灌溉对三种荒漠植物蒸腾耗水特性的影响

利用热平衡式茎流计和压力室对塔里木沙漠公路防护林不同灌溉量条件下3种荒漠植物多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)、梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)和乔木状沙拐枣(Calligonum arborescens)的液流变化、水势进行了测定。研究结果表明:(1)茎干液流速率因灌溉量和物种的不同而异,同一灌溉量条件下不同物种间表现为多枝柽柳>乔木状沙拐枣>梭梭,不同灌溉量条件下3种荒漠植物的茎干液流速率均随灌溉量的减少而显著降低。3种荒漠植物的夜间蒸腾占有一定比例,表现为梭梭(18.68%)>乔木状沙拐枣(17.48%)>多枝柽柳(12.82%),表明3种灌木均可通过夜间液流以补充植物体白天的水分消耗,表现出较强的抗旱性,但梭梭形成的叶片-冠-根的水势差相对较大,夜间补偿流较多,表现出更强的抗旱性。多枝柽柳和乔木状沙拐枣茎干液流日变化趋势基本相同,在灌溉量为35 kg·株-1.次-1和28 kg·株-1.次-1时均呈单峰曲线,液流速率较高且变化幅度较大,而灌溉量为17.5 kg·株-1.次-1时呈双峰曲线,液流速率较低;梭梭在不同灌溉量条件下其变化均呈单峰曲线,即当灌溉量降低到17.5 kg·株-1.次-1时多枝柽柳和乔木状沙拐枣可能出现了水分亏缺,通过调节气孔张开度或部分关闭降低蒸腾来适应其胁迫条件,但该灌溉条件下梭梭并没有出现水分亏缺,表明出较强的抗旱性。(2)相同时间不同灌溉量条件下,3种荒漠植物的清晨水势和午后水势均随着灌溉量的减少而降低;整个生长季相同时间同一灌溉量条件下,3种防护林植物的清晨、午后水势表现为乔木状沙拐枣>多枝柽柳>梭梭,表明3种荒漠植物在相同的灌溉条件下梭梭因保持较低的水势表现出较强的抗旱性。(3)相同时间不同灌溉量条件下,3种荒漠植物单株日耗水量均随着灌溉量的减少而减少,整个生长季各处理日平均耗水量的动态变化趋势均为单峰型,7月份耗水量最大,表明在塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地最炎热的7月份,3种防护林植物可以通过增加其蒸腾耗水量来适应干旱的环境条件。     

Water-use strategy of three central Asian desert shrubs and their responses to rain pulse events

Plant water-use strategy is considered to be a function of the complex interactions between species of different functional types and the prevailing environmental conditions. The functional type of a plant’s root system is fundamental in determining the water-use strategy of desert shrubs and the physiological responses of the plant to an occasional rainfall event, or rain pulse. In this current study of Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. Fl.Alt., Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A.Mey.) Bunge and Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim., three dominant shrub species in the Gurbantonggut Desert (Central Asia), plant root systems were excavated in their native habitat to investigate their functional types and water-use strategies. We monitored leaf water potential, photosynthesis and transpiration rate during a 39-day interval between successive precipitation events during which time the upper soil water changed markedly. Plant apparent hydraulic conductance and water-use efficiency were calculated for the varying soil water conditions. Our results show that: 1) The three species of shrub belong to two functional groups: phreatophyte and non-phreatophyte; 2) The photosynthetic capacity and leaf-specific apparent hydraulic conductance of the three species was stable during the time that the water condition in the upper soil changed; 3) Transpiration, leaf water potential and water-use efficiency in Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. Fl.Alt. were stable during the period of observation, but varied significantly for the other two species. Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. Fl.Alt., as a phreatophyte, relies mostly on groundwater for survival; its physiological activity is not inhibited in any way by the deficiency in upper soil water. Non-phreatophyte Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A.Mey.) Bunge and Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim. use precipitation-derived upper soil water for survival, and thus respond clearly to rain pulse events in terms of leaf water potential and transpiration. The observed similarity in leaf-specific photosynthesis capacity among all three species indicates that the two non-phreatophyte species are able to maintain normal photosynthesis within a wide range of plant water status. The observed stability in leaf-specific apparent hydraulic conductance indicates that the two non-phreatophyte species are able to maintain sufficient water supply to their foliage via, mostly likely, effective morphological adjustment at the scale of the individual plant.Section editor: H. Lambers     

Physiological responses of Haloxylon ammodendron to rainfall pulses in temperate desert regions,Northwestern China

Key message

Physiological characteristics except WUE of H. ammodendron have obvious response to rainfall pulses of 6–12 mm, and rainfall in this range at least is “effective” precipitation for H. ammodendron.

Abstract

In water-limited ecosystems, pulses of rainfall can trigger a cascade of plant physiological responses. Small precipitation events account for a large proportion of the precipitation received in arid regions. Their potential ecological importance, however, has previously been ignored. Here the responses of the physiological characteristics of Haloxylon ammodendron (H. ammodendron) to rainfall were evaluated by rainfall manipulative experiments during the growing season of 2012 in the desert region of Northwestern China. Net Photosynthesis rate (P _n), transpiration (Tr), water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal conductance (G _s), internal concentration of CO₂ (C _i), sap flow, leaf water potential (Ψ), and soil volumetric water content (SVWC) were monitored throughout the experimental period. The results showed that the water status of H. ammodendron is highly sensitive to rainfall pulses. P _n, Tr, and G _s increased with rainfall and then decreased gradually after rainfall. WUE decreases after rainfall and increases in times of increasing drought, although within a narrow range. H. ammodendron has a special buffering ability induced by harsh environmental conditions, particularly the rainfall patterns. Collectively, a 6-mm or greater rainfall amount is “effective” precipitation for H. ammodendron from the perspective of plant physiology. This study result is essential to the theories and practice of combating desertification.     

Assessment of the preventive effect of vermicompost on salinity resistance in tomato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis> cv. Ailsa Craig)

To determine the effects of vermicompost leachate (VCL) on resistance to salt stress in plants, young tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum, cv. Ailsa Craig) were exposed to salinity (150 mM NaCl addition to nutrient solution) for 7 days after or during 6 mL L^??1 VCL application. Salt stress significantly decreased leaf fresh and dry weights, reduced leaf water content, significantly increased root and leaf Na⁺ concentrations, and decreased K⁺ concentrations. Salt stress decreased stomatal conductance (g_s), net photosynthesis (A), instantaneous transpiration (E), maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry in the dark-adapted state (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching (qP), and actual PSII photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII). VCL applied during salt stress increased leaf fresh weight and g_s, but did not reduce leaf osmotic potential, despite increased proline content in salt-treated plants. VCL reduced Na⁺ concentrations in leaves (by 21.4%), but increased them in roots (by 16.9%). VCL pre-treatment followed by salt stress was more efficient than VCL concomitant to salt stress, since VCL pre-treatment provided the greatest osmotic adjustment recorded, with maintenance of net photosynthesis and K⁺/Na⁺ ratios following salt stress. VCL pre-treatment also led to the highest proline content in leaves (50 µmol g^??1 FW) and the highest sugar content in roots (9.2 µmol g^??1 FW). Fluorescence-related parameters confirmed that VCL pre-treatment of salt-stressed plants showed higher PSII stability and efficiency compared to plants under concomitant VCL and salt stress. Therefore, VCL represents an efficient protective agent for improvement of salt-stress resistance in tomato.     

Soil CO2 efflux and soil carbon balance of a tropical rubber plantation

Natural rubber is a valuable source of income in many tropical countries and rubber trees are increasingly planted in tropical areas, where they contribute to land-use changes that impact the global carbon cycle. However, little is known about the carbon balance of these plantations. We studied the soil carbon balance of a 15-year-old rubber plantation in Thailand and we specifically explored the seasonal dynamic of soil CO₂ efflux (F _S) in relation to seasonal changes in soil water content (W _S) and soil temperature (T _S), assessed the partitioning of F _S between autotrophic (R _A) and heterotrophic (R _H) sources in a root trenching experiment and estimated the contribution of aboveground and belowground carbon inputs to the soil carbon budget. A multiplicative model combining both T _S and W _S explained 58 % of the seasonal variation of F _S. Annual soil CO₂ efflux averaged 1.88 kg C m^?2 year^?1 between May 2009 and April 2011 and R _A and R _H accounted for respectively 63 and 37 % of F _S, after corrections of F _S measured on trenched plots for root decomposition and for difference in soil water content. The 4-year average annual aboveground litterfall was 0.53 kg C m^?2 year^?1 while a conservative estimate of belowground carbon input into the soil was much lower (0.17 kg C m^?2 year^?1). Our results highlighted that belowground processes (root and rhizomicrobial respiration and the heterotrophic respiration related to belowground carbon input into the soil) have a larger contribution to soil CO₂ efflux (72 %) than aboveground litter decomposition.     

Arthrobacter ginsengisoli sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A Gram-staining-positive, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, non-motile, non-flagellate and rod-shaped bacterium, was designated as DCY81^T, and isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon province, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DCY81^T belonged to the genus Arthrobacter. Major fatty acid was anteiso-C_15:0, while major polar lipids were diphosphatidyglycerol, phatidyglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (GL1), and dimannosyldiacylglycerol (GL2). The dominant quinone was MK-9(H₂). The peptidoglycan type was A3α with an l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Thr–l-Ala interpeptide bridge. The DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness between strain DCY81^T and Arthrobacter siccitolerans LMG 27359^T (98.2 %), Arthrobacter sulfonivorans JCM 13520^T (97.81 %), Arthrobacter scleromae DSM 17756^T (97.59 %), Arthrobacter oxydans KCTC 3383^T (97.3 %) was 39.1 ± 0.2, 62.2 ± 1.6, 36.8 ± 1.1 and 48.3 ± 1.6 %, respectively which show that the genotypic separation of strain DCY81^T from the closest reference strain of the genus Arthrobacter. The DNA G+C content was 65.2 mol%. The genotypic analysis, physiological, and chemotaxonomic results indicate that strain DCY81^T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter. Therefore, Arthrobacter ginsengisoli sp. nov., is proposed as the type strain (=KCTC 29225^T = JCM 19357^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bradymyces</Emphasis> gen. nov. (Chaetothyriales,Trichomeriaceae), a new ascomycete genus accommodating poorly differentiated melanized fungi

A halophilic archaeal strain, designated CBA1105^T, was isolated from non-purified solar salt. Strain CBA1105^T was found to have three 16S rRNA genes, rrnA, rrnB and rrnC; similarities between the 16S rRNA gene sequences were 99.5–99.7 %. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CBA1105^T forms a distinct clade with the strains of the closely related genera, Halorientalis and Halorhabdus, with similarities of 94.2 % and 93.9–94.2 %, respectively. Multilocus sequence analysis confirmed that strain CBA1105^T is closely related to the genus Halorhabdus or Halorientalis. Growth of the strain was observed in 15–30 % NaCl (w/v; optimum 20 %), at 30–45 °C (optimum 37 °C) and pH 7.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0–0.5 M MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum 0.05–0.2 M). The cells of the strain were observed to be Gram-stain negative and pleomorphic with coccoid or ovoid-shape. The cells lysed in distilled water. Tweens 20, 40 and 80 were found to be hydrolysed but starch, casein and gelatine were not. The cells were unable to reduce nitrate under aerobic conditions. Assays for indole formation and urease activity were negative and no growth was observed under anaerobic conditions. Cells were found to be able to utilize l-glutamate, d-glucose, l-maltose, d-mannose and sucrose as sole carbon sources. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of strain CBA1105^T was determined to be 66.0 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that the strain represents a novel species of a novel genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Halapricum salinum is proposed with CBA1105^T (= KCTC 4202^T = JCM 19729^T) as the type strain.     

Kosmotoga pacifica sp. nov., a thermophilic chemoorganoheterotrophic bacterium isolated from an East Pacific hydrothermal sediment

A novel strictly anaerobic thermophilic heterotrophic bacterium, strain SLHLJ1^T, was isolated from a Pacific hydrothermal sediment. Cells were Gram-negative coccobacilli (approximately 1.0 × 0.6 μm) with a toga. It grew at temperatures between 33 and 78 °C (optimum 70 °C). Elemental sulphur and l-cystine stimulated its growth. It contained C_16:0, C_16:1 ω11c, C_18:0 and C_18:1 ω9c as major fatty acids (>5 %), 3 phospholipids and 2 glycolipids as polar lipids. Its DNA G+C content was 43.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain SLHLJ1^T within the family Thermotogaceae. The novel isolate was most closely related to Kosmotoga arenicorallina (97.93 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), K. olearia (92.43 %) and K. shengliensis (92.17 %). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic comparisons with its closest relatives, we propose its assignment to a novel species of the genus Kosmotoga. The name Kosmotoga pacifica sp. nov. is proposed with strain SLHLJ1^T (=DSM 26965^T = JCM 19180^T = UBOCC 3254^T) as the type species.     

Albirhodobacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Rhodobacteraceae isolated from sea shore water of Visakhapatnam, India

A novel marine, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain N9^T, was isolated from a water sample of the sea shore at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (India). Strain N9^T was found to be positive for oxidase and catalase activities. The fatty acids were found to be dominated by C_16:0, C_18:1 ω7c and summed in feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c). Strain N9^T was determined to contain Q-10 as the major respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two aminophospholipids, two phospholipids and four unidentified lipids as polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain N9^T was found to be 63 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodobacter johrii, Pseudorhodobacter ferrugineus, Rhodobacter azotoformans, Rhodobacter ovatus and Pseudorhodobacter aquimaris were the nearest phylogenetic neighbours, with pair-wise sequence similarities of 95.43, 95.36, 94.24, 95.31, 95.60 and 94.74 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain N9^T formed a distinct branch within the family Rhodobacteraceae and clustered with the clade comprising species of the genus Pseudorhodobacter, together with species of the genera Roseicitreum, Roseinatronobacter, Roseibaca and Rhodobaca. Species of the genus Pseudorhodobacter are phylogenetically close with a 16S rRNA gene sequence dissimilarity of 5.9–7.3 % (92.7–94.1 % similarity). Based on the above-mentioned phenotypic characteristics and on phylogenetic inference, strain N9^T is proposed as a representative of a new genus and a novel species of the family Rhodobacteraceae as Albirhodobacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Albirhodobacter marinus is N9 (= MTCC 11277^T = JCM 17680^T).     

Water relations and leaf chemistry of Chrysothamnus nauseosus ssp. consimilis (Asteraceae) and Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Chenopodiaceae)

At Mono Lake, California, we investigated field water relations, leaf and xylem chemistry, and gas exchange for two shrub species that commonly co-occur on marginally saline soils, and have similar life histories and rooting patterns. Both species had highest root length densities close to the surface and have large tap roots that probably reach ground water at 3.4-5.0 m on the study site. The species differed greatly in leaf water relations and leaf chemistry. Sarcobatus vermiculatus had a seasonal minimum predawn xylem pressure potential (ψ_pd) of -2.7 MPa and a midday potential (ψ_md) of -4.1 MPa. These were significantly lower than for Chrysothamnus nauseosus, which had a minimum ψ_pd of -1.0 MPa and ψ_md of -2.2 MPa. Sarcobatus had leaf Na of up to 9.1 % and K up to 2.7 % of dry mass, and these were significantly higher than for Chrysothamnus which had seasonal maxima of 0.4% leaf Na and 2.4 % leaf K. The molar ratios of leaf K/Na, Ca/Na, and Mg/Na were substantially lower for Sarcobatus than for Chrysothamnus. Xylem ionic contents indicated that both species excluded some Na at the root, but that Chrysothamnus was excluding much more than Sarcobatus. The higher Na content of Sarcobatus leaves was associated with greater leaf succulence, lower calculated osmotic potential, and lower xylem pressure potentials. Despite large differences in water relations and leaf chemistry, these species maintained similar diurnal patterns and rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance to water vapor diffusion. Sarcobatus ψ_pd may not reflect soil moisture availability due to root osmotic and hydraulic properties.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus macrorrhizus</Emphasis>, a Spanish endemic species in extreme extinction risk

Asparagus macrorrhizus: is a new species, which has been recently described. It is limited to the area surrounding the “Mar Menor” lagoon, in Murcia (Spain), and is the only “Critically Endangered” species of the genus Asparagus. Despite being protected, the number of plants has decreased in the last years due to the urbanization of its natural habitat. This species is a valuable genetic resource for asparagus breeding because of its special characteristics. So, the development of a micropropagation protocol is crucial to its conservation and use in breeding programs. The micropropagation protocol from asparagus rhizome buds previously developed by our research group has been adapted for A. macrorrhizus. Rhizome buds of A. macrorrhizus were extracted, disinfected, and then cultured on Asparagus Rhizome Bud Medium (ARBM) consisting of MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg l^??1 NAA, 0.1 mg l^??1 KIN, 2 mg l^??1 ancymidol and 6% sucrose. A percentage of 69.7?±?8.0% of the rhizome buds developed shoots, but only 17.4?±?7.9% of them rooted. To increase this low rooting rate, the shoots were cultured on Macrorrhizus Rooting Media (MRM) supplemented with three different concentrations of IBA. The highest rooting rate (55.0?±?7.9%) was reached when shoots were incubated in MRM-2 consisting of MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l^??1 IBA and 4% sucrose. The acclimatization rate of the micropropagated plantlets was 90%. The method developed in this study allows the micropropagation of A. macrorrhizus, offering a new option to preserve this almost extinct species.     

Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov., a new member of the genus Gracilibacillus isolated from Xinjiang region, China

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated isolate J2^T was isolated from a soil sample from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. The isolate was observed to grow at 16–46 °C and pH 6.5–8.0. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed menaquinone-7 (MK-7) to be the major isoprenoid quinone; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one aminophospholipid, two phosphoglycolipids and one glycolipid as the major cellular polar lipids; and anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_16:0 as the major fatty acids. Comparative analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain J2^T is most closely related to Gracilibacillus ureilyticus (with 98.8 % similarity), Gracilibacillus dipsosauri (97.2 %), Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis (97.1 %) and Gracilibacillus thailandensis (97.0 %). The DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain J2^T and G. ureilyticus MF38^T, G. dipsosauri DD1^T, G. quinghaiensis YIM-C229^T and G. thailandensis TP2-8^T were 29.8 ± 3.7, 23.0 ± 3.5, 15.8 ± 4.9 and 15.9 ± 5.0 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain J2^T was determined to be 36.5 mol%. Based on these data, strain J2^T is considered as a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is J2^T (= CGMCC 1.12449^T = JCM 18859^T).     

Change in water loss regulation after canopy clearcut of a dominant shrub in Sahelian agrosystems, Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel

This paper analyzes the effect of the canopy age of Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel on water regulation processes and adaptative strategy to drought over a period of 2 years. The species is widespread in the agricultural Sahel. Before sowing, farmers cut back the shrubs to limit competition with crops. The stumps resprout after the millet harvest. Leaf water potential and stomatal conductance were measured in two fallows and in the two adjacent cultivated fields. Leaf transpiration rate and soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance were deduced. The decrease in both stomatal and plant hydraulic conductance caused by seasonal drought was greater in mature shrubs than in current year resprouts. The decrease in predawn and midday leaf water potentials in response to seasonal drought was isohydrodynamic, and it was greater in mature shrubs, suggesting that current year resprouts are under less stress. In resprouts, the leaf transpiration rate stopped increasing beyond a hydraulic conductance threshold of 0.05 mol. m^?2 s^?1 MPa^?1. Vulnerability to cavitation was determined on segments of stems in the laboratory. The leaf water potential value at which stomatal closure occurred was ?2.99 ± 0.68 MPa, which corresponded to a 30 % loss in xylem conductivity. Thanks to its positive safety margin of 0.6 MPa, G. senegalensis can survive above this value. The observed strategy places G. senegalensis among the non-extreme xeric plants, leading us to suppose that this species will be vulnerable to the expected increase in regional drought.     

Some like it cold: summer torpor by freetail bats in the Australian arid zone

Bats are among the most successful groups of Australian arid-zone mammals and, therefore, must cope with pronounced seasonal fluctuations in ambient temperature (T _a), food availability and unpredictable weather patterns. As knowledge about the energy conserving strategies in desert bats is scant, we used temperature-telemetry to quantify the thermal physiology of tree-roosting inland freetail bats (Mormopterus species 3, 8.5 g, n = 8) at Sturt National Park over two summers (2010–2012), when T _a was high and insects were relatively abundant. Torpor use and activity were affected by T _a. Bats remained normothermic on the warmest days; they employed one “morning” torpor bout on most days and typically exhibited two torpor bouts on the coolest days. Overall, animals employed torpor on 67.9 % of bat-days and torpor bout duration ranged from 0.5 to 39.3 h. At any given T _a, torpor bouts were longer in Mormopterus than in bats from temperate and subtropical habitats. Furthermore, unlike bats from other climatic regions that used only partial passive rewarming, Mormopterus aroused from torpor using either almost entirely passive (68.9 % of all arousals) or active rewarming (31.1 %). We provide the first quantitative data on torpor in a free-ranging arid-zone molossid during summer. They demonstrate that this desert bat uses torpor extensively in summer and often rewarms passively from torpor to maximise energy and water conservation.     

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.     

Effects of flooding on photosynthesis and root respiration in saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), an invasive riparian shrub

The introduced shrub Tamarix ramosissima invades riparian zones, but loses competitiveness under flooding. Metabolic effects of flooding could be important for T. ramosissima, but have not been previously investigated. Photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, internal (intercellular) CO₂, transpiration, and root alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity were compared in T. ramosissima across soil types and under drained and flooded conditions in a greenhouse. Photosynthesis at 1500 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹ (A₁₅₀₀) in flooded plants ranged from 2.3 to 6.2 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ during the first week, but A₁₅₀₀ increased to 6.4–12.7 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ by the third week of flooding. Stomatal conductance (g_s) at 1500 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹ also decreased initially during flooding, where g_s was 0.018 to 0.099 mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ during the first week, but g_s increased to 0.113–0.248 mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ by the third week of flooding. However, photosynthesis in flooded plants was reduced by non-stomatal limitations, and subsequent increases indicate metabolic acclimation to flooding. Root ADH activities were higher in flooded plants compared to drained plants, indicating oxygen stress. Lower photosynthesis and greater oxygen stress could account for the susceptibility of T. ramosissima at the onset of flooding. Soil type had no effect on photosynthesis or on root ADH activity. In the field, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, transpiration, and leaf δ¹³C were compared between T. ramosissima and other flooded species. T. ramosissima had lower stomatal conductance and water potential compared to Populus deltoides and Phragmites australis. Differences in physiological responses for T. ramosissima could become important for ecological concerns.     

Paenibacillus brassicae sp. nov., isolated from cabbage rhizosphere in Beijing, China

A novel Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain 112^T, was isolated from cabbage rhizosphere in Beijing, China. The strain was found to grow at 10–40 °C and pH 4–11, with an optimum of 30 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 112^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarities were found between strain 112^T, Paenibacillus sabinae DSM 17841^T (97.82 %) and Paenibacillus forsythiae DSM 17842^T (97.22 %). However, the DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 112^T and the type strains of these two species were 10.36 and 6.28 %, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was found to be menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids were determined to be anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unknown aminophospholipids. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 55.4 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the value of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain 112^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 112^T (= ACCC 01125^T = DSM 24983^T).     

Exiguobacterium himgiriensis sp. nov. a novel member of the genus Exiguobacterium, isolated from the Indian Himalayas

The taxonomic position of an orange coloured bacterium, strain K22–26^T isolated from a soil sample was studied using a polyphasic approach. The organism had phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with its allocation into the genus Exiguobacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain K22–26^T belongs to the genus Exiguobacterium and was related to Exiguobacterium aurantiacum DSM 6208^T (99.0 %) Exiguobacterium mexicanum DSM 16483^T (98.6 %), Exiguobacterium aquaticum (98.6 %), Exiguobacterium aestuarii DSM 16306^T (98.1 %), Exiguobacterium profundum DSM 17289^T (98.1 %) and Exiguobacterium marinum DSM 16483^T (97.9 %), whereas sequence similarity values with respect to other Exiguobacterium species with validly published names were between 92.5–94.0 %. The major polar lipids detected were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major menaquinone was determined to be MK-7 (83 %) whereas MK-8 (11 %) and MK-6 (6 %) occur in smaller amounts. The peptidoglycan of the strain was found to contain l-lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major fatty acids detected were iso C_13:0 (11.2 %), anteiso C_13:0 (15.4 %), iso C_15:0 (13.2 %) and iso C_17:0 (16.1 %). However, analysis of the DNA–DNA relatedness confirmed that strain K22–26^T belongs to a novel species. The G + C content of the strain K22–26^T was determined to be 50.1 mol %. The novel strain was distinguished from closely related type species of the genus Exiguobacterium using DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic data. Based on these differences, the strain K22–26^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Exiguobacterium, for which the name Exiguobacterium himgiriensis sp. nov. strain K22–26^T (= MTCC 7628^T = JCM 14260^T) is proposed.