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- Title
The comparison of physiological and biochemical mechanisms of Reaumuria soongorica and Salsola passerine in different growth pattern.
- Authors
Zijuan Zhou; Peixi Su; Rui Shi; Tingting Xie
- Abstract
The C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super-xerophytes that co-exist in desert ecosystems of China. The species show a unique growth patterns in growing either in individual (isolated growth) or in associated communities (associated growth) that may favour adaptation to the extreme conditions. In this study, leaf water status, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and contents of solutes contributing to osmotic adjustment were investigated in plants growing in individual and mixed communities. The objective was to identify physiological and biochemical differences in the two growth patterns. In associated communities the chlorophyll contents of R. soongorica and S. passerina were decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities were enhanced. The contents of osmotic adjustment substances differed between the two species, with R. soongorica showing higher soluble sugar and proline contents than those of S. passerina. Furthermore, the soluble sugar and soluble protein contents were elevated in associated growth. It is concluded that growth in associated communities may improve antioxidant scavenging and the osmotic adjustment capacity of the two species, which will alleviate the adverse effects of the desert environment, and that association in mixed communities is more conducive to plant water uptake and enhances drought tolerance.
- Subjects
TAMARICACEAE; SALSOLA; PLANT growth; PLANT physiology; BOTANICAL chemistry
- Publication
BMC Plant Biology, 2016, Vol 16, p87
- ISSN
1471-2229
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s12870-016-0904-3