Journal article
Shade does not ameliorate drought effects on the tree fern species Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis
L Volkova, LT Bennett, A Merchant, M Tausz
Trees Structure and Function | SPRINGER HEIDELBERG | Published : 2010
Abstract
We examined the responses of two tree fern species (Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis) growing under moderate and high light regimes to short-term water deficit followed by rewatering. Under adequate water supply, morphological and photosynthetic characteristics differed between species. D. antarctica, although putatively the more shade and less drought adapted species, had greater chlorophyll a/b ratio, and greater water use efficiency and less negative δ13C. Both species were susceptible to water deficit regardless of the light regime showing significant decreases in photosynthetic parameters (Amax, Vcmax, Jmax) and stomatal conductance (gs) in conjunction with decreased relative ..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge Fedor Torgovnikov for building the experimental set-up and assistance with laboratory analyses; Steve Livesley and Stefan Arndt (University of Melbourne) for providing a weather station; Dave Johnson, Li-Cor Biosciences, USA, for ongoing help with the Li-Cor; Sandy Clark (Statistical Consulting Centre, University of Melbourne) for statistical advice, and Erwin Dreyer (Institut National Reserche Agronomique, France) for useful comments on the manuscript. Liubov Volkova acknowledges Melbourne Research Scholarship (The University of Melbourne) and funding from the Victorian State Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).