Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology >
Effects of stem photosynthesis on hydraulic traits and leaf photosynthesis in Calligonum arborescens under drought stress
- 1Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Ürümqi 830011, China
2National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Desert Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fukang, Xinjiang 831505, China
3University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
4College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi 830046, China
5College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
6National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Ürümqi 830011, China
Received date: 2023-12-22
Accepted date: 2024-05-06
Online published: 2024-07-03
Supported by
Tianshan Talent Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2022TSYCCX0002);Outstanding Youth Foundation of Xinjiang Natural Science Foundation(2023D01E19);Western Light Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(2020-XBQNXZ-013);Western Light Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(2021-XBQNXZ-002)
Abstract
Aims Stem photosynthesis plays a crucial role in maintaining the carbon balance in plants. By exploring the impact of stem photosynthesis on hydraulic traits and leaf gas exchange in desert woody plants during a long period of drought, we aimed to gain deeper insights into the remarkable drought resistance capabilities of these plants in extreme environments.
Methods Aluminum foil was used to shade the stems of two-year-old Calligonum arborescensseedlings planted in 15-L pots at the beginning of the 2022 growing season under the rain shelter of Fukang desert station. The stems of a control group were exposed to normal light levels. After 0, 15 and 30 d of drought, the stem/leaf photosynthesis rate, hydraulic parameters, and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) contents were measured in the shading and control groups.
Important findings Our main results showed that: (1) Stem photosynthetic rate of C. arborescens ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 μmol·m-2·s-1, and was not significantly affected by the duration of the drought. Stem photosynthetic rates were 1.42, 1.28 and 1.21 μmol·m-2·s-1 after 0, 15 and 30 d of drought, respectively. (2) The specific hydraulic conductivity, leaf/stem water content, leaf water potential, and leaf photosynthetic rate decreased significantly over the dry period in the shading group but declined more slowly in the control group. (3) After 15 d without water, the percentage loss of conductivity, was significantly reduced in the control seedlings and the NSC contents of leaf and stem were significantly increased. Following 30 d of drought, the number and cross-sectional area of embolized vessels decreased significantly, by 33.8% and 22.8%, respectively, in the control seedlings. (4) In the same drought duration, leaf photosynthetic rate in the control group was significantly higher than that of the shading group, increasing 2.3 and 3.2 μmol·m-2·s-1 after 15 and 30 d of drought, respectively. Our results indicate that stem photosynthesis can improve the drought resistance of desert plants and provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the strategies and mechanisms used by desert plants to survive under drought conditions, which are important when considering projected climate change scenarios.
Cite this article
LI Min-Qing , ZHOU Xiao-Ming , WANG Shuang-Long , CHEN Li-Dan , LI Cong-Juan , LIU Ran . Effects of stem photosynthesis on hydraulic traits and leaf photosynthesis in Calligonum arborescens under drought stress[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2024 , 48(11) : 1524 -1535 . DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2023.0386
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