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Field assessment of photosynthetic characteristics in micropropagated and grafted wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) trees

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Abstract

A field test of wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) trees micropropagated in tissue culture was established to compare their photosynthetic characteristics with those from control grafted scions. Measurements were made at the sixth growing season after planting. The results showed similarities between the two stock types in terms of height, diameter at breast height, and leaf morphology. Grafted trees, which were markedly less rejuvenated than micropropagated trees, performed better in many of the light absorption and leaf gas exchange attributes including maximum CO2 assimilation rate at saturating photosynthetic photon flux density (P max), apparent quantum yield of photosynthesis (α), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g s). In the grafts, the direct effect of photosynthesis could be clearly identified by a significantly lower specific leaf area and a higher content of leaf dry mass. Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters showed non-stressed growth patterns in both stock types. Rates of the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F v/F m), potential electron capacity (‘area’), and variable-to-initial fluorescence ratio (F v/F 0) were higher in micropropagated elms. Findings from this study indicate that micropropagated elm stock is ready for testing on a larger scale.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. D. Gömöry for the statistical expertise, Dr. A. Cicák and Mr. P. Imre for their excellent technical assistance, and Mrs. Elizabeth Ritch-Krč for the language revision. This work was financed by the Slovak Grant Agencies VEGA (1/0831/09), APVV (0082–06), and the European Regional Development Fund (Adaptive Forest Ecosystems project).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Phytology, Technical University, Masarykova 24, 960 53, Zvolen, Slovakia

    Jaroslav Ďurkovič & Ingrid Čaňová

  2. Forest Research Institute, National Forest Centre, 960 92, Zvolen, Slovakia

    Tibor Priwitzer

  3. Lesy S.R., Forest Nursery Centre Šariš, 082 22, Šarišské Michaľany, Slovakia

    Mária Biroščíková & Pavol Kapraľ

  4. Department of Silviculture, Technical University, Masarykova 24, 960 53, Zvolen, Slovakia

    Milan Saniga

Authors
  1. Jaroslav Ďurkovič
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  2. Ingrid Čaňová
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  3. Tibor Priwitzer
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  4. Mária Biroščíková
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  5. Pavol Kapraľ
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  6. Milan Saniga
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Correspondence to Jaroslav Ďurkovič.

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Ďurkovič, J., Čaňová, I., Priwitzer, T. et al. Field assessment of photosynthetic characteristics in micropropagated and grafted wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) trees. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 101, 221–228 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-010-9680-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-010-9680-1

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