Research Article
The Effect of Soil Moisture Content on the Growth and Photosynthetic Rate of Quercus acutissima Seedlings
Yujie Luo,
Jin Dong,
An Mao*,
Yifu Yuan*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2025
Pages:
1-6
Received:
24 December 2024
Accepted:
7 January 2025
Published:
23 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20251301.11
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Views:
Abstract: With the increasing severity of global climate change, frequent meteorological droughts have caused changes in the water conditions of plant communities, limiting plant growth and leading to a decrease in plant productivity. In the process of vegetation restoration, the introduction of woody plants is constrained by soil moisture. While managing traditional forest nurturing measures, the study of plant functional traits can reflect the growth status of plants. Based on this, this study focuses on the commonly used tree species, Quercus acutissima, in the process of vegetation restoration in North China. Using greenhouse controlled experiments, the growth performance, biomass allocation, and leaf functional traits of seedlings under different water conditions were measured. The decrease in soil moisture inhibited the growth of Q. acutissima seedlings, resulting in a significant decrease in plant height, base diameter, crown width, and total biomass. The seedlings of Q. acutissima adjusted the biomass allocation of the whole plant and tissues within organs to adapt to water deficit. The increase in the proportion of root biomass and fine root biomass helps plants obtain more water. In order to reduce water loss, the stomata of the leaves are closed, which inhibits photosynthesis and leads to a decrease in organic matter accumulation. The LMA of seedlings is relatively stable, which may be a trade-off between light acquisition and water retention in plants.
Abstract: With the increasing severity of global climate change, frequent meteorological droughts have caused changes in the water conditions of plant communities, limiting plant growth and leading to a decrease in plant productivity. In the process of vegetation restoration, the introduction of woody plants is constrained by soil moisture. While managing tr...
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