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Effect of water stress and UV-B on the production of outer stem waxes of Bulnesia retama seedlings from different eco-regions: alternatives for non-timber resources in drylands

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Abstract

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The yield of epicuticular waxes of Bulnesia retama was increased mainly by water stress, and marginally by UV-B. Natural populations from the most stressful ecoregions showed higher productivity and plasticity.

Abstract

Bulnesia retama is a tree/shrub endemic to the arid and semi-arid zones of South America. This species produces outer stem waxes that can be used in industry, and has been exploited in the past degrading natural populations. Considering the need to diversify marginal dryland economies by making sustainable use of local resources, we aimed to study the productivity of outer stem waxes of natural populations of B. retama from three eco-regions with different environmental stress (rainfall and altitude). We studied the wax productivity of the three populations in response to water stress and UV-B. We conducted two pot experiments with seedlings propagated from seeds of the different environmental backgrounds. We regulated water availability by differential irrigation and manipulated UV-B using selective absorbance filters. We collected stem waxes by the traditional method of brushing dry stems. We found that water stress was the main promoter of stem wax production in this species, while the effect of UV-B was marginal, and was only detected in combination with water stress. Seedlings from the most stressful eco-regions showed the highest stem wax productivity and were the most plastic to variations in environmental conditions. Environmental stress, particularly water stress, was the determining factor in the outer stem wax yield of this species, and in the productive potential of different natural populations, which could be related to ecotypes with different wax yield potential. This knowledge can be used for exploiting this resource sustainably, to select ecotypes for cultivation, and to develop productive varieties through classical breeding.

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Data availability

The data sets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank E. Barrio, F. González, C. Moreno, S. Papú, D. Zeverini, H. De Bandi, G. Zalazar, J. C. Gómez, M.I. Cona and the members of the Plant Ecophysiology Research Network (RIEV), for their collaboration in the installation and maintenance of the experiment, and for their technical assistance.

Funding

This research was funded by the “Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas” (CONICET, Argentina) and Gobierno de San Juan, Argentina (PIO CONICET-SECITI 15020150100077CO) to Roig F.A.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IANIGLA (Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales), CONICET UNCuyo-Gobierno de Mendoza, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martin, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Federico J. M. Peralta, Fidel A. Roig & Alejandra V. Medero

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Alte. Brown 500, 5505, Chacras de Coria, Argentina

    Fidel A. Roig

  3. IADIZA (Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones en Zonas Aridas), CONICET-UNCuyo-Gobierno de Mendoza, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martin, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Carla V. Giordano

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  1. Federico J. M. Peralta
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Correspondence to Carla V. Giordano.

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Peralta, F.J.M., Roig, F.A., Medero, A.V. et al. Effect of water stress and UV-B on the production of outer stem waxes of Bulnesia retama seedlings from different eco-regions: alternatives for non-timber resources in drylands. Trees (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-024-02516-7

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