Photosynthetic performance of two coffee species under drought

Coffea arabica cv. Red Catuaí and C. canephora cv. Kouillou were grown in pots beneath a plastic shelter. When they were 14 months old, irrigation was withheld until the leaf pre-dawn water potential was about -1.5 and -2.7 MPa (designated mild and severe water stress, respectively). Under mild stress, net photosynthetic rate (PN) decreased mainly as a consequence of stomatal limitations in Kouillou, whereas such decreases were dominated by non-stomatal limitations in Catuaí. Under severe drought, further decreases in PN and apparent quantum yield were not associated to any changes in stomatal conductance in either cultivar. Decreases were much more pronounced in Catuaí than in Kouillou, the latter maintained carbon gain at the expense of water conservation. In both cultivars the initial chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence slightly increased with no changes in the quantum efficiency of photosystem 2. In response to rapidly imposed drought, the Chl content did not change while saccharide content increased and starch content decreased. Photoinhibition and recovery of photosynthesis, as evaluated by the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence and by the photosynthetic O2 evolution, were unaffected by mild drought stress. Photoinhibition was enhanced under severe water deficit, especially in Catuaí. In this cultivar the O2 evolution did not resume upon reversal from photoinhibition, in contrast to the complete recovery in Kouillou.     

Seed mass versus seedling performance in Scots pine: a maternally dependent trait

It is generally accepted that larger seeds give rise to seedlings with better performance. On the other hand, the size that a seed reaches is genetically determined by at least two different traits ; the genetic variability of the developing embryo and the genetic variability of the maternal plant. Thus, the relative contributions of these two traits affect seedling performance by influencing seed size. In this paper, I investigate the effect of seed size on seedling performance in the Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ). From eight maternal plants, 50 seeds were planted in each of two soil types (800 seeds in total), and seedling performance was monitored for 1 yr. Seed mass proved to be highly constant within maternal plants. Soil type influenced emergence and survival; however, the effect of soil type differed depending on maternal origin. Seed mass was positively correlated with seedling emergence, although this relationship was not found for seedling survival or date of emergence. The initial growth of the shoot was also positively correlated with seed mass. However, after one growing season, seed mass had no effect on seedling performance, which depended exclusively on maternal origin. Nevertheless, the mean mass of seeds produced by plants was positively correlated with mean values of growth parameters. Thus, first-year seedling performance seems to be a maternal trait indirectly associated with seed size.     

NaCl胁迫对5个树种幼苗叶片叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用温室盆栽方法,研究了不同质量浓度(1、2和3 g·L-1)NaCl胁迫对香椿[Toona sinensis (A. Juss. ) Roem. ]、刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia L. )、楸树(Catalpa bungei C. A. Mey. )、北美红栎(Quercus rubra L. )和常绿白蜡(Fraxinus griffithii Clarke)1年生实生苗叶片叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明,5个树种的PSⅡ最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)、稳态荧光参数(Fs)、PSⅡ有效光化学量子效率(F′ v/F′ m)、PSⅡ非循环光合电子传递速率(ETR)和PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)总体上均随NaCl质量浓度的提高而逐渐减小,不同处理间及不同树种间各参数均有极显著差异(P<0.01).常绿白蜡的Fv/Fm值在2或3 g·L-1NaCl胁迫条件下显著小于对照,刺槐、香椿和楸树的Fv/Fm值仅在3 g·L-1NaCl胁迫条件下显著小于对照,而北美红栎各处理组的Fv/Fm值均显著小于对照.随NaCl质量浓度的提高,刺槐的Fs值呈先减小后增大的趋势,且在3 g·L-1NaCl胁迫条件下高于对照,但差异不显著;其他4个树种各处理组的Fs值均小于对照.5个树种幼苗叶片的F′ v/F′ m值和ΦPSⅡ值的变化趋势与Fv/Fm值的变化趋势基本一致.随NaCl质量浓度的提高,香椿幼苗叶片的ETR值呈先减小后增大的趋势,且在3 g·L-1NaCl胁迫条件下高于对照;其他4个树种各处理组的ETR值均小于对照.不同树种的Fv/Fm值、Fs值、F′ v/F′ m值、ETR值和ΦPSⅡ值与NaCl质量浓度均呈极显著的负相关关系.研究结果显示,5个树种对NaCl胁迫的适应能力存在差异,刺槐、香椿和楸树对NaCl胁迫的耐性较强,常绿白蜡的耐性较弱,北美红栎对NaCl胁迫最敏感.     

铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长影响的初步研究

通过水培实验和土培实验,研究了铜陵铜尾矿对5种豆科植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,五种豆科植物种子在尾矿浸提液中均能萌发,但萌发率比对照组低,而且浸提液对种子萌发产生一定的阻滞作用,酸化尾矿浸提液对种子萌发初期的吸胀吸水有促进作用。尾矿与土壤5种不同改良方式的基质试验也发现铜尾矿对种子萌发着阻滞作用,其中大豆、赤豆、赤小豆在70d内未发现死苗现象。     

干旱胁迫对木兰科5树种生理生化指标的影响

对乐昌含笑(Michelia chapensis Dandy)、金叶含笑(M. foreolate Merr. ex Dandy)、阔瓣含笑(M. platyetala Hand. -Mazz.)、观光木(Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun)和红花木莲[Manglietia insigis (Wall.) Blume]进行28 d干旱胁迫处理,测定了丙二醛(MDA)和可溶性糖含量;对除乐昌含笑以外的4个树种进行了7种脂肪酸成分即肉豆蔻酸、棕榈酸、棕榈油酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸、α-亚麻酸的测定.结果表明,干旱胁迫时MDA和可溶性糖含量均升高.在4个树种的处理组和对照组中,不饱和脂肪酸比例高于饱和脂肪酸;在干旱胁迫时,饱和脂肪酸比例升高,不饱和脂肪酸比例下降.综合各生理指标变化与田间观察结果,上述5树种按抗旱能力强弱依次排序为:阔瓣含笑、乐昌含笑、观光木、金叶含笑和红花木莲.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and water and nutrient supply differently impact seedling performance of dry woodland species with different acquisition strategies

Background: We recently demonstrated that dwarf male plants are much more common among mosses than hitherto thought. Dwarf plants, producing functional male sexual organs occur in 10–20% of the moss species worldwide.

Aims: We investigated how an inadvertent omission of dwarf males affects estimates of male sex expression rates and sex ratios.

Methods: We recorded frequencies of specimens with female-expressing plants, male-expressing normal-sized and/or dwarf plants, and sporophytes in herbarium material of five model species from Macaronesia. We analysed how frequency estimates of male occurrence and sex ratios were affected by excluding dwarf males.

Results: Occurrence of dwarf males was positively associated with sporophyte formation. When dwarf males were excluded, male mate availability was missed in 51–61% of specimens (in 74–76% of sporophyte-containing specimens). Specimen-level sex ratio was balanced in material with sporophytes in the three species exhibiting male dwarfism, but strongly female biased if dwarf males were omitted.

Conclusions: We provide the first quantitative evidence that sex-expressing dwarf males are essential for sexual reproduction and sporophyte production in mosses that form such males. Considering its abundance, male dwarfism therefore deserves more attention among plant biologists. Innovative approaches are required to further study the minute male plants.     

土壤干旱对黄土高原4个乡土树种生长及干物质分配的影响

研究了不同土壤水分条件对黄土高原4个乡土树种幼苗生长及干物质分配的影响.结果表明,中度干旱(50%～55%θf)下虎榛子(Ostryopsis davidiana Decne.)和白刺花(Sophora viciifolin Hance)的生物量比适宜水分下(70%～75%θf)增加20.23%和3.93%,而大叶细裂槭(Acer stenolobum Rehd.var.megalophyllum Fang et Wu)和辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis Koidz.)生物量分别降低13.59%和35.25%;重度干旱(40%～45%θf)对幼苗生长均有明显抑制作用.白刺花地上部与地下部的生长受水分胁迫影响较小,较其他树种具有更强的耐旱性;干旱对辽东栎地上部生长的影响较地下部大,重度干旱下其生长明显受抑制.随干旱程度加剧幼苗的根冠比增大,在重度干旱下大叶细裂槭根冠比达2以上.虎榛子整体生长速度较慢,对干旱的适应可能更多表现在生理上的耐旱.     

Aquatic versus terrestrial locomotion: comparative performance of two ecologically contrasting species of European natricine snakes

One indicator of ecological differences between species is differential locomotory performance in different media. In this study, we compare locomotory speed of two species of natricine snakes on land and in water at a range of temperatures in the laboratory. As expected, both species moved more quickly at higher temperatures and both swam faster than they moved on land. However, the difference between aquatic and terrestrial speed was much greater for the aquatic species, Natrix maura , than for the semi-aquatic Natrix natrix . Furthermore, although N. maura was significantly faster than N. natrix in water, the opposite was true on land. In fact, N. maura was reluctant to move very far on land at all and would not complete a 2 m terrestrial course. Although we found no evidence of a negative correlation between the aquatic and terrestrial speeds of individual N. natrix , this interspecific comparison is consistent with the notion of a tradeoff between performance abilities on land and in water.     

Seed–litter–position drives seedling establishment in grassland species under recurrent drought

Changes in land use and climate interfere with grassland ecosystem processes. Here I experimentally investigated the combined effects of land‐use change related litter cover and contrasting water supply on seedling emergence. In this context, the role of the initial relative position of seeds, i.e. seeds on top of the litter versus seeds beneath the litter in interaction with water supply has not been investigated so far. I hypothesised that facilitative effects of litter on seedling emergence occur when seeds are covered by litter and deteriorate when litter covers the ground and seeds fall on it (seeds on top of the litter). Further, I hypothesised that the importance of seed position for seedling emergence will increase under conditions of recurrent drought. I performed a controlled pot experiment on seedling emergence of three common European grassland species (Pimpinella saxifraga, Leontodon autumnalis, Sanguisorba officinalis) by experimental manipulations of litter and water availability. Seedling emergence under moist conditions showed no significant differences between each litter position compared to the control across species. In contrast, under recurrent drought, seedling emergence was significantly higher below the litter compared to seeds on top of the litter and the control (i.e. no litter). In abandoned land, seedling emergence may be limited when seeds fall on ground‐covering litter. In contrast, in grasslands with regular low‐intensity land use, seedling emergence may be enhanced when a moderate level of litter covers seeds at the end of the growing season. Protective mechanisms that occur with seeds positioned beneath litter are particularly important under recurrent drought.     

Combined effects of warming and elevated CO2 on the impact of drought in grassland species

Aims

Drought is a major growth limiting factor in the majority of terrestrial ecosystems and is expected to become more frequent in the future. Therefore, resolving the drought response of plants under changing climate conditions is crucial to our understanding of future ecosystem functioning. This study responds to the need for experimental research on the combined effects of warming, elevated CO₂ and drought, and aims to determine whether the response to drought is altered under future climate conditions.

Methods

Two grassland species, Lolium perenne L. and Plantago lanceolata L., were grown in sunlit climate-controlled chambers. Four climates were simulated: (1) current climate, (2) current climate with drought, (3) a warmer climate with drought, and (4) a climate with combined warming, elevated CO₂ and drought.

Results

Warming did not alter the drought response, neither directly through photosynthesis nor indirectly through changes in water consumption. Also for combined warming and elevated CO₂ there were no effects on the plant response to drought for any of the measured parameters. However, simultaneous warming and elevated CO₂ mitigated the biomass response to drought through a positive pre-drought effect on photosynthesis and biomass response.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that a positive pre-drought effect of combined warming and elevated CO₂ has the potential to compensate for drought-induced biomass losses under future climate conditions.     

Human impact on the ecological performance of Potamogeton species in northwestern Germany

The changes in habitat quality of lowland rivers in Lower Saxony (Germany) during the past 40 years are outlined. Almost all chemical, physical, and morphological parameters have changed, resulting in most cases in an enhanced potential productivity, accompanied by a complex disturbance regime. Historical reconstruction of the change in river vegetation is presented to compare the frequency of macrophyte species 40 years ago with the situation of today. For a total of 289 sampling sites, the floristic change was exactly reconstructed. Nearly all species show a decline in frequency. This trend is also recognizable in Potamogeton, with the exception of two narrow-leaved species.An attempt is made to explain both decline and maintenance in terms of life history characters (vital attributes) allowing the species to react to the changing habitat conditions. The successful species are characterized by certain life history characteristics which enable them to survive under the current disturbance regime. Most important aspects of life history are the ability to reproduce by means of turions and other fragments, a long-lived, deep-rooting rhizome system, phenotypic plasticity of above-ground parts, synchronous shoot polymorphism, and the potential to regenerate quickly from remaining buds after disturbance. The decline of formerly frequent species can be attributed mainly to the lack of certain key characters; however, physiological characters also may be important. The extirpation of some rare species could also be caused by random fluctuations in small populations. The general importance of population ecological research, particularly demography, life history theory, and the modelling of clonal populations in conservation ecology is stressed.     

Sap flux of five co-occurring tree species in a temperate broad-leaved forest during seasonal soil drought

In an old-growth forest in Central Germany, sap flux was studied in five broad-leaved tree species that were assumed to differ in drought sensitivity. Under moist soil conditions, average daily sap flux density (J _s) in the outermost xylem varied by a factor of 2.3 among the species (67–152 g cm⁻² per day, n=5 trees per species), and declined in the sequence Fagus sylvatica > Acer pseudoplatanus > Tilia cordata > Carpinus betulus > Fraxinus excelsior. Decreasing soil moisture content (Θ) resulted in linearly reduced J _s in four of the species. During a dry period, J _s was reduced by 44% in T. cordata, 39% in F. sylvatica, 37% in A. pseudoplatanus and 31% in C. betulus compared to sap flux at equal vapour pressure deficit (D) in the wet period. F. excelsior, the only ring-porous species studied, lacked a significant response in J _s to D and Θ. The relative reduction in water use during the dry period was not related to the assumed drought sensitivity of the species as inferred from their abundance in natural woodlands. J _s was positively correlated with tree diameter at breast height (DBH) in three species but decreased with DBH in two species. Dyeing experiments revealed that DBH accounted for 94% of the variation in sapwood area found in a bulk sample of all diffuse-porous trees. This suggests that DBH is a reliable estimator of sapwood area of temperate diffuse-porous species irrespective of species identity. In contrast, sap flux density was found to be greatly dependent on tree species. The estimated whole-plant water use for diffuse-porous trees of a given diameter (49 cm) ranged between 74 and 168 kg per day per species under moist soil conditions. Thus, in temperate mixed forests, species-specific differences in water use can result in a considerable spatial heterogeneity of canopy transpiration.     

Responses to drought of five Brachiaria species. II. Water relations and leaf gas exchange

Neotropical savannas are exposed to recurrent dry periods of varied duration, and forage grasses must be able to cope with such temporal stresses to maintain productive pastures. This study compared leaf water relations and net photosynthesis under drought of five perennial Brachiaria species: the tufted B. brizantha (CIAT 6780), the semi-stoloniferous B. decumbens (CIAT 606) and B. mutica, and the stoloniferous B. humidicola (CIAT 679) and B. dictyoneura (CIAT 6133). Plants of the five grasses were grown in large pots and subjected to drought by suspending watering until first wilting symptoms (14 days for B. brizantha, B. decumbens and B. mutica, and 29 days for B. humidicola and B. dictyoneura). Afterwards, they were re-watered and a second soil dry cycle was imposed. Time trends in leaf water potential (_l), relative water content (RWC), osmotic potential at full turgor (₀ ¹⁰⁰), stomatal conductance (Gs) and net photosynthesis (A) of stressed (DT) plants were compared to those of well-irrigated (CT) plants. Predawn _l in DT plants decreased to a minimum of –1.5 and –2.0 MPa in B. brizantha and B. mutica, compared to –2.5 to –3.0 MPa in B. decumbens, B. humidicola and B. dictyoneura. RWC decreased up to 50% in B. brizantha, compared to 75% in the other species. In B. humidicola, B. dictyoneura and in a lesser extent, B. decumbens, leaves of DT plants adjusted osmotically, by an apparent accumulation of nutrient solutes, at a rather constant ratio of turgid to dry weight of the tissue. Calculated osmotic adjustment ranged between 0.38 (B. decumbens) to 0.87 MPa (B. humidicola). This adjustment in ₀ ¹⁰⁰ was in some cases maintained 7 days after re-watering. In B. brizantha and B. mutica, Gs and A were significantly affected by drought, with maximum reduction percentages at the second drought period of 65 and 80%, respectively. The corresponding reduction in B. decumbens was 53 and 55%, respectively; whereas in B. humidicola and B. dictyoneura Gs and A were reduced less than 20%. In all species, re-watering allowed for the water relations (except ₀ ¹⁰⁰) and photosynthetic activity of leaves of DT plants to reach values comparable to those of CT plants. Results are discussed in term of root morphology and soil water extraction pattern, as well as leaf traits that may contribute to withstand drought under moderate soil water stress.     

Dendrochronological analysis of urban trees: climatic response and impact of drought on frequently used tree species

Key message

Distinct species-specific differences were found in the response to temperature, precipitation and the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index that are confirmed by pointer year analyzes and superposed epoch analyzes.

Abstract

Trees in urban environments are exposed to heat stress, low air humidity and soil drought. The increasing temperatures and the more frequent heat and drought events will intensify the stress level of urban trees. We applied a dendrochronological approach to evaluate the species-specific suitability under increasing risk of drought of five tree species at highly sealed urban sites in the city of Dresden (Germany). Climate-growth correlation analyses show that temperatures and water availability from April to July in the current year and in summer and autumn of the previous year are the main determining factors for radial growth. However, distinct species-specific differences were found in the response to temperature, precipitation and the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index. During the study period, the influence of temperature and drought on radial growth during summer months increases for Acer platanoides and Acer pseudoplatanus, whereas no changes occurred for Quercus petraea, Quercus rubra, and P. × hispanica. Pointer year analysis and superposed epoch analyses revealed a species-specific response to extreme climatic events. While for A. platanoides and A. pseudoplatanus a higher number of negative pointer years and significant growth declines in drought years were found, Q. petraea and Q. rubra showed more frequent positive pointer years but no significant growth reductions during drought. Based on these response patterns we classified the studied tree species according to their suitability and drought tolerance for urban sites.     

Increase of biodiversity in homogeneous Scots pine stands by an ecologically diversified management

Three important parameters of biodiversity in first generation Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests on sandy soils have been evaluated: herbal layer diversity, natural regeneration and stand structure. The study took place in the Belgian Campine region, where the original oak–birch forest, degraded to heathlands in the course of time, were finally replaced by monocultures of Scots pine. These first generation pine forests are characterized by a low biodiversity. In maturing stands of this type, however, a spontaneous increase of biodiversity is noticed. Herbal species richness is very limited in all age classes. Different natural regeneration patterns are found. Referring to stand structure, the lengthening of the rotation favours the ingrowth of several hardwood species. As a consequence, the homogenous Scots pine stands are gradually and spontaneously transformed into heterogeneous mixed stands, featuring a noticeable increase in biodiversity. Selected human interventions may further increase biodiversity. The fundamental management principles are discussed: avoidance of major disturbances, lengthening of the rotation period, use of native tree species and natural regeneration, protection of microbiotopes and permanent monitoring.     

Effect of drought on three species of Rhizobium

Summary Three samples of soil were air dried and the reduction in population ofRhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium trifolii and a rhizobium of the ‘Lotus’ group was estimated by use of a plant-infection technique. The cells ofRhizobium trifolii proved to be more tolerant of the severe drought than did the cells of the other two species.