水分条件对红砂叶片碳同位素组成与光合特性和分枝生长的影响

在盆栽条件下,研究了不同水分处理对红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)叶碳同位素组成、光合特性和分枝生长的影响,并进一步调查了自然条件下不同退化程度红砂草地的土壤含水量,分枝生长、叶碳同位素及其关系。结果表明:(1)在盆栽条件下,随土壤含水量的降低,红砂当年生分枝生物量、一级分枝长、二级分枝数及其叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均显著减小,而叶片碳同位素组成(δ~(13) C)和水分利用效率则随土壤含水量降低而显著增加;且叶片δ~(13) C与当年生分枝生物量、一级分枝长、二级分枝数、叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率呈显著负相关关系。(2)在田间自然条件下,红砂叶片δ~(13) C与立地30~60cm及60~100cm土层的土壤含水量、单位冠幅面积生物量、单位冠幅面积分枝数呈显著负相关关系。研究认为,在盆栽和田间条件下,红砂叶片δ~(13) C是指示其生境水分状况的良好指标;红砂主要利用土壤的深层水分,其在土壤含水量相对较低的轻度退化区水分利用效率比土壤含水量相对较高的重度退化区更高。这一结论对于理解干旱生境中红砂的水分利用策略以及红砂草地的管理和恢复具有一定的指导意义。     

青藏高原东部高山植物的水分利用效率与氮素利用效率研究

对生长在青藏高原东部隶属于23科、49属的71种高山植物(包括多年生和一年生植物)的稳定碳同位素比值、氮含量以及碳/氮比率进行了分析,并以稳定碳同位素比值及碳/氮比率来分别指示植物的水分利用效率和氮素利用效率.结果表明:(1)多年生植物稳定碳同位素比值显著高于一生年植物,而碳/氮比率显著低于一年生植物(P<0.01),氮含量两者无显著性差异.(2)多年生植物和一年生植物的稳定碳同位素比值均与碳/氮比率呈显著负相关(-0.643**和-0.707),而与氮含量均无明显相关性.研究证实,在自然条件下多年生植物的水分利用效率比一年生植物更高,而氮素利用效率却更低;高山植物水分利用效率和氮素利用效率存在明显的权衡",即植物不能同时提高水分利用效率和氮素利用效率,高水分利用效率的代价是降低氮素利用效率,青藏高原不同植物即使在相同环境条件下具有不同适应对策.     

短花针茅叶片水分利用效率对放牧强度的响应及其影响因素

为明确植物的用水策略及适应性机制,以内蒙古四子王旗短花针茅荒漠草原为研究对象,设置对照(CK)、轻度放牧(LG)、中度放牧(MG)和重度放牧(HG)4个放牧梯度,其载畜率分别为每1 hm^(2)每年0、0.93、1.82和2.71个羊单位的放牧强度,调查建群种短花针茅的高度、盖度、密度、地上生物量以及土壤的理化性状,并且采用稳定碳同位素法和红外光合仪法对短花针茅水分利用效率进行了测定,旨在阐明短花针茅水分利用效率在不同放牧强度下的响应规律及其影响因素。结果显示:(1)放牧对短花针茅盖度、密度以及地上生物量的影响显著;随着载畜率的增大,有利于短花针茅的扩散使其分布面积增加,且在中度放牧条件下尤为明显。(2)随着放牧强度的增加,土壤水分含量较对照显著提高,土壤全氮含量呈先增加后减少的变化趋势,土壤速效钾呈现降低的变化趋势,而对土壤全碳含量和pH无显著影响,说明适度放牧能够提高土壤水分含量、促进土壤氮含量的积累,但放牧会导致土壤速效钾减少。(3)随着放牧强度的增大,短花针茅长期水分利用效率(WUE l)呈现“V”形变化趋势,而瞬时水分利用效率(WUE t)与内在水分利用效率(WUE i)总体呈降低的变化趋势。(4)相关分析显示,放牧强度与短花针茅密度、地上生物量呈显著正相关关系,土壤全氮含量与有机碳、pH、WUE i呈显著正相关关系,WUE t与WUE i呈显著正相关关系;短花针茅内在水分利用效率与土壤有机碳含量密切相关。研究表明,重度放牧导致短花针茅株丛破碎化,增加了种群的扩散面积,是短花针茅长期水分利用效率提高的直接原因;短花针茅瞬时水分利用效率随放牧强度的增加而降低可能是由其内在水分利用效率降低引起的。     

稳定碳同位素测定水分利用效率——以决明子为例

通过称重法和稳定碳同位素方法对盆栽决明子生长不同时期不同部位(根、茎、叶)的碳同位素组成(δ13C)、碳同位素分辨率(Δ)和水分利用效率(WUE)进行了研究,并分析了它们之间的相关关系,结果表明:决明子不同部位δ13C值表现为根茎叶,Δ为根茎叶,不同时期方差分析显示只有根部差异显著,茎叶的δ13C值、碳同位素分辨率分别与水分利用效率呈显著的正相关和负相关关系。称重法得出的WUE和不同部位(根、茎、叶)碳同位素测定的水分利用效率(WUER、WUES、WUEL)有显著正线性相关,其中与WUEL相关系数最大为0.86,与WUES、WUER的相关系数分别为0.80和0.82。说明利用稳定碳同位素方法测定决明子水分利用效率具有可行性,尤其是利用叶片测定的水分利用效率得到更为可靠的结果。     

甘南高寒草甸植物元素含量与土壤因子对坡向梯度的响应

通过测定甘南高寒草甸不同坡向条件下25科86种植物叶片氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)含量、有机碳(C)含量、叶片含水量和相对叶绿素(SPAD)值,以及不同坡向的土壤含水量、有机碳、全氮、全磷含量等土壤指标,分析了不同坡向植物叶片元素含量与土壤环境因子之间的关系。研究结果表明,在南坡-北坡梯度上,随着土壤含水量的增加,植物叶片P含量、叶K含量和叶片含水量显著增加,而相对叶绿素显著降低。土壤养分含量与植物叶片P、叶K含量和叶含水量显著正相关,与叶片相对叶绿素显著负相关。说明不同坡向条件下叶片养分含量受土壤因子的影响显著,土壤的水分及养分状况对植物叶片元素含量的贡献不同。土壤含水量是坡向梯度上影响植物叶片特征的最主要因子。坡向梯度上土壤含水量对植物叶片各种元素含量的影响和植物叶片含水量对不同土壤因子的响应模式支持了生长在南坡的植物能以提高水分和养分利用效率而适应南坡较为干旱和贫瘠的生境。     

基于稳定同位素的喀斯特坡地尾巨桉水分利用特征

利用稳定性氢氧及碳同位素技术,与邻近乡土植物枫香比较,对喀斯特坡地尾巨桉水分来源与水分利用效率的季节性差异进行研究,分析喀斯特地区桉树人工林建设的干旱胁迫风险.结果表明: 浅层(0～50 cm)土壤水同位素值渐变特征明显且与近期雨水同位素值相近,而深层(50～100 cm)土壤水同位素值整体较稳定且明显区别于浅层.土壤含水量整体呈现雨季(5、9月)高于旱季(10月),且上坡高于下坡的基本特征.枫香不受旱、雨季土壤含水率差异的影响,始终以浅层土壤水为主要水源,水分利用效率持续较高.尾巨桉水分来源受不同季节、坡位土壤含水率差异的影响:雨季上坡以浅层土壤水为主,雨季下坡对深层土壤水利用比例明显增加;旱季上坡主要利用较深层水分,旱季下坡依赖浅层土壤水.桉树水分利用效率始终低于枫香,但旱季时显著升高.尾巨桉水分来源灵活多变,但干旱条件下水分利用效率显著升高,表明其并未能获得充足的水分供应,预示着生长速率及经济收益遭受负面影响,干旱致死的风险较高.     

水分对武夷山草甸土壤有机碳激发效应的影响

水分是影响土壤有机碳激发效应的重要因子,但水分如何影响山地草甸土有机碳激发效应尚不清楚。本试验以武夷山高海拔(2130 m)山地草甸土为研究对象,通过室内添加¹³C标记的葡萄糖结合控制土壤水分(30%FWC和60%FWC,FWC为田间持水量),进行为期126 d的室内培养试验,定期测定CO₂浓度和¹³C-CO₂丰度值,研究不同水分条件下土壤有机碳矿化特征和激发效应的差异及其影响因素。结果表明: 山地草甸土碳矿化随着水分增加而增加。不同土壤水分山地草甸土激发效应随培养时间延长呈现逐渐降低的趋势,低含水量土壤激发效应显著大于高含水量土壤,培养结束时低含水量土壤累积激发碳量比高含水量土壤高61.4%。与低含水量土壤相比,高含水量土壤由葡萄糖矿化产生的CO₂量较多,且低含水量土壤的累积激发碳量与葡萄糖矿化量的比值显著大于高含水量土壤,说明高含水量土壤微生物更多地矿化外源添加的葡萄糖,且激发效率较低,最终高含水量土壤激发效应小于低含水量土壤。相关分析表明,土壤激发效应与土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、微生物生物量碳与氮比值(MBC/MBN)和NH₄⁺-N变化量呈显著正相关,说明低含水量条件会通过改变山地草甸土壤微生物数量和组成,进而提高土壤微生物对氮的“挖掘”,最终增加激发效应。因此,全球气候变化背景下若山地草甸土壤水分降低可能会增加通过激发效应引起的碳损失。     

海拔梯度对长白山北坡岳桦水分利用效率的影响

以分布于长白山北坡海拔1800～2050 m的岳桦林为对象,以叶片碳稳定同位素(δ13C)值作为岳桦长期水分利用效率指示值,探讨海拔梯度对岳桦林水分利用效率的影响.结果表明:随海拔升高,岳桦林土壤体积含水量、比叶质量极显著增加,而叶片含水量和土壤温度显著降低;岳桦叶片δ13C值与海拔呈极显著正相关,增幅为1.013‰·(100 m)-1,与土壤体积含水量、比叶质量呈显著正相关,与生长季土壤平均温度、叶片含水量呈显著负相关.温度不是长白山林线的唯一限制性因子,海拔梯度上水热条件的差异及其交互作用可能造成岳桦生长期间的生理干旱.     

滨海沙地不同树种人工林叶片和土壤表层稳定碳氮同位素及水分利用效率研究

以福州市滨海后沿沙地人工营造的湿地松、木麻黄、尾巨桉、肯氏相思和纹荚相思防护林为研究对象,测定不同年龄(新叶、老叶)叶片、表层土壤(0~10cm)天然稳定碳、氮同位素丰度值(δ~(13) C、δ~(15)N),研究稳定碳、氮同位素丰度值与水分利用效率和土壤氮饱和程度的相互关系,以揭示不同树种水分利用效率、氮饱和程度和碳氮循环速率差异的机理。结果表明:(1)滨海沙地不同树种叶片δ~(13) C变化范围为-31.682‰~-29.323‰,其δ~(13) C大小为:湿地松肯氏相思木麻黄纹荚相思尾巨桉,除尾巨桉外各树种δ~(13) C均表现为新叶老叶;各树种叶片δ~(15)N变化范围为-5.548‰~-2.167‰,其δ~(15)N大小为:肯氏相思纹荚相思木麻黄湿地松尾巨桉,且各树种均表现为新叶老叶。(2)不同树种表层土壤δ~(15)N变化范围为-4.675‰~-2.975‰,表层土壤δ~(15)N大小为:纹荚相思肯氏相思木麻黄尾巨桉湿地松,但不同树种表层土壤C含量无显著差异。(3)滨海沙地湿地松、木麻黄、肯氏相思和纹荚相思的水分利用效率随叶龄增加均呈显著递减趋势;不同树种新叶的水分利用效率变化范围为39.09~76.57μmol·mol~(-1),其大小依次为:湿地松肯氏相思木麻黄纹荚相思尾巨桉;老叶的水分利用效率变化范围为38.56~62.59μmol·mol~(-1),其大小依次为:湿地松木麻黄肯氏相思尾巨桉纹荚相思。(4)不同树种人工林水分利用效率与其新叶水分利用效率呈显著正相关关系,说明林分水分利用效率主要体现在新叶的水分利用效率上,同时林分水分利用效率受林分类型的影响。     

不同土壤水分条件下杨树人工林水分利用效率对环境因子的响应

运用涡度相关(Eddy covariance,EC)开路系统和微气象观测系统,于2007年对位于北京市大兴区永定河沙地杨树(Populus euramertcana)人工林与大气间碳、水和能量交换进行了连续测定.通过分析总生态系统生产力(GEP)、蒸发散(ET)以及水分利用效率(WUE=GEP/ET)随相对土壤含水量(REW)的变化趋势,探讨杨树人工林不同土壤水分条件下水分利用效率对气象因子以及下垫面因素的响应,为杨树人工林经营管理提供理论依据.研究结果表明:当REW＜0.1时,GEP和ET受到严重水分胁迫的影响维持在较低水平,环境因子对GEP、ET和WUE的影响较小;当0.1＜REW＜0.4时,GEP和ET随着土壤体积含水量(VWC)的增加而增大,WUE随VWC的增大而减小;REW＞0.4时,气象因子是影响碳固定和水分损耗的主要原因,由于ET对气象因子变化的响应较GEP更为敏感,因此,WUE随空气饱和水汽压差(VPD)的增大而减小.沙地土壤保水能力较差,不能保证土壤水分被植物有效利用,因此当VWC处于5.2%-8.8％(0.1＜REW＜0.4)范围时,碳固定与水分消耗达到最高效率.研究表明杨树人工林WUE随降水变化而变化,未来气候变化和变异有可能影响杨树林耗水和生产力之间的关系.     

土壤水分和氮磷营养对小麦根系生理特性的调节作用

研究结果表明：在土壤相对含水量(SRWC)为40％～70％范围内,随着水分亏缺加重,小麦根系生长受到限制,根系比表面积(RA)、根水势(RΨw)明显降低,根呼吸(RP)作用加强,根长(RL)变短,根系干物重(RDW)减少;随着土壤水分趋于良好,RΨw明显增加,Rp作用显著降低,SRWC在54％～57％时RA最高,RDW在SRWC为55％～62％之间时最大,而SRWC在55％上下时RL达最长,表明土壤水分趋于轻度干旱有利根系下扎和RA的提高,土壤水分趋于良好有利于根量增长。氮磷营养对根系生理特性具有明显作用。磷营养可显著提高RA,RΨw,RL,RDW,降低Rp,在较为严重干旱条件下,磷对RA,RP,RΨw,RL的调节效果更好。氮素营养对小麦根系生理特性的调节效果与磷相比具有明显的差别。土壤严重干旱,氮引起RΨw的明显下降,为负效应;轻度干旱氮对RΨw无明显作用;在水分良好条件下,氮对RΨw具有显著的正向调节效果。氮营养可使Rp作用明显加强。随着SRWC的提高,增施氮肥可导致RDW的显著增加。小麦RL对氮的反应不敏感。磷除作为一种营养物质促进作物根系生长发育外,在水分胁迫条件下,磷可明显改善植株体内的水分关系,增强对干旱缺水环境的适应能力,提高作物抗旱性。     

Water use efficiency by alfalfa: Mechanisms involving anti-oxidation and osmotic adjustment under drought

Water use and mechanisms relating to osmotic adjustment and anti-oxidation were investigated in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants under reduced water availability. Water use efficiency (WUE), MDA and proline contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in three alfalfa cultivars under three levels of soil water availability in a greenhouse pot experiment. WUE was determined indirectly using discriminating carbon isotope composition. WUE increased with the severity of water deficit. Under all water regimes examined, cv. Longdong showed the greatest WUE values and the least reduction in biomass production under a 50% soil field water capacity. Stomatal density increased with increasing water deficit, but stomatal conductance decreased. This suggests that water stress can increase WUE by modifying stomatal regulation of the balance between the rates of CO₂ assimilation and water loss. The maintenance of leaf physiological function and leaf water status suggests that alfalfa has some mechanisms to maintain cell function when the plant is subjected to water deficit. The increase in the MDA content under drought conditions indicates that some degree of damage to cell membranes is unavoidable, whereas other results showing increases in the contents of proline and soluble sugars and activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, and catalase indicate how cell function may be to some extent maintained to result in the higher WUE. Alfalfa is shown to exhibit cultivar-specific differences in WUE with the maintenance of cell function under water deficit being related to anti-oxidation and osmotic adjustment.     

施肥对旱地全膜覆盖垄沟种植马铃薯耗水特征及产量的影响

用化肥减量和分期施肥、增施有机肥来替代化肥是提高半干旱区全膜覆盖垄沟种植马铃薯水、肥利用效率的有效途径.在4年大田定位试验基础上,设置传统施肥(F)、化肥减量25%花期追施(DF)、化肥减量50%花期追施并增施有机肥(OF)3种养分管理模式,通过测定马铃薯不同生育期的土壤含水量和产量,计算阶段耗水量和水分利用效率,研究施肥方式对半干旱区马铃薯耗水过程的调控及其对产量和水分利用效率的影响.结果表明: 马铃薯花期的土壤贮水量DF最高,但处理间差异不显著;花后DF和OF的耗水深度较F有明显增加趋势.与F相比,2011—2014年DF花前耗水量显著下降,花后耗水量分别增加了36.2%、23.0%、24.8%和19.0%;OF未显著降低马铃薯花前耗水,但2011、2012年花后耗水量增加了20.7%和16.3%.DF的马铃薯块茎产量在2012—2014年较F平均增加2595.1 kg·hm^-2,水分利用效率(WUE)在2013、2014年分别显著增加14.4%和6.3%,达到显著差异;OF在2011—2014年平均马铃薯块茎产量较F增加了2945 kg·hm^-2,且WUE在2012—2014年显著高于F.DF和OF均能显著调节马铃薯花前花后耗水量,使马铃薯块茎产量、水分利用效率增加,但OF的增加幅度更大.     

Effects of Water and Nitrogen Supply on Water Use Efficiency and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Edible Canna (Canna edulis Ker-Gawler)

Abstract: Transpirational water use efficiency (WUE) is affected by nutrient and water supply, but relatively little is known about the response of Andean root and tuber crops, such as edible canna ( Canna edulis Ker-Gawler). Two Canna edulis genotypes were studied in semi-controlled greenhouse experiments at the International Potato Centre (CIP) near Quito, Ecuador. Under conditions of low water supply, shoot dry matter (DM), leaf area and specific leaf nitrogen (SLN) all decreased, while WUE was higher and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) decreased. The large water-storing hypodermal cells characteristic of this plant's leaf morphology shrank, concertina-like, the leaves became thinner, and the specific leaf area increased significantly (from 26 m^-2 kg^-1 to 43 m^-2 kg^-1). In a second experiment, plants were grown with three different levels of nitrogen supply: from low to high N supply, shoot DM increased significantly (from 16 to 37 g), along with leaf area and SLN. At the lowest level of nitrogen supply (N0), WUE was significantly lower and Δ increased. As expected, the linear correlation between Δ and WUE was negative, but variation in Δ could only explain 49 % of the variation in WUE. If, in addition to Δ, measured root fraction (RF) and estimated values of leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit (Δe) and respiratory and unproductive carbon loss were used to calculate WUE, the correlation between measured and calculated WUE was substantially improved, except for the water stress treatment. It is considered that, for root and tuber crops, RF and Δe are the major variables when Δ of single leaves is to be used for up-scaling to plant WUE.     

干旱条件下花铃期棉花对氮素的生理响应

于2005—2006年在南京农业大学卫岗试验站进行盆栽试验,研究花铃期土壤干旱及复水后棉花光合与蒸腾特性及水分利用率对氮素的响应.结果表明：与正常灌水处理（CK）相比,干旱处理棉花随土壤相对含水量（SRWC）的减少,其净光合速率（P_n）和蒸腾速率（T_r）迅速降低;在干旱处理前期,由于棉花T_r下降幅度高于P_n,水分利用率（WUE）表现为上升趋势,而后随SRWC和P_n的降低,WUE呈逐渐下降趋势.土壤干旱改变了P_n和T_r的日变化趋势,干旱处理棉花P_n和T_r从8:00到16:00一直呈下降趋势,而CK则呈单峰曲线,P_n和T_r峰值分别出现在10:00—11:00和12:00;干旱处理和CK的WUE日变化均呈先降后升的趋势,谷值出现在12:00.干旱条件下棉花的P_n和T_r随氮素水平的提高而降低,而WUE则表现为相反趋势;复水后,干旱处理棉花P_n、T_r及WUE日变化趋势与CK一致,但其值低于CK,该趋势在施氮肥条件下表现尤为明显.可见,棉花花铃期土壤干旱条件下增施氮肥虽然有利于WUE的提高,但却降低了棉花的光合性能.     

逐步失水过程中绿竹光响应进程及其拟合

利用便携式光合测定系统Li-6400,在人为浇水至土壤水分饱和后的自然耗水过程中,分析2年生绿竹盆栽苗叶片在连续多级土壤水分下的光合作用光响应过程.结果表明: 在土壤相对含水量53.5%～95.6%条件下,绿竹光合作用光响应过程不会受到明显的强光抑制,且在相对水分亏缺条件下(53.5%～69.6%)达到更高的光合作用水平,而在严重水分亏缺后(土壤相对含水量≤33.6%)产生明显光抑制.在对绿竹叶片逐步失水过程的光响应拟合中,直角双曲线模型对净光合速率(P_{n max})的拟合值远高于实测值;直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型和指数模型3种模型拟合的光饱和点(LSP)远低于实测值.在严重水分亏缺阶段,3种模型对光响应曲线拟合存在较大误差.气孔限制值(L_s)及瞬时水分利用效率(WUE_inst)具有相似的阈值响应过程,表现为随着土壤相对含水量减少而先增大后减小,且最大值出现在53.5%～69.6%条件下,这一结果与光合作用光响应过程取得P_{n max}的土壤相对含水量范围相同,具有一定的表征意义.绿竹旱涝管理最佳的土壤相对含水量为53.5%～69.6%,较高土壤含水量下(69.6%～95.6%)绿竹也有良好的光合表现.直角双曲线修正模型对绿竹在相对含水量为23.1%～95.6%条件下的光合作用光响应过程拟合较好,而其余3种模型均有局限性.     

氮对苹果幼树水分利用效率的影响

以２年生盆栽新红星／平邑甜茶苹果树为试材,初步探讨了土壤不同水分状况下氮肥对植株水分利用效率（ＷＵＥ）及有关参数的影响,结果表明,充足供水时,随施Ｎ量的增加,植株ＷＵＥ降低,施Ｎ导致气孔导率（Ｇｓ）增大,对蒸腾（Ｔｒ）的提高幅度大于光合（Ｐｎ）;供水不足时,施Ｎ植株的ＷＵＥ明显高于对照,不同施Ｎ水平的ＷＵＥ表现为：高Ｎ〉中Ｎ〉低Ｎ,ＷＵＥ改善是由于叶肉羧化能力提高,导致光合增强。     

Relationship between Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Grain Yield in Spring Wheat Cultivated under Different Water Regimes

In C3 plants, carbon isotope discrimination (△) has been proposed as an indirect selection criterion for grain yield. Reported correlations between △ and grain yield however, differ highly according to the analyzed organ or tissue, the stage of sampling, and the environment and water regime. In a first experiment carried out in spring wheat during two consecutive seasons in the dry conditions of northwest Mexico (Ciudad Obregon, Sonora), different water treatments were applied,corresponding to the main water regimes available to spring wheat worldwide, and the relationships between △ values of different organs and grain yield were examined. Under terminal (post-anthesis) water stress, grain yield was positively associated with △ in grain at maturity and in leaf at anthesis, confirming results previously obtained under Mediterranean environments. Under early (pre-anthesis) water stress and residual moisture stress, the association between grain △ and yield was weaker and highly depended on the quantity of water stored in the soil at sowing. No correlation was found between △ and grain yield under optimal irrigation. The relationship between △ and grain yield was also studied during two consecutive seasons in 20 bread wheat cultivars in the Ningxia region (Northern China), characterized by winter drought(pre-anthesis water stress). Wheat was grown under rainfed conditions in two locations (Guyuan and Pengyang) and under irrigated conditions in another two (Yinchuan and Huinong). In Huinong, the crop was also exposed to salt stress.Highly significant positive associations were found between leaf and grain △ and grain yields across the environments.The relationship between △ and yield within environments highly depended on the quantity of water stored in the soil at sowing, the quantity and distribution of rainfall during the growth cycle, the presence of salt in the soil, and the occurrence of irrigation before anthesis. These two experiments confirmed the value of △ as an indirect selection criterion for yield and a phenotyping tool under post-anthesis water stress (including limited irrigation).     

Physiological mechanisms contributing to the increased water-use efficiency in winter wheat under deficit irrigation

Deficit irrigation in winter wheat has been practiced in the areas with limited irrigation water resources. The objectives of this study were to (i) understand the physiological basis for determinations of grain yield and water-use efficiency in grain yield (WUE) under deficit irrigation; and (ii) investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on dry matter accumulation and remobilization of pre-anthesis carbon reserves during grain filling. A field experiment was conducted in the Southern High Plains of the USA and winter wheat (cv. TAM 202) was grown on Pullman clay loam soil (fine mixed thermic Torretic Paleustoll). Treatments consisted of rain-fed, deficit irrigation from jointing to the middle of grain filling, and full irrigation. The physiological measurements included leaf water potential, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and leaf area index. The rain-fed treatment had the lowest seasonal evapotranspiration (ET), biomass, grain yield, harvest index (HI) and WUE as a result of moderate to severe water stress from jointing to grain filling. Irrigation application increased seasonal ET, and ET increased as irrigation frequency increased. The seasonal ET increased 20% in one-irrigation treatments between jointing and anthesis, 32-46% in two-irrigation treatments, and 67% in three- and full irrigation treatments. Plant biomass, grain yield, HI and WUE increased as the result of increased ET. The increased yield under irrigation was mainly contributed by the increased number of spikes, and seeds per square meter and per spike. Among the irrigation treatments, grain yield increased significantly but the WUE increased slightly as irrigation frequency increased. The increased WUE under deficit irrigation was contributed by increased HI. Water stress during grain filling reduced Pn and Gs, and accelerated leaf senescence. However, the water stress during grain filling induced remobilization of pre-anthesis carbon reserves to grains, and the remobilization of pre-anthesis carbon reserves significantly contributed to the increased grain yield and HI. The results of this study showed that deficit irrigation between jointing and anthesis significantly increased wheat yield and WUE through increasing both current photosynthesis and the remobilization of pre-anthesis carbon reserves.     

Nitrogen nutrition and water stress effects on leaf photosynthetic gas exchange and water use efficiency in winter wheat

The responses of gas exchange and water use efficiency to nitrogen nutrition for winter wheat were investigated under well-watered and drought conditions. The photosynthetic gas exchange parameters of winter wheat are remarkably improved by water and nitrogen nutrition and the regulative capability of nitrogen nutrition is influenced by water status. The effects of nitrogen nutrition on photosynthetic characteristics and on the limited factors to photosynthesis are not identical under different water status. Intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE(i)) of the plants at the high-N nutrition was decreased by a larger value than that of the plants in the low-N treatment due to a larger decrease in photosynthetic rate than in transpiration rate. Carbon isotope composition of plant material (delta(p)) is increased by the increase of drought intensity. The delta(p) at a given level of C(i)/C(a) is reduced by nitrogen deficiency. Leaf carbon isotope discrimination (Delta) is increased by the increase of nitrogen nutrition and decreased by the increase of drought intensity. Transpirational water use efficiency (WUE(t)) is negatively correlated with Delta in both nitrogen supply treatments and increased with the nitrogen supply.