不同水淹下狗牙根-牛鞭草混作对植株生物量的影响

了解狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)在不同水淹地区较优的种植方式对退化湿地的植被修复具有重要意义。设置4种不同水分条件,即对照组(CK)、水淹与干旱交替组(FD)、土壤表面水淹组(FL)和全淹组(SM),4种不同的植株密度(每盆分别种植1,2,4株或12株)和2种不同的种植方式(单作和混作),研究两物种在不同水淹条件下以不同方式和密度种植时的生物量变化。结果表明,水分、种植密度和种植方式均显著影响两物种的地上生物量和总生物量(P0.05)。CK和FD条件下,以中、高密度混作的狗牙根地上生物量和总生物量与单作相比显著下降(P0.05),牛鞭草在混作方式下的生物量与单作相比有了一定提高,其中在高密度混作情况下其生物量得到显著提高(P0.05)。在FL条件下,与单作相比,中、低密度混作的狗牙根和牛鞭草生物量均具有一定的上升。全淹条件下以中、低密度混作对狗牙根地上生物量和总生物量具有显著的促进作用(P0.05),对牛鞭草无显著差异(P0.05),高密度混作方式则对两物种生物量均无显著影响(P0.05)。随着水淹程度的增加,混作对狗牙根产生的生长抑制影响逐渐减弱。在长期浅水淹的地区,采取中、低密度混作将更有利于牛鞭草和狗牙根的长期共存。在较低海拔的全淹地区,采取高密度的牛鞭草-狗牙根混作方式将是更为理想的选择。     

长期水淹条件下香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)、菖蒲(Acorus calamus)和空心莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)的存活及生长响应

人工构建三峡库区消落区植被是控制消落区水土流失、保护消落区生态环境的重要措施,选择能够耐受长时间完全水淹的植物物种是该措施实施的关键.为了验证香根草、菖蒲、空心莲子草能否用于消落区植被的构建,实验模拟消落区的长期完全水淹条件,设置30d、60d、90d、120d、150d和180d等6个完全水淹时间水平,研究了3种植物在完全水淹条件下生长、生物量积累及存活状况.结果发现:(1)3种植物在经受长时间的完全水淹后有较高的存活率,180d全淹处理后,香根草、菖蒲和空心莲子草的存活率分别为87.5%、100%和50%.(2)这3种植物有不同的水下生长能力.全淹条件下,香根草生长缓慢,几乎没有产生新的叶片,总叶长也没有显著变化;菖蒲能够持续产生较对照植株更为细长的叶片,空心莲子草只在水淹初期(30d内)能够快速伸长地上部分的枝条,并迅速产生新叶片,但随水淹时间的延长,总枝条长及总叶片数没有再显著增加.(3)与对照植株相比,全淹处理抑制了3种植物总生物量的增加,但对3种植物的地上、地下部分生物量抑制程度不同.全淹条件下,香根草的地上部分和地下部分生物量与水淹0d水平(水淹处理开始前一天,下同)相比无显著变化,根冠比高于对照植株;菖蒲的地上部分生物量随水淹时间延长而降低,但却高于对照植株,地下部分生物量始终低于水淹0d水平,根冠比低于对照植株;空心莲子草的地上部分生物量与水淹0d水平相比无显著差异,但地下部分生物量与水淹0d水平相比大幅降低,根冠比低于对照植株.结果表明,这3种植物都有很强的水淹耐受能力,可应用于三峡库区消落区植被的构建.同时,发现植物对长期完全水淹的耐受能力很大程度上与植株在水下的生长情况及植株的营养储备水平相关,剧烈的水下生长会消耗大量的营养储备,进而造成植株存活率降低.植株在全淹条件下有限的生长能力及丰富的营养储备可能是耐淹物种的重要特征.     

四种水库消落带植物对水淹环境的适应性研究

研究了百花湖消落带四种优势植物双穗雀稗(Paspalum distichum)、空心莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)、牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)和狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)在模拟水淹环境下的生长指标和叶绿素含量,以期了解其对水淹环境的适应特征。结果表明:1) 水淹条件下,双穗雀稗、空心莲子草和牛鞭草生长加剧,狗牙根生长缓慢,四种植物损失了不适应全淹环境的分枝和叶片。2)双穗雀稗、牛鞭草和狗牙根表现为茎的生长,空心莲子草表现为茎和分枝的生长。植株顶端冒出水面后,双穗雀稗、空心莲子草和牛鞭草叶的生长加剧。3)四种植物的叶绿素a、b的含量降低,叶绿素b降低比叶绿素a更显著,叶绿素a/b值显著升高。植株顶端冒出水面后,双穗雀稗、空心莲子草和牛鞭草叶绿素a、b含量显著升高,叶绿素a/b值显著降低。4)经过不断地适应和进化后,四种植物能更好地适应水淹环境。     

三种水库消落带草本植物对完全水淹的适应机制研究

为了解虉草(Phalaris arundinacea)、牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)和狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)3种水库消落带草本植物在完全水淹条件下的生理生态适应机制,对这3种植物的生态指标(枝条、叶和生物量)和生理指标(可溶性糖、淀粉和根系活力)的动态变化特征进行了研究。结果表明：在完全水淹条件下,虉草、牛鞭草和狗牙根都不产生新的枝条,它们通过减少总叶数、总叶长和生物量的方式来适应水淹环境。虉草和狗牙根通过减缓枝条生长速率来适应水淹环境,而牛鞭草则是通过先加快生长后抑制生长来保存活力。虉草、牛鞭草和狗牙根均以少量的碳水化合物(可溶性糖和淀粉)消耗,降低根系活力等方式来适应长期的水淹环境。3种草本植物的水淹耐受能力由大到小依次为狗牙根、虉草、牛鞭草。     

Effects of waterlogging and increased soil nutrients on growth and reproduction of Polygonum hydropiper in the hydro-fluctuation belt of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region

水淹和土壤养分是影响三峡库区消落带植物生长的主要环境因子。消落带不同高程的植物长期经历不同的淹水强度和土壤养分条件。该研究假设同一物种来自于消落带不同高程的植株可能产生性状分化, 从而对根部淹水和土壤养分变化具有不同的生长和繁殖响应策略。为了验证以上假设, 选取在三峡库区消落带高低高程均广泛分布的物种水蓼(Polygonum hydropiper)为研究对象, 采集自然种群的种子。在温室同质园条件下, 研究了根部水淹和土壤养分提升对高低高程水蓼植株生长和繁殖特性的影响。研究结果表明根部水淹显著或趋于显著降低了水蓼植株功能叶的叶长、叶宽、总分枝数、叶生物量、花生物量和总生物量; 低养分处理显著或趋于显著降低了水蓼植株的总节数、总分枝数、根生物量、花生物量和总生物量, 表明根部水淹和低土壤养分对水蓼的生长和繁殖能力具有抑制作用。同时, 根部水淹和土壤养分的交互作用显著影响植株的根生物量, 表明根部水淹条件下高土壤养分更有利于植株根生物量的积累。高高程植株的根生物量和叶生物量显著或趋于显著高于低高程植株, 而低高程植株的始花时间早于高高程植株, 且繁殖分配也显著高于高高程植株, 表明高低高程水蓼植株对资源的分配策略不同。该研究结果表明水蓼的生长和繁殖特性受根部水淹和土壤养分共同限制, 但对根部水淹条件下高土壤养分生境具有较好的适应性; 同时, 低高程植株可以通过调整其生长和繁殖特性以提高对所处生境胁迫的适应性。     

刈割与水淹对三峡库区消落带优势物种狗牙根存活及恢复生长的影响

三峡库区消落带蓄水期间植物腐烂分解释放的养分会增加库区的富营养化风险,水淹前刈割是消减水体污染风险的有效方式之一,但刈割对库区消落带适生植物恢复生长的影响尚不清楚。为探究三峡库区消落带适生植物对水淹和刈割胁迫的耐受情况,选取消落带适生植物狗牙根为研究对象,设置对照(CK)、浅淹(SF)、浅淹-对照(SFK)、全淹(TF)、全淹-对照(TFK)5种水淹处理和不刈割(NC)、留茬30 cm(S30)、留茬20 cm(S20)、留茬10 cm(S10)4个刈割强度,研究不同水淹和刈割处理对狗牙根存活、生长和光合特征的影响。结果表明：(1)狗牙根在不同水淹和刈割处理下整体可保持较高的存活率(≥83.3%)。(2)刈割和水淹处理对狗牙根的形态生长和生物量分配均存在显著影响。与对照相比,SF组狗牙根的根长、基径和生物量显著降低,TF组狗牙根的株高、基径、根长和生物量显著降低,但是SFK和TFK处理(脱离水淹胁迫)相比SF和TF组却显著增长。(3)刈割和水淹处理对狗牙根的光合速率影响显著,其中SF组狗牙根的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Ci)显著降低,TF处理叶片全部凋落无光合作用...     

不同水分处理和密度配置对牛鞭草与狗牙根生长与种间竞争的影响

为合理利用三峡库区消落带优良草本植物进行退化植被恢复,并探索恢复过程中草本植物的最佳混植比例,选取三峡库区消落带适生先锋草本植物牛鞭草(Hemarthria compressa)(H)和狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)(C)为研究材料,于2016年4月29日在盆栽控制条件下设置3种不同水分条件(对照组——CK组、浅淹组——SF组、全淹组——TF组)、7种配置比例,每盆牛鞭草与狗牙根株数分别按2株进行递增与递减,具体的配比分别为H0C12,H2C10,H4C8,H6C6,H8C4,H10C2、H12C0,比较研究混植条件下牛鞭草与狗牙根在水淹环境中的生长及二者的竞争作用。研究发现:(1)无论在单植还是二者混植条件下,水分胁迫均显著降低狗牙根与牛鞭草生物量,且牛鞭草对水淹胁迫的响应更敏感;(2)狗牙根和牛鞭草的生长均具有明显的密度制约效应,但狗牙根的反应更为强烈;(3)不同水分与密度条件下,混植体系总相对生物量均大于1。在CK组,狗牙根与牛鞭草表现出竞争关系;在SF组和TF组,二者之间的竞争作用减小,表现出一定的促进作用。综合分析本试验不同水分与密度条件下牛鞭草与狗牙根的总生物量、根冠比、竞争系数(相对总生物量),发现常规供水处理下牛鞭草和狗牙根的最佳配置比例为H2C10,而浅水淹和深水淹处理下最佳配置比例为H8C4。研究结果可以为三峡库区消落带不同海拔位草本植被的恢复及管理提供依据,也为生态类型相同或相似地区人工恢复草本植被提供理论参考。     

狗牙根与牛鞭草在三峡库区消落带水淹结束后的抗氧化酶活力

三峡水库周期性水淹结束后,消落带植物积极恢复生长的能力有利于其生存和定居,因此,探究影响植物恢复生长的关键生理生态机制对于消落带生态治理具有重要意义。采用野外采样、对比测定的手段,研究了生长于三峡水库消落带的狗牙根和牛鞭草根系在冬季水淹结束后清除活性氧(ROS)的关键酶活力恢复动态。结果表明:与对照相比,经历水淹的植物恢复初期发生明显氧化胁迫,超氧化歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)均维持了水淹诱导增加的活力水平。两个物种的过氧化氢酶(CAT)在水淹中活力均较低;出露之后后狗牙根CAT趋向于对照水平,牛鞭草CAT活力迅速上升但未到显著水平。水淹结束后24 d各个酶活力均回复到对照水平,表明氧化胁迫已基本消失。消落带位点植物不同酶活力之间表现出显著的相关关系,这可能是植株维持ROS代谢内稳态的表现。     

完全水淹条件下空心莲子草的生长、存活及出水后的恢复动态研究

为了判断入侵植物空心莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)能否在河岸带的水淹环境中生存,实验研究了空心莲子草在30、60、90 d和120 d的完全水淹条件下的形态变化、生物量变化、存活及出水后的恢复生长状况.结果发现,空心莲子草在完全水淹条件下分枝的伸长生长加剧,并能快速产生新的叶片,但总生物量及地下部分生物量显著降低.空心莲子草在完全水淹处理后有很高的存活率,淹没120 d后存活率仍高达90%.水淹处理结束后,植株能够迅速地开始恢复生长,但恢复生长能力随着水淹持续时间的延长而逐渐降低.结果表明,空心莲子草有很强的水淹耐受能力,能够在江河河岸带生存,但在水淹持续时间较长的距水面较近的地段可能生长较差.     

水体溶氧影响陆生植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)对完全水淹的耐受力

溶氧是水环境中一个重要的环境因子,为了探讨水中的溶氧含量水平是否会对陆生植物的耐淹能力造成影响,研究了陆生植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)在遭受不同溶氧含量水体完全淹没后的生长表现、存活情况和非结构碳水化合物的变化。实验结果表明:(1)水体中的溶氧含量显著影响了处于完全水淹环境中的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的存活。受高溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草主茎的完好程度和存活叶的数量均显著高于遭受低溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草,喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草在高溶氧水体完全水淹后的生物量比低溶氧水体完全水淹后要高;(2)水体中的溶氧含量显著影响了处于完全水淹环境中的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的生长,受高溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草主茎伸长生长和不定根生长显著强于受低溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草,在不定根的生长上牛鞭草也具有同样的表现。(3)高溶氧水环境有利于减小被完全淹没的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的碳水化合物消耗,两种植物在受高溶氧完全水淹后体内具有的非结构性碳水化合物含量均比受低溶氧完全水淹后高。(4)喜旱莲子草比牛鞭草能更好地耐受完全水淹,当处于低溶氧完全水淹时表现得更为明显,本研究表明入侵物种喜旱莲子草比本地物种牛鞭草具有更强的环境适应能力和水淹耐受能力。     

三峡库区消落区几种两栖植物的适生性评价

根据三峡库区消落区的环境特征,两年间通过在库区消落区山地实验基地的种植及实地淹没试验,对几种备选用于生态修复的两栖植物进行适生性评价筛选研究.结果表明:狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、野地瓜藤(Ficus tikoua)、尼泊尔蓼(Polygonum nepalense )、水花生( Alternanthera philoxeroides)、百喜草(Paspalum Notatum )、香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)、苏丹草(Sorghum sudanense)在100～150d的低水位出露期内均可完成生长、发育成熟过程,可作为消落区生态恢复的备选物种.其中,苏丹草可作为速生物种,能迅速恢复水位下降后消落区的植被覆盖率;复合群落在生长期间比单一种群提前5～10d完成对地表的覆盖,群落的稳定性、耐淤积性及抗干扰性较强,次年的萌发也更好,有利于构建稳定的生态系统;狗牙根、尼泊尔蓼和野地瓜藤根系生长良好,其中狗牙根在一个生长季内根系最长可达75cm, 有利于消落区控制水土流失;在自然水淹最深为15m,淹没时间6d的情况下,复合群落组植物、尼泊尔蓼、野地瓜藤、狗牙根和苏丹草的植物均能短期耐水淹和淤泥,水花生则是在水淹较深处能够生长良好;180d水下1.0～1.5m的连续淹水实验结果表明,狗牙根和野地瓜藤的耐淹性较强,经过长达半年的淹水过程能够成活,并在次年自然萌发;同时5～25m的深部淹水实验表明,随着深度增加,狗牙根的落叶率逐步提高,在180d的淹没后能够成活,并在次年自然萌发,可作为构建消落区生态系统的两栖植物物种.     

Effects of simulated submergence on survival and recovery growth of three species in water fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges reservoir

Paspalum distichum, Cynodon dactylon and Hemarthria altissima distribute widely in natural water fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges region. To investigate whether they are suitable for growing in the artificial water fluctuation zone, which has longer submergence time and different submergence rhythm, of the Three Gorges reservoir, three complete submergence depths (0.5, 1 and 2 m) were conducted for about 6 months (from 12 November 2007 to 30 April 2008), and the survival and recovery growth of the three species were recorded after re-emergence for two weeks. The three species could start recovery growth within one week and more than 50% plants could survive. Among the three species, P. distichum had the largest increments in branch number and maximum stem length, and the smallest root shoot ratio. C. dactylon, however, had the smallest maximum stem length increment, and its survival and branch number increment were both larger than those of H. altissima. For C. dactylon and H. altissima, the survival and branch number increment significantly increased, while maximum stem length increment tended to decrease when submergence depth went higher. For P. distichum, the survival and the shoot mass were the lowest after 2 m submergence depth, but the other parameters were not different among different submergence treatments. Compared with control plants, submergence increased root shoot ratio of C. dactylon and H. altissima, but did not affect that of P. distichum. These results demonstrated that the three species are submergence-tolerant and can be applied in vegetation reconstruction in water fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges reservoir. Meanwhile, the results also suggested that the three species developed different survival tactics during the long-term submergence.     

Effects of simulated submergence on survival and recovery growth of three species in water fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges reservoir

Paspalum distichum, Cynodon dactylon and Hemarthria altissima distribute widely in natural water fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges region. To investigate whether they are suitable for growing in the artificial water fluctuation zone, which has longer submergence time and different submergence rhythm, of the Three Gorges reservoir, three complete submergence depths (0.5, 1 and 2 m) were conducted for about 6 months (from 12 November 2007 to 30 April 2008), and the survival and recovery growth of the three species were recorded after re-emergence for two weeks. The three species could start recovery growth within one week and more than 50% plants could survive. Among the three species, P. distichum had the largest increments in branch number and maximum stem length, and the smallest root shoot ratio. C. dactylon, however, had the smallest maximum stem length increment, and its survival and branch number increment were both larger than those of H. altissima. For C. dactylon and H. altissima, the survival and branch number increment significantly increased, while maximum stem length increment tended to decrease when submergence depth went higher. For P. distichum, the survival and the shoot mass were the lowest after 2 m submergence depth, but the other parameters were not different among different submergence treatments. Compared with control plants, submergence increased root shoot ratio of C. dactylon and H. altissima, but did not affect that of P. distichum. These results demonstrated that the three species are submergence-tolerant and can be applied in vegetation reconstruction in water fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges reservoir. Meanwhile, the results also suggested that the three species developed different survival tactics during the long-term submergence.     

三峡水库蓄水对消涨带植被的初步影响

三峡库区消涨带植被一直受到广泛关注。为了研究水库蓄水对175 m以下消涨带原有植被的潜在影响,2008年8月在三峡大坝上游长江干流从巴南到秭归12个监测点,设立68个5 m×5 m永久监测样方,比较被水淹过的156 m以下与当时尚未水淹的156～175 m地段植被物种组分、物种多样性和草本层生物量的差异。结果表明：被水淹过与尚未水淹的植被物种组分存在显著差异,DCA可以将二者明显分开,156 m以上尚未水淹的植被以灌丛为主;156 m以下被水淹过的植被以草丛为主,优势种包括多年生草本：狗牙根（Cynodon dactylon）、牛鞭草（Hemarthria altissima）和硬秆子草（Capillipedium assimile）;一年生草本：狗尾草（Setaria viridis）、毛马唐（Digitaria ciliaris）和千金子（Leptochloa chinensis）。木本植物基本死亡,只有枫杨（Pterocarya stenoptera）、牡荆（Vitex negundo）和地瓜（Ficus tikoua）存活。此外,被水淹过的植被中灌木物种数比例显著降低,而一年生草本物种数比例显著增加。被水淹过和尚未水淹植被的物种多样性也存在显著差异,被水淹过植被物种总数、灌木和多年生草本物种数显著低于尚未被水淹过的植被,但一年生草本物种数没有显著差异。被水淹过的植被草本层生物量与尚未水淹的植被没有显著差异。可见,水淹显著改变了消涨带原有植被物种组分和物种多样性,但一年生草本物种数和草本层生物量没有显著差异。未来175 m以下的植被中,草本尤其是一年生草本将占据优势。在消涨带植被恢复选择适应水淹生境物种过程中,应分别从植物的生活史、生理学和形态学等角度进行筛选,尤其应重视生活史适应策略植物的应用。被水淹过的156 m以下现有优势草本和存活的灌木可以作为三峡库区未来消涨带植被恢复的备选物种。     

三峡水库消落区模拟水淹对4种草本植物生长的影响

通过对狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、香附子(Cyperus rotundus)、芦苇(Phragmites australis)和羊茅(Festuca ovina)等4种草本植物在长江实际水域进行模拟水淹试验,水淹深度为5 m、10 m、15 m、20 m和25 m,水淹时间为180 d,出水恢复时间为50 d,观测其水淹期间以及出水后盖度的变化,揭示不同水淹条件对4种试验植物生长的影响,从而进一步探讨每种植物在三峡水库消落区植被修复过程中适宜种植的高程。结果表明:水淹导致植株盖度下降,水淹深度越低盖度下降越显著;出水后,除香附子和芦苇在深度为25 m的处理组不能进行恢复生长外,其余皆能恢复生长,但随着水淹深度的加深,越难恢复至淹前水平;各适生植物在消落区的适宜生存范围和最适生存范围:狗牙根和羊茅,175 m～150 m和175 m～155 m;芦苇,175 m～155 m和175 m～160 m;香附子,175 m～155 m和175 m～165 m。     

三峡库区岸生植物秋华柳对水淹的光合和生长响应

为阐明三峡库区岸生植物秋华柳(Salix variegata)对水淹的耐受机制,模拟三峡库区消落带水淹发生的情况,研究了在不同水淹时间和水淹深度处理下秋华柳的光合和生长特性。实验设置了对照(不进行水淹,常规供水管理)、水淹根部(植株置于水中,植株地下部分被淹没)、水下0.5 m(植株置于水中,植株顶部在水面下0.5 m)和水下2 m(植株置于水中,植株顶部在水面下2 m)4个不同的水淹深度和0、10、20、40、60和90 d 6个不同的水淹时间处理,并测定了在不同水淹时间和水淹深度处理下秋华柳的光合作用、叶绿素荧光和生长。研究结果发现:随着水淹时间的延长,对照和水淹根部植株都具有高的净光合速率、表观量子效率和羧化效率。水淹40 d后,相同水淹深度处理秋华柳植株的净光合速率显著高于耐水湿环境的垂柳(Salix babylonica)(p<0.05)。水淹90 d后,全淹处理植株的光合能力较对照有显著的下降(p<0.05),对照、水下0.5 m和水下2 m植株的净光合速率分别为13.2、10.1和8.05 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,同时全淹植株PSII的最大光化学效率也有一定程度的下降,显著低于对照和水淹根部处理的植株(p<0.05)。水淹40、60和90 d后,全淹植株的胞间CO₂浓度都高于对照和水淹根部植株。随着水淹时间的增加,水淹根部植株不定根数量不断增加,而全淹植株只有极少量的不定根产生。水淹根部植株的主茎长的增量、分枝数的增量、主茎新生叶片数、根生物量的积累和总生物量的积累都高于全淹植株,全淹植株在水淹过程中,其主茎长、分枝数、主茎新叶数、根生物量和总生物量都有增加,同时其凋落叶片较多。水淹90 d后,秋华柳植株的存活率为100%。研究结果表明,秋华柳在经过较长时间的水淹后,表现出较强的光合和生长适应性,可以考虑将秋华柳列为三峡库区消落带植被构建的物种之一。     

Effects of submergence on the growth of Phragmites australis seedlings

Colonisation by reed seedlings, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. is rare and usually occurs after drawdown and when shallow water prevails. P. australis seeds have high rates of germination but successful colonisation is dependent upon subsequent water depths. We investigated the capacity of young reed plants to resist a 4 weeks submergence stress within a 5 months period, and their subsequent recovery. A pond experiment examined the interactions between submergence depth and the age of the seedlings at submergence. Four submergence treatments were used. In two partial submergence treatments, 50 and 80% of the initial leaf area was submerged. In two total submergence treatments, plants were either submerged at 125% of their initial height with possible subsequent development of emerged leaves, or the water was deepened as they grew to maintain total submergence for 4 weeks. The ages at submergence were 40, 60 and 80 days. Plants were harvested at 5 months. Shoot elongation, biomass allocations to aerial biomass, roots and rhizomes, and photosynthetic activity of aerial leaves were measured. Redox potential was measured for a subsample.Mortality (18.7%) occurred only in the permanent submergence treatment for 40-day-old seedlings. In all treatments, submerged leaves senesced, except the terminal (youngest) leaves of permanently submerged plants. Submergence differentially affected shoot length and biomass, depending upon the intensity of the treatment and the seedling age. The major differences were found between the two partial and two total submergence treatments. Partial submergence (50 and 80%) significantly enhanced biomass accumulation and growth, whereas total submergence largely decreased biomass production and growth in length, with less effect on shoot numbers. The 80-day-old seedlings tolerated submergence better but growth was poorest in medium-aged plants (60-day-old). Increased elongation of the growing internodes of up to 140% was caused by submergence, and photosynthetic activity was enhanced by 85% in emergent leaves of plants initially submerged but allowed to produce emerged leaves during the treatment period.Young P. australis plants require shallow water levels without long lasting submergence to grow and survive. Tolerance to submergence increases with age. These processes contribute to define the conditions for colonisation via seeds in P. australis.     

Escape from water or remain quiescent? Lotus tenuis changes its strategy depending on depth of submergence

Background and Aims

Two main strategies that allow plants to cope with soil waterlogging or deeper submergence are: (1) escaping by means of upward shoot elongation or (2) remaining quiescent underwater. This study investigates these strategies in Lotus tenuis, a forage legume of increasing importance in areas prone to soil waterlogging, shallow submergence or complete submergence.

Methods

Plants of L. tenuis were subjected for 30 d to well-drained (control), waterlogged (water-saturated soil), partially submerged (6 cm water depth) and completely submerged conditions. Plant responses assessed were tissue porosity, shoot number and length, biomass and utilization of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) and starch in the crown.

Key Results

Lotus tenuis adjusted its strategy depending on the depth of submergence. Root growth of partially submerged plants ceased and carbon allocation prioritized shoot lengthening (32 cm vs. 24·5 cm under other treatments), without depleting carbohydrate reserves to sustain the faster growth. These plants also developed more shoot and root porosity. In contrast, completely submerged plants became quiescent, with no associated biomass accumulation, new shoot production or shoot elongation. In addition, tissue porosity was not enhanced. The survival of completely submerged plants is attributed to consumption of WSCs and starch reserves from crowns (concentrations 50–75 % less than in other treatments).

Conclusions

The forage legume L. tenuis has the flexibility either to escape from partial submergence by elongating its shoot more vigorously to avoid becoming totally submerged or to adopt a non-elongating quiescent strategy when completely immersed that is based on utilizing stored reserves. The possession of these alternative survival strategies helps to explain the success of L. tenuis in environments subjected to unpredictable flooding depths.     

三峡库区两种耐水淹植物的存活率和碳水化合物储备关系

野古草和秋花柳是三峡库区消落带两种强水淹耐受能力的植物物种。以往研究显示植物的水淹耐受性和体内碳水化合物储备有关。为了探明野古草和秋花柳水淹下的高存活率是否和碳水化合物储备有关, 研究了在室外6个月的模拟水淹条件下两个物种在不同水淹时间(40、90、120和180d)和不同水淹深度下(不水淹、根部水淹和完全淹没)的生物量积累、存活率和碳水化合物含量和分布。结果表明: (1)野古草和秋花柳对长期水淹具有很高的耐受性, 根部水淹植物6个月处理后完全存活; 而完全淹没条件下, 野古草仅在4个月, 秋花柳仅在6个月处理后才开始死亡; (2)碳水化合物主要储备在野古草的茎和秋花柳的茎与主根中, 野古草的根和秋华柳的细根中碳水化合物含量很低; (3)水淹深度和水淹时间对植物生物量积累和碳水化合物含量影响显著(P 0.05):与未水淹植株相比, 根部水淹仅略微降低了生物量积累以及可溶性糖和淀粉含量 (P 0.05), 且保持基本稳定或增加的趋势, 而完全淹没的植株生物量随水淹时间逐渐降低, 碳水化合物含量在前90天快速下降 (P 0.05), 之后缓慢下降或保持不变。研究结果表明, 野古草和秋花柳强的水淹耐受性是和它们高的碳水化合物储备以及水淹条件下对碳水化合物的动用能力有关, 后期的死亡率增加与碳水化合物储备消耗殆尽有关, 野古草和秋花柳对碳水化合物储备对水淹的响应的差异可能和它们的碳水化合物储备在不同组织中的分配模式有关。