Leaf morphology, photochemistry and water status changes in resprouting Quercus ilex during drought

Functional Plant Biology : FPB
Karen Peña-RojasIsabel Fleck

Abstract

Functional and morphological (structural) characteristics of Quercus ilex L. leaves under drought stress were studied in the forest and in a nursery. We compared undisturbed individuals (controls) with resprouts emerging after clear-cut or excision. When soil water availability was high, gas-exchange was similar in resprouts and controls, despite higher midday leaf water potential, midday leaf hydration and relative water content (RWC). In moderate drought, stomatal closure was found to limit photosynthesis in controls, and in severe drought non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis were also greater than in resprouts. Leaf structure and chemical composition changed under drought stress. Leaves tended to be smaller in controls with increasing drought, and resprouts had larger leaves and lower leaf mass area (LMA). The relationship between nitrogen (N) content and LMA implied lower N investment in photosynthetic components in controls, which could be responsible for their increased non-stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. Changes were more apparent in leaf density (D) and thickness (T), components of LMA. Decreases in D were related to reductions in cell wall components: hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. In resprouts, redu...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 13, 2007·Plant, Cell & Environment·Jaume FlexasHipólito Medrano
Jun 30, 2019·Nature Communications·Marjorie R LundgrenAndrew J Fleming
Feb 1, 2007·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·An-Ching Tang, John S Boyer
Mar 19, 2013·Global Change Biology·Josep PeñuelasAlistair S Jump
Mar 7, 2013·Tree Physiology·Xiang-Wen FangFeng-Min Li
Jul 5, 2012·Journal of Experimental Botany·Erin T HamanishiMalcolm M Campbell
Jan 9, 2019·Ecology and Evolution·David Y P TngSusan G W Laurance
Feb 26, 2016·Frontiers in Plant Science·Eva Fleta-Soriano, Sergi Munné-Bosch

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SPSS

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