Rooting big and deep rapidly: the ecological roots of pine species distribution in southern Europe

Root properties can influence plant drought resistance, and consequently plant species distribution. Root structure strongly varies across biomes partly as a result of phylogeny. However, whether the spatial distribution of phylogenetically close plant species is linked to differences in root properties remains unclear. We examined whether root properties mediate the strong correlation between summer drought intensity and the spatial segregation of pine species native to southern Europe. For this, we compared the seedling root growth and structure of five ecologically distinct pine species grown in 360 L rhizotrons for 19 months under typical hot and dry Mediterranean conditions. We studied the mountain and boreo-alpine pines Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra, and the Mediterranean pines Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, and Pinus halepensis. Mediterranean pines formed deep roots faster than mountain pines, their shoots and roots grew faster and had higher root growth, especially P. halepensis, at low air temperature. By the end of the study, Mediterranean pines had larger root systems than mountain pines. Neither distribution of root mass with depth nor root-to-shoot mass ratio varied significantly among species. Across species, minimal annual rainfall to which species are exposed in their range related negatively to root growth but positively to specific root length and the time needed for roots to reach a depth of 40 cm. This study highlights the importance of root growth as a driver of pine distribution in southern Europe and suggests that rapidly producing a large, deep root system may be a key attribute for pines to colonize dry Mediterranean locations.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Carbon stocks and changes in biomass of Mediterranean woody crops over a six-year period in NE Spain

Carbon sequestration and storage in biomass is one of the most important measures to mitigate climate change. Mediterranean woody crops can sequestrate carbon in the biomass of their permanent structures for decades; however, very few studies have focused on an assessment of biomass and carbon sequestration in these types of crops. This study is the first to estimate above- and belowground biomass carbon stock in Mediterranean woody crops through a bottom-up approach in the NE Iberian Peninsula in 2013. Moreover, this is the first time that an assessment of the annual changes in carbon stock in the study area over a six-year period is presented. For this purpose, eight crop- and site-specific equations relating biomass or biometric variables to crop age were calculated. Most of the data were our own measurements, but unpublished data supplied from other authors as well as data from literature were also considered. Census of Agriculture data was used to scale results from individual data up to the municipality level at the regional scale. Results show that in woody cropland in NE Spain the total biomass carbon stock in 2013 was 5.48 Tg C, with an average value of 16.44 ± 0.18 Mg C ha−1. Between 2013 and 2019, although there was a 2.8% mean annual decrease in the area covered by woody crops, the carbon stock in the biomass of these crops increased annually by 3.8% due to the growth of the remaining woody cropland. This new estimation of carbon stocks may contribute to better understand carbon balances and serve as a baseline to global inventories. It may also serve to assess and manage carbon storage as an ecosystem service provided by Mediterranean woody cropland for mitigating climate change and, in combination with adaptive strategies, for supporting a productive and resilient agro-food system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Informe sobre les necessitats hídriques i disponibilitat d'aigua per a la transformació del conreu vitivinícola del secà al regadiu en condicions de canvi climàtic

Aquest Informe ha estat elaborat com a resultat del projecte SECAREGVIN pels membres del grup de Viticultura del Programa de Fructicultura de l’IRTA: Felicidad de Herralde, Inmaculada Funes, Elisenda Sánchez, Xavier Aranda i Robert Savé, amb la col·laboració imprescindible de David Comino Martinez, hidrogeòleg de la Unitat Tècnica del Departament de Concessions de l’Agència Catalana de l’Aigua. I l’objectiu del mateix és posar de manifest les necessitats hídriques i la disponibilitat d’aigua per a la transformació del conreu vitivinícola del secà al regadiu en condicions de canvi climàtic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Blooming under Mediterranean Climate: Estimating Cultivar-Specific Chill and Heat Requirements of Almond and Apple Trees Using a Statistical Approach

Climate change, and specifically global temperature increase, is expected to alter plant phenology. Temperate deciduous fruit trees have cultivar-specific chill and heat requirements to break dormancy and bloom. In this study, we aimed to estimate chill and heat requirements (in chill portions, CP, and growing degree hours, GDH, respectively) of 25 almond (30–36 years) and 12 apple (14–26 years) cultivars grown under a Mediterranean climate. The set included early and late blooming genotypes. Long-term phenological and temperature records were analyzed by means of partial least squares (PLS) regression. The main difference between early and late genotypes was chill requirement, ranging from 8.40 CP of early genotypes to 55.41 CP of extra-late genotypes. However, as chill requirements are quite easily attained by all almond cultivars in this study, year-to-year variations in actual blooming dates for each genotype are governed by variability of mean forcing temperatures. In contrast, different chill and heat combinations resulted in similar mean blooming dates for the studied apple cultivars. Mean temperature in both chilling and forcing phases determined their blooming time in the location studied. Overlaps and gaps between both phases were obtained. Despite some limitations, the PLS analysis has proven to be a useful tool to define both chilling and forcing phases. Nevertheless, since the delineation of these phases determine the total amount of CP and GDH, further efforts are needed to investigate the transition of these phases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación y comparación de las respuestas fenológicas, morfológicas y ecofisiológicas de 4 especies de Quercus típicas de los bosques del trópico seco (Paisaje Terrestre Protegido Miraflor-Moropotente – Nicaragua)

Phenological, morphological and ecophysiological variables were analyzed in winter (dry season) and in summer (wet season) for 4 species of Quercus sp. living in the Miraflor-Moropotente Natural Park, Estelì, Nicaragua. Each species has a slightly different altitudinal range of distribution in the studied area, and for each species two populations were chosen, located respectively in a low and in a high part of its range. All the parameters analyzed showed to vary significantly according to species, altitude and season, being the species the main discriminating factor. In particular, species that occupy lower altitudes display adaptation strategies that are typical of lower water regimes, such as more prolonged leaf fall and lower stomatal densities; inside single species such pattern are replicated, even if less markedly, for populations that occupy areas at lower altitude. It can be concluded that climatic factors, connected with altitude, significantly affect plant responses in the dry tropic, and that such responses vary among species as a result of different adaptation strategies These strategies are at the basis of forest structure, composition and biodiversity, and subtend the species’ distribution patterns. Their better knowledge is a crucial tool for a more focused forest management in the frame of the ongoing climate change.Para este estudio se han analizado las variables fenológicas, morfológicas y ecofisiológicas de 4 especies de Quercus sp que se encuentran en el Paisaje Terrestre Protegido Miraflor de Miraflor-Moropotente (Estelí, Nicaragua), en invierno (estación seca) y en verano (estación húmeda). Cada especie presenta un diferente rango altitudinal de distribución, y para cada especie se han elegido dos poblaciones, ubicadas respectivamente en la zona baja y en la zona alta de dicha área. Todos los parámetros analizados varían significativamente entre especies, poblaciones y estaciones, con la especie como principal factor discriminante. En especifico, las especies que ocupan altitudes menores presentan estrategias de adaptación típicas de regímenes hídricos más escasos, como la caída de hojas más prolongada en el tiempo y menores densidades estomáticas; este patrón se observa también entre poblaciones de altitudes diferentes dentro de cada especie, aunque menos marcado. Se puede concluir que los factores climáticos relacionados con la altitud afectan significativamente las respuestas de estos árboles típicos del trópico seco, y que dichas respuestas varían entre especies como resultado de diferentes estrategias de adaptación. Estas estrategias están a la base de la estructura, composición y biodiversidad de los bosques del trópico seco, e influencian los patrones de distribución de las especies. La mejor comprensión de dichas estrategias es una herramienta crucial para la gestión forestal de estos delicados ecosistemas en el marco del cambio climático en curso

Evaluación y comparación de las respuestas fenológicas, morfológicas y ecofisiológicas de 4 especies de Quercus típicas de los bosques del trópico seco (Paisaje Terrestre Protegido Miraflor-Moropotente – Nicaragua

Para este estudio se han analizado las variables fenológicas, morfológicas y ecofisiológicas de 4 especies de Quercus sp que se encuentran en el Paisaje Terrestre Protegido Miraflor de Miraflor-Moropotente (Estelí, Nicaragua), en invierno (estación seca) y en verano (estación húmeda). Cada especie presenta un diferente rango altitudinal de distribución, y para cada especie se han elegido dos poblaciones, ubicadas respectivamente en la zona baja y en la zona alta de dicha área. Todos los parámetros analizados varían significativamente entre especies, poblaciones y estaciones, con la especie como principal factor discriminante. En especifico, las especies que ocupan altitudes menores presentan estrategias de adaptación típicas de regímenes hídricos más escasos, como la caída de hojas más prolongada en el tiempo y menores densidades estomáticas; este patrón se observa también entre poblaciones de altitudes diferentes dentro de cada especie, aunque menos marcado. Se puede concluir que los factores climáticos relacionados con la altitud afectan significativamente las respuestas de estos árboles típicos del trópico seco, y que dichas respuestas varían entre especies como resultado de diferentes estrategias de adaptación. Estas estrategias están a la base de la estructura, composición y biodiversidad de los bosques del trópico seco, e influencian los patrones de distribución de las especies. La mejor comprensión de dichas estrategias es una herramienta crucial para la gestión forestal de estos delicados ecosistemas en el marco del cambio climático en curso

Global change and viticulture in the Mediterranean region: a case of study in north-eastern Spain

Viticulture in the Mediterranean region has been improved by agronomic methods based on ecophysiological and genetic knowledge of the species and varieties cultivated. Plant growth, yield and quality are highly dependent on climate. Grape sugar content and wine alcohol content are considered as important quality parameters. The objective of our study is to analyse the effects of the current global change on the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) in red wines from vineyards located in the Montsant Designation of Origin (DO) (Priorat County, north-eastern Spain). We present an annual series of percentage of ABV in red wines over the 1984-2008 period (25 years), which is one of the longest series of this viticultural variable in Spain. We do not detect any significant trend of alcohol levels in red wines from the Montsant DO along the 1984-2004 subperiod, but a sharp increase about 1% (by volume) is observed after 2004; we statistically checked that the last four years constitute an outlier period in the series. We consider climate evolution over the 1984-2004 period in the study area in order to find some relation with alcohol levels in red wines. Agronomic practices and land cover changes are also taken into account. Results show that the interannual variability of the alcohol levels in red wines are partially explained by temperature and precipitation conditions few days before the vintage. The high percentages of ABV since 2005 may be associated with new trends in viticulture techniques rather than with climate change

Alternatives to CU Applications in Viticulture. How R&D Projects Can Provide Applied Solutions, Helping to Establish Legislation Limits

Copper (Cu) and its based preparations have been used for over 200 years to control fungi and bacterial diseases in cultivated plants. Downy mildew caused by the obligate biotrophic oomycete Plasmopara viticola is one of the most relevant and recurrent diseases of grapevines. Recently, the use of Cu is being limited by some regulations because of its high impact at different levels (health and environmental problems). Due to its accumulation in soil, this metal causes a little controversy with the principles of sustainable production. Therefore, international legislation and initiatives have recently been arisen to start limiting its use, with the main goal to replace it. In this framework, some alternatives have been tested and others are recently being developed to replace, at least partially, the use of Cu in viticulture. Many of them, are being developed and tested under the scope of research and development EU funded projects. To not compromise sustainability targets in viticulture, results from these R&D projects need to be considered to assess the present risks of using Cu in viticulture and to better support establishing limits for its applications, considering soils vulnerability, while no sustainable alternatives are available in the market

Challenges of viticulture adaptation to global change: tackling the issue from the roots

Viticulture is facing emerging challenges not only because of the effect of climate change on yield and composition of grapes, but also of a social demand for environmental-friendly agricultural management. Adaptation to these challenges is essential to guarantee the sustainability of viticulture. The aim of this review is to present adaptation possibilities from the soil-hidden, and often disregarded, part of the grapevine, the roots. The complexity of soil-root interactions makes necessary a comprehensive approach taking into account physiology, pathology and genetics, in order to outline strategies to improve viticulture adaptation to current and future threats. Rootstocks are the link between soil and scion in grafted crops, and they have played an essential role in viticulture since the introduction of phylloxera into Europe at the end of the 19th century. This review outlines current and future challenges that are threatening the sustainability of the wine sector and the relevant role that rootstocks can play to face these threats. We describe how rootstocks along with soil management can be exploited as an essential tool to deal with the effects of climate change and of emerging soil-borne pests and pathogens. Moreover, we discuss the possibilities and limitations of diverse genetic strategies for rootstock breeding.This work is framed in the networking activities of RedVitis (AGL2015-70931-REDT) and RedVitis 2.0 (AGL2017-90759-REDT), funded by the State Research Agency (AEI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Ms Diana Marin is beneficiary of postgraduate scholarship funded by Universidad Publica de Navarra (FPI-UPNA-2016). Dr Juan Emilio Palomares-Rius acknowledges the State Research Agency (AEI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the 'Ramon y Cajal' Fellowship RYC-2017-22228 and Dr David Gramaje acknowledges Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the 'Ramon y Cajal' Fellowship RYC-2017-23098

Seasonal changes of whole root system conductance by a drought-tolerant grape root system

The role of root systems in drought tolerance is a subject of very limited information compared with above-ground responses. Adjustments to the ability of roots to supply water relative to shoot transpiration demand is proposed as a major means for woody perennial plants to tolerate drought, and is often expressed as changes in the ratios of leaf to root area (AL:AR). Seasonal root proliferation in a directed manner could increase the water supply function of roots independent of total root area (AR) and represents a mechanism whereby water supply to demand could be increased. To address this issue, seasonal root proliferation, stomatal conductance (gs) and whole root system hydraulic conductance (kr) were investigated for a drought-tolerant grape root system (Vitis berlandieri×V. rupestris cv. 1103P) and a non-drought-tolerant root system (Vitis riparia×V. rupestris cv. 101-14Mgt), upon which had been grafted the same drought-sensitive clone of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot. Leaf water potentials (ψL) for Merlot grafted onto the 1103P root system (–0.91±0.02 MPa) were +0.15 MPa higher than Merlot on 101-14Mgt (–1.06±0.03 MPa) during spring, but dropped by approximately –0.4 MPa from spring to autumn, and were significantly lower by –0.15 MPa (–1.43±0.02 MPa) than for Merlot on 101-14Mgt (at –1.28±0.02 MPa). Surprisingly, gs of Merlot on the drought-tolerant root system (1103P) was less down-regulated and canopies maintained evaporative fluxes ranging from 35–20 mmol vine−1 s−1 during the diurnal peak from spring to autumn, respectively, three times greater than those measured for Merlot on the drought-sensitive rootstock 101-14Mgt. The drought-tolerant root system grew more roots at depth during the warm summer dry period, and the whole root system conductance (kr) increased from 0.004 to 0.009 kg MPa−1 s−1 during that same time period. The changes in kr could not be explained by xylem anatomy or conductivity changes of individual root segments. Thus, the manner in which drought tolerance was conveyed to the drought-sensitive clone appeared to arise from deep root proliferation during the hottest and driest part of the season, rather than through changes in xylem structure, xylem density or stomatal regulation. This information can be useful to growers on a site-specific basis in selecting rootstocks for grape clonal material (scions) grafted to them