Changes In Intrinsic Water-use Efficiency Research Articles

Altered cell wall hydroxycinnamate composition impacts leaf- and canopy-level CO2 uptake and water use in rice.

Cell wall properties play a major role in determining photosynthetic carbon uptake and water use through their impact on mesophyll conductance (CO2 diffusion from substomatal cavities into photosynthetic mesophyll cells) and leaf hydraulic conductance (water movement from xylem, through leaf tissue, to stomata). Consequently, modification of cell wall (CW) properties might help improve photosynthesis and crop water use efficiency (WUE). We tested this using 2 independent transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) lines overexpressing the rice OsAT10 gene (encoding a "BAHD" CoA acyltransferase), which alters CW hydroxycinnamic acid content (more para-coumaric acid and less ferulic acid). Plants were grown under high and low water levels, and traits related to leaf anatomy, CW composition, gas exchange, hydraulics, plant biomass, and canopy-level water use were measured. Alteration of hydroxycinnamic acid content led to statistically significant decreases in mesophyll CW thickness (-14%) and increased mesophyll conductance (+120%) and photosynthesis (+22%). However, concomitant increases in stomatal conductance negated the increased photosynthesis, resulting in no change in intrinsic WUE (ratio of photosynthesis to stomatal conductance). Leaf hydraulic conductance was also unchanged; however, transgenic plants showed small but statistically significant increases in aboveground biomass (AGB) (+12.5%) and canopy-level WUE (+8.8%; ratio of AGB to water used) and performed better under low water levels than wild-type plants. Our results demonstrate that changes in CW composition, specifically hydroxycinnamic acid content, can increase mesophyll conductance and photosynthesis in C3 cereal crops such as rice. However, attempts to improve photosynthetic WUE will need to enhance mesophyll conductance and photosynthesis while maintaining or decreasing stomatal conductance.

Has COVID-19 Lockdown Affected C and N Level and Isotope Composition in Urban Soils and Plant Leaves?

This study aimed to evaluate how seasonal variations in environmental conditions and atmospheric NO 2 impact C and N cycle in an urban environment by determining their elemental concentration and isotopic composition (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) at spatial scale (urban and peri-urban sites) and species level (evergreen plants). Leaves and soil across the medium-sized city of Pisa were collected over 1 year including COVID-19 lockdown, taking advantage of the unprecedented containment measures causing a substantial NO 2 drop. The enrichment in heavier isotopes of organic matter in urban soil was most likely due to the long-term contribution of both δ 15 N-enriched depositions and greater C and N cycling rates in comparison with peri-urban soil. Leaf δ 15 N represented a valuable proxy of the urbanization degree depending on microclimate and N inputs from atmospheric NO 2 . Leaf δ 13 C showed a seasonal trend linked to plant functional types, with significant differences between sites and species. Differently from Nerium oleander and Pittosporum tobira , Quercus ilex showed a positive correlation between δ 13 C and NO 2 , highlighting the positive effect of N deposition on its intrinsic water-use efficiency. Moreover, the lockdown-induced NO 2 reduction was reflected in a decreasing trend of leaf N concentration and change in intrinsic water-use efficiency depending on the plant species and urbanization degree. Q. ilex showed the best adaptability to the more NO 2 -polluted site, being able to uptake and immobilize high amounts of 15 N-enriched atmospheric depositions into its leaves without toxic effects. Overall, these results must be considered in urban greening programs to improve air quality in NO 2 -polluted areas.

Correcting tree-ring δ13C time series for tree-size effects in eight temperate tree species.

Stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) in tree rings have been widely used to study changes in intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), sometimes with limited consideration of how C-isotope discrimination is affected by tree height and canopy position. Our goals were to quantify the relationships between tree size or tree microenvironment and wood δ13C for eight functionally diverse temperate tree species in northern New England and to better understand the physical and physiological mechanisms underlying these differences. We collected short increment cores in closed-canopy stands and analyzed δ13C in the most recent 5years of growth. We also sampled saplings in both shaded and sun-exposed environments. In closed-canopy stands, we found strong tree-size effects on δ13C, with 3.7-7.2‰ of difference explained by linear regression vs height (0.11-0.28‰ m-1), which in some cases is substantially stronger than the effect reported in previous studies. However, open-grown saplings were often isotopically more similar to large codominant trees than to shade-grown saplings, indicating that light exposure contributes more to the physiological and isotopic differences between small and large trees than does height. We found that in closed-canopy forests, δ13C correlations with diameter at breast height were nonlinear but also strong, allowing a straightforward procedure to correct tree- or stand-scale δ13C-based iWUE chronologies for changing tree size. We demonstrate how to use such data to correct and interpret multi-decadal composite isotope chronologies in both shade-regenerated and open-grown tree cohorts, and we highlight the importance of understanding site history when interpreting δ13C time series.

Long- and short-term impacts of a defoliating moth plus mistletoe on tree growth, wood anatomy and water-use efficiency

Climate warming and biotic stressors are expected to reduce tree radial growth and performance at short and long time scales. However, the impacts of different biotic stressors on performance throughout a tree’s life are largely understudied. Here we assessed the effects of a past nun moth (Lymantria dispar) outbreak and related defoliation on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees, which were later severely infested by the hemiparasite mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum). We compared the responses of trees severely infested or not infested by mistletoe in a wet vs. a dry site to quantify the relative importance of biotic stressors under different climate conditions. We used dendrochronology to quantify: long- and short-term changes in radial growth (resilience), differences in wood anatomy during the outbreak, and recent changes in intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi). The outbreak caused a sharp growth reduction in 1953 (50% decrease in basal area increment –BAI) and the formation of tracheids of small transversal lumen diameter (33% decrease in diameter). Recent mistletoe infestation caused a difference in growth between infested and non-infested trees lasting 34 and 21 years in the wet and dry sites, respectively. Growth (BAI) decreased more steeply in severely infested than in non-infested trees, the post-drought resilience decreased in severely infested trees, and the WUEi increased, particularly in the dry site. The BAI of severely infested trees was more negatively impacted by warm and dry conditions during the growing season than in non-infested trees, particularly in the dry site. Tree rings recorded historical effects of biotic stressors (L. monacha outbreak), which may constrain responses to recent stressors (mistletoe).

Disentangling Contributions of CO2 Concentration and Climate to Changes in Intrinsic Water-Use Efficiency in the Arid Boreal Forest in China’s Altay Mountains

Intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) is affected by the balance of photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and climate, along with many other exogenous factors, such as the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere (CO2atm), nutrients, and water holding capacity of the soil. The relative contributions of CO2atm and climate to iWUE are still incompletely understood, particularly for boreal forests where the climate is undergoing unprecedented warming. We combined δ13C and δ18O in tree rings from the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) in Northwestern China’s Altay Mountains, which receives 190 mm in annual precipitation, to detect the drivers of long-term iWUE changes and their time-varying contributions over the past 222 years. A climate optimization approach was used to isolate the influence of climate from CO2atm influence on iWUE. We found that iWUE increased about 33.6% from 1790 to 2011, and rising CO2atm contributed 48.8% to this iWUE increase. The contributions of CO2atm and climate (drought conditions) varied during the study period 1790–2011. From 1790 to 1876, the climate was the most important factor contributing to the changes in iWUE. From 1877 to 1972, CO2atm was the main contributor; however, after 1973, the climate was again the dominant contributor to the increase in iWUE, especially during 1996–2011. During the period 1996–2011, climate substantially (83%) contributed to the iWUE increase. Our findings imply that, in the boreal forest in Northwestern China’s arid region, iWUE experienced three changes: (1) the climate dominating from 1790 to 1876; (2) CO2atm dominating from 1877 to 1972, and (3) climate dominating again during the past four decades. We observed that the relationships between iWUE and tree-ring width shifted from positive to negative from 1996 onwards. These relationship changes indicate that CO2atm-mediated effects of increasing iWUE on tree growth are counteracted by climatic drought stress and iWUE increase cannot counter the stress from drought on tree growth in China’s arid boreal forest.

A Regional Stable Carbon Isotope Dendro-Climatology from the South African Summer Rainfall Area.

Carbon isotope analysis of four baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) trees from the Pafuri region of South Africa yielded a 1000-year proxy rainfall record. The Pafuri record age model was based on 17 radiocarbon dates, cross correlation of the climate record, and ring structures that were presumed to be annual for two of the trees. Here we present the analysis of five additional baobabs from the Mapungubwe region, approximately 200km west of Pafuri. The Mapungubwe chronology demonstrates that ring structures are not necessarily annually formed, and accordingly the Pafuri chronology is revised. Changes in intrinsic water-use efficiency indicate an active response by the trees to elevated atmospheric CO2, but this has little effect on the environmental signal. The revised Pafuri record, and the new Mapungubwe record correlate significantly with local rainfall. Both records confirm that the Medieval Warm Period was substantially wetter than present, and the Little Ice Age was the driest period in the last 1000 years. Although Mapungubwe is generally drier than Pafuri, both regions experience elevated rainfall peaking between AD 1570 and AD 1620 after which dry conditions persist in the Mapungubwe area until about AD 1840. Differences between the two records correlate with Agulhas Current sea-surface temperature variations suggesting east/west displacement of the temperate tropical trough system as an underlying mechanism. The Pafuri and Mapungubwe records are combined to provide a regional climate proxy record for the northern summer rainfall area of southern Africa.

Variability of mesophyll conductance in grapevine cultivars under water stress conditions in relation to leaf anatomy and water use efficiency

Background and Aims Stomatal (gs) and mesophyll conductance (gm) limit photosynthesis significantly and consequently, apart from gs, gm is also a physiological process that could affect leaf water use efficiency (WUE). The aims of the present study were to analyse the genetic variability of gm in the grapevine, to relate the variability of leaf WUE with relative changes in gs and gm and to analyse the importance of leaf structural parameters in the variability of gm. Methods and Results The gm in seven potted grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) were compared in three experiments under irrigation and moderate water stress treatments. Significant variability of gm was observed among cultivars associated with change in intrinsic WUE. No clear relationship with anatomical traits was found. Conclusions Variability of gm was associated with leaf WUE, although it could not be explained by anatomical variability. It is likely that biochemical mechanisms play an additional important role in the diffusion of CO2 in grapevines. Significance of the Study This study shows that the variability of gm in different grapevine cultivars offers a potential target for improving leaf WUE by increasing net photosynthesis (AN) without increasing plant water losses.

Physiological and structural changes in response to altered precipitation regimes in a Mediterranean macchia ecosystem

Significant decrease in precipitation up to 15–20% has been observed in the Mediterranean area in the last two decades as a consequence of climate change. To simulate an analogous scenario, the precipitation regime was altered in replicated experimental plots in a Mediterranean macchia dominated by Arbutus unedo L. species. Two different levels of soil water content (SWC) were obtained during the summer: a mean value of 7% was obtained in water-depleted (D) plots by a partial (−20%) rain exclusion treatment using rain gutters; while a mean value of 14% in SWC was obtained in watered (W) plots supplying water by a sprinkler net. The physiological and structural changes were investigated over the course of two consecutive years by measurement of water potential, gas exchange leaf carbon isotopes, leaf pigments and growth. Apart from short-term responses, mainly related to the elastic response of stomatal conductance to soil water, a more long-lasting and significant acclimation to water availability was observed as a result of the increase in hydraulic resistance in the soil–plant continuum, which persisted even after the return to full water availability during the fall and winter. This response involved the permanent down-regulation of stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, accumulation of photo-protective pigments, as well as a reduction in shoot growth, leaf area index and an increase in shoot-bearing flowers in D plots. This acclimation response prevented the onset of any run-away damage thereby reducing the forest vulnerability to drought. Furthermore, the imposed drought induced a slight increase or no change in intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEint), as a result of the parallel increase in stomatal and non-stomatal limitations; conversely integrated WUE (i.e., estimated from leaf carbon isotopes) was not affected by drought.

Influence of stand structure on carbon-13 of vegetation, soils, and canopy air within deciduous and evergreen forests in Utah, United States.

Carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) were studied in evergreen and deciduous forest ecosystems in semi-arid Utah (Pinus contorta, Populus tremuloides, Acer negundo and Acer grandidentatum). Measurements were taken in four to five stands of each forest ecosystem differing in overstory leaf area index (LAI) during two consecutive growing seasons. The δ13Cleaf (and carbon isotope discrimination) of understory vegetation in the evergreen stands (LAI 1.5-2.2) did not differ among canopies with increasing LAI, whereas understory in the deciduous stands (LAI 1.5-4.5) exhibited strongly decreasing δ13Cleaf values (increasing carbon isotope discrimination) with increasing LAI. The δ13C values of needles and leaves at the top of the canopy were relatively constant over the entire LAI range, indicating no change in intrinsic water-use efficiency with overstory LAI. In all canopies, δ13Cleaf decreased with decreasing height above the forest floor, primarily due to physiological changes affecting c i/c a (> 60%) and to a minor extent due to δ13C of canopy air (< 40%). This intra-canopy depletion of δ13Cleaf was lowest in the open stand (1‰) and greatest in the denser stands (4.5‰). Although overstory δ13Cleaf did not change with canopy LAI, δ13C of soil organic carbon increased with increasing LAI in Pinus contorta and Populus tremuloides ecosystems. In addition, δ13C of decomposing organic carbon became increasingly enriched over time (by 1.7-2.9‰) for all deciduous and evergreen dry temperate forests. The δ13Ccanopy of CO2 in canopy air varied temporally and spatially in all forest stands. Vertical canopy gradients of δ13Ccanopy, and [CO2]canopy were larger in the deciduous Populus tremuloides than in the evergreen Pinu contorta stands of similar LAI. In a very wet and cool year, ecosystem discrimination (Δe) was similar for both deciduous Populus tremulodies (18.0 ± 0.7‰) and evergreen Pinus contorta (18.3 ± 0.9‰) stands. Gradients of δ13Ccanopy and [CO2]canopy were larger in denser Acer spp. stands than those in the open stand. However, 13C enrichment above and photosynthetic draw-down of [CO2]canopy below tropospheric baseline values were larger in the open than in the dense stands, due to the presence of a vigorous understory vegetation. Seasonal patterns of the relationship δ13Ccanopy versus 1/[CO2]canopy were strongly influenced by precipitation and air temperature during the growing season. Estimates of Δe for Acer spp. did not show a significant effect of stand structure, and averaged 16.8 ± 0.5‰ in 1933 and 17.4 ± 0.7‰ in 1994. However, Δe varied seasonally with small fluctuations for the open stand (2‰), but more pronounced changes for the dense stand (5‰).