Phenotypic plasticity of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stomatal features under water deficit assessed in provenance trial

Abstract

Abstract:The results of research into leaf stomatal variability of five European beech provenances originating from Austria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Germany, Romania and Serbia are presented in this paper. Aim of the study was to investigate how stomatal traits of provenances originating from different environments change in response to drought stress and to assess the phenotypic plasticity of the stomatal features investigated. The study was conducted during two different years, characterized by contrasting weather conditions (2010 and 2011). Two-way ANOVA revealed that provenances differ significantly in terms of stomatal density (SD), width of stomatal aperture (W b ), potential conductance index (PCI) and relative stomatal pore surface (RSPS), during both seasons. In a dry year (2011) all provenances significantly increased stomatal density by between 16.1% (Hasbruch -DE) and 21.9% (Cer -SRB). Guard cell length (L A ) was not statistically different among provenances in either year (2010 and 2011), even though L A decreased in the dry year (2011) in all provenances. Reaction norms were steep in most of the parameters suggesting the possibility of a plastic response of provenances toward changes in soil water regime, influenced by the prevailing weather each year. Phenotypic plasticity indices were the highest in regards of SD, PCI and RSPS, indicating that these traits would be good candidates for improvement in breeding programs aimed at selection of drought resistant.

Stomatal density in Quercus petraea and Q. robur natural populations in Northern Turkey

“…In this study, it was found that stomatal density was higher in drier environmental conditions. Similar patterns were noticed also in other species such as the South African shrub Protea repens (Carlson et al, 2016) and European beech (Stojnic et al, 2015). Genetic marker analyses using nuclear mircrosatellites revealed different patterns of interspecific differentiation between Q. robur and Q. petraea in Turkey than in Central Europe (Scotti- Saintagne et al, 2004;Yücedağ & Gailing, 2013).…”

Adaptive variation in physiological traits of beech provenances in Central Europe

“…Therefore, in contrast with provenance trials, the conditions of growth are unequal, and the differences among populations might be influenced by largescale variation of environmental factors. Although a study on the stomatal analysis of beech in a provenance trial was also published (Stojnić et al 2015), the authors focused on how stomatal traits (stomatal density, width of stomatal pore, potential conductance index, relative stomatal pore surface and length of guard cells) of beech provenances react to drought stress during two years characterized by contrasting weather conditions. Similarly, Xu & Zhou (2008) studied the response of stomatal traits in Leymus chinensis to a large range of water statuses.…”

“…In this context, it is desirable to better understand the physiological processes that underlie growth and production, focusing on traits strongly related to biological fitness, such as photosynthesis and respiration, as well as traits relevant in the context of climate change, such as water balance, drought and heat resistance, etc. (Gömöry 2010, Wortemann et al 2011, Stojnić et al 2015. As changes in environmental conditions occur along altitudinal gradients even over short distances, such gradients offer a powerful experimental setup for studying the ecological response of plants to changing environments.…”

Leaf stomatal traits variation within and among black poplar native populations in Serbia

“…in the tree crown showed significant differences for most of analyzed traits (table 2). Numerous investigations show high sensitivity of stomatal traits to light exposure, where in most cases stomatal density decreases by reducing light intensity, meaning that sun exposed leaves have higher stomatal density than the density presented by shaded leaves (Batos et al 2010, Stojnić et al 2015, but there are several studies that say otherwise (Bruschi et al 2003).…”