Ecophysiological acclimatization to cyclic water stress in Eucalyptus

Drought is considered the main environmental factor limiting productivity in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. However, recent studies have reported that exposure to water deficit conditions enables plants to respond to subsequent stresses. Thus, this study investigates the ecophysiological acclimat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forestry research 2020-06, Vol.31 (3), p.797-806
Main Authors: Nóia Júnior, Rogério de Souza, Amaral, Genilda Canuto, Pezzopane, José Eduardo Macedo, Fonseca, Mariana Duarte Silva, Câmara da Silva, Ana Paula, Xavier, Talita Miranda Teixeira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acclimatization
Analysis
Aquatic resources
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Carbohydrates
Conductance
Drought
Environmental factors
Eucalyptus
Forestry
Life Sciences
Moisture content
Original Paper
Physiological aspects
Physiology
Plant growth
Resistance
Seedlings
Soil moisture
Soil water
Stomata
Stomatal conductance
Transpiration
Water deficit
Water stress
Water use
Water use efficiency
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Summary:Drought is considered the main environmental factor limiting productivity in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. However, recent studies have reported that exposure to water deficit conditions enables plants to respond to subsequent stresses. Thus, this study investigates the ecophysiological acclimatization of eucalyptus clones submitted to recurrent water deficit cycles. Eucalyptus seedlings were submitted to three recurrent water deficit cycles and anatomical, morphological and physiological changes were analyzed. The results were: (1) Eucalyptus seedlings responded to water deficits by directing carbohydrates to root and stem growth; (2) Size and number of stomata were reduced; (3) Stomatal conductance decreased which allowed the plants to reduce water losses through transpiration, increasing instantaneous water use efficiency; (4) The relationship between gas exchanges and available water contents allowed the seedlings to uptake the retained soil water at higher tensions; and, (5) Physiological recovery from subsequent water deficits became faster. As a result of these changes, the eucalyptus seedlings recovered from the same degree of water stress more rapidly.
ISSN:1007-662X
1993-0607
DOI:10.1007/s11676-019-00926-9