Elevated CO2 causes different growth stimulation, water and nitrogen use efficiencies and leaf ultrastructure responses in two conifer species under intra- and interspecific competition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Yu ◽  
Haojie Dong ◽  
Zongdi Huang ◽  
Helena Korpelainen ◽  
Chunyang Li
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Leaf Ultrastructure ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Infection

Abstract The continuously increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) has substantial effects on plant growth, and on the composition and structure of forests. However, how plants respond to elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]) under intra- and interspecific competition has been largely overlooked. In this study, we employed Abies faxoniana and Picea purpurea seedlings to explore the effects of e[CO2] (700 ppm) and plant–plant competition on plant growth, physiological and morphological traits, and leaf ultrastructure. We found that e[CO2] stimulated plant growth, photosynthesis and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), affected morphological traits and leaf ultrastructure, and enhanced water and nitrogen use efficiencies in A. faxoniana and P. purpurea. Under interspecific competition and e[CO2], P. purpurea showed a higher biomass accumulation, photosynthetic capacity and rate of ectomycorrhizal infection, and higher water and nitrogen use efficiencies compared with A. faxoniana. However, under intraspecific competition and e[CO2], the two conifers showed no differences in biomass accumulation, photosynthetic capacity, and water and nitrogen use efficiencies. In addition, under interspecific competition and e[CO2], A. faxoniana exhibited higher NSC levels in leaves as well as more frequent and greater starch granules, which may indicate carbohydrate limitation. Consequently, we concluded that under interspecific competition, P. purpurea possesses a positive growth and adjustment strategy (e.g., a higher photosynthetic capacity and rate of ectomycorrhizal infection, and higher water and nitrogen use efficiencies), while A. faxoniana likely suffers from carbohydrate limitation to cope with rising [CO2]. Our study highlights that plant–plant competition should be taken into consideration when assessing the impact of rising [CO2] on the plant growth and physiological performance.

scholarly journals Elevated temperature differently affects growth, photosynthetic capacity, nutrient absorption and leaf ultrastructure of Abies faxoniana and Picea purpurea under intra- and interspecific competition

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1342-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Yu ◽  
Mengya Song ◽  
Zhichao Xia ◽  
Helena Korpelainen ◽  
Ülo Niinemets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Nutrient Absorption ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Leaf Ultrastructure ◽  
Abies Faxoniana

Abstract There is a limited understanding of the impacts of global warming on intra- and interspecific plant competition. Resolving this knowledge gap is important for predicting the potential influence of global warming on forests, particularly on high-altitude trees, which are more sensitive to warming. In the present study, effects of intra- and interspecific competition on plant growth and associated physiological, structural and chemical traits were investigated in Abies faxoniana and Picea purpurea seedlings under control (ambient temperature) and elevated temperature (ET, 2 °C above ambient temperature) conditions for 2 years. We found that A. faxoniana and P. purpurea grown under intra- and interspecific competition showed significant differences in dry matter accumulation (DMA), photosynthetic capacity, nutrient absorption, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents and leaf ultrastructure under ET conditions. ET increased leaf, stem and root DMA of both conifers under both competition patterns. Moreover, under ET and interspecific competition, P. purpurea had overall superior competitive capacity characterized by higher organ (leaf, stem and root) and total DMA, height growth rate, net photosynthetic rate, specific leaf area, water use efficiency (δ13C), leaf and root N and NSC concentrations and greater plasticity for absorption of different soil N forms. Thus, the growth of P. purpurea benefitted from the presence of A. faxoniana under ET. Our results demonstrated that ET significantly affects the asymmetric competition patterns in subalpine conifer species. Potential alteration of plant competitive interactions by global warming can influence the composition, structure and functioning of subalpine coniferous forests.

scholarly journals NaCl Improves Suaeda salsa Aniline Tolerance in Wastewater

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7457
Author(s):  
Jie Xu ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Chao Zhu ◽  
Honglei Jia ◽  
Changyan Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Suaeda Salsa ◽  
Ion Content ◽  
Moderate Salinity

Halophytes have been studied as a model for morphological traits of adaptation to saline environments. However, little information has been given on plant growth, chlorophyll fluorescence responses, and change of ion content in halophytes grown in an aniline–salinity coexistent environment. This study hypothesized that aniline could induce alterations in plant growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, and ion content in Suaeda salsa, but salinity could promote the tolerance of halophytes to aniline. A 6 (aniline) × 3 (NaCl) factorial experiment (for a total of 18 treatments) was conducted to test the above hypothesis. After 30 d of cultivation, roots and shoots were harvested separately to analyze the effects of salinity on the seedling growth under aniline stress. Biomass accumulation was inhibited by aniline treatment, and the inhibition was significantly alleviated by 200 mM NaCl. The change in chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves with aniline stress was moderated by the addition of NaCl. The removal efficiency of aniline was significantly enhanced by moderate salinity. Aniline stress decreased the accumulation of Mg2+, but various concentrations of NaCl increased the accumulation of Mg2+, especially with 200 mM NaCl in both roots and shoots. Both aniline and salinity decreased the content of Ca2+. There was a negative correlation between the K+ and NaCl concentrations and between the Cl− and aniline concentrations. Our results indicated that Suaeda salsa may be suitable for the remediation of salinity and aniline-enriched wastewater.

scholarly journals Phytase-Producing Rahnella aquatilis JZ-GX1 Promotes Seed Germination and Growth in Corn (Zea mays L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1647
Author(s):  
Gui-E Li ◽  
Wei-Liang Kong ◽  
Xiao-Qin Wu ◽  
Shi-Bo Ma
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Root Surface ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Maize Seedlings ◽  
Total Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Rahnella Aquatilis ◽  
Maize Seeds

Phytase plays an important role in crop seed germination and plant growth. In order to fully understand the plant growth-promoting mechanism by Rahnella aquatilis JZ-GX1，the effect of this strain on germination of maize seeds was determined in vitro, and the colonization of maize root by R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 was observed by scanning electron microscope. Different inoculum concentrations and Phytate-related soil properties were applied to investigate the effect of R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 on the growth of maize seedlings. The results showed that R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 could effectively secrete indole acetic acid and had significantly promoted seed germination and root length of maize. A large number of R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 cells colonized on the root surface, root hair and the root interior of maize. When the inoculation concentration was 107 cfu/mL and the insoluble organophosphorus compound phytate existed in the soil, the net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, phytase activity secreted by roots, total phosphorus concentration and biomass accumulation of maize seedlings were the highest. In contrast, no significant effect of inoculation was found when the total P content was low or when inorganic P was sufficient in the soil. R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 promotes the growth of maize directly by secreting IAA and indirectly by secreting phytase. This work provides beneficial information for the development and application of R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 as a microbial fertilizer in the future.

scholarly journals Beneficial Features of Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza for Improving Spinach Plant Growth, Root Morphological Traits, Physiological Properties, and Soil Enzymatic Activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
Dilfuza Jabborova ◽  
Kannepalli Annapurna ◽  
Sangeeta Paul ◽  
Sudhir Kumar ◽  
Hosam A. Saad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Spinacia Oleracea ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Enzymatic Activities ◽  
Soil Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Soil Enzymatic Activities ◽  
Physiological Properties ◽  
Spinach Plant

Biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can promote plant growth, improve soil properties, and maintain microbial activity. The effects of biochar and AMF on plant growth, root morphological traits, physiological properties, and soil enzymatic activities were studied in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biochar and AMF on the growth of spinach. Four treatments, a T1 control (soil without biochar), T2 biochar alone, T3 AMF alone, and T4 biochar and AMF together, were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The biochar alone had a positive effect on the growth of spinach, root morphological traits, physiological properties, and soil enzymatic activities. It significantly increased the plant growth parameters, such as the shoot length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight. The root morphological traits, plant physiological attributes, and soil enzymatic activities were significantly enhanced with the biochar alone compared with the control. However, the combination of biochar and AMF had a greater impact on the increase in plant growth, root morphological traits, physiological properties, and soil enzymatic activities compared with the other treatments. The results suggested that the combined biochar and AMF led to the highest levels of spinach plant growth, microbial biomass, and soil enzymatic activity.

scholarly journals Effect of Elevated CO2 on Biomolecules’ Accumulation in Caraway (Carum carvi L.) Plants at Different Developmental Stages

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2434
Author(s):  
Hamada AbdElgawad ◽  
Mohammad K. Okla ◽  
Saud S. Al-amri ◽  
Abdulrahman AL-Hashimi ◽  
Wahida H. AL-Qahtani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Co2 Enrichment ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Phytochemical Content ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Phytochemical Contents

Caraway plants have been known as a rich source of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, monoterpenoid glucosides and alkaloids. In this regard, the application of elevated CO2 (eCO2) as a bio-enhancer for increasing plant growth and phytochemical content has been the focus of many studies; however, the interaction between eCO2 and plants at different developmental stages has not been extensively explored. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating the changes in growth, photosynthesis and phytochemicals of caraway plants at two developmental stages (sprouts and mature tissues) under control and increased CO2 conditions (ambient CO2 (a CO2, 400 ± 27 μmol CO2 mol−1 air) and eCO2, 620 ± 42 μmol CO2 mol−1 air ppm). Moreover, we evaluated the impact of eCO2-induced changes in plant metabolites on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of caraway sprouts and mature plants. CO2 enrichment increased photosynthesis and biomass accumulation of both caraway stages. Regarding their phytochemical contents, caraway plants interacted differently with eCO2, depending on their developmental stages. High levels of CO2 enhanced the production of total nutrients, i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, fats and crude fibers, as well as organic and amino acids, in an equal pattern in both caraway sprouts and mature plants. Interestingly, the eCO2-induced effect on minerals, vitamins and phenolics was more pronounced in caraway sprouts than the mature tissues. Furthermore, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of caraway plants were enhanced under eCO2 treatment, particularly at the mature stage. Overall, eCO2 provoked changes in the phytochemical contents of caraway plants, particularly at the sprouting stage and, hence, improved their nutritive and health-promoting properties.

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