Relation of water transport to leaf gas exchange properties in three mangrove species

Mangrove species more tolerant to salinity may function with less efficient water transport, which may be related to more conservative water use. To test the hypothesis, we investigate the gas exchange and hydraulic properties of three mangrove species: Rhizophora mangle L., Laguncularia racemosa Gaert and Avicennia germinans (L.)L. Experiments were performed with adult plants growing naturally in the field under a salinity of 35‰. Gas exchange parameters showed that A. germinans had significantly higher photosynthetic rates, and lower stomatal conductance and transpiration rates, compared to the other two mangroves. In concert with this, instantaneous water use efficiency was significantly high in A. germinans, intermediate in L. racemosa and lowest in R. mangle. The hydraulic parameters of the three mangrove species were in the lowest end of the range reported for tropical trees. However, the three mangrove species exhibited measurable differences in hydraulic parameters related to the control of water requirements for maintenance of carbon gain. L. racemosa and A. germinans showed less efficient water transport at shoot level but were the more efficient species in water use at the leaf level in comparison to R. mangle. Received: 7 April 1999 / Accepted: 25 July 1999     

Characterization of microsatellite markers for the mangrove tree Avicennia germinans L. (Avicenniaceae)

We describe 10 primers for amplification of microsatellite loci for the mangrove, Avicennia germinans. Eight loci were isolated from a DNA sample from the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico and two loci were isolated from a DNA sample from the Atlantic coast of Bermuda. Polymorphism was investigated in a population from the Mexican Pacific coast (n = 15) and in four samples scattered throughout the range of the species. Total number of alleles for the species ranged from two to 10. Observed heterozygosity in the Mexican Pacific coast population ranged from 0.27 to 0.60, with two loci having fixed alleles.     

Salinity effects on the leaf water relations components and ion accumulation patterns in Avicennia germinans (L.) L. seedlings

Physiological traits involved in leaf water relations were evaluated in Avicennia germinans (L.) L. seedlings growing at different salinities in the field. Analysis of pressure-volume (P-V) curves and sap osmometry were combined to evaluate osmotic adjustment and cell elasticity, and the contribution of accumulated inorganic ions to osmotic potential was estimated. Seedlings growing in soils with interstitial water salinity above that of normal sea water showed a modification of the relationship between water potential and relative water content. Thus, their leaf osmotic potential at maximum turgor (Ψ_{π( max )}) and at zero turgor (Ψ_π(0)) was 1.41 and 1.82 MPa lower respectively, than that of the seedlings from the low salinity site. Volumetric moduli of elasticity () were between 17 and 23 MPa. Thus, ɛ was about 6 MPa lower in high-salinity plants indicating that their cells were slightly more elastic. Ionic concentration analysis showed that Σ [anions] and Σ [cations] were higher in the high-salinity site (22–35%) while the water content per unit dry mass was only 12–17% lower. Reduction in water content was insufficient to explain the increase in ion concentration. Ion concentration explained 73 and 66% of the osmotic potential estimated by P-V curves for leaves from low- and high-salinity sites, respectively. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that leaves of A. germinans seedlings adapt to hypersaline soils by increasing solute concentration by 52% and cell elasticity by 26%. Both processes allow leaf water uptake and turgor maintenance over a large range of soil water potential. Received: 30 June 1997 / Accepted 26 November 1997     

Response of photosynthesis of different plant functional types to environmental changes along Northeast China Transect

Net photosynthesis (P_n), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), internal CO₂ concentration (C_i), and water use efficiency (WUE) were examined on 215 species from eight plant functional types (PFTs) along a precipitation gradient in northeast China (the Northeast China Transect, or NECT). Among the eight PFTs, meadow steppe grasses had the highest rates of net photosynthesis and forest grasses the lowest and the following order of P_n was noted: meadow steppe grasses >typical steppe grasses >steppe shrubs >desert grasses >forest trees >forest shrubs >desert shrubs >forest grasses (P<0.05). Transpiration tended to be the highest in the steppe grasses and lowest in forest shrubs. Transpiration also decreased rapidly with the appearance of C₃ desert species at the desert end. The forest tree PFT had lower P_n, E, g_s than the steppe PFTs, whereas WUE values were somewhat greater in the forest tree PFT than the desert shrubs and grasses. Low C_i values along the steppe section (from 400 to 1100 km, east to west) indicated the presence of C₄ species. Of all the PFTs, only shrubs and herbs were noted at all points along the transect. No clear relationship between P_n, E, g_s, WUE of herb and shrub PFTs and annual precipitation was noted – low values were found at both the high and low precipitation ends of the transect. Highest values were noted when precipitation was intermediate. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted: 10 May 1999     

基于SVAT模型的冬小麦光合作用和蒸散过程研究

在已建立的土壤－植被－大气传输（SVAT）模型中,冠层光合作用／气孔导度耦合子模型可区分遮荫叶和受光叶光合作用强度的差异;作物生长模型考虑了生长呼吸和维持呼吸,模拟与实测结果对比发现,日总蒸散量实测和模拟的根均方差（RMSD）为0.65mm,平均绝对差（MAPD）为14％;对冠层上部净光合作用率日变化过程而言,实测和模拟结果具有较好的一致性。利用模型模拟了冬小麦全生育争光合作用率和蒸散的演变过程。最后,分析了冬小麦蒸散和水分利用效率对不同最大叶面积指数,大气CO2浓度和叶片N含量的响应。     

Salinity effect on plant growth and leaf demography of the mangrove, Avicennia germinans L.

We assessed the effect of salinity on plant growth and leaf expansion rates, as well as the leaf life span and the dynamics of leaf production and mortality in seedlings of Avicennia germinans L. grown at 0, 170, 430, 680, and 940 mol m⁻³ NaCl. The relative growth rates (RGR) after 27 weeks reached a maximum (10.4 mg g⁻¹ d⁻¹) in 170 mol m⁻³ NaCl and decreased by 47 and 44% in plants grown at 680 and 940 mol m⁻³ NaCl. The relative leaf expansion rate (RLER) was maximal at 170 mol m⁻³ NaCl (120 cm m⁻² d⁻¹) and decreased by 57 and 52% in plants grown at 680 and 940 mol m⁻³ NaCl, respectively. In the same manner as RGR and RLER, the leaf production (P) and leaf death (D) decreased in 81 and 67% when salinity increased from 170 to 940 mol m⁻³ NaCl, respectively. Since the decrease in P with salinity was more pronounced than the decrease in D, the net accumulation of leaves per plant decreased with salinity. Additionally, an evident increase in annual mortality rates (λ) and death probability was observed with salinity. Leaf half-life (t _0.5) was 425 days in plants grown at 0 mol m⁻³ NaCl, and decreased to 75 days at 940 mol m⁻³ NaCl. Thus, increasing salinity caused an increase in mortality rate whereas production of new leaves and leaf longevity decreased and, finally, the leaf area was reduced.     

Effect of salinity on fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of the halophyte Avicennia germinans from a semi-arid mangrove

This study aimed to inventory fungal populations associated with the rhizosphere of Avicennia germinans in different salinity levels in a semi-arid mangrove in the Colombian tropics. Targeting the ITS1 and ITS2 regions provided complementary information, allowing a better approach to inventorying the fungal biodiversity. Amorosia and Aspergillus were the most abundant ascomycete genera, while Cystobasidium was the most abundant basidiomycete genus. Only five genera showed significant differences in abundance among the three salinity levels. Nevertheless, 65.4% of the genera were classified as exclusive for a specific salt content. Saprotrophs were the most abundant functional group and symbiotrophs were detected as mycorrhizas, fungi with biocontrol activity and entomopathogenic activity. These ecological groups play an important role in the cycling of organic matter and the availability of nutrients for mangrove plants and their tolerance to environmental and biotic stresses. This study highlights soil salinity as a determining factor in the composition of the fungal community in mangroves.     

作物光合、蒸腾与水分高效利用的试验研究

通过田间试验,对作物光合、蒸腾、气孔行为及其影响因素进行了研究。结果表明,光合与蒸腾的非线性关系可以用抛物线方程表述,其中光合速率最高时的蒸腾速率为临界值,超出该值即为奢侈蒸腾,干旱处理的临界值较低,通过合适的调控措施,抑制奢侈蒸腾并不影响光合生产,综合分析光合速率、蒸腾速率与气孔导度的关系,气孑L导度大于0．12mol·m^-2·s^-1,实施提高气孔阻力并抑制蒸腾的措施,既节约水分又促进光合作用,增加产量．光合速率基本上随光合有效辐射的增加而提高,并有光饱和点存在,水分条件影响叶片光合作用达到饱和的早晚,干旱处理的光饱和点远远低于湿润处理,强光需要水分充足相耦合,才能充分发挥光能利用率,蒸腾与辐射的线性关系十分显著。从光合有效辐射入手,在光合有效辐射大于1000μmol·m^-2·s^-1时实施措施,既可大大降低蒸腾,又可改善光合,节水增产效果不言而喻。     

田间不同条件下玉米叶片的气孔阻力及与光合,蒸腾作用的关系

以玉米 1 7个自交系和 1 0个杂交种为试材 ,在田间条件下研究了不同光强、不同叶位、不同生育期、不同源库比例和株间差异状态下的气孔阻力及其与光合 (PH)、蒸腾(TR)和叶片水分利用效率 (WUE)的关系 ,结果表明 ,不同自交系之间RS具有显著的差异 ,相差最大可达 2 .3倍以上 ;光照条件变弱、穗叶位差增加、生育期推延和源 /库比例改变等均可引起RS值的增加 ;在各种情况下导致RS变化的同时也引起TR和PH产生相应的变化 ,RS与TR、PH表现出显著或极显著的负相关 ,且相关系数rRS TR>rRS PH;RS与WUE的相关关系在不同的条件下表现出不稳定性     

The effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations on the performance of the mangrove Avicennia germinans over a range of salinities

By increasing water use efficiency and carbon assimilation, increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations could potentially improve plant productivity and growth at high salinities. To assess the effect of elevated CO₂ on the salinity response of a woody halophyte, we grew seedlings of the mangrove Avicennia germinans under a combination of five salinity treatments [from 5 to 65 parts per thousand (ppt)] and three CO₂ concentrations (280, 400 and 800 ppm). We measured survivorship, growth rate, photosynthetic gas exchange, root architecture and foliar nutrient and ion concentrations. The salinity optima for growth shifted higher with increasing concentrations of CO₂, from 0 ppt at 280 ppm to 35 ppt at 800 ppm. At optimal salinity conditions, carbon assimilation rates were significantly higher under elevated CO₂ concentrations. However, at salinities above the salinity optima, salinity had an expected negative effect on mangrove growth and carbon assimilation, which was not alleviated by elevated CO₂, despite a significant improvement in photosynthetic water use efficiency. This is likely due to non‐stomatal limitations to growth at high salinities, as indicated by our measurements of foliar ion concentrations that show a displacement of K⁺ by Na⁺ at elevated salinities that is not affected by CO₂. The observed shift in the optimal salinity for growth with increasing CO₂ concentrations changes the fundamental niche of this species and could have significant effects on future mangrove distribution patterns and interspecific interactions.     

The effect of atmospheric humidity on photosynthesis,transpiration and water use efficiency of leaves of several plant species

The effect of humidity on the gas exchange of leaves of the dicotyledons soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (L.) Schneider), and saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.) and the monocotyledons wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.) was examined under conditions of adequate soil moisture in a controlled environment. Photosynthesis and stomatal and internal diffusion resistances of whole, attached, single leaves were not affected by changes in humidity as the vapour pressure deficit between the leaf and atmosphere ranged from 8 to 27 mb. Transpiration increased linearly with increasing vapour pressure deficit. Whole plants of barley exhibited a different response. As humidity was increased, photosynthesis increased, transpiration expressed per unit of vapour pressure difference increased, and diffusion resistances became smaller. Reasons for the different behaviour of single leaves and whole plants are suggested. An index for water use efficiency, expressed per millibar of vapour pressure deficit, was calculated for single leaves of each species used in the experiments. This showed that water use efficiency was highest in the C₄ xerophytes and lowest in the C₃ mesophytes. The effect of environment on water use efficiency is examined using data from the literature.     

干旱、CO2和温度升高对春小麦光合、蒸发蒸腾及水分利用效率的影响

研究了干旱、CO2 浓度和温度升高对春小麦生育期、光合速率 (Pn)、蒸发蒸腾 (ET)及水分利用效率 (WUE)的影响 .结果表明 ,大气CO2 浓度升高 (5 5 0、70 0 μmol·mol-1)虽可延长抽穗 成熟期 ,但高温 (日平均温度高于正常日平均温度约 4 .8℃ )对生育期的影响远大于高CO2 影响 ,使得高CO2 、高温下抽穗 成熟期缩短 ,且种子提前萌发 ;CO2 浓度升高和高温共同作用使各水分处理的小麦光合增强、气孔阻力增加、叶片水平的水分利用效率 (WUEl)和群体水平的水分利用效率 (WUE)增大 ,但对蒸腾速率影响不显著 .对蒸发蒸腾的影响因不同的土壤水分而不同 ,在高 (田间持水量的 75 %～ 85 % )、中 (田间持水量的 5 5 %～6 5 % )水分条件下 ,高温和高CO2 使蒸发蒸腾增加 ,而在低水分条件 (田间持水量的 35 %～ 4 5 % )下 ,高温和高CO2 使蒸发蒸腾减少     

田间不同条件下玉米叶片的气孔阻力及与光合、蒸腾作用的关系

以玉米17个自交系和10个杂交种为试材,在田间条件下研究了不同光强、不同叶位、不同生育期、不同源库比例和株间差异状态下的气孔阻力及其与光合(PH)、蒸腾(TR)和叶片水分利用效率(WUE)的关系,结果表明,不同自交系之间RS具有显著的差异,相差最大可达2.3倍以上;光照条件变弱、穗叶位差增加、生育期推延和源/库比例改变等均可引起RS值的增加;在各种情况下导致RS变化的同时也引起TR和PH产生相应的变化,RS与TR、PH表现出显著或极显著的负相关,且相关系数r_RS-TR>r_RS-PH;RS与WUE的相关关系在不同的条件下表现出不稳定性.     

Biotic interactions mediate the expansion of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) into salt marshes under climate change

Many species are expanding their distributions to higher latitudes due to global warming. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these distribution shifts is critical for better understanding the impacts of climate changes. The climate envelope approach is widely used to model and predict species distribution shifts with changing climates. Biotic interactions between species, however, may also influence species distributions, and a better understanding of biotic interactions could improve predictions based solely on climate envelope models. Along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast, USA, subtropical black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) at the northern limit of its distribution grows sympatrically with temperate salt marsh plants in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. In recent decades, freeze‐free winters have led to an expansion of black mangrove into salt marshes. We examined how biotic interactions between black mangrove and salt marsh vegetation along the Texas coast varied across (i) a latitudinal gradient (associated with a winter‐temperature gradient); (ii) the elevational gradient within each marsh (which creates different marsh habitats); and (iii) different life history stages of black mangroves (seedlings vs. juvenile trees). Each of these variables affected the strength or nature of biotic interactions between black mangrove and salt marsh vegetation: (i) Salt marsh vegetation facilitated black mangrove seedlings at their high‐latitude distribution limit, but inhibited black mangrove seedlings at lower latitudes; (ii) mangroves performed well at intermediate elevations, but grew and survived poorly in high‐ and low‐marsh habitats; and (iii) the effect of salt marsh vegetation on black mangroves switched from negative to neutral as black mangroves grew from seedlings into juvenile trees. These results indicate that the expansion of black mangroves is mediated by complex biotic interactions. A better understanding of the impacts of climate change on ecological communities requires incorporating context‐dependent biotic interactions into species range models.     

Low salinities adversely affect photosynthetic performance of the mangrove,Avicennia marina

Photosynthetic performance of the highly salt tolerant mangrove, Avicennia marina, was compared at two sites differing insubstrate soil salinities. Carbon dioxide exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence weremonitored at a high salinity site in Durban Bay (35) and at a low salinitysite in Beachwood (< 12). Mean CO₂ exchange, conductanceand transpiration were consistently higher at the high salinity site. Carbondioxide response curves indicated that carboxylation efficiency was higherand stomatal limitation lower at the Durban Bay site. PSII quantum yield,electron transport rates (ETR) and intrinsic PSII efficiency(F_v/F_m) were significantly higher at the high salinity site.Quenching analysis indicated a higher degree ofphotoinhibition/photoprotection in leaves at the low salinity site. Predawnand midday leaf water potentials were –1.6 and –3.1 MPa at Beachwood,compared to –2.6 and –3.8 MPa, respectively, at Durban Bay. Leafconcentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺,Cl^- and N were significantly higher at Durban Bay. Photosyntheticperformance is apparently impaired at the low salinity site in Beachwood asa result of K⁺ and N deficiencies in the leaves.     

Changes in drought response strategies with ontogeny in Quercus rubra: implications for scaling from seedlings to mature trees

We investigated scaling of physiological parameters between age classes of Quercus rubra by combining in situ field measurements with an experimental approach. In the in situ field study, we investigated changes in drought response with age in seedlings, juveniles, and mature trees of Q. rubra. Throughout the particularly dry summer of 1995 and the unusually wet summer of 1996 in New England, we measured water potential of leaves (Ψ_Leaf) and gas exchange of plants at three sites at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. In order to determine what fraction of the measured differences in gas exchange between seedlings and mature trees was due to environment versus ontogeny, an experiment was conducted in which seedlings were grown under light and soil moisture regimes simulating the environment of mature trees. The photosynthetic capacity of mature trees was three-fold greater than that of seedlings during the wet year, and six-fold greater during the drought year. The seedling experiment demonstrated that the difference in photosynthetic capacity between seedlings and mature trees is comprised equally of an environmental component (50%) and an ontogenetic component (50%) in the absence of water limitation. Photosynthesis was depressed more severely in seedlings than in mature trees in the drought year relative to the wet year, while juveniles showed an intermediate response. Throughout the drought, the predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_PD) of seedlings became increasingly negative (–0.4 to –1.6 MPa), while that of mature trees became only slightly more negative (–0.2 to –0.5 MPa). Again, juveniles showed an intermediate response (–0.25 to –0.8 MPa). During the wet summer of 1996, however, there was no difference in Ψ_PD between seedlings, juveniles and mature trees. During the dry summer of 1995, seedlings were more responsive to a major rain event than mature trees in terms of Ψ_Leaf , suggesting that the two age classes depend on different water sources. In all age classes, instantaneous measurements of intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE_i), defined as C assimilation rate divided by stomatal conductance, increased as the drought progressed, and all age classes had higher WUE_i during the drought year than in the wet year. Mature trees, however, showed a greater ability to increase their WUE_i in response to drought. Integrated measurements of WUE from C isotope discrimination (Δ) of leaves indicated higher WUE in mature trees than juveniles and seedlings. Differences between years, however, could not be distinguished, probably due to the strong bias in C isotope fractionation at the time of leaf production, which occurred prior to the onset of drought conditions in 1995. From this study, we arrive at two main conclusions: Received: 14 July 1999 / Accepted: 10 January 2000     

Benefit, cost and water-use efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal durum wheat grown under drought stress

 Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) living symbiotically with host plants enhance plant growth by improving the acquisition of mineral nutrients and water relations. This study determined the effects of AMF inoculation on growth, benefit/cost and water-use efficiency (grams dry matter produced per kilogram water evapotranspired) in two durum wheat genotypes (drought sensitive and drought tolerant) under water-stressed and well-watered conditions. Plants were grown in a low-P silty clay (Typic Xerochrept) soil mix in a greenhouse. Shoot and root dry matter (DM) and root AMF colonization were higher for well-watered than for water-stressed plants. The mycorrhizal plants were more water-use efficient than nonmycorrhizal plants. Shoot DM differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants represent the benefit derived by plants from AMF-root associations. Shoot DM differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants under similar conditions of water treatment represent the cost to the plant of AMF-root associations. Values of benefit/cost for AMF-root associations were highest when plants were water-stressed and decreased under well-watered conditions. Genotypic differences in calculated costs and benefits were pronounced. Benefit/cost analysis may be helpful in evaluating host plant genotypes in order to optimize efficiencies of AMF symbiosis under different environmental conditions. Accepted: 4 April 1998     

模拟水分胁迫对水曲柳光合速率及水分利用效率的影响

经过3年人工模拟水分胁迫,研究了不同水分处理下水曲柳光合特征及其水分利用效率的变化.结果表明,在中度水分胁迫(MW)下,水曲柳的光合速率和水分利用效率比对照组均有所提高,而在重度水分胁迫(LW)下则分别降低了7.26%和1.13%.长期的中度水分胁迫使水曲柳的光合潜力得到充分发挥,其适应性也好于重度水分胁迫.对照组水曲柳的光合速率日变化呈单峰曲线,MW组和LW组则均呈"双峰"曲线;对照组水曲柳水分利用率的日变化呈现双峰曲线,而MW组和LW组则呈现波动趋势,无明显的波峰和波谷.这与水曲柳在不同水分处理下的生理特性和环境因子的日进程密切相关.     

Characterisation and analysis of microsatellite loci in a mangrove species, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. (Avicenniaceae)

An enriched microsatellite library of the mangrove species Avicennia marina was constructed, in which 85.8% of the clones contained microsatellite sequences. Of the microsatellite repeat sequences isolated, 55.0% were di-nucleotides, 34.2% were tri-nucleotides, 50.0% were perfect, 24.2% were imperfect, and 15.0% were compound. Four different di-nucleotide repeats were isolated with repeat lengths ranging from 5 to 33; ten different tri-nucleotide repeats were isolated with repeat lengths ranging from 3 to 25. The most common di-nucleotide was the AC/TG repeat; the most common tri-nucleotide was the CCG/GGC repeat. Sixteen microsatellite sequences were selected for primer design, and 6 primers were selected to investigate the polymorphism detected among 15 individuals of A. marina from three natural populations in Australia. A total of 40 alleles were detected at 6 microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per microsatellite locus ranged from 5 to 13. On average, 7 alleles were detected per locus. All microsatellite loci showed high levels of gene diversity (heterozygosity), with values ranging from 0.53 to 0.88; the mean value of gene diversity was 0.70. Microsatellite loci were also tested for conservation across Avicennia species. There was a decline in amplification success with increasing divergence between Avicennia species. The results indicate that microsatellites are abundant in the Avicennia genome and can be valuable genetic markers for assessing the effects of deforestation and forest fragmentation in mangrove communities, which is an important issue for mangrove conservation and afforestation schemes. Received: 8 June 1999 / Accepted: 21 September 1999