Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations

This study investigated the allocation strategies of non-structural carbohydrates and functional traits in Quercus mongolica seedlings of different ages under different light conditions. The study took place at the Urban Forestry Demonstration Base in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Seedl...

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Main Authors: Guoru Tang, Hao Zhang, Honglin Xing, Tianhe Yuan, Andrey A. Gontcharov, Ling Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Maximum Academic Press 2024-01-01
Series:Forestry Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0024-0002
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author Guoru Tang
Hao Zhang
Honglin Xing
Tianhe Yuan
Andrey A. Gontcharov
Ling Yang
author_facet Guoru Tang
Hao Zhang
Honglin Xing
Tianhe Yuan
Andrey A. Gontcharov
Ling Yang
author_sort Guoru Tang
collection DOAJ
description This study investigated the allocation strategies of non-structural carbohydrates and functional traits in Quercus mongolica seedlings of different ages under different light conditions. The study took place at the Urban Forestry Demonstration Base in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Seedlings of three age classes were collected in two light environments, the forest edge and the forest understory. By measuring specific leaf area, biomass, soluble sugar concentration and starch concentration, we revealed the growth adaptation strategies and responses to different light conditions in Q. mongolica seedlings of different age classes. Our results show that the adaptation strategies of seedlings of different age classes are very different. First, our study showed a strong coordination of soluble sugars between roots, stems, and leaves of 1−2 year old Q. mongolica seedlings, indicating an efficient partitioning of carbon between organs at this age. In 3−4 year old Q. mongolica seedlings, a significant negative correlation was observed between starch in the roots and soluble sugars in the leaves, indicating the transformation of various non-structural carbohydrates. In addition, 5−6 year old seedlings start to increase their investment in the above-ground part to achieve a height advantage. In conclusion, this study improves our understanding of the light adaptation strategies of Q. mongolica seedlings and provides valuable insights for the natural regeneration and management of Q. mongolica forest vegetation.
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spelling doaj.art-6d2cbcc75f184154bda71ccc3e25ca1e2024-02-28T01:55:46ZengMaximum Academic PressForestry Research2767-38122024-01-014111010.48130/forres-0024-0002forres-0024-0002Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantationsGuoru Tang0Hao Zhang1Honglin Xing2Tianhe Yuan3Andrey A. Gontcharov4Ling Yang5State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaFederal Centre for Land Biodiversity, Far East Branch of The Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivstok 690020, RussiaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaThis study investigated the allocation strategies of non-structural carbohydrates and functional traits in Quercus mongolica seedlings of different ages under different light conditions. The study took place at the Urban Forestry Demonstration Base in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Seedlings of three age classes were collected in two light environments, the forest edge and the forest understory. By measuring specific leaf area, biomass, soluble sugar concentration and starch concentration, we revealed the growth adaptation strategies and responses to different light conditions in Q. mongolica seedlings of different age classes. Our results show that the adaptation strategies of seedlings of different age classes are very different. First, our study showed a strong coordination of soluble sugars between roots, stems, and leaves of 1−2 year old Q. mongolica seedlings, indicating an efficient partitioning of carbon between organs at this age. In 3−4 year old Q. mongolica seedlings, a significant negative correlation was observed between starch in the roots and soluble sugars in the leaves, indicating the transformation of various non-structural carbohydrates. In addition, 5−6 year old seedlings start to increase their investment in the above-ground part to achieve a height advantage. In conclusion, this study improves our understanding of the light adaptation strategies of Q. mongolica seedlings and provides valuable insights for the natural regeneration and management of Q. mongolica forest vegetation.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0024-0002quercus mongolicalight adaptationseedling ageadaptation strategiesfunctional traitsnon-structural carbohydrates
spellingShingle Guoru Tang
Hao Zhang
Honglin Xing
Tianhe Yuan
Andrey A. Gontcharov
Ling Yang
Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
Forestry Research
quercus mongolica
light adaptation
seedling age
adaptation strategies
functional traits
non-structural carbohydrates
title Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
title_full Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
title_fullStr Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
title_full_unstemmed Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
title_short Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
title_sort light adaptation strategies of quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations
topic quercus mongolica
light adaptation
seedling age
adaptation strategies
functional traits
non-structural carbohydrates
url https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0024-0002
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AT honglinxing lightadaptationstrategiesofquercusmongolicaatdifferentagesinfourplantations
AT tianheyuan lightadaptationstrategiesofquercusmongolicaatdifferentagesinfourplantations
AT andreyagontcharov lightadaptationstrategiesofquercusmongolicaatdifferentagesinfourplantations
AT lingyang lightadaptationstrategiesofquercusmongolicaatdifferentagesinfourplantations