertilizers), except for the treatment of NK. Under NK, soil contents of N and K increased while that of P decreased. Hence the unbalanced nutrients in soil from the improper input of nutrients in NK treatment were probably responsible for the reduced flag leaf and canopy photosynthetic characteristics and LAI, and for the fast declining of flag leaf photosynthetic traits during grain filling, resulting in the reduced yield of NK similar to the level of CK.     

Effect of controlled inoculation with specific mycorrhizal fungi from the urban environment on growth and physiology of containerized shade tree species growing under different water regimes

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of selected mycorrhiza obtained in the urban environment on growth, leaf gas exchange, and drought tolerance of containerized plants growing in the nursery. Two-year-old uniform Acer campestre L., Tilia cordata Mill., and Quercus robur L. were inoculated with a mixture of infected roots and mycelium of selected arbuscular (maple, linden) and/or ectomycorrhiza (linden, oak) fungi and grown in well-watered or water shortage conditions. Plant biomass and leaf area were measured 1 and 2 years after inoculation. Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and water relations were measured during the first and second growing seasons after inoculation. Our data suggest that the mycelium-based inoculum used in this experiment was able to colonize the roots of the tree species growing in the nursery. Plant biomass was affected by water shortage, but not by inoculation. Leaf area was affected by water regime and, in oak and linden, by inoculation. Leaf gas exchange was affected by inoculation and water stress. V _cmax and J _max were increased by inoculation and decreased by water shortage in all species. F _v/F _m was also generally higher in inoculated plants than in control. Changes in PSII photochemistry and photosynthesis may be related to the capacity of inoculated plants to maintain less negative leaf water potential under drought conditions. The overall data suggest that inoculated plants were better able to maintain physiological activity during water stress in comparison to non-inoculated plants.     

Diurnal patterns of canopy photosynthesis,evapotranspiration and water use efficiency in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under field conditions

Diurnal changes in net photosynthetic rate (PN), evapotranspiration rate (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE=PN/ET) of field grown chickpea (Cicer arietinum) L. cv. H-355 were studied from the vegetative phase through maturirty at Haryana Agricultural University Farm, Hissar, India. The maximum photosynthetic rate (PN max) increased from the initial vegetative phase to pod formation and declined at a rapid rate from pod filling to maturity. The response of PN to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) (400–700 nm) was temperature-dependent during the day, i.e. on cool days the PN rates were lower for certain quanta of PPFD during the first half than during the second half of day, and vice versa on warm days. ET was affected both by crop cover and evaporative demand up to flowering, but thereafter it was independent of crop cover and followed the course of evaporative demand. ET was related to air temperature during the day while PN was related to PPFD. There was a lag of two to three hours between PN_max (around noon) and ET_max (around 2 p.m.). WUE increased from the vegetative stage through flowering but decreased thereafter to maturity.Abbreviations DAS days after planting - ET evapotranspiration - LAI leaf area index - PAR photosynthetically active radiation (in figures) is equivalent to PPFD (see below) - PN net photosynthetic rate - PPFD photosynthetic photon flux density - WUE water use efficiency (= PN/ET)     

Water Stress and Day-To-Day Variation in Apparent Photosynthetic Acclimation of Field-Grown Soybeans to Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Midday measurements of single leaf gas exchange rates of upper canopy leaves of soybeans grown in the field at 350 (AC) and 700 (EC) µmol(CO₂) mol^–1 in open topped chambers sometimes indicated up to 50 % higher net photosynthetic rates (P _N) measured at EC in plants grown at AC compared to EC. On other days mean P _N were nearly identical in the two growth [CO₂] treatments. There was no seasonal pattern to the variable photosynthetic responses of soybean to growth [CO₂]. Even on days with significantly lower P _N in the plants grown at EC, there was no reduction in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, chlorophyll, or soluble protein contents per unit of leaf area. Over three years, gas exchange evidence of acclimation occurred on days when either soil was dry or the water vapor pressure deficit was high (n = 12 d) and did not occur on days after rain or on days with low water vapor pressure deficit (n = 9 d). On days when photosynthetic acclimation was evident, midday leaf water potentials were consistently 0.2 to 0.3 MPa lower for the plants grown at EC than at AC. This suggested that greater susceptibility to water stress in plants grown at EC cause the apparent photosynthetic acclimation. In other experiments, plants were grown in well-watered pots in field chambers and removed to the laboratory early in the morning for gas exchange measurements. In these experiments, the amount of photosynthetic acclimation evident in the gas exchange measurements increased with the maximum water vapor pressure deficit on the day prior to the measurements, indicating a lag in the recovery of photosynthesis from water stress. The apparent increase in susceptibility to water stress in soybean plants grown at EC is opposite to that observed in some other species, where photosynthetic acclimation was evident under wet but not dry conditions, and may be related to the observation that hydraulic conductance is reduced in soybeans when grown at EC. The day-to-day variation in photosynthetic acclimation observed here may account for some of the conflicting results in the literature concerning the existence of acclimation to EC in field-grown plants.     

Peach Water Relations,Gas Exchange,Growth and Shoot Mortality under Water Deficit in Semi-Arid Weather Conditions

In this study the sensitivity of peach tree (Prunus persica L.) to three water stress levels from mid-pit hardening until harvest was assessed. Seasonal patterns of shoot and fruit growth, gas exchange (leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration) as well as carbon (C) storage/mobilization were evaluated in relation to plant water status. A simple C balance model was also developed to investigate sink-source relationship in relation to plant water status at the tree level. The C source was estimated through the leaf area dynamics and leaf photosynthesis rate along the season. The C sink was estimated for maintenance respiration and growth of shoots and fruits. Water stress significantly reduced gas exchange, and fruit, and shoot growth, but increased fruit dry matter concentration. Growth was more affected by water deficit than photosynthesis, and shoot growth was more sensitive to water deficit than fruit growth. Reduction of shoot growth was associated with a decrease of shoot elongation, emergence, and high shoot mortality. Water scarcity affected tree C assimilation due to two interacting factors: (i) reduction in leaf photosynthesis (-23% and -50% under moderate (MS) and severe (SS) water stress compared to low (LS) stress during growth season) and (ii) reduction in total leaf area (-57% and -79% under MS and SS compared to LS at harvest). Our field data analysis suggested a Ψ_stem threshold of -1.5 MPa below which daily net C gain became negative, i.e. C assimilation became lower than C needed for respiration and growth. Negative C balance under MS and SS associated with decline of trunk carbohydrate reserves – may have led to drought-induced vegetative mortality.     

Effects of soil water on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of Cyclobalanopsis glauca seedlings growing under nutrient-rich and -poor soil

Cyclobalanopsis glauca is a dominant species in mid-subtropical forest, and usually plays an important role in forest ecosystems. However, it often suffers redundant precipitation or water stress, which often concurs with high temperature, nutrient depletion and strong irradiance. The study presented in the paper hypothesized that soil water exerted strong influence on leaf gas exchange and traits. The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of soil water changes on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits and their relationships of C. glauca seedlings growing on nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil at three water levels. The study measured the specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen content, chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic light response curve. Its results showed that there were no differences in leaf size, leaf dry weight, SLA, leaf dry matter content, Leaf nitrogen concentration and Leaf chlorophyll between the two soil nutrient treatments, while these parameters differed significantly among different water levels for either of the treatments. There were large variations in leaf photosynthetic parameters and leaf traits among the different water treatments, indicating different response patterns of C. glauca seedling and its adaptation to the different soil water conditions. There were no significant differences in light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A_max) and apparent quantum yield (Ø) between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils, which indicated that the C. glauca seedlings could maintain similar capacities in different soils that differed in nutrient condition. As to the relation between the photosynthesis and leaf traits, the A_max and PNUE were positively correlated with the SLA, respectively, but the SLA had significant negative relationship with the leaf N (P<0.01) in nutrient-rich soil. In contrast, both A_max and PNUE were significantly negatively correlated with the SLA, respectively (P<0.01); and the SLA was not significantly positively correlated with the leaf nitrogen concentration of the nutrient-poor soil (P>0.05). The specific leaf areas (SLA), nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations as well as other photosynthetic features were influenced in a coordinative manner by the soil water. The relation among the A_max, PNUE and the N_mass, SLA could be described as a binomial equation and a liner negative regression for the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil, respectively. In conclusion, soil water was more constraining factor than the soil nutrient to the photosynthesis of C. glauca seedlings, nutrient-rich soil could offset some negative influence resulting from soil water deficit on LSP and LCP. Factors affecting the variations of photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of C. glauca seedlings differed between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils.     

Effects of root flooding and stage of development on the growth and photosynthesis of field bean (Vicia faba L. minor)

Field bean plants were subjected to flooding stress for 7 days, during two stages of development: at the vegetative phase (4-week-old seedlings) and at the generative phase (8-week-old plants). The height of plants, total area of leaves, the number of undamaged leaves, dry plant matter, chlorophyll content, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) activity, the maximum quantum yield of PS2 photochemistry (Fv/Fm ratio), the photosynthesis rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) were determined. A strong reduction in stem elongation and leaf area as well as in dry matter production was observed as a result of flooding. The responses from vegetative plants were greater than in generative plants. Waterlogging decreased chlorophyll a and b in leaves, notably at the vegetative stage, and persisted after cessation of flooding. After flooding, photosynthesis was strongly reduced and positively correlated with decreased stomatal conductance. Damage to the photosynthetic apparatus resulted in a lower Fv/Fm especially in young seedlings. In vegetative plants Fv/Fm quickly returned to the control levels after the soil was drained. The results show that an excess of water in the soil limits growth and injures the photosynthetic apparatus in field beans, but that the extent of the injury is strongly age dependent.     

Physiological and anatomical changes induced by drought in two olive cultivars (cv Zalmati and Chemlali)

Photosynthetic gas exchange, vegetative growth, water relations and fluorescence parameters as well as leaf anatomical characteristics were investigated on young plants of two Olea europaea L. cultivars (Chemlali and Zalmati), submitted to contrasting water availability regimes. Two-year-old olive trees, grown in pots in greenhouse, were not watered for 2 months. Relative growth rate (RGR), leaf water potential (Ψ_LW) and the leaf relative water content (LWC) of the two cultivars decreased with increasing water stress. Zalmati showed higher values of RGR and LWC and lower decreased values of Ψ_LW than Chemlali, in response to water deficit, particularly during severe drought stress. Water stress also caused a marked decline on photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll fluorescence. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m) and the intrinsic efficiency of open PSII reaction centres (F′ _v/F′ _m) decreased as drought stress developed. In addition, drought conditions, reduced leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids contents especially at severe water stress. However, Zalmati plants were the less affected when compared with Chemlali. In both cultivars, stomatal control was the major factor affecting photosynthesis under moderate drought stress. At severe drought-stress levels, the non-stomatal component of photosynthesis is inhibited and inactivation of the photosystem II occurs. Leaf anatomical parameters show that drought stress resulted in an increase of the upper epidermis and palisade mesophyll thickness as well as an increase of the stomata and trichomes density. These changes were more characteristic in cv. ‘Zalmati’. Zalmati leaves also revealed lower specific leaf area and had higher density of foliar tissue. From the behaviour of Zalmati plants, with a smaller reduction in relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and with a thicker palisade parenchyma, and a higher stomatal and trichome density, we consider this cultivar more drought-tolerant than cv. Chemlali and therefore, very promising for cultivation in arid areas.     

Photosynthesis on individual leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) during the ontogeny at variable water regimes

It is well known that the extent of yield reduction depends not only on the severity of water stress but also on the stage of plant development. Assessing photosynthetic response of individual leaves to water deficit during the ontogeny may, therefore, offer a clue to better understand the whole plant behaviour. This research aimed at investigating the influence of early and late water stress on net photosynthesis (P_n), carbon‐isotope discrimination and other related traits on individual leaves during ontogeny. Sugar beet plants were grown in rain‐sheltered soil columns of relevant volume (300 L), subdivided into well‐watered (WW); early (S1) and late (S2) stress. In general, water stress significantly reduced leaf lifespan and P_n. Relieving the stress at about one‐third and two‐thirds of potential leaf life substantially restored P_n at the levels of WW. Stressing a previously WW leaf brought about a comparatively heavier loss than stressing a leaf since the beginning. As for leaves at different phenological times, the early leaves had higher initial photosynthetic peaks but steeper falls during their lives. An insight into the relationships between P_n and substomatal CO₂ concentration (C_i) shows that in mature leaves the photosynthetic restoration following stress relief did not entail a full recovery of the electron transport rate, the parameter most severely affected by the stress. The partial reversibility of the effects of water deficiency, associated to the anticipated leaf senescence and to the natural slow‐down of net assimilation during leaf life, may be seen as a key factor in predicting to what extent the plant can tolerate drought and the damages caused by water stress.     

Mineral nutrition and growth of tropical maize as affected by soil acidity

Soil constraints linked to low pH reduce grain yield in about 10% of the maize growing area in tropical developing countries. The aim of this research was to elucidate the reasons for this maize yield reduction on an oxisol of Guadeloupe. The field experiment had two treatments: the native non-limed soil (NLI, pH 4.5, 2.1 cmol Al kg^–1, corresponding to 20% Al saturation), and the same soil limed 6 years prior to the experiment (LI, pH 5.3, 0 cmol Al kg^–1). The soils were fertilized with P and N. The above-ground biomass, root biomass at flowering, grain yield and yield components, leaf area index (LAI), light interception, radiation-use-efficiency (RUE), P and N uptake, soil water storage, and soil mineral N were measured during the maize cycle. The allometric relationships between shoot N concentration, LAI and above-ground biomass in LI were similar to those reported for maize cropped in temperate regions, indicating that these relationships are also useful to describe maize growth on tropical soils without Al toxicity. In NLI, soil acidity severely affected leaf appearance, leaf size and consequently the LAI, which was reduced by 60% at flowering, although the RUE was not affected. Therefore, the reduction in the above-ground biomass (30% at flowering) and grain yield (47%) were due to the lower LAI and light interception. At flowering, the root/shoot ratio was 0.25 in NLI and 0.17 in LI, and the root biomass in NLI was reduced by 64% compared to LI. Nitrogen uptake was also reduced in NLI in spite of high soil N availability. Nevertheless, shoot N concentration vs aboveground biomass showed a typical decline in both treatments. In NLI, the shoot P concentration vs above-ground biomass relationship showed an increase in the early stages, indicating that P uptake and root-shoot competition for the absorbed P in the early plant stages controlled the establishment and the development of the leaf area.     

夏玉米叶片气体交换参数对干旱过程的响应

目前已经开展了大量的干旱对作物叶片气体交换参数影响的研究,但关于作物叶片气体交换参数对干旱过程的响应及其关键阈值的研究仍较少。基于夏玉米七叶期开始的5个初始水分梯度的长时间持续干旱模拟实验资料,分析了不同强度持续干旱过程中夏玉米叶片气体交换参数(净光合速率Pn,气孔导度Gs,蒸腾速率Tr,胞间CO_2浓度Ci和气孔限制值Ls)的变化规律及其关键阈值。结果表明,玉米的净光合速率(Pn),蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)在干旱发生初期呈大幅度下降,但随着干旱持续会出现一定的适应性。利用统计容忍限方法确定了夏玉米拔节期Pn,Tr和Gs响应干旱的临界土壤相对湿度(0—30cm)分别为53%,51%和48%,对应的临界叶含水率分别为81.8%,81.3%和81.2%。夏玉米光合作用由气孔限制向非气孔限制转换的0—30cm土壤相对湿度均为44%±2%,对应的叶含水率均为77.6%±0.3%。研究结果可为夏玉米干旱发生发展过程的监测预警提供依据。     

Leaf area establishment of a maize (Zea Mays L.) field crop under potassium deficiency

The effect of K deficiency on leaf area index (LAI) establishment of a maize field crop (Zea Mays L.) was studied. The experimental work was carried out in 2000 and 2001 on a long-term K fertilization trial. Three K fertilization regimes (K0, K1 and K4) have been applied since 1995, thus leading to contrasted levels of available K in soils (14, 23 and 44 µg exchangeable K per g of dry soil for the three fertilization regimes, respectively). The rate of leaf appearance, the leaf elongation rate (LER), the leaf elongation duration (LED), their final length and width and the number of senescent leaves were investigated. K concentrations in shoot tissue water were lower in K0 plants, whereas concentrations of Ca and Mg were higher. The LAI was reduced in the K0 treatment, mainly because of a slower rate of leaf appearance and a reduced final size of individual leaves. The reduced final length of individual leaves was almost entirely accounted for by a reduced LER during the quasi linear elongation phase. The LED was only slightly affected. A rough parallelism was observed between the relative reduction of leaf length and the relative reduction of plant water content during leaf elongation. Conversely, there was no evidence that leaf elongation was limited by carbohydrate availability in leaf growing zones. This suggests that K deficiency reduced LER probably because of altered plant-water relationships. On the whole, these results strengthen the idea that leaf growth is a key variable for analyzing, and later on modeling, crop growth under K deficiency.     

转大肠杆菌过氧化氢酶基因棉花的抗旱生理研究

以导入大肠杆菌过氧化氢酶基因KatE的T3代转基因棉花为供试材料,经卡那霉素检测和PCR鉴定,将筛选出的阳性转基因植株与对照棉花进行整个生育期的持续水分胁迫处理直至收获,比较材料间的生理生化指标的差异,鉴定转基因植株的耐旱能力。结果显示:(1)干旱胁迫持续至初蕾期时,转基因棉花与对照植株间各项抗旱生理指标差异均未达到显著水平。(2)水分胁迫持续至盛蕾和盛花期时,转基因棉花叶片相对含水量、光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、CAT活性,以及叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均显著或极显著高于对照植株,叶绿素含量也都明显高于对照植株。干旱胁迫持续至吐絮期时,转基因棉花的株高、果枝数和铃数均显著或极显著高于对照植株,且转基因棉花和对照的籽棉产量分别比正常灌溉处理降低57.5%和60.1%,全生育期的水分胁迫严重影响了棉花籽棉产量,但转基因棉花的籽棉产量仍显著高于对照。研究表明,在新疆石河子当地自然降水(干旱胁迫)条件下,转KatE基因棉花表现出了较好的生理和生长优势,KatE基因有助于提高棉花的抗旱性。     

转CBF_1基因棉花的耐旱生理研究

以转CBF_1基因棉花及其野生型棉花为材料,设置轻度(900 mL)、中度(400 mL)、重度(300 mL)和对照(1 200mL)浇水处理的不同干旱胁迫和复水处理,考察各种处理后对盆栽植株不同部位叶片光合性能和离体叶片在暗处理条件下叶绿素含量的变化,以及在大田苗期、蕾期、花期、铃期断水胁迫对棉花产量的影响,为转基因抗旱棉花新品种的培育提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)在盆栽试验中,随着干旱胁迫时间的延长和复水3d处理,各浇水处理的转基因和野生型棉花叶片净光合速率(P_n)、原初光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)表现出先降低后增加的变化趋势,受到胁迫后对顶部叶片的影响比中部叶片大,且转基因棉花叶片保留数量显著高于野生型棉花;它们的离体叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b的含量随着干旱胁迫时间的延长而逐渐下降,但转基因棉花的下降速率显著低于野生型棉花。(2)在田间试验的苗期、蕾期、花期、铃期干旱胁迫下,各干旱胁迫处理的转基因植株的皮棉产量、衣分、种子质量、株高均显著高于野生型棉花;转基因棉花的籽棉产量分别比正常灌溉处理降低了78.4%、55.1%、12.7%、8.3%,野生型棉花则分别降低了80.4%、55.4%、19.2%、14.4%,不同时期的水分胁迫严重影响了棉花籽棉产量,但是转基因棉花的籽棉产量显著高于野生型棉花。研究认为,在不同干旱胁迫条件下,转CBF_1基因棉花表现出优良的生长和生理优势,可提高棉花的耐旱性。     

玉米早期根系构型及其生理特性对土壤水分的响应

为了探明玉米早期根系结构及其对土壤水分的生理响应,揭示玉米幼苗的抗旱机理,以蠡玉18为材料,采用盆栽试验,设置轻度胁迫(LS)、中度胁迫(MS)、重度胁迫(SS)和正常供水(CK)4个水分处理,系统研究从播种开始持续水分处理对夏玉米苗期根系形态结构及活力、保护酶系统及生理调节物质的影响。结果表明:随着水分胁迫程度的加剧,玉米根长、根表面积、根体积和根干重等各形态指标较CK下降幅度逐渐增大,不同水分胁迫使夏玉米苗期根系结构存在差异。轻度和中度胁迫显著增加了细根(0.05—0.25 mm)根长和根表面积比例,重度水分胁迫显著降低粗根(0.50 mm)根长与根表面积比例。玉米苗期根冠比、根系活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量随水分胁迫程度的增强而上升,随着胁迫时间的延长,根冠比逐渐降低。根系可溶性蛋白含量随土壤水分含量的下降而下降,MS、SS处理较CK显著降低(P0.05)。夏玉米根系中SOD对水分胁迫较CAT、POD更敏感,轻度水分胁迫下主要依赖CAT、中度水分胁迫下主要依赖POD、重度水分胁迫下主要依赖SOD来降低氧化伤害;且重度胁迫下,随着胁迫时间的延长保护酶活性下降。苗期玉米通过增加根冠比、增强根系活力和不同保护酶活性及降低可溶性蛋白等渗透调节物质来协同减少水分胁迫的危害。