Physiological and Morphological Response Patterns of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis> to Alluvial Groundwater Pumping

We examined the physiological and morphological response patterns of plains cottonwood [Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera (Aiton) Eck.] to acute water stress imposed by groundwater pumping. Between 3 and 27 July 1996, four large pumps were used to withdraw alluvial groundwater from a cottonwood forest along the South Platte River, near Denver, Colorado, USA. The study was designed as a stand-level, split-plot experiment with factorial treatments including two soil types (a gravel soil and a loam topsoil over gravel), two water table drawdown depths (∼0.5 m and >1.0 m), and one water table control (no drawdown) per soil type. Measurements of water table depth, soil water potential (Ψ_s), predawn and midday shoot water potential (Ψ_pd and Ψ_md), and D/H (deuterium/hydrogen) ratios of different water sources were made in each of six 600-m² plots prior to, during, and immediately following pumping. Two additional plots were established and measured to examine the extent to which surface irrigation could be used to mitigate the effects of deep drawdown on P. deltoides for each soil type. Recovery of tree water status following pumping was evaluated by measuring stomatal conductance (g _s ) and xylem water potential (Ψ_xp) on approximately hourly time steps from before dawn to mid-afternoon on 11 August 1996 in watered and unwatered, deep-drawdown plots on gravel soils. P. deltoides responded to abrupt alluvial water table decline with decreased shoot water potential followed by leaf mortality. Ψ_pd and percent leaf loss were significantly related to the magnitude of water table declines. The onset and course of these responses were influenced by short-term variability in surface and ground water levels, acting in concert with physiological and morphological adjustments. Decreases in Ψ_pd corresponded with increases in Ψ_md, suggesting shoot water status improved in response to stomatal closure and crown dieback. Crown dieback caused by xylem cavitation likely occurred when Ψ_pd reached −0.4 to −0.8 MPa. The application of surface irrigation allowed trees to maintain favorable water status with little or no apparent cavitation, even in deep-drawdown plots. Two weeks after the partial canopy dieback and cessation of pumping, g _s and Ψ_xp measurements indicated that water stress persisted in unwatered P. deltoides in deep-drawdown plots.     

H2O2和NO互作调控SO2诱导的胡杨细胞死亡

二氧化硫(SO_2)是一种常见的大气污染物,目前关于SO_2对木本植物的毒害作用及相关机制并不清楚.本文以木本植物胡杨的愈伤细胞为材料,研究SO_2衍生物对胡杨细胞的致死效应,以及过氧化氢(H_2O_2)与一氧化氮(NO)在SO_2诱导胡杨细胞死亡中的信号调节作用.研究发现:SO_2衍生物处理(1~5 mmol·L-1)可诱发胡杨细胞死亡,且SO_2衍生物浓度越大、处理时间越长,细胞死亡率越高.2 mmol·L-1SO_2衍生物处理胡杨细胞后,胞内H_2O_2和NO水平显著升高,且H_2O_2水平的升高先于NO.一定浓度的外源H_2O_2或NO供体SNP能够提高SO_2胁迫下胡杨细胞的死亡率;而使用H_2O_2清除剂CAT和ASA、NO清除剂c PTIO、NO合成抑制剂钨酸钠后,SO_2诱导的细胞死亡率明显降低.进一步实验发现,外源H_2O_2可以提高SO_2胁迫下胡杨细胞的硝酸还原酶(NR)活性,促进胞内NO产生;而利用CAT和ASA清除H_2O_2后,细胞NR活性和NO产生均受到明显抑制.此外,SO_2胁迫下,外源SNP能够抑制抗氧化酶(CAT和APX)活性,增加胡杨细胞内的H_2O_2水平,而一定浓度的c PTIO和钨酸钠均可提高CAT和APX活性,降低胞内H_2O_2水平.结果表明:SO_2胁迫下,胡杨细胞快速产生的H_2O_2能够激活硝酸还原酶活性,促进NO生成,同时NO能够通过抑制抗氧化酶活性而提高H_2O_2水平.H_2O_2与NO互作调控SO_2诱导的胡杨细胞死亡.     

Bioconcentration of zinc and cadmium in ectomycorrhizal fungi and associated aspen trees as affected by level of pollution

Concentrations of Zn and Cd were measured in fruitbodies of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and leaves of co-occurring accumulator aspen. Samples were taken on three metal-polluted sites and one control site. Fungal bioconcentration factors (BCF = fruitbody concentration: soil concentration) were calculated on the basis of total metal concentrations in surface soil horizons (BCF_tot) and NH₄NO₃-extractable metal concentrations in mineral soil (BCF_lab). When plotted on log-log scale, values of BCF decreased linearly with increasing soil metal concentrations. BCF_lab for both Zn and Cd described the data more closely than BCF_tot. Fungal genera differed in ZnBCF but not in CdBCF. The information on differences between fungi with respect to their predominant occurrence in different soil horizons did not improve relations of BCF with soil metal concentrations. Aspen trees accumulated Zn and Cd to similar concentrations as the ECM fungi. Apparently, the fungi did not act as an effective barrier against aspen metal uptake by retaining the metals.     

Early changes in the fatty acid composition of photosynthetic membrane lipids from Populus nigra grown on a metallurgical landfill

We compared the fatty acid composition of leaves taken from poplars on a metal-contaminated landfill, and on the uncontaminated roadside bordering this site. For the first time, it is shown that the percentage of linolenic acid, which is mainly associated with thylakoid lipids, was significantly lower in tree species within the landfill than within the control area. A correlation study was carried out to investigate relationships between the C18:3/(C18:0 + C18:1 + C18:2) fatty acid ratios and the metal contents in soils and leaves. Lead and chromium leaf contents were significantly negatively correlated to this fatty acid ratio. The impact of each of these metals remains difficult to evaluate, but chromium in leaf likely plays a major role in toxicity. In addition, the decrease in the C18:3/(C18:0 + C18:1 + C18:2) fatty acid ratio occurred at low leaf metal content, and therefore it is shown that this ratio can be used as an early indicator of the effect of metals.     

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 1. temperature and foliar nitrogen

This study sought to evaluate the potential of trees planted around commercial poultry farms to trap ammonia (NH₃), the gas of greatest environmental concern to the poultry industry. Four plant species (Norway spruce, Spike hybrid poplar, Streamco willow, and hybrid willow) were planted on eight commercial farms from 2003 to 2004. Because temperature (T) can be a stressor for trees, T was monitored in 2005 with data loggers among the trees in front of the exhaust fans (11.4 to 17.7 m) and at a control distance away from the fans (48 m) during all four seasons in Pennsylvania. Norway spruce (Picea abies) foliage samples were taken in August 2005 from one turkey and two layer farms for dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) analysis. The two layer farms had both Norway spruce and Spike hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra) plantings sampled as well allowing comparisons of species and the effect of plant location near the fans versus a control distance away. Proximity to the fans had a clear effect on spruce foliar N with greater concentrations downwind of the fans than at control distances (3.03 vs. 1.88%; P ≤ 0.0005). Plant location was again a significant factor for foliar N of both poplar and spruce on the two farms with both species showing greater N adjacent to the fans compared to the controls (3.75 vs. 2.32%; P ≤ 0.0001). Pooled foliar DM of both plants was also greater among those near the fans (56.17, fan vs. 44.67%, control; P ≤ 0.005). Species differences were also significant showing the potential of poplar to retain greater foliar N than spruce (3.52 vs. 2.55%; P ≤ 0.001) with less DM (46.00 vs. 54.83%; P ≤ 0.05) in a vegetative buffer setting. The results indicated plants were not stressed by the T near exhaust fans with mean seasonal T (13.04 vs. 13.03°C, respectively) not significantly different from controls. This suggested poultry house exhaust air among the trees near the fans would not result in dormancy stressors on the plants compared to controls away from the fans.     

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia,dust and foliar nitrogen

This study evaluated the potential of trees planted around commercial poultry farms to trap ammonia (NH₃) and dust or particulate matter (PM). Norway spruce, Spike hybrid poplar, hybrid willow, and Streamco purpleosier willow were planted on five commercial farms from 2003 to 2004. Plant foliage was sampled in front of the exhaust fans and at a control distance away from the fans on one turkey, two laying hen, and two broiler chicken farms between June and July 2006. Samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and PM content. In addition, NH₃ concentrations were measured downwind of the exhaust fans among the trees and at a control distance using NH₃ passive dosi–tubes. Foliage samples were taken and analyzed separately based on plant species. The two layer farms had both spruce and poplar plantings whereas the two broiler farms had hybrid willow and Streamco willow plantings which allowed sampling and species comparisons with the effect of plant location (control vs. fan). The results showed that NH₃ concentration h^{? 1} was reduced by distance from housing fans (P ≤ 0.0001), especially between 0 m (12.01 ppm), 11.4 m (2.59 ppm), 15 m (2.03 ppm), and 30 m (0.31 ppm). Foliar N of plants near the fans was greater than those sampled away from the fans for poplar (3.87 vs. 2.56%; P ≤ 0.0005) and hybrid willow (3.41 vs. 3.02%; P ≤ 0.05). The trends for foliar N in spruce (1.91 vs. 1.77%; P = 0.26) and Streamco willow (3.85 vs. 3.33; P = 0.07) were not significant. Pooling results of the four plant species indicated greater N concentration from foliage sampled near the fans than of that away from the fans (3.27 vs. 2.67%; P ≤ 0.0001). Foliar DM concentration was not affected by plant location, and when pooled the foliar DM of the four plant species near the fans was 51.3% in comparison with 48.5% at a control distance. There was a significant effect of plant location on foliar N and DM on the two layer farms with greater N and DM adjacent to fans than at a control distance (2.95 vs. 2.15% N and 45.4 vs. 38.2% DM, respectively). There were also significant plant species effects on foliar N and DM with poplar retaining greater N (3.22 vs. 1.88%) and DM (43.7 vs. 39.9%) than spruce. The interaction of location by species (P ≤ 0.005) indicated that poplar was more responsive in terms of foliar N, but less responsive for DM than spruce. The effect of location and species on foliar N and DM were not clear among the two willow species on the broiler farms. Plant location had no effect on plant foliar PM weight, but plant species significantly influenced the ability of the plant foliage to trap PM with spruce and hybrid willow showing greater potential than poplar and Streamco willow for PM_2.5(0.0054, 0.0054, 0.0005, and 0.0016 mg cm^{? 2}; P ≤ 0.05) and total PM (0.0309, 0.0102, 0.0038, and 0.0046 mg cm^{? 2}, respectively; P ≤ 0.001). Spruce trapped more dust compared to the other three species (hybrid willow, poplar, and Streamco willow) for PM₁₀ (0.0248 vs. 0.0036 mg cm^{? 2}; P ≤ 0.0001) and PM_{> 10} (0.0033 vs. 0.0003 mg cm^{? 2}; P = 0.052). This study indicates that poplar, hybrid willow, and Streamco willow are appropriate species to absorb poultry house aerial NH₃–N, whereas spruce and hybrid willow are effective traps for dust and its associated odors.     

Vegetation Mapping for Change Detection on an Arid-Zone River

A vegetation mapping system for change detection was tested at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (HNWR) on the Lower Colorado River. A low-cost, aerial photomosaic of the 4200 ha, study area was constructed utilizing an automated digital camera system, supplemented with oblique photographs to aid in determining species composition and plant heights. Ground-truth plots showed high accuracy in distinguishing native cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and willow (Salix gooddingii) trees from other vegetation on aerial photos. Marsh vegetation (mainly cattails, Typha domengensis) was also easily identified. However, shrubby terrestrial vegetation, consisting of saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), arrowweed (Pluchea sericea), and mesquite trees (Prosopis spp.), could not be accurately distinguished from each other and were combined into a single shrub layer on the final vegetation map. The final map took the form of a base, shrub and marsh layer, which was displayed as a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index map from a Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) image to show vegetation intensity. Native willow and cottonwood trees were digitized manually on the photomosaic and overlain on the shrub layer in a GIS. By contrast to present, qualitative mapping systems used on the Lower Colorado River, this mapping system provides quantitative information that can be used for accurate change detection. However, better methods to distinguish between saltcedar, mesquite, and arrowweed are needed to map the shrub layer.     

外源脱落酸缓解二氧化硫对胡杨细胞的毒性

二氧化硫(SO_2)是一种常见的大气污染物.前期研究表明,过氧化氢(H_2O_2)和一氧化氮(NO)参与调控SO_2诱导的胡杨细胞毒性.脱落酸(ABA)是一种植物逆境激素,目前关于ABA在植物细胞响应SO_2胁迫中的具体作用并不清楚.因此,本文以胡杨愈伤细胞为材料,采用SO_2衍生物处理,研究外源ABA在植物细胞SO_2毒性缓解中的作用及相关机制.结果发现:2 mmol·L~(-1)SO_2衍生物处理胡杨细胞9 h后,细胞电解质外渗率和细胞死亡率明显增加;外源施用5μmol·L~(-1)ABA可明显缓解SO_2对胡杨细胞的毒性,降低电解质外渗率和细胞死亡率.2 mmol·L~(-1)SO_2衍生物胁迫下,与SO_2单独处理组相比,添加外源ABA能够使胡杨细胞的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性分别提高23.9%和48.0%,从而减少胞内H_2O_2水平.此外,SO_2胁迫下,外施ABA后胡杨细胞的Pe Nia1、Pe Nia2基因表达受到明显抑制,细胞硝酸还原酶(NR)活性降低24.1%,胞内NO合成减少.以上结果表明,SO_2胁迫下,外源施加ABA可有效降低胡杨细胞内H_2O_2和NO水平,从而缓解SO_2对胡杨细胞的毒性.     

荒漠植物红砂研究进展

主要综述了荒漠植物红砂的分布区及其生境、解剖学特征、种子萌发及幼苗生长影响因素、组织培养、生理生态特征、繁殖及育苗、分子生物学特性等方面的研究。简要阐述了修复和重建红砂植被的必要性,并着重研究了红砂种子萌发的影响因素及育苗技术的发展现状,在此基础上指出红砂研究中的不足之处,并对今后的研究方向提出了建议。     

氮沉降对臭氧胁迫下青杨光合特性和生物量的影响

基于开顶式气室臭氧(O_3)熏蒸装置,研究了人工模拟氮沉降对O_3胁迫下青杨光合特性的影响.结果表明,随着O_3浓度的升高,净光合速率(P_n)、电子传递速率(ETR)、PSⅡ反应中心激发能捕获效率(F'_v/F'_m)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、最大羧化速率(Vcmax)和最大电子传递速率(Jmax)显著降低,胞间CO_2浓度(c_i)显著升高,但气孔导度(G_s)变化不显著,生长季末期生物量也显著下降.而氮沉降在一定程度上提高了青杨的光合能力以及生物量.与单一O_3、氮沉降相比,两者交互作用并未显著影响植物光合特性.该研究结果为应对全球变化背景下青杨的防护提供科学依据.