Abstract
This work aimed to investigate the partial K-replacement by Na supply to alleviate drought-induced stress in Eucalyptus species. Plant growth, leaf gas exchange parameters, water relations, oxidative stress (H2O2 and MDA content), chlorophyll concentration, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopic leaf composition (δ13C and δ15N) were analyzed. Drought tolerant E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis showed positive responses to the partial K substitution by Na, with similar dry mass yields, stomatal density and total stomatal pore area relative to the well K-supplied plants under both water conditions, suggesting that 50% of the K requirements is pressing for physiological functions that is poorly substituted by Na. Furthermore, E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis up-regulated leaf gas exchanges, leading to enhanced long-term water use efficiency (WUEL). Moreover, the partial K substitution by Na had no effects on plants H2O2, MDA, δ13C and δ15N, confirming that Na, to a certain extent, can effectively replace K in plants metabolism. Otherwise, the drought-sensitive E. saligna species was negatively affected by partial K replacement by Na, decreasing plants dry mass, even with up-regulated leaf gas exchange parameters. The exclusive Na-supplied plants showed K-deficient symptoms and lower growth, WUEL, and δ13C, besides higher Na accumulation, δ15N, H2O2 and MDA content.
Highlights
This work aimed to investigate the partial K-replacement by Na supply to alleviate drought-induced stress in Eucalyptus species
The relative effects of partial K replacement by Na (50/50% of K/Na) and exclusive Nasupply (0/100% of K/Na) compared to the well K-supply (100/0% of K/Na) in E. saligna, E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis grown under W+ and W− condition can be observed in Supplementary Table 1S
The partial K replacement by Na decreased the total dry mass (TDM) of E. saligna compared to well K-supplied plants under both water conditions, while no effects was observed in the drought tolerant species, such as E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis (Fig. 1g–i)
Summary
This work aimed to investigate the partial K-replacement by Na supply to alleviate drought-induced stress in Eucalyptus species. Potassium is known for its contribution as an osmoticum, playing an essential role in plant metabolism, maintaining cell growth and turgor, protein synthesis, enzymatic activation, stomata adjustments, electron transport rate through photosystem II, and nitrogen (N) assimilation[5,6]. In this context, an adequate nutrient management can reduce drought stress impacts by increasing plant water use efficiency (WUE)[7]. Studies regarding the interactive effect of partial K substitution by Na on the δ13C and δ15N of the Eucalyptus seedlings grown under drought condition are scarce
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