Aspects of Water Relations and Gas Exchange of Katsura and Tilia Seedlings Subjected to Wet-Dry Cycles: Indication of Strategies for Whole Plant Drought Tolerance
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2016, Vol 10, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper reports the effects of progressive drought and wet-dry cycles on water relations, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic carbon fixation of seedlings of two tree species adapted to temperate climate Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Sieb. & Zucc. (Katsura: Cerci) and Tilia cordata (Tilia) in the climate chamber of the Institute of Ecophysiology of Plants, Technical University, Munich (TUM), Freising, Germany. The watering regimes were applied in phases to simulate either well watered /hydration conditions, dry down/single drought phase and multiple/intermittent wet-dry cycle. The control plants were maintained under well-watered conditions dry-wet cycles (drought-rehydration phases) in phases. Plants in the multiple-drought treatment were subjected to two dry-wet phases while plants in the single-drought treatment were exposed to an initial drought phase followed by one hydration phase. In both Cercidiphyllum japonicum and Tilia cordata, drought induced leaf abscission and recovery (regrowth) were observed towards the end of the experiment. However, against expectation, although Cerci exhibited drought induced leaf abscission, but its water potential was kept below values obtained for Tilia. After relief from drought (post drought rewatering), leaf water potential and stomatal gas exchange recovered in magnitudes close to those of well watered control plants. As a result of increasing dehydration, water potential in Tilia declined sharply and one of the plants died off. It appeared that the magnitude of soil drought imposed was sufficient to initiate hydraulic failure in Tilia, an observation that can be attributed to a vulnerability to embolism. The water consumption measured via evaporative flux/weighing method and sap flow sensors), was higher for Katsura while its leaf water potential declined far more in Cerci relative to Tilia without causing noticeable damage. The respective pre-dawn and midday leaf water potentials were: Tilia (-0.88; -0.1250 MPa) and Cerci (-0.85; -0.104 MPa). It is concluded that both Katsura and Tilia are drought avoiders that abscise leaves to reduce transpirational water loss. The species are capable of regrowth and recovery of physiological functions after relief from drought, In order to maintain the greatest ornamental value in the landscape. Katsura and Tilia should be planted in areas that are not prone to drought.
Authors and Affiliations
K. H. Haeberle, S. O. Agele, R. Matyssek, M. Hennlich
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351440
- DOI 10.9734/IJPSS/2016/17154
- Views 101
- Downloads 0
The Influence of Soil Surface Conditions and Rainfall Intensity on Runoff Generation Potential in Semiarid Botswana
The study analyzed an investigation of soil surface conditions and their runoff generation potential by means of field experiment and model predictions. The field experiment was carried out during the period January 2012...
Soil Management and Fertilizer Use Practices in Smallholder Plantain Production Systems
The depletion of soil nutrients and organic matter as accentuated by the non-adoption of appropriate soil management practices is one cause of the yield decline that compels farmers to abandon plantain orchards after...
Mineral Composition of Maize (Zea mays L) Plant Irrigated with Wastewater and Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract
A study was conducted in the screen house at the FAO/TCP teaching and research farm of Adamawa state University, Mubi to assess the effect of wastewater from fish pond and Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the mineral com...
Epidermal Characterization of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. and Xanthosoma maffafa (L.) Schott. Accessions As Affected by Different Concentrations of Sodium Azide and Potassium Chromate in Nigeria
Epidermal assessment of five accessions of Colocasia esculenta and three accessions of Xanthosoma maffafa exposed to different concentrations of sodium azide and potassium chromate treatments was carried out. Each access...
Phosphorus Adsorption and Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Calcareous Alkaline Soils Influenced by Humic Acid
The effect of lignitic coal derived humic acid (HA) was evaluated on phosphorus adsorption and desorption capacity in calcareous alkaline soils collected from Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pak...