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Dimitrova A, Balzano A, Tsedensodnom E, Byambadorj SO, Nyam-Osor B, Scippa GS, Merela M, Chiatante D, Montagnoli A. The adaptability of Ulmus pumila and the sensitivity of Populus sibirica to semi-arid steppe is reflected in the stem and root vascular cambium and anatomical wood traits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1393245. [PMID: 38933456 PMCID: PMC11202817 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1393245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Afforestation success is measured by the tree establishment and growth capacity which contribute to a range of ecosystem services. In the Mongolian steppe, Populus sibirica and Ulmus pumila have been tested as candidate species for large afforestation programs, by analyzing their response to a combination of irrigation and fertilization treatments. While in temperate and Mediterranean forest ecosystems, xylogenetic studies provide insight into the trees' plasticity and adaptability, this type of knowledge is non-existent in semi-arid regions, whose climatic features are expected to become a global issue. Furthermore, in general, a comparison between the stem and root response is scarce or absent. In the present study, we show that the anatomical traits of the vascular cambium and the xylem, from stem and root microcores, reflect the previously noted dependence of P. sibirica from irrigation - as they proportionally increase and the higher adaptability of U. pumila to drought - due to the reduced impact across all five characteristics. As the first wood anatomy study of these species in semiarid areas, future research is urgently needed, as it could be a tool for quicker understanding of species' suitability under expected to be exacerbated semi-arid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastazija Dimitrova
- Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
- Department of Seed Science and Forest Stands, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Angela Balzano
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Enkhchimeg Tsedensodnom
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Laboratory of Silviculture, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Batkhuu Nyam-Osor
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | - Maks Merela
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Donato Chiatante
- Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Botany, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Antonio Montagnoli
- Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Botany, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Byambadorj SO, Hernandez JO, Lkhagvasuren S, Erma G, Sharavdorj K, Park BB, Nyam-Osor B. Leaf morpho-physiological traits of Populus sibirica and Ulmus pumila in different irrigation regimes and fertilizer types. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16107. [PMID: 37790615 PMCID: PMC10544310 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The impacts of climate change, such as increased soil dryness and nutrient deficiency, highlight the need for environmentally sustainable restoration of forests and groundwater resources. However, it is important to consider that extensive afforestation efforts may lead to a depletion of groundwater supply due to higher evapotranspiration rates, exacerbating water scarcity issues. Consequently, we conducted a study to examine how the fast-growing tree species Populus sibirica (Horth ex Tausch) and Ulmus pumila (L.) respond morpho-physiologically to varying watering regimes and types of fertilizers, aiming to better understand their specific water and nutrient requirements. Methods We used two-year-old nursery-growth seedlings (N = 512) of P. sibirica and U. pumila with initial root collar diameter (RCD) and the height of 0.51 ± 0.02 mm and 68 ± 2.94 cm and 0.33 ± 0.01 mm and 51 ± 1.14 cm, respectively. The leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), chlorophyll concentration, stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll fluorescence, and predawn and midday leaf water potential were measured across treatments. Four different irrigation regimes and two different fertilizer types were applied: no irrigation (control, 0 L h-1), 2 L h-1 = 0.25 mm m-2, 4 L h-1 = 0.5 mm m-2, 8 L h-1 = 1.0 mm m-2 and 120 g and 500 g tree-1 of NPK and compost (COMP). Twelve plots (600 m2) were established in the study site for each species and treatments. Results During the first growing season (2021), the LA of P. sibirica was larger in the 4-8 L h-1 without fertilizer, but it was smaller in the 4 L h-1+ COMP during the second growing season (2022). The 2 L h-1 without fertilizer and 2 L h-1 + NPK had larger LA compared with the control (CONT) for the first and second growing seasons, respectively, for U. pumila. P. sibirica seedlings at 4 L h-1 without fertilizer had the highest SLA for 2021 and at 2 L h-1 + NPK for 2022, whereas CONT and 4 L h-1 had the highest SLA than the other treatments for 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, respectively, for U. pumila. The chlorophyll concentration of P. sibirica seedlings in the first year was generally higher in CONT, while the 2 L h-1 without any fertilizer yielded a significantly higher chlorophyll concentration of U. pumila. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (PIABS and Fm) were generally lower in CONT with/without NPK or COMP for both species. The CONT with NPK/COMP generally had a higher gs compared with the other treatments in both experimental periods for U. pumila, whereas CONT and 2 L h-1+ NPK-treated P. sibirica seedlings had a significantly greater gs during the first year and second year, respectively. The predawn and midday leaf water potentials of both species were generally the lowest in CONT, followed by 2 L h-1+ NPK/COMP during the first growing season, but a different pattern was observed during the second growing season. Overall, the morpho-physiological traits of the two species were affected by watering and fertilizer treatments, and the magnitude of the effects varied depending on growing season, amount of irrigation, and fertilizer type, and their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Deajeon, South Korea
| | - Jonathan Ogayon Hernandez
- Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Sarangua Lkhagvasuren
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Ge Erma
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Khulan Sharavdorj
- Crop Ecology Laboratory, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Deajeon, South Korea
| | - Byung Bae Park
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Deajeon, South Korea
| | - Batkhuu Nyam-Osor
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Li Q, Jia Z, He L, Zhao X, Yang H. Fine root dynamics and its contribution to soil organic carbon stocks with Caragana intermedia plantation development in alpine sandy land. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1093678. [PMID: 36968380 PMCID: PMC10034096 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1093678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Shrubs are the main species in desert ecosystems. Better understanding shrubs fine root dynamics and its contribution to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks can improve the accuracy of carbon sequestration estimation and provide basic data for the calculation of carbon sequestration potential. The ingrowth core method was used to investigate the fine root (< 1 mm in diameter) dynamics of Caragana intermedia Kuang et H. C. Fu plantation with different age (4-, 6-, 11-, 17-, and 31-year-old) in Gonghe Basin of the Tibetan Plateau, and the annual fine root mortality was used for calculation the annual carbon input to SOC pool. The results showed that fine root biomass, production, and mortality first increased and then decreased as the plantation age increased. Fine root biomass peaked in 17-year-old plantation, production and mortality peaked in 6-year-old plantation, and turnover rate of 4- and 6-year-old plantations were significantly higher than other plantations. Fine root production and mortality were negative correlated with soil nutrients at depth of 0-20 and 20-40 cm. The variation range of carbon input by fine root mortality across different plantation age at 0-60 cm soil depth was 0.54-0.85 Mg ha-1 year-1, accounting for 2.40-7.54% of the SOC stocks. C. intermedia plantation has a strong carbon sequestration potential from long time scale. Fine roots regenerate faster in young stands and lower soil nutrients environment. Our results suggest that the influences of plantation age and soil depth should be taken into account when calculating the contribution of fine root to SOC stocks in desert ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxue Li
- Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
- Qinghai Gonghe Desert Ecosystem Research Station, China Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Qinghai, China
| | - Zhiqing Jia
- Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
- Qinghai Gonghe Desert Ecosystem Research Station, China Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Qinghai, China
- Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Lingxianzi He
- Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
- Qinghai Gonghe Desert Ecosystem Research Station, China Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Qinghai, China
| | - Xuebin Zhao
- Qinghai Gonghe Desert Ecosystem Research Station, China Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Qinghai, China
| | - Henghua Yang
- Qinghai Gonghe Desert Ecosystem Research Station, China Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Qinghai, China
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Montagnoli A, Lasserre B, Terzaghi M, Byambadorj SO, Nyam-Osor B, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. Fertilization reduces root architecture plasticity in Ulmus pumila used for afforesting Mongolian semi-arid steppe. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:878299. [PMID: 35958214 PMCID: PMC9359110 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.878299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we assessed the functional and architectural traits in the coarse roots of Ulmus pumila trees, which are used for afforesting the semi-arid steppe of Mongolia. Tree growth was supported by different watering regimes (no watering, 2, 4, and 8 L h-1) and by two types of soil fertilization (NPK and compost). In July, 2019, for each of these treatments six trees, outplanted in 2011 as 2-year-old seedlings from a container nursery, were randomly selected, excavated by hand, and digitized. The build-up of root length correlated positively with increasing levels of watering for both soil depths analyzed. The application of fertilizers led to root growth suppression resulting in a general reduction of root length in a lowered rooting depth. When root system characteristics were analyzed in relation to wind direction, unfertilized trees showed higher root diameter values in both soil layers of leeward quadrants, likely a response to mechanical forces to improve stability. On the contrary, fertilized trees did not show differences in root diameter among the different quadrants underscoring a strong reduction in root plasticity with a lack of morpho-architectural response to the mechanical forces generated by the two prevailing winds. Finally, the root branching density, another important trait for fast dissipation of mechanical forces, was significantly reduced by the fertilization, independently of the quadrants and watering regime. Our results suggest that knowledge of the root response to the afforestation techniques applied in the semi-arid steppe of Mongolia is a necessary step for revealing the susceptibility of this forest shelterbelt to the exacerbating environmental conditions caused by climate change and, thus, to the development of a sustainable and successful strategy to restore degraded lands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Montagnoli
- Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Botany, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Bruno Lasserre
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Mattia Terzaghi
- Department of Chemistry and Biology ‘A. Zambelli’, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Laboratory of Silviculture, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Deajeon, South Korea
| | - Batkhuu Nyam-Osor
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | - Donato Chiatante
- Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Botany, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Byambadorj SO, Park BB, Hernandez JO, Tsedensodnom E, Byambasuren O, Montagnoli A, Chiatante D, Nyam-Osor B. Effects of Irrigation and Fertilization on the Morphophysiological Traits of Populus sibirica Hort. Ex Tausch and Ulmus pumila L. in the Semiarid Steppe Region of Mongolia. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10112407. [PMID: 34834771 PMCID: PMC8620301 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Desertification is impeding the implementation of reforestation efforts in Mongolia. Many of these efforts have been unsuccessful due to a lack of technical knowledge on water and nutrient management strategies, limited financial support, and short-lived rainfall events. We investigated the effects of irrigation and fertilization on the morphophysiological traits of Populus sibirica Hort. Ex Tausch and Ulmus pumila L. and to suggest irrigation and fertilization strategies for reforestation. Different irrigation and fertilizer treatments were applied: no irrigation, 2 L h-1, 4 L h-1, and 8 L h-1 of water; no fertilizer, 2 L h-1 + NPK, 4 L h-1 + NPK, and 8 L h-1 + NPK; and no compost, 2 L h-1 + compost, 4 L h-1 + compost, and 8 L h-1 + compost. The leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA) of both species responded positively to 4 and 8 L h-1. Results also showed that the addition of either NPK or compost to 4 or 8 L h-1 irrigation resulted in a higher LA, SLA, and leaf biomass (LB). Total chlorophyll content decreased with irrigation in both species. The same pattern was detected when a higher amount of irrigation was combined with fertilizers. Lastly, we found that both diurnal and seasonal leaf water potential of plants grown in 4 or 8 L h-1 were significantly higher than those of plants grown in control plots. Therefore, 4 or 8 L h-1 with either NPK or compost has shown to be the optimal irrigation and fertilization strategy for the species in an arid and semiarid region of Mongolia. Results should provide us with a better understanding of tree responses to varying amounts of irrigation with or without fertilizer in pursuit of sustainable forest management in arid and semiarid ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia; (S.-O.B.); (E.T.); (O.B.)
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Byung Bae Park
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.B.P.); (B.N.-O.)
| | - Jonathan O. Hernandez
- Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines, Los Baños 4031, Philippines;
| | - Enkhchimeg Tsedensodnom
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia; (S.-O.B.); (E.T.); (O.B.)
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 15170, Mongolia
| | - Otgonsaikhan Byambasuren
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia; (S.-O.B.); (E.T.); (O.B.)
| | - Antonio Montagnoli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, 3-21100 Varese, Italy; (A.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Donato Chiatante
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, 3-21100 Varese, Italy; (A.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Batkhuu Nyam-Osor
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia; (S.-O.B.); (E.T.); (O.B.)
- Correspondence: (B.B.P.); (B.N.-O.)
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Singh G, Nagora PR, Haksar P, Chauhan AR. Utilizing treated wastewater in tree plantation in Indian desert: part I - species suitability, plant growth and biomass production. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2021; 24:1014-1024. [PMID: 34694940 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2021.1993784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Treated wastewater can partly meet the requirements of water for irrigating tree crops in dry areas to better utilize, produce biomass and reduce land degradation. Seedlings of Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Prosopis cineraria, P. juliflora, Tamarix aphylla, Salvadora persica, S. oleoides and Tecomella undulata were planted and irrigated with bore-well (BW) and treated wastewater (WW) at ½ET (Evaporation-transpiration) and ¾ET. Plants irrigated at BW1/2 attained less height and collar diameter, and showed low growth increments and dry biomass. These variables increased by 1.2-2.0-fold at WW3/4 irrigation. Plants produced 1.4-fold higher biomass with WW over BW, whereas it was 1.5-fold higher at ¾ET over ½ET. Responses of species to BW/WW irrigation differed in biomass allocation to roots and other parts as a mechanism to uptake water and nutrients. Conclusively, A. nilotica, A. indica, P. juliflora and T. aphylla had stronger preference to increased irrigation level, whereas E. camaldulensis, S. persica, S. oleoides and T. undulata had preferred nutrients added through treated wastewater. A. nilotica, E. camaldulensis, P. juliflora and A. indica were best species in growth and biomass production and wastewater utilization. These can be replicated in urban afforestation to enhance bio-product and reduce degradation in environmental quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genda Singh
- Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Arid Forest research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prem Raj Nagora
- Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Arid Forest research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Parul Haksar
- Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Arid Forest research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Abha Rani Chauhan
- Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Arid Forest research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
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