Luo Yonghong, Yang Hui, Yan Xingfu, Ma Yongrui, Wei Shuhua, Wang Jiazhi, Cao Ziyu, Zuo Zhong, Yang Chunhui, Cheng Jiming
College of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China.
Biology (Basel). 2024 Sep 23;13(9):747. doi: 10.3390/biology13090747.
Moisture is the most important environmental factor limiting seed regeneration of shrubs in desert areas. Therefore, understanding the effects of moisture changes on seed germination, morphological and physiological traits of shrubs is essential for vegetation restoration in desert areas. In March to June 2023, in a greenhouse using the potting method, we tested the effects of soil moisture changes (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) on seed germination and seedling growth of six desert shrubs (, , , , , and ). Results showed that (1) seed germination percent and vigor index were significantly higher at 15 and 20% soil moisture content than at 5 and 10%; (2) shoot length, primary root length, specific leaf area and biomass of seedlings were significantly higher in the 15% and 20% soil moisture content treatments than in the 5% and 10% treatments; (3) superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and soluble protein content (SP) decreased with decreasing soil water content, while peroxidase activity (POD) and catalase activity (CAT) showed a decreasing and then increasing trend with increasing soil water content; (4) the six seeds and seedling of shrubs were ranked in order of their survivability in response to changes in soil moisture: > > > > > . Our study shows that shrub seedlings respond to water changes by regulating morphological and physiological traits together. More importantly, we found that , and were more survivable when coping with water deficit or extreme precipitation. The results of the study may provide a reference for the selection and cultivation of similar shrubs in desert areas under frequent extreme droughts in the future.
水分是限制沙漠地区灌木种子更新的最重要环境因素。因此，了解水分变化对灌木种子萌发、形态和生理特性的影响对于沙漠地区的植被恢复至关重要。2023年3月至6月，在温室中采用盆栽法，我们测试了土壤水分变化（5%、10%、15%、20%和25%）对六种沙漠灌木（、、、、、和）种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：（1）土壤含水量为15%和20%时种子发芽率和活力指数显著高于5%和10%时；（2）土壤含水量为15%和20%处理下幼苗的茎长、初生根长、比叶面积和生物量显著高于5%和10%处理；（3）超氧化物歧化酶活性（SOD）和可溶性蛋白含量（SP）随土壤含水量降低而降低，而过氧化物酶活性（POD）和过氧化氢酶活性（CAT）随土壤含水量增加呈先降低后升高趋势；（4）六种灌木种子和幼苗对土壤水分变化的存活能力排序为：> > > > > > 。我们的研究表明，灌木幼苗通过共同调节形态和生理特性来响应水分变化。更重要的是，我们发现，、和在应对水分亏缺或极端降水时更具存活能力。研究结果可为未来频繁极端干旱条件下沙漠地区类似灌木的选择和培育提供参考。
