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Hybrid aspens responses to alkalisation of soil: growth, leaf structure, photosynthetic rate and carbohydrates

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Abstract

Interactions between photosynthetic rate, transpiration, content of soluble carbohydrates, leaf dimensions and structural parameters and growth of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × P. tremuloides Michx.) were studied in relation to soil pH and chemical composition. The investigations were conducted in two plantations on former agricultural lands in North Estonia. One plantation was established on a territory influenced for a long time by alkaline cement dust pollution before plantation establishment and the other on an unpolluted territory. At pH 7.4 and higher concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, N and P in soil on the polluted area inhibition of height growth and diameter at breast height, leaf area and dry mass was observed compared to the unpolluted plantation with an optimum soil pH of 6.7. Differences in hybrid aspen leaves in the two plantations were related to the lower net photosynthetic and transpiration rates and higher starch and sucrose contents in the polluted plantation. Leaves from alkaline soil had a thicker palisade mesophyll layer and lower number of stomata at abaxial epidermis. The relatively low N concentration in leaves in the polluted area was associated with the low height and diameter at breast height of trees.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (project No. 0170021s08) and the Estonian Science Foundation (grant No. 7298).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecophysiology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Viljandi mnt 18B, 11216, Tallinn, Estonia

    Malle Mandre, Jaan Klõšeiko & Aljona Lukjanova

  2. Department of Silviculture, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Arvo Tullus

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  1. Malle Mandre
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  2. Jaan Klõšeiko
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Correspondence to Aljona Lukjanova.

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Communicated by H. Rennenberg.

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Mandre, M., Klõšeiko, J., Lukjanova, A. et al. Hybrid aspens responses to alkalisation of soil: growth, leaf structure, photosynthetic rate and carbohydrates. Trees 26, 1847–1858 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-012-0754-z

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