Open AccessPhosphorous fertilization alleviates drought effects on Alnus cremastogyne by regulating its antioxidant and osmotic potential
Author(s) -
Akash Tariq,
Kaiwen Pan,
Olusanya Abiodun Olatunji,
Corina Graciano,
Zilong Li,
Feng Sun,
Zhongxu Lin,
Xiaogang Wu,
Wenkai Chen,
Dagang Song,
Dan Huang,
Xue Tan,
Aiping Zhang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-018-24038-2
Subject(s) - osmolyte , lipid peroxidation , drought tolerance , catalase , photosynthesis , superoxide dismutase , proline , shoot , botany , biology , osmoprotectant , chemistry , horticulture , antioxidant , biochemistry , amino acid
Alnus cremastogyne , a broad-leaved tree endemic to south-western China, has both commercial and restoration importance. However, little is known of its morphological, physiological and biochemical responses to drought and phosphorous (P) application. A randomized experimental design was used to investigate how drought affected A. cremastogyne seedlings, and the role that P applications play in these responses. Drought had significant negative effects on A. cremastogyne growth and metabolism, as revealed by reduced biomass (leaf, shoot and root), leaf area, stem diameter, plant height, photosynthetic rate, leaf relative water content, and photosynthetic pigments, and a weakened antioxidative defence mechanism and high lipid peroxidation level. However, the reduced leaf area and enhanced osmolyte (proline and soluble sugars) accumulation suggests drought avoidance and tolerance strategies in this tree. Applying P significantly improved the leaf relative water content and photosynthetic rate of drought-stressed seedlings, which may reflect increased anti-oxidative enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) activities, osmolyte accumulation, soluble proteins, and decreased lipid peroxidation levels. However, P had only a slight or negligible effect on the well-watered plants. A. cremastogyne is sensitive to drought stress, but P facilitates and improves its metabolism primarily via biochemical and physiological rather than morphological adjustments, regardless of water availability.