Nutrient resorption responses of female and male Populus cathayana to drought and shade stress.

Nutrient resorption can increase nutrient use and play important roles in terrestrial plant nutrient cycles. Although several studies have reported individual responses of plant nutrient resorption to drought or shade stress, the interaction of drought and shade remains unclear, especially for dioecious plants. This study explored whether nutrient resorption is correlated to growth characteristics (such as biomass and root/shoot ratio [R/S ratio]) and leaf economics (such as leaf thickness, leaf mass per area [LMA] and leaf vein density [LVD]) in female and male Populus cathayana across different conditions.

Differences in ecophysiological responses of Populus euphratica females and males exposed to salinity and alkali stress.

Soil salinity is usually accompanied by alkalization in northwest China, and they both negatively impact plant growth and result in severe ecological problems. Some studies have reported tree responses to salinity or alkali stress alone, however, the interactive salinity and alkali effects are still unclear, especially in dioecious trees. In this study, we measured growth, morphology, leaf stomata, gas exchange, carbon isotope composition (δC), total soluble sugar and starch contents, Na accumulation and allocation, oxidative stress, and antioxidants of female and male Populus euphratica seedlings in response to salinity, alkali and their interaction.