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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2013, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (12): 30-35.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20131205

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Effects of Drought Stress on the Root Morphology and Water Use Efficiency of Zanthoxylum bungeanum

Liu Shuming1, Sun Jiaqian2, Deng Zhenyi3, Wei Diandian1, Zhang Gang1, Sun Bingyin3   

  1. 1. College of Sciences, Northwest A&F University Yangling 712100;
    2. College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University Yangling 712100;
    3. Yangling Vocational and Technical College Yangling 712100
  • Received:2013-01-25 Revised:2013-11-07 Online:2013-12-25 Published:2014-01-01

Abstract:

A pot culture experiment was carried out to examine the effects of drought stress on the root growth and water use efficiency (WUE) of three cultivars of Zanthoxylum bungeanum: Meifengjiao (M), Xiaohongguan (X), and Shizitou (S). The results showed that the elongation growth of the main roots of the three cultivars was inhibited, while that of the lateral roots was enhanced. The number of lateral roots with the diameters of 0 to 2 mm and ≥ 2 mm significantly decreased. Both aerial and root biomass decreased. Under mild, moderate, and severe stress conditions, the main root length of cultivar M decreased by 10.4%, 24.7%, and 44.0%, by 10.1%, 28.4%, and 35.8% for cultivar X, and by 8.4%, 27.9%, and 42.9% for cultivar S from May to September, compared to that of control. Under severe drought stress, the transpiration water consumption of cultivar M, X, and S decreased by 65.5%, 51.8% and 66.7%, respectively, while WUE increased by 12.2%, 26.3%,and 33.1%, respectively, compared to that of control. It was concluded that under drought stress, the morphological characteristics and tolerant capabilities to drought were different among different cultivars. Cultivar X exhibited the highest drought tolerance, followed by cultivar M, and then cultivar S.

Key words: Zanthoxylum bungeanum, root, morphological characteristic, water use efficiency

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