Temperature responsiveness of seedlings maximum relative growth rate in three Mediterranean Cistus species

Aims Relative growth rate(RGR)is an indicator of the extent to which a species is using its photosynthates for growth and it is affected by environmental factors,including temperature.Nevertheless,most of plant growth studies have been carried out at a single growth temperature or at different temperature treatments,resulting in the lack of information on the relationship between RGR and chang-ing mean daily air temperature.We analyzed the temporal changes in RGR during early growth stages in three Cistus species grown outdoor in a common garden from seeds of different provenances.Moreover,we wanted to define the relationship between daily changes in RGR and mean daily air temperature for the considered provenances.The hypothesis that intra-specific temporal variations in RGR can reflect differences in the behavior to maximize RGR(RGRmax)in response to temperature was tested.Methods Seedlings of C.salvifolius,C.monspeliensis and C.creticus subsp.eriocephalus were grown outdoor in the experimental garden of the Sapienza University of Rome under a Mediterranean climate.We analyzed early growth with non-linear growth models and calcu-lated function-derived RGRs as the derivative with respect to time of the parameterized functions used to predict height divided by cur-rent height.The relationships between function-derived RGRs and mean daily air temperature were analyzed by linear and non-linear models,which were ranked according to their standard errors and correlation coefficients.The temperature dependency of RGRmax per each provenance was evaluated through the relationship between RGRmax and the coefficients of the best regression model obtained.Important Findings A parameter that could summarize the temperature dependency of RGR up to RGRmax during the early growth stages for the selected provenances was defined.This allowed us to highlight that a greater RGR temperature responsiveness was related to a delay in the time to reach RGRmax independently by the species.Nevertheless,a greater temperature sensitivity of RGR lead to a reduced maximum height which reflects a negative trade-off between the length of the developmental phases and the extent of RGR temperature respon-siveness.Thus,variations in temperature responsiveness of RGR up to RGRmax have a significant role in shaping the early growth for the investigated species.Our findings quantitatively define provenance dependent strategies by which the selected species cope with daily air temperature variations during early growth.

Species divergence in seedling leaf traits and tree growth response to nitrogen and phosphorus additions in an evergreen broadleaved forest of subtropical China

Tree competitiveness generally depends on trait plasticity in response to environmental change.The effects of nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)on leaf trait variability by species is poorly understood,especially in China’s subtropical forests.This study examined the seedling leaf traits and net primary productivity of all trees>5 cm DBH of two dominant species,Schima superba and Castanopsis carlesii,in an evergreen broadleaved forest fertilized with nitrogen(+N),phosphorus(+P),and nitrogen plus phosphorus(N+P).The effect of N on seedling leaf traits was stronger than P,while fertilization in general was species dependent.Leaf mass per unit area decreased with N for S.superba seedlings but not for C.carlesii.Leaf N,P,and N/P ratios changed with N addition for both species.All four N fractions of carboxylation,bioenergetics,cell wall,and other N metabolites in C.carlesii leaves responded significantly to fertilization,while only the cell wall in S.superb a leaves responded.Other leaf functional traits,including light-saturated photosynthetic rates,water,N,and P use efficiencies,chlorophyll and non structural carbohydrate contents increased with N addition in S.superb a and by P addition in C.carlesii.Canopy closure at the stand-level increased due to N.Litter biomass and relative growth rate of S.superb a was not affected by any treatments,while both for C.carlesii significantly decreased with N+P addition.Collectively,nutrient limitation may vary at a small scale among species in a subtropical forest based on their responses of seedling traits and net primary productivity to fertilization.Seedling traits are not correlated with the net primary productivity of larger trees except for N fractions,because low light conditions induced by fertilization reduces the proportion of N allocated to photosynthesis in seedlings.In addition,acclimation differences of tree species may increase the uncertainty of community succession.

Predicting Compensatory Growth and Reproduction in Agricultural Weeds Using a Plant＇s Growth Rate Trajectory： A Test with Defoliation of Abutilon theophrasti

A plant＇s capacity to compensate for pest damage as a function of resource availability needs to be predictable in order to apply biocontrol agents effectively. In this research, it was hypothesized that a weedy plant species＇ capacity to compensate for defoliation is related to how resource availability affects a plant＇s growth trajectory. Growth rate trajectory is defined as the percent change in relative growth rate or the slope of a plant＇s relative growth rate. 90 Abutilon theophrasti, a common weed species, in cultivated fields of corn and soybean, grew in a greenhouse for 70 d under three nitrogen （N） fertilization treatments. ＂Unfertilized＂ plants were not fertilized, ＂bulk＂ fertilized plants received 0.6 g N on day 15 and ＂exponential＂ fertilized plants received a total of 0.6 g N supplied at an exponential rate of 10% per day with a starting concentration of 0.02 g N on day 15. On day 25, 15 plants in each N treatment had 75% of total leaf area removed. Biomass and reproductive compensation were determined after 50 d and 70 d of growth. Results showed that bulk plants had the greatest absolute growth, but also the greatest decline in growth rates and the least capacity for compensation. Unfertilized plants had the lowest absolute growth, but declines in growth rates were similar to bulk plants with only a slightly greater compensatory capacity. Exponential plants had intermediate absolute growth, but the least decline in growth rates and the greatest capacity for compensation. This experiment indicates that a plant＇s growth rate trajectory, and not high or low relative growth rates or N availability per se, can be used to predict a weedy plant＇s capacity to compensate for herbivory, and has implications for biocontrol of weedy species.

Growth performance and scale insect infestation of Shorea leprosula in a common garden experimental plot

Many tree planting programmes have long been initiated to increase forest cover to mitigate the effects of global climate change.Successful planting requires careful planning at the project level,including using suitable species with favourable traits.However,there is a paucity of improvement data for tropical tree species.An experimental common garden of Shorea leprosula was established to study traits related to growth performance which are key factors in planting success.Seedlings of S.leprosula were collected from nine geographical forest reserves.To study the effects of genetic variation,seedlings were planted in a common environment following a randomized complete block design.From performance data collected 2017‒2019,one population showed the highest coefficient for relative height growth,significantly higher than most of the other populations.Interestingly,this population from Beserah also exhibited the lowest coefficient for scale insect infestation.This study provides preliminary results on growth performance and susceptibility to scale insect infestation in S.leprosula and the first common garden experiment site conducted on dipterocarp species.It lays a foundation for future genome-wide studies.

Effects of Sand Burial on the Survival, Growth, and Biomass Allocation in Semi-shrub Hedysarum laeve Seedlings

Hedysarum laeve Maxim. (Leguminosae) is one of the major species used frequently in revegetation of dune_field in the sandlands of the northern part of China by means of aerial sowing. Seedlings of the species after emergence above the sand surface may be buried in sand to various depths during its establishment in late spring and early summer. A study was made to examine the effects of sand burial at different levels of 0 (control), 33%, 67%, 100% and 133% of their shoot height, on the survivorship, growth, and biomass allocation pattern of H. laeve seedlings (one and two weeks old after emergence). When burial depth was up to 100% of their shoot height, about 70% seedlings died; and the burial at depth of 133% of their shoot height led to death of all seedlings. When seedlings was buried at depth of 33% and 67% of their shoot height, respectively, after six_week growth, their biomass of whole plant, blade, and root and relative growth rate were higher than the unburied counterparts. The seedlings in both 33% and 67% sand burial treatments did not significantly change their biomass allocation pattern comparing with the unburied ones. Furthermore, the number of leaves and shoot height of the seedlings in both 33% and 67% sand burial treatments were not significantly different from those of unburied individuals, respectively. The newly born leaves of the surviving seedlings, in 33%, 67%, and 100% burial treatments, during the period of experiment, were significantly more than those in control.

Seedling dynamics differ between canopy species and understory species in a tropical seasonal rainforest,SW China

We used 11 years of census data from 450 seedling quadrats established in a 20-ha forest dynamics plot to study seedling dynamics in tree species of a tropical seasonal rainforest in Xishuangbanna,southwestern China.We found that overall seedling recruitment rate and relative growth rate were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season.Both the recruitment rate of seedlings from canopy tree species(two species)and the relative growth rate of seedlings from understory species(nine species)were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season.However,in the rainy season,the recruitment rate of seedlings was higher for canopy tree species than for understory tree species.In addition,relative growth rate of seedlings was higher in the canopy species than in understory seedlings in the dry season.We also observed that,in both rainy and dry seasons,mortality rate of seedlings was higher for canopy species than for understory species.Overall,canopy tree species appear to have evolved a flexible strategy to adapt to the seasonal changes of a monsoon climate.In contrast,understory tree species seem to have adopted a conservative strategy.Specifically,these species mainly release seedlings in the rainy season and maintain relatively stable populations with a lower mortality rate and recruitment rate in both dry and rainy seasons.Our study suggests that canopy and understory seedling populations growing in forest understory may respond to future climate change scenarios with distinct regeneration strategies.

Relative position of seeds driven the seedling growth are mediated by root-leaf traits

Variations in plant traits are indicative of plant adaptations to forest environments,and studying their relationships with tree growth provides valuable insights into forest regeneration.The spatial arrangement of plant seeds within the forest litter or soil critically infuences the variations of root-leaf traits,thereby affecting the adaptive strategies of emerging seedlings.However,our current understanding of the impacts of individual root-leaf traits on seedling growth in different relative position,and whether these traits together affect growth,remains limited.This study focuses on the dominant tree species,Castanopsis kawakamii,within the Sanming C.kawakamii Nature Reserve of China.The present experiment aimed to examine the variations in root-leaf traits of seedling,focus on the relative positions of seeds within different layers:beneath or above the litter layer,or within the bare soil layer(without litter).Our fndings provided evidence supporting a coordinated relationship between root and leaf traits,wherein leaf traits varied in conjunction with root traits in the relative positions of seeds.Specifcally,we observed that seedlings exhibited higher values for specifc leaf area and average root diameter,while displaying lower root tissue density.The mixed model explained 86.1%of the variation in root-leaf traits,surpassing the variation explained by the relative positions.Furthermore,soil nitrogen acted as a mediator,regulating the relationship between seedling growth and root-leaf traits,specifcally leaf dry matter content and root tissue density.Therefore,future studies should consider artifcially manipulating tree species diversity based on root-leaf traits characteristics to promote forest recovery.

Effect of NaNO_3 Concentrations on the Growth and Fatty Acid Compositions of Nitzschia closterium and Chaetoceros gracilis*

Fatty acid compositions of two strains of marine diatoms Nitzschia closterium ( MACC B222 ) and Chaetoceros gracilis ( MACC B13 ) have been examined. The microalgae have been grown at different initial NaNO3 concentrations ( 75, 375, 750, 1 125, 1 500, 1 875 mg/L ) and harvested at the late exponential phase. The results by one factor analysis of variance show that the NaNO3 concentrations have no significant influence on the relative growth rate of two strains of marine diatoms; the influence of NaNO3 concentrations on the fatty acids differs from species to species. The major fatty acids of two --diatom strains are 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n7 and 20:5n3 ( EPA ) , B13 also has high percentage -of 20:4n6 ( 6.0 ~ 9.1% ).

Phytoremediation of Rocky Slope Surfaces: Selection and Growth of Pioneer Climbing Plants

INTRODUCTION As a result of the massive construction following rapid economic growth in China, extraction of building materials from mountain resources has left behind many quarries. Those quarries usually have rocky surfaces and steep slopes. The existence of rocky slopes is not only a safety hazard but also increases soil erosion and affects landscape aesthetics. Natural restoration of vegetation on rocky slope surfaces is a very slow process, which might require hundreds of years, and is not considered an acceptable restoration strategy （Cullen et al., 1998）. Phytoremediation methods have been widely considered as a better option for vegetation establishment on rocky slope surfaces （Muzzi et al., 1997）.

Impacts of Date Palm Seeds （Phoenix dactyliferous L.） on Growth Indices and Nutrient Utilization of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio L,

This study was carried out to study the effect of adding different levels of date palm seed （Phoentix dactyliJProus） powder in the diet of common carp （Cyprinus carpio） at fish laboratory of Animal Production Department, College of Agricultural Sciences, Sulaimani University, Sulaimani, Iraq. The actual experimental feeding trials were conducted for 70 d and the adaptation period for 21 d. A total of 81 common carp fingerlings weighted 62 ± 2 g were divided into three experimental groups. The control treatment T1 was with 0 g date palm seed, T2 with 2.5 g date palm seed per kg diet and T3 with 5 g date palm seed per kg diet. Each treatment was in three replicates in which three common carp fingerlings were stocked in each aquarium which fed the experimental diets twice daily. The results indicated that weight gain （WG） and specific growth rate （SGR） in the third treatment （T3） group were significantly higher than those of fish fed control diets. T2 consumed more diet than other treatments with 306.940 g with higher feed conversion ratio （FCR）; T3 was higher significantly in food efficiency. No significant （P 〈 0.05） differences obtained from consumed protein while the protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in T3 with 319.323. Control was higher significantly in flesh weight without viscera with the third treatment; in flesh weight without head and viscera each the control and the second treatment was significantly higher than the third treatment. As a conclusion, the date palm seeds powder have a positive effect on growth performance of common carp.

Carbon Dioxide Concentrations and Light Levels on Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Juvenile Cacao Genotypes

In many countries cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is invariably grown as an understory crop in agroforestry types of cropping systems and subjected to low levels photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) due to presence of large number of upper story shade trees with poorly managed canopy structure. In recent years carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is steadily increasing and it is unclear what impact this will have on performance of cacao grown under shade of upper story shade trees. A climatically controlled greenhouse experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ambient and elevated carbon dioxide (400 and 700 μmol·mol-1) and three levels of PPFD (100, 200, and 400 μmol·m-2·s-1) on growth, and macro- and micronutrient use efficiency of three genetically contrasting cacao genotypes (CCN 51, VB 1117 and NO 81). Intraspecific variations were observed in cacao genotypes for growth parameters at ambient to elevated carbon dioxide and low to adequate levels of PPFD. With the exceptions of total root length and leaf area, irrespective of carbon dioxide and PPFD levels, all three genotypes showed significant differences in all the growth parameters. For all the cacao genotypes, increasing PPFD from 100 to 400 μmol·m-2·s-1 and carbon dioxide from 400 to 700 μmol·mol-1 increased overall growth parameters such as leaf, shoot and root biomass accumulation, stem height, leaf area, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. Irrespective of carbon dioxide and PPFD, invariably genotypes differed significantly in macro-micronutrient uptake parameters such as concentration, uptake, influx, transport and use efficiency. With few exceptions, raising PPFD from 100 to 400 μmol·m-2·s-1 and carbon dioxide from 400 to 700 μmol·mol-1 increased nutrient use efficiency for all the cacao genotypes. Elevated carbon dioxide and adequate PPFD are beneficial in improving cacao growth and mineral nutrient uptake and use efficiency.

Nitrogen Fertilization on Maize Sowing:Plant Growth and Seed Vigor

The management of fertilization in maize plants is a preponderant factor in the search for higher yields and obtaining quality seeds. In this sense, the study of nitrogen (N) management is predominant in improving the efficiency of its application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, partition assimilation and vigor expression of maize seeds submitted at different doses of nitrogen applied at sowing. The treatments were constituted by different doses of nitrogen fertilization at sowing, being: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended dose for the crop, according to the recommendation of nitrogen fertilization. The plants were collected at regular intervals of 21 days after sowing until the end of the growth cycle. For the analysis of growth and partition of dry matter between the organs, the accumulation of dry matter and leaf area was measured. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 4 × 7 factorial scheme (four N rates at sowing and seven collection times with three replications). The maize plants under the influence of nitrogen fertilization at sowing presented differential growth and distinct responses in the assimilated partition between their structures, with the intensity dependent on the dose used. Plants grown using 75% of the recommended dose of N at sowing had a higher relative growth rate, with more pronounced effects compared to the other doses. The expression of maize seed vigor increases to an increase of 82.5% N at sowing.

Regeneration characteristics of gaps and their effect on Abies fargesii forests in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve,China

Abiesfargesii is an evergreen tree species of the Pinaceae family, one of the most important cultivated timber species, endemic to China. It is of great importance for the maintenance of vegetation landscape and the preservation of endangered animal species. Community regeneration of forest gaps and their effect on A. fargesii forests in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve were studied based on two-year field survey data. The results show that 1） forest gap regeneration is an important approach for the regeneration of A. fargesii communities; regeneration characteristics in the gaps of the broad-leaved species Betula albo-sinensis Burk. and the shade-tolerant species A. fargesii differed from those of understory species. 2） A. fargesii is most predominant in early gap regeneration but, over time, is gradually replaced by other species. Seedlings less than three years old accounted for 45.7% of all seedlings and only 6.3% of saplings older than seven years. 3） In terms of height and basal diameter in different sized gaps, size of seedlings showed the following trend： medium 〉 small 〉 large 〉 understory; the relative growth rate appeared in the same order. 4） The size of seedlings did not appear different between within-gap positions in medium and small gaps, but the tallest seedlings grew in the south of the large gaps and declined towards the center and north edges. 5） Principal component analysis suggests that the most important factors for the growth and distribution ofA. fargesii seedlings decreased in order of gap size, slope direction, gap microenvironment and tree-shrub-grass cover.

Relative effects of different leaf attributes on sapling growth in tropical dry forest

Aims Soil moisture content(SMC)influences establishment,survival and development of plant species and is considered as the most important limiting factor in tropical dry forest(TDF).In this study we attempt to establish the relationship between leaf attributes and of tree saplings in TDF and address the following questions:(i)how are the functional attributes of dominant tree saplings of TDF affected by seasonal changes in SMC at different habitats?,(ii)what is the relationship of functional attributes with each other?,(iii)how are the functional attributes and their plasticity affected by habitat con-ditions?and(iv)can the functional attributes in single or in com-bination predict the growth rate of tree saplings of TDF?The study was conducted on four sites(Hathinala,Gaighat,Harnakachar and Ranitali,listed in order of decreasing SMC)within the tropical dry deciduous forest in northern India.Methods We analysed eight leaf attributes,specific leaf area(SLA);leaf dry matter content(LDMC);leaf nitrogen concentration(leaf N);leaf phosphorus concentration(leaf P);chlorophyll concentration(Chl);mass-based photosynthetic rate(Amass);mass-based stomatal con-ductance(Gsmass);intrinsic water use efficiency(WUEi)and three growth attributes,relative diameter increment(RDI);relative height increment(RHI);relative growth rate(RGR)of the 10 dominant tree saplings(viz.,Acacia catechu,Anogeissus latifolia,Boswellia serrata,Buchanania lanzan,Diospyros melanoxylon,Hardwickia binata,Lagerstroemia parviflora,Lannea coromandelica,Shorea robusta and Terminalia tomentosa)of a TDF and observed the effects of site,season and species for a period of 2 years.Saplings were selected in gradients of deciduousness.Step-wise multiple regression was performed to predict RDI,RHI and RGR from mean values of SMC and leaf attributes.Important Findings All the 11 attributes were interrelated and differed significantly among the 10 saplings.Species response varied across sites and seasons.Across the SMC gradient,the attributes showed variable plasticity that differed across species.Among the 10 saplings,the highly deciduous Boswellia serrata showed the maximum plasticity in seven functional attributes.According to the step-wise multiple regressions,65%variability in RDI and 67%variability in RGR were due to Gsmass,and for RHI,61%variability was due to Amass.SMC and the other attributes,viz.,SLA,Chl,WUEi and LDMC in combination could contribute only for~2-6%of the variability in RDI,RHI and RGR,which indicates that other traits/factors,not accounted in this study are also important in modulating the growth of tree saplings in TDFs.In conclusion,growth of the tree saplings in the tropical dry environment is determined by soil moisture,whereas the response of saplings of different tree species is modulated by alterations in key functional attributes such as SLA,Chl,WUEi and LDMC.

Root growth in response to nitrogen supply in Chinese maize hybrids released between 1973 and 2009

Root growth has a fundamental role in nitrogen （N） use efficiency. Nevertheless, little is known about how modem breeding progress has affected root growth and its responses to N supply. The root and shoot growth of a core set of 11 representative Chinese maize （Zea mays L.） hybrids released between 1973 and 2009 were investigated under high N （4 mmol L^-1, HN） and low N （0.04 mmol L^-1, LN） levels in a solution culture system. Compared with LN, HN treatment decreased root dry weight （RDW）, the root： shoot ratio （R/S）, and the relative growth rate for root dry weight （RGRroot）, but increased the total root length （TRL） and the total lateral root length （LRL）. The total axial root length （ARL） per plant was reduced under HN, mostly in hybrids released before the 1990s. The number of seminal roots （SRN） was largely unaffected by different N levels. More recently released hybrids showed higher relative growth rates in the shoot under both HN and LN. However, the roots only showed increased RGR under HN treatment. Correspondingly, there was a positive linear relationship with the year of hybrid release for TRL, LRL and ARL under HN treatment. Together, these results suggest that while shoot growth of maize has improved, its root growth has only improved under high N conditions over the last 36 years of selective breeding in China. Improving root growth under LN conditions may be necessary to increase the N use efficiency of maize.

Effects of Light on the Growth and Clonal Reproduction of Ligularia virgaurea

Ligularia virgaurea is a perennial herb that is widely distributed in the alpine meadow on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau. We investigated the patterns of growth and reproduction of L. virgaurea under two contrasting levels of light conditions for two continuous growing seasons. Our results showed that the light effects on the maximum relative growth rate, the shoot weight ratio and the root weight ratio differed between the two growing seasons. L. virgaurea reproduced initially through rhizome in the second growing season, rather than sexual reproduction. The proportion of genets with clonal reproduction decreased under shaded conditions. A minimum genet size should be attained for clonal reproduction to begin under the shaded conditions. There was a positive linear relationship between clonal reproduction and genet size. Light level affected the allocation of total biomass to clonal structures, with less allocation under the full natural irradiance than under the shaded conditions. There seemed to be a trade-off between vegetative growth and clonal reproduction under the full natural irradiance, in terms of smaller relative growth rates of genets with clonal reproduction than those without clonal reproduction. L. virgaurea emphasized clonal reproduction under the full natural irradiance, while the plant emphasized vegetative growth under the shaded conditions.

comSeedling growth of five tropical dry forest tree species in relation to light and nitrogen gradients

Aims Increasing anthropogenic nitrogen(N)deposition has been claimed to induce changes in species composition and community dynamics.A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effect of increased N availability on growth and functional attributes of seedlings of five tree species with different life history characteristics under varying irradiances.The following questions have been addressed:(i)how do the pioneer and non-pioneer species respond in absolute growth and relative growth rate(RGR)to the interaction of light and nitrogen?(ii)how does the interaction between irradiance and nitrogen availability modulate growth attributes(i.e.functional attributes)?(iii)is there any variation in growth responses between leguminous and non-leguminous species along the light and nitrogen gradients?Methods Seedlings of five tree species(Acacia catechu,Bridelia retusa,Dalbergia sissoo,Lagerstroemia parviflora and Terminalia arjuna)were subjected to twelve combinations of irradiance and N levels.Various growth traits,including height(HT),basal area(BA),whole plant dry biomass(MD),leaf mass per unit area(LMA),leaf area ratio(LAR),net assimilation rate(NAR),RGR,biomass fractions,root-toshoot ratio(R:S)and leaf nitrogen content,were studied to analyse intra-and inter-specific responses to interacting light and N gradients.Important Findings Significant interactions for irradiance and N availability for majority of growth attributes indicates that growth and biomass allocation of seedlings were more responsive to N availability under high irradiance.However,species responded differentially to N addition and they did not follow successional status.Slow growers(B.retusa,a shade-tolerant species and L.parviflora,a light demander)exhibited greater response to N enrichment than the fast growers(A.catechu,D.sissoo and T.arjuna).However,N-mediated increment in growth traits was greater in non-legumes(B.retusa,L.parviflora and T.arjuna)compared with that of legumes(A.catechu and D.sissoo).Allocation of biomass to root was strongly suppressed at the highest N supply across species;however,at high irradiance and high N availability,a greater suppression in R:S ratio was observed for B.retusa.NAR was a stronger determinant of RGR relative to LAR,suggesting its prominent role in increased RGR along increasing irradiances.Overall,a higher growth response of slow-growing species to elevated N levels,particularly the non-pioneers(B.retusa and L.parviflora)suggests that future N deposition may lead to perturbations in competition hierarchies and species composition,ultimately affecting community dynamics in nutrient-poor tropical dry forests.

The negative effects of soil microorganisms on plant growth only extend to the first weeks

Soil biotic communities can strongly impact plant performance.In this paper,we ask the question:how longlasting the effect of the soil microbial community on plant growth is.We examined the plant growth rates at three stages:early,mid and late growth.We performed two growth experiments with Jacobaea vulgaris,which lasted 49 and 63 days in sterilized soil or live soil.In a third experiment,we examined the effect of the timing of soil inoculation prior to planting on the relative growth rate of J.vulgaris with four different timing treatments.In all experiments,differences in biomass of plants grown in sterilized soil and live soil increased throughout the experiment.Also,the relative growth rate of plants in the sterilized soil was only significantly higher than that of plants in the live soil in the first two to three weeks.In the third experiment,plant biomass decreased with increasing time between inoculation and planting.Overall,our results showed that plants of J.vulgaris grew less well in live soil than in sterilized soil.The negative effects of soil inoculation on plant mass appeared to extend over the whole growth period but arise from the negative effects on relative growth rates that occurred in the first weeks.

Inter- and intraspecific variability of plant individual growth and its role on species ranking in grasslands

Aims Individual growth constitutes a major component of individual fitness.However,measuring growth rates of herbaceous plants non-destructively at the individual level is notoriously difficult.This study,based on an accurate non-destructive method of aboveground biomass estimation,aims to assess individual relative growth rates(RGRs)of some species,identify its environmental drivers and test its consequences on community patterning.We specifically address three questions:(i)to what extent environmental conditions explain differences in individual plant growth between sites,(ii)what is the magnitude of intraspecific variability of plant individual growth within and between sites and(iii)do species-averaged(dis-)advantage of individual growth compared with the whole vegetation within a site correlate with species ranking at the community level?Methods We monitored the growth of individuals of four common perennial species in 18 permanent grasslands chosen along a large pedoclimatic gradient located in the Massif Central,France.We measured soil properties,levels of resources and meteorological parameters to characterize environmental conditions at the site level.This design enables us to assess the influence of environmental conditions on individual growth and the relative extent of inter-individual variability of growth explained within and between sites.We determined the ranking of each of the four species in each site with botanical surveys to assess the relationship between species-averaged growth(dis-)advantage relative to the whole community and species rank in the community.Important Findings We found that environmental conditions explain a significant proportion of individual growth variability,and that this proportion is strongly variable between species.Light availability was the main driver of plant growth,followed by rainfall amount and potential evapotranspiration,while soil properties had only a slight effect.We further highlighted a moderate to high within-site inter-individual variability of growth.We finally showed that there was no correlation between species ranking and species-averaged individual growth.

Spatial and Temporal Quantitative Analysis of Cell Division and Elongation Rate in Growing Wheat Leaves under Saline Conditions

Leaf growth in grasses is determined by the cell division and elongation rates, with the duration of cell elongation being one of the processes that is the most sensitive to salinity. Our objective was to investigate the distribution profiles of cell production, cell length and the duration of cell elongation in the growing zone of the wheat leaf during the steady growth phase. Plants were grown in loamy soil with or without 120 mmollL NaCI in a growth chamber, and harvested at day 3 after leaf 4 emerged. Results show that the elongation rate of leaf 4 was reduced by t20 mmollL NaCI during the steady growth phase. The distribution profile of the lengths of abaxial epidermal cells of leaf 4 during the steady growth stage shows a sigmoidal pattern along the leaf axis for both treatments. Although salinity did not affect or even increased the length of the epidermal cells in some locations in the growth zone compared to the control treatment, the final length of the epidermal cells was reduced by 14% at 120 mmollL NaCI. Thus, we concluded that the observed reduction in the leaf elongation rate derived in part from the reduced cell division rate and either the shortened cell elongation zone or shortened duration of cell elongation. This suggests that more attention should be paid to the effects of salinity on those properties of cell production and the period of cell maturation that are related to the properties of cell wall.