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Shade does not ameliorate drought effects on the tree fern species Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis

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Abstract

We examined the responses of two tree fern species (Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis) growing under moderate and high light regimes to short-term water deficit followed by rewatering. Under adequate water supply, morphological and photosynthetic characteristics differed between species. D. antarctica, although putatively the more shade and less drought adapted species, had greater chlorophyll a/b ratio, and greater water use efficiency and less negative δ13C. Both species were susceptible to water deficit regardless of the light regime showing significant decreases in photosynthetic parameters (A max, V cmax, J max) and stomatal conductance (g s ) in conjunction with decreased relative frond water content (RWC) and predawn frond water potential (Ψpredawn). During the water deficit period, decreases in g s in both species started one day later, and were at lower soil water content, under moderate light compared with high light. D. antarctica under moderate light was more vulnerable to drought than all other plants as was indicated by greater decreases in Ψpredawn, lowest stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rates. Both tree fern species were able to recover after a short but severe water stress.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Fedor Torgovnikov for building the experimental set-up and assistance with laboratory analyses; Steve Livesley and Stefan Arndt (University of Melbourne) for providing a weather station; Dave Johnson, Li-Cor Biosciences, USA, for ongoing help with the Li-Cor; Sandy Clark (Statistical Consulting Centre, University of Melbourne) for statistical advice, and Erwin Dreyer (Institut National Reserche Agronomique, France) for useful comments on the manuscript. Liubov Volkova acknowledges Melbourne Research Scholarship (The University of Melbourne) and funding from the Victorian State Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

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Correspondence to Michael Tausz.

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Communicated by A. Gessler.

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Volkova, L., Bennett, L.T., Merchant, A. et al. Shade does not ameliorate drought effects on the tree fern species Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis . Trees 24, 351–362 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-009-0405-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-009-0405-1

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