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 86
- Downloads 0
Potassium Critical Limit and Response to Soybean in Swell-Shrink Soil, Akola, Maharashtra
The emerging role of K in a number of biotic and abiotic stress situations is discussed including those of diseases and pests, frost, heat/drought, and salinity. A net house investigation was undertaken with 15 soils bel...
Evaluating the Effects of Chemical Ripening with Fluazifop-p-butyl on Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) Yield and Sugar Content
Ripening in sugarcane refers to an increase in sugar content on a fresh weight basis prior to commercial harvesting. Ripening is often prompted by use of chemicals and environmental cues such as moisture stress. The aim...
Assessment of Land Suitability and Water Requirements for Different Crops in Dakhla Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt
Land reclamation projects in Egypt have been directed towards the Western Desert; however, such expansion requires devoting land and water resources to the optimum use. Hence, the current work aimed at assessing land sui...
Larrea tridentata Uptake of Trace Metals in Mine Tailings within an Arid Region of Nevada, USA
Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) growing in contaminated tailings of the Techatticup Mine in Nelson, Nevada were sampled and analyzed for trace metals. Samples were also collected outside the mine tailings to measure ge...
Soil Water Storage under Selected Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) for Rain-fed Conditions in Zambia
Aim: To evaluate soil water storage under 30 maize varieties differing in maturity for rain-fed conditions in Zambia. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the University of Zambia Agricultural Demonstratio...