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Phosphorous Application Improves Drought Tolerance of Phoebe zhennan
Akash Tariq1,2, Kaiwen Pan1, Olusanya A Olatunji1,2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization and Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesChengdu, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|September 29, 2017
Summary
Gold Phoebe (Phoebe zhennan) shows strong drought resistance. Phosphorous (P) fertilization enhances this drought tolerance through physiological and biochemical adjustments, aiding conservation efforts for this threatened tree species.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Phoebe zhennan (Gold Phoebe) is a valuable but threatened tree species in China, facing growth limitations from biotic factors and drought stress.
- Limited research exists on adaptive strategies for Gold Phoebe conservation, particularly concerning its morphological and physio-biochemical responses to drought and the role of phosphorous (P) fertilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological and physio-biochemical responses of Phoebe zhennan seedlings to drought stress.
- To evaluate the effect of phosphorous (P) fertilization on mitigating drought stress impacts on Gold Phoebe growth and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- A randomized experimental design was employed, assessing two irrigation levels (well-watered and drought-stressed) and two P fertilization treatments (with and without P).
- Evaluated morphological parameters, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activities, osmolytes, and chloroplast pigments.
Main Results:
- Drought stress negatively impacted growth and metabolism, but Phoebe zhennan exhibited adaptive strategies including increased water use efficiency and osmolytes accumulation.
- P fertilization significantly enhanced root biomass, leaf relative water content, net photosynthetic rate, and maximal quantum efficiency of PSII under drought.
- P application improved drought tolerance via physio-biochemical adjustments, with minimal effect on well-watered plants.
Conclusions:
- Phoebe zhennan possesses inherent drought resistance capabilities.
- Phosphorous fertilization is a key factor in enhancing Gold Phoebe's drought tolerance through physiological and biochemical mechanisms.
- Further research on P fertilization levels and metabolic pathways is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies for this endangered species.
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