Abstract
Carpinus betulus and Carpinus putoensis are precious species in the world. Studies on the ecosystem function of the two species are rare. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of C. betulus and C. putoensis to NO2 stress and their natural recovery. C. betulus and C. putoensis seedlings underwent fumigation with 12.0 mg/m3 NO2 for 0, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Then, the plants were allowed to recover at room temperature for 30 d. Physiological and biochemical changes in the leaves were compared between the two species. In terms of peroxidase (POD) activity, the damage response of C. betulus under NO2 stress appeared later than that of C. putoensis. The soluble protein content of C. betulus was noticeably higher than that of C. putoensis, and C. betulus exhibited more stable membrane lipoperoxidation. The tendency of the changes in nitrate reductase of C. betulus was less noticeable than that of C. putoensis. The variation amplitudes of N, K, Mg, Zn and Mn in the leaves of C. putoensis were greater than those of C. betulus. C. putoensis showed more sensitive metabolisms in response to NO2 stress compared with C. betulus. High-concentration NO2 caused damage to C. betulus and C. putoensis was reversible, and both species returned to normal growth via their own metabolism after 30-d recovery. The results of this study may provide useful reference data for quantitative assessment of the ecosystem function of C. betulus and C. putoensis and for their scientific application in urban greening.
Highlights
Carpinus betulus and Carpinus putoensis are precious species in the world
Moderate N O2 injury was manifested by irregular watery spots between leaf veins, which gradually developed into yellow necrotic spots followed by lesions at the leaf stalk and margins
The results showed that the influence of different NO2 stress durations on the physiological and biochemical responses of the plants differed, which exhibited different levels
Summary
Carpinus betulus and Carpinus putoensis are precious species in the world. Studies on the ecosystem function of the two species are rare. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of C. betulus and C. putoensis to NO2 stress and their natural recovery. C. putoensis showed more sensitive metabolisms in response to NO2 stress compared with C. betulus. Highconcentration NO2 caused damage to C. betulus and C. putoensis was reversible, and both species returned to normal growth via their own metabolism after 30-d recovery. Liao et al reported that Camellia japonica had the most powerful N O2 absorption ability among the landscape plants they investigated in Zhejiang, China[15]. The results of these studies indicate that broad-leaf species, arbors and shrubs, own strong NO2 absorption capacity. The results of all these studies suggest that plants can be adapted to adverse N O2 stress by adding chemical agents, and whether they can recover their normal metabolisms through self recovery remains to be explored
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