Mean Soil Water Potential Research Articles

Hillslope-scale variability of soil water potential over humid alpine forests: Unexpected high contribution of time-invariant component

Soil water potential (SWP) gradients control water and energy fluxes in the Soil – Plant – Atmosphere Continuum. Exploring the spatial – temporal variability of SWP at the hillslope scale is an essential step towards developing ecohydrological models. In this study, SWP monitoring was carried out on two contrasting, alpine, humid forested hillslopes (i.e., coniferous and broadleaf forests) at three depths (10, 50, and 100 cm). The effects of static (soil properties and topography) and dynamic (precipitation dynamics and soil wetness conditions) factors on SWP dynamics and variability were investigated based on statistical methods, temporal stability, and variance decomposition analysis. The results showed that the SWP in the soil – root zone (10 and 50 cm depths) in the broadleaf forest exhibited higher variability and lower temporal stability than in the coniferous forest, likely because of the stronger evapotranspiration and more variable soil hydraulic conductivity. The relatively high SWP variability in the deeper soil layer (100 cm depth) of both forested hillslopes was due to the frequent lateral/preferential flow. Furthermore, topographic factors (i.e., distance of hillslope to stream and slope) and soil properties (clay and rock fragment contents) regulated the spatial patterns in SWP and influenced representative site selection in the coniferous and broadleaf forests, respectively. Decomposition of the spatial variance showed that the time-invariant component was the dominant contributor to the total spatial variance. An exponentially increasing relationship between the time-invariant component and mean SWP and a concave-up parabolic shape between the contribution of the temporal anomalies and mean SWP were observed. Our results provide an improved understanding of the temporal and spatial variability in terms of SWP in forested hillslopes.

Canopy transpiration of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation and its impact factors in diffe-rent slope locations at the south side of Liupan Mountains, China.

Based on a continuous field observation in the Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation plots, located at the upper (P1), middle-upper (P2), middle (P3), middle-lower (P4), and lower (P5) positions, in a southeast-facing slope of the Xiangshuihe watershed of Liupan Mountains, China, the stem sap flow was observed with the thermal diffusivity probe method. The soil water potential and meteorological factors were monitored from May to October, 2014. We found significant differences among slope positions in the daily forest transpiration (Tr, mm·d-1), with an order of P2 (0.975)＞P4 (0.876)＞P3 (0.726)＞P1 (0.653)＞P5 (0.628). Tr was significantly positively correlated with the daily maximum temperature (Tmax), daily mean solar radiation (SR), daily mean saturated vapor pressure deficit (VPD), potential evapotranspiration (PET), and daily mean soil water potential (Ψ), but negatively correlated with the daily mean air relative humidity (RH), daily precipitation (P), and daily minimum temperature (Tmin). According to the upper boundary line ana-lysis, significant differences were found in the degree of Tr responding to each single environmental factor among slope positions. The degree of its responses gradually decreased for average daily air temperature (T), RH, VPD, PET and Ψ, whereas increased for the SR and daily average volumetric soil water content (VSM) from the upper position to the lower. Results from regression and partial correlation analysis showed that variation of Tr was mainly controlled by VPD, PET and RH in different slope positions. Tr was also strongly affected by Ψ and T in the upper-slope positions and by SR, Tmin and VSM at the lower-slope positions. Generally, the Tr difference among slope positions was a consequence of joint contributions of soil water and meteorological factors. It is necessary to consider the changes of soil water and meteorological factors in different positions along the slope when examining slope-scale or watershed-scale forest transpiration with sap flow estimated from xylem sap flux density measurements of a particular plot.

Simulation of Stomatal Conductance and Water Use Efficiency of Tomato Leaves Exposed to Different Irrigation Regimes and Air CO2 Concentrations by a Modified "Ball-Berry" Model.

Stomatal conductance (gs) and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomato leaves exposed to different irrigation regimes and at ambient CO2 (a[CO2], 400 ppm) and elevated CO2 (e[CO2], 800 ppm) environments were simulated using the “Ball-Berry” model (BB-model). Data obtained from a preliminary experiment (Exp. I) was used for model parameterization, where measurements of leaf gas exchange of potted tomatoes were done during progressive soil drying for 5 days. The measured photosynthetic rate (Pn) was used as an input for the model. Considering the effect of soil water deficits on gs, an equation modifying the slope (m) based on the mean soil water potential (Ψs) in the whole root zone was introduced. Compared to the original BB-model, the modified model showed greater predictability for both gs and WUE of tomato leaves at each [CO2] growth environment. The models were further validated with data obtained from an independent experiment (Exp. II) where plants were subjected to three irrigation regimes: full irrigation (FI), deficit irrigation (DI), and alternative partial root-zone irrigation (PRI) for 40 days at both a[CO2] and e[CO2] environment. The simulation results indicated that gs was independently acclimated to e[CO2] from Pn. The modified BB-model performed better in estimating gs and WUE, especially for PRI strategy at both [CO2] environments. A greater WUE could be seen in plants grown under e[CO2] associated with PRI regime. Conclusively, the modified BB-model was capable of predicting gs and WUE of tomato leaves in various irrigation regimes at both a[CO2] and e[CO2] environments. This study could provide valuable information for better predicting plant WUE adapted to the future water-limited and CO2 enriched environment.

Frontiers in root ecology: recent advances and future challenges

Background and aims: Plant phenology is a sensitive indicator of plant response to climate change. Observations of phenological events belowground for most ecosystems are difficult to obtain and very little is known about the relationship between tree shoot and root phenology. We examined the influence of environmental factors on fine root production and mortality in relation with shoot phenology in hybrid walnut trees (Juglans sp.) growing in three different climates (oceanic, continental and Mediterranean) along a latitudinal gradient in France. Methods : Eight rhizotrons were installed at each site for 21 months to monitor tree root dynamics. Root elongation rate (RER), root initiation quantity (RIQ) and root mortality quantity (RMQ) were recorded frequently using a scanner and time-lapse camera. Leaf phenology and stem radial growth were also measured. Fine roots were classified by topological order and 0–1 mm, 1–2 mm and 2–5 mm diameter classes and fine root longevity and risk of mortality were calculated during different periods over the year. Results : Root growth was not synchronous with leaf phenology in any climate or either year, but was synchronous with stem growth during the late growing season. A distinct bimodal pattern of root growth was observed during the aerial growing season. Mean RER was driven by soil temperature measured in the month preceding root growth in the oceanic climate site only. However, mean RER was significantly correlated with mean soil water potential measured in the month preceding root growth at both Mediterranean (positive relationship) and oceanic (negative relationship) sites. Mean RIQ was significantly higher at both continental and Mediterranean sites compared to the oceanic site. Soil temperature was a driver of mean RIQ during the late growing season at continental and Mediterranean sites only. Mean RMQ increased significantly with decreasing soil water potential during the late aerial growing season at the continental site only. Mean root longevity at the continental site was significantly greater than for roots at the oceanic and Mediterranean sites. Roots in the 0–1 mm and 1–2 mm diameter classes lived for significantly shorter periods compared to those in the 2–5 mm diameter class. First order roots (i.e. the primary or parents roots) lived longer than lateral branch roots at the Mediterranean site only and first order roots in the 0–1 mm diameter class had 44.5% less risk of mortality than that of lateral roots for the same class of diameter. Conclusions: We conclude that factors driving root RER were not the same between climates. Soil temperature was the best predictor of root initiation at continental and Mediterranean sites only, but drivers of root mortality remained largely undetermined

Linking above- and belowground phenology of hybrid walnut growing along a climatic gradient in temperate agroforestry systems

Plant phenology is a sensitive indicator of plant response to climate change. Observations of phenological events belowground for most ecosystems are difficult to obtain and very little is known about the relationship between tree shoot and root phenology. We examined the influence of environmental factors on fine root production and mortality in relation with shoot phenology in hybrid walnut trees (Juglans sp.) growing in three different climates (oceanic, continental and Mediterranean) along a latitudinal gradient in France. Eight rhizotrons were installed at each site for 21 months to monitor tree root dynamics. Root elongation rate (RER), root initiation quantity (RIQ) and root mortality quantity (RMQ) were recorded frequently using a scanner and time-lapse camera. Leaf phenology and stem radial growth were also measured. Fine roots were classified by topological order and 0–1 mm, 1–2 mm and 2–5 mm diameter classes and fine root longevity and risk of mortality were calculated during different periods over the year. Root growth was not synchronous with leaf phenology in any climate or either year, but was synchronous with stem growth during the late growing season. A distinct bimodal pattern of root growth was observed during the aerial growing season. Mean RER was driven by soil temperature measured in the month preceding root growth in the oceanic climate site only. However, mean RER was significantly correlated with mean soil water potential measured in the month preceding root growth at both Mediterranean (positive relationship) and oceanic (negative relationship) sites. Mean RIQ was significantly higher at both continental and Mediterranean sites compared to the oceanic site. Soil temperature was a driver of mean RIQ during the late growing season at continental and Mediterranean sites only. Mean RMQ increased significantly with decreasing soil water potential during the late aerial growing season at the continental site only. Mean root longevity at the continental site was significantly greater than for roots at the oceanic and Mediterranean sites. Roots in the 0–1 mm and 1–2 mm diameter classes lived for significantly shorter periods compared to those in the 2–5 mm diameter class. First order roots (i.e. the primary or parents roots) lived longer than lateral branch roots at the Mediterranean site only and first order roots in the 0–1 mm diameter class had 44.5% less risk of mortality than that of lateral roots for the same class of diameter. We conclude that factors driving root RER were not the same between climates. Soil temperature was the best predictor of root initiation at continental and Mediterranean sites only, but drivers of root mortality remained largely undetermined.

Influence of Three Root Spatial Arrangement on Soil Water Flow and Uptake. Results from an Explicit and an Equivalent, Upscaled, Model

Soil water uptake by plant roots results from the complex interplay between plant and soil which modulates and determines transport processes at a range of spatial and temporal scales: at small (single root) scale, uptake is determined by local soil and root hydraulic properties but, at the root system scale, these local processes interact with the macroscopic water flow in soil and the spatial arrangement of roots in the soil. Recent modeling approaches, such as 3D functional architectural models of root systems, are becoming useful tools for integrating plant processes and studying their interactions/responses with the environment. However, integrating efficiently the microscopic flow towards roots is at stake in the coupling of such 3D root models with soil water flow models. The required fine meshing of soil with (large) 3D root systems for the flow solution would result in huge, impracticable, simulations. We show here a way to estimate the “microscopic” gradients around a root, interacting with other adjacent roots, based on the superposition principle of linear PDEs, resulting in an “equivalent model” of root water uptake that avoid the fine meshing of the soil for the flow problem. We test this approach by comparing a detailed finely meshed, explicit modeling of soil and roots, with this equivalent approach using a coarse mesh. The example application is a 2D case (root impacts) which shows how root spatial arrangement (regular, clumped or heterogeneous root distribution) impacts temporal pattern of root water potential, compared to the mean soil water potential, but also the decrease of actual evapotranspiration and the use of available soil water by plants. The good agreement between the equivalent and explicit modeling makes this equivalent approach promising for 3D functional architectural modeling of root systems in soil.

Establishment Success of Coexisting Native and Exotic Trees Under an Experimental Gradient of Irradiance and Soil Moisture

The exotic trees Ailanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer negundo and Elaeagnus angustifolia coexist with the native trees Fraxinus angustifolia and Ulmus minor in river banks of central Spain. Similarly, the exotic trees Acacia dealbata and Eucalyptus globulus co-occur with the natives Quercus pyrenaica and Pinus pinaster in Northwest Spain. We aimed to identify the environmental conditions that favour or hamper the establishment success of these species. In spring 2008, seeds of the studied species were sown under an experimental gradient of light (100, 65, 35, 7% of full sunlight) combined with three levels of soil moisture (mean soil water potential=-0.97, -1.52 and -1.77MPa.). During the first growing season we monitored seed emergence and seedling survival. We found that the effect of light on the establishment success was stronger than the effect of soil moisture. Both exotic and native species of central Spain showed a good performance under high light, A. negundo being the most shade tolerant. Water shortage diminished E. angustifolia and A. altissima success. Among NW Spain species, A. dealbata and P. pinaster were found to be potential competitors for colonizing high-irradiance scenarios, while Q. pyrenaica and E. globulus were more successful under moderate shade. High soil moisture favoured E. globulus but not A. dealbata establishment. These results contribute to understand some of the factors controlling for spatial segregation between coexisting native and exotic tree species, and can help to take decisions orientated to the control and management of these exotic species.

Capability of the ‘Ball-Berry’ model for predicting stomatal conductance and water use efficiency of potato leaves under different irrigation regimes

The capability of the ‘Ball-Berry’ model (BB-model) in predicting stomatal conductance ( g s) and water use efficiency ( WUE) of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) leaves under different irrigation regimes was tested using data from two independent pot experiments in 2004 and 2007. Data obtained from 2004 was used for model parameterization, where measurements of midday leaf gas exchange of potted potatoes were done during progressive soil drying for 2 weeks at tuber initiation and earlier bulking stages. The measured photosynthetic rate ( A n) was used as an input for the model. To account for the effects of soil water deficits on g s, a simple equation modifying the slope ( m) based on the mean soil water potential ( Ψ s) in the soil columns was incorporated into the original BB-model. Compared with the original BB-model, the modified BB-model showed better predictability for both g s and WUE of potato leaves on the parameterization data set. The models were then tested using the data from 2007 where plants were subjected to four irrigation regimes: non-irrigation (NI), full irrigation (FI), partial root-zone drying (PRD), and deficit irrigation (DI) for 3 weeks during tuber initiation and earlier bulking stages. The simulation results showed that the modified BB-model better simulated g s for the NI and DI treatments than the original BB-model, whilst the two models performed equally well for predicting g s of the FI and PRD treatments. Although both models had poor predictability for WUE (0.47 < r 2 < 0.71) of potato leaves, the modified BB-model was able to distinguish the effects of the irrigation regimes on WUE being that the WUE was generally greater for PRD than for FI and DI plants. Conclusively, the modified BB-model is capable of predicting g s and of accounting for the differential effects of irrigation regimes on WUE of potato leaves. This information is valuable for further simulating potato water use thereby optimizing WUE under field conditions.

Soil water availability and rooting depth as determinants of hydraulic architecture of Patagonian woody species

Adaptations of species to capture limiting resources is central for understanding structure and function of ecosystems. We studied the water economy of nine woody species differing in rooting depth in a Patagonian shrub steppe from southern Argentina to understand how soil water availability and rooting depth determine their hydraulic architecture. Soil water content and potentials, leaf water potentials (Psi(Leaf)), hydraulic conductivity, wood density (rho(w)), rooting depth, and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured during two summers. Water potentials in the upper soil layers during a summer drought ranged from -2.3 to -3.6 MPa, increasing to -0.05 MPa below 150 cm. Predawn Psi(Leaf) was used as a surrogate of weighted mean soil water potential because no statistical differences in Psi(Leaf) were observed between exposed and covered leaves. Species-specific differences in predawn Psi(Leaf) were consistent with rooting depths. Predawn Psi(Leaf) ranged from -4.0 MPa for shallow rooted shrubs to -1.0 MPa for deep-rooted shrubs, suggesting that the roots of the latter have access to abundant moisture, whereas shallow-rooted shrubs are adapted to use water deposited mainly by small rainfall events. Wood density was a good predictor of hydraulic conductivity and SLA. Overall, we found that shallow rooted species had efficient water transport in terms of high specific and leaf specific hydraulic conductivity, low rho(w), high SLA and a low minimum Psi(Leaf) that exhibited strong seasonal changes, whereas deeply rooted shrubs maintained similar minimum Psi(Leaf) throughout the year, had stems with high rho(w) and low hydraulic conductivity and leaves with low SLA. These two hydraulic syndromes were the extremes of a continuum with several species occupying different portions of a gradient in hydraulic characteristics. It appears that the marginal cost of having an extensive root system (e.g., high rho(w) and root hydraulic resistance) contributes to low growth rates of the deeply rooted species.

Controls on stand transpiration and soil water utilization along a tree density gradient in a Neotropical savanna

Environmental controls of stand-level tree transpiration ( E) and seasonal patterns of soil water utilization were studied in five central Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) sites differing in tree density. Tree density of Cerrado vegetation in the study area consistently changes along topographic gradients from ∼1000 trees ha −1 in open savannas (campo sujo) at the lower end of the topographic gradient to >3000 trees ha −1 in woodlands (cerradão) at the upper end of the gradient. Tree canopy resistance ( r C) increased linearly with increasing daily mean air saturation deficit ( D) at all sites, but cerradão and cerrado denso sites with higher tree density and higher tree leaf area index (LAI) had lower r C values at all values of D compared to physiognomies with lower tree density, suggesting that r C was less sensitive to changes in D in physiognomies with high tree density and LAI . During the peak of the dry season, mean soil water potential at 0.20 m depth was most negative in the sites with the lowest tree basal area and increased linearly with basal area across sites. In contrast, soil water storage in the 0.10–2.50 m layer decreased exponentially with increasing basal area, consistent with trees in higher density sites utilizing a larger proportion of available soil water at depth during the dry season. Maximum tree transpiration was highest in the cerradão and cerrado denso (∼0.81 mm day −1). Despite higher evaporative demand during the dry season, E was similar between the dry and wet seasons within each study site, which was associated with lower LAI and canopy conductance ( g C) during the dry season compared to the wet season. Leaf area index was a good predictor of E and g C. For both dry and wet season data combined, E increased asymptotically with increasing LAI across all physiognomic types, allowing LAI to be used as a predictor of spatial variation of E. The lack of seasonality in E across the Cerrado physiognomies studied could not be explained by individual constraining variables such as D or soil water potential near the surface, but was consistent with the influence of multiple regulatory effects of D and soil water potential on seasonal changes in leaf area and g C.

Processes preventing nocturnal equilibration between leaf and soil water potential in tropical savanna woody species.

The impact of nocturnal water loss and recharge of stem water storage on predawn disequilibrium between leaf (psiL) and soil (psiS) water potentials was studied in three dominant tropical savanna woody species in central Brazil (Cerrado). Sap flow continued throughout the night during the dry season and contributed from 13 to 28% of total daily transpiration. During the dry season, psiL was substantially less negative in covered transpiring leaves, throughout the day and night, than in exposed leaves. Before dawn, differences in psiL between covered and exposed leaves were about 0.4 MPa. When relationships between sap flow and psiL of exposed leaves were extrapolated to zero flow, the resulting values of psiL (a proxy of weighted mean soil water potential) in two of the species were similar to predawn values of covered leaves. Consistent with substantial nocturnal sap flow, stomatal conductance (gs) never dropped below 40 mmol m(-2) s(-1) at night, and in some cases, rose to as much as 100 mmol m(-2) s(-1) before the end of the dark period. Nocturnal gs decreased linearly with increasing air saturation deficit (D), but there were species-specific differences in the slopes of the relationships between nocturnal gs and D. Withdrawal and recharge of water from stem storage compartments were assessed by monitoring diel fluctuations of stem diameter with electronic dendrometers. Stem water storage compartments tended to recharge faster when nocturnal transpiration was reduced by covering the entire plant. Water potential of covered leaves did not stabilize in any of the plants before the end of the dark period, suggesting that, even in covered plants, water storage tissues were not fully rehydrated by dawn. Patterns of sap flow and expansion and contraction of stems reflected the dynamics of water movement during utilization and recharge of stem water storage tissues. This study showed that nighttime transpiration and recharge of internal water storage contribute to predawn disequilibrium in water potential between leaves and soil in neotropical savanna woody plants.

Carbon isotope composition of various tissues of beech (Fagus sylvatica) regeneration is indicative of recent environmental conditions within the forest understorey.

• Here, the effects were assessed of local climate and canopy thinning on the carbon isotope composition (δ13 C) signatures of different plant groups in the understorey of a beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest in southern Germany. The relationship between δ13 C and environmental parameters, within different time integrals, was also studied. • δ13 C was analysed in different tissues of beech regeneration, and herbaceous and woody understorey vegetation, in thinned and untreated control stands differing in aspect and, hence, local climate, on three dates during the growing season. • Generally, tissues were 13 C-depleted on the north-east, compared with the south-west aspect. Thinning had variable effects on δ13 C, depending on plant group and sampling date. δ13 C in beech leaves and roots in control stands was mostly influenced by mean soil water potential in 4- and 8-wk integrals before sampling, respectively, and in leaves, additionally, by mean radiation in a 4-wk time integral. Shoot water potential and transpiration influenced foliar δ13 C of beech whereas δ13 C in the beech wood was modulated by soil temperature integrated over a 4-wk period before sampling. Above-ground tissues of woody and herbaceous plants were 13 C-enriched in mid-summer; their δ13 C was poorly related to environmental factors. • δ13 C of various tissues of beech regeneration appears to be indicative of recent environmental conditions within the forest understorey and, consequently, this easy-to-determine physiological parameter could be used widely to assess effects of silvicultural treatments.

Contrasting soil respiration in young and old‐growth ponderosa pine forests

AbstractThree years of fully automated and manual measurements of soil CO2 efflux, soil moisture and temperature were used to explore the diel, seasonal and inter‐annual patterns of soil efflux in an old‐growth (250‐year‐old, O site) and recently regenerating (14‐year‐old, Y site) ponderosa pine forest in central Oregon. The data were used in conjunction with empirical models to determine which variables could be used to predict soil efflux in forests of contrasting ages and disturbance histories. Both stands experienced similar meteorological conditions with moderately cold wet winters and hot dry summers. Soil CO2 efflux at both sites showed large inter‐annual variability that could be attributed to soil moisture availability in the deeper soil horizons (O site) and the quantity of summer rainfall (Y site). Seasonal patterns of soil CO2 efflux at the O site showed a strong positive correlation between diel mean soil CO2 efflux and soil temperature at 64 cm depth whereas diel mean soil efflux at the Y site declined before maximum soil temperature occurred during summer drought. The use of diel mean soil temperature and soil water potential inferred from predawn foliage water potential measurements could account for 80% of the variance of diel mean soil efflux across 3 years at both sites, however, the functional shape of the soil water potential constraint was site‐specific. Based on the similarity of the decomposition rates of litter and fine roots between sites, but greater productivity and amount of fine litter detritus available for decomposition at the O site, we would expect higher rates of soil CO2 efflux at the O site. However, annual rates were only higher at the O site in one of the 3 years (597 ± 45 vs. 427 ± 80 g C m−2). Seasonal patterns of soil efflux at both sites showed influences of soil water limitations that were also reflected in patterns of canopy stomatal conductance, suggesting strong linkages between above and below ground processes.

Significance and limits in the use of predawn leaf water potential for tree irrigation

Research in estimating the water status of crops is increasingly based on plant responses to water stress. Several indicators can now be used to estimate this response, the most widely available of which is leaf water potential (ΨLWP) as measured with a pressure chamber. For many annual crops, the predawn leaf water potential (ΨPLWP), assumed to represent the mean soil water potential next to the roots, is closely correlated to the relative transpiration rate, RT. A similar correlation also holds for young fruit trees grown in containers. However, exceptions to this rule are common when soil water content is markedly heterogeneous.

Ecophysiology of Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest, Thailand: Measured and Modelled Stomatal Conductance of Hopea ferrea, a Dominant Canopy Emergent

The diurnal variation in leaf stomatal conductance of three canopy emergent trees (Hopea ferrea) was measured over a 6-week period during the wet season in tropical dry evergreen dipterocarp forest, Sakaerat, Thailand, along with micrometeorological variables. Measured maximum stomatal conductances g were between 510 and 343 mmol m-2 s -1 for the three sampled trees. Diurnal variations of g were primarily controlled by incident radiation and soil water potential for the range of temperatures observed. During the measuring period, mean soil water potential ψ s varied between - 0.1 and - 2.9 Mpa. A multiplicative model was used to estimate the stomatal conductance from measurements of solar radiation I, temperature T, vapour pressure deficit D and soil water potential ψ s . Non-linear optimization of the g functions for I, T, D and ψ s of the pooled normalized tree data set explained 84% of the variance (n = 332, P > 0.0001), with I and ψ s exerting the greatest effect on g. Optimization of the g functions for the individual trees' data sets gave r 2 values from 0.9-0.8. The optimized value of ψ s that reduces g by 50% was found to be -1.2 (± 0.07) MPa. The optimized response to D is small and negative. The model can be used to predict the effects of changes in I, T, D and ψ s on the g of tropical dry forests.

Interactions between drought and elevated CO2 on osmotic adjustment and solute concentrations of tree seedlings

SUMMARYAlthough drought tolerance of tree species is a critical determinant of forest composition, how elevated CO2 affects drought tolerance is uncertain. Interactions between elevated CO2 and drought on osmotic potential and osmotic adjustment of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were investigated using 1‐yr‐old seedlings, planted in 81 pots and grown in four open‐top chambers, containing either ambient air or ambient air enriched with 300 μmol mol−1 CO2. A well‐watered treatment with plants watered daily and a droughted treatment in which plants were subjected to a series of drought cycles were included within each chamber. Sugar maple and sweetgum seedlings completed a total of seven drying cycles, whereas sycamore seedlings, because of their greater leaf area and plant size, completed 11 cycles. The mean soil water potential at re‐watering for droughted seedlings in ambient CO2 was –0·5, –0·7, and –1·8 MPa for sugar maple, sweetgum and sycamore, respectively, compared with –0·2, –0·7, and –1·2 MPa, respectively, under elevated CO2. By contrast, all well‐watered plants were maintained at soil water potential – 0·1 MPa.Drought under ambient CO2 reduced osmotic potential at saturation for leaves of sycamore and sweetgum by 0·30 MPa and 0·61 MPa, respectively, but leaves of sugar maple did not display osmotic adjustment to drought. Elevated CO2 increased osmotic potential at turgor loss for leaves of sugar maple by 0·33 MPa under well‐watered conditions, and 0·48 MPa under drought. This response was not evident in the other species and might be related to the rapid growth of sugar maple causing a depletion of solutes. Whereas drought reduced the total solute concentration in roots of sugar maple, primarily the result of a reduction in K, elevated CO2 did not alter the concentration of total solutes in roots of any of the three species. Elevated CO2 has differing effects on drought tolerance among tree species, and thus might alter the competitive relations between species.

Interactions between drought and elevated CO2 on growth and gas exchange of seedlings of three deciduous tree species.

Interactions between elevated atmospheric CO2 and drought on growth and gas exchange of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were investigated using 1-yr-old seedlings, planted in 8 1 pots and grown in four open-top chambers, containing either ambient air or ambient air enriched with 300 μmol mol-1 CO2 . Two soil moisture regimes were included within each chamber: a 'well-watered' treatment with plants watered daily and a 'drought' treatment in which plants were subjected to a series of drought cycles. Duration and depth of the drought cycles were determined by soil matric potential. Mean soil water potential at rewatering for the water-stressed seedlings under ambient CO2 for sugar maple, sweetgum and sycamore was -0.5, -0.7 and -1.8 MPa, respectively, compared with > -0.1 MPa for all well-watered plants. Elevated CO2 increased relative growth rate of well-watered sugar maple by 181%, resulting in a 4.3-fold increase in total plant dry weight after 81 d, compared with 1.4 and 1.6-fold increases for sweetgum and sycamore, respectively, after 69 d. Although elevated CO2 increased net CO2 assimilation rate of sugar maple by 115%, there was a 10-fold increase in leaf area which contributed to the growth response. Although drought did not eliminate a growth response of sugar maple to elevated CO2 it greatly reduced the elevated CO2 -induced enhancement of relative growth rate. In contrast, relative growth rates of sweetgum and sycamore were not significantly increased by elevated CO2 . Drought, under elevated CO2 , reduced leaf area of all three species to a greater extent than it reduced net CO2 assimilation rate. The response ranged from no effect in sugar maple to a 40 % reduction in sycamore, with sweetgum exhibiting an intermediate response. Results indicate that drought may alter the growth response, gas exchange and water relations of tree species growing in an elevated CO2 atmosphere. Under high nutrient and water availability, sugar maple may benefit the most (of the three species studied) from a CO2 - enriched atmosphere, but productivity gains will be limited if frequent drought is prevalent.

Orchard Groundcover Management Impacts on Soil Physical Properties

This study was conducted to compare various orchard groundcover management systems (GMSs)—including a crownvetch “living mulch” (CNVCH), close-mowed (MWSOD) and chemically growth-regulated (GRSOD) sodgrasses, pre-emergence (NDPQT) and two widths of post-emergence (GLY1.5 and GLY2.5) herbicides, hay-straw mulch (STMCH), and monthly rototillage (tilled)—during the first 6 years in a newly established apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) planting. Mean soil water potential at 5 to 35 cm deep varied substantially among treatments each summer, and treatment × year interactions were observed. During most growing seasons from 1986 to 1991, soil water availability trends were STMCH &gt; NDPQT &gt; GLY2.5 &gt; GLY1.5 &gt; tilled &gt; GRSOD &gt; MWSOD &gt; CNVCH. Soil organic matter content increased under STMCH, CNVCH, and MWSOD and decreased under NDPQT and tilled treatments. Water infiltration and saturated hydraulic conductivity after 4 years were lower under NDPQT and tilled, and soil under STMCH and GRSOD retained more water per unit volume at applied pressures approximating field water capacity. Mid-summer soil temperatures at 5 cm deep were highest (25 to 28C) in tilled and NDPQT plots, intermediate (22 to 24C) under GRSOD, and lowest (16 to 20C) under CNVCH and STMCH. These observations indicate that long-term soil fertility and orchard productivity may be diminished under pre-emergence herbicides and mechanical cultivation in comparison with certain other GMSs.

Root clumping may affect the root water potential and the resistance to soil-root water transport

We have appraised for clumped root systems the widely-accepted view that the resistance to water flux from soil to roots (‘soil resistance’) is low under most field conditions, so that root water potential would closely follow the mean soil water potential. Three root spatial arrangements were studied, simulating either the regular pattern generally assumed in models, or two degrees of root clumping frequently observed in the field. We used a numerical 2-dimensional model of water transfer which assumes a control of evapotranspiration by root signalling. Calculations were carried out at two evaporative demands and for two contrasting soil hydraulic properties. The rate of soil depletion, the timing of the reduction in evapotranspiration and the difference between root water potential and mean soil water potential were all affected by the root spatial arrangement, with a greater effect at high evaporative demand and low soil hydraulic conductivity. Almost all the soil water reserve was available to plants without reduction in evapotranspiration in the regular case, while only a part of it was available in clumped cases. In the regular case, calculated ‘soil resistances’ were similar to those calculated using Newman's (1969) method. Conversely they were higher by up to two orders of magnitude in clumped root spatial arrangements. These results place doubt on the generality of the view that ‘soil resistance’ is low under common field conditions. They are consistent with the results of field experiments, especially with recent data dealing with root-to-shoot communication.

Modeling Root Water Potential and Soil‐Root Water Transport: I. Model Presentation

AbstractPlant water uptake has classically been supposed to depend on the leaf water potential (LWP) and LWP was assumed to control the stomatal conductance. A new approach to stomatal control has recently been proposed in which root water potential (RWP) determines stomatal aperture, and hence transpiration, by means of chemical messages. In such a case, models that provide precise calculations of RWP become essential for understanding soil‐root water transport. The objective of this paper is to propose a theoretical approach to calculate RWP and water uptake by roots in the X‐Y plane for any spatial root distribution. For the calculations of RWP, we assumed that the plant continuously adjusted its RWP so as to minimize the difference between the maximum evapotranspiration (MET) and the amount of water extracted by the root system. Water release from the roots in the soil was considered to be negligible, so roots in dry soil were temporarily removed from the pool of active roots. A Galerkin finite element method was used to solve Richards' equation. Examples of calculation are presented for a nonuniform root distribution under both wet and dry initial situations. Root water potential and the number of active roots varied greatly with time. Results suggested that no simple relationship existed between the plant water uptake and the root water potential. Furthermore, soil water‐potential maps showed a close relationship between water uptake and root positions, and great differences between RWP and the mean soil water potential could be calculated. A greater or lesser water redistribution toward the roots occurred during the night. Finally, the proposed approach may be validated with precise soil and plant measurements.