Photosynthesis, water use efficiency and stable carbon isotope composition are associated with anatomical properties of leaf and xylem in six poplar species

Abstract

Although fast-growing Populus species consume a large amount of water for biomass production, there are considerable variations in water use efficiency (WUE) across different poplar species. To compare differences in growth, WUE and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem and to examine the relationship between photosynthesis/WUE and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem, cuttings of six poplar species were grown in a botanical garden. The growth performance, photosynthesis, intrinsic WUE (WUE(i) ), stable carbon isotope composition (δ(13) C) and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem were analysed in these poplar plants. Significant differences were found in growth, photosynthesis, WUE(i) and anatomical properties among the examined species. Populus cathayana was the clone with the fastest growth and the lowest WUE(i) /δ(13) C, whereas P. × euramericana had a considerable growth increment and the highest WUE(i) /δ(13) C. Among the analysed poplar species, the highest total stomatal density in P. cathayana was correlated with its highest stomatal conductance (g(s) ) and lowest WUE(i) /δ(13) C. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between WUE(i) and abaxial stomatal density and stem vessel lumen area. These data suggest that photosynthesis, WUE(i) and δ(13) C are associated with leaf and xylem anatomy and there are tradeoffs between growth and WUE(i) . It is anticipated that some poplar species, e.g. P. × euramericana, are better candidates for water-limited regions and others, e.g. P. cathayana, may be better for water-abundant areas.

Seasonal variations in photosynthesis, intrinsic water-use efficiency and stable isotope composition of poplar leaves in a short-rotation plantation

“…Previous studies on poplars have suggested that variations among genotypes are generally driven by variations in g s (Monclus et al 2006, Fichot et al 2011, Rasheed et al 2011, Cao et al 2012) although one opposite result has been reported (Rasheed et al 2013). Our results suggest that variations in WUE i across dates and genotypes were primarily driven by variations in g s-sat .…”

Seasonal variations in leaf δ13C values: implications for different water-use strategies among species growing on continuous dolomite outcrops in subtropical China

“…This difference indicated that the widespread species exhibited more flexible water-use strategies (relatively low WUE in the wet season but high WUE in the dry season). As described above, the study area received a large amount of rainfall in the wet season and the rainfall frequency was high, it is beneficial for plant to maintain lower WUE (more negative leaf d 13 C values) in this period, as WUE is generally negatively correlated with plant relative growth rate (Wright et al 2004;Resco et al 2011;Cao et al 2012). In contrast, the two narrow endemic tree species maintained relatively high WUE (more positive leaf d 13 C values) both in the wet and dry seasons (Fig.…”

A Transcriptomic Network Underlies Microstructural and Physiological Responses to Cadmium in Populus × canescens

“…Well-stained samples with cadmium-dithizone precipitates displaying red-black were photographed under a light microscope (Eclipse E200, Nikon) with a CCD (DS-Fi1, Nikon) connected to a computer as described by Cao et al (2012).…”