Foliar condensate absorption and its pathways of two typical shrub species in the Mu Us Desert

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2021.0066

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Condensate is an important water source for plants in the ecosystems of drylands. Previous studies have found that some desert plants can absorb condensate via leaves. This study aimed to determine the capacity of the foliar condensate absorption of typical shrub species (Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila) in the Mu Us Desert, and to explore the pathways of foliar condensate absorption and transport.

Methods The dehydrated and non-dehydrated detached shoots of A. ordosica and S. psammophilawere placed in an artificial chamber and exposed to deuterium labelled condensate, and the foliar condensate absorption was determined by comparing the differences of shoot masses and isotopic signals between pre- and post-immersion. The potted whole plants of A. ordosica and S. psammophilawere placed in an artificial chamber and exposed to fluorescent tracer solution, and the pathways of foliar water uptake and transport were determined by comparing the differences of fluorescent tracing in leaves and twigs between pre- and post-immersion.

Important findings (1) After the deuterium labelled dew exposure, no significant differences were found in shoot masses between pre- and post-immersion of non-dehydrated detached shoots of A. ordosica and S. psammophila. However, the dehydrated shoot masses significantly increased by 2.04% and 6.74% in A. ordosica and S. psammophila, respectively; the δD (stable isotope ratio of hydrogen) of leaf water increased by 170.10‰ and 104.09‰ in A. ordosica and S. psammophila, respectively; and the δD of xylem water increased by 10.52‰ and 12.72‰ in A. ordosica and S. psammophila, respectively. (2) After the fluorescent tracer solution exposure, fluorescence was observed in the cuticles, stomata, spongy mesophyll, palisade cells and vascular bundle of the leaves of A. ordosica and S. psammophila. The fluorescence was also found in collenchyma of the leaves of A. ordosica. In addition, the fluorescence was observed in phloem, xylem, and pith of twigs of two shrub species. This study found that two typical shrub species in the Mu Us Desert had the capacity to absorb condensate via their leaves, and the plants undergoing water stress had the higher capacity of foliar condensate absorption. The leaves of A. ordosica and S. psammophilaabsorbed condensate through cuticles or stomata, and the absorbed water was transported to vascular bundle and even twigs. Foliar condensate absorption may be an important water use strategy to survive for A. ordosica and S. psammophila during dry periods.

Key words: Artemisia ordosica, Salix psammophila, foliar condensate absorption, condensate, water use strategy

GUI Zi-Yang, QIN Shu-Gao, HU Zhao, BAI Feng, SHI Hui-Shu, ZHANG Yu-Qing. Foliar condensate absorption and its pathways of two typical shrub species in the Mu Us Desert[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2021, 45(6): 583-593.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2021.0066

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2021/V45/I6/583

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Changes in shoot mass of Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila before and after immersion (mean ± SD). **, p < 0.01.

Fig. 2 Changes in hydrogen stable isotope ratio (δD) for leaf water and xylem water of Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila before and after immersion (mean ± SD). **, p < 0.01.

Fig. 3 Relative contributions of condensate to total water in leaf and xylem of Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila (mean ± SD). *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01.

Fig. 4 Leaf surface and stomata of Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila. A, Leaf surface of A. ordosica. B, C, Stomata of A. ordosica. D, Abaxial side of leaf of S. psammophila. E, Adaxial side of leaf of S. psammophila. F, Stomata of S. psammophila.

Fig. 5 Cross-sections of leaf and twig of Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila in fluorescent tracing before and after immersion. A, E, Cross-sections of the leaf of A. ordosica and S. psammophila before immersion. B, F, Cross-sections of the leaf of A. ordosica and S. psammophila after immersion. C, G, Cross-sections of the twig of A. ordosica and S. psammophila before immersion. D, H, Cross-sections of the twig of A. ordosica and S. psammophila after immersion. Ca, collenchyma; Ct, cuticles; Pc, palisade cells; Ph, phloem; Pi, pith; Sc, spongy mesophyll; Vb, vascular bundle; Xl, xylem.

Fig. 6 Cross-sections of leaf of Artemisia ordosica and Salix psammophila in fluorescent tracing (confocal laser scanning). A, D, Cross-sections of the leaf of A. ordosica and S. psammophil under fluorescence and bright light. B, E, Cross-sections of the leaf of A. ordosica and S. psammophil under fluorescence. C, F, Fluorescent bright spot in cross-sections of the leaf of A. ordosica and S. psammophil under fluorescence. Ca, collenchyma; Ct, cuticles; Pc, palisade cells; Sc, spongy mesophyll; St, stomata; Vb, vascular bundle.

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