芦苇克隆整合对石油污染湿地土壤微生物群落结构和生物量的影响

克隆植物形体相连的无性个体(分株)之间可以进行水分、养分和光合产物的传递和共享,并且这种克隆整合可以显著提高分株对环境胁迫的耐受能力,从而可能进一步影响分株周围的土壤微生物群落结构和生物量。尽管国内外已经开展了大量有关克隆整合对分株耐受胁迫能力影响的研究,但克隆整合对土壤微生物群落结构和生物量影响的研究却十分缺乏。以黄河三角洲芦苇(Phragmites australis)湿地生态系统为研究对象,将直径60 cm的圆形样方进行三个水平的石油添加处理(不添加石油或每年添加5 mm或10 mm厚的石油),同时通过切断或不切断样方内外芦苇根状茎的连接来控制克隆整合的有无。实验连续开展了两年(2014—2015年),每年8月份在样方内进行土壤样品取样,在实验室内采用磷酸脂肪酸(PLFA)法测定土壤微生物总量及主要微生物类群含量,并测定土壤微生物生物量碳和氮含量。取样时间显著影响土壤微生物PLFA总量、微生物碳和氮含量,这3个变量在2015年均显著高于2014年。石油添加在2015年显著增加了土壤微生物PLFA总量,但在2014年却无显著效应;同时,石油添加在2014年降低了土壤微生物碳和氮含量,而在2015年却增加了其含量。然而,无论在2014年还是2015年,芦苇的克隆整合对土壤微生物PLFA含量、微生物碳和氮含量均没有显著影响。土壤微生物PLFA总量与土壤微生物碳和氮含量呈正相关关系。这些结果表明,石油污染可以显著影响湿地土壤微生物动态,但克隆整合却无显著效应。     

固氮树种对桉树人工林土壤团聚体酶活性及其化学计量比的影响

土壤酶活性及其化学计量比是反映土壤养分有效性和微生物生长代谢养分需求的重要指标,但固氮树种对桉树人工林土壤团聚体酶活性及其化学计量特征的影响尚不明确。为探究桉树人工林土壤团聚体酶活性及其化学计量比对引入固氮树种的响应及其主要影响因子,该文通过选择11年生巨尾桉纯林（PP）和巨尾桉/降香黄檀（固氮树种）(MP)混交林作为研究对象,采集0～10 cm的原状土样,采用改良干筛法将土壤分成>2 mm、1～2 mm、0.25～1 mm和<0.25 mm 4个径级,测定各径级土壤团聚体的理化性质和与土壤碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）循环相关的水解酶活性[β-葡萄糖苷酶（BG）、N-乙酰-葡萄糖苷酶（NAG）、亮氨酸氨基肽酶（LAP）、酸性磷酸酶（ACP）]。结果表明：（1）PP和MP土壤团聚体均以>2 mm为主,其含量高于其他粒径团聚体。与PP相比,MP中各粒径土壤团聚体的有机碳（SOC）、总氮（TN）、硝态氮（NO₃^--N）、有效磷（AP）、pH、BG、NAG和ACP均显著提高（P<0.05）,但LAP活性的变化不显著。（2）pH...     

落地原油对芦苇温地生态工程净化系统影响

以芦苇湿地为介质净化石油开采过程中落于地面的原油,研究了中试条件下芦苇湿地的净化效果及落地原油对土壤和芦苇介质的影响。结果表明：芦苇湿地对不同施入剂量的落地原油都有较好的净化率,在试验运行期内,芦苇湿地对矿物油的净化率高达88％－96％。落地原油对土壤的污染基本局限于表层,对深层土壤的污染趋势并不明显,一般40－60cm土层的矿物油含量已接近或低于对照区表层土的背景值;落地原油对芦苇生长指标的影响表现出两面性,一方面抑制芦苇的叶龄指数和株高生长量,另一方面又能刺激芦苇的长粗、增加芦苇的生物量;落地原油对纤维素、木质素、戊糖、纤维素宽及纤维素长宽比等芦苇品质指标的影响很小,一些指标甚至优于对照区。     

落地原油对芦苇湿地生态工程净化系统影响

以芦苇湿地为介质净化石油开采过程中落于地面的原油 ,研究了中试条件下芦苇湿地的净化效果及落地原油对土壤和芦苇介质的影响。结果表明 :芦苇湿地对不同施入剂量的落地原油都有较好的净化率 ,在试验运行期内 ,芦苇湿地对矿物油的净化率高达 88%～ 96 %。落地原油对土壤的污染基本局限于表层 ,对深层土壤的污染趋势并不明显 ,一般 4 0～6 0 cm土层的矿物油含量已接近或低于对照区表层土的背景值 ;落地原油对芦苇生长指标的影响表现出两面性 ,一方面抑制芦苇的叶龄指数和株高生长量 ,另一方面又能刺激芦苇的长粗、增加芦苇的生物量 ;落地原油对纤维素、木质素、戊糖、纤维素宽及纤维素长宽比等芦苇品质指标的影响很小 ,一些指标甚至优于对照区。     

克隆整合对异质性光照环境下紫竹根际土壤氮素有效性的影响

以根状茎克隆植物紫竹为对象,研究克隆整合对遭受异质性光照胁迫分株根际土壤有机碳(SOC)、总氮(TN)、溶解性有机碳(DOC)、溶解性有机氮(DON)、氨氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)以及微生物群落组成的影响。所取紫竹克隆片段由一个母本分株和一个子代分株组成,母本分株置于全光照下,而子代分株置于80%遮阴环境中,同时母本分株与子代分株间的根茎保持连接或割断处理。结果表明:与切断处理相比,紫竹遮荫子代分株根际土壤的SOC、TN、DOC、NH_4~+-N在保持根状茎连接时显著更高,这表明异质性光照环境下克隆整合可能改善紫竹连接遮荫子代分株根际土壤的氮素有效性。克隆整合提高了连接遮阴状态下紫竹子代分株根际土壤中的放线菌、真菌和革阴细菌的PLFAs浓度。通过对遮阴子代分株根际土壤微生物群落PLFAs主成分分析得出克隆整合导致遮阴子代分株根际土壤微生物群落结构发生显著变化。该研究结果暗示了紫竹可能通过克隆整合作用降低土壤中某些对氮利用有效性影响较低的细菌数量,而增加对土壤氮利用起重要作用的放线菌和真菌的数量,进而改善紫竹对土壤中氮利用的有效性,这有利于增强克隆植物对时空异质性生境的适应能力。     

闽江河口湿地植物与土壤灰分及其影响因子分析

以闽江河口鳝鱼滩湿地生长的芦苇(Phragmitesaustralis)和互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)为研究对象,并对相应的36个土壤剖面进行取样分析,揭示它们的(厂火)分含量分布特征,并对其影响因子进行分析。研究结果表明:闽江河口鳝鱼滩湿地芦苇和互花米草各个器官(厂火)分含量的差异性明显,芦苇各部位(厂火)分含量的平均值大于互花米草;芦苇和互花米草湿地土壤(厂火)分含量的垂直分布较为类似,芦苇湿地土壤(厂火)分合量略高于互花米草湿地土壤(厂火)分含量,但两种植物土壤(厂火)分含量的差异并不显著;芦苇和互花米草湿地土壤(厂火)分含量与土壤有机碳有极其显著的负相关关系,与土壤含水量的相关性也较明显;从单一的植物类型来看,互花米草湿地土壤(厂火)分含量与容重、碳含量、含水量和盐度呈显著的相关关系,芦苇湿地土壤(厂火)分含量与土壤pH值有明显的正相关关系。     

喀斯特峰丛洼地原生林土壤团聚体有机碳的剖面分布

以喀斯特峰丛洼地的伊桐、侧柏和菜豆树3个原生林植物群落为对象,分析了土壤团聚体的组成、有机碳及其剖面分布.结果表明:3个植物群落的土壤分布均以＞2 mm大粒径团聚体为主,约占土壤团聚体总量的76％.土壤总有机碳含量介于12.73 ～ 68.66 g·kg-1之间,群落类型显著影响土壤有机碳含量及其分布.＜1 mm小粒径团聚体中的有机碳含量比＞2 mm团聚体稍高,但大部分土壤有机碳储存在大粒径团聚体中,＞2 mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率约70％.2 ～5和5～8 mm团聚体含量与土壤有机碳含量呈显著正相关.提高土壤中2～8 mm团聚体的含量能有效增强喀斯特地区土壤固碳能力.伊桐群落2～8 mm土壤团聚体的含量及其全土有机碳含量分别达46％和37.62 g· kg-1,伊桐更适合作为喀斯特地区生态恢复树种.     

放牧对短花针茅荒漠草原土壤团聚体组成及稳定性的影响

放牧作为草地的主要利用方式,对草地生态系统的结构和功能具有显著影响。目前长期放牧对草地土壤团聚体组成及其稳定性的影响还知之甚少。本研究依托2004年建立的内蒙古短花针茅荒漠草原长期放牧试验平台,设置围封禁牧(对照)、轻度、中度和重度放牧强度,研究不同放牧强度下土壤团聚体组成和稳定性的变化,并结合相关土壤理化指标探究影响土壤团聚体稳定性的主要因素。结果表明: 放牧显著改变了不同粒径土壤团聚体的组成。与对照相比,大团聚体(0.25～2 mm)含量在轻度放牧下保持不变,而在中度和重度放牧下显著下降;重度放牧显著降低了小团聚体(0.053～0.25 mm)含量,而中度和重度放牧显著增加了微团聚体(<0.053 mm)含量。土壤团聚体稳定性在轻度放牧下维持较高水平,但在中度和重度放牧下显著降低。土壤团聚体稳定性与大团聚体含量呈显著正相关,与微团聚体含量呈显著负相关。土壤pH值、容重、有机碳及其他理化性质共同作用于土壤团聚体组成进而对其稳定性产生影响。综上,对于荒漠草原而言,适度放牧可以维持较高的土壤团聚体稳定性。     

耕作方式对潮土土壤团聚体微生物群落结构的影响

为探究不同耕作方式对潮土土壤团聚体微生物群落结构和多样性的影响,采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)法测定了土壤团聚体中微生物群落。试验设置4个耕作处理,分别为旋耕+秸秆还田(RT)、深耕+秸秆还田(DP)、深松+秸秆还田(SS)和免耕+秸秆还田(NT)。结果表明:与RT相比,DP处理显著提高了原状土壤和>5 mm粒级土壤团聚体中真菌PLFAs量和真菌/细菌,为真菌的繁殖提供了有利条件,有助于土壤有机质的贮存,提高了土壤生态系统的缓冲能力;提高了5～2 mm粒级土壤团聚体中细菌PLFAs量,降低了土壤革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌,改善了土壤营养状况;提高了<0.25 mm粒级土壤团聚体中微生物丰富度指数。总的来说,深耕+秸秆还田(DP)对土壤团聚体细菌和真菌生物量有一定的提高作用,并且在一定程度上改善了土壤团聚体微生物群落结构,有利于增加土壤固碳能力和保持土壤微生物多样性。冗余分析结果表明,土壤团聚体总PLFAs量、细菌、革兰氏阴性菌和放线菌PLFAs量与土壤有机碳相关性较强,革兰氏阳性菌PLFAs量与总氮相关性较强。各处理较大粒级土壤团聚体微生物群落主要受碳氮比、含水量、pH值和团聚体质量分数的影响,较小粒级土壤团聚体微生物群落则主要受土壤有机碳和总氮的影响。     

林龄对刺槐人工林土壤团聚体、有机碳和细菌群落的影响

探究刺槐人工林土壤团聚体、有机碳及细菌群落的变化特征,可为提升土壤质量与功能提供理论依据。以黄土高原沟壑区不同林龄刺槐人工林(8年生、18年生和30年生)和刚撂荒的农耕地(CK)为研究对象,利用最适湿度筛分法获得不同粒径团聚体,测定其有机碳含量和细菌群落结构特征。结果表明:(1)各林龄土壤团聚体均以>0.25 mm粒径为主,含量为92.74%-95.78%。土壤团聚体稳定性随着林龄的增加显著提高,以30年生林地最高,团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)分别较CK显著增加48.19%和91.38%(P<0.05)。(2)各林龄均以<0.25 mm粒径有机碳含量最高。土壤有机碳含量和>2 mm粒径团聚体有机碳含量均随着林龄的增长而显著增加。(3)团聚体细菌群落主要由变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)组成。随着林龄的增加,各粒径团聚体中放线菌门相对丰度先降低后增加,18年生林地最低。酸杆菌门变化趋势与放线菌门相反。变形菌门无明显变化。土壤有机碳、pH、全氮和全磷是影响团聚体细菌群落的主要因素。(4)>2 mm和2-0.25 mm粒径团聚体中,己科河菌门(Rokubacteria)对团聚体稳定性影响最大,既对团聚体稳定性产生直接正效应,又通过增加有机碳的含量间接提高团聚体稳定性。在<0.25 mm粒径团聚体中,有机碳含量对其稳定性的影响最大,有机碳含量越高,团聚体稳定性越强。综上,营造刺槐人工林有利于提高土壤团聚体稳定性,促进土壤有机碳的积累,可作为该区域生态恢复的有效措施。在生长发育过程中,人工林可通过改变土壤团聚体细菌群落和有机碳含量从而影响团聚体的稳定性。     

Clonal integration facilitates spread of Paspalum paspaloides from terrestrial to cadmium‐contaminated aquatic habitats

• Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous environmental pollutant with high toxicity to plants, which has been detected in many wetlands. Clonal integration (resource translocation) between connected ramets of clonal plants can increase their tolerance to stress. We hypothesised that clonal integration facilitates spread of amphibious clonal plants from terrestrial to Cd‐contaminated aquatic habitats.
• The spread of an amphibious grass Paspalum paspaloides was simulated by growing basal older ramets in uncontaminated soil connected (allowing integration) or not connected (preventing integration) to apical younger ramets of the same fragments in Cd‐contaminated water.
• Cd contamination of apical ramets of P. paspaloides markedly decreased growth and photosynthetic capacity of the apical ramets without connection to the basal ramets, but did not decrease these properties with connection. Cd contamination did not affect growth of the basal ramets without connection to the apical ramets, but Cd contamination of 4 and 12 mg·l^?1 significantly increased growth with connection. Consequently, clonal integration increased growth of the apical ramets, basal ramets and whole clones when the apical ramets were grown in Cd‐contaminated water of 4 and 12 mg·l^?1. Cd was detected in the basal ramets with connection to the apical ramets, suggesting Cd could be translocated due to clonal integration. Clonal integration, most likely through translocation of photosynthates, can support P. paspaloides to spread from terrestrial to Cd‐contaminated aquatic habitats.
• Amphibious clonal plants with a high ability for clonal integration are particularly useful for re‐vegetation of degraded aquatic habitats caused by Cd contamination.

     

Clonal integration ameliorates the carbon accumulation capacity of a stoloniferous herb,Glechoma longituba,growing in heterogenous light conditions by facilitating nitrogen assimilation in the rhizosphere

Background and Aims Enhanced availability of photosynthates increases nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification in the rhizosphere via rhizodeposition from plant roots. Under heterogeneous light conditions, photosynthates supplied by exposed ramets may promote N assimilation in the rhizosphere of shaded, connected ramets. This study was conducted to test this hypothesis.Methods Clonal fragments of the stoloniferous herb Glechoma longituba with two successive ramets were selected. Mother ramets were subjected to full sunlight and offspring ramets were subjected to 80 % shading, and the stolon between the two successive ramets was either severed or left intact. Measurements were taken of photosynthetic and growth parameters. The turnover of available soil N was determined together with the compostion of the rhizosphere microbial community.Key Results The microbial community composition in the rhizosphere of shaded offspring ramets was significantly altered by clonal integration. Positive effects of clonal integration were observed on NAGase activity, net soil N mineralization rate and net soil N nitrification rate. Increased leaf N and chlorophyll content as well as leaf N allocation to the photosynthetic machinery improved the photosynthetic capability of shaded offspring ramets when the stolon was left intact. Clonal integration improved the growth performance of shaded, connected offspring ramets and whole clonal fragments without any cost to the exposed mother ramets.Conclusions Considerable differences in microbial community composition caused by clonal integration may facilitate N assimilation in the rhizosphere of shaded offspring ramets. Increased N content in the photosynthetic machinery may allow pre-acclimation to high light conditions for shaded offspring ramets, thus promoting opportunistic light capture. In accordance with the theory of the division of labour, it is suggested that clonal integration may ameliorate the carbon assimilation capacity of clonal plants, thus improving their fitness in temporally and spatially heterogeneous habitats.     

Trade-offs among growth, clonal, and sexual reproduction in an invasive plant Spartina alterniflora responding to inundation and clonal integration

The purpose of this article was to study the trade-offs among vegetative growth, clonal, and sexual reproduction in an aquatic invasive weed Spartina alterniflora that experienced different inundation depths and clonal integration. Here, the rhizome connections between mother and daughter ramets were either severed or left intact. Subsequently, these clones were flooded with water levels of 0, 9, and 18 cm above the soil surface. Severing rhizomes decreased growth and clonal reproduction of daughter ramets, and increased those of mother ramets grown in shallow and deep water. The daughter ramets disconnected from mother ramets did not flower, while sexual reproduction of mother ramets was not affected by severing. Clonal integration only benefited the total rhizome length, rhizome biomass, and number of rhizomes of the whole clones in non-inundation conditions. Furthermore, growth and clonal reproduction of mother, daughter ramets, and the whole clone decreased with inundation depth, whereas sexual reproduction of mother ramets and the whole clones increased. We concluded that the trade-offs among growth, clonal, and sexual reproduction of S. alterniflora would be affected by inundation depth, but not by clonal integration.     

光合产物传输方向对蓉城竹根际微生物过程的影响

分株间光合产物的整合作用对克隆植物适应生存环境具有重要作用, 但有关光合产物传输方向对克隆植物根际土壤微生物过程的影响尚不清楚。该研究以根状茎克隆植物蓉城竹(Phyllostachys bissetii)为研究对象, 通过剪除分株地上部分控制光合产物传输方向(顶向传输和基向传输), 研究光合产物传输方向对蓉城竹分株根际土壤微生物过程的影响, 其中顶向传输组是将远端分株地上部分剪除(保留地面以上20 cm), 近端分株自然生长; 基向传输组则是将近端分株地上部分剪除(保留地面以上20 cm), 远端分株自然生长。两组实验中保持根状茎连接或切断处理。测定了地上部分被剪除分株根际土壤中碳和氮有效性、微生物生物量参数以及氮转化相关土壤胞外酶活性等指标。结果表明: 光合产物顶向传输中, 根状茎保持连接的远端分株根际土壤总有机碳(TOC)、溶解性有机碳(DOC)、溶解性有机氮(DON)、铵态氮(NH₄ ⁺-N)、硝态氮(NO₃ ^--N)含量显著高于切断的远端分株, N-乙酰基-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAGase)、多酚氧化酶(POXase)和脲酶(Urease)活性显著升高, 光合产物的顶向传输对远端分株根际碳、氮有效性和根际微生物过程产生了显著性影响; 光合产物的基向传输中, 根状茎保持连接的近端分株根际与切断分株相比具有更高的微生物生物量氮(MBN)含量、Urease、POXase活性, 较低的NAGase活性和NH₄ ⁺-N、NO₃ ^--N含量, 但碳的有效性无显著性差异。蓉城竹分株间光合产物的非对称性传输对根际微生物过程的影响可能是对动物取食或人为砍伐等干扰的有益权衡, 这有助于理解克隆植物对生存环境的种群适应机制。     

Effects of transportation direction of photosynthate on soil microbial processes in the rhizosphere of Phyllostachys bissetii

分株间光合产物的整合作用对克隆植物适应生存环境具有重要作用, 但有关光合产物传输方向对克隆植物根际土壤微生物过程的影响尚不清楚。该研究以根状茎克隆植物蓉城竹(Phyllostachys bissetii)为研究对象, 通过剪除分株地上部分控制光合产物传输方向(顶向传输和基向传输), 研究光合产物传输方向对蓉城竹分株根际土壤微生物过程的影响, 其中顶向传输组是将远端分株地上部分剪除(保留地面以上20 cm), 近端分株自然生长; 基向传输组则是将近端分株地上部分剪除(保留地面以上20 cm), 远端分株自然生长。两组实验中保持根状茎连接或切断处理。测定了地上部分被剪除分株根际土壤中碳和氮有效性、微生物生物量参数以及氮转化相关土壤胞外酶活性等指标。结果表明: 光合产物顶向传输中, 根状茎保持连接的远端分株根际土壤总有机碳(TOC)、溶解性有机碳(DOC)、溶解性有机氮(DON)、铵态氮(NH₄ ⁺-N)、硝态氮(NO₃ ^--N)含量显著高于切断的远端分株, N-乙酰基-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAGase)、多酚氧化酶(POXase)和脲酶(Urease)活性显著升高, 光合产物的顶向传输对远端分株根际碳、氮有效性和根际微生物过程产生了显著性影响; 光合产物的基向传输中, 根状茎保持连接的近端分株根际与切断分株相比具有更高的微生物生物量氮(MBN)含量、Urease、POXase活性, 较低的NAGase活性和NH₄ ⁺-N、NO₃ ^--N含量, 但碳的有效性无显著性差异。蓉城竹分株间光合产物的非对称性传输对根际微生物过程的影响可能是对动物取食或人为砍伐等干扰的有益权衡, 这有助于理解克隆植物对生存环境的种群适应机制。     

Clonal integration facilitates the proliferation of smooth brome clones invading northern fescue prairies

Predicting exotic invaders and reducing their impacts on the biodiversity and function of native ecosystems require understanding of the mechanisms that facilitate their success during key stages of invasion. We determined whether clonal growth, characteristic of the majority of successful invaders of natural areas, facilitates the proliferation of Bromus inermis (smooth brome), an exotic grass invading prairie ecosystems across the Great Plains. By manipulating the below-ground connections of proliferating rhizomes as well as the levels of soil nitrogen along the margins of clones invading northern fescue prairies in Manitoba, Canada, we hypothesized that physiological integration would most benefit ramets invading low resource environments. Severing clonal connections reduced the mass of smooth brome shoots invading native prairies and was exacerbated by the immobilization of soil nutrients with glucose. Clonal connections were equally important in the maintenance of smooth brome density and the horizontal proliferation of ramets. Our results demonstrate the role of physiological integration in the proliferation of a clonal exotic invader and may help explain the success of clonal invaders in other regions. Although integration among invading ramets suggests several possibilities for successful management, future research must continue to elucidate differences in the invasiveness of native versus exotic species as well as the persistence of clonal connections among exotic invaders.     

Effects of resource heterogeneity on nitrogen translocation within clonal fragments of Sasa palmata: an isotopic (15N) assessment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Clonal fragments of the rhizomatous dwarf bamboo Sasa palmata, which widely predominates in temperate regions of Japan, were grown under heterogeneous resource conditions such as gap understories or nutrient-patchy grassland. Clonal fragments develop multiple ramets with long rhizomes and appear to be physiologically integrated by the translocation of assimilates. The glasshouse experiment reported here was designed to clarify the mechanisms of physiological integration of nitrogen more precisely. METHODS: To assess how resource conditions influence the amount of nitrogen translocation, and which organ acts as the strongest sink, two experiments were conducted that traced movement of 15N label between interconnected pairs of ramets to compare homogeneous and heterogeneous light and soil nitrogen conditions. KEY RESULTS: The amount of 15N translocated to leaves was between 9% and 11% greater in high-N and high-light ramets in the heterogeneous compared with homogeneous treatments. Under heterogeneous soil nitrogen conditions, translocation increased from individual ramets in resource-rich patches to ramets in resource-poor patches, while the reverse was true under heterogeneous light environments, reflecting differences in the positions of leaves that act as the strongest sinks. Neither the mass increments nor the total mass of clonal fragments was significantly affected by heterogeneity of either light or nutrients, possibly because the experimental period was too short for differences to manifest themselves. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly demonstrated that nitrogen is readily translocated between ramets, particularly under heterogeneous resource conditions. The translocation patterns were governed by functional 'division of labour' mechanisms that resulted in net nitrogen movement from understory sites to gaps, thereby enhancing the carbon acquisition of the whole fragment. Thus, physiological integration may provide benefits for S. palmata when it is growing under heterogeneous conditions in which there are deficits of certain environmental resources.     

WATER SHARING AMONG RAMETS IN A DESERT POPULATION OF DISTICHLIS SPICATA (POACEAE)

Clonal growth enables plants to transport resources among separately rooted but connected ramets, a potential advantage in patchy or unpredictable habitats. Nevertheless, clonal plants are relatively scarce in deserts. To test whether clonal integration of water relations can increase plant performance under natural conditions in a desert species, water movement was traced and connection among ramets was manipulated in the rhizomatous grass Distichlis spicata in Death Valley, California. To examine potential costs of clonal growth form, connections were mapped and analyzed for dry mass and nitrogen content. Movement of dye showed potential transport of water among five ramets up to 1.4 m apart. Severance of connecting rhizomes increased mortality and decreased water potential of individual ramets within 36 hr, indicating that water sharing among ramets could be of significant benefit. However, plants had a high investment of mass and nitrogen in underground organs, which might be a cost of clonal growth associated with desert environments.     

The effects of clonal integration on morphological plasticity and placement of daughter ramets in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

We studied the field response of Robinia pseudoacacia L. to light, total soil nitrogen, available soil phosphorus and soil pH. Results indicated that there was very strong clonal integration between mother and daughter ramets. Mother ramets can provide nitrogen and phosphorus to daughter ramets sufficient for their continued growth through strong clonal integration, but cannot provide enough photosynthate. With clonal integration, soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability had no effect on biomass allocation to roots, number of ramets and length of connection roots. Biomass allocation to roots increased markedly and responded to nitrogen and phosphorus availability, when the connections were severed. Light had a significant effect on the percent of biomass allocation to leaves and number of ramets, but no effect on the length of connection roots. Daughter ramets allocated more resources to leaves, and clones placed more daughter ramets in high light patches than in low light patches. Soil pH had a significant effect on ramet number and connection root length. Clones concentrated in alkaline patches and escaped from acid patches through selective placement of daughter ramets and changing the length of connection roots. We suggest that the clonal integration may be very strong and provide sufficient soil resources to daughter ramets, then affect the daughter ramets’ morphology and placement, if the size of a specific ramet is significantly larger than the other ramets in an arbor clone.