Biology subjects

klein, t.

Publications and source records attributed to klein, t..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

A dynamic rhizosphere interplay between tree roots and soil bacteria under drought

O_LIRoot exudates are thought to play an important role in plant-microbial interactions. In return for nutrition, soil bacteria can increase the bioavailability of soil minerals. However, root exudates typically decrease in situations such as drought, calling into question the efficacy of bacteria-dependent mineral uptake in such stress. C_LIO_LIHere we tested the hypothesis of exudate-driven microbial priming on Cupressus saplings grown in forest soil in custom-made rhizotron boxes. A 1-month imposed drought and concomitant inoculations with Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas stutzeri, bacteria species isolated from the forest soil, were applied using factorial design. C_LIO_LIDirect bacteria counts and visualization by confocal microscopy showed that both bacteria associated with Cupressus roots. Interestingly, root exudation rates increased with bacteria under drought. Forty four metabolites in exudates were significantly different in concentration between irrigated and drought trees, including phenolic acid compounds and quinate, that were shown to be used as carbon and nitrogen sources by both bacterial species. Importantly, soil phosphorous bioavailability was maintained only in inoculated trees, mitigating drought-induced decrease in leaf phosphorus and iron. C_LIO_LIOur observations of increased root exudation rate when drought and inoculation regimes were combined, support the idea of root recruitment of beneficial bacteria. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

The effect of soil potassium and carbohydrates on xylem conductivity and embolism in an evergreen angiosperm tree and a gymnosperm tree before and after drought

Xylem embolism is a major threat to tree function and survival under drought, in natural and agricultural settings alike, with its impact increasing in light of global climate change. Conversely, potassium (K+) has been shown to increase xylem conductivity (Ks) in trees, and carbohydrates were reported to impact leaf gas exchange. In this study we examined the effects of K+ and carbohydrates on Ks in two divergent evergreen tree species that are regularly exposed to drought: pine (Pinus brutia) and lemon (Citrus x limon). Five-year-old trees were pretreated with zero, moderate, and high K+, and with ambient or elevated CO2, to experimentally increase their xylem K+ or carbohydrates levels, respectively. Trees were then monitored for Ks and embolism (using a microCT), along with leaf gas exchange and water potential, before and after a 1.5-2.5 month drought period. Potassium fertigation had a positive effect on Ks, in both species when irrigated, which was eliminated following drought. Drought decreased Ks about 10-fold in lemon, with little effect in pine. CO2-treated trees had the same Ks as control trees before and after drought. Our results indicate a positive effect of K+ on tree hydraulics, which was more pronounced in lemon than in pine, supporting the hypothesis of interaction with the angiosperm pit membrane, and not with the gymnosperm bordered pit. Yet, the elimination of this benefit following drought, and the lack of benefit from elevated carbohydrates following a short-term CO2 treatment, question the relevance of these components to tree drought resistance mechanisms. Key massagePotassium fertigation increases hydraulic conductivity and reduces xylem embolism in the gymnosperm pine, and more so in the angiosperm lemon tree, benefits which were eliminated following drought.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Paleoclimate and current climate collectively shape the phylogenetic and functional diversity of trees worldwide

Trees are of vital importance for ecosystem functioning and services at local to global scales, yet we still lack a detailed overview of the global patterns of tree diversity and the underlying drivers, particularly the imprint of paleoclimate. Here, we present the high-resolution (110 km) worldwide mapping of tree species richness, functional and phylogenetic diversities based on [~]7 million quality-assessed occurrences for 46,752 tree species (80.5% of the estimated total number of tree species), and subsequent assessments of the influence of paleo-climate legacies on these patterns. All three tree diversity dimensions exhibited the expected latitudinal decline. Contemporary climate emerged as the strongest driver of all diversity patterns, with Pleistocene and deeper-time (>107 years) paleoclimate as important co-determinants, and, notably, with past cold and drought stress being linked to reduced current diversity. These findings demonstrate that tree diversity is affected by paleoclimate millions of years back in time and highlight the potential for tree diversity losses from future climate change.

ecology↗