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Impact of simulated herbivory on water relations of aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings: the role of new tissue in the hydraulic conductivity recovery cycle

  • Physiological Ecology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Physiological mechanisms behind plant–herbivore interactions are commonly approached as input–output systems where the role of plant physiology is viewed as a black box. Studies evaluating impacts of defoliation on plant physiology have mostly focused on changes in photosynthesis while the overall impact on plant water relations is largely unknown. Stem hydraulic conductivity (k h), stem specific conductivity (k s), percent loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC), CO2 assimilation (A) and stomatal conductance (g s) were measured on well-irrigated 1-month-old Populus tremuloides (Michx.) defoliated and control seedlings until complete refoliation. PLC values of defoliated seedlings gradually increased during the refoliation process despite them being kept well irrigated. k s of defoliated seedlings gradually decreased during refoliation. PLC and k s values of control seedlings remained constant during refoliation. k s of new stems, leaf specific conductivity and A of leaves grown from new stems in defoliated and control seedlings were not significantly different, but g s was higher in defoliated than in control seedlings. The gradual increase of PLC and decrease of k s values in old stems after defoliation was unexpected under well-irrigated conditions, but appeared to have little impact on new stems formed after defoliation. The gradual loss of conductivity measured during the refoliation process under well-irrigated conditions suggests that young seedlings of P. tremuloides may be more susceptible to cavitation after herbivore damage under drought conditions.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Erbilgin Nadir and Dr Simon Landhäusser in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta for helpful comments on an early manuscript. We thank the staff at the Ag/For Greenhouse Facilities, particularly Bruce Alexander for providing critical information on aspen nursing. D. A. G. thanks Mallory Jackson for helpful comments and editorial skills and Paloma Olea Cohen for help with plant material. The authors also thank the two anonymous reviewers, whose comments were valuable in the improvement of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G2E3, Canada

    David A. Gálvez & M. T. Tyree

  2. Northern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, 709 Spear St, Burlington, VT, 05403, USA

    M. T. Tyree

Authors
  1. David A. Gálvez
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  2. M. T. Tyree
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Correspondence to David A. Gálvez.

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Communicated by Zoe Cardon.

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Gálvez, D.A., Tyree, M.T. Impact of simulated herbivory on water relations of aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings: the role of new tissue in the hydraulic conductivity recovery cycle. Oecologia 161, 665–671 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-009-1416-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-009-1416-8

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