Water transport and water use efficiency differ among Populus euphratica Oliv. saplings exposed to saline water irrigation

Abstract

Populus euphratica Oliv. is a unique woody tree that can be utilized for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas. The effects of saline water irrigation (0.00, 2.93, 8.78 and 17.55 g/L NaCl solutions) on water transport and water use efficiency (WUE) of P. euphratica saplings were researched in 2011 in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China for improving the survival of P. euphratica saplings and vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas. Results showed that hydraulic conductivity and vulnerability to cavitation of P. euphratica saplings were more sensitive in root xylem than in twig xylem when irrigation water salinity increased. Irrigation with saline water concentration less than 8.78 g/L did not affect the growth of P. euphratica saplings, under which they maintained normal water transport in twig xylem through adjustment of anatomical structure of vessels and kept higher WUE and photosynthesis in leaves through adjustment of stomata. However, irrigation with saline water concentration up to 17.55 g/L severely inhibited the photochemical process and WUE of P. euphratica saplings, resulting in severe water-deficit in leaves and a sharp reduction in water transport in xylem. Thus, it is feasible to irrigate P. euphratica forest by using saline groundwater for improving the survival of P. euphratica saplings and vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas of Xinjiang, China.