Differential response of two almond rootstocks to chloride salt mixtures in the growing medium

It was examined how essential cations, Ca²⁺ and K⁺, can mitigate the toxic effects of NaCl on two different almond species (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) rootstocks, Garnem (GN15) and Bitter Almond. The tree growth parameters (water potential (Ψ_w), gas exchange, nutrient uptake) and leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content were measured in control and NaCl-treated plants with or without KCl or CaCl₂ supplements. The addition of CaCl₂ and KCl to Bitter Almond trees reduced their dry weight, shoot growth and leaf number although net photosynthetic assimilation rate (A) was not affected. These results indicated that changing of photo-assimilates flux to proline and/or soluble sugars synthesis may help to increase leaf Ψ_w. The Garnem trees also did not respond to the CaCl₂ and KCl addition indicating that the plants are already getting enough of these two cations (C^a2+ and K⁺). In both rootstocks, NaCl in the medium reduced growth attributes, Ψ_w, A, stomatal conductance (g_s), and leaf Chl content. When CaCl₂ and KCl fertilizers were added together with NaCl to Bitter Almond trees, leaf K⁺ and Ca²⁺ contents increased while Na⁺ and Cl^– decreased leading to higher Ca/Na and K/Na ratios, but shoot growth was not improved and even declined compared to NaCl-treated trees. It appears that the addition of salts further aggravated osmotic stress as indicated by the accumulation of proline and soluble sugars in leaf tissues. The addition of KCl or CaCl₂ to NaCl-treated GN15 trees did not increase A, leaf Ψ_w, and shoot growth but improved ionic balances as indicated by higher Ca/Na and K/Na ratios. The reduction in A was mainly due to non-stomatal limitations in GN15, possibly due to the degradation of Chl a, unlike Bitter Almond, for which the reduction of A was due to stomata closure. The improvement in ionic balances and water status of Bitter Almond trees in response to addition of KCl or CaCl₂ was apparently offset by a high sensitivity to Cl^–; therefore, no-chloride salts should be the preferred forms of fertilizers for this rootstock. Both rootstocks were sensitive to soil salinity and cation supplements were of limited value in mitigating the effect of excessive salt concentrations.     

Allocation to leaf area and sapwood area affects water relations of co-occurring savanna and forest trees

Water availability is a principal factor limiting the distribution of closed-canopy forest in the seasonal tropics, suggesting that forest tree species may not be well adapted to cope with seasonal drought. We studied 11 congeneric species pairs, each containing one forest and one savanna species, to test the hypothesis that forest trees have a lower capacity to maintain seasonal homeostasis in water relations relative to savanna species. To quantify this, we measured sap flow, leaf water potential (Ψ_L), stomatal conductance (g _s), wood density, and Huber value (sapwood area:leaf area) of the 22 study species. We found significant differences in the water relations of these two species types. Leaf area specific hydraulic conductance of the soil/root/leaf pathway (G _t) was greater for savanna species than forest species. The lower G _t of forest trees resulted in significantly lower Ψ_L and g _s in the late dry season relative to savanna trees. The differences in G _t can be explained by differences in biomass allocation of savanna and forest trees. Savanna species had higher Huber values relative to forest species, conferring greater transport capacity on a leaf area basis. Forest trees have a lower capacity to maintain homeostasis in Ψ_L due to greater allocation to leaf area relative to savanna species. Despite significant differences in water relations, relationships between traits such as wood density and minimum Ψ_L were indistinguishable for the two species groups, indicating that forest and savanna share a common axis of water-use strategies involving multiple traits.     

The partitioning of water uptake between growth forms in a Neotropical savanna: do herbs exploit a third water source niche?

In addition to trees and grasses, the savannas of central Brazil are characterised by a diverse herbaceous dicot flora. Here we tested whether the coexistence of a highly diversified assemblage of species resulted in stratification or strong overlap in the use of soil water resources. We measured oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of stem water from herbs, grasses and trees growing side by side, as well as the isotopic composition of water in soil profile, groundwater and rainfall, and predawn (Ψ_pd) and midday (Ψ_md) leaf water potentials. We used a stable isotope mixing model to estimate vertical partitioning of soil water by the three growth forms. Grasses relied on shallow soil water (5–50 cm) and were strongly anisohydric. Ψ_pd and Ψ_md decreased significantly from the wet to the dry season. Trees extracted water from deeper regions of the soil profile (60–120 cm) and were isohydric. Ψ_pd and Ψ_md did not change from the wet to the dry season. Herbs overlapped with grasses in patterns of water extraction in the dry season (between 10 and 40 cm), but they took up water at soil depths intermediate (70–100 cm) to those of trees and grasses during the wet season. They showed seasonal changes in Ψ_pd but not in Ψ_md. We conclude that vertical partitioning of soil water may have contributed to coexistence of these three growth forms and resulted in a more complex pattern of soil water extraction than the two‐compartment model of soil water uptake currently used to explain the structure and function of tropical savanna ecosystems.     

Xylem cavitation vulnerability influences tree species’ habitat preferences in miombo woodlands

Although precipitation plays a central role in structuring Africa’s miombo woodlands, remarkably little is known about plant-water relations in this seasonally dry tropical forest. Therefore, in this study, we investigated xylem vulnerability to cavitation for nine principal tree species of miombo woodlands, which differ in habitat preference and leaf phenology. We measured cavitation vulnerability (Ψ₅₀), stem-area specific hydraulic conductivity (K _S), leaf specific conductivity (K _L), seasonal variation in predawn water potential (Ψ_PD) and xylem anatomical properties [mean vessel diameter, mean hydraulic diameter, mean hydraulic diameter accounting for 95 % flow, and maximum vessel length (V _L)]. Results show that tree species with a narrow habitat range (mesic specialists) were more vulnerable to cavitation than species with a wide habitat range (generalists). Ψ₅₀ for mesic specialists ranged between ?1.5 and ?2.2 MPa and that for generalists between ?2.5 and ?3.6 MPa. While mesic specialists exhibited the lowest seasonal variation in Ψ_PD, generalists displayed significant seasonal variations in Ψ_PD suggesting that the two miombo habitat groups differ in their rooting depth. We observed a strong trade-off between K _S and Ψ₅₀ suggesting that tree hydraulic architecture is one of the decisive factors setting ecological boundaries for principal miombo species. While vessel diameters correlated weakly (P > 0.05) with Ψ₅₀, V _L was positively and significantly correlated with Ψ₅₀. Ψ_PD was significantly correlated with Ψ₅₀ further reinforcing the conclusion that tree hydraulic architecture plays a significant role in species’ habitat preference in miombo woodlands.     

Effects of lifelong [CO2] enrichment on carboxylation and light utilization of Quercus pubescens Willd. examined with gas exchange,biochemistry and optical techniques

Lifelong exposure to elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ may enhance carbon assimilation of trees with unlimited rooting volume and consequently may reduce requirements for photoprotective pigments. In early summer the effects of elevated [CO₂] on carboxylation and light utilization of mature Quercus pubescens trees growing under chronic [CO₂] enrichment at two CO₂ springs and control sites in Italy were examined. Net photosynthesis was enhanced by 36 to 77%. There was no evidence of photosynthetic downregulation early in the growing season when sink demand presumably was greatest. Specifically, maximum assimilation at saturating [CO₂], electron transport capacity, and Rubisco content, activity and carboxylation capacity were not significantly different in trees growing at the CO₂ springs and their respective control sites. Foliar biochemical content, leaf reflectance index of chlorophyll pigments (NDVI), and photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΔF/F_m′) also were not significantly affected by [CO₂] enrichment except that starch content and ΔF/F_m′ tended to be higher at one spring (42 and 15%, respectively). Contrary to expectation, prolonged elevation of [CO₂] did not reduce xanthophyll cycle pigment pools or alter mid‐day values of leaf reflectance index of xanthophyll cycle pigments (PRI), despite the enhancement of carbon assimilation. However, both these pigments and PRI were well correlated with electron transport capacity.     

Changes in leaf hydraulic conductance correlate with leaf vein embolism in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Cercis siliquastrum</Emphasis> L.

The impact of xylem cavitation and embolism on leaf (K _leaf) and stem (K _stem) hydraulic conductance was measured in current-year shoots of Cercis siliquastrum L. (Judas tree) using the vacuum chamber technique. K _stem decreased at leaf water potentials (Ψ_L) lower than ?1.0 MPa, while K _leaf started to decrease only at Ψ_L L K _leaf changes. Field measurements of leaf conductance to water vapour (g _L) and Ψ_L showed that stomata closed when Ψ_L decreased below the Ψ_L threshold inducing loss of hydraulic conductance in the leaf. The partitioning of hydraulic resistances within shoots and leaves was measured using the high-pressure flow meter method. The ratio of leaf to shoot hydraulic resistance was about 0.8, suggesting that stem cavitation had a limited impact on whole shoot hydraulic conductance. We suggest that stomatal aperture may be regulated by the cavitation-induced reduction of hydraulic conductance of the soil-to-leaf water pathway which, in turn, strongly depends on the hydraulic architecture of the plant and, in particular, on leaf hydraulics.     

Physiological and biochemical traits of drought tolerance in Argania spinosa

The objective of this study was to understand and characterize the physiological and biochemical tolerance mechanisms of Argania spinosa under drought stress for selection tolerant ecotypes. Significant differences were observed among ecotypes in indices of leaf water status studied: stomatal conductance (g_s), predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_pd) and leaf relative water content. There was a significant decrease in these physiological traits with increasing degree of drought stress in all ecotypes. Drought stress significantly increased endogenous H₂O₂ and lipid peroxidation. Moderate and severe drought stress increased significantly the catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and lipoxygenase activities, depending on time. Their constitutive activities were higher in inland ecotypes than in coastal ecotypes. According to canonical discriminant analysis, the inland ecotypes were essentially distinguished from the coastal ecotypes by the following physiological and biochemical traits: Ψ_pd, g_s, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase and malonyldialdehyde. Inland ecotypes seem to be more tolerant to drought stress than coastal ecotypes.     

Changes in stomatal characteristics and photochemical efficiency during leaf development in six species of Sorbus

Measurements of Sorbus stomata size and density, maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), variable-to-initial fluorescence ratio (F_v/F₀) and potential electron acceptor capacity (‘area’) were performed during leaf development in four parental diploid species, S. aria, S. aucuparia, S. chamaemespilus, S. torminalis, and two hybrid species, S. hazslinszkyana and S. intermedia. In fully expanded mature leaves, stomata lengths and densities were significantly larger in the shrub S. chamaemespilus than in the five tree species. The best performance of both the F_v/F_m and the F_v/F₀ ratio was recorded in S. intermedia, whereas S. chamaemespilus had the highest value of ‘area’. From a physiological point of view, the results of this study showed that the photosystem II reaction centers remained intact functionally through all phenological stages of leaf expansion for all examined species of Sorbus.     

Seasonal differences in leaf-level physiology give lianas a competitive advantage over trees in a tropical seasonal forest

Lianas are an important component of most tropical forests, where they vary in abundance from high in seasonal forests to low in aseasonal forests. We tested the hypothesis that the physiological ability of lianas to fix carbon (and thus grow) during seasonal drought may confer a distinct advantage in seasonal tropical forests, which may explain pan-tropical liana distributions. We compared a range of leaf-level physiological attributes of 18 co-occurring liana and 16 tree species during the wet and dry seasons in a tropical seasonal forest in Xishuangbanna, China. We found that, during the wet season, lianas had significantly higher CO₂ assimilation per unit mass (A _mass), nitrogen concentration (N _mass), and δ¹³C values, and lower leaf mass per unit area (LMA) than trees, indicating that lianas have higher assimilation rates per unit leaf mass and higher integrated water-use efficiency (WUE), but lower leaf structural investments. Seasonal variation in CO₂ assimilation per unit area (A _area), phosphorus concentration per unit mass (P _mass), and photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PNUE), however, was significantly lower in lianas than in trees. For instance, mean tree A _area decreased by 30.1% from wet to dry season, compared with only 12.8% for lianas. In contrast, from the wet to dry season mean liana δ¹³C increased four times more than tree δ¹³C, with no reduction in PNUE, whereas trees had a significant reduction in PNUE. Lianas had higher A _mass than trees throughout the year, regardless of season. Collectively, our findings indicate that lianas fix more carbon and use water and nitrogen more efficiently than trees, particularly during seasonal drought, which may confer a competitive advantage to lianas during the dry season, and thus may explain their high relative abundance in seasonal tropical forests.     

Water relations of Caatinga trees in the dry season

The Caatinga is one of the world's richest dry forests. This forest occurs only in Brazil, but is the least studied and protected Brazilian ecosystem. There are few reports about drought tolerance mechanisms in Caatinga trees. This work evaluates water relations of six adult species in the middle of the dry season to further understand water relations in this ecosystem, which will be important for future reforestation and management projects. Based on results, the trees were classified into four groups: (I), Mimosa caesalpiniifolia had low leaf water potential (Ψ_w) at predawn and no significant decrease at midday. Stomatal conductance (g_s) analyses indicates that plants have reached its lowest Ψ_w; (II), Caesalpinia pyramidalis and Auxemma oncocalyx had low Ψ_w at predawn and significant decrease at midday. For these species the recuperation of water status at night may have been sufficient for maintaining stomata open during the day; (III), Caesalpinia ferrea and Calliandra spinosa had relatively high Ψ_w at predawn and a significant decrease at midday. These species might maintain their water status similar to individuals of group II, but they might also have deeper root systems; and (IV), Tabebuia caraiba with the highest Ψ_w at predawn and no significant decrease at midday, possibly indicating a combination of good stomatal control of water loss and a deeper root system. Moreover, except for individuals of group I, both in species with lower and higher Ψ_w at predawn it was not observed strong inhibition of g_s.     

Role of xanthophyll cycle-mediated photoprotection in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arbutus unedo</Emphasis> plants exposed to water stress during the Mediterranean summer

We analyzed the response of potted strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) seedlings exposed to water stress by withholding water for 10 d (WS). Leaf water potential, net CO₂ assimilation, and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing water deficit. A 30 % reduction of chlorophyll (Chl) content in the antenna complexes was observed in WS-plants. Simultaneously, a decline of photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) occurred as a result of an excess of solar radiation energy when carbon assimilation was limited by stomata closure due to soil water deficit. The non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence (Φ_NPQ) significantly increased, as well as the leaf contents of zeaxanthin (Z) and antheraxanthin (A) at the expense of violaxanthin during the WS-period. Elevated predawn contents of de-epoxidized xanthophyll cycle components were associated with a sustained lowering of predawn photosystem 2 efficiency; this suggested an engagement of Z+A in a state primed for energy dissipation. Thus, the ability of strawberry trees to maintain the functionality of the xanthophyll cycle during the Mediterranean summer is an efficient mechanism to prevent irreversible damages to the photosynthetic machinery through thermal energy dissipation in the antenna and the reduction in photochemical efficiency.     

Variations in leaf respiration across different seasons for Mediterranean evergreen species

Leaf respiration (R _L) of evergreen species co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing along the Latium coast was analyzed. The results on the whole showed that the considered evergreen species had the same R _L trend during the year, with the lowest rates [0.83 ± 0.43 μmol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1, mean value of the considered species] in winter, in response to low air temperatures. Higher R _L were reached in spring [2.44 ± 1.00 μmol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1, mean value] during the favorable period, and in summer [3.17 ± 0.89 μmol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1] during drought. The results of the regression analysis showed that 42% of R _L variations depended on mean air temperature and 13% on total monthly rainfall. Among the considered species, C. incanus, was characterized by the highest R _L in drought [4.93 ± 0.27 μmol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1], low leaf water potential at predawn (Ψ_pd= ?1.08 ± 0.18 MPa) and midday (Ψ_md = ?2.75 ± 0.11 MPa) and low relative water content at predawn (RWC_pd = 80.5 ± 3.4%) and midday (RWC_md = 67.1 ± 4.6%). Compared to C. incanus, the sclerophyllous species (Q. ilex, P. latifolia, P. lentiscus, A. unedo) and the liana (S. aspera), had lower R _L [2.72 ± 0.66 μmol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1, mean value of the considered species], higher RWC_pd (91.8 ± 1.8%), RWC_md (82.4 ± 3.2%), Ψ_pd (?0.65 ± 0.28 MPa) and Ψ_md (?2.85 ± 1.20 MPa) in drought. The narrow-leaved species (E. multiflora, R. officinalis, and E. arborea) were in the middle. The coefficients, proportional to the respiration increase for each 10°C rise (Q₁₀), ranging from 1.49 (E. arborea) to 1.98 (A. unedo) were indicative of the different sensitivities of the considered species to air temperature variation.     

Homeostasis in leaf water potentials on leeward and windward sides of desert shrub crowns: water loss control vs. high hydraulic efficiency

Phenotypic plasticity in morphophysiological leaf traits in response to wind was studied in two dominant shrub species of the Patagonian steppe, used as model systems for understanding effects of high wind speed on leaf water relations and hydraulic properties of small woody plants. Morpho-anatomical traits, hydraulic conductance and conductivity and water relations in leaves of wind-exposed and protected crown sides were examined during the summer with nearly continuous high winds. Although exposed sides of the crowns were subjected to higher wind speeds and air saturation deficits than the protected sides, leaves throughout the crown had similar minimum leaf water potential (Ψ_L). The two species were able to maintain homeostasis in minimum Ψ_L using different physiological mechanisms. Berberis microphylla avoided a decrease in the minimum Ψ_L in the exposed side of the crown by reducing water loss by stomatal control, loss of cell turgor and low epidermal conductance. Colliguaja integerrima increased leaf water transport efficiency to maintain transpiration rates without increasing the driving force for water loss in the wind-exposed crown side. Leaf physiological changes within the crown help to prevent the decrease of minimum Ψ_L and thus contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis, assuring the hydraulic integrity of the plant under unfavorable conditions. The responses of leaf traits that contribute to mechanical resistance (leaf mass per area and thickness) differed from those of large physiological traits by exhibiting low phenotypic plasticity. The results of this study help us to understand the unique properties of shrubs which have different hydraulic architecture compared to trees.     

Age-dependent changes in the functions and compositions of photosynthetic complexes in the thylakoid membranes of Arabidopsis thaliana

Photosynthetic complexes in the thylakoid membrane of plant leaves primarily function as energy-harvesting machinery during the growth period. However, leaves undergo developmental and functional transitions along aging and, at the senescence stage, these complexes become major sources for nutrients to be remobilized to other organs such as developing seeds. Here, we investigated age-dependent changes in the functions and compositions of photosynthetic complexes during natural leaf senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that Chl a/b ratios decreased during the natural leaf senescence along with decrease of the total chlorophyll content. The photosynthetic parameters measured by the chlorophyll fluorescence, photochemical efficiency (F _v/F _m) of photosystem II, non-photochemical quenching, and the electron transfer rate, showed a differential decline in the senescing part of the leaves. The CO₂ assimilation rate and the activity of PSI activity measured from whole senescing leaves remained relatively intact until 28 days of leaf age but declined sharply thereafter. Examination of the behaviors of the individual components in the photosynthetic complex showed that the components on the whole are decreased, but again showed differential decline during leaf senescence. Notably, D1, a PSII reaction center protein, was almost not present but PsaA/B, a PSI reaction center protein is still remained at the senescence stage. Taken together, our results indicate that the compositions and structures of the photosynthetic complexes are differentially utilized at different stages of leaf, but the most dramatic change was observed at the senescence stage, possibly to comply with the physiological states of the senescence process.     

Secondary metabolites from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels

Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is a tree that plays a crucial role in the rural and urban economy of Morocco. Not only is the tree used in traditional medicine but its fruits contain almonds used to prepare an edible oil, its leaves are utilized to feed cattle, and its wood is used as fuel. In addition the tree is particularly well-adapted to arid lands and could hence be used to limit the desert progression that is threatening subtropical African countries. Consequently a program aimed at a better understanding of all the aspects and uses of the argan tree is currently being carried out in Morocco. This review summarizes the results gathered so far on the phytochemical and pharmacological activity of A. spinosa. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Model simulations of spatial distributions and daily totals of photosynthesis in Eucalyptus grandis canopies

Summary A simulation model for radiation absorption and photosynthesis was used to test the hypothesis that observed nonuniform distributions of nitrogen concentrations in young Eucalyptus grandis trees result in greater amounts of daily assimilation than in hypothetical trees with uniform N distributions. Simulations were performed for trees aged 6, 9, 12 and 16 months which had been grown in plantations under a factorial combination of two levels of fertilization and irrigation. Observed leaf N distribution patterns yielded daily assimilation rates which were only marginally greater (<5%) than for hypothetical trees with uniform distributions. Patterns of assimilation distribution in individual tree crowns closely resembled those for absorbed radiation, rather than for N. These conclusions were unaffected by three choices of alternative leaf area density distributions. The simulation model was also used to calculate hourly and daily rates of canopy assimilation to investigate the relative importance of radiation absorption and total canopy nitrogen on assimilation. Simulated hourly rates of carbon assimilation were often lightsaturated, whereas daily carbon gain was directly proportional to radiation absorbed by the tree crown and to total mass of N in the leaves. Leaf nitrogen concentrations determined photosynthetic capacity, whereas total leaf area determined the amount of radiation absorbed and thus the degree to which capacity was realized. Observed total leaf area and total crown N were closely correlated. The model predicted that nitrogen use efficiences (NUE, mol CO₂ mol^–1 N) were 60% higher for unfertilized than for fertilized trees at low levels of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Nitrogen use efficiency was dependent on fertilizer treatment and on the amount of absorbed PAR; NUE declined with increasing absorbed PAR, but decreased more rapidly for unfertilized than for fertilized trees. Annual primary productivity was linearly related to both radiation absorbed and to mass of N in the canopy.     

ABA application to maize hybrids contrasting for drought tolerance: changes in water parameters and in antioxidant enzyme activity

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) related to the increase of water-stress tolerance in two drought contrasting maize hybrids: DKB 390 (tolerant) and BRS 1030 (sensitive). The characterization of water status (pre-dawn leaf water potential, Ψ_pd; midday leaf water potential, Ψ_md and stem water potential, Ψ_st) and antioxidant enzyme activity was conducted on greenhouse grown plants. The ABA, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were also analyzed. Water deficit was imposed for 10 days at the flowering stage and a dosage of 100 μM ABA was applied to plant canopy. Measurements were taken during 10 days after the water recovery. With 5 days of stress, the tolerant hybrid showed lower MDA content, decrease in the water status, and higher activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, as well as guaiacol, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, polyphenol oxidase, and l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, as compared to the sensitive hybrid. With 10 days of stress, DKB 390 had a decrease in the activity of enzymes whereas BRS 1030 showed a higher activity. In addition, the latter showed greater amounts of H₂O₂ and MDA. ABA application led to a higher tolerance only in DKB 390, due to the increase of water status and the enzymatic activity, mainly the catalase.     

Leaf attributes and tree growth in a tropical dry forest

Questions: How are leaf attributes and relative growth rate (RGR) of the dominant tree species of tropical deciduous forest (TDF) affected by seasonal changes in soil moisture content (SMC)? What is the relationship of functional attributes with each other? Can leaf attributes singly or in combination predict the growth rate of tree species of TDF? Location: Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: Eight leaf attributes, specific leaf area (SLA); leaf carbon concentration (LCC); leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC); leaf phosphorus concentration (LPC); chlorophyll concentration (Chl), mass‐based stomatal conductance (Gs_mass); mass based photosynthetic rate (A_mass); intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi); and relative growth rate (RGR), of six dominant tree species of a dry tropical forest on four sites were analysed for species, site and season effects over a 2‐year period. Step‐wise multiple regression was performed for predicting RGR from mean values of SMC and leaf attributes. Path analysis was used to determine which leaf attributes influence RGR directly and which indirectly. Results: Species differed significantly in terms of all leaf attributes and RGR. The response of species varied across sites and seasons. The attributes were positively interrelated, except for WUEi, which was negatively related to all other attributes. The positive correlation was strongest between Gs_mass and A_mass and the negative correlation was strongest between Gs_mass and WUEi. Differences in RGR due to site were not significant when soil moisture was controlled, but differences due to season remained significant. The attributes showed plasticity across moisture gradients, which differed among attributes and species. Gs_mass was the most plastic attribute. Among the six species, Terminalia tomentosa exhibited the greatest plasticity in six functional attributes. In the step‐wise multiple regression, A_mass, SLA and Chl among leaf attributes and SMC among environmental factors influenced the RGR of tree species. Path analysis indicated the importance of SLA, LNC, Chl and A_mass in determining RGR. Conclusion: A _mass, SMC, SLA and Chl in combination can be used to predict RGR but could explain only three‐quarters of the variability in RGR, indicating that other traits/factors, not studied here, are also important in modulating growth of tropical trees. RGR of tree species in the dry tropical environment is determined by soil moisture, whereas the response of mature trees of different species is modulated by alterations in key functional attributes such as SLA, LNC and Chl.     

Argania spinosa var. mutica and var. apiculata: Variation of Fatty‐Acid Composition,Phenolic Content,and Antioxidant and α‐Amylase‐Inhibitory Activities among Varieties,Organs, and Development Stages

Argania spinosa includes two varieties, var. apiculata and var. mutica. These argan varieties were introduced into Tunisia in ancient times and are actually cultivated in some botanic gardens. Little is known about the chemical differentiation among these argan varieties. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the fatty‐acid composition, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and the antioxidant and α‐amylase‐inhibitory activities of leaf, seed, and pulp extracts of both argan varieties harvested during the months of January to April. The fatty‐acid distribution was found to depend on the argan variety, the plant organ, and the harvest time. Significant variations in the phenolic contents were observed between the investigated varieties as well as between leaves, pulps, and seeds of each variety. As expected, phenolic compounds were found to be contributors to the antioxidant and α‐amylase‐inhibitory activities of both argan varieties. The chemical differentiation observed among the two argan varieties, based mainly on the fatty‐acid composition, might have some chemotaxonomic value.     

The distribution of four Caragana species is related to their differential responses to drought stress

Caragana species are widespread in northwest China. However, species in semiarid areas of Inner Mongolia experience summer and autumn rainfall, whereas morphologically similar close relatives in arid areas in Xinjiang Province experience wet springs, but hot dry summers. We hypothesize that the differences among species in response to soil drought help to explain their distributions. A comparison of the closely related species C. intermedia and C. microphylla from Inner Mongolia (semiarid species) and C. pruinosa and C. spinosa from Xinjiang (arid species) was conducted to examine whether responses to a water deficit in a pot experiment were associated with the environments of their habitat. In the two semiarid species, the stomatal conductance was relatively insensitive to the decrease in predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_leaf), and leaves did not abscise or die even when the Ψ_leaf decreased below ?6.0 MPa, while in seedlings of the two arid species the stomata closed at a relatively high Ψ_leaf, and the leaves abscised gradually when Ψ_leaf fell below about ?3.0 MPa. Furthermore, major vein density, minor vein density and the cubed ratio of the conduit wall thickness to the conduit lumen breadth [(t/b)³] of minor veins increased by an average of 60, 150 and 220 %, respectively, in the semiarid species compared with the arid species. The results indicated that semiarid species have typical anisohydric properties, while arid species have typical isohydric properties. We suggest that the divergence in water-use strategies in the genus may be associated with variation in vein architecture, and may possibly play an important role in determining the distribution of these species in the different environments of northwest China.