Effects of moderate drought on particles retention and physiology of three evergreen shrubs

Abstract

Moderate drought and vehicular exhaust particles are two common stressors to urban plants. However, it is unclear whether moderate drought affects particle retention by plants and whether stressors, such as moderate drought and exhaust pollution, can interact to affect plant performance. Here, we used an open-top chamber experiment to quantify particle retention per unit leaf area and physiological and biochemical parameters of Pittosporum tobira, Photinia × fraseri, and Euonymus japonicus ‘aurea-marginatus’ over 24 days. Total particle retention of E. japonicus ‘aurea-marginatus’ was significantly higher than the other two species by 1.10 times - 1.45 times. Moderate drought had significant, species-specific effects on particle retention, causing a 45.51% increase in P. tobira and a 51.22% decrease in P. fraseri, but no significant effect on E. japonicus ‘aurea-marginatus’. Superoxide dismutase was activated by drought or exhaust pollution for all plants, reaching its maximum (P. fraseri on the 6th day, the other two species on the 12th day), and then declining. The soluble sugar content of E. japonicus ‘aurea-marginatus’ increased during the first 12 days of stress, while it decreased in the other two species. After 24 days, the relative conductivity of stressed individuals was generally higher and the relative chlorophyll content lower except for P. fraseri. However, a significant decrease in net photosynthetic rate was found only in P. fraseri, and E. japonicus ‘aurea-marginatus’ exhibited the smallest decline in photosynthetic rate. In general, most physiological and biochemical indicators were more sensitive to combination between stressors than to either stressor alone. E. japonicus ‘aurea-marginatus’ may be the most suitable of the three species to be planted in moderate drought and polluted areas for its best particle retention and physiological performance.