[Effect of flooding stress on transpiration of poplar I-69/55]

The rates of transpiration(Tr) and photosynthesis(Pn) of poplar I-69/55 trees were measured under flooding stress. Flooding stress caused Pn and Tr decreasing, while in the period of measurement, Pn almost didn't change. The longer the period of flooding stress was, the more the Tr and stomatal conductance (Gs) decreased. Undre no stress, Pn and Tr of test trees displayed daily double-peak curves and seasonal variations, with the maximum in summer. Water use efficiency also displayed seasonal variation, with the maximum in autumn. Under no stress, Tr obviously changed with tree ages, with the order of 1 year-old > 3 year-old > 7 year-old. The rate of Tr/Pn in spring, summer and autumn was higher than that of other deciduous broad-leaved trees in the same region, especially in summer. The high Tr/Pn ratio means a high water consumption, which is beneficial to water loss of poplar I-69/55. In shoal sites, the temperature of leaf surface in summer and autumn is the most important factor that affects the transpiration rate of poplar I-69/55, suggesting that decreasing the temperature of leaf suface is beneficial to increase the transpiration rate. During the two days after flooding, the temperature of leaf surface is still the important factor that affects transpiration rate.