Seasonal changes of plant hydraulics, water relations and growth of Aesculus hippocastanum seedlings infested by the leafminer Cameraria ohridella

The leaf miner Cameraria ohridella causes premature defoliation in Aesculus hippocastanum. The impact of the parasite on seasonal changes of water relations, hydraulics and growth of three-year-old A. hippocastanum seedlings was investigated. Leaf expansion was complete before the adults of the moth developed, so that growth of infested seedlings was similar to that of controls. Leaf conductance to water vapour of infested seedlings was reduced with respect to controls, both in mined and in still green portions of attacked leaves. In July and August, the hydraulic resistance of infested seedlings was higher than that of controls, due to anticipated increase of hydraulic resistance at the leaf, petiole and current-year stem level. This was interpreted as evidence of anticipated leaf senescence in infested plants, leading to early leaf abscission. Nevertheless, our data suggest that, under our experimental conditions, C. ohridella is not a major mortality factor for A. hippocastanum seedlings.Variations saisonnières des propriétés hydrauliques, des relations hydriques et de la croissance de jeunes plants d’Aesculus hippocastanum infestés par la mineuse foliaire Cameraria ohridella. La mineuse foliaire Cameraria ohridella provoque des défoliations prématurées chez le Marronnier (Aesculus hippocastanum). L’impact du parasite sur les variations saisonnières des relations hydriques, des paramètres hydrauliques et de la croissance de plants d’A. hippocastanum âgés de 3 ans a été analysé. L’expansion foliaire étant terminée avant que les adultes de l’insecte soient développés, la croissance des plants infestés fut similaire à celle des plants témoins. La conductance foliaire à la vapeur d’eau des plants infestés fut réduite par rapport aux témoins, que ce soit dans les parties encore vertes des feuilles ou dans les parties attaquées. En juillet et août, la résistance hydraulique des plants infestés fut plus élevée que celle des témoins, en raison d’une augmentation anticipée de la résistance hydraulique des feuilles, des pétioles et des tiges de l’année. Ceci fut interprété comme une preuve d’une anticipation de la sénescence foliaire pour les plants infestés, conduisant à une abscission prématurée des feuilles. Néanmoins, nos données suggèrent que, dans nos conditions expérimentales, C. ohridella n’est pas un facteur majeur de mortalité pour les jeunes plant d’A. hippocastanum

Plant performance on Mediterranean green roofs: interaction of species-specific hydraulic strategies and substrate water relations

6noRecent studies have highlighted the ecological, economic and social benefits assured by green roof technology to urban areas. However, green roofs are very hostile environments for plant growth because of shallow substrate depths, high temperatures and irradiance and wind exposure. This study provides experimental evidence for the importance of accurate selection of plant species and substrates for implementing green roofs in hot and arid regions, like the Mediterranean area. Experiments were performed on two shrub species (Arbutus unedo L. and Salvia officinalis L.) grown in green roof experimental modules with two substrates slightly differing in their water retention properties, as derived from moisture release curves. Physiological measurements were performed on both well-watered and drought-stressed plants. Gas exchange, leaf and xylem water potential and also plant hydraulic conductance were measured at different time intervals following the last irrigation. The substrate type significantly affected water status. Arbutus unedo and S. officinalis showed different hydraulic responses to drought stress, with the former species being substantially isohydric and the latter one anisohydric. Both A. unedo and S. officinalis were found to be suitable species for green roofs in the Mediterranean area. However, our data suggest that appropriate choice of substrate is key to the success of green roof installations in arid environments, especially if anisohydric species are employed.openopenRaimondo, Fabio; Trifilò, Patrizia; Lo Gullo, Maria A; Andri, Sergio; Savi, Tadeja; Nardini, AndreaRaimondo, Fabio; Trifilò, Patrizia; Lo Gullo, Maria A; Andri, Sergio; Savi, Tadeja; Nardini, Andre

Critical water contents at leaf, stem and root level leading to irreversible drought-induced damage in two woody and one herbaceous species

Plant water content is a simple and promising parameter for monitoring drought-driven plant mortality risk. However, critical water content thresholds leading to cell damage and plant failure are still unknown. Moreover, it is unclear whether whole-plant or a specific organ water content is the most reliable indicator of mortality risk. We assessed differences in dehydration thresholds in leaf, stem and root samples, hampering the organ-specific rehydration capacity and increasing the mortality risk. We also tested eventual differences between a fast experimental dehydration of uprooted plants, compared to long-term water stress induced by withholding irrigation in potted plants. We investigated three species with different growth forms and leaf habits i.e., Helianthus annuus (herbaceous), Populus nigra (deciduous tree) and Quercus ilex (evergreen tree). Results obtained by the two dehydration treatments largely overlapped, thus validating bench dehydration as a fast but reliable method to assess species-specific critical water content thresholds. Regardless of the organ considered, a relative water content value of 60% induced significant cell membrane damage and loss of rehydration capacity, thus leading to irreversible plant failure and death

Water relations and hydraulic characteristics of three woody species co-occurring in the same habitat

Three woody species typically encroaching the Karstic region of Trieste (Northeastern Italy) i.e. Cotinus coggygria L., Prunus mahaleb L. and Fraxinus ornus L., have been measured for diurnal and seasonal time courses of leaf conductance to water vapour, transpiration and water potential ($\Psi _{\rm L}$), as well as whole-plant, shoot and root hydraulic resistance (R$_{{\rm plant}}$, R$_{{\rm shoot}}$ and R$_{{\rm root}}$, respectively) in view of investigating the impact of plant hydraulics on water stress resistance. F. ornus suffered the highest $\Psi _{\rm L}$ drop in July and September due to the high Rplant measured in this species. Positive significant relations were found of R$_{{\rm plant}}$ and $\Psi _{\rm L}$ to R$_{{\rm root}}$ in all three species studied, thus suggesting that root hydraulics is a major determinant of plant hydraulics and water stress resistance. The increasing R$_{{\rm root}}$ (and R$_{{\rm plant}}$) from C. coggygria to P. mahaleb to F. ornus provided a possible explanation for the typical temporal sequence of expansion of the three species into degraded areas.Relations hydriques et caractéristiques hydrauliques de trois espèces ligneuses présentes dans le même habitat. Trois espèces ligneuses, typiquement en cours d'extension dans la région Karstique de Trieste (Italie du nord) i.e. Cotinus coggygria L., Prunus mahaleb L. and Fraxinus ornus L., ont été suivies aux échelles journalières et saisonnières en termes de conductance foliaire pour la vapeur d'eau, de transpiration et de potentiel hydrique ($\Psi _{\rm L}$), ainsi que de résistance hydraulique totale, tige et racinaire (R$_{{\rm plant}}$, R$_{{\rm shoot}}$ and R$_{{\rm root}}$, respectivement) dans l'objectif d'analyser l'impact des paramètres hydrauliques des plantes sur leur résistance au stress hydrique. F. ornus a montré la plus grande chute de $\Psi _{\rm L}$ en Juillet et Septembre en raison de la grande valeur de R$_{{\rm plant}}$ mesurée chez cette espèce. Des relations positives et significatives ont été trouvées entre R$_{{\rm plant}}$, $\Psi _{\rm L}$ et R$_{{\rm root}}$ pour les trois espèces étudiées, ce qui suggère que les propriétés hydrauliques des racines sont un déterminant majeur des propriétés hydrauliques de la plante et de leur résistance au stress hydrique. Les valeurs croissantes de R$_{{\rm root}}$ (et R$_{{\rm plant}}$) de C. coggygria à P. mahaleb et F. ornus fournissent une explication possible pour la séquence temporelle d'expansion de ces trois espèces dans les zones dégradées

Screening on the Presence of Plant Growth Regulators in High Biomass Forming Seaweeds from the Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

The use of seaweed as plant biostimulants is a solution for sustainable agriculture. The present study aims to quantify and compare the presence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in four genetically labeled macroalgae growing in the Ionian Sea. Species were selected because they produce abundant biomass, disturbing ecological equilibrium and anthropic activities. We measured the content of gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin (KN), indoleacetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and indole butyric acid (IBA). The method applied was modified from the literature to obtain simultaneously different PGRs from seaweed biomass in a shorter period of time. Among results, it is notable that Hypnea corona Huisman et Petrocelli (Rhodophyta) showed higher GA3 concentration, while in Spyridia filamentosa (Wulfen) Harvey (Rhodophyta), higher KN, IBA, IAA and ABA contents were recorded. The latter species displayed an interesting profile of PGRs, with an IAA value comparable with that reported in Ascophyllum nodosum (Linnaeus) Le Jolis (Ochrophyta), which is currently used as a source of plant biostimulants in agriculture. Macroalgae thrive abundantly in nutrient-rich environments, such as anthropized coastal areas affecting human economic activities. Consequently, environmental agencies are forced to dredge algal thalli and discard them as waste. Any use of unwanted biomass as an economic product is highly desirable in the perspective of ecosustainable development

Quantification of vulnerability to xylem embolism - Bench dehydration

This protocol describes the construction of Vulnerability to Embolism Curves for plants via the bench dehydration method. The method involves naturally dehydrating detached samples on the bench top and measuring loss of hydraulic conductivity as a function of xylem water potential

Quantification of vulnerability to xylem embolism - Bench dehydration

This protocol describes the construction of Vulnerability to Embolism Curves for plants via the bench dehydration method. The method involves naturally dehydrating detached samples on the bench top and measuring loss of hydraulic conductivity as a function of xylem water potential