Grafting enhances growth vigor and photosynthetic capacity in the progeny of critically endangered Abies beshanzuensis.

ABSTRACT: Abies beshanzuensis is a critically endangered conifer species in the Pinaceae family, with only three wild adult trees (progenitor trees) remaining in its native habitat. To conserve its germplasm, A. beshanzuensis scions were grafted onto A. firma rootstocks, which significantly improved the growth and reproduction of the grafted plants. However, the effects of grafting on the growth and development of progeny of grafted A. beshanzuensis, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. In this study, we compared seedling-stage growth differences between progeny of progenitor trees (PP) and grafted trees (GP), revealing significantly greater plant height and stem diameter in GP. Physiological analysis of leaf tissues showed significantly higher auxin levels in GP, increased chloroph

SUBMITTER: Liu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12797346 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature