8种绿化树种光合特性及叶片解剖结构比较

城市绿化不仅包含了园林绿化的美化作用,还具有重要的生态功能,其生态功能是通过植物的生理活动实现的。光合能力在种间和基因型间的变化很大,这些差异通常与代谢和(或)叶片的解剖结构的性质有关。本研究选择8种哈尔滨常见树种,采用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统对叶净光合速率(P_n)、呼吸速率(R_d)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)等进行测定,并利用显微镜观察测定叶片厚度、表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度,从而探讨叶片结构对光合生理的影响。结果表明:8个树种间叶片最大光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO_2浓度、蒸腾速率、光饱和点差异显著(P <0.05);表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、上表皮气孔密度和下表皮气孔密度差异显著(P <0.05)。虽然8个树种间光合能力和叶片解剖结构的差异较大,但分析发现其间也存在一定的相关性。其中,光饱和点与叶表皮厚度显著正相关(P <0.01),相关系数为0.78。胞间CO_2浓度与上表皮气孔密度显著负相关(P <0.05),相关系数为-0.65。而最大光合速率、呼吸速率、蒸腾速率和光补偿点与表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、上表皮气孔密度和下表皮气孔密度相关均不显著(P> 0.05)。胞间CO_2浓度与表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度和下表皮气孔密度相关均不显著(P> 0.05)。光饱和点与栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、上表皮气孔密度和下表皮气孔密度相关均不显著(P> 0.05)。虽然对叶片结构对生理过程的影响的机理还需要进一步研究,但是我们认为叶片解剖结构的研究可以更好地理解生理指标的变化。     

Daytime noise predicts nocturnal singing in urban robins

Ambient noise interferes with the propagation of acoustic signals through the environment from sender to receiver. Over the past few centuries, urbanization and the development of busy transport networks have led to dramatic increases in the levels of ambient noise with which animal acoustic communications must compete. Here we show that urban European robins Erithacus rubecula, highly territorial birds reliant on vocal communication, reduce acoustic interference by singing during the night in areas that are noisy during the day. The effect of ambient light pollution, to which nocturnal singing in urban birds is frequently attributed, is much weaker than that of daytime noise.     

岩溶石漠化治理优良先锋植物种类光合、蒸腾及水分利用效率的初步研究

针对西南岩溶石漠化地区干旱缺水的特点,采用Li-6400对其先锋树种任豆、金银花、狗骨木的光合、蒸腾及水分利用效率等特征进行分析,以揭示先锋树种利用水分生理生态学特征,从而提出植被恢复的对策。光响应模拟结果表明金银花和狗骨木符合Walker的非直线双曲线模型。蒸腾临界值狗骨木(幼树期)最小,金银花次之,任豆树较大,说明阳性树种任豆具有较大的蒸腾拉力,能够从土壤提取更多的水分,以减少岩溶石漠化地区强光引起的高温灼伤。任豆树、金银花、狗骨木具有同地带干性或沙漠优势植物的光合速率特征。任豆树有较耐受强光的能力,这与其在石漠化地区总是能够成为优势层片优势种的地位相符。三种植物光有效辐射与叶片蒸腾的呈极显著的线性关系;任豆树的蒸腾作用受气孔调节明显;狗骨木有较高的水分利用效率。上午9点左右和下午5∶00~6∶00是这些石漠化地区植物水分利用最高时间段。可以说这三种植物具有适应石漠化地区干旱和高温的生理生态学适应特征和避旱避高温策略,并保持旺盛的生物生产力。从植物固定碳水化合物效率并提高水分利用效率而言,三种植物套种,任豆树能够对藤灌植物适当遮荫,对加速狗骨木生长,提高金银花的产量将具有较好的效益。     

Exceptional Photosynthetic Performance of Capparis spinosa L. Under Adverse Conditions of Mediterranean summer

Diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in water potential (), stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) were monitored in Capparis spinosa L., a Mediterranean plant growing during summer, i.e. at the period considered the most stressful for local plant life. In spite of the complete absence of rain, exhibited a modest drop at midday (–2.7 MPa), but was fully recovered overnight, indicating sufficient access to water sources. The stomata remained open throughout the day and season and the high E resulted in leaf temperatures up to 3.9 °C below air temperature. Additionally, P _N of the fully exposed leaves was higher than 25 mol m^–2 s^–1 for more than 10 h per day throughout the summer growth period. No symptoms of photooxidative stress were shown, as judged by maximum photosystem 2 photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) and the function of xanthophyll cycle. Indeed, diurnal inter-conversions of the xanthophyll cycle components were modest during the summer and a more intensive function of the cycle was only evident during leaf senescence in autumn. In comparison with a semi-deciduous and an evergreen sclerophyll co-existing in the same ecosystem, C. spinosa assimilated up to 3.4 times more CO₂ per m² during its growth period (May to October) and up to 1.8 times more on an annual basis.     

Early blooming's challenges: extended flowering season, diverse pollinator assemblage and the reproductive success of Gynodioecious Daphne laureola

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The scarcity and unpredictability of active pollinators during late winter in temperate areas tends to favour extended flowering seasons and increased floral longevity in early blooming species, which are usually pollinated by diverse sets of insects. Daphne laureola is a gynodioecious woody perennial that flowers from January to April in southern Spain, a period characterized by cold temperatures, frequent rains and irregular snowfalls. METHODS: Pollinators were excluded at four different times during the flowering season in order to determine the effect of decreased exposure to pollinators on fruit set in female and hermaphrodite individuals. The role of nocturnal and diurnal pollination on reproductive success in each gender was simultaneously evaluated by selective exclusion. KEY RESULTS: A 50 % reduction in the flowering period decreased fruit set of females by 50 %, whereas the corresponding decrease in self-compatible hermaphrodites was only approx. 25 %. Day-active hymenopterans and lepidopterans were infrequent visitors, and nocturnal pollinators were inefficient, suggesting that pollen beetles, Meligethes elongatus, were the main pollinators of D. laureola in the study region. CONCLUSIONS: Beetles were less abundant in pollenless females, although discrimination did not apparently result in pollination limitation of female reproduction. A preference of beetles for sunny locations emphasized the relevance of abiotic conditions for pollination of this early blooming shrub.     

Plant water relations at elevated CO2 -- implications for water-limited environments

Long-term exposure of plants to elevated [CO2] leads to a number of growth and physiological effects, many of which are interpreted in the context of ameliorating the negative impacts of drought. However, despite considerable study, a clear picture in terms of the influence of elevated [CO2] on plant water relations and the role that these effects play in determining the response of plants to elevated [CO2] under water-limited conditions has been slow to emerge. In this paper, four areas of research are examined that represent critical, yet uncertain, themes related to the response of plants to elevated [CO2] and drought. These include (1) fine-root proliferation and implications for whole-plant water uptake; (2) enhanced water-use efficiency and consequences for drought tolerance; (3) reductions in stomatal conductance and impacts on leaf water potential; and (4) solute accumulation, osmotic adjustment and dehydration tolerance of leaves. A survey of the literature indicates that the growth of plants at elevated [CO2] can lead to conditions whereby plants maintain higher (less negative) leaf water potentials. The mechanisms that contribute to this effect are not fully known, although CO2-induced reductions in stomatal conductance, increases in whole-plant hydraulic conductance and osmotic adjustment may be important. Less understood are the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and drought on fine-root production and water-use efficiency, and the contribution of these processes to plant growth in water-limited environments. Increases in water-use efficiency and reductions in water use can contribute to enhanced soil water content under elevated [CO2]. Herbaceous crops and grasslands are most responsive in this regard. The conservation of soil water at elevated [CO2] in other systems has been less studied, but in terms of maintaining growth or carbon gain during drought, the benefits of CO2-induced improvements in soil water content appear relatively minor. Nonetheless, because even small effects of elevated [CO2] on plant and soil water relations can have important implications for ecosystems, we conclude that this area of research deserves continued investigation. Future studies that focus on cellular mechanisms of plant response to elevated [CO2] and drought are needed, as are whole-plant investigations that emphasize the integration of processes throughout the soil--plant--atmosphere continuum. We suggest that the hydraulic principles that govern water transport provide an integrating framework that would allow CO2-induced changes in stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, root growth and other processes to be uniquely evaluated within the context of whole-plant hydraulic conductance and water transport efficiency.     

In vitro multiplication of Quercus leucotrichophora and Q. glauca: Important Himalayan oaks

Multiple shoots of Quercus leucotrichophora L. and Q. glauca Thunb. were induced from the intact embryos (decoated seeds) as well as from the cotyledonary nodes (with attached cotyledons but without radicle and primary shoot) of 3-weeks old in vitro grown seedlings on Woody Plant (WP; Lloyd and McCown, 1980) and Murashige and Skoog (MS; 1962) media supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA), either alone or in combination with gibberellic acid (GA₃)/ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). BA (22.19 M) was effective for induction of multiple shoots and addition of GA₃ to the medium further enhanced the shoot number and shoot height but resulted in shoot thinness. High frequency shoot multiplication was achieved using cotyledonary nodes. Shoots were further multiplied from the original explant on WP medium supplemented with BA (22.19 M). Nearly 78% and 67% rooting was obtained in Q. leucotrichophora and Q. glauca microshoots (3–4 cm high), respectively on 1/2 strength WP medium supplemented with IBA (14.76 M). However, this was associated with basal callus formation. Treatment with IBA (25–100 M) for 24 or 48 h followed by transfer to PGR free 1/2 strength WP medium not only improved the rooting percentage but also avoided basal callus formation. IBA at 100 M for 24 h was most effective (90% and 100% rooting in Q. leucotrichophora and Q. glauca, respectively). In vitro rooted plants were hardened and established in garden soil.Growth performance of 6-month-old in vitro raised plants was compared with ex vitro plants (seedlings) of the same age. The photosynthesis and transpiration rates of eight months old in vitro and ex vitro raised plants of both species were measured under different light (0, 600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 2000 mol m^–2s^–1) and temperature (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C). Light optimum for photosynthesis was around 2000 mol m^–2s^–1 in Q. leucotrichophora and around 1500 mol m^–2s^–1 in Q. glauca whereas optimum temperature for photosynthesis was 25 °C in Q. leucotrichophora and 30 °C in Q. glauca. The rate of transpiration at different temperatures (20–40 °C), in the two species, increased with increase in the light intensity up to the highest level, i.e., 2000 mol m^–2s^–1. Temperatures beyond 35 °C adversely affected the rate of transpiration in in vitro raised as well as ex vitro plants of both the species. In vitro raised and hardened plants of both the species were comparable to ex vitro plants in terms of gas and water vapour exchange characteristics, within the limits of this study.     

Responses of Tobacco Plantlets to Change of Irradiance During Transfer from in vitro to ex vitro Conditions

Chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), water relations, and photosynthetic pigment contents were studied during acclimation of in vitro grown tobacco to higher irradiance (HL; 700 mol m^–2 s^–1). Plantlets were grown on medium containing sucrose in glass vessels (G-plants) or in Magenta boxes (M-plants) with better CO₂ supply in the latter ones. The effect of HL was studied either (1) in plantlets grown under original in vitro conditions (closed vessels), (2) in in vitro plantlets exposed to ambient CO₂ concentration (covers removed), or (3) in plantlets transplanted to ex vitro into pots with sand and nutrient solution. Higher P _N, and fraction of closed photosystem 2 (PS2) centres (1 – q_P), and lower content of xanthophyll cycle pigments were found in M-plants compared to G-plants. HL treatment caused photoinhibition particularly in plants kept in closed vessels. This was indicated by the decrease in the ratio of F_v/F_m and by the increase in non-photochemical quenching, 1 – qp, and content of xanthophyll cycle pigments. Better CO₂ supply ensured by the removal of closure lead to the moderate reduction of symptoms of photoinhibition, although stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), and P _N were negatively affected. The main reason was the decrease in relative air humidity, which caused similar reduction of P _N, E, and g _s after the transfer of plantlets to ex vitro. Nevertheless, plant response to HL seemed not to be affected by any possible root injury caused by transfer to ex vitro. The differences in contents of xanthophyll cycle pigments, degree of de-epoxidation, P _N, and quenching parameters between M- and G-plantlets were still significant 7 d after ex vitro transfer and HL acclimation.     

Effects of Soil Drought and Atmospheric Humidity on Yield,Gas Exchange,and Stable Carbon Isotope Composition of Barley

The combined effects of water status, vapour pressure deficit (VPD), and elevated temperature from heading to maturity were studied in barley. Plants growing at high VPD, either under well-watered or water deficit conditions, had higher grain yield and grain filling rate than plants growing at low VPD. By contrast, water stress decreased grain yield and individual grain dry matter at any VPD. Water regime and to a lesser extent VPD affected ¹³C of plant parts sampled at mid-grain filling and maturity. The differences between treatments were maximal in mature grains, where high VPD increased ¹³C for both water regimes. However, the total amount of water used by the plant during grain filling did not change as response to a higher VPD whereas transpiration efficiency (TE) decreased. The net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of the flag leaves decreased significantly under water stress at both VPD regimes. However, P _N of the ears was higher at high VPD than at low VPD, and did not decrease as response to water stress. The higher correlation of grain yield with P _N of the ear compared with that of the flag leaf support the role of ear as the main photosynthetic organ during grain filling under water deficit and high VPD. The deleterious effects of combined moderately high temperature and drought on yield were attenuated at high VPD.     

Effects of different nitrogen forms and combination with foliar spraying with 6-benzylaminopurine on growth,transpiration, and water and potassium uptake and flow in tobacco

NH₄ ⁺-N can have inhibitory effects on plant growth. However, the mechanisms of these inhibitory effects are still poorly understood. In this study, effects of different N forms and a combination of ammonium + 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA, a synthetic cytokinin) on growth, transpiration, uptake and flow of water and potassium in 88-days-old tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. K 326) plants were studied over a period of 12 days. Plants were supplied with equal amounts of N in different forms: NO₃ ^–, NH₄NO₃, NH₄ ⁺ or NH₄ ⁺+6-BA (foliar spraying every 2 days after onset of the treatments). For determining flows and partitioning upper, middle and lower strata of three leaves each were analysed. During the 12 days study period, 50% replacement of NO₃ ^–-N by NH₄ ⁺-N (NH₄NO₃) did not change growth, transpiration, uptake and flow of water and K⁺ compared with the NO₃ ^–-N treatment. However, NH₄ ⁺-N as the sole N-source caused: (i) a substantial decrease in dry weight gain to 42% and 46% of the NO₃ ^–-N and NH₄NO₃ treatments, respectively; (ii) a marked reduction in transpiration rate, due to reduced stomatal conductance, illustrated by more negative leaf carbon-isotope discrimination (¹³C) compared with the NO₃ ^– treatment, especially in upper leaves; (iii) a strong reduction both in total water uptake, and in the rate of water uptake by roots, likely due to a decrease in root hydraulic conductivity; (iv) a marked reduction of K⁺ uptake to 10%. Under NH₄ ⁺ nutrition the middle leaves accumulated 143%, and together with upper leaves 206% and the stem 227% of the K⁺ currently taken up, indicating massive mobilisation of K⁺ from lower leaves and even the roots. Phloem retranslocation of K⁺ from the shoot and cycling through the root contributed 67% to the xylem transport of K⁺, and this was 2.2 times more than concurrent uptake. Foliar 6-BA application could not suppress or reverse the inhibitory effects on growth, transpiration, uptake and flow of water and ions (K⁺) caused by NH₄ ⁺-N treatment, although positive effects by 6-BA application were observed, even when 6-BA (10^–8 M) was supplied in nutrient solution daily with watering. Possible roles of cytokinin to regulate growth and development of NH₄ ⁺-fed plants are discussed.