We studied the dominant environmental factors that affect the
gas-exchange characteristics and water potential (ψ) of broad-ovate leaves of Populus euphratica Oliv. in extreme arid area of Tarim River, China, and their correlation to water status of P. euphratica by analyzing on-field monitored meteorological data, soil moisture and salinity, P. euphratica leaf gas exchange and ψ, and revealed the indicative threshold of environmental factors for P. euphratica leaf water changes and growth. The results indicated that meteorological factors such as air relative humidity (RH), air temperature (T air), etc. are the dominant factors. The threshold value of RH is (48.19 ± 1.06)% for P. euphratica growth, i.e. RH from 10.69% to 48.19% is suitable for P. euphratica growth in extremely arid region of Tarim River. This study provides a theoretical basis for reducing drought damage to P. euphratica and maintaining normal growth of P. euphratica by in-time watering. and A. H. Fu ... [et al.].
We studied the survival adaptation strategy of Sophora alopecuroides L. to habitat conditions in an arid desert riparian ecosystem. We examined the responses of heliotropic leaf movement to light conditions and their effects on plant photochemical performance. S. alopecuroides leaves did not show any observable nyctinastic movement but they presented sensitive diaheliotropic and paraheliotropic leaf movement in the forenoon and at midday. Solar radiation was a major factor inducing leaf movement, in addition, air temperature and vapour pressure deficit could also influence the heliotropic leaf movement in the afternoon. Both diaheliotropic leaf movement in the forenoon and paraheliotropic leaf movement at midday could help maintain higher photochemical efficiency and capability of light utilisation than fixed leaves. Paraheliotropic leaf movement at midday helped plants maintain a potentially higher photosynthetic capability and relieve a risk of photoinhibition. Our findings indicated the effective adaptation strategy of S. alopecuroides to high light, high temperature, and dry conditions in arid regions. This strategy can optimise the leaf energy balance and photochemical performance and ensure photosystem II function., C. G. Zhu, Y. N. Chen, W. H. Li, X. L. Chen, G. Z. He., and Obsahuje bibliografii