小叶锦鸡儿和狭叶锦鸡儿的生态和水分调节特性比较研究

对锦鸡儿属羽状叶类群的代表植物——小叶锦鸡儿和假掌状叶类群的代表植物——狭叶锦鸡儿的地理分布、生长发育、形态结构、渗透调节和水分代谢进行了比较研究。小叶锦鸡儿在内蒙古高原分布于东起呼伦贝尔 (1 2 4 .0 0°E)西至达茂旗(1 1 0 .4 3°E)的半湿润至半干旱地区 ,生长发育最适地区是锡林浩特 ;狭叶锦鸡儿在内蒙古高原分布于东起锡林浩特 (1 1 6 .0 7°E)西至阿拉善 (98°E)的半干旱至极干旱地区 ,生长发育最适地区是阿拉善。这种分布格局和生长发育适应性说明 ,狭叶锦鸡儿比小叶锦鸡儿更适宜干旱环境。小叶锦鸡儿叶片平展、被绿色柔毛 ,有时上面近无毛 ,狭叶锦鸡儿叶片呈瓦状、被粉白色柔毛 ;狭叶锦鸡儿叶片厚度 /面积比值和长 /宽比值大于小叶锦鸡儿 ,叶片生物量小于小叶锦鸡儿。这些特性使狭叶锦鸡儿比小叶锦鸡儿保水能力强。由于狭叶锦鸡儿的渗透调节物质浓度大于小叶锦鸡儿 ,导致细胞渗透势低于小叶锦鸡儿 ;狭叶锦鸡儿叶含水量低于小叶锦鸡儿 ,束缚水 /自由水比值大于小叶锦鸡儿 ;狭叶锦鸡儿叶水势低于小叶锦鸡儿。这些特性表明狭叶锦鸡儿比小叶锦鸡儿渗透调节能力强。狭叶锦鸡儿的蒸腾速率和日蒸腾积累值均小于小叶锦鸡儿 ,水分利用效率高于小叶锦鸡儿。由于叶形态变异、良好的渗透调节功     

内蒙古高原荒漠区几种锦鸡儿属(Caragana)优势植物的生理生态适应特性

比较了内蒙古高原荒漠区4种锦鸡儿属(Caragana)优势植物——柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿、垫状锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿的生理适应特性。研究发现:4种锦鸡儿属植物中,荒漠锦鸡儿的叶片含水量、束缚水/自由水比值、水势以及水分利用效率最低,气孔导度日变化表现为与气温变化相似的早晚低、中午高的单峰曲线。4种锦鸡儿蒸腾速率日变化状况相似,均在10:00达到最大,以后逐渐降低,但日蒸腾积累值垫状锦鸡儿<荒漠锦鸡儿<柠条锦鸡儿<狭叶锦鸡儿。相比较,柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿对当地的水分条件有良好的适应性,能够保持较好的水分状况,水分亏缺在15%以下,而荒漠锦鸡儿叶水分亏缺日变幅较大,保水能力不及其它3种。渗透调节比较研究发现:荒漠锦鸡儿的渗透势最低,细胞质离子浓度最高,无机渗透调节物产生的渗透势所占的比例也更大,说明其低渗透势的维持主要来自无机渗透调节物质的较多积累。保护酶和自由基比较研究发现:POD和SOD活性荒漠锦鸡儿明显高于其它3个种,但CAT活性在4种植物中无显著差别;叶片自由基含量狭叶锦鸡儿>荒漠锦鸡儿>柠条锦鸡儿>垫状锦鸡儿。这些结果表明:(1)荒漠锦鸡儿对干旱环境的适应方式与其它3种不同,柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿以强保水能力、维持稳定的水分而适应,而荒漠锦鸡儿以更负的渗透势、更高细胞质离子浓度弥补其更多的水分消耗和对水分变化的强耐性而适应,较高的保护酶活性可能是其强耐性的生理基础之一。(2)保水能力弱的锦鸡儿种主要通过无机离子的积累,调节细胞质渗透势,保持水分平衡,这是一种相对节省能量的适应对策。     

内蒙古高原荒漠区几种锦鸡儿属(Caragana)优势植物的生理生态适应特性

比较了内蒙古高原荒漠区4种锦鸡儿属(Caragana)优势植物——柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿、垫状锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿的生理适应特性。研究发现：4种锦鸡儿属植物中,荒漠锦鸡儿的叶片含水量、束缚水/自由水比值、水势以及水分利用效率最低,气孔导度日变化表现为与气温变化相似的早晚低、中午高的单峰曲线。4种锦鸡儿蒸腾速率日变化状况相似,均在10:00达到最大,以后逐渐降低,但日蒸腾积累值垫状锦鸡儿 < 荒漠锦鸡儿 < 柠条锦鸡儿< 狭叶锦鸡儿。相比较,柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿对当地的水分条件有良好的适应性,能够保持较好的水分状况,水分亏缺在15％以下,而荒漠锦鸡儿叶水分亏缺日变幅较大,保水能力不及其它3种。渗透调节比较研究发现：荒漠锦鸡儿的渗透势最低,细胞质离子浓度最高,无机渗透调节物产生的渗透势所占的比例也更大,说明其低渗透势的维持主要来自无机渗透调节物质的较多积累。保护酶和自由基比较研究发现：POD和SOD活性荒漠锦鸡儿明显高于其它3个种,但CAT活性在4种植物中无显著差别;叶片自由基含量狭叶锦鸡儿 > 荒漠锦鸡儿 > 柠条锦鸡儿 > 垫状锦鸡儿。这些结果表明： (1)荒漠锦鸡儿对干旱环境的适应方式与其它3种不同,柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿以强保水能力、维持稳定的水分而适应,而荒漠锦鸡儿以更负的渗透势、更高细胞质离子浓度弥补其更多的水分消耗和对水分变化的强耐性而适应,较高的保护酶活性可能是其强耐性的生理基础之一。(2) 保水能力弱的锦鸡儿种主要通过无机离子的积累,调节细胞质渗透势,保持水分平衡,这是一种相对节省能量的适应对策。     

内蒙古高原不同生境条件下甘蒙锦鸡儿水分调节特性和抗逆性的比较研究

对分布于内蒙古和林格尔（半干旱地区）和阿拉善（强干旱地区）地区的甘蒙锦鸡儿种群水分调节特性和抗逆性进行了比较研究.结果表明,阿拉善种群比和林格尔种群的叶片渗透调节物质含量高、渗透势低、渗透调节能力强,叶片含水量和自由水含量低、束缚水含量和束缚水/自由水比值高,叶水势和气孔导度低,表明阿拉善种群比和林格尔种群有更强的水分调节能力.阿拉善种群丙二醛(MDA)含量大于和林格尔种群,但细胞膜相对透性和超氧自由基含量小于和林格尔种群,表明阿拉善种群自由基清除能力强、细胞膜稳定性高.有效的水分调节能力和较强的抗逆性是甘蒙锦鸡儿适应干旱环境的重要生理基础.     

内蒙古高原西部荒漠区锦鸡儿属(Caragana)优势种的形态适应特征

研究内蒙古高原西部荒漠区锦鸡儿属(Caragana)4种优势植物——柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿、垫状锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿的地理分布和叶形态适应特征。通过地理分布和生长发育研究发现：4种锦鸡儿均能在阿拉善荒漠区分布和正常生长,它们能够适应阿拉善荒漠区环境。叶形态结构研究表明：狭叶锦鸡儿叶片呈瓦状,在一定程度上阻碍了水分散失和气体交换,缩小受光面积;垫状锦鸡儿叶片卷成筒状,水分散失和气体交换阻力更大,受光面积更小。柠条锦鸡儿密被伏帖绢毛、狭叶锦鸡儿多被灰白色柔毛、垫状锦鸡儿密被绢毛和荒漠锦鸡儿密被直立绢毛,对光线反射能力强,使叶温降低,减少蒸腾。狭叶锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿具有的长条型叶,4种荒漠区锦鸡儿都具有更小的叶面积、更大的厚度/面积比值、更低的叶片生物量和更小的比叶面积(SLA), 减小了蒸腾和受光面积,提高了荒漠区锦鸡儿的保水能力。荒漠区锦鸡儿这些叶片形态特性有利于适应干旱、高温和强辐射的荒漠区环境。叶绿素含量测定和叶色研究结果表明：4种荒漠区锦鸡儿叶绿素含量低,更低的叶绿素含量和密被灰白色柔毛或绢毛导致叶色浅、反光性能好,有利于减少对辐射的吸收,避免强辐射对植物的伤害,同时也使叶温低,减轻高温伤害和水分蒸发,以适应环境。这是荒漠区锦鸡儿适应高光强、高气温、极干旱的荒漠区环境的特性。垫状锦鸡儿和柠条锦鸡儿叶绿素a/b高也是适应强辐射的特性。比较4种荒漠区锦鸡儿的叶形态特性发现,4种荒漠区锦鸡儿植物对荒漠环境的形态适应方式是不同的。     

鄂尔多斯高原锦鸡儿属植物叶表皮特征及生态适应性

在光学显微镜和扫描电镜下,对鄂尔多斯高原上从东到西分布的8种锦鸡儿属(Caragana)植物的叶表皮特征进行了观察,发现该属植物的叶表皮细胞形状有多边形和不规则形两种类型;气孔轴式类型主要是不定式。旱中生的秦晋锦鸡儿(C. purdomii)的气孔密度及气孔指数最高,其它7种旱生种类(甘蒙锦鸡儿(C. opulens)、中间锦鸡儿(C. intermedia)、柠条锦鸡儿(C. korshinskii)、荒漠锦鸡儿(C. roborovskyi)、狭叶锦鸡儿(C. stenophylla)、藏锦鸡儿(C. tibetica)和短脚锦鸡儿(C. brachypoda))的偏低。在同种锦鸡儿中,中间锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿、藏锦鸡儿的气孔密度随环境干旱程度的增加而增加,柠条锦鸡儿的气孔密度则减少;狭叶锦鸡儿、藏锦鸡儿的气孔指数随环境干旱程度的增加表现为上升,中间锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿的气孔指数表现为下降。中间锦鸡儿、柠条锦鸡儿、藏锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿的表皮均密被表皮毛,是对干旱环境的适应特征。旱生种类比中生种类的表皮特性具有更高的可塑性,在半荒漠地带能够成为建群种的狭叶锦鸡儿和藏锦鸡儿的可塑性指数最高。在扫描电镜下,气孔位置有两类:气孔与表皮细胞齐平、气孔陷于表皮细胞之下。表皮上有角质层和蜡质;表皮毛为单细胞非腺毛。     

内蒙古高原西部荒漠区锦鸡儿属(Caragana)优势种的形态适应特征

研究内蒙古高原西部荒漠区锦鸡儿属（Caragana）4种优势植物——柠条锦鸡儿、狭叶锦鸡儿、垫状锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿的地理分布和叶形态适应特征.通过地理分布和生长发育研究发现：4种锦鸡儿均能在阿拉善荒漠区分布和正常生长,它们能够适应阿拉善荒漠区环境.叶形态结构研究表明：狭叶锦鸡儿叶片呈瓦状,在一定程度上阻碍了水分散失和气体交换,缩小受光面积;垫状锦鸡儿叶片卷成筒状,水分散失和气体交换阻力更大,受光面积更小.柠条锦鸡儿密被伏帖绢毛、狭叶锦鸡儿多被灰白色柔毛、垫状锦鸡儿密被绢毛和荒漠锦鸡儿密被直立绢毛,对光线反射能力强,使叶温降低,减少蒸腾.狭叶锦鸡儿和垫状锦鸡儿具有的长条型叶,4种荒漠区锦鸡儿都具有更小的叶面积、更大的厚度/面积比值、更低的叶片生物量和更小的比叶面积（SLA）,减小了蒸腾和受光面积,提高了荒漠区锦鸡儿的保水能力.荒漠区锦鸡儿这些叶片形态特性有利于适应干旱、高温和强辐射的荒漠区环境.叶绿素含量测定和叶色研究结果表明：4种荒漠区锦鸡儿叶绿素含量低,更低的叶绿素含量和密被灰白色柔毛或绢毛导致叶色浅、反光性能好,有利于减少对辐射的吸收,避免强辐射对植物的伤害,同时也使叶温低,减轻高温伤害和水分蒸发,以适应环境.这是荒漠区锦鸡儿适应高光强、高气温、极干旱的荒漠区环境的特性.垫状锦鸡儿和柠条锦鸡儿叶绿素a/b高也是适应强辐射的特性.比较4种荒漠区锦鸡儿的叶形态特性发现,4种荒漠区锦鸡儿植物对荒漠环境的形态适应方式是不同的.     

锦鸡儿属植物幼茎及叶的解剖结构及其生态适应性

对采自我国的5种锦鸡儿属植物的幼茎及8种锦鸡儿属植物的叶片进行了解剖学观察和研究,结果表明这5种锦鸡儿的幼茎具有相同结构,其特征是具皮层纤维束(5-7束),周皮层发达。叶片的解剖结构与生态环境有关,森林和草原种的旱生结构不如高原荒漠种发达,差异主要在于有无下皮层、海绵组织与栅栏组织分化程度及单宁含量等方面。以川西锦鸡儿为代表的高寒荒漠种在解剖结构上的特化,表明长期对高寒生境的适应,促使其更为强烈地分化出旱生结构,因而具有明显的生态适应性。     

四种灌木幼苗对水分胁迫的生理响应

柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)、白皮锦鸡儿(C.leucophloea)、刺叶锦鸡儿(C.acanthophylla)和长枝木蓼(Atraphaxis virgata)是乌鲁木齐周边植被组成中的重要植物种,在植被恢复中具有潜在价值。研究通过人工控制水分比较这4种灌木对干旱胁迫的生理响应,结果表明:叶片的组织含水量和叶绿素含量随着干旱胁迫的加剧而降低;脯氨酸在干旱胁迫下的积累程度较可溶性糖大;除刺叶锦鸡儿外其它植物幼苗的丙二醛在干旱胁迫下均无明显的积累(P>0.05)。4种灌木在干旱胁迫下通过渗透调节、保持膜系统稳定等途径维持正常的生理活动,对干旱具有一定的适应能力。4种灌木抗旱能力的排序为白皮锦鸡儿>柠条锦鸡儿>长枝木蓼>刺叶锦鸡儿。     

不同品种油橄榄离体叶片对渗透胁迫的生理响应及其抗旱机制

以油橄榄3个主栽品种(‘戈达尔’、‘城固32’、‘弗奥’)离体叶片为研究对象,在实验室条件下考察了30%PEG溶液模拟渗透胁迫对叶片相关生理生化指标的影响,探讨不同品种间的响应差异及其生理机制。结果显示:(1)随着渗透胁迫时间的延长,各油橄榄品种离体叶片含水量和叶绿素含量呈下降趋势,相对电导率和MDA含量大幅度升高,即渗透胁迫造成了油橄榄离体叶片水分状况恶化、叶绿素分解、脂质过氧化和细胞膜损伤程度加重;同时,3个品种油橄榄叶片的束缚水与自由水相对含量、超氧阴离子产生速率、SOD活性及渗透调节物质含量表现出升高的趋势。(2)品种间相比较,随着胁迫时间的延长,‘城固32’叶片脂质过氧化产物MDA含量相对较低、细胞膜损伤较小,‘戈达尔’的表现则相反,‘弗奥’介于二者之间;同期各品种间叶片束缚水与自由水相对含量、超氧阴离子产生速率、SOD活性及渗透调节物质含量的变化表现相似。研究表明,3个油橄榄主栽品种中‘城固32’对30%PEG溶液渗透胁迫的抗性最强,‘弗奥’次之,‘戈达尔’最差;在30%PEG溶液渗透胁迫下,‘城固32’叶片具有较高的束缚水与自由水含量比值、较低的超氧阴离子产生速率、较高的SOD活性及较高渗透调节物质含量,这在一定程度上保证其叶片具有较强的抗脱水能力、抗氧化能力和渗透调节能力,从而在整体上表现出对渗透胁迫的较强抗性。     

Antioxidative system’s responses in the leaves of six Caragana species during drought stress and recovery

For investigating the protective roles of antioxidative system in desiccation tolerance of Caragana species as they adapt to arid environments, we monitored a variety of ecophysiological parameters in the leaves of Caragana arborescens (mesophyte), C. microphylla (semiarid species), C. roborovskyi, C. stenophylla, C. acanthophylla, and C. tragacanthoides (xerophyte) grown under a drying-rehydration cycle. Relative leaf water content and chlorophyll content were decreased by 17.4?C39.2?%, and by 14?C40?%, respectively, after exposure to 48?days of drought stress. Malondialdehyde did not increase in xeric Caragana species. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations increased by 13.1?C43.9?% except in C. acanthophylla. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in xeric Caragana species were significantly elevated with progressing drought stress. However, catalase in all species decreased markedly before drought stress treatment reached 40?days. The xeric Caragana species showed higher SOD, POD, APX, and GR activities, as well as ascorbate content, and more manganese SOD isoenzymes. C. arborescens and C. microphylla accumulated more free proline. Our data indicate that SOD and POD with the ascorbate?Cglutathione cycle have important protective effects in xeric Caragana species under drought stress. Free proline may be crucial in the resistance of C. arborescens and C. microphylla to drought stress.     

三种锦鸡儿属植物水力结构特征及其干旱适应策略

水分胁迫是干旱半干旱区限制植物生长的主要因素。以干旱半干旱区的3种锦鸡儿属植物为研究对象,从生态适应策略角度来分析3种锦鸡儿植物产生生态分离的原因。对三种锦鸡儿属植物茎干叶片的显微结构、生理功能(导水率、光合速率以及水分利用效率)进行测定,并统计了3种锦鸡儿植株的形态特征,如一、二级枝的直径、长度、末端叶面积。结果表明:三种锦鸡儿属植物都能形成较小的导管直径来适应旱生环境,但是在导水结构上又表现出一定的差异性。中间锦鸡儿的导管直径最小,次脉密度和最大净光合速率最大;柠条锦鸡儿的导管直径、叶片厚度和比叶重(LMA)最大。小叶锦鸡儿在导水率下降50%时的水势(P_(50))最大,水分胁迫时极易发生栓塞,但正是由于导管的栓塞降低了水分运输效率,使其在旱生环境中能够通过减少水分的供应来降低水分的丧失,从而保证自身生长的水分需求;而中间锦鸡儿则主要通过减小导管直径来适应旱生环境;柠条锦鸡儿的水分利用效率最高,抗栓塞能力最强,抗旱性最好,同时柠条锦鸡儿可以通过减少蒸腾面积来减少水分的丧失。植物的导管直径大小、叶片厚度、LMA、叶脉密度对植物导水速率、光合速率等生理功能都有一定的影响。     

Responses of four arid zone grass species from varying habitats to drought stress

The effects of 4 or 8 drought cycles on four grass species,Cenchrus pennisetiformis, Leptochloa fusca, Panicum turgidum, andPennisetum divisum were assessed in a pot experiment. There were significant differences between the species in biomass production under water stress.C. pennisetiformis andP. turgidum produced significantly greater fresh and dry matter thanP. divisum and especially thanL. fusca. L. fusca had the lowest andP. divisum highest osmotic potentials compared with the other species after the completion of 4 or 8 drought cycles. Osmotic adjustment (difference between osmotic potential of droughted/rehydrated plants and control plants) was highest inL. fusca. The stomatal conductance was significantly decreased with increased drought stress inC. pennisetiformis. The elasticity ofC. pennisetiformis, P. turgidum andP. divisum increased with increase in number of drought cycles, whereas that ofL. fusca remained unchanged.L. fusca andP. turgidum had the lowest leaf hydration of all species after 8 drought cycles. The chlorophyllsa andb in all species remained unaffected by drought treatments. The proline content ofC. pennisetiformis andL. fusca increased significantly with increased drought stress, whereas that ofP. turgidum remained unaffected after 4 or 8 drought cycles.L. fusca synthesized great amount of leaf soluble proteins during 8 drought cycles, whereasP. divisum had low protein content after 4 drought cycles. The protein contents ofC. pennisetiformis andP. turgidum remained unaffected after 8 drought cycles. The leaf epicuticular wax ofL. fusca increased consistently with increased drought stress, but leaf wax ofP. divisum increased only at the highest drought stress and that ofC. pennisetiformis andP. turgidum increased after 4 drought cycles. On the basis of these results it was established thatC. pennisetiformis andP. turgidum were the most tolerant,P. divisum intermediate, andL. fusca the most sensitive to drought stress. The osmotic adjustment did not positively correlate with the degree of drought resistance.     

空气湿度与土壤水分胁迫对紫花苜蓿叶表皮蜡质特性的影响

选用2个抗旱性不同的紫花苜蓿品种,敖汉(强抗旱)和三得利(弱抗旱),设置空气湿度(45%-55%和75%-85%)和土壤水分胁迫(75%和35%田间持水量)处理,分析紫花苜蓿叶表皮蜡质含量、组分及晶体结构、气体交换参数、水势及脯氨酸含量的变化规律。结果表明,单独土壤水分胁迫时,紫花苜蓿叶表皮蜡质晶体结构及蜡质总量无显著变化;敖汉蜡质组分中烷类、酯类含量增加,醇类含量下降;三得利醇类含量下降,烷类、酯类含量变化不显著。低空气湿度胁迫时,两品种蜡质总量无显著变化,烷类和酯类含量显著增加,醇类含量显著下降,叶表皮片状蜡质晶体结构熔融呈弥漫性,扩大了对叶表面积的覆盖,其蒸腾速率显著低于正常湿度。复合胁迫处理时,叶表皮片状蜡质晶体结构继续呈弥漫性,烷类、酯类、未知蜡质组分含量均高于单独胁迫处理,醇类含量最低,而蜡质总量除三得利显著高于对照外,其余均无显著差异。紫花苜蓿叶表皮蜡质各组分含量(除醇类)及蜡质总量与光合速率呈显著负相关,与蒸腾速率无显著相关关系。蜡质总量与叶水势呈显著正相关。总体上,敖汉蜡质总量显著高于三得利,蜡质组分中烷类物质的增加有助于提高植株的抗旱性。在复合胁迫下,强抗旱品种主要通过气孔因素控制水分散失,而弱抗旱品种通过气孔和非气孔因素共同控制植物水分散失。     

Seasonal patterns of leaf water relations in four co-occurring forest tree species: Parameters from pressure-volume curves

Summary Leaf water relationships were studied in four widespread forest tree species (Ilex opaca Ait., Cornus florida L., Acer rubrum L., and Liriodendron tulipifera L.). The individuals studied all occurred on the same site and were selected to represent a range of growth forms and water relationships in some of the principal tree species of the region. The water relations of the species were analyzed using the concept of the water potential-water content relationship. The pressure-volume method was used to measure this relationship using leaf material sampled from naturally occurring plants in the field. Water potential components (turgor, osmotic, and matric) were obtained by analysis of the pressure-volume curves.Initial osmotic potentials (the value of the osmotic component at full turgidity) were highest (least negative) at the start of the growing season. They decreased (becoming progressively more negative) as the season progressed through a drought period. Following a period of precipitation at the end of the drought period, initial osmotic potentials increased toward the values measured earlier in the season.Seasonal osmotic adjustments were sufficient in all species to allow maintenance of leaf turgor through the season, with one exception: Acer appeared to undergo some midday turgor loss during the height of the July drought period.In addition to environmental influences, tissue stage of development played a role; young Ilex leaves had higher early season initial osmotic potentials than overwintering leaves from the same tree.The seasonal pattern of initial osmotic potential in Liriodendron and the observed pattern of leaf mortality suggested a possible role of osmotic potentials in the resistance of those leaves to drought conditions. The fraction of total leaf water which is available to affect osmotic potentials, called the osmotic water fraction in this study, was greatest in young tissue early in the season and declined as the season progressed.The results of this study showed that the water potential-water content relationship represents a dynamic mechanism by which plant internal water relations may vary in response to a changing external water-availability regime. The measured water relationships confirmed the relative positions of the species along a water-availability gradient, with Cornus at the wettest end and Ilex at the driest end of the gradient. Acer and Liriodendron were intermediate in their water relations. The spread of these species along a water-availability gradient on the same site suggested that coexistence is partially based on differential water use patterns.     

Autecological traits ofHalimium halimifolium in contrasting habitats under a Mediterranean type climate—A review

Halimium halimifolium (L.)Willk. is a woodyCistaceae species occurring locally in the Western Mediterranean. At the Doñana National Park (S Atlantic coast of Spain),Halimium halimifolium is the main component of stable sand vegetation. It grows in a range of environmental conditions from flood-prone depressions to mobile dunes, but it is most abundant, and dominates the scrub composition on the slopes of fixed dune ridges with a water table depth of 2 to 4 m. The species exhibits not only morphological modifications (hairy leaves and twigs), but also structural and ecophysiological adaptations. The response ofH. halimifolium to stress conditions (leaf water potential, leaf diffusion resistance, and plant growth) have been studied in the field, throughout an annual cycle in four populations growing in different environments, three dune types differing in soil moisture, and one dune slack. Results showed that plants from the hygrophytic area (MN) had the less negative water potentials, the lowest stomatal resistances and the biggest vegetative growth, together with the highest Leaf Area Index, canopy light extinction, the largest leaf area and the lowest sclerophyll index. Plants from the most xerophytic area (MB) had the lowest Leaf Area Index, the smallest leaf area and the highest sclerophyll index. Even though in dune slopes (MI) water table was shallower than in MB, plants in the latter had more negative water potentials and bigger vegetative growth. Water potential values only exhibited significant differences among the four populations at the end of the spring period and over the summer. These results are discussed in relation to the climatic conditions of the study period (3 years of a drought cycle). Plants from the mobile dune system showed features which were intermediate between MN and MI plants.     

Stomatal responses and water relations of Eucalyptus pauciflora in summer along an elevational gradient

Summary The spatial and temporal variation of lead conductance (g) in Eucalyptus pauciflora was analysed with respect to photon flux area density (I), temperature (T), water vapour concentration deficit (w), and leaf water potential () at four different sites between 940 m and 2,040 m altitude in the Snowy Mountains of south-eastern Australia. Along this altitudinal gradient the precipitation/evaporation ratio increases from 1 to 4. The results show that gas diffusion in this tree species is primarily controlled by I and w at all sites, independently of the specific soil moisture regime. Even under dry midsummer conditions with predawn leaf water potentials of-1 MPa at the lowest altitude, had no striking effect on g.The humidity threshold for the onset of stomatal closure does not vary greatly between the study sites (12.2±1.3 Pa kPa^-1). The highest and lowest values observed for , the osmotic potential at water saturation (from pressure/volume curves), the mean and maximum g and stomatal dentity, all increase with elevation. The highest (least negative) osmotic potentials were obtained at all sites in midsummer. It therefore appears that there is no osmotic adjustment to drought in the seasonal course. The maximum difference between osmotic potentials obtained at the lowest and highest sites is 0.46 MPa. In general osmotic potential varies less than has been reported for other plant species exposed to varying water regimes. This may be the consequence of the pronounced feed-forward response of the stomata to evaporative demand, which led to only moderate tissue desiccation, never exceeding the turgor loss point. E. pauciflora is a tree species with a very conservative utilisation of soil water, which adjusts to drought via stomatal control of water loss, rather than via osmotic properties.These results explain previous reports of the comparatively high susceptibility of E. pauciflora to severe drought and its positive influence on the hydrological balance of mountain ecosystems in the Australian Alps.     

Osmotic stress responses of individual white oak (Quercus section, Quercus subgenus) genotypes cultured in vitro

White oaks (Quercus section, Quercus subgenus) are widely distributed in Europe. Quercus petraea (sessile oak), an economically important species is predicted to be affected by climate change. Q. pubescens (pubescent oak) and Q. virgiliana (Italian pubescent oak) are economically less important, drought tolerant species. Frequent hybridization of white oaks was observed and currently the introgression of Q. pubescens and Q. virgiliana in non-mediterranean regions of Europe has been reported. Our goal was to use tissue cultures established from individual trees of the above taxa and their putative hybrids, all present in the forest stand of Síkf?kút LTER Research Area (NE Hungary) as simple experimental model systems for studying drought/osmotic stress tolerance. Tissue cultures are more suitable models for such studies, than seedlings, because they are genetically identical to the parent plants. Polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) treatments were used for this purpose. The identification of taxa was based on leaf morphological traits and microsatellite analysis and showed that Q. petraea is genetically distinct to all other taxa examined. We established six callus lines of Quercus. As expected, in Q. petraea cultures PEG6000 induced severe loss of fresh weight and the ability to recover after removal of the osmoticum, which was not characteristic for Q. pubescens and Q. virgiliana. Putative hybrids exhibited an intermediate response to osmotic stress. Activity gels showed the increase of single-strand preferring (SSP) nuclease and no significant change of guaiacol-peroxidase activities in drought-sensitive genotypes/cultures and no significant increase of SSP nuclease activities accompanied with increases of guaiacol-peroxidase activities in drought-tolerant ones. This indicates that drought/osmotic stress tolerance is associated to increased capacity of scavenging reactive oxygen species and hence less susceptibility to DNA damage. Our results confirm that tissue cultures of oak are suitable model systems for studying drought/osmotic stress responses.     

Responses to drought preconditioning in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> Labill. provenances

Shoot water relations and morphological responses to drought preconditioning were studied by subjecting 5-month-old seedlings of three provenances of Eucalyptus globulus to different water regimes for 36 days in a greenhouse pot study. Moderately stressed plants were watered every 6 days and severely stressed plants were watered every 9 days. Control plants were watered daily. Drought cycles induced significant changes in morphological and physiological characteristics. Preconditioned seedlings were smaller in size, root collar diameter, height, and leaf area than control seedlings. Shoot/root ratio was not affected by drought. Osmotic potential at full turgor (ψπ_FT) and osmotic potential at turgor loss point (ψπ_TLP) were significantly lower and the magnitude of osmotic adjustment was significantly higher under the severe than under the moderate stress treatment. In severely stressed plants a decrease of turgid mass/dry mass contributed to osmotic adjustment. In a subsequent acclimation test, preconditioned seedlings showed higher values of stomatal conductance, predawn relative water content and water potential and lower mortality than control plants. These variables were significantly related to ψπ_FT. We assume that the reduced leaf area and osmotic adjustment observed in preconditioned seedlings contributed to drought acclimation in the selected E. globulus provenances leading to better rates of gas exchange and improved water status than non-conditioned plants. Provenances exhibited differences in their responses to drought, albeit mainly morphological differences. E. globulus subsp. bicostata from Tumbarumba grew more quickly (larger diameter and height relative growth rate) than the other provenances, implying a greater ability to tolerate water stress. It can be expected that preconditioned seedlings will display greater tolerance of water stress than non-conditioned plants and perform better during early establishment (higher survival and early growth).     

干旱胁迫对高山柳和沙棘幼苗光合生理特征的影响

为了解干旱河谷-山地森林交错带植物光合生理特征对干旱胁迫的响应。以交错带两种典型植物高山柳(Salix paraqplesia)和沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)为研究对象,研究其在不同程度的干旱胁迫条件下植株气体交换参数的日变化特征。干旱胁迫显著降低了两种植物叶片数、叶面积、叶片生物量、比叶面积、色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和气孔限制值(Ls)等与光合生理过程密切相关的叶片指标,但增大了胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)和内禀水分利用效率(WUEi)。植物叶片的气体交换参数(如:Pn和gs)日变化并未完全随着光合有效辐射的增强和温度的升高而增加,全天以11:00最大,"午休"现象明显。相对而言,沙棘在干旱胁迫条件下表现出相对较高的叶面积、Pn、gs和WUEi,具有相对更强的适应干旱环境的能力,而高山柳对干旱胁迫更为敏感。