The impact of short-term NO2 pollution on leaf functional traits of nine landscape plant species

Research Highlights: Short-term nitrogen (N) addition did not significantly alter the effects of seasonal drought on the leaf functional traits in Machilus pauhoi Kanehira seedlings in N-rich subtropical China. Background and Objectives: Seasonal drought and N deposition are major drivers of global environmental change that affect plant growth and ecosystem function in subtropical China. However, no consensus has been reached on the interactive effects of these two drivers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a full-factorial experiment to analyze the single and combined effects of seasonal drought and short-term N addition on chemical, morphological and physiological traits of M. pauhoi seedlings. Results: Seasonal drought (40% of soil field capacity) had significant negative effects on the leaf N concentrations (LNC), phosphorus (P) concentrations (LPC), leaf thickness (LT), net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), and predawn leaf water potential (ψPD), and significant positive effects on the carbon:N (C:N) ratio and specific leaf area (SLA). Short-term N addition (50 kg N·hm−2·year−1 and 100 kg N·hm−2·year−1) tended to decrease the C:N ratio and enhance leaf nutrient, growth, and photosynthetic performance because of increased LNC, LPC, LT, leaf area (LA), SLA, A, E, and ψPD; however, it only had significant effects on LT and Gs. No significant interactive effects on leaf traits were detected. Seasonal drought, short-term N addition, and their interactions had significant effects on soil properties. The soil total C (STC), nitrate N (NO3−-N) and soil total N (STN) concentrations were the main factors that affected the leaf traits. Conclusions: Seasonal drought had a stronger effect on M. pauhoi seedling leaf traits than short-term N deposition, indicating that the interaction between seasonal drought and short-term N deposition may have an additive effecton M. pauhoi seedling growth in N-rich subtropical China.

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Differences in leaf functional traits between exotic and native Compositae plant species

Journal of Central South University ◽

10.1007/s11771-017-3658-7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (10) ◽

pp. 2468-2474 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cong-yan Wang ◽

Jun Liu ◽

Jia-wei Zhou ◽

Hong-guang Xiao

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Leaf Functional Traits

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Variations in leaf functional traits among plant species grouped by growth and leaf types in Zhenjiang, China

Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1007/s11676-016-0290-6 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 241-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Congyan Wang ◽

Jiawei Zhou ◽

Hongguang Xiao ◽

Jun Liu ◽

Lei Wang

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Leaf Functional Traits

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Eco-Physiological Screening of Different Tomato Genotypes in Response to High Temperatures: A Combined Field-to-Laboratory Approach

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9040508 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 508 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carmen Arena ◽

Stefano Conti ◽

Silvana Francesca ◽

Giuseppe Melchionna ◽

Josef Hájek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽

Steady State ◽

Heat Shock ◽

High Temperatures ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction ◽

Short Term ◽

Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters ◽

Leaf Functional Traits ◽

Tomato Genotypes

High temperatures represent a limitation for growth and development of many crop species. Several studies have demonstrated that the yield reduction of tomato under high temperatures and drought is mainly due to a photosynthetic decline. In this paper, a set of 15 tomato genotypes were screened for tolerance to elevated temperatures by cultivating plants under plastic walk-in tunnels. To assess the potential tolerance of tomato genotypes to high temperatures, measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments content and leaf functional traits have been carried out together with the evaluation of the final yields. Based on the greenhouse trials, a group of eight putative heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant tomato genotypes was selected for laboratory experiments aimed at investigating the effects of short-term high temperatures treatments in controlled conditions. The chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics were recorded on detached leaves treated for 60 min at 35 °C or at 45 °C. The last treatment significantly affected the photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency (namely maximum PSII quantum efficiency, Fv/Fm, and quantum yield of PSII electron transport, ΦPSII) and the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in the majority of genotypes. The short-term heat shock treatments also led to significant differences in the shape of the slow Kautsky kinetics and its significant time points (chlorophyll fluorescence levels minimum O, peak P, semi-steady state S, maximum M, terminal steady state T) compared to the control, demonstrating heat shock-induced changes in PSII functionality. Genotypes potentially tolerant to high temperatures have been identified. Our findings support the idea that chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (i.e., ΦPSII or NPQ) and some leaf functional traits may be used as a tool to detect high temperatures-tolerant tomato cultivars.

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Analysis of relationships among leaf functional traits and economics spectrum of plant species in the desert steppe of Nei Mongol

Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1258.2014.00097 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (10) ◽

pp. 1029-1040 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

YU Hong-Ying ◽

◽

CHEN Ying-Ting ◽

XU Zhen-Zhu ◽

and ZHOU Guang-Sheng

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Desert Steppe ◽

Leaf Functional Traits

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Relationships among leaf functional traits, litter traits, and mass loss during early phases of leaf litter decomposition in 12 woody plant species

Oecologia ◽

10.1007/s00442-017-3951-z ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 185 (2) ◽

pp. 305-316 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Jenna M. Zukswert ◽

Cindy E. Prescott

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Plant Species ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Woody Plant ◽

Leaf Functional Traits ◽

Woody Plant Species ◽

Litter Traits ◽

Early Phases

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Short-term native grassland compositional responses following liquid hog manure application

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2011-105 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

pp. 55-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

E. W. Bork ◽

L. J. Blonski

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Species Composition ◽

Native Plant ◽

Short Term ◽

Manure Application ◽

Native Grasslands ◽

Native Grassland ◽

Hog Manure ◽

The Impact

Bork, E. W. and Blonski, L. J. 2012. Short-term native grassland compositional responses following liquid hog manure application. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 55–65. Intensive livestock operations (ILOs) are becoming more common in remote regions of the Canadian prairies in an effort to reduce conflict with other land uses. This has led to ILOs situated where the typical sink for manure application, cultivated land, is not available, leading to growing interest in using native grasslands for manure disposal. Significant opposition exists to this practice, in part due to limited information available on the impact of manure application to native grassland diversity and species composition. We examined plant species composition changes over two growing seasons following varying rates (∼9.5, 19, 38, 75 and 150 kg ha−1 available N), methods (surface broadcast vs. coulter injected) and timing (fall vs. spring) of one-time liquid hog manure (LHM) application. Our results revealed divergent responses between study sites, with metrics of plant diversity declining in mixed prairie but increasing in fescue grassland with increases in manure application rate. Both communities also demonstrated minor changes in plant species composition, primarily in response to LHM rate and manure application method. Responsive plant species included a mix of native grasses and dicots, some of which may be regarded as undesirable (e.g., Artemisia frigida): however, most vegetation responses were temporary and disappeared by the second year. Although invasion of non-native plant species was not observed, suggesting these communities are tolerant of LHM application, changes in the reproductive effort of dominant grasses (negative in Hesperostipa curtiseta; positive in Pascopyrum smithii and Festuca hallii) suggest LHM application could alter long-term grassland composition. Thus, despite exhibiting resilience to one-time LHM application, future use of native grasslands for manure disposal should be done cautiously.

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Functional Divergence between Várzea and Igapó Forests: A Study of Functional Trait Diversity in the Colombian Orinoco Basin

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11111172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1172

Author(s):

Diana Bonilla ◽

Ana M. Aldana ◽

Sasha Cárdenas ◽

Adriana Sanchez

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Functional Diversity ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Community Assembly ◽

Forest Type ◽

Functional Divergence ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Functional Richness ◽

Flooded Forests ◽

The Impact

Research Highlights: Functional diversity studies help to better understand how organisms respond to different environmental conditions. Conditions in tropical flooded forests are highly variable, including levels of nutrient availability, pH, and flood depth, but few studies have explored the impact of variation in these factors on plant functional diversity. Background and Objectives: In the Orinoco basin, as in the Amazon, floodplain forests have been classified into várzea (white-water rivers, with nutrient-rich soils) and igapó (black-water rivers, associated with nutrient-poor soils). We evaluated the functional diversity of plant species in várzea and igapó, as well as the influence of external and internal filters on the plant community assembly of each forest type, and compared our results with studies in the Amazon basin. Materials and Methods: Six functional traits were recorded in the várzea and igapó forests of the Colombian Orinoco basin (one-hectare plot for each forest type, with no replicates). We evaluated plant species diversity (richness, Fisher’s α, Shannon and Simpson indices), as well as functional diversity (functional richness, functional evenness, functional divergence, and functional dispersion) and the influence of external and internal filters, based on a comparison of variance at different organizational levels. Results: A high functional differentiation between várzea and igapó was found, as well as a high functional divergence within each forest type. We also observed a greater influence of internal filters on the community assembly of both forest types, compared to external filters. Functional traits such as wood density and leaf dry matter content, showed the same patterns as the várzea and igapó forests in the Amazon. Conclusions: Despite the low taxonomic and functional richness, there is high functional divergence within flooded forests. We also show that in forests under stress (e.g., from flooding), internal filters can be key in assembling communities and promote high functional divergence. Given that the functional diversity of the várzea and igapó in the Orinoco is largely unexplored, we highlight the need for more research for the effective conservation of these flooded forests.

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Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Diesel Exhaust on the Ecophysiology, Growth, and Fecundity of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

The Ohio Journal of Science ◽

10.18061/ojs.v121i2.6936 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 121 (2) ◽

pp. 21-32

Author(s):

Susan Y. Jaconis ◽

Theresa M. Culley ◽

Timothy Keener ◽

Alexandra M. Odom ◽

Robert Elam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glycine Max ◽

Plant Species ◽

Diesel Exhaust ◽

Recovery Period ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Cichorium Intybus ◽

Short Term ◽

Diesel Exhaust Exposure ◽

Glycine Max L ◽

The Impact

Plants growing along roadways are often exposed to vehicle exhaust containing both particulate matter (PM) and various gases that could affect gas exchange and thus plant reproduction. To investigate effects of diesel exhaust exposure on plant ecophysiology, growth, and fecundity, individuals of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) were exposed to either exhaust from a diesel generator or ambient air. Exposure occurred daily over a 5-day period (beginning 18 June 2013) using open-top chambers in an agricultural field in southwestern Ohio, United States. Plants were evaluated at 3 times (before, directly after exposure, and following a 5.5-week post-treatment recovery period) for photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g), water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal clogging due to PM deposition, and number of nodes. Aboveground biomass, fruit number, mean seed number, and seed mass were measured for soybean after the recovery period. In soybean, A minimally decreased with exposure to diesel exhaust (compared to the control), but an increase in g and a decrease in WUE were detected after the exhaust treatment. Chicory exhibited a relatively low increase in A after the treatment, but there were no clear differences in g or WUE. Growth and fecundity were similar among all soybean plants directly after treatment, but after 5.5 weeks plants exposed to diesel exhaust had increased vegetative biomass while exhibiting no difference in fecundity. These plant species reacted differently to short-term diesel exhaust exposure, suggesting that the impact of diesel exhaust will depend on both the plant species and its physiology.

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