Half-sib Lines of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Respond Differently to Drought through Biometrical, Anatomical and Physiological Traits

Vastag, Erna and Cocozza, Claudia and Orlović, Saša and Kesić, Lazar and Kresoja, Milena and Stojnić, Srđan (2020) Half-sib Lines of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Respond Differently to Drought through Biometrical, Anatomical and Physiological Traits. Forests, 11 (2). ISSN 1999-4907

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Abstract

Quercus robur L. is one of the most valued tree species of deciduous temperate forests.
However, in the last decade, serious oak declines and loss of adaptation plasticity have been
reported throughout Europe as a consequence of drought. Therefore, the aim of the present study
was to define the adaptation potential of five Q. robur half-sib lines from the UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube to drought, using physiological, anatomical and biometrical traits.
Half-sib lines that exhibited drought tolerance had particular suites of trait expression regarding
biometrical traits (seedling height, root length, root to shoot ratio of dry mass and specific leaf area),
leaf stomatal traits (stomatal density per mm2, stomata guard cell length and width, stomatal
aperture length and width) and leaf structural traits (adaxial epidermis thickness, palisade
parenchyma thickness, spongy parenchyma thickness, lamina thickness). All of the observed
parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence were shown to be good indicators of short-term and severe
drought. For the selection of drought-tolerant half-sib lines, all studied chlorophyll a fluorescence
parameters associated with the heat dissipation of light energy (coefficient of non-photochemical
quenching, quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation, Stern-Volmer type non-photochemical
fluorescence quenching) and one parameter related to photochemical dissipation of light energy
(effective quantum yield (efficiency) of PS II photochemistry) were proven to be suitable. On the
other hand, the coefficient of photochemical quenching, coefficient of photochemical fluorescence
quenching assuming interconnected photosystem II antennae and electron transport rate were not
suitable for distinguishing the different responses of the studied half-sib lines under drought. The
importance of results of the present study is in the selection of drought-tolerant Q. robur half-sib
lines for future reforestation programs, particularly in protected areas with sensitive forest
management and restricted activities for mitigation of the adverse effects of climate changes.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	COBISS.ID=512596578
Uncontrolled Keywords:	biometric characterisation, chlorophyll a fluorescence, drought, Quercus robur L, leaf anatomical traits
Research Department:	Sustainable Development
Depositing User:	Jelena Banovic
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2020 10:02
Last Modified:	31 Mar 2021 08:19
URI:	http://35.240.28.64/id/eprint/1416
Author Links:	[error in script] No links available.

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