We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Does geographic origin dictate ecological strategies in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.? Evidence from carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes.
- Authors
Gray, Alan; Odee, David; Cavers, Stephen; Wilson, Julia; Telford, Annika; Grant, Fiona; Diouf, Mayécor; Ochieng, John; Grant, Helen; Stott, Andy
- Abstract
Background and aims: Acacia senegal, a leguminous dryland tree, is economically and ecologically important to sub-Saharan Africa. Water-use efficiency (WUE) and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) are fundamental to plant productivity and survival. We quantify provenance differences in WUE, BNF, photosynthesis, biomass and gum arabic production from A. senegal assessing genetic improvement potential. Methods: Using stable isotope ratios, we determined WUE (δC) and BNF (δN) from provenances of mature A. senegal in field-trials (Senegal), sampling leaves at the beginning (wet) and end (dry) of the rainy season. Seedling provenance trials (UK) determined photosynthesis, and biomass and δC in relation to water table. Environmental data were characterised for all provenances at their sites of origin. Results: Provenances differed in both δC and δN. Gum yield declined with increasing WUE. Virtually no BNF was detected during the dry season and seedlings and mature trees may have different WUE strategies. Wind speed and soil characteristics at provenance origin were correlated with isotope composition and gum production. Conclusion: Provenance differences suggest that selection for desirable traits, e.g., increased gum production, may be possible. As ecological strategies relate to native locality, the environmental conditions at plantation site and provenance origin are important in assessing selection criteria.
- Subjects
SENEGALIA senegal; PLANT-water relationships; NITROGEN fixation; PLANT productivity; STABLE isotopes
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2013, Vol 369, Issue 1/2, p479
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-013-1593-4