Thinking in the sustainability of <i>Nothofagus antarctica</i> silvopastoral systems, how differ the responses of seedlings from different provenances to water shortage?

Abstract

<i>Nothofagus antarctica</i>, is the most important species of the silvopastoral systems of southern Patagonia. However, there is limited information on the ecophysiological response mechanisms of seedlings for survival under different resource availability regimes, and whether such processes may differ between provenances. In this study, we evaluated the functional response to water shortage of seedlings of four <i>N. antarctica</i> provenances grown under controlled conditions. After an initial full irrigation period, seedlings were subjected to a water shortage cycle. Measurements of the diameter at the base of the stem, net photosynthesis (A_n), stomatal conductance to water vapour (g_s), predawn water potential (Ψ_pd), osmotic potential at maximum and zero turgor (Π₁₀₀; Π₀), relative water content at zero turgor (RWC₀) and maximum modulus of elasticity (E_max) were carried out during the experimental period. Differences between provenances concerning An and g_s rates were recorded under full irrigation conditions, but were not detected in association with drought stress. All provenances had similar osmotic potential values (Π₁₀₀ and Π₀) at full irrigation, but water shortage led to significant osmotic potential differences between provenances. During the whole experimental period, no significant differences on RWC₀ and E_max values were recorded among provenances. Under full irrigation conditions, all <i>N. antarctica</i> provenances had a similar physiological performance which suggests that environmental conditions may be the main driver for phenotypic differences in this species. From the osmotic adjustment results gathered, it is derived that a major osmoregulation capacity in response to water shortage is a common feature of all the <i>N. antarctica</i> provenances evaluated.