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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2013, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (11): 171-176.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20131124

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Physiological Response of Populus euphratica Seedlings to Progressive Soil Drought Under Natural Environment in an Extreme Arid Area

Yang Yuhai, Li Weihong, Chen Yaning, Zhu Chenggang, Ma Jianxin   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology Xinjiang Institutue of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences Urumqi 830011
  • Received:2013-01-08 Revised:2013-09-19 Online:2013-11-25 Published:2013-11-26

Abstract:

A pot experiment in the outdoor was conducted to investigate the effect of soil progressive drought on the physiological parameters of 2-year-old Populus euphratica seedlings in the lower reach of Tarim River. The seedlings were respectively grown under well-watered and progressive water deficit conditions by controlling the water supply. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of actual photochemical quantum yield of PSII in the light (φPSII), photochemical quenching index (qp) and non-photochemical quenching index (qN), leaf stomatal conductance (Gs) and predawn water potential were measured during the experiment period. Results showed that the soil moisture content decreased to mild drought stress level in 6 days after a saturated irrigation, and reached to severe drought stress level in 15 days after a saturated irrigation in July. During the drying process of soil water content, the increasing soil drought resulted in decreases in the predawn leaf water potential at 6:00 am, φPSII, qp and Gs of the seedlings, but increase in qN. These results would provide a scientific foundation for understanding drought resistant mechanism of P. euphratica seedlings.

Key words: arid area, water, physiology, Populus euphratica

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