E-resources
Peer reviewed
-
Prieto, Iván; Padilla, Francisco M.; Armas, Cristina; Pugnaire, Francisco I.
Perspectives in plant ecology, evolution and systematics, 01/2011, Volume: 13, Issue: 3Journal Article
Hydraulic lift (HL) has been shown to improve performance of species occurring next to a plant engaged in HL, but whether this process plays an important role in seedling survival and growth in arid environments remains largely unknown. Here, we tested the influence of HL on the interaction between Retama sphaerocarpa, a nurse lifter shrub from western Mediterranean basin, and the protégé shrub Marrubium vulgare. Seedlings of Marrubium were planted under the canopy of Retama in three tube types inserted into the soil. Tubes either did not affect (Mesh), reduced (Netting) or fully prevented root competition (PVC). At the same time, these tubes allowed (Mesh, Netting) or prevented (PVC) soil water flux to/from the tube. Additional seedlings were planted in Mesh tubes in gaps (open spaces between shrubs). Hydraulic lift was measured using soil psychrometers. We detected HL patterns only in mesh and Netting tubes but not in solid-walled PVC tubes. Seedling survival was comparable where root competition was reduced and HL allowed (Netting) and where they were fully prevented (PVC) while survival was 23% lower in Mesh tubes (full root competition plus HL) and no seedlings survived in gaps. Differences in seedlings biomass showed somehow similar patterns, although biomass was greatest in PVC tubes followed by Netting tubes. These results show that, although HL might have contributed to seedling performance under the canopy of Retama, it did not offset root competition from neighbours; when full root competition and HL occurred, competitive effects were stronger than facilitative effects of HL. Overall, intense root competition underneath nurse plants may outweigh the positive effects of the extra water meant by HL. Rather, microclimate amelioration and increased soil fertility under shrubs could account for the reported facilitation of Marrubium seedlings by Retama.
![loading ... loading ...](themes/default/img/ajax-loading.gif)
Shelf entry
Permalink
- URL:
Impact factor
Access to the JCR database is permitted only to users from Slovenia. Your current IP address is not on the list of IP addresses with access permission, and authentication with the relevant AAI accout is required.
Year | Impact factor | Edition | Category | Classification | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JCR | SNIP | JCR | SNIP | JCR | SNIP | JCR | SNIP |
Select the library membership card:
If the library membership card is not in the list,
add a new one.
DRS, in which the journal is indexed
Database name | Field | Year |
---|
Links to authors' personal bibliographies | Links to information on researchers in the SICRIS system |
---|
Source: Personal bibliographies
and: SICRIS
The material is available in full text. If you wish to order the material anyway, click the Continue button.