Seasonal water relations and stress tolerance of quercus semecarpifolia (Smith) in treeline areas of Western Himalaya, India

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Print ISSN : 0970-4078.
Online ISSN : 2229-4473.
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Doi: 10.1007/s42535-023-00665-7
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Keywords: Leaf Conductance, Osmotic potential, n Quercus semecarpifolian , Treeline, Water potential


Abstract


Drought is a major factor that affects the growth and development of vegetation. To maintain the water supply for leaf growth and other physiological processes, it may be essential to adjust the osmotic potential and tissue elasticity, regulate water loss, or maintain xylem conductance. The study focused on the eco-physiological aspect of Quercus semecarpifolia in treeline areas of western Indian Himalayan region. Q. semecarpifolia is considered as one of the oldest species in the vegetation of Himalayan zone which invaded the prairieland of the Himalayas. Water potential and leaf conductance in trees and seedlings were measured using pressure chamber and AP4 porometer, respectively. The pre-dawn water potential (ΨPD) varied between − 0.16 to -0.98 MPa in trees and − 0.12 to -1.56 MPa in seedlings across the seasons, sites and years. The average daily changes in trees water potential was 0.41 MPa across the years. In trees, the osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ100) varied from − 0.97 to -1.96 MPa. ANOVA indicated significant differences across all seasons and sites (p < 0.05) for eco-physiological variables (osmotic potential at zero turgor (Ψπ100), osmotic potential at zero turgor (Ψπ0), pressure potential at full turgor (PPfull) and relative water content (RWC%)). The morning leaf conductance (gwAM) range from 74.44 to 290.24 m mol m− 2 s− 1 in Q. semecarpifolia trees. Water potentials (ΨPD and ΨMD) and forenoon and afternoon leaf conductance (gwAM and gwPM) in trees and seedlings significantly varied at 0.01% level across seasons. In high altitude regions climatic conditions specially, temperature plays a significant role in controlling the physiological activity of plants.


Leaf Conductance, Osmotic potential, n              Quercus semecarpifolian            , Treeline, Water potential


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Acknowledgements



Author Information


Singh Nandan
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
nandansinghm@yahoo.com
Tewari Ashish
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Kumaun University, Nainital, India


Shah Shruti
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Kumaun University, Nainital, India


Mittal Amit
Graphic Era Hill University, Nainital, India