昆仑山北坡不同海拔塔里木沙拐枣的光合生理生态特性

在2008年7月25日-8月6日的连续晴天中,选择昆仑山北坡塔里木沙拐枣自然分布区3个海拔高度(2100,2300,2500m),利用便携式光合测定仪LI-6400测定塔里木沙拐枣的光合生理生态特性。结果表明:2100m处塔里木沙拐枣的光补偿点(LCP)和光饱和点(LSP)与2300m,2500m处差异分别达到显著,而3者间的最大净光合速率(P_max)差异均达显著。表观量子效率(AQY)在3个海拔之间差异均不显著,但在2100m处的羧化效率(CE)分别与2300m和2500m处的差异显著。相同海拔下塔里木沙拐枣的暗呼吸速率值(R_day)要高于光呼吸速率值(R_p),且2500m处的暗呼吸速率分别与2100m和2300m处的有显著的差异,2100m处的光呼吸速率分别与2300m和2500m差异显著。3个海拔塔里木沙拐枣的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和气孔导度(G_s)的日变化均为单峰曲线。随着海拔的升高,塔里木沙拐枣P_n,T_r,G_s和L_s的日均值降低,但光能利用率(LUE)和水分利用效率(WUE)却显著增加。塔里木沙拐枣的P_n与叶温(T_l)、大气温度(T_a)和光照强度(PPFD)具有极显著的正相关关系,与海拔呈显著负相关,与空气相对湿度(RH)和大气CO₂浓度(C_a)之间均不具有显著相关性。T_r与T_a,T_l和PPFD具有极显著的正相关性,与RH之间存在显著的负相关。G_s只与C_a之间呈极显著的负相关。P_n与T_r,L_s,G_s,WUE和V_pdl分别具有极显著的正相关性,与C_i呈极显著的负相关。通过对不同海拔高度塔里木沙拐枣光合生理参数与光、温等生态因子关系的对比分析表明:塔里木沙拐枣对山地荒漠草地自然环境变化的温度和光照有很好的生态适应性。     

平茬对半干旱黄土丘陵区柠条林地土壤水分的影响

半干旱黄土丘陵区多年生柠条人工林地发生土壤旱化,研究柠条林平茬对土壤水分影响对于防治土壤旱化具有重要意义。采用中子仪测定土壤水分,对未平茬和平茬柠条林地土壤水分进行测定,分析了平茬对土壤水分的影响。结果表明:未平茬和平茬柠条林地降雨补给量(R₁,R₂)同降雨量(P)显著正相关(P<0.05)。定义降雨耗损量(林冠截留量和地表径流之和)占降雨量的百分比为降雨耗损率,未平茬林地降雨损耗率(L₁)和平茬柠条林地降雨损耗率(L₂)分别与其降雨前土壤表层(0-20 cm)含水量(S₁,S₂)呈明显指数关系(P<0.05):L₁=2.54exp(0.22S₁),L₂=2.40exp(0.27S₂),表层含水量相同时,平茬林地降雨损耗率明显高于未平茬林地。平茬后,林地降雨最大入渗深度减小,土壤水分利用深度减小;短时间内(2个月左右)林地20-160 cm含水量增加,之后平茬林地土壤含水量与未平茬林地土壤含水量接近;丰水年和丰水年后的第一年,平茬林地含水量低于未平茬林地,0-400 cm土壤储水量比未平茬林地最多低45.9 mm。平茬后200-400 cm土层土壤水分有少量增加,但是0-200 cm土层土壤含水量损失更严重。平茬3a后,平茬对柠条林地土壤水分的影响减弱。     

城市遮阴环境变化对大叶黄杨光合过程的影响

城市遮阴与自然生态系统遮阴环境不同,它由城市中的建筑、基础设施等人工构筑物所产生,并对植物光合过程产生影响。采用Li-6400便携式光合作用测定系统对北京市不同建筑遮阴环境下的生态因子特征及大叶黄杨光合参数特性进行了现场实验对比观测与分析。研究显示:(1)城市建筑或基础设施布局或格局变化导致建筑遮阴环境光、温等生态因子的差异性变化,主要体现在光合有效辐射(PAR)在时间分布及强度上的显著差异。(2)遮阴改变大叶黄杨的光合参数,日净光合速率曲线为不规则单峰型,由遮阴进入太阳直射时,净光合速率(Pn)明显升高,随遮阴程度加重峰值时间有后延现象,完全遮阴时净光合速率最低。(3)大叶黄杨叶片在有一定时间太阳直射的中度遮阴(2.3h和5.5h)下适应性良好,日均净光合速率、光补偿点(LCP)、光合能力(P_nmax)、叶面积(LA)、比叶重(LMA)没有显著差异,植物主要通过光合色素含量及组成的改变来适应太阳直射时间变短(2.3h)的遮阴环境。(4)遮阴改变植物的光暗适应策略,没有阳光直射的重度遮阴下,大叶黄杨通过其光合、形态、光合色素等多方面的改变来适应遮阴环境,建筑重度遮阴严重影响植物光合过程。探讨了不同程度建筑遮阴对植物光合作用的影响及植物的适应机制,为基于提高其生态服务功能的树种配置和城市规划提供科学依据。     

遮荫和干旱复合处理对黄藤幼苗个体生长及生理特性的影响

以1年生黄藤(Daemonorops jenkinsiana)实生苗为试验材料,采用盆栽控制试验测定分析遮荫和干旱复合处理下黄藤幼苗的生长状况、叶片光合参数、生物量及生理特征的变化情况,以阐明遮荫和干旱复合处理对其生长和生理的影响规律。结果显示：(1)黄藤的株高、地径和功能叶片数目均随遮荫度上升而增加;植株叶片的生物量、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)均随遮荫度上升而呈先上升后下降的趋势。(2)黄藤叶片的可溶性蛋白(SP)、脯氨酸(Pro)随着遮荫度的增加而先增加后下降,丙二醛(MDA)含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性则均呈先下降后上升的趋势。(3)中度遮荫时,黄藤的株高、地径、功能叶数目、叶片生物量的积累以及P_n、T_r、WUE、Pro和SP含量均显著升高(P＜0.05),SOD活性和MDA含量则显著降低(P＜0.05)。(4)干旱胁迫导致黄藤的株高、地径、功能叶片数目、叶片生物量积累、P_n、T_r、WUE显著降低,SOD活性、POD活性、MDA含量和Pro含量均显著升高。研究发现,遮荫和干旱复合作用影响黄藤幼苗的生长和发育。黄藤幼苗能通过调整生长策略、光合策略、代谢策略等使植株逐步适应或耐受胁迫,表现出一定的抗旱性和喜阴性;中度遮荫(遮光20%~30%)能够改善黄藤幼苗的生境,并能缓解干旱胁迫对植株造成的伤害,对其生长有利。     

Comparison of foliar water use efficiency among 17 provenances of Larix gmelinii in the Mao’ershan area

 研究环境变化下的树木水分利用效率对探讨森林生态系统碳水耦联关系及其对气候变化的响应和适应对策具有重要意义。落叶松(Larix gmelinii)为我国北方森林的建群种之一。将水热条件不同的17个种源落叶松种植在帽儿山森林生态系统研究站的同质园内30年后, 测定其针叶水分利用效率(WUE)及其相关因子。结果表明: WUE、净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶片氮含量(N_L)均存在显著的种源差异(p < 0.05)。WUE和G_s呈显著指数相关关系, 当G_s < 0.2 时WUE随G_s的增大而明显增大, 而当G_s > 0.2时WUE趋于稳定。WUE和SLA及N_L分别呈线性负相关和正相关关系, 且随种源原地的干燥度指数(AI)的增大其相关性明显增强。WUE和种源原地年平均气温、平均年降水量及AI分别呈线性负相关、负相关和正相关关系, 并且相关系数依次增大; T_r则仅和种源原地年平均气温呈线性正相关关系, 而P_n和种源原地AI呈线性正相关关系。不同种源落叶松由于对种源原地环境条件的适应而存在针叶结构和生理特征的显著差异, 并因此引起针叶水分利用效率的差异。     

外源H2O2对盐碱胁迫下苹果矮化砧木幼苗生理特性的影响

以2年生苹果矮化砧木M9 T337为试材,采用盆栽试验法,设置浇灌清水(CK)和盐碱胁迫(0.1 mol/L NaCl+NaHCO₃溶液)+ 喷施5种浓度的H₂O₂ ［0(T₁)、0.2 mmol/L(T₂)、0.4 mmol/L(T₃)、0.6 mmol/L(T₄)、0.8 mmol/L(T₅)］ 处理,测定各处理叶片叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数、渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化酶活性和细胞膜透性,并利用相关性与主成分分析进行综合评价,以探讨外源过氧化氢(H₂O₂)增强其盐碱耐性的生理机制。结果表明：(1)随着盐碱胁迫(T₁)的时间延长,M9 T337幼苗叶片叶绿素a(Chl a)含量、叶绿素b (Chl b)含量、叶绿素总量(Chl t)、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、可溶性蛋白(SP)含量均呈逐渐下降趋势;胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、可溶性总糖(TSS)含量、脯氨酸(Pro)含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性、相对电导率(REC)、丙二醛(MDA)含量均呈上升趋势;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性均呈先升后降趋势。(2)与CK相比,盐碱胁迫+外源H₂O₂(T₂- T₅)处理后M9 T337幼苗叶片各指标均呈现不同幅度变化,且存在明显浓度效应,并以T₃(0.4 mmol/L H₂O₂)处理叶片的Chl a、Chl b、Chl t、SP和G_s降幅最小,C_i、REC、MDA升幅最小,TSS、Pro、APX升幅最大。(3)M9 T337幼苗叶片P_n与T_r、G_s、Chl a、Chl b、Chl t、SP、SOD、POD呈显著正相关,与C_i、MDA、CAT、APX、REC呈显著负相关。(4)综合评价表明,各处理对M9 T337幼苗叶片生理特性的效应依次为：CK>T₃>T₄>T₂>T₅>T₁。研究发现,叶面喷施适宜浓度H₂O₂可有效改善盐碱胁迫下M9 T337幼苗光合能力,显著提高抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质的含量,降低细胞膜透性,从而达到缓解盐碱胁迫的作用,并以0.4 mmol/L H₂O₂处理效果最佳。     

干旱胁迫对玉米苗期叶片光合作用和保护酶的影响

以玉米品种郑单958(抗旱性强)和陕单902(抗旱性弱)为材料,采用盆栽控水试验,设置3个干旱处理(轻度干旱,中度干旱,重度干旱)和正常灌水,研究了干旱胁迫对玉米苗期叶片光合速率、叶绿素荧光以及相关生理指标的影响。结果表明:(1)干旱胁迫下2个品种叶片净光合速率(P_n)和气孔导度(G_s)显著下降,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)出现了先下降后上升,而气孔限制值(L_s)上升后下降,说明中度干旱胁迫下叶片P_n下降是气孔因素引起的,重度干旱胁迫下P_n降低主要由非气孔因素引起的。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,2个品种叶片光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的实际量子产量(φPSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭(qP)一直下降,而非光化学猝灭(qN)上升后下降,说明中度干旱下热耗散仍是植株重要光保护机制,重度干旱时叶片光合电子传递受阻,PSⅡ受到损伤。(3)干旱胁迫下2个品种叶片的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性先升高后降低,而丙二醛(MDA)含量一直升高,说明干旱胁迫初期对保护系统酶活性升高有诱导作用,重度胁迫下活性氧清除酶的活性下降,导致细胞膜伤害。这些结果暗示,轻度和中度干旱胁迫下2个玉米品种通过减少光捕获、热耗散和酶活性调节协同作用稳定了光合机构功能,是P_n下降的气孔限制因素;而重度干旱胁迫下光系统Ⅱ和抗氧化酶系统损伤,是P_n下降的非气孔限制因素;郑单958的各生理参数比陕单902受旱影响小,干旱胁迫下仍具有较高的光合效率和较强的保护酶活性是郑单958抗旱的主要生理原因。     

土壤水分对不同季节番茄叶片水和二氧化碳交换特性的影响

以番茄品种“L402”为试材,研究了土壤水分对不同季节番茄光合及蒸腾特性的影响.结果表明:全生育期内春番茄光合速率（P_n）和蒸腾速率（T_r）均以土壤相对含水量80％处理最高,65％处理次之,50％处理最低;土壤水分降低,显著改变了番茄P_n和T_r的日变化动态,导致光合午休加重;叶片水分利用效率（WUE）以65％处理最高.冬番茄在全生育期内P_n和T_r以50％处理最低,但65％和80％处理无显著差异,且均无光合午休;WUE则以50％处理最高,80％处理最低,说明不同季节番茄对土壤水分的反应存在显著差异.春番茄与冬番茄的P_n及T_r日变化规律显著不同,且在相同土壤水分条件下,春番茄P_n及T_r显著高于冬番茄.     

施氮量对麻疯树幼苗生长及叶片光合特性的影响

采用盆栽土培的方法,研究了不同施氮量(对照N₀ 0 kg N/hm²、低氮N_L 96 kg N/hm²、中氮N_M 288 kg N/hm²、高氮N_H 480 kg N/hm²)对麻疯树幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,麻疯树幼苗叶片氮含量、可溶性蛋白含量、株高、地径、叶片数量、叶面积、根长、各组分生物量、叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和水分利用效率(WUE)均随施氮量的增加先升高后降低,N_M处理下麻疯树幼苗长势最好,各气体交换参数值最高;施氮对麻疯树地上部分的促进作用远大于地下部分,施氮后根冠比显著降低;此外,麻疯树叶绿素含量、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ有效量子产量(F'v/F'm)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)均随施氮量的增加而升高,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)随施氮量增加而降低。适量施氮可通过增强叶绿体光化学活性、气孔导度和羧化能力而提高麻疯树幼苗的光合能力,促进生长;过高施氮对麻疯树幼苗光合与生长的促进效应降低。试验条件下,当年生麻疯树幼苗的最适施氮量为288 kg N/hm²。     

我国西南部喀斯特森林特有濒危树种掌叶木新的微卫星分子标记的开发

采用基因组DNA富集文库法FIASCO(Fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats)从掌叶木(Handeliodendron bodinieri)基因组中分离和筛选了10个新的微卫星位点,进而对掌叶木茂兰自然分布居群的遗传多样性进行了分析。结果表明, 每个位点在30株掌叶木个体上的平均等位基因数(A)为3.5(3~5个),平均观察杂合度(H_O)为0.650(0.267~0.900),平均预期杂合度(H_E)为0.494(0.224~0.652)。每个位点的第一排除概率值P_r(Ex₁)为0.029~0.240,位点综合值为0.7496。单个位点的第二排除概率P_r(Ex₂)为0.123~0.419,位点综合值为0.9517。这些信息预示着这些微卫星标记可以为研究喀斯特特有濒危树种掌叶木的基因流及居群遗传结构提供有效的遗传工具。     

Optimization of Organic Mulches Thickness Improves Soil Moisture Retention under Controlled Conditions

Organic mulch can improve the moisture, chemical composition, dust, and dust suppression of soil, and beautify the environment. In view of the rapid evaporation rate and serious loss of soil water in tropical areas, this paper explored the effect of organic mulch materials with different thickness on the increase of soil water retention rate and the improvement of soil water loss caused by evaporation. Rubberwood sawdust (RWS), rubberwood bark (RWB), coconut fiber (CF), and Mulch (MC) were selected as the mulching materials. Field experiment and laboratory experiment were performed, and soil-moisture content and temperature were continuously monitored. However, from the daily measurement of water content at constant conditions (29°C ± 0.2°C, 74% ± 1% air RH) in the laboratory experiment, the results of variance analysis (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference between the soil-water content of covered samples and bare soil (P > 0.05). In the field experiments, the analysis of variance indicated significant differences in the soil-moisture content owing to the effect of the covering material (P < 0.01). Mulching increased the soil-moisture content with smaller fluctuations in the deep soil compared with bare soil. The most stable soil-moisture content were achieved by RWS, RWB, CF, and MC, with thicknesses of 5, 3, 7, and 5 cm, respectively, compared with bare soil, and the average water contents of the 0–40 cm soil layer was 0.58%, 0.01%, 0.82%, and 0.93%, respectively. Vertically, the intensity of the change in soil moisture decreased gradually with increasing depth, and was more stable than that of bare soil and other treatments. Among them, the difference in water content between the adjacent gradient soil layers (the soil layers are graded every 10 cm in depth) M_3–7 (0.011 ± 0.004) was the smallest. It can be concluded that CF mulching materials with a thickness of 7 cm would be preferable when selecting mulching materials for controlling soil moisture in tropical cities.     

秸秆隔层对盐碱土水盐运移及食葵光合特性的影响

在内蒙古河套灌区通过微区试验,研究了秸秆深埋(S)、上盖秸秆下埋秸秆(简称上秸下秸,S+S)、上盖地膜下埋秸秆(简称上膜下秸,P+S)和地膜覆盖(对照,CK)4种耕作措施对0-40 cm土层水盐运移及食葵光合特性的影响.结果表明:(1)不同措施对土壤水盐调控的效果与作用时期差异较大.P+S在整个生育期内土壤盐分含量和盐溶质浓度较低,控盐效果显著;S+S仅在苗期能保墒控盐,但控盐效果比P+S差,后期出现水减盐增现象,保墒控盐效果也不佳;S在整个生育期内土壤盐分含量和盐溶质浓度最高,控盐效果最差;CK在整个生育期内土壤水分含量变化不大,而盐分含量较高,控盐效果也不明显.(2)不同措施对土壤水盐运移调控程度的差异,导致食葵光合特性也有明显变化.与CK、S、S+S相比,P+S由于其较低的盐溶质浓度环境,明显改善了其光合特性,在苗期、蕾期和花期能提高净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(Tr),增加气孔导度(Gs),降低胞间CO2浓度(Ci),从而使其作物长势和干物质积累明显高于其它措施.综合试验结果,P+S是内蒙古河套灌区盐碱地改良中优选的控抑盐耕作措施.     

引黄灌区次生盐碱地速生杨光谱与光合特性对不同秸秆层的响应

在宁夏引黄灌区次生盐碱地,设置了填埋秸秆层(B)、覆盖秸秆层(M)、填埋配合覆盖秸秆层(B+M)和无任何处理(空白对照,CK)共4种处理,通过随机区组试验,在土壤水盐变化的基础上,通过分析速生杨光谱及光合特性对秸秆层响应,探究不同秸秆层的植物光合速率、色素含量、营养状况以及受胁迫等情况,以期更准确的反应出各处理的改良效果及植被恢复情况。研究结果表明:(1)秸秆层有助于提升灌区次生盐碱地速生杨的光谱与光合等生理状况。B、M和B+M均能显著提升速生杨叶片的最大净光合速率与饱和光强,其中,B和B+M还能够明显降低速生杨叶片的光补偿点和暗呼吸速率,M则不能。B和B+M均显著提高速生杨叶片的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度等光合参数。另外,B+M的速生杨叶片光合色素含量最高,营养状况最好,其他光谱参数结果与CK相比都有显著提高。处理B和M也可以显著提高速生杨叶片光合色素含量和营养状况,但效果均不如B+M。(2)B与B+M均能降低不同时期的土壤盐分含量,但B+M在不同时期提高土壤含水量的效果均高于B。M也能降低土壤盐分和提升土壤含水量,但不同时期的效果均不如处理B+M。综合试验结果,在引黄灌区次生盐碱地,不同秸秆层均能不同程度的调节土壤水盐变化,缓解水盐胁迫,提升速生杨光合与光谱特性,其中B+M作为秸秆层效果最佳。     

宁夏河东沙区刺槐和丝绵木水分利用策略

刺槐和丝绵木混交林是宁夏河东沙区防护林建设的主要模式,了解刺槐和丝绵木的水分利用策略,能为区域植被恢复和防护林林分结构调整提供科学依据。以宁夏河东沙区刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)和丝绵木(Euonymus bungeanus)混交林为研究对象,通过监测微气象、树干液流和土壤质量含水量,结合大气降水、土壤水、植物木质部水同位素组成,采用Granier及其校正公式,运用贝叶斯混合模型(MixSIAR)和相似性比例指数(PS)研究2个树种的蒸腾耗水、水分来源和水分利用关系。结果表明：刺槐和丝绵木的蒸腾耗水量在生长季中期较高,前期和后期较小,刺槐的蒸腾耗水量是丝绵木的1.55倍;影响刺槐蒸腾耗水的主要环境因子为饱和水汽压差、太阳辐射、0—40 cm土壤质量含水量和40—120 cm土壤质量含水量;影响丝绵木蒸腾耗水的主要环境因子为饱和水汽压差、太阳辐射、平均气温、0—40 cm土壤质量含水量和40—120 cm土壤质量含水量;蒸腾耗水较高时,刺槐主要吸收利用中层土壤水,丝绵木主要吸收利用浅层土壤水,蒸腾耗水较低时,刺槐主要吸收利用浅层土壤水,丝绵木主要吸收利用中层土壤水;在...     

模拟喀斯特生境条件下干旱胁迫对青冈栎苗木的影响

为了研究喀斯特"双层"地质结构对植物的影响,以及在干旱环境下,喀斯特地区植物的生理变化与适应策略,建立"土壤层-岩石(石灰岩)层-岩溶水层"水分供应分层模拟柱,对‘土壤层’设置不同水分梯度,种植青冈栎(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)苗木进行干旱胁迫试验,测定青冈栎的叶面积、比叶面积、生物量、渗透调节物质含量、相对叶绿素含量。结果表明:在模拟柱‘岩溶水层’加水条件下,植物根系能下扎至‘岩溶水层’,‘土壤层’干旱胁迫对青冈栎的生理变化没有产生影响;在‘岩溶水层’无水条件下,青冈栎生理变化受‘土壤层’干旱胁迫影响显著,‘土壤层’水分含量越低,青冈栎的叶面积、生物量、叶绿素含量、叶片相对含水量越小,青冈栎干鲜比、根冠比、可溶性糖、丙二醛和脯氨酸含量越高。青冈栎幼苗利用岩溶水层水分是适应喀斯特干旱环境的重要策略。     

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviates harmful effects of drought stress on damask rose

This study was conducted to examine the role of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) in alleviating the adverse effects of drought stress on damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) plants. Four levels of drought stress (100, 75, 50, and 25% FC) were examined on mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants in pots filled with sterilized soil. Our results showed that increasing drought stress level decreased all growth parameters, nutrient contents, gas exchange parameters, and water relations indicators. Under different levels of drought stress, mycorrhizal colonization significantly increased all studied parameters. P_n, g_s, and E of the mycorrhizal plants was higher than those of non-mycorrhizal plants under different levels of drought stress. The increase in those rates was proportional the level of the mycorrhizal colonization in the roots of these plants. Majority of growth, nutrition, water status and photosynthetic parameters had a great dependency on the mycorrhizal colonization under all levels of drought stress. The results obtained in this study provide a clear evidence that AMF colonization can enhance growth, flower quality and adaptation of rose plants under different drought stress levels, particularly at high level of drought stress via improving their water relations and photosynthetic status. It could be concluded that colonization with AMF could help plants to tolerate the harmful effects caused by drought stress in arid and semi-arid regions.     

The altitudinal effects on photosynthesis of Rosa platyacantha from the Tianshan Mountains in Northwestern China

The altitudinal effects on photosynthesis were measured on progenies of three populations of Rosa platyacantha Schrenk from altitudes of 1,170 (L); 1,580 (M); and 1,920 (H) m a. s. l. During the day, net photosynthetic rate (P_N) decreased in all populations due to the high air temperature in the summer. The H population showed a significantly lower P_N at noon compared to other populations. The midday depression of P_N occurred in L and M populations due to stomatal limitations, while P_N inhibition was associated with PSII activity decline in the H population. In order to avoid photodamage, the plants of H population triggered active antioxidant defenses with a higher enzyme activity and redox ratio of ascorbate at midday compared to the L and M populations. However, more oxidative injury still occurred in the H plants at noon due to higher lipid peroxidation. Our results indicated that the provenance significantly affected photosynthesis in R. platyacantha from northwestern China.     

Plant neighbor effects mediated by rhizosphere factors along a simulated aridity gradient

Aims

We investigated how rhizosphere factors (total rhizosphere, roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae [AMF], and soil solution) and water availability affect interactions between neighboring Medicago sativa plants.

Methods

A three-compartment mesocosm was used to test the effects of rhizosphere factors on plant–plant interactions. A relative interaction index (RII) was calculated to indicate whether effects of neighbor plant on target plant were positive or negative (facilitative or competitive). Isotope tracers were used to test whether AMF hyphae mediated competition for nitrogen (N) between target and neighbor plants.

Results

The effects of rhizosphere factors on the interactions between neighboring M. sativa plants depended on water availability. The effects of total rhizosphere shifted RII from negative to positive as water availability increased. Interaction with the roots and rhizosphere soil solution of neighbor plants shifted RII from negative to positive as water availability increased but the opposite was true for AMF hyphae. AMF hyphae helped neighbor plants compete for ¹⁵N when water was available but not when water was limiting.

Conclusions

The effect of total rhizosphere on plant–plant interaction of M. sativa shifted from competitive to facilitative as water availability increased. Competition was reduced by neighboring soil solution and roots but was increased by AMF hyphae.     

Root water uptake and profile soil water as affected by vertical root distribution

Water uptake by plant roots is a main process controlling water balance in field profiles and vital for agro-ecosystem management. Based on the sap flow measurements for maize plants (Zea mays L.) in a field under natural wet- and dry-soil conditions, we studied the effect of vertical root distribution on root water uptake and the resulted changes of profile soil water. The observations indicate that depth of the most densely rooted soil layer was more important than the maximum rooting depth for increasing the ability of plants to cope with the shortage of water. Occurrence of the most densely rooted layer at or below 30-cm soil depth was very conducive to maintaining plant water supply under the dry-soil conditions. In the soil layers colonized most densely by roots, daytime effective soil water saturation (S _e) always dropped dramatically due to the high-efficient local water depletion. Restriction of the rooting depth markedly increased the difference of S _e between the individual soil layers particularly under the dry-soil conditions due likely to the physical non-equilibrium of water flow between the layers. This study highlights the importance of root distribution and pattern in regulating soil water use and thereby improving endurance of plants to seasonal droughts for sustainable agricultural productivity.     

Rice-Straw Mulch Reduces the Green Peach Aphid,Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Populations on Kale,Brassica oleracea var. acephala (Brassicaceae) Plants

Organic mulches, like peel and rice-straw, besides other materials affect the UV and temperature, which cause a reduction in the aphid arrival. The aim was to evaluate the effect of covering the soil with straw on the populations of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae on the kale, Brassica oleracea var. acephala plants. The first experiment evaluated the direct effect of the rice-straw mulch and the second its indirect effect on aphid immigration, testing the plant characteristics that could lead to the landing preference of this insect. The third experiment evaluated the direct effect of the mulch on the aphid population. In the second and third experiments, four plants, each in a 14 L polyethylene pot with holes at the bottom, were used in areas with and without soil mulching. These pots were changed between areas, after seven days, to evaluate the effects of this change on the arrival of the winged aphids to the plants. Each plant was covered with anti-aphid gauze and inoculated with one winged M. persicae. Winged and apterous adults of this insect were counted per plant after 15 days. The temperature increased in the mulched plots to a maximum of 21–36°C and to 18–32°C in the plots with or without soil covering, respectively. Plant growth reduced the numbers of the winged aphids landing before and after they were moved to the bare soil plots. The nutrient content was similar in plants in both the mulched and no mulched plots. The population growth of M. persicae was higher in the control than in the mulched plots. This was partially due to temperatures close to 30°C in these plots and changes in the plant physiology. The soil mulching with rice-straw decreased the M. persicae landing, increased the plot temperatures and improved the vegetative growth of the kale plants.