Physiological and growth responses to water deficits in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and in one of its progenitors,Fragaria chiloensis

Cultivation of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) requires irrigation. Improving crop water use efficiency (WUE) is important for future production. Fragaria chiloensis, a progenitor of cultivated strawberry, grows in sandy soils, and may prove useful in breeding for improved WUE. Little, however, is known about variation in drought tolerance within this species. This research explores drought tolerance in a range of F. chiloensis and F. × ananassa genotypes. Four cultivars of F. × ananassa and four accessions of F. chiloensis were compared when well watered, and when subjected to a water deficit (65% of evapotranspiration). New leaf production, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rate were significantly reduced under water deficit, and also significantly differed between genotypes. A significant interaction of genotype and irrigation was found for transpiration rate, leaf area and dry mass, production of runners, predawn water potential, a measure of transpiration efficiency (shoot biomass produced per litre water transpired), and carbon isotope composition, indicating that some genotypes were more severely affected by water deficit than others. The South American F. chiloensis accession ‘Manzanar Alto’ had a similar rate of transpiration to the commercial cultivars, but the remaining (North American) F. chiloensis accessions used far less water than the F. × ananassa. Well-watered F. chiloensis plants used less water than water-limited plants of the F. × ananassa cultivar ‘Florence’. Transpiration efficiency of the F. chiloensis accession ‘BSP14’ was improved by water deficit: this was the only genotype not to show a reduction in leaf area and dry mass under water deficit. Greater drought resistance in three F. chiloensis accessions compared to F. × ananassa results from a conservative vegetative growth strategy, reducing loss of water.     

Changes in lipid composition, water relations and gas exchange in leaves of two young ‘Chemlali’ and ‘Chetoui’ olive trees in response to water stress

The comparative responses of two young olive trees (Olea europaea L. ‘Chemlali’ and ‘Chetoui’) to drought stress were investigated during 1 month. Three-month-old own-rooted plants were subjected to two irrigation treatments: WW (well watered plants that were irrigated with fresh water to maintain a soil water content close to field capacity), and WS (water stressed plants by withholding water). Leaf water potential, gas exchange and leaf lipid composition were studied. ‘Chemlali’ was able to maintain higher leaf CO₂ assimilation rate and leaf stomatal conductance throughout the drought cycle compared to ‘Chetoui’. Water stress induced a larger decrease in the total lipid content in ‘Chetoui’ than in ‘Chemlali’. Interestingly, the constitution of different lipid classes was highly altered in ‘Chetoui’. Lipid changes in Chemlali, a drought tolerant cultivar, revealed more stability of its cellular membranes to drought stress as compared to the drought susceptible olive cultivar, Chétoui. Furthermore, in comparison to the controls, drought stressed plants showed an increase in the degree of unsaturation of leaf lipids in the two olive cultivars. Moreover, the results observed in Chemlali showed that besides changes in lipids composition this cultivar may have an efficient defence strategy which can be related on antioxidative production against oxidative stress.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alter Fractal Dimension Characteristics of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Seedlings Through Regulating Plant Growth,Leaf Water Status,Photosynthesis, and Nutrient Concentration Under Drought Stress

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus intraradices, on plant growth, leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, nutrient concentration, and fractal dimension (FD) characteristics of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seedlings was studied in pot culture under well-watered, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress treatments. Mycorrhizal seedlings had higher dry biomass, leaf relative water content (RWC), and water use efficiency (WUE) compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Under all treatments, AMF colonization notably enhanced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, but decreased intercellular CO₂ concentration. Leaf chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll concentrations were higher in AM seedlings than those in non-AM seedlings although there was no significant difference between AMF species. AMF colonization improved leaf C, N, and P concentrations, but decreased C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Mycorrhizal seedlings had a larger FD value than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The FD value was positively and significantly correlated to the plant growth parameters, photosynthesis, RWC, WUE, and nutrient concentration but negatively correlated to leaf/stem ratio, C:N and C:P ratios, and intercellular CO₂ concentration. We conclude that AMF lead to an improvement of growth performance of black locust seedlings under all growth conditions, including drought stress via improving leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. Moreover, FD technology proved to be a powerful non-destructive method to characterize the effect of AMF on the physiology of host plants during 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.     

速生树种尾巨桉和竹柳幼苗耗水特性和水分利用效率

速生树种尾巨桉和竹柳因其水分消耗和利用问题引起了一些争议,因而受到了广泛的关注,由于尚缺乏科学的观测数据,而其中许多指责或支持也尚无定论,因此必须深入研究此2种树种耗水性能和水分利用效率,以期科学评价其水分消耗和利用性能。采用盆栽苗木称重法和Li-6400光合系统测定方法分别测定尾巨桉(Eucalyptus urophylla×Eucalyptus grandis)和竹柳(Salix sp.)苗木在不同土壤水分条件下耗水量、耗水速率和苗木不同生长期叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE),研究表明:(1)正常水分条件下,尾巨桉和竹柳日总耗水量和最大耗水速率分别为(182.05±12.74)g/d、(100.48±10.95)g/d和(66.31±9.91)g·m-2·h-1、(89.50±13.54)g·m-2·h-1,土壤水分条件下降时,2种苗木耗水量和耗水速率均呈显著下降趋势,严重干旱胁迫时尾巨桉降幅更大。(2)正常水分条件和轻度水分胁迫下2种苗木耗水速率日变化趋势均为明显"单峰"曲线,且峰值均出现在12:00—14:00,中度干旱胁迫时则其变化趋势呈"双峰"曲线,峰值分别在10:00—12:00和14:00—16:00出现,严重干旱胁迫时日变化规律不明显。(3)正常水分条件和轻度水分胁迫下2种苗木耗水速率与环境温度显著正相关,与相对湿度显著负相关,随着干旱胁迫的发展,环境因子对耗水速率的影响有所减弱。(4)叶片水平来看,与尾巨桉相比,竹柳具有高光合、低蒸腾、高水分利用效率的特点,2种苗木由生长初期进入生长旺期时,净光合速率和蒸腾速率均发生相同幅度增加,而水分利用效率基本保持不变。(5)从单株耗水量和耗水速率以及叶片水分利用效率综合来看,竹柳属节水性能较好速生树种,而尾巨桉虽然存在叶片水平高蒸腾和低水分利用效率的情况,但从单株苗木水平上来讲,其耗水速率甚至低于竹柳,特别在土壤水分严重亏缺情况下其白天平均耗水速率仅为(4.02±0.60)g·m-2·h-1,也表现出了一定的抗旱节水能力。     

Different combinations of morpho‐physiological traits are responsible for tolerance to drought in wild tomatoes Solanum chilense and Solanum peruvianum

Herbaceous species can modify leaf structure during the growing season in response to drought stress and water loss. Evolution can select combinations of traits in plants for efficient water use in restricted environments. We investigated plant traits that mediate adaptation and acclimation to water stress in two herbaceous drought‐tolerant species. Anatomical, morphological and physiological traits related to stems and leaves were examined under optimal watering (OW) and a long period of restricted watering (RW) in 11 accessions from three Solanaceae species (Solanum chilense, S. peruvianum and S. lycopersicum). The relationships between these traits were tested using linear regression and PCA. There were significant differences in anatomical traits between the species under both OW and RW, where leaf area correlated with stem diameter. Proline and total carbohydrates accumulated highly in S. chilense and S. peruvianum, respectively, and these osmolytes were strongly correlated with increased osmotic potential. Stomatal density varied between species but not between acclimation treatments, while stomatal rate was significantly higher in wild tomatoes. There was a strong positive relationship between stem growth rate and a group of traits together expressed as total stomatal number. Total stomata is described by integration of leaf area, stomatal density, height and internode length. It is proposed that constitutive adaptations and modifications through acclimation that mediate RW play an important role in tolerance to drought stress in herbaceous plants. The capacity for growth under drought stress was not associated with any single combination of traits in wild tomatoes, since the two species differed in relative levels of expression of various phenotypic traits.     

Thermal imaging and carbon isotope composition indicate variation amongst strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars in stomatal conductance and water use efficiency

Cultivars with low stomatal conductance (g_s) may show high water use efficiency (WUE) under drought conditions, but under optimal conditions low g_s may result in low vigour. A combination of thermal imaging and carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) analysis offers potential for screening simultaneously for both high g_s and high WUE. Ten cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were grown in well watered or water limited conditions. Thermal images were taken of the plants, with various approaches to determine the optimal protocol for detecting variation in g_s, including use of reference leaves, grids to maintain leaves horizontal, and collection of meteorological data in synchrony with thermal images. δ¹³C of leaves, fruit, and crowns was determined. An index of g_s derived from the temperature of horizontal leaves and the temperature of wet and dry references showed significant differences between cultivars and between well watered and water limited plants, as did g_s estimated from leaf temperature, the temperature of a dry reference, and humidity. Thermal imaging indicated low g_s in ‘Elsanta’ and ‘Totem’ and relatively high g_s in well watered ‘Elvira’, ‘Florence’ and ‘Cambridge Favourite’. δ¹³C of all plant material was higher in water limited than well watered plants and showed significant differences between cultivars. In one experiment leaf δ¹³C indicated lowest WUE in ‘Elvira’ and highest WUE in ‘Totem’. δ¹³C was inversely correlated with an index of g_s derived from thermal imaging. Although the results indicate substantial variation in g_s and WUE between cultivars, generally all cultivars responded to water deficit by lowering g_s and hence increasing WUE.     

Osmotic stress affects physiological responses and growth characteristics of three pistachio cultivars

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) has a high tolerance to drought and soil salinity. Although adult pistachio trees are well known to be drought tolerant, the studies on physiological adaptation of pistachio cultivars to drought are limited. Therefore, three pistachio cultivars, i.e., Akbari, Kaleghochi, and Ohadi were subjected to three osmotic drought stress treatments: control (?0.1 MPa), moderate (?0.75 MPa) and severe drought (?1.5 MPa) stress using PEG 6000 for a 14-day period. All drought stress treatments decreased net photosynthesis (P _n), stomatal conductance (g _s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i), and transpiration rate (E), but Ohadi maintained better its photosynthetic capacity compared to Akbari and Kaleghochi. Maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F _v /F _m), effective PSII quantum yield (ΦPSII) and photochemical quenching (qP) were also reduced. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicated that Akbari was more susceptible to the applied drought stress. Drought stress levels decreased chlorophyll pigments, fresh weight, stem elongation, leaf nitrogen content (N), leaf water potential and increased water use efficiency (WUE). Proline increased strongly under drought stress for Akbari. After 2 weeks of stress a recovery of 2 weeks was applied. This period was insufficient to fully restore the negative effects of the applied stress on the studied cultivars. Based on the reduction of photosynthesis and the increase of the proline content Akbari seems more sensitive to the applied drought stress.     

干旱胁迫对高山柳和沙棘幼苗光合生理特征的影响

为了解干旱河谷-山地森林交错带植物光合生理特征对干旱胁迫的响应。以交错带两种典型植物高山柳(Salix paraqplesia)和沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)为研究对象,研究其在不同程度的干旱胁迫条件下植株气体交换参数的日变化特征。干旱胁迫显著降低了两种植物叶片数、叶面积、叶片生物量、比叶面积、色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和气孔限制值(Ls)等与光合生理过程密切相关的叶片指标,但增大了胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)和内禀水分利用效率(WUEi)。植物叶片的气体交换参数(如:Pn和gs)日变化并未完全随着光合有效辐射的增强和温度的升高而增加,全天以11:00最大,"午休"现象明显。相对而言,沙棘在干旱胁迫条件下表现出相对较高的叶面积、Pn、gs和WUEi,具有相对更强的适应干旱环境的能力,而高山柳对干旱胁迫更为敏感。     

Measures of leaf-level water-use efficiency in drought stressed endophyte infected and non-infected tall fescue grasses

Neotyphodium coenophialum [Morgan-Jones and Gams], grows in the above-ground parts of tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.]. It is an asexual fungus that is transmitted through seed of its host plant. This grass/endophyte association is enhanced by the protection of the host from herbivory and improved drought stress. We investigated how a decline in leaf-level stomatal conductance impacts the instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE), in endophyte-infected (E+) versus non-infected (E?) Kentucky-31 tall fescue grasses grown in a controlled environmental chamber over a 10-week period. Grasses were cut at 6 weeks after germination and allowed to regrow under high and low soil moisture availability. One week after cutting, soil moisture was allowed to decline in the low water treatment for 2 weeks until severe stress was demonstrated through a decline in stomatal conductance to less than 100 mmol m^?2 s^?1. We found no differences in WUE between E+ and E? plants when water was not limiting while higher WUE was exhibited in E+ plants relative to E? plants under severe drought stress. The E? plants showed an 18-fold reduction in mean WUE and a 70-fold reduction in photosynthesis under drought stress, while there was no change in WUE and only a fourfold decline in photosynthesis between well-watered and drought stressed E+ plants at 21 days. While there were no differences in the rates of transpiration between E+ and E? plants under severe drought stress, differences in WUE can be attributed mainly to higher photosynthetic rates of E+ than E? plants. The difference in photosynthetic rates between E+ and E? plants under drought conditions could not be explained by differences in stomatal conductance and Rubisco (EC 4.1.1.39) activities.     

Gas exchange of root hemi-parasite Striga hermonthica and its host Sorghum bicolor under short-term soil water stress

The gas exchange of the upper fully expanded leaf of the root parasite Striga hermonthica and of its host Sorghum bicolor was measured under wet and dry conditions to identify the mechanisms of the devastating effects of the parasite on its hosts under drought. The short-term water stress severely reduced photosynthetic rate in infected sorghum, but less in S. hermonthica. Soil water stress did not affect leaf respiration rate in either S. hermonthica or infected sorghum. This suggests that under dry conditions both infected sorghum and S. hermonthica decreased autotrophic carbon gain. The transpiration rate of S. hermonthica, a major driving force for assimilate uptake from the host, was higher and less affected by water stress than that of infected sorghum. Stomatal density on the abaxial surfaces of the leaves was higher in S. hermonthica than in sorghum. Both S. hermonthica infection and water stress decreased stomatal conductance of the sorghum leaves. S. hermonthica, irrespective of soil water status, had greater stomatal aperture on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of its leaves than infected sorghum. These results indicate that the higher transpiration rate of S. hermonthica even under water stress, achieved through higher stomatal density on the abaxial surfaces of the leaves and greater stomatal aperture on both surfaces of the leaves, may induce the maintenance of water and solute transfers from the host to the parasite leading to severe damage to the host under drought.     

干旱胁迫对高山柳和沙棘幼苗光合生理特征的影响

为了解干旱河谷-山地森林交错带植物光合生理特征对干旱胁迫的响应。以交错带两种典型植物高山柳(Salix paraqplesia)和沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)为研究对象,研究其在不同程度的干旱胁迫条件下植株气体交换参数的日变化特征。干旱胁迫显著降低了两种植物叶片数、叶面积、叶片生物量、比叶面积、色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和气孔限制值(Ls)等与光合生理过程密切相关的叶片指标,但增大了胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)和内禀水分利用效率(WUEi)。植物叶片的气体交换参数(如:Pn和gs)日变化并未完全随着光合有效辐射的增强和温度的升高而增加,全天以11:00最大,"午休"现象明显。相对而言,沙棘在干旱胁迫条件下表现出相对较高的叶面积、Pn、gs和WUEi,具有相对更强的适应干旱环境的能力,而高山柳对干旱胁迫更为敏感。     

Differential stress responses to NaCl salt application in early- and late-maturing diploid potato (Solanum sp.) clones

Cultivated tetraploid potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are moderately salt sensitive but greater stress tolerance exists in diploid wild types. However, little work has been published on salt-tolerance in diploid potato. This study utilized sensitive and tolerant diploid potatoes as well as a commercially cultivated potato to investigate mechanisms of stress tolerance. Stem cuttings from salt-tolerant (T) and sensitive (S) clones of early-maturing (EM) and late-maturing (LM) diploid potato clones were stressed for 5 days at the tuber initiation stage with 150 mmol NaCl in a hydroponic sand culture under greenhouse conditions. The stress responses of the early- and late-maturing potato clones were distinctly different. Under stress, early-maturing clones accumulated Na⁺ in the leaf tissues while late-maturing clones generally excluded Na⁺ from the leaf tissues. Salt tolerant clones of both maturity types were able to tolerate high levels of Na⁺ in the leaf tissues. The lower leaves accumulated more Na⁺ than the upper leaves in both maturity types. The potassium to sodium ratio was significantly greater in the leaves of the late-maturing types, reflecting differences in Na⁺ accumulation rather than alterations in K⁺ levels. Proline levels increased upon salt exposure but were not clearly associated with salinity tolerance. Tolerance was manifested in maintenance of vegetative growth, tuber yield, and reduced leaf necrosis. These responses require efficient uptake of water and source–sink translocation. Maintenance of stomatal conductance under stress was not associated with these responses but tuber yield was related to lower-leaf osmotic potential (OP) in both early- and late-maturity types. Salt tolerant clones of both maturity types also had less negative tuber OP under salt stress than sensitive types. High yielding EMT and LMT clones either minimized tuber yield loss or even increased yield after exposure to salt stress. Mechanistic studies and screening experiments for salt tolerant clones should consider maturity type, leaf position and source–sink relationships enhancing tuber yield.     

辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)幼苗对土壤干旱的生理生态适应性研究

用盆栽方法人工模拟土壤干旱条件,研究辽东栎天然萌生幼苗对土壤干旱的生理生态反应。结果表明:随土壤含水量的减少,辽东栎幼苗的耗水量明显下降,耗水高峰期提前,在重度干旱下耗水峰形由单峰变为双峰。在干旱胁迫前期辽东栎叶水势变化较平缓,后期则急剧下降,尤其在严重干旱下,水势变化趋势呈"M"形,叶片含水量较稳定,对土壤水分含量变化不敏感。在中度干旱下辽东栎叶片的持水力有所增加。辽东栎属低蒸腾速率树种,平均仅为2.98μg cm^-2·s^-1。不同生长季节蒸腾速率日进程不同, 8月份的蒸腾速率日进程在适宜水分下是双峰曲线,在中度干旱下是单峰曲线,重度干旱下蒸腾速率一直维持在较低水平,呈波状起伏;9月份的蒸腾速率下降近50%,仍有明显的单峰(适宜水分下)和双峰(中度干旱下)。对蒸腾速率与环境因子的简单相关分析表明:在适宜水分和中度干旱下,光照强度对辽东栎幼苗蒸腾速率影响最大,在重度干旱下,大气温度对辽东栎的蒸腾速率影响较大。随土壤含水量减少,辽东栎幼苗的蒸腾速率在中度干旱时上升,重度干旱时急剧下降,光合速率、瞬时水分利用效率、羧化效率均下降;地上部生长受抑,根冠比加大, WUE₁下降,而WUE₂在中度干旱下升高,在重度干旱下下降。其幼苗不耐高温强光,高温强光对其光合和蒸腾有抑制作用,特别是在土壤严重干旱下表现更明显。     

Nitric oxide increases tolerance responses to moderate water deficit in leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata bean species

Drought stress is one of the most intensively studied and widespread constraints, and nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule involved in the mediation of abiotic stresses in plants. We demonstrated that a sprayed solution of NO from donor sodium nitroprusside increased drought stress tolerance responses in both sensitive (Phaseolus vulgaris) and tolerant (Vigna unguiculata) beans. In intact plants subjected to halting irrigation, NO increased the leaf relative water content and stomatal conductance in both species. After cutting leaf discs and washing them, NO induced increased electrolyte leakage, which was more evident in the tolerant species. These leaf discs were then subjected to different water deficits, simulating moderate and severe drought stress conditions through polyethylene glycol solutions. NO supplied at moderate drought stress revealed a reduced membrane injury index in sensitive species. In hydrated discs and at this level of water deficit, NO increased the electron transport rate in both species, and a reduction of these rates was observed at severe stress levels. Taken together, it can be shown that NO has an effective role in ameliorating drought stress effects, activating tolerance responses at moderate water deficit levels and in both bean species which present differential drought tolerance.     

Contrasting sensitivities of two dominant C4 grasses to heat waves and drought

Heat waves and droughts are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. However, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the independent and interactive effects of severe heat and water stress for most ecosystems. In a mesic tallgrass prairie ecosystem, we used a factorial experimental approach to assess ecophysiological and productivity responses of two dominant C₄ grasses, Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans, to a season-long drought and a mid-summer heat wave at four intensities. We hypothesized that drought would have greater impacts than heat waves, that combined effects would be greater than either factor alone, and that the dominant grasses would differ in their responses to heat and water heat stress. We detected significant reductions in photosynthesis, leaf water potential, and productivity with drought but few direct responses to the heat waves. Surprisingly, there was no additive effect of heat and water stress on any plant response. However, S. nutans was more sensitive than A. gerardii to drought. In this grassland, water stress will likely dominate photosynthetic and productivity responses caused by discrete drought and heat wave events, rather than direct or additive effects of heat stress, with differential sensitivity in these grasses altering future ecosystem structure and function.     

A Pressure-Volume Analysis of Solanum melongena Leaves

A pressure-volume analysis of aubergine (Solanum melongena)leaves following water stress was undertaken to determine apossible role of changes in cellular water relations in influencingstomatal conductance responses to water stress. A comparisonof two methods of rehydrating the leaves was also undertaken.It was shown that the rehydration of excised leaves did notreveal osmoregulation, whilst rehydration of intact plants didreveal osmoregulation following water stress. An increase inthe bulk volumetric elastic modulus and the bound water fractionalso occurred in response to water stress. These results arediscussed in relation to pressure-volume technique and stomatalconductance responses to drought. Key words: P-V analysis, water stress, Solanum melongena     

Overexpression of osmotin gene confers tolerance to salt and drought stresses in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abiotic stresses, especially salinity and drought, are major limiting factors for plant growth and crop productivity. In an attempt to develop salt and drought tolerant tomato, a DNA cassette containing tobacco osmotin gene driven by a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter was transferred to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Putative T0 transgenic plants were screened by PCR analysis. The selected transformants were evaluated for salt and drought stress tolerance by physiological analysis at T1 and T2 generations. Integration of the osmotin gene in transgenic T1 plants was verified by Southern blot hybridization. Transgenic expression of the osmotin gene was verified by RT-PCR and northern blotting in T1 plants. T1 progenies from both transformed and untransformed plants were tested for salt and drought tolerance by subjecting them to different levels of NaCl stress and by withholding water supply, respectively. Results from different physiological tests demonstrated enhanced tolerance to salt and drought stresses in transgenic plants harboring the osmotin gene as compared to the wild-type plants. The transgenic lines showed significantly higher relative water content, chlorophyll content, proline content, and leaf expansion than the wild-type plants under stress conditions. The present investigation clearly shows that overexpression of osmotin gene enhances salt and drought stress tolerance in transgenic tomato plants.     

Comparative ecophysiological responses to drought of two shrub and four tree species from karst habitats of southwestern China

Drought stress is one of the most important factors in limiting the survival and growth of plants in the harsh karst habitats of southwestern China, especially at the seedling establishment stage. The ecophysiological response to drought stress of native plants with different growth forms is useful for re-vegetation programs. Two shrub and four tree species were studied, including Pyracantha fortuneana (evergreen shrub), Rosa cymosa (deciduous shrub), Cinnamomum bodinieri (evergreen tree), and other three deciduous trees, Broussonetia papyrifera, Platycarya longipes, and Pteroceltis tatarinowii. The seedlings were randomly assigned to four drought treatments, i.e., well-watered, mild drought stress, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress. Leaf water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth of the seedlings were investigated. Under severe drought stress, the two shrubs with low leaf area ratio (LAR) maintained higher water status, higher photosynthetic capacity, and larger percent biomass increase than the most of the trees. The two shrubs also had lower specific leaf area, greater intrinsic water use efficiency, and thermal dissipation than the trees. This suggested that the two shrubs had high tolerance to severe drought and were suitable for re-vegetation in harsh habitats. The evergreen C. bodinieri exhibited higher leaf mass ratio (LMR) and LAR than the deciduous species under mild and moderate stress. However, the low maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F _v/F _m) and net assimilation rate, and the sharp decreases of water potential, LMR, LAR, and biomass under severe stress indicated C. bodinieri’s weak tolerance to severe drought. In response to drought stress, the three deciduous trees revealed sharp reductions of biomass due to the large drought-induced decreases of gas exchange, LAR, and LMR. Under drought conditions, the deciduous trees minimized water loss by stomatal closure and by reducing transpiration leaf area and light harvesting through shedding leaves. This suggested that the three deciduous trees were more sensitive to water availability than the shrubs and used avoidance strategies against drought stress. However, the better growth performance of the deciduous trees than that of the shrubs under favorable conditions suggested that deciduous trees could be suitable for habitats with mild and temporary drought stress.