We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Role of boron in drought resistance in Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings.
- Authors
Möttönen, Marjoriitta; Aphalo, Pedro J.; Lehto, Tarja
- Abstract
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings fertilized with boron (B) at three rates were grown in a 3:7 mix of forest humus and quartz sand for 18 weeks. Half of the seedlings were not watered during the last 9 days of the experiment (drought treatment). The role of B in drought resistance was assessed by comparing the effects of seedling internal B concentration on the water relations, photosynthesis, growth and nutrition of well-watered and drought-treated seedlings. At the end of the drought treatment, needle B concentrations were 7.0 mg kg−1 at the lowest B supply rate and 17.5 and 23.5 mg kg−1, respectively, at the higher supply rates. Seedlings at the lowest B supply rate had fewer root tips and mycorrhizas than seedlings at the higher B supply rates. Drought treatment had a more pronounced effect on the water relations and net photosynthetic rate of seedlings than B treatment. Although seedlings at the higher B supply rates lost water more rapidly than seedlings at the low B supply rate—leading to faster stomatal closure and decreased photosynthesis—drought did not affect their final height, whereas drought reduced height growth of seedlings at the low B supply rate.
- Subjects
DROUGHT tolerance; NORWAY spruce; BORON content of plants; PLANT growth; PLANT-water relationships; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; TREE seedlings; SEEDS
- Publication
Tree Physiology, 2001, Vol 21, Issue 10, p673
- ISSN
0829-318X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/treephys/21.10.673