金银花容器苗对干旱胁迫下接种根际促生细菌的生理响应

在盆栽试验条件下,以金银花容器苗为试材,研究了不同干旱强度下接种蜡样芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)L90对植物生理特征的影响。结果表明:随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,金银花容器苗的光合速率和气孔导度逐渐降低;而干旱环境下接种L90可显著提高气孔导度,缓解干旱胁迫对净光合速率的抑制;且干旱强度增加,缓解效果增强。接种B.cereus L90可显著抑制干旱胁迫下金银花容器苗PSⅡ最大光化学效率、实际光化学效率和光化学猝灭系数的降低,抑制非光化学猝灭系数的升高。虽然L90并没有提高对照处理中光合色素的绝对含量,但可显著抑制干旱环境下金银花叶片中光合色素的分解。干旱显著降低了金银花叶片中细胞分裂素含量,增加了脱落酸(ABA)的含量;在干旱胁迫下,接种L90可显著提高叶片中细胞分裂素的含量,并可促使根部产生的ABA运输到叶片中。干旱胁迫程度较轻时,L90对金银花容器苗的相对含水量和相对电导率影响不显著;而在重度干旱时,同对照相比,干旱及接种L90处理的相对含水量分别降低20.56%和10.21%,相对电导率分别提高31.42%和16.08%,接种L90处理的变化幅度明显较小。因此,干旱生境下接种B.cereus L90,可增加叶片中细胞分裂素含量,抑制光合色素的分解及光合能力的下降,提高金银花容器苗在干旱环境中的适应能力。     

紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)对干旱胁迫的光合生理响应

紫花苜蓿是重要的豆科牧草,具有较强的抗旱性,然而干旱仍是制约紫花苜蓿生产的主要逆境因子。通过盆栽试验,以抗旱性强弱不同的两种紫花苜蓿为试验材料,对干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿的光合生理进行较为系统的研究,结果表明：（1）干旱胁迫下两种紫花苜蓿叶片净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率(E)、气孔导度(Gs)、叶绿素含量(Chl)都有不同幅度的下降;叶绿体超微结构遭到破坏。相对于抗旱性弱的苜蓿,抗旱性强的苜蓿随干旱胁迫程度的加深,净光合速率下降较慢,叶绿体的外形及基粒结构受到的影响较小。（2）轻度干旱胁迫下气孔限制是两种紫花苜蓿Pn降低的主要因素,中度和重度干旱胁迫下非气孔限制是Pn降低的主要因素。（3）对叶绿素荧光参数的研究表明：干旱胁迫下两种紫花苜蓿PSⅡ反应中心光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)降低。总体上抗旱性强的紫花苜蓿Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo下降幅度小,PSⅡ利用光能的能力及PSⅡ的潜在活性均较强。PSⅡ光化学淬灭系数（qP）、非光化学淬灭系数（qN）的变化表现为干旱胁迫下两种紫花苜蓿qP值降低、qN值升高,总体上抗旱性强的紫花苜蓿qP降低的幅度低且qN升高幅度大,表明抗旱性强的紫花苜蓿PSⅡ反应中心电子传递活性受到的影响小,光合机构的损伤程度低。     

紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)对干旱胁迫的光合生理响应

紫花苜蓿是重要的豆科牧草,具有较强的抗旱性,然而干旱仍是制约紫花苜蓿生产的主要逆境因子。通过盆栽试验,以抗旱性强弱不同的两种紫花苜蓿为试验材料,对干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿的光合生理进行较为系统的研究,结果表明：（1）干旱胁迫下两种紫花苜蓿叶片净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率（E）、气孔导度（Gs）、叶绿素含量（Chl）都有不同幅度的下降;叶绿体超微结构遭到破坏。相对于抗旱性弱的苜蓿,抗旱性强的苜蓿随干旱胁迫程度的加深,净光合速率下降较慢,叶绿体的外形及基粒结构受到的影响较小。（2）轻度干旱胁迫下气孔限制是两种紫花苜蓿P。降低的主要因素,中度和重度干旱胁迫下非气孔限制是Pn降低的主要因素。（3）对叶绿素荧光参数的研究表明：干旱胁迫下两种紫花苜蓿PSⅡ反应中心光化学效率（F／F=）、PSⅡ潜在活性（Fv／Fo）降低。总体上抗旱性强的紫花苜蓿Fv／Fm和Fv／Fo下降幅度小,PSⅡ利用光能的能力及PSⅡ的潜在活性均较强。PsⅡ光化学淬灭系数（qP）、非光化学淬灭系数（qN）的变化表现为干旱胁迫下两种紫花苜蓿qP值降低、qN值升高,总体上抗旱性强的紫花苜蓿qP降低的幅度低且qN升高幅度大,表明抗旱性强的紫花苜蓿PSⅡ反应中心电子传递活性受到的影响小,光合机构的损伤程度低。     

华山新麦草光合特性对干旱胁迫的响应

以濒危植物华山新麦草为材料进行盆栽试验,设置3个水分梯度,研究生长指标、气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数、光合色素含量、光响应特征及丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果表明:随干旱胁迫的加剧,株高、叶宽和光合色素含量降低,根长和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加;水分胁迫导致净光合速率(PN)、气孔导度(gs)、蒸腾速率(E)、最大荧光(Fm)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)、初始荧光(Fo)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)升高;光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)不变;干旱胁迫下光响应曲线拟合结果显示,干旱胁迫造成最大光合速率和光能利用效率下降.综上表明,干旱对光系统Ⅱ的伤害是制约华山新麦草光合作用的主要原因.     

杨品种‘84K’光合生理的不同过程对干旱和复水的响应

以杨品种‘84K’(Populus alba×P. glandulosa)为材料,对其干旱胁迫及复水后光合生理特性的变化进行了研究。结果显示,在干旱胁迫及复水过程中,杨品种‘84K’光合作用相关的主要反应对此过程响应不同步。在干旱胁迫过程中,‘84K’的羧化反应速度、气孔导度(Gs)、叶肉导度(Gm)均显著下降,但前者下降幅度小于后两者,此时的光合作用主要受Gs和Gm制约。复水之后,Gm很快得到恢复,而光化学淬灭过程、羧化反应速度均没有恢复到对照水平,此时是光化学淬灭和(或)羧化反应制约了‘84K’的碳固定及光合作用。     

杨品种‘84K’光合生理的不同过程对干旱和复水的响应

以杨品种‘84K’（Populus alba×P.glandulosa）为材料,对其干旱胁迫及复水后光合生理特性的变化进行了研究。结果显示,在干旱胁迫及复水过程中,杨品种‘84K’光合作用相关的主要反应对此过程响应不同步。在干旱胁迫过程中,‘84K’的羧化反应速度、气孔导度（G_s）、叶肉导度（G_m）均显著下降,但前者下降幅度小于后两者,此时的光合作用主要受G_s和G_m制约。复水之后,G_m很快得到恢复,而光化学淬灭过程、羧化反应速度均没有恢复到对照水平,此时是光化学淬灭和（或）羧化反应制约了‘84K’的碳固定及光合作用。     

外源5-氨基乙酰丙酸对盐胁迫下黄连幼苗光合参数及其叶绿素荧光特性的影响

该实验以2年生黄连幼苗为材料,在100mmol·L-1的NaCl模拟盐胁迫条件下,经不同浓度的外源5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)处理后,测定黄连幼苗光合色素含量、叶绿素荧光参数及气体交换参数等光合生理指标的变化,探寻提高黄连幼苗在盐胁迫条件下抗性能力的途径。结果显示:(1)NaCl胁迫下黄连幼苗的光合生理受到显著抑制,在经过不同浓度的ALA处理后,显著提高了叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素和类胡萝卜素等光合色素的含量。(2)盐胁迫下,黄连植株的的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)及叶片蒸腾速率(Tr)均发生下降,并且随着胁迫时间和胁迫浓度的增加下降幅度逐渐增大,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)则呈上升趋势,说明盐胁迫下黄连净光合速率降低的主要影响因素是非气孔因素。(3)用ALA处理后,黄连的Pn、Gs及Tr均有不同程度的提高,Ci也有不同程度的降低,并且不同的浓度梯度存在着显著的效果差异。(4)ALA处理还提高了最大荧光(Fm,1.234)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm,0.849)、PSⅡ有效光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′,0.685)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ,0.545)和光化学淬灭系数(qP,0.872)的水平,有效降低了初始荧光(F0,0.211)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ,0.251)的水平。研究表明,外源ALA通过提高黄连幼苗叶片的光合色素含量,减少过剩激发能的耗散,提高光合电子传递效率,有效缓解了盐胁迫对黄连叶片PSⅡ的伤害,提高了植株的抗盐能力。     

干旱和盐胁迫对草地早熟禾草坪质量及其叶绿素荧光参数的影响

通过干旱、盐、盐 干旱3种胁迫处理对草地早熟禾草坪质量及叶绿素荧光参数的变化进行测定分析.结果显示,(1)与对照草地早熟禾草坪相比,3种处理均随胁迫时间的延长草坪质量持续下降,且叶片细胞膜完整性、净光合速率(Pn),光合色素含量以及叶片叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光能转换效率(Fv'/Fm')、PsⅡ反应中心非环式光合电子传递效率(фPSⅡ)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)均呈下降趋势,但不同胁迫处理的下降程度不同,总体表现为:干旱 盐胁迫>干旱胁迫>盐胁迫.(2)随着3种胁迫处理时间的延长,早熟禾叶片非光化学猝灭(NPQ)均有增加,但盐胁迫下变化不显著,而干旱和盐 干旱胁迫下变化显著.结果表明,0.3%的NaCl胁迫对早熟禾的草坪质量、叶片细胞膜完整性以及叶绿素荧光参数的影响较小,而干旱、特别是盐 干旱胁迫的影响较大.     

乡土风箱果和紫叶风箱果叶片光合特性对土壤干旱的响应

研究叶片光合气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数对土壤干旱的响应,分析濒危的乡土风箱果和引种紫叶风箱果的抗旱能力及其差异.结果表明: 土壤干旱第7天时,紫叶风箱果叶片明显失水萎蔫,而乡土风箱果却有较高的叶片含水率和水分利用效率.土壤干旱降低了2种风箱果叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率,紫叶风箱果降低幅度明显大于乡土风箱果.土壤干旱7 d时,紫叶风箱果叶片的胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)高于未干旱处理,而乡土风箱果C_i低于未干旱处理.乡土风箱果叶片的电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(q_P)明显降低,而PSⅡ反应中心光能捕获效率(F_v′/F_m′)没有发生明显变化;但是紫叶风箱果叶片的F_v′/F_m′、ETR和q_P均明显降低,并且其降低幅度大于乡土风箱果.土壤干旱7 d时,乡土风箱果叶片OJIP曲线上J点的相对可变荧光(V_J)没有发生明显变化,而紫叶风箱果叶片V_J明显增加.紫叶风箱果的叶片碳同化能力和PSⅡ功能对土壤干旱的敏感性明显大于乡土风箱果,土壤干旱降低乡土风箱果光合能力的原因以气孔因素限制为主,而紫叶风箱果以非气孔因素限制为主.     

2个种源栓皮栎对干旱及复水的光合生理响应

为了探究干旱复水对2个种源栓皮栎幼苗光合生理特性的影响,测定了不同水分处理(正常供水、轻度干旱、中度干旱和重度干旱)及复水处理下盆栽栓皮栎幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数。结果表明:随着干旱胁迫程度的加重,幼苗生长受到的抑制程度增加;气体交换参数净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)均呈下降的趋势,而气孔限制值(Ls)呈上升趋势,在重度干旱胁迫下气体交换参数变化幅度最大;叶片非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)呈现先上升后下降的趋势,PSII潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、电子传递速率(ETR)和实际光量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)均呈下降趋势。主要叶绿素荧光参数对干旱胁迫的响应与气体交换参数一致,即重度胁迫对光合电子传递造成了最严重的损伤。干旱后复水,导致栓皮栎光合生理参数不同程度的恢复。就种源地而言,老君山种源的幼苗在干旱胁迫下主要参数的变化程度大于北坡山种源的幼苗,且在复水后老君山种源幼苗恢复程度低于北坡山种源,表明北坡山种源的栓皮栎抗旱力和恢复力均强于老君山种源。     

Responses of pepper to waterlogging stress

One of the effective ways to address the effects of abnormal climate change on plant is to find germplasms that have better resistance to adverse environments. In this paper, we studied the responses of 5 pepper species Capsicum annuum L. (CA), C. baccatum L. (CB), C. chinense Jacquin. (CC), C. frutescens L. (CF) and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pavon (CP) as well as a wild pepper C. baccatum var. baccatum (CBY) to waterlogging stress. The results showed that warterlogging treatment greatly decreases photosynthetic pigment content, net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s), and dramatically increases proline content and water-use efficiency (WUE) in all tested pepper, suggesting that pepper has weak resistance to waterlogging stress. The results also showed that changes of the above parameters vary in different species. CP had the smallest decreases in photosynthetic pigment content, P _N, and g _s and greatest increases in proline content and WUE. By contrast, CC had the greatest decreases in photosynthetic pigment content, P _N, and g _s and smallest increases in proline content and WUE, indicating that different species had different resistance to adverse environment and species CP and CC had the strongest and the weakest resistances, respectively. In addition, the study also demonstrated that wild pepper CBY had better resistance to adverse environment than all the tested species, indicating loss of the stress resistance genes during the process of domestication. Taking together, our study strongly suggests that pepper species should crossbreed with other species and wild pepper to expand genetic diversity, enlarge genetic distance, promote production, and improve the resistance to adverse environments.     

The photosynthetic stress responses of five pepper species are consistent with their genetic variability

The aim of the study was to investigate the genetic distances and their relationships among pepper species using photosynthetic features under different stresses and genetic variability. The photosynthetic features under drought, waterlogging and low-temperature stresses, rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear genome and trnH-psbA sequence of chloroplast genome of 25 varieties from 5 pepper species Capsicum annuum L. (CA), Capsicum baccatum L. (CB), Capsicum chinense Jacquin. (CC), Capsicum frutescens L. (CF) and Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pavon (CP) were analyzed and used to construct the dendrograms. The results showed the photosynthetic rate of different pepper species could be greatly but differentially decreased by stresses. For example, CB and CF had the smallest and the highest decrease to drought, CC had the highest decrease to waterlogging, and CP had the smallest decrease to low temperature. The ITS sequences of 25 pepper varieties are 591–619 bp in length and have GC% between 51.1% and 64.5%. Their trnH-psbA sequences are 537–558 bp in length and have GC% between 27.2% and 28.5%. The cluster analysis of the five pepper species based on the changes in P _N under stresses is similar to that based on genetic variability, that is, CP clusters with CB, and CC clusters with CA after first clusters with CF. In addition, the clustering methods based on the photosynthetic stress responses and genetic variability are unable to completely distinguish pepper varieties within the same species. The results indicate that similarly to genetic variability, changes in P _N under stresses (specifically the stress corresponding to the climate of plant’s original habitat) could be used to identify genetic distance of pepper species.     

Photosynthesis, respiration and antioxidant enzymes in pepper leaves under drought and heat stresses

Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and activities of antioxidant enzymes were studied in two pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown under drought (D) and heat (H), as well as under drought and heat in combination (HD). The drought-tolerant cv. Zhengjiao 13 exhibited greater net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and cytochrome respiratory pathway activity (R_SHAM), and lower contents of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide, as compared to the drought-sensitive cv. Longkouzaojiao. The P_N and R_SHAM decreased and ROS production increased under D and HD in both cultivars. As compared to the Longkouzaojiao, Zhengjiao 13 retained higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), photorespiration rate (R_L), and alternative respiratory pathways (R_KCN) under D and HD. Drought increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in the cytosol, chloroplasts and mitochondria in the two cultivars. Although SOD and APX activities decreased in Longkouzaojiao under HD, SOD activity increased in Zhengjiao 13. There was no H-induced reactive oxygen species production due to increase of R_L, NPQ, R_SHAM, R_KCN and activities of SOD and APX. However, H slightly decreased the P_N. The results indicated that HD was more detrimental than either stress alone.     

Does Inoculation with Glomus mosseae Improve Salt Tolerance in Pepper Plants?

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Glomus mosseae inoculation on growth and some biochemical activities in roots and shoots of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Zhongjiao 105) plants subjected to four levels of NaCl [0 (control), 25 (low), 50 (medium), and 100 (high) mM] for 30 days, after 30 days of establishment under non-saline conditions. In mycorrhizal (M) plants, root colonization varied from 48 to 16 %. M plants had higher root and shoot dry weight and leaf area compared with non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants. Under salinity stress, M plants accumulated higher amounts of leaf photosynthetic pigments as well as soluble sugar, soluble protein, and total free amino acids in roots and shoots than those of NM plants. In contrast, the accumulation of proline was less intense in M plants than NM plants. Salt stress induced oxidative stress by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) content; however, the extent of oxidative damage in M plants was less compared with NM plants due to G. mosseae-enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). We concluded that inoculation with G. mosseae improved growth performance and enhanced salt tolerance of pepper plants via improving photosynthetic pigments and the accumulation of organic solutes (except proline), reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing antioxidant activities of the SOD-POD system.     

24-表油菜素内酯对干旱胁迫下辣椒幼苗叶片抗氧化酶系统及耐旱相关基因表达的影响

报道了干旱胁迫下外源24-表油菜素内酯（EBR）对辣椒幼苗叶片H₂O₂和MDA含量,抗氧化酶活性,以及耐旱相关基因表达的影响。结果表明,0.1 μmol·L^-1 EBR处理诱导了辣椒幼苗叶片H₂O₂含量的增加,并提高了SOD、APX、CAT、DHAR、MDAR和GR活性;干旱胁迫下,EBR处理显著诱导了辣椒叶片抗氧化酶活性的增加,并抑制了H₂O₂和MDA含量的上升;EBR处理也促进了cAPX和MDAR等抗氧化酶基因的表达,以及WRKY3、WRKY6和MYB等转录因子的表达。由此认为,适宜浓度的外源EBR可能是通过信号分子H₂O₂调控辣椒叶片中WRKY和MYB等转录因子的表达以调控相关耐旱基因表达,增强细胞的抗氧化酶活性,减轻干旱造成的膜质过氧化伤害,从而增强了辣椒幼苗的耐旱性。     

Effects of exogenous <Emphasis Type="Italic">myo</Emphasis>-inositol on leaf water status and oxidative stress of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> under drought stress

Drought-stressed plants accumulate cyclitols such as myo-inositol, pinitol, quercitol in the cytosol. These solutes (compatible solutes) protect plants from stress effects. Synthetic myo-inositol was used in the investigation of drought stress tolerance in pepper plants. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), membrane damage, ascorbate peroxidase (AP), catalase (CAT), proline and calcium increased in plants under drought conditions. Water status, calcium level, glutathione reductase activities increased in myo-inositol treated Capsicum annuum L. (pepper) under drought stress. Exogenous myo-inositol significantly decreased H₂O₂, membrane damage and proline levels and AP (except for 5 µM) and CAT activity, compared with untreated plants. Myo-inositol can play a role as effective as proline in signal transduction and in regulating concentrations of reactive oxygen species within tolerable ranges and in maintaining cell turgor by binding water molecules. Myo-inositol may become a useful instrument to eliminate the negative effects of drought environments.     

Differences in physiological and biochemical characteristics in response to single and combined drought and salinity stresses between wheat genotypes differing in salt tolerance

The combined drought and salinity stresses pose a serious challenge for crop production, but the physiological mechanisms behind the stresses responses in wheat remains poorly understood. Greenhouse pot experiment was performed to study differences in genotype response to the single and combined (D + S) stresses of drought (4% soil moisture, D) and salinity (100 mM NaCl, S) using two wheat genotypes: Jimai22 (salt tolerant) and Yangmai20 (salt‐sensitive). Results showed that salinity, drought and/or D + S severely reduces plant growth, biomass and net photosynthetic rate, with a greater effect observed in Yangmai20 than Jimai22. A notable improvement in water use efficiency (WUE) by 239, 77 and 103% under drought, salinity and D + S, respectively, was observed in Jimai22. Moreover, Jimai22 recorded higher root K⁺ concentration in drought and salinity stressed condition and shoot K⁺ under salinity alone than that of Yangmai20. Jimai22 showed lower increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, but higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and guaicol peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), under single and combined stresses, and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) under single stress. Our results suggest that high tolerance of Jimai22 in both drought and D + S stresses is closely associated with larger root length, higher Fv/Fm and less MDA contents and improved capacity of SOD and POD. Moreover, under drought Jimai22 tolerance is firmly related to higher root K⁺ concentration level and low level of Na⁺, high‐net photosynthetic rate and WUE as well as increased CAT and APX activities to scavenge reactive oxygen species.     

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

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

Response of stem sap flow and leaf photosynthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamarix chinensis</Emphasis> to soil moisture in the Yellow River Delta,China

Soil moisture is the main limiting factor for vegetation growth at shell ridges in the Yellow River Delta of China. The objective of this study was to explore the soil moisture response of photosynthetic parameters and transpiration in Tamarix chinensis Lour., a dominant species of shell ridges. Leaf photosynthetic light-response parameters and sap flow were measured across a gradient of relative soil water content (RWC), from drought (23%) to waterlogging (92%) conditions. Leaf photosynthetic efficiency and stem sap flow of T. chinensis showed a clear threshold response to soil moisture changes. Leaf net photosynthetic rate, water-use efficiency (WUE), light-saturation point, apparent quantum yield, maximum net photosynthetic rate, and dark respiration rate peaked at moderately high RWC, decreasing towards high and low values of RWC. However, peak or bottom RWC values substantially differed for various parameters. Excessively high or low RWC caused a significant reduction in the leaf photosynthetic capacity and WUE, while the high photosynthetic capacity and high WUE was obtained at RWC of 73%. With increasing waterlogging or drought stress, T. chinensis delayed the starting time for stem sap flow in the early morning and ended sap flow activity earlier during the day time in order to shorten a daily transpiration period and reduce the daily water consumption. The leaf photosynthetic capacity and WUE of T. chinensis were higher under drought stress than under waterlogging stress. Nevertheless, drought stress caused a larger reduction of daily water consumption compared to waterlogging, which was consistent with a higher drought tolerance and a poor tolerance to waterlogging in this species. This species was characterized by the low photosynthetic capacity and low WUE in the range of RWC between 44 and 92%. The RWC of 49–63% was the appropriate range of soil moisture for plant growth and efficient physiological water use of T. chinensis seedlings.     

Photosynthetic response of four fern species from different habitats to drought stress: relationship between morpho-anatomical and physiological traits

Ferns flourish in many habitats, from epiphytic to terrestrial and from sunny to shady, and such varied conditions require contrasting photosynthetic strategies to cope with drought. Four species of temperate ferns from different habitats were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation in order to investigate their photosynthetic responses. Lepisorus thunbergianus (epiphytic) had low stomatal density and showed high water-use efficiency (WUE) retaining photosynthetic activity with low relative frond water content under drought stress, which suggested their high adaptation to drought. On the other hand, low WUE with low light-saturated photosynthetic rate in Adiantum pedatum (terrestrial, shady environment) was associated with much lower photosynthesis than in the other species under drought stress, suggesting lower adaptation to drought-prone habitats. Morphological stomatal traits such as stomatal density and photosynthetic response to drought in ferns involved species-specific adaptation to survive and grow in their natural habitats with different levels of drought.