Nutrient uptake, microstructural changes and antioxidative mechanisms in Phyllostachys vivax transplanted into coastal site

Abstract

AbstractChinese timber bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax McClure) has been successfully introduced to the coastal belt of eastern China. However, the mechanisms of nutrient uptake and antioxidative protection of P. vivax in response to salinity adaptation in coastal areas remains unclear. P. vivax forests were studied in their native and coastal transplantation sites within the coastal belt of China. In particular, nutrient allocation, anti‐oxidative enzyme activities, biomass accumulation, water contents, water potentials, and root system morphologies vs. microstructures were evaluated in plants from the two sites. Plant morphology adapted to the coastal saline soils by increasing root/shoot ratios and the length of large diameter rhizome, increasing vascular numbers, and lightening epidermal cells within rhizomes. The ratio of Ca2+/Na+ increased, while K+/Na+, Mg2+/Na+ decreased after transplanted to the coastal sites. Nitrogen nutrient contents were significantly positive correlated with plant growth characteristics of P. vivax. The Mg2+, Na+, and Ca2+ concentrations contributed more significantly to differences among organs, while N, Mg2+, Na+, and Ca2+ contents contributed more to root systems. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) decreased, while the levels of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) increased in belowground tissues. In contrast, catalase (CAT) activities and protein contents were similar among plants of both sites. The contributions of CAT and proteins were higher for the principal components explaining variation among different organs, while the contributions of APX, CAT, POD, and proteins were higher for root systems.