Microorganisms asssociated with Withania somnifera leaves

Microorganisms including bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were recovered from the leaves of Withania somnifera, which were collected from two altitudinal ranges (0–300 m and 1700–2000 m) in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Types and numbers of microorganisms varied according to the altitude and the month of collection. The number of microorganisms was higher on old leaves than that on young ones in most cases. Low altitude exhibited more microorganisms than high altitude. The relationship between meteorological factors and type and number of the recovered microorganisms is discussed. Inoculation of detached healthy leaves of Withania by all recovered fungal species revealed only Alternaria solani as a pathogen of this plant. To confirm pathogenicity, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examination revealed the colonization of this pathogen inside the leaf tissue. Penetration of Withania leaves by the fungus occurred only through stomata, and the invading hyphae were located in the intercellular spaces of leaf tissues. Ultrastructural changes noted in infected cells included changes in chloroplasts and the invagination of the host plasma membrane.     

发育阶段和海拔对岷江源区陇蜀杜鹃小枝功能性状及生物量分配的影响

本研究分析了岷江源区卡卡山典型高山灌丛植物陇蜀杜鹃不同发育阶段(花芽期和开花期)及不同海拔(3600 m低海拔和3800 m高海拔)下功能小枝和叶片性状的差异,以及空间异质性对花芽期和开花期小枝功能性状相关性及其权衡作用的影响。结果表明: 低海拔同一生长期陇蜀杜鹃小枝长度显著大于高海拔,高海拔开花期小枝的花数量和花质量显著高于低海拔。同一海拔花芽期的小枝质量、叶片数量、总叶质量、总叶面积和总叶柄质量均显著大于开花期,单叶质量和单叶柄质量均显著小于开花期。与花芽期相比,开花期叶生物量占比减少了13%,而小枝质量占比显著增加。小枝的生物量权衡表明,花芽期性状倾向于小枝质量,开花期倾向于总叶质量;花芽期的叶偏好分配于单叶质量,低海拔和高海拔开花期叶片分别偏好分配到单叶柄质量和单叶质量。低海拔开花期小枝质量与总叶面积、总叶质量均为异速生长,单叶柄质量和单叶面积为异速生长。海拔和发育阶段共同影响了陇蜀杜鹃功能小枝和叶片的性状。     

A comparison of measured and calculated net community CO2 exchange: Scaling from leaves to communities

Leaf net photosynthesis is crucial for detecting the mechanism of photosynthesis, whereas community net photosynthesis is useful for understanding the photosynthetic capacity of communities and its relationship with environmental factors. In particular, we need to scale up eco-physiological models from leaf scale to canopy level to study carbon cycling at regional or global scale. We hypothesized that accumulated leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_c) at community scale, i.e., calculated based on leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n) and leaf area index (LAI), equals to measured net community CO₂ exchange (NCE). The purpose of this study is to verify this hypothesis. Our field study was carried out in Duolun, Nei Mongol, China, where we constructed single-species communities by sowing Medicago sativa ‘Aohan’ seeds in three plots (3 m × 5 m) on May 30, 2012. On August 16, 2014, P_n of five healthy leaves of M. sativa ‘Aohan’ in each plot were measured with a LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system at 10:00, and net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) in each plot was measured simultaneously with a LI-8100 system connected with a assimilation chamber (0.5 m × 0.5 m × 0.5 m). P_c was calculated based on P_n, number of leaves (n), LAI percentage of healthy leaves (r) and percentage of received effective light by leaves (m). NCE was derived from NEE and ecosystem respiration rate (R_eco). P_c was 3.52 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, and very close to NCE (3.56 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1), suggesting that leaf-scale photosynthesis may accurately predict community-scale photosynthesis. However, our method could not separate community respiration from soil respiration, and future studies, should be designed to counteract this effect. Scaling up from leaf photosynthesis to community photosynthesis should also consider vertical structure of communities and nonlinear responses of leaf photosynthesis to changes in light quantum.     

燕麦紫斑病的病原

2013年8月在甘肃省通渭县的一块燕麦田中,叶片和小穗上出现大量紫色病斑,病株率达100％.采用组织分离法得到核腔菌属Pyrenophora(synonym:Drechslera)真菌.通过Koch's法则明确了菌株ASA-13的致病性:在8-22℃下,接种植株产生紫色叶斑,在20-25℃下,接种植株产生中心黑色、周围...     

叶片和群落尺度净光合速率关系的探讨

叶片净光合速率(P_n)是研究光合作用机理的基本尺度; 而群落净光合速率(P_c)是研究群落光合能力及其与外部环境因子间关系的更好尺度, 特别是区域乃至全球尺度碳循环的研究, 需要将叶片尺度的生理生态模型扩展到冠层尺度。理论上, 群落内所有叶片的累积P_n与实测群落净气体交换速率(NCE)是相等的, 但在野外实际观测中, 两者之间的相互关系目前尚未见报道。该文选取敖汉苜蓿(Medicago sativa ‘Aohan’)人工草地, 采用美国LI-COR公司生产的便携式光合测定系统LI-6400测定P_n, 结合叶面积指数等参数推算P_c, 利用LI-8100连接同化箱测定生态系统净气体交换速率(NEE), 加上土壤呼吸速率, 得到NCE。结果表明: P_c为3.52 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, 与实测NCE (3.56 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1)基本相等。这表明: 可利用P_n, 结合叶面积指数、群落叶片数目、健康叶片比例和群落可接收有效光照的平均比例等4个关键参数, 准确地换算P_c。然而, 利用同化箱式法测定群落呼吸速率时, 不可避免地会包含土壤呼吸, 所以在观测NCE时, 需要同时测定土壤呼吸。此外, 在冠层模型中, 群落垂直结构和光量子的非线性响应不可忽视。     

Light adaptation and the role of autotrophic epiphytes in primary production of the temperate seagrass, Zostera marina L.

Photosynthetic features of Zostera marina L. and its autotrophic epiphyte community were investigated in a population inhabiting a shallow (1.3 m depth) water meadow in Great Harbor, Woods Hole, MA (U.S.A.). Photosynthesis versus irradiance (P-I) relationships were measured with respect to leaf age determined by the leaf position in the shoot bundle and by location of the tissue along the leaf axis. Therefore both age and light intensity gradients along the leaf axis were considered. The maximum photosynthesis (P_max) per dm² typically increased nearly two-fold along the leaf axis from leaf bases to apices. Photosynthetic rate on a chlorophyll (Chl) basis did not increase as dramatically along the leaf axis, and rates were usually lowest in tissues with the highest Chl content. The P-I relationships of leaves of different ages did not reveal photoinhibition even at light intensities > 1400 μE • m⁻² • s ⁻¹. Furthermore, no photoinhibition was observed in tissues from leaf blade bases, which never experienced high light levels (> 500 μE • m ⁻² • s⁻¹) in situ in Great Harbor. The initial slopes of the P-I curves and light compensation and saturation values varied along the leaf axis in relation to in situ light intensity gradients and in relation to leaf or tissue age. It appeared that leaf and/or tissue age was more important than light environment in determining P-I responses. The contribution of the autotrophic epiphyte community on Z. marina leaves to total photosynthesis per dm² was between 27 and 50%, and between 10 and 44% per mg chlorophyll. These levels of epiphyte photosynthesis can double the primary production of Z. marina leaves. No detrimental effects of epiphyte cover were realized in leaf maximal photosynthesis or P-I relationships. Non-epiphytized leaves and leaves from which epiphytes were removed showed essentially identical photosynthetic features. Light intensity and age gradients along the leaf axis control both the photosynthetic performance of the leaves and epiphyte biomass and photosynthesis.     

Effect of Plant Type on the Persistence of Beauveria bassiana

Field evaluation of isolate MK 2001 of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, revealed conidia persistence and infectivity up to 26 days on foliage of lettuce and celery, two crops with substantial plant differences. Plants were treated at a rate of 100 ml/cage at a concentration of 1×10⁸ conidia/ml. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) recovered immediately after treatments from discs sampled on lettuce and celery leaves were not significantly different, due to similar foliar coverage of conidia by application. Significant differences were observed between both host plants during the 26 days of the field trial. The number of CFUs recovered on lettuce was significantly higher than that on celery leaves. However, for each host plant, there were no significant differences either between lettuce external leaves and internal leaves or between celery canopy and bottom leaves. An in vitro pathogenicity test carried out on Lygus lineolaris adults fed with leaf discs harvested from treated cages resulted in a high pathogenicity of B. bassiana isolate MK 2001. The mortality immediately after treatment did not differ from the death counts taken every other day for 26 days. However, efficacy was significantly different between both plants. Mortality was 91% on lettuce and 78% on celery, 7 days post-treatment. This study highlighted that plant type must be taken into account in foliar application of B. bassiana.     

武夷山不同海拔黄山松枝叶大小关系

对武夷山自然保护区不同海拔黄山松叶片面积、叶片数量、小枝长度及小枝直径等性状进行测定,分析不同海拔黄山松枝-叶大小间的权衡关系.结果表明: 随海拔升高,黄山松小枝的叶片数量、小枝长度、小枝直径、出叶强度及茎截面积逐渐增大,单叶面积呈逐渐减小趋势;不同海拔黄山松小枝出叶强度与单叶面积均呈显著负相关,不同海拔黄山松小枝茎截面积与总叶面积呈显著正相关;不同海拔黄山松小枝长度、小枝直径与出叶强度呈显著负相关,与单叶面积、叶片数量及总叶面积均呈显著正相关.为提高竞争优势或是资源利用效率,低海拔黄山松倾向于在短枝上着生量少但单叶面积大的针叶,而高海拔黄山松趋向于在长枝上着生量大但单叶面积小的针叶,这体现出不同海拔梯度黄山松小枝的资源利用策略及枝叶间生物量分配的权衡机制.     

巴郎山糙皮桦叶片光合氮利用效率的海拔响应

为深入认识植物对环境变化的响应和适应,以分布在川西巴郎山的糙皮桦为研究对象,选择海拔2200、2500、3100和3400 m 4个分布点,测定计算了各分布点叶片光合氮利用效率(PNUE)、CO₂扩散导度(叶肉细胞导度g_m与气孔导度g_s)和氮分配比例(Rubisco氮分配比例P_R、生物力能学组分氮分配比例P_B、捕光组分氮分配比例P_L与细胞壁氮分配比例P_CW)等参数,分析了其沿海拔的变化趋势以及叶片PNUE与其他参数的相关关系.结果表明: 糙皮桦叶片PNUE、P_R和P_B在海拔2500和3100 m相对较高;叶片g_s和g_m则随海拔升高而增加,P_L随海拔升高而降低.糙皮桦叶片P_R和P_B与PNUE呈显著正相关关系,说明P_R和P_B是PNUE随海拔变异的重要内部因素.糙皮桦叶片光合系统氮分配比例P_P在海拔2500和3100 m相对较高,叶片P_CW随海拔升高而降低,叶片其他组分氮分配比例P_other随海拔升高而增加,说明随海拔的升高,糙皮桦叶片趋向将更大比例的氮分配于除光合系统和细胞壁外的其他组分中.     

张掖湿地芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度的权衡关系

叶大小-叶脉密度的权衡关系是植物叶经济谱理论的基础, 对理解资源竞争条件下植物叶片的物理构建与生理代谢的关系具有重要的意义。该文采用标准化主轴估计(standardized major axis estimation, SMA)的方法, 按芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)株丛密度设置I (>12丛·m^-2)、II (8-12丛·m^-2)、III (4-8丛·m^-2)和IV (<4丛·m^-2) 4个密度梯度, 以叶面积和叶干质量分别表示叶大小, 对张掖洪泛平原湿地不同密度条件下芨芨草种群的叶大小和叶脉密度的关系进行研究。结果表明: 随着芨芨草株丛密度的降低, 湿地群落的土壤含水量逐渐减小、土壤电导率逐渐增加, 芨芨草的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和分枝数呈先增大后减小的趋势, 叶面积、叶干质量、比叶面积和株高呈逐渐减小趋势、光合有效辐射(PAR)和叶脉密度呈逐渐增加趋势; 芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度在高密度(I)和低密度(IV)样地均呈极显著负相关关系(p < 0.01), 中密度(II、III)样地二者呈显著负相关关系(p < 0.05); 叶大小和叶脉密度回归方程的SMA斜率在不同密度样地均显著小于-1 (p < 0.05), 即芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度呈“此消彼长”的权衡关系。在高密度湿地群落芨芨草倾向于大叶片低叶脉密度的叶片构建模式, 在低密度湿地群落选择小叶片高叶脉密度的异速生长模式, 体现了密度制约下湿地植物的生物量分配格局和资源利用对策。     

秦冠苹果品种对苹果黑星病的组织学抗性研究

为揭示苹果抗病品种秦冠在组织细胞学水平上抗苹果黑星病的特征,本研究采用扫描和透射电镜技术,将苹果黑星菌Venturia inaequalis接种侵染寄主后,系统观察抗病品种秦冠和感病品种嘎啦的叶片组织和细胞结构变化。扫描电镜观察结果表明,黑星菌分生孢子悬浮液接种秦冠和嘎啦叶片48 h后,病菌沿叶脉生长扩展,其菌丝可从叶片气孔或直接侵入。透射电镜观察结果表明,秦冠叶片的角质层厚度明显高于嘎啦,其中秦冠角质层平均厚度为1.75 μm,嘎啦为1.06 μm。透射电镜观察结果表明,黑星菌菌丝在寄主叶肉细胞间扩展,导致嘎啦栅栏组织细胞萎缩,排列松散,叶绿体变形受损,细胞内出现较大淀粉粒和胞内物质外渗流失,并在后期发展成大量细胞坏死;而秦冠虽症状类似,但受损程度明显小于嘎啦。以上结果表明,秦冠在组织细胞学上对苹果黑星病具有抗侵染、抗扩展和延缓病程发展的作用,可作为苹果黑星病抗性育种材料加以利用。     

水稻黄绿叶调控基因YGL18的克隆与功能解析

叶色突变体往往伴随着叶绿素含量变化及叶绿体结构异常,是研究叶绿体发育与光合作用相关基因功能的重要材料。该研究通过甲基磺酸乙酯(EMS)诱变籼稻(Oryzasativasubsp.indica)品种华占(HZ)获得黄绿叶突变体,将其命名为ygl18 (yellow-green leaf 18)。与野生型相比,黄绿叶突变体ygl18自三叶期起叶片开始变黄且程度不断加深,同时伴随着光合速率与叶绿素含量下降,且结实率、千粒重及有效穗数均显著降低。透射电镜观察结果显示, ygl18的叶绿体结构紊乱,基质片层疏松,发育受到抑制,与叶片出现黄绿色表型一致。遗传分析表明, ygl18突变性状受1对隐性等位核基因控制,这对等位基因位于水稻第3号染色体长臂标记InDel2和InDel3之间115.2 kb范围内。进一步研究发现该突变体表型是编码铁氧还蛋白FdC2的基因LOC＿Os03g48040的5’UTR发生突变所致。通过CRISPR转基因实验验证了该基因对表型的控制作用。研究结果揭示了叶色调控网络的遗传基础,可为今后选育高光效水稻品种提供新线索。     

The presence of the potentially toxic genera Ostreopsis and Coolia (Dinophyceae) in the North Aegean Sea, Greece

The examination of macrophyte, water and sediment samples, collected at depths less than 1.5 m from 50 different sites along the North Aegean coasts, has revealed, for the first time in Greek coastal waters, the presence of two Ostreopsis species (O. ovata and O. cf. siamensis) and Coolia monotis in the majority of the sampling sites (94% and 100%, respectively). Other epiphytic dinoflagellates of the genera Prorocentrum and Amphidinium and diatoms were accompanying species in this epiphytic community. Morphometric features, plate formula and thecal ornamentation were used for species identification. O. ovata cells were smaller in dorsoventral (DV) diameter and width (W) (26.18–61.88 μm and 13.09–47.60 μm, respectively) in comparison with O. cf. siamensis (35.70–65.45 μm and 23.80–49.98 μm, respectively). In contrast, the anterioposterior (AP) diameter of O. cf. siamensis was smaller (14.28–26.18 μm) resulting in DV/AP ≈ 3, whereas the above ratio for O. ovata was less than 2 (AP ranging between 14.28–35.70 μm). Moreover, the theca of O. ovata cells was ornamented with scattered pores, which fluctuated in a wider range (0.07–0.32 μm) than those of O. cf. siamensis (0.23–0.29 μm). Coolia monotis cells were almost round with average DV diameter 26.88 μm, AP 25.66 μm and width 26.76 μm. Small and large cells were recorded in both field and culture populations of Ostreopsis spp. and C. monotis, while hyaline cysts were observed for O. ovata. The presence of O. ovata and O. cf. siamensis exhibited a clear seasonal pattern dominating (maximum abundance up to 4.05 × 10⁵ cells gr⁻¹ fwm) the period from midsummer to late autumn in years 2003 and 2004, while C. monotis was found also in winter and spring months.     

珠芽蓼叶片对海拔变化的表型可塑性

采用石蜡制片、扫描电镜和透射电镜方法,研究了祁连山植被垂直分布带海拔2300、3200和3900 m珠芽蓼叶片组织结构、叶表皮特征和叶绿体超微结构对海拔升高的适应性变化.结果 表明:珠芽蓼为异面叶,随海拔升高,叶片表皮毛数目减少而直径增大变粗,表皮蜡质层结构更加致密.叶片厚度在海拔3200 m最大,分别比海拔2300和...     

兰州北山不同坡向刺槐叶脉密度与气孔性状的关联性分析

植物叶脉和气孔性状的关系反映了叶片的水力特性, 对认识它们与植物水分利用有关的生理功能间的关系及其调控作用具有重要意义。该文利用GIS (geographic information system)与实验生态学相结合的方法, 采用标准化主轴估计方法, 研究了兰州市北山不同坡向人工林刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)叶脉密度与气孔密度、气孔大小的关系。结果表明: 随着坡向由南坡向东坡、西坡和北坡转变, 植被群落的郁闭度、高度和土壤含水量呈逐渐增加的趋势, 刺槐的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、光合有效辐射(PAR)、叶脉密度和气孔密度呈逐渐减小的趋势, 气孔与叶面积呈逐渐增大的趋势; 各个坡向的刺槐叶脉密度与气孔密度呈显著正相关关系, 与气孔大小呈显著负相关关系, 且在南坡达到极显著相关关系。生长在南坡的刺槐具有高的叶脉密度和密而小的气孔, 生长在北坡的刺槐具有低的叶脉密度和疏而大的气孔。不同坡向刺槐叶脉密度与气孔特征间的资源分配模式, 反映了植物在异质性生境中根据其功能需求在自身性状之间进行投资权衡机制的优化。     

草莓拟盘多毛孢叶斑病的病原菌

于2013年在北京市房山区发现了一种新的草莓叶部病害,为明确引起该病害的病原菌种类,采用组织分离法对病叶进行了病原菌的分离,经纯化得到一株病原菌CMF4。通过室内人工接种对该菌株的致病性和寄主范围进行测定,发现该菌株可以导致草莓叶片坏死和果实腐烂,可引起有伤供试植物牡丹、海棠、芍药、杏、樱桃、桃和月季发病,但不能无伤侵入,对人工接种发病的植株进行病原菌再分离可得到原接种病原菌。采用rDNA-ITS序列分析方法并结合该病原菌的形态特征进行鉴定,发现引起该病害的病原菌为棒孢拟盘多毛孢Pestalotiopsis clavispora。这是棒孢拟盘多毛孢所致草莓叶斑病在国内的首次报道。     

Correlation analysis between vein density and stomatal traits of Robinia pseudoacacia in different aspects of Beishan Mountain in Lanzhou

AimsThe relationship between leaf venation and stomatal traits reflects leaf water potential of plants, and is fundamental to probe the relationship between physiological functions and water use. Our objective was to study the changes in the relationship between venation density and stomatal traits (stomatal density and stomatal length) in Robinia pseudoacacia with the changes in slope aspects.MethodsIn Beishan Mountain of Lanzhou in Gansu Province, China, 20 transects were laid out horizontally along the contour at intervals of 50 m from an elevation of 1550-1750 m in four different slope aspects, and 12 plots were set up along each transect at intervals of 5 m. A handed GPS (global positioning system) was used to measure latitude, longitude and altitude at each plot. Community characteristics, including crown density, tree height and soil moisture, were investigated. Robinia pseudoacacia within all plots were sampled and used for measurements of individual leaf area, venation density, stomatal density and stomatal length in laboratory in each plot. The 240 plots were categorized into groups of southern, eastern, western and northern aspects, and the standardized major axis (SMA) estimation method was then used to examine the relationship between the stomatal density, stomatal length and vein density.Important findings The results showed that with a change of the aspect from south to east, west, and north, the crown density, average tree height and soil moisture of the plant community increased, while leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vein density and stomatal density decreased. In addition, stomatal length and individual leaf area increased. Venation density of each aspect of R. pseudoacacia was positively correlated with stomatal density (p < 0.05) and negatively with stomatal length (p < 0.05). These correlations were strongest in south slope (p < 0.01).     

Effect of leaf age on CAM activity in Littorella uniflora

In this study the effect of ontogenetic drift on crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was investigated in the aquatic CAM-isoetid Littorella uniflora. The results of this study strengthen the general hypothesis of CAM being a carbon-conserving mechanism in aquatic plants, because high-CAM capacity (45–183 μequiv. g⁻¹ FW) was present in all leaves of L. uniflora irrespective of age. Since possession of CAM in aquatic plants allows CO₂ uptake throughout the light/dark cycle, presence of CAM in all leaves influences the carbon balance of L. uniflora positively. On average for all lakes, different leaf classes accounted for 11–36% of the total dark CO₂ uptake by the individual plant.

The capacity for both CAM and photosynthesis declined with increasing leaf age, and was in the oldest leaves only 25–53% of the capacity in the youngest. The photosynthetic capacity was estimated to be sufficiently high to ensure refixation of the CO₂ released from malate during decarboxylation in the daytime. In line with this, a linear coupling between CAM capacity and photosynthetic capacity was found. Parallel to the change in photosynthetic capacity, an age-related change in total ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) activity from 732 μmol C g⁻¹ DW h⁻¹ in the youngest leaves to 346 μmol C g⁻¹ DW h⁻¹ in the oldest was observed. In contrast, no significant change in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase) activity with leaf age was observed (means ranged between 46 and 156 μmol C g⁻¹ DW h⁻¹).     

Taxonomic characterization of two marine peritrichous ciliates, Epicarchesium corlissi n. sp. and Pseudovorticella jiangi n. sp. (Ciliophora: Peritrichia), from northern China

Two new marine peritrich ciliates, Epicarchesium corlissi n. sp. and Pseudovorticella jiangi n. sp., were discovered in mariculture waters on the coast of northern China near Qingdao. Their morphology, infraciliature and silverline system were investigated based on both living and silver-impregnated specimens. E. corlissi is characterized as follows: marine Epicarchesium with dichotomously branched stalk; zooids elongate, approximately 60–70×25–35 μm in vivo; peristomial collar double-folded; macronucleus J-shaped; single, small contractile vacuole ventrally positioned; more than 60 striations between peristome and aboral trochal band, 13–18 from aboral trochal band to scopula; abstomal end of row 1 of infundibular polykinety 3 terminating at same level as rows 2 and 3 of infundibular polykinety 3; rows 2 and 3 of infundibular polykinety 3 much longer than row 1 and converging adstomally with infundibular polykinety 1. The new species P. jiangi is diagnosed as follows: marine Pseudovorticella; zooid inverted bell-shaped, approximately 80×60 μm in vivo and with a broad, flat, thin peristomial collar that measures approximately 90 μm across; pellicle with transparent cortical vesicles; macronucleus J-shaped; number of silverlines between peristome and aboral trochal band 20–24, from aboral trochal band to scopula 9–11; abstomal end of row 1 of infundibular polykinety 3 diverges from the other two rows of this polykinety and ends alongside row 3 of infundibular polykinety 2.     

Altitudinal differences in UV absorbance,UV reflectance and related morphological traits of Quercus ilex and Rhododendron ferrugineum in the Mediterranean region

We studied the variations in different physiological parameters associated with UV-B radiation defense: UV-B radiation absorbance, UV-visible spectral reflectance, carotenoids concentration, leaf thickness, SLW (specific leaf weigth) and trichome density in Quercus ilex growing at 200 and 1200 m and Rhododendron ferrugineum growing at 2200 m. We examined the role of these parameters as protection mechanisms in an altitudinal gradient of increasing UV radiation in northern Catalonia and in sun and shade leaves. The concentration of UV-B radiation absorbing pigments was 15% higher in sun leaves of Q. ilex at 1200 m than in those from 200 m altitude. Sun leaves of R. ferrugineum presented concentrations three times higher than those of Q. ilex. Reflectance ranged between 5% (in the region 300–400 nm) and 12% (in the region 280–300 nm). The variation of reflectance with altitude followed an inverse trend respect to absorbance in the 280–300 nm region, with higher values the lower the altitude, but in the 300–400 nm region, reflectance of the lower site was the lowest. In both species and altitudes sun leaves presented higher concentrations of UV-B radiation absorbing pigments and UV reflectance than shade leaves. Quercus ilex trees of the higher location presented higher NDPI (Normalized Difference Pigment Reflectance Index) values, indicating higher carotenoids/chlorophyll a ratio. Actual measurements of carotenoid/chlorophyll a ratio confirmed this pattern. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) presented higher values the higher the location indicating lower photosynthetic radiation-use efficiency. Specific leaf weight (SLW) and leaf thickness were larger in Q. ilex trees of higher location than in those of lower location. In both sites, sun leaves also presented larger SLW values than shade leaves. Adaxial leaf hair density in sun leaves was significantlly higher in the lower location. UV absorption and linked morphological traits (SLW, leaf thickness measured in Q. ilex) presented the larger differences among studied plants at different altitudes and seem to be the dominant UV protecting mechanisms.