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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2014, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (7): 17-22.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20140703

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Effects of Simulated Cold Spell in Later Spring on Leaf Vigor of Populus tomentosa

Qiu Nianwei1, Zhou Feng2, Zhang Shichao1, Yang Dong1, Liu Yuan1, Song Xianhui1, Zheng Yuan1   

  1. 1. College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University Qufu 273165;
    2. School of Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University Nanjing 211171
  • Received:2013-09-13 Revised:2013-10-22 Online:2014-07-25 Published:2014-07-04
  • Contact: 周峰

Abstract:

Cold spell often happens in later spring, which causes chilling injury to young leaves of trees. The effects of simulated cold spell in later spring on young leaf vigor of Populus tomentosa were studied in this paper. The results showed that there was a gradual decline in photosynthetic vigor of younger leaves of P. tomentosa with the decrease of temperature (20, 15, 10, 5, 0,-5℃), demonstrated by lowered electron transport efficiency per RC and light reaction activity per excited cross section (ABS/CSo, TRo/CSo, ETo/CSo). As a result, structure and function index (SFIABS), performance index (PIABS), driving force for photosynthesis (DF) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of younger leaves of P. tomentosa gradually dropped with the decrease of temperature. The temperature under 10℃ had an obvious effect on light reaction activity of the young leaf. A sharp decrease in light reaction activity and a significant increase in permeability of cell membrane of the young leaf were found at-5℃. However the maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), energy absorption and trapping flux efficiency per RC (ABS/RC, TRo/RC) and permeability of cell membrane of younger leaf of P. tomentosa remained steady at 0-15℃. Therefore, the injury of 0-15℃ to younger leaf of P. tomentosa was not serious. However, low temperature caused a significant decrease of chlorophyll and soluble protein content, and a significant increase of malondialdehyde content in younger leaf of P. tomentosa. The above results suggest that decreased chlorophyll and soluble protein content, increased level of membrane lipid peroxidation, and reduced fluidity of thylakoid membrane in the younger leaf caused by low temperature are probably the main reasons, which would lead to a smaller plastoquinone pool (Sm) and a less RC density per excited cross section (RC/CSo) in younger leaf of P. tomentosa. In addition,-5℃ caused obvious water-soaked injury to the younger leaf. The increased proline and soluble sugar contents in the leaf at low temperature may facilitate P. tomentosa to resist cold spell in later spring.

Key words: Populus tomentosa, cold spell, leaf vigor, cold resistance

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