Water Relations on Alhagi sparsifolia in the Southern Fringe of Taklamakan Desert

Water relations of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. at the transition zone between oases and sandy desert were studied in the southern fringe of Taklamakan Desert. Results showed that A. sparsifolia maintained the positive turgor during the summer. The steady high predawn water potential (psi(P)) indicated A. sparsifolia had sufficient hydration and water supply in growing season. In July, water deficit caused by drought stress had no effect on the transpiration of A. sparsifolia. Therefore, drought stress is not a main factor affecting the survival of plants. The physiological adaptation to drought of A. sparsifolia was shown mainly at the leaf level by significant difference (DeltaII) and relative water content (RWC) between the osmotic pressure at full turgor and at turgor loss, by occurring of osmotic adjustment, by high percentage of dry mass-related water content ( WCsat), by RWC at turgor loss point ( RWCp) in stable level and low RWC of the saturated symplast (RWCsym). However, the morphological features of transpiring surface reduction and deep root system seem to be the main way for the plant to adapt to the extreme drought environment. Result also suggests that one time of irregular irrigation in summer will not be helpful to recover water status of A. sparsifolia in location where the water table is very low.

Effects of Water Stress on Leaf Water and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters of Sugarcane Seedling

[Objective] The aim was to explore the effects of water stress on leaf water and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of sugarcane seedling,as well as to provide basis for the study on sugarcane production and evaluation. [Method] Seven different sugarcane varieties were studied at the seedling stage under drought stress,and the changes of leaf water and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under stress conditions were detected. [Result] leaf water potential,leaf relative water content and soil relative water content showed a certain amount of internal relationship,the sugarcane varieties that had more tolerant to drought had higher utilization rate of soil water; the correlation analysis and factor analysis suggested that the survival rate at seedling stage under drought stress,Fv/Fm,leaf water potential and relative water content could be used as drought resistance evaluation indicators. [Conclusion] As a relatively independent influencing factor,water potential had dominating effect on drought resistance,and the reliability of Fv/Fm as drought resistance evaluation indicator had been verified.

亚热带森林附生地衣压力-体积曲线分析及其适用性

附生地衣是森林生态系统中的重要组成部分,在维护森林物种多样性以及水分和养分循环等方面发挥着重要作用。地衣类群的水势特征以及压力-体积(PV)曲线及相关参数是否适用于探索地衣等变水性生物类群应对水分胁迫机制,仍有待阐明。该研究以中国西南地区云南哀牢山亚热带山地森林中5个类群15种常见附生地衣为对象,探讨了其PV曲线及水势参数的功能群和物种水平的变化。结果显示,蓝藻型地衣的内部含水量(WC_(internal))和共质体水含量(Rs)显著高于绿藻型地衣,是其1倍以上,但其他参数表现出较高的一致性。功能群水平上,地衣仅WC_(internal)、Rs和膨压损失点的相对含水量(RWC_(TLP))具有显著性差异;但物种间差异均非常显著。结合主成分分析进一步发现,PV曲线及相关参数在评估地衣整体应对水分胁迫以及揭示生境水分条件选择策略时具有较大的限制性,受到共生藻和生长型的显著影响;但内部最大持水力可以解释蓝藻型地衣的生境适应策略,而部分参数如饱和渗透势(Ψ_(sat))和RWC_(TLP)可以分别用于解释狭叶地衣、阔叶地衣和枝状地衣对生境水分条件的适应。研究表明PV曲线及水势参数不适用于地衣类群整体的抗旱性评价,和其他生物类群进行抗旱性比较时更要慎用。