Abstract
Ecological success is dependent on physiological tolerance to abiotic stress. This is particularly meaningful when considering the success of invasive plants in wetland systems. In this study, physiological flooding tolerance was measured in invasive Phragmites australis, Phalaris arundinacea, Sorghum halepense, and native Spartina pectinata. Plants were maintained at deep flooding, medium flooding, low flooding, and dry conditions in a greenhouse, and their responses were measured at 7 and 28 days of treatment. Photosynthetic rates in Sorghum were maximized at deep flooding conditions at 7 days, but at 28 days all deep and medium flooded Sorghum were dead or dying. Photosynthesis in Phragmites and Spartina were saturated at deep flooding conditions whereas photosynthesis was saturated in Phalaris under medium flooding at 28 days. Increased flooding caused higher stomatal conductance and lower δ 13C in Phragmites, but the opposite occurred in Phalaris. As flooding increased for Sorghum and Spartina, δ 13C remained unchanged. Activities of the anaerobic respiration enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in roots suggested invasive Phragmites was the most tolerant of flooding. Spartina was the next most flood tolerant of the four species, slightly less tolerant compared to Phragmites. Phalaris was moderately flood tolerant and Sorghum was flood sensitive. Invasion of grasses in wetlands might be helped by increased photosynthesis in short-term flooding.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.