Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Effects of plant density on the photosynthetic performance and allometry of two shrubs in the northern Loess Plateau, China

Author(s):

Wei Fu ¹, Mingbin Huang ²*, Mingan Shao ³

Recieved Date: 2014-01-20, Accepted Date: 2014-04-07

Abstract:

In the wind and water erosion transitional belt of China’s Loess Plateau, vegetation restoration efforts have greatly increased plant density to improve ecological and economic benefit in this region. However, high densities and crowding could decrease the share of resources available to each individual plant. To better understand how to maintain vegetation productivity and sustained vegetation growth, we examined the response of photosynthetic performance and allometry to plant density for two shrubs (Caragana korshinkii Kom. and Salix psammophila) in this area. Experiments were performed with three plant density treatments for each shrub during the growing seasons of 2009 and 2010. The net leaf photosynthesis rate was measured weekly using an Ultra-Light Portable Photosynthesis Open System (CI-340, CID Inc., USA). Plant growth indices were measured monthly. Soil water content was measured with a neutron probe. The results indicated that an increase in plant density could produce a decrease in the net leaf photosynthesis rate and an increase in the net canopy photosynthesis rate. C. korshinkii showed a decrease in plant height and stem diameter with increasing plant density, unlike S. psammophila. The allometric relationship between plant height and stem diameter was best fitted with a second-order polynomial term function. For C. korshinkii, the changes in growth form may be mainly caused by symmetric competition when plant density is higher than 46,700 plants/ha. For S. psammophila, the asymmetric competition could be responsible for the changes in plant growth when its plant density is higher than 19,200 plants /ha. Our findings may provide the ecological basis for improving management measures in vegetation in the semi-arid region.

Keywords:

Caragana korshinkii Kom., Salix psammophila, photosynthesis, plant height, stem diameter

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1233-1239

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