Variations in leaf functional traits and physiological characteristics of Abies georgei var.smithii along the altitude gradient in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Variations in leaf functional traits of Abies georgei var. smithii at 3700, 3900, 4100, 4300, and 4390 m altitude were investigated in 15 typical plots in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau. In each plot, three seedlings were selected, of which functional leaves in current-year sunny branches were chosen for the measurement of morphological, photosynthetic, and physiological and biochemical characteristics, and their variations were analyzed. Results showed that significant variations existed among the leaf functional traits of A. georgei var. smithii along the altitudinal gradient, as well as their physiological adaption indicators. Leaf area decreased, while the mass per area and thickness of leaf increased at an altitude above 4,100 m. The maxima of pigment, total nitrogen concentration, net photosynthesis rate during light-saturated, and when water use efficiency appeared at 4100 m altitude. In addition, A. georgei var. smithii seedlings regulated the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase to resist abiotic stress under 4100 m altitude. Meanwhile, malondialdehyde concentration and the dark respiration rate rapidly increased, which indicates that A. georgei var. smithii seedlingssuffered from heavy abiotic stress from 4100 m to 4390 m altitude. Basing on variations in leaf functional traits along the altitude gradient, we inferred that 4100 m altitude was the suitable region for A. georgei var. smithii growth in the Sygera Mountain. Moreover, the harsh environment was the main limiting factor for A. georgei var. smithii population expansion to high altitude.

Effects of Different Potassium Stress on Leaf Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Maize (Zea Mays L.) at Seedling Stage

Leaf early senescence caused by nutrition deficiency is one of the major limitation reasons in the world crop production. Potassium (K) is one of important nutrient elements in crop growth, which modifies dozens of enzyme activations and controls stomatal movement of photosynthesis. The yield and quality of maize (Zea Mays L.) have been limited due to K deficiency in plough layer soil. However, the mechanism of K deficiency tolerance is not fully understood in maize. In this study, two inbred lines, 099 (tolerance to potassium deficiency) and 835 (sensitive to potassium deficiency) were carried out to investigate the variations of chlorophyll content, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters related with senescence under different K+ concentrations in maize at seedling stage. The results showed that the Chlorophyll a, b and (a + b) of 835 were significantly decreased under different K deficiency treatments, whereas those of 099 were remained normal. In addition, 099 showed a lower stomatal restriction and higher electronic transition capacity under different K deficiency treatments. The variations of F0, Fv/Fm, ΦPSⅡ, qP and NPQ in 835 were largely higher than those in 099. These results indicated that the inbred line 099 tolerance to K deficiency could keep chlorophyll content to maintain photosynthesis and to alleviate the injury of PSII under K deficiency condition. This study should contribute to explaining the physiological mechanism tolerance nutrition deficiency and improving breeding program in maize.

Effects of drought stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence images of soybean(Glycine max)seedlings

The main purpose of this research is to provide a theoretical foundation for the screening of drought-resistant soybean varieties and to establish an efficient method to detect the PSII actual photochemical quantum yields efficiently.Three soybean varieties were compared in this experiment after 15 d when they were planted in a greenhouse.These varieties were then exposed to light drought stress(LD)and serious drought stress(SD)conditions.With five times’measurement,chlorophyll fluorescence and soil-plant analysis development considered as the main basis for this study.Several parameters in SD conditions significantly reduced,such as net photosynthetic rates(Pn),stomatal conductance(Gs),PSII primary light energy conversion efficiency(Fv/FM),PSII actual photochemical quantum yields[Y(II)],photochemical quenching coefficient(qP)and non-photochemical quenching coefficient(qN).The soybeans in the seedling stage adapted to the inhibitory effect of drought stress on photosynthesis through stomatal limitation.Under serious drought stress,non-stomatal limitation damaged the plant photosynthetic system.The amplitudes of Pn and Y(II)of drought-resistant Qihuang 35 were lower than those of the two other varieties.Based on the data of this study,a new method had been developed to detect Y(II)which reflected the photosynthetic capacity of plant,R=0.85989,u=0.048803 when using multiple linear regression,and R=0.84285,u=0.054739 when using partial least square regression.

Changes in photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in two soybean (Glycine max) varieties under NaCl stress

Traditional detection methods of crop information are often destructive and low efficiency.In this study,a new evaluation method was developed based on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence.Via analysis of the changes under NaCl stress during the seedling stage of two varieties,the salt resistance mechanism of soybeans was explored and a non-destructive stress-recognition method was developed.In this experiment,two soybean varieties were treated with one of four levels of NaCl stress:CK(0 mmol/L),LS(50 mmol/L),MS(100 mmol/L),and HS(150 mmol/L),for 15 d.The normal functions of the photosynthetic system of soybeans were enhanced under LS NaCl stress,but were inhibited under HS NaCl stress.Biomass,net leaf photosynthetic rate(Pn),stomatal conductance(gs),intercellular carbon dioxide concentration(Ci),transpiration rate(Tr),chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Y(II)and PSII decreased.However,in contrast to the findings of other studies on the influence of severe drought stress on soybean for long periods in which non-photochemical quenching coefficient(qN)decreased,this parameter increased under salt stress in soybean.The results demonstrate that the method developed is a promising tool for rapid and non-destructive detection of soybean photosynthetic responses under salt stress in the field.

Effects of nitrogen and salt on growth and physiological characteristics of processing tomato under drip irrigation

Xinjiang of China is one of the three largest planting bases of processing tomato in the world,but soil salinization has restricted the production of tomato processing.In order to study the effects of soil nitrogen,salt and their interaction on growth and physiological characteristics of processing tomato under drip irrigation,different amount of nitrogen fertilizer were added to reconcile different salt stress to explore the response mechanisms of growth and yield of processing tomato to soil nitrogen and salt contents with a two-year experiments.The results showed that the effects of soil salinity on the growth and physiological characteristics of processing tomato were significantly greater than that of input of nitrogen fertilizers.The higher soil salt content(≥5.0 g/kg)significantly inhibited the growth of processing tomato.The increase in addition of nitrogen fertilizer could alleviate the salt inhibition and promote the growth of processed tomato with the increase of soil salt content,and the maximum nitrogen application rate was 300 kg/hm2.The linear plus platform was selected to determine the nitrogen effect models of non-saline-alkali soil and weak saline-alkali soil,but the square root nitrogen effect model of moderate saline-alkali soil was selected to accurately predict the yield of processing tomato.It was suggested that the processing tomatoes should be planted in moderate saline-alkali soil to achieve higher yields due to lower input of nitrogen fertilizer,potentially reducing fertilizer costs and maximizing profits from high processing tomato yields.The results have a strong guiding significance for planting of processing tomato on saline-alkali land and appropriate fertilization to increase the yield of processing tomato.