基于稳定同位素和热比率技术的侧柏水分逆向运移特征与过程

植物在一定环境条件下可通过叶片吸水发生水分逆向运移来维持自身生长,尤其是在季节性干旱地区。但这一过程通常被忽视,使得在量化理解干旱胁迫下的森林植被水分利用过程与机制方面仍存在一定的空白。本研究以北京山区为研究区,以其典型造林树种侧柏为研究对象,利用稳定同位素和热比率技术,通过野外布设对比试验和室内控制盆栽试验,分析树木体内水分逆向运移的发生条件和规律,量化逆向运移量及补给率,研究不同部位水分逆向运移变化特征及过程。结果表明: 在野外对比试验中,控制样方在雨后的树木胸径和根系处监测到逆向液流,且根系逆向液流的发生比胸径处会有所延迟,而对比样方则无逆向液流;在室内控制试验中,不同处理组在雨后2 h树木各部位逆向运移补给率达到最高值,除重度和中度干旱处理外,雨后8 h基本恢复初始状态,水分逆向运移对植物的影响一般不超过24 h;叶片吸水量与其产生的对枝条和根际土壤的逆向补给率和土壤前期含水量呈负相关关系,对叶片、枝条和根际土壤的最大补给率分别为(9.5±0.1)%、(5.9±0.3)%和(5.7%±0.6)%;在水分逆向运移过程中,侧柏不同部位水分运移对时间的响应不同。在复杂多变的水分供给条件下,研究植物水分逆向运移的过程与机制,对准确理解其生存和竞争力具有重要意义。     

干旱胁迫下杉木叶片吸水及水分逆向运移特征

全球气候变化下降水格局时空分布不均导致亚热带地区季风气候周期性干旱日益严重，而叶片吸水对缓解植物干旱胁迫具有重要的生态和水文效应。本研究以盆栽杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)作为对象，利用重水(δD)喷施模拟降水，设置4个土壤水分(自然充沛、自然适宜、轻度干旱和中度干旱，分别对应实际土壤含水量(SWC)21%～26%、16%～21%、12%～16%和8%～12%)和4个叶面湿润时长(10、30、40和60 min),对杉木叶片吸水及逆向运移重水的利用比例进行连续监测。结果表明：当土壤受到干旱胁迫(SWC 8%～16%),叶片持续喷湿时间≥30 min时，叶片会发生吸水，且叶片吸收的水分可沿叶-枝-根的水势梯度逆向运移到木质部和根附近土壤中，改善植物水分状况；叶片对逆向运移重水的利用比例随降水结束后时间的增加而逐渐减小，在降水结束1 h后达到最大值，为10.82%;枝条和根对逆向运移重水的利用比例随降水结束后时间的增加先升高后缓慢减小，其分别在降水结束2 h和2～4 h后利用比例达到最大，为8.36%和0.65%,说明杉木各个部位对逆向运移重水的利用比例不同，响应时...     

季节性干旱地区典型树种长期水分利用特征与模式

在季节性干旱地区,水分是影响植物生长发育的关键核心因子。基于长期连续观测数据探究植物水分利用模式,对于季节性干旱地区植被建设具有重要意义。本研究以北京山区侧柏人工林为对象,利用稳定氢氧同位素技术测定了2012—2017年间土壤、植物枝条和降水同位素组成,通过MixSIAR模型定量分析侧柏对不同土层土壤水分的贡献率。结果表明: 深层(40～100 cm)土壤水较浅层(0～40 cm)土壤水稳定,受蒸发和降水的影响,浅层土壤含水量和水同位素值变化幅度较深层明显;侧柏主要吸收利用稳定的深层土壤水,贡献率为55.7%。在旱季,随着土壤水分含量的降低,植物对土壤水分的吸收深度逐渐向浅层转移;在水量充沛、自然适宜、轻度干旱、中度干旱条件下,深层土壤水的贡献率依次为59.8%、57.9%、54.6%、52.7%。在轻度和中度干旱条件下,雨季侧柏对深层土壤水的依赖程度高于旱季,以维持较大的蒸腾作用;在水量充沛、自然适宜、轻度干旱、中度干旱条件下,深层土壤水贡献率分别为58.9%、57.6%、56.4%、57.1%。侧柏依据土壤水分条件调整吸水深度的自适应特性,对季节性干旱地区生态造林树种的选择和长期管理规划具有重要意义。     

准噶尔盆地荒漠植物的叶片水分吸收策略

在干旱地区, 经常出现只能湿润植物地上部分和表层土壤的小量级降雨和凝结水输入, 此量级的水分输入无法通过入渗进入根区土壤而被植物根系吸收利用。最近研究发现, 叶片吸收水分是利用小量级降水和凝结水的主要方式。该研究通过鉴定和观测准噶尔盆地东南部5个自然植物群落中夏季地上部分仍存活的所有51种荒漠植物叶片的单位面积吸水量(LWUC)、叶片含水量增加率(Rw)以及其他7种植物功能性状, 探讨了这些植物功能性状与植物叶片吸收水分能力的关系。研究结果表明: (1)与Rw相比, LWUC是更加适合评价植物叶片吸收水分能力的指标; (2)植物生活型是相对合理的评价荒漠植物叶片吸收水分能力的植物性状; (3)荒漠植物地上(叶片)和地下(根系)部分吸收水分策略存在着权衡; (4)荒漠植物叶片耗水和吸水存在着权衡。总之, 叶片吸收水分策略对于荒漠植物, 特别是一年生草本植物最大限度地利用有限的水资源渡过持续的干旱并完成生活史具有重要的意义。     

干旱胁迫条件下6种喀斯特主要造林树种苗木叶片水势及吸水潜能变化

水势是反映植物水分亏缺或水分状况的一个直接指标,可用来确定植物受干旱胁迫的程度和抗旱能力高低。本文研究了6种喀斯特造林树种苗木在干旱胁迫条件下叶片水势及其吸水潜能的变化。结果表明：（1）随着胁迫强度的增加,6种树种不同生长时期,其叶片水势均表现出下降趋势,且不同干旱胁迫强度之间差异显著（p<0.002）。在干旱胁迫下,所有树种叶片水势均以生长旺期的下降幅度最大,生长末期次之,生长初期最小。在生长旺期,6个树种叶片水势最低值分别比对照下降了2.21 Mpa、2.14 Mpa、3.57 Mpa、2.89Mpa、4.02Mpa和3.07Mpa。（2）侧柏苗木在生长初期轻度干旱条件下,其叶片水势胁迫指数只有0.150;在中度干旱胁迫条件下,其胁迫指数增加到0.559;在重度干旱胁迫条件下,达0.716,叶片水势下降超过70%。香樟苗木在生长初期轻度干旱胁迫条件下,其叶片水势胁迫指数就已达0.603,叶片水势下降超过了60%;在中度和重度干旱胁迫条件下,其水势胁迫指数相差不大。其它树种苗木的胁迫指数亦有与侧柏或香樟相似的变化趋势。（3）6个树种苗木在干旱胁迫条件下平均叶片水势与土壤水势差值大小排序为,生长初期：刺槐（1.261Mpa）>香樟（0.850 Mpa）>滇柏（0.846 Mpa）>侧柏（0.568 Mpa）>构树（0.524 Mpa）>杜英（0.219 Mpa）;生长旺期：香樟（2.994 Mpa）>刺槐（2.68 Mpa）>侧柏（2.028 Mpa）>滇柏（2.008 Mpa）>杜英（1.824 Mpa）>构树（1.543 Mpa）;生长末期：刺槐（0.692 Mpa）>构树（0.687 Mpa）>滇柏（0.653 Mpa）>侧柏（0.354 Mpa）>香樟（0.338 Mpa）>杜英（0.262 Mpa）。（4）干旱胁迫复水24h后,不同生长阶段苗木叶片水势恢复指数随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐减小。叶片水势恢复度按生长时期排序为：生长末期>生长旺期>生长初期。（5）利用隶属函数累加法将6个树种苗木的吸水潜能大小可排序为：侧柏>滇柏>刺槐>香樟>构树>杜英。     

树干液流对环境变化响应研究进展

随着大气中CO2浓度和其它温室气体的上升,预计全球和区域尺度的温度会增加,由于增温导致地球上一些地区降水增加,一些地区可能面临干旱的加剧.要分析气候、环境变化对植被的影响,需要深入了解植被和大气之间能量、水汽和CO2交换,蒸腾是这个交换过程的一个重要组成部分,是水分和能量离开森林生态系统的主要途径.目前,树干液流测定技术已经发展得比较成熟,能比较可靠的估计整树蒸腾,逐步被应用于研究树木水分利用对环境变化的响应.介绍比较成熟的树木(林分)蒸腾估算方法,就树木(林分)水分利用对环境变化响应研究中的几个热点问题进行了总结:(1) 大气中CO2浓度升高对树木水分利用、气孔导度和冠层结构的影响,环境条件决定树木水分利用对CO2的响应幅度.(2) 树木蒸腾对降雨的响应类型,降雨格局改变导致的土壤干旱对林分蒸腾的影响.(3) 树体储存水的生理意义.随着液流技术的发展和推广,其作为一种科学研究的技术与手段将会受到更多学者的重视,也必将推进树木水分利用对环境变化响应的研究.     

土石山区不同植物土壤水分利用方式对降雨的响应特征

植物的水分利用特征对浅层土石山区的植被恢复具有重要意义.本研究利用稳定同位素技术,通过采集降雨后丹江鹦鹉沟小流域侧柏和玉米的植物样及其植物根系周围的土壤样品,分析其氧稳定同位素特征,研究土石山区侧柏和玉米两种不同植物的土壤水分利用方式对降雨的响应特征.结果表明: 侧柏和玉米的土壤水分利用方式对降雨存在不同的响应特征.侧柏根系主要利用10～30 cm土层的土壤水分,而玉米主要利用0～20 cm土层的土壤水分.降雨量由29 mm减少至8 mm时,侧柏根系的主要吸水深度由20～30 cm减小到10～20 cm,玉米根系的主要吸水深度由10～20 cm转换为0～20 cm.降雨减少时,侧柏根系吸水的主要深度均由深层土壤向浅层土壤移动,而玉米的主要吸水深度由10～20 cm增加为0～20 cm.侧柏和玉米根系的土壤水分利用方式对降雨的响应特征较为明显.     

基于同位素技术分析不同生长季节杨树水分利用

本文利用碳、氢、氧同位素示踪技术,将直接判断法、多元线性混合模型相结合,分析正蓝旗地区杨树不同季节的吸水来源和水分利用效率。结果表明:杨树吸水来源具有明显季节性规律,生长前期和末期(4、5、10月),主要利用0~50 cm浅层土壤水和150 cm以下的深层土壤水或地下水;生长中期(6、7、8、9月)主要利用0~150 cm土壤中的降水水源。该地区杨树的水分利用效率较高,5—9月水分利用效率为208.68、133.90、62.01、61.92、257.55 mmol C·mol-1H2O。当雨季浅层土壤水无法满足杨树的需水量时,杨树吸收较深层的土壤水,并逐渐提高水分利用效率;有降水时,杨树开始从最上层的土壤水中吸收降雨水源并逐渐降低水分利用效率。以上结果表明,半干旱地区杨树具有较高的水分利用效率,同时可以调节自身吸水来源和用水效率,朝着最有利于生长发展的方向最大程度上利用水分。     

外源一氧化氮对干旱胁迫下杨树光合作用的影响

NO是生物体中一种自由基分子,其NO对树木叶片光合作用的影响研究未见报道.本文研究了外源NO对杨树叶片水分状况、光合作用和抗氧化物酶活力的调节作用.不同浓度SNP处理对杨树叶片含水量具有显著影响,杨树叶片含水率随着SNP浓度的提高而增加.当SNP浓度增加到00μmol·L^-1后各处理杨树叶片含水率变化趋于稳定.外源NO能提高水分胁迫下杨树叶片的光合、原初光能转化率Fv/Fm、Fm/Fo和Fv/Fo等的比值.其效果随水分胁迫时间的延长而降低.与此对应的是,短时间水分处理(1 h)的杨树叶片SOD和POD抗氧化物酶的活性显著高于长时间(3h)水分胁迫处理.SNP能显著提高不同干旱时间处理组的POD活性,而对SOD活性影响不明显.同时,随SNP浓度的增加,POD和SOD活性呈现先升后降的趋势.因此,干旱胁迫可引起杨树叶片光合效率降低,出现氧化伤害症状,外源NO可诱导抗氧化物酶POD和SOD活性的升高,缓解原初光能转化率Fv/Fm、Fm/Fo和Fv/Fo等值的降低,从而延缓活性氧积累,减轻水分胁迫对杨树叶片光合作用的影响.     

土壤水分梯度对白三叶(Trifolium repens)光合作用和根系分布的影响

通过对两个品种白三叶Trifolium repens cv.Haifa(海发)和Trifolium repens cv.Rivendel(瑞文德)盆栽试验,模拟3种不同的土壤水分状况(无水分胁迫:保持植株良好的水分供应;轻度胁迫:表层0～20cm土壤处于干旱状态;重度胁迫:表层0～20cm土壤处于极干旱状态,20～40cm土壤处于干旱状态)对白三叶光合作用和根系生长的影响.结果表明,当植株未遭受水分胁迫时,两个品种白三叶的光合作用和根系生长状况没有明显差异;当表层0～20cm处于干旱状态时,'海发'在处理后期的净光合速率和水分利用效率升高,根系生长量增大,表现出促进作用,'瑞文德'受到的影响不显著;当表层0～20cm处于极干旱、20～40cm处于干旱状态时,'海发'在处理前期受到轻微影响,随后恢复正常状态,'瑞文德'则受到较严重的影响.随着干旱程度的加深和时间的延长,白三叶的根冠比逐渐增大.与'瑞文德'相比,在相同时期相同胁迫程度下,'海发'的根冠比没有显著差异,但深根数量大大超过'瑞文德',因而,'海发'的耐旱能力强于'瑞文德'.     

Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency of Platycladus Orientalis and Robinia Pseudoacacia Saplings under Steady Soil Water Stress during Different Stages of Their Annual Growth Period

A simulated drought experiment was conducted in a rain-free shed to test the physiological response of Platycladus orientalis and Robinia pseudoacacia saplings to steady soil water stress during different stages. The five soil water treatments were： 100%, 87.84%, 70%, 52.16% and 40% of field capacity. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate of R. pseudoacacia decreased as soil water potential decreased in the range between -0.041 MPa and -0.292 MPa. The threshold value at which the net photosynthetic rate changed significantly was -0.12 MPa. The relationship between net photosynthetic rate of P. orientalis and soil water potential could be described as a quadratic parabola in the range between -0.041 MPa and -0.648 MPa. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in the net photosynthetic rate of P. orientalis between soil water potentials of -0.061 MPa ~, -0.648 MPa. Average water use efficiency （WUE） increased as soil water potential decreased, but the influence mechanism of soil water stress on leaf WUE and photosynthetic rate for the two species were different evidently.     

Digital image analysis of different crown shape of Platycladus orientalis

Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco is a beautifully crown-shaped evergreen tree species used for ornamental cultivation. These trees are also important afforestation plants at hill sites containing calcareous parent rocks and exhibit high tolerance to drought and barren sites. However, Platycladus orientalis trees with abnormal crowns, such as fusiform and torch-form, have been identified at sites with extreme drought and barren hills in Shandong, China, although the abnormal crowns does not reduce the ornamental value of these trees. In the present study, we used the RGB imaging and geographical statistical analyses through the construction of meteorological indices. The results indicate that variations of abnormal Platycladus orientalis crowns are associated with both the internal metabolism of these trees and the external environment. Crown shapes are strongly affected by the local dry, hot and windy meteorological environment, particularly individuals planted at poor hill site conditions. In response to extreme events of drought, high temperature and strong winds, the twigs and scale leaves of Platycladus orientalis typically wilt from the lower part to the upper part of the crown. The fusiform and torch-form crowns are formed through the wilting of partial twigs and scale leaves to avoid the entire wilt of the trees, thereby saving the life of the tree at the expense of partial twigs and scale leaves.     

Cytokinin-producing, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that confer resistance to drought stress in Platycladus orientalis container seedlings

One of the proposed mechanisms through which plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance plant growth is the production of plant growth regulators, especially cytokinin. However, little information is available regarding cytokinin-producing PGPR inoculation on growth and water stress consistence of forest container seedlings under drought condition. This study determined the effects of Bacillus subtilis on hormone concentration, drought resistance, and plant growth under water-stressed conditions. Although no significant difference was observed under well-watered conditions, leaves of inoculated Platycladus orientalis (oriental thuja) seedlings under drought stress had higher relative water content and leaf water potential compared with those of noninoculated ones. Regardless of water supply levels, the root exudates, namely sugars, amino acids and organic acids, significantly increased because of B. subtilis inoculation. Water stress reduced shoot cytokinins by 39.14 %. However, inoculation decreased this deficit to only 10.22 %. The elevated levels of cytokinins in P. orientalis shoot were associated with higher concentration of abscisic acid (ABA). Stomatal conductance was significantly increased by B. subtilis inoculation in well-watered seedlings. However, the promoting effect of cytokinins on stomatal conductance was hampered, possibly by the combined action of elevated cytokinins and ABA. B. subtilis inoculation increased the shoot dry weight of well-watered and drought seedlings by 34.85 and 19.23 %, as well as the root by 15.445 and 13.99 %, respectively. Consequently, the root/shoot ratio significantly decreased, indicative of the greater benefits of PGPR on shoot growth than root. Thus, inoculation of cytokinin-producing PGPR in container seedlings can alleviate the drought stress and interfere with the suppression of shoot growth, showing a real potential to perform as a drought stress inhibitor in arid environments.     

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.     

Diurnal courses of leaf conductance and transpiration of mistletoes and their hosts in Central Australia

Summary In Australia, diurnal courses of leaf conductance and transpiration of hemiparasitic mistletoes (Loranthaceae) and their hosts were measured using steady-state porometers under conditions of partial drought and high evaporative demand. The sites spanned a diversity of climatic regions ranging from the subtropical arid zone with winter rainfall, through the subtropical arid zone with summer rainfall to the tropical summer rainfall zone. With one exception (Acacia farnesiana with deciduous leaves), the hosts were trees or shrubs with evergreen, sclerophyllous leaves or phyllodes.The measurements confirm previous observations that mistletoes transpire at higher rates than their hosts. For adult leaves from all of the 18 different host/mistletoe pairs investigated, the daily average leaf conductances were higher in the parasites than in their hosts. The ratios ranged from 1.5 to 7.9. In the most extreme case,Amyema maidenii had a daily rate of water loss 8.9 times higher than its hostAcacia cowleana. Hoever, the parasites did not exhibit unlimited transpiration. Despite high water loss rates, leaf conductance showed large and consistent changes during the course of the day, indicating definite stomatal regulation. The typical diurnal pattern of conductance in both mistletoes and hosts consisted of an early morning peak followed by a continuous decrease throughout the remainder of the day. There was no abrupt decrease in leaf conductance of the parasites that might be interpreted as a threshold response with respect to internal water potential. In most cases, the continuous stomatal closure occurred without substantial changes in leaf water potential over a time span of several hours. The decrease in leaf conductance was correlated with an increase in leaf-to-air water vapor difference, which was associated with increasing leaf temperatures. It seems probable that external humidity plays a major role in the stomatal response. Diurnal courses of leaf conductance of the host/parasite pairs usually showed similar general patterns, even when the absolute rates were quite different. Thus, mistletoes not only control their water loss by stomatal action but this regulation seems to occur in coordination with the stomatal response of their hosts.The integrated mistletoe/host system must also endure severe drought conditions. Controlled water use is necessary for long-term survival of the host. Assuming stomatal behavior in the host is well adapted to ensure its existence, then similar performance in the mistletoe would promote survival of both host and parasite.     

堇菜叶片草酸钙晶体与水分维持的关系

随着全球气候变化加重,干旱强度和持续时间逐渐增加,严重影响植物生长和作物产量。喀斯特为典型的干旱和高钙生境,植物叶片富集大量的草酸钙晶体,而该晶体与植物耐旱性之间的关系并不清楚。该研究以喀斯特适生植物堇菜(Viola verecumda)为材料,土壤进行自然干旱,分析堇菜叶片的草酸钙晶体变化特征与水分之间的关系。结果表明:在土壤自然干旱条件下,堇菜主要通过细胞内束缚水的释放,维持细胞内水分平衡;而在干旱后期,叶片通过关闭气孔,将部分自由水转变为束缚水,防止水分流失。此外,草酸钙晶体的密度与束缚水含量具有极其显著的强正相关线性回归关系(r=0.825 3,P0.000 1),表明草酸钙晶体作为主要的束缚水物质。因此,堇菜植物在耐旱过程中可能协调草酸钙晶体和气孔的生理行为忍耐干旱胁迫。     

Physiological and anatomical changes induced by drought in two olive cultivars (cv Zalmati and Chemlali)

Photosynthetic gas exchange, vegetative growth, water relations and fluorescence parameters as well as leaf anatomical characteristics were investigated on young plants of two Olea europaea L. cultivars (Chemlali and Zalmati), submitted to contrasting water availability regimes. Two-year-old olive trees, grown in pots in greenhouse, were not watered for 2 months. Relative growth rate (RGR), leaf water potential (Ψ_LW) and the leaf relative water content (LWC) of the two cultivars decreased with increasing water stress. Zalmati showed higher values of RGR and LWC and lower decreased values of Ψ_LW than Chemlali, in response to water deficit, particularly during severe drought stress. Water stress also caused a marked decline on photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll fluorescence. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m) and the intrinsic efficiency of open PSII reaction centres (F′ _v/F′ _m) decreased as drought stress developed. In addition, drought conditions, reduced leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids contents especially at severe water stress. However, Zalmati plants were the less affected when compared with Chemlali. In both cultivars, stomatal control was the major factor affecting photosynthesis under moderate drought stress. At severe drought-stress levels, the non-stomatal component of photosynthesis is inhibited and inactivation of the photosystem II occurs. Leaf anatomical parameters show that drought stress resulted in an increase of the upper epidermis and palisade mesophyll thickness as well as an increase of the stomata and trichomes density. These changes were more characteristic in cv. ‘Zalmati’. Zalmati leaves also revealed lower specific leaf area and had higher density of foliar tissue. From the behaviour of Zalmati plants, with a smaller reduction in relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and with a thicker palisade parenchyma, and a higher stomatal and trichome density, we consider this cultivar more drought-tolerant than cv. Chemlali and therefore, very promising for cultivation in arid areas.     

Protective mechanism of desiccation tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Reaumuria soongorica</Emphasis>: Leaf abscission and sucrose accumulation in the stem

Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim., a perennial semi-shrub, is widely found in semi-arid areas in northwestern China and can survive severe desiccation of its vegetative organs. In order to study the protective mechanism of desiccation tolerance in R. soongorica, diurnal patterns of net photosynthetic rate (Pn), water use efficiency (WUE) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Photosystem II (PSII), and sugar content in the source leaf and stem were investigated in 6-year-old plants during progressive soil drought imposed by the cessation of watering. The results showed that R. soongorica was characterized by very low leaf water potential, high WUE, photosynthesis and high accumulation of sucrose in the stem and leaf abscission under desiccation. The maximum Pn increased at first and then declined during drought, but intrinsic WUE increased remarkably in the morning with increasing drought stress. The maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and the quantum efficiency of noncyclic electric transport of PSII(Φ_PSII) decreased significantly under water stress and exhibited an obvious phenomenon of photoinhibition at noon. Drought stressed plants maintained a higher capacity of dissipation of the excitation energy (measured as NPQ) with the increasing intensity of stress. Conditions of progressive drought promoted sucrose and starch accumulation in the stems but not in the leaves. However, when leaf water potential was less than −21.3 MPa, the plant leaves died and then abscised. But the stem photosynthesis remained and, afterward the plants entered the dormant state. Upon rewatering, the shoots reactivated and the plants developed new leaves. Therefore, R. soongorica has the ability to reduce water loss through leaf abscission and maintain the vigor of the stem cells to survive desiccation.