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Response of leaf traits and photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of Fraxinus malacophylla seedlings to rainfall patterns during dry and rainy seasons
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  • Huiping Zeng,
  • Xiaofei Cha,
  • Lijuan Sun,
  • Huanxian Guo,
  • Shaojie Zheng,
  • Xingze Li,
  • Qiong Dong
Huiping Zeng
Southwest Forestry University
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Xiaofei Cha
Southwest Forestry University
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Lijuan Sun
Southwest Forestry University
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Huanxian Guo
Southwest Forestry University
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Shaojie Zheng
Southwest Forestry University
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Xingze Li
Southwest Forestry University
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Qiong Dong
Southwest Forestry University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Global climate change has led to a shift in rainfall patterns. And as water is an essential ingredient for plant photosynthesis, shifts in rainfall patterns will inevitably affect plant growth. In this study, the response of leaf traits and photosynthetic fluorescence properties of Fraxinus malacophylla seedlings to rainfall patterns during the dry and rainy seasons was investigated using a natural rainfall duration of 5 d (T) and an extended rainfall duration of 10 d (T+) as rainfall intervals; and a monthly average rainfall as control (W), with the corresponding rainfall treatments of a 40% increase in rainfall (W+) and a 40% decrease in rainfall (W-). The results showed that Pn, Gs, and Tr basically all tended to increase and then decrease with increasing rainfall in the dry season, and generally reached the highest under the W treatment; and Pn, Gs, Ci, and Tr mostly remained high at 5d relative to 10d; PI was overall higher under the W treatment throughout the dry season. Extending the rainfall interval at the beginning of the rainy season significantly reduced Fm; throughout the rainy season, Gs, Ci, and Tr basically showed a decreasing trend with increasing rainfall, reaching the highest under the W-treatment, and mostly higher at 5d than at 10d. These results suggest that natural rainfall intervals and natural rainfall amounts are more favorable to the growth of Fraxinus malacophylla seedlings in the dry season; reduced rainfall and multiple rainfalls in the rainy season tend to promote photosynthesis in Fraxinus malacophylla. This study reflects the different survival strategies of Fraxinus malacophylla under different rainfall patterns, as well as providing a theoretical basis for understanding how Fraxinus malacophylla can grow better under rainfall variability and for future management.
23 Apr 2024Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
13 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Aug 20241st Revision Received
23 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
23 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
23 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Sep 20242nd Revision Received
11 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
11 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
11 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept