Dynamics of above- and belowground responses of silver birch saplings and soil gases to soil freezing and waterlogging during dormancy.

ABSTRACT: Winter precipitation and soil freeze-thaw events have been predicted to increase in boreal regions with climate change. This may expose tree roots to waterlogging (WL) and soil freezing (Fr) more than in the current climate and therefore affect tree growth and survival. Using a whole-tree approach, we studied the responses of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) saplings, growing in mineral soil, to 6-week Fr and WL in factorial combinations during dormancy, with accompanying changes in soil gas concentrations. Physiological activation (dark-acclimated chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content index) and growth of leaves and shoot elongation and stem diameter growth started earlier in Fr than NoFr (soil not frozen). The starch content of leaves was temporarily higher in Fr than NoFr

SUBMITTER: Repo T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8271213 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature