Response of photosynthetic machinery of field-grown kiwifruit under Mediterranean conditions during drought and re-watering

Groups of Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev. C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson var. deliciosa kiwifruit plants were subjected to soil water shortage (D), while other groups were well irrigated (I). Variations in chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence indices and leaf gas exchange were determined once plants were severely stressed (25 d after the beginning of the D-cycle). Daily maximum values of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were ca. 1 650 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹, while air temperatures peaked at 34.6 °C. High irradiance per se did not greatly affect the efficiency of photosystem (PS) 2, but predisposed its synergistic reduction by D co-occurrence. Fluorescence showed transient photodamage of PS2 with a complete recovery in the afternoon in both D and I plants. Upon re-watering the efficiency of PS2 was suboptimal (95 %) at day 2 after irrigation was reinitiated. At early morning of the day 5 of re-watering, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance recovered at about 95 and 80 % of I vines, respectively, indicating some after-stress effect on stomatal aperture. Once excessive photons reached PS2, the thermal dissipation of surplus excitation energy was the main strategy to save the photosynthetic apparatus and to optimize carbon fixation. The rather prompt recovery of both Chl a fluorescence indices and net photosynthetic rate during re-watering indicated that kiwifruit photosynthetic apparatus is prepared to cope with temporary water shortage under Mediterranean-type-climates.     

Physiological comparisons of true leaves and phyllodes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia mangium</Emphasis> seedlings

We found differences between true leaves (TL) and phyllodes (Ph) during ontogeny of Acacia mangium plants as reflected in chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid contents, gas exchange, Chl fluorescence, and growth. The production of TL enhanced the relative growth rate of the A. mangium seedlings, allowing the plants to accumulate enough dry biomass for later growth, while the production of thicker Ph in the later growth stage of A. mangium could help plants to cope with higher irradiance in their natural growth conditions.     

Photosynthetically versatile thin shade leaves: A paradox of irradiance-response curves

Thick sun leaves have a larger construction cost per unit leaf area than thin shade leaves. To re-evaluate the adaptive roles of sun and shade leaves, we compared the photosynthetic benefits relative to the construction cost of the leaves. We drew photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)-response curves using the leaf-mass-based photosynthetic rate to reflect the cost. The dark respiration rates of the sun and shade leaves of mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidzumi) seedlings did not differ significantly. At irradiances below 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, the shade leaves tended to have a significantly larger net photosynthetic rate (P _N) than the sun leaves. At irradiances above 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, the P _N did not differ significantly. The curves indicate that plants with thin shade leaves have a larger daily CO₂ assimilation rate per construction cost than those with thick sun leaves, even in an open habitat. These results are consistently explained by a simple model of PAR extinction in a leaf. We must target factors other than the effective assimilation when we consider the adaptive roles of thick sun leaves.     

独叶草的光合生理生态特性

应用CI-301PS便携式光合测定仪对独叶草(Kingdonia uniflora)营养叶的光合生理生态特征进行了研究.结果表明:独叶草的净光合速率(Pn)日变化曲线呈双峰型,峰值出现在13:30和16:30左右,具有明显的光合"午休"现象;其叶片的蒸腾速率(Tr),水分利用率(WUE)的变化也呈双峰型.自然条件下,独叶草叶片净光合速率与光合有效辐射(PAR)、蒸腾速率、气孔导度(Gs)之间都具有多项式回归关系,R2分别为0.2082、0.2016和0.0582(n=129,P＜0.05),但独叶草叶片净光合速率与空气温度(Ta)相关性不显著(P＞0.05).独叶草叶片的光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)分别为14.93和215.76 μmol·m-2·s-1,只能适应较窄的光照环境.     

Requirements for obtaining maximum indices of photosynthesis and transpiration in attached leaves of willow plants grown in short-rotation forest

The results of multiyear studies of gas exchange in intact attached leaves of several willow species (Salix sp.) were analyzed. Measurements were performed with a portable Li-6400 infrared gas analyzer both on plants in their natural environment and on rooted cuttings grown in a greenhouse. Individual attached leaves were placed into the leaf chamber where climatic conditions were either similar to or different from those outside the chamber. The maximal rates of net photosynthesis (P _n) and transpiration (E) were only observed with the provision that the environmental variables inside and outside the chamber were identical. On rainy or cloudy days, the P _n and E values observed under optimum conditions inside the leaf chamber were lower than their potential maxima by 12–18% and 35–45%, respectively. Deviation of temperature in the chamber by 5–7°C from the external level and fluctuations of ambient temperature affected P _n but not E rates of tested leaves. Variations in relative air humidity in the chamber directly influenced E but had no effect on P _n of attached leaves. It was shown that the maximum rates of gas exchange in the attached willow leaf could be only attained by providing optimum conditions for the whole plant.     

Seasonal and Spatial Controls over Nutrient Cycling in a Pacific Northwest Prairie

West Coast prairies in the US are an endangered ecosystem, and effective conservation will require an understanding of how changing climate will impact nutrient cycling and availability. We examined how seasonal patterns and micro-heterogeneity in edaphic conditions (% moisture, total organic carbon, % clay, pH, and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) control carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling in an upland prairie in western Oregon, USA. Across the prairie, we collected soils seasonally and measured microbial respiration, net nitrogen mineralization, net nitrification, and phosphorus availability under field conditions and under experimentally varied temperature and moisture treatments. The response variables differed in the degree of temperature and moisture limitation within seasons and how these factors varied across sampling sites. In general, we found that microbial respiration was limited by low soil moisture year-round and by low temperatures in the winter. Net nitrogen mineralization and net nitrification were never limited by temperature, but both were limited by excessive soil moisture in winter, and net nitrification was also inhibited by low soil moisture in the summer. Factors that enhanced microbial respiration tended to decrease soil phosphorus availability. Edaphic factors explained 76% of the seasonal and spatial variation in microbial respiration, 35% of the variation in phosphorus availability, and 29% of the variation in net nitrification. Much of the variation in net nitrogen mineralization remained unexplained (R ² = 0.19). This study, for the first time, demonstrates the complex seasonal controls over nutrient cycling in a Pacific Northwest prairie.     

Sensitivity of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Exchange of Fen Ecosystem Components to Water Level Variation

Abstract Climate change is predicted to bring about a water level (WL) draw-down in boreal peatlands. This study aimed to assess the effect of WL on the carbon dioxide (CO₂) dynamics of a boreal oligotrophic fen ecosystem and its components; Sphagnum mosses, sedges, dwarf shrubs and the underlying peat. We measured CO₂ exchange with closed chambers during four growing seasons in a study site that comprised different vegetation treatments. WL gradient in the site was broadened by surrounding half of the site with a shallow ditch that lowered the WL by 10–25 cm. We modeled gross photosynthesis (P _G) and ecosystem respiration (R _ECO) and simulated the CO₂ exchange in three WL conditions: prevailing and WL draw-down scenarios of 14 and 22 cm. WL draw-down both reduced the P _G and increased the R _ECO, thus leading to a smaller net CO₂ uptake in the ecosystem. Of the different components, Sphagnum mosses were most sensitive to WL draw-down and their physiological activities almost ceased. Vascular plant CO₂ exchange, en bloc, hardly changed but whereas sedges contributed twice as much to the CO₂ exchange as shrubs in the prevailing conditions, the situation was reversed in the WL draw-down scenarios. Peat respiration was the biggest component in R _ECO in all WL conditions and the increase in R _ECO following the WL draw-down was due to the increase in peat respiration. The results imply that functional diversity buffers the ecosystem against environmental variability and that in the long term, WL draw-down changes the vegetation composition of boreal fens.     

Predation rate and numerical response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza feeding on different densities of Aphis craccivora

Predation rate and numerical response are basic to any investigation of predator–prey relationships and key components in the selection of predators for biological control. The density-dependent predation rate and numerical response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to varying densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80) of third-instar Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were studied in laboratory conditions [23±1°C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 16:8 h L:D. Predation rate data were analysed using the age-stage, two-sex consumption rate software. Net consumption rate (C₀) increased by increasing prey density. The lowest and highest net consumption rates were 20.75 and 190.8 prey nymphs at densities of 5 and 80 A. craccivora. The transformation rate from prey population to predator offspring (Q_p) increased by increasing prey density. The reproductive numerical response, in terms of eggs laid, increased curvilinearly with increasing prey density. Females laid 121.375 ± 4.301 eggs when exposed to the highest prey density (80) and 52.5 ± 1.544 eggs at lowest prey density (5). It can be concluded that different densities of A. craccivora influenced the reproductive performance of A. aphidimyza in terms of predation rate and numerical response.     

沙埋对两种一年生藜科植物存活及光合生理的影响

为了解沙埋对沙生植物存活的影响及其光合生理响应特征,比较不同藜科沙生植物耐沙埋能力及其光合响应,在内蒙古科尔沁沙地研究了沙米(Agriophyllum squarrosum)和大果虫实(Corispermum marocarpum)在不同沙埋深度下第5、10、15天的净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率的变化,并于植物生长末期对存活率进行了测定。结果表明:沙米较大果虫实具有较强的耐沙埋能力,其中沙米幼苗最大耐沙埋深度超过苗高10 cm,大果虫实在埋深等于其苗高时全部死亡;随沙埋深度增加,沙米和大果虫实的存活率均显著下降,但沙米的下降幅度明显小于大果虫实;沙埋后,2种植物的气孔关闭或开放程度减小,通过降低蒸腾速率和提高水分利用效率来适应沙埋胁迫;随着沙埋胁迫的加剧,2种植物的净光合速率下降,表明沙埋胁迫对植物的光合作用破坏较大;相比于大果虫实,沙米对于沙埋胁迫有着更好的光合适应,随着胁迫的时间增加,其净光合速率有所恢复。     

我国湖泊表层沉积物生物硅的空间分布特征

选取我国东北、西南、西北及中北部地区的10个典型湖泊,调查了表层沉积物生物硅含量变化情况,并通过区域对比分析了生物硅含量变化的原因,寻找我国湖泊生物硅变化的空间规律。结果表明,西北及中北部地区湖泊生物硅含量平均值整体低于东北和西南地区湖泊,可能是由于西北及中北部地区较低的温度和较少的降水量导致硅藻生长受限,从而造成生物硅含量偏低。东北湖泊与西南湖泊生物硅含量相对较高,但其形成原因不同。东北2个湖泊均靠近人类聚居区,属富营养型湖泊,虽然东北地区年均温较低,但充足的营养盐为硅藻生长提供了必要因素。而西南地区湖泊大多为中贫营养型湖泊,其生物硅含量整体较高可能主要归因于较高的温度和较多的降水。