Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Growth and maintenance costs of leaves and roots in two populations of Quercus ilex native to distinct substrates

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Aims

This work tests the hypothesis that growth and maintenance costs of plant organs are higher in more stressful soils.

Methods

Two populations of Quercus ilex L were selected in the southern Iberian Peninsula, these growing in similar climates but different soil types, namely a brown well-developed soil on slate rock, and a stressful lithosol on gypsum rock. In both localities, growth and maintenance respiration were measured in undetached young and mature leaves (trees under natural conditions) and fine roots (hydroponically grown seedling).

Results

Young leaves of the two populations displayed an almost identical growth cost (1.53 g glucose g-1). The maintenance cost was higher in the young (40.2 vs. 25.3 mg glucose g-1 day-1; P < 0.05) and in the mature (7.64 vs. 4.33 mg glucose g-1 day-1; P < 0.001) leaves of individuals growing in gypsum soils. The growth cost of fine roots was the same in both populations (1.18 g glucose g-1) while the maintenance cost was higher in the Gypsum population (8.95 vs. 7.39 mg glucose g-1 day-1; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The results show for first time that the cost of organ maintenance may be related to the degree of soil stress in their native habitats.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amthor JS (2010) From sunlight to phytomass: on the potential efficiency of converting solar radiation in phytoenergy. New Phytol 188(4):939–959

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Atkin OK, Scheurwater I, Pons TL (2006) High thermal acclimation potential of both photosynthesis and respiration in two lowland Plantago species in contrast to an alpine congeneric. Glob Change Biol 12:500–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouma TJ, de Visser R, Janssen JHJA, de Kock MJ, van Leeuwen PH, Lambers H (1994) Respiratory energy requirements and rate of protein turnover in vivo determined by the use of an inhibitor of protein synthesis and a probe to assess its effect. Physiol Plant 94:585–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannell MGR, Thornley JHM (2000) Modelling the components of plant respiration: some guiding principles. Ann Bot 85:45–54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cavender-Bares J, Kitajima K, Bazzaz FA (2004) Multiple trait associations in relation to habitat differentiation among 17 Floridian oak species. Ecol Monogr 74(4):635–662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavieres LA, Rada F, Azócar A, García-Núñez C, Cabrera HM (2000) Gas exchange and low temperature resistance in two high mountain tree species from the Venezuelan Andes. Act Oecol 21(3):203–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Channell R, Lomolino MV (2000) Dynamic biogeography and conservation of endangered species. Nature 403:84–86

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corcuera L, Morales F, Abadía A, Gil-Pelegrín E (2005) Seasonal changes in photosynthesis and photoprotection in a Q. ilex ssp ballota woodland located in its upper altitudinal extreme in the Iberian Peninsula. Tree Physiol 25:599–608

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon DP, Skipsey M, Grundy NM, Edwards R (2005) Stress- induced protein S-glutathionylation in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol 138:2233–2244

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst WHO (1998) Sulfur metabolism in higher plants: potential for phytoremediation. Biodegradation 9:311–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1990) Management of gypsiferous soils. Soils resources, management and conservation service, land and water development division, soils bulletin N° 62. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Field C, Berry JA, Mooney HA (1982) A portable system for measuring carbon dioxide and water vapour exchange of leaves. Plant Cell Environ 5:179–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Florez-Sarasa ID, Bouma TJ, Medrano H, Azcon-Bieto J, Ribas-Carbo M (2007) Contribution of the cytochrome and alternative pathways to growth respiration and maintenance respiration in Arabidopsis thaliana. Physiol Plant 129(1):143–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • García D, Rodríguez J, Sanz JM, Merino J (1998) Response of two populations of holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.) to sulfur dioxide. Ecotox Environ Safe 40:42–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García D, Zamora R, Gómez JM, Jordano P, Hódar JM (2000) Geographical variation in seed production, predation and abortion in Juniperus communis throughout its range in Europe. J Ecol 88:436–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratani L, Meneghini M, Pesoli P, Crescente MF (2003) Structural and functional plasticity of Quercus ilex seedlings of different provenances in Italy. Trees 17:515–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen LD, Farnsworth LK, Itoga NK, Nicholson A, Summers HL, Whitsitt MC, McArthur ED (2008) Two subspecies and a hybrid of big sagebrush: comparison of respiration and growth characteristics. J Arid Environ 72:634–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrero J, Artieda O, Hudnall WH (2009) Gypsum, a tricky material. Soil Sci Soc Am J 73(6):1757–1763

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hesketh JD, Baker DN, Duncan WG (1971) Simulation of growth and yield in cotton: respiration and the carbon balance. Crop Sci 11:394–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch (1989) The nutritional status of plants from high altitudes - A worldwide comparison. Oecologia 81(3):379–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambers H, Chapin FS III, Pons TL (2008) Plant physiological ecology. Springer Verlag, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Laureano RG, Lazo YO, Linares JC, Luque A, Martínez F, Seco JI, Merino J (2008) The cost of stress resistance: construction and maintenance costs of leaves and roots in two populations of Quercus ilex. Tree Physiol 28:1721–1728

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawton JH (1993) Range, population abundance and conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 8:409–413

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lechowicz MJ, Hellens LE, Simon JP (1980) Latitudinal trends in the responses of growth respiration and maintenance respiration to temperature in the beach pea, Lathyrus japonicus. Can J Bot 58:1521–1524

    Google Scholar 

  • Mariko S, Koizumi H (1993) Respiration for maintenance and growth in Reynoutria japonica ecotypes from different altitudes on Mt Fuji. Ecol Res 8:241–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez F, Lazo YO, Fernández-Galiano JM, Merino J (2002a) Root respiration and associated costs in deciduous and evergreen species of Quercus. Plant Cell Environ 25:1271–1278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez F, Lazo YO, Fernández-Galiano RM, Merino J (2002b) Chemical composition and construction cost for roots of Mediterranean trees, shrubs species and grasslands communities. Plant Cell Environ 25:601–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez F, Laureano RG, Merino J (2003) Alternative respiration in seven Quercus spp. of SW Spain. J Med Ecol 4(3–4):9–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Merino J (1987) The costs of growing and maintaining leaves of Mediterranean plants. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant response to stress, NATO ASI series, vol G15. Springer, New York, pp 553–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Minibayeva F, Poliganova O, Alyabiev A, Gordon L (2000) Structural and functional changes in root cells induced by calcium ionophore A23187. Plant Soil 219:169–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA (1963) Physiological ecology of coastal, subalpine, and alpine populations of Polygonum bistortoides. Ecology 44:812–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets Ü, Portsmuth A, Tena D, Tobias M, Matesanz S, Valladares F (2007) Do we underestimate the importance of leaf size in plant economics? Disproportional scaling of support costs within the spectrum of leaf physiognomy. Ann Bot 100(2):283–303

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ögren E (2000) Maintenance respiration correlates with sugar but not with nitrogen concentration in dormant plants. Physiol Plant 108:295–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oleksyn J, Modrzynski J, Tjoelker MG, Ytkowiak RZ, Reich PB, Karolewski P (1998) Growth and physiology of Picea abies populations from elevational transects: common garden evidence for altitudinal ecotypes and cold adaptation. Funct Ecol 12:573–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penning de Vries FWT, Brunsting AHM, van Laar HH (1974) Products, requirements and efficiency of biosynthesis: a quantitative approach. J Theor Biol 45:339–377

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purvis AC (1997) Role of the alternative oxidase in limiting superoxide production by plant mitochondria. Physiol Plant 100:165–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rakhmankulova ZF, Ramazanova GA, Mustafina AR, Usmanov IY (2001) Assessment of the respiratory costs of adaptation in plant species that differ in their responses to insufficient and excessive mineral nutrition. Russ J Plant Physiol 48(5):651–656

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez‐Valiente JA, Lorenzo Z, Soto A, Valladares F, Gil L, Aranda I (2009a) Elucidating the role of genetic drift and natural selection in cork oak differentiation regarding drought tolerance. Molecular Ecol 18:3803–3815.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez-Valiente JA, Valladares F, Gil L, Aranda I (2009b) Population differences in juvenile survival under increasing drought are mediated by seed size in cork oak (Quercus suber L.). For Ecol Manage 257(8):1676–1683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reich PB, Walters MB, Ellsworth DS (1997) From tropics to tundra: global convergence in plant functioning. P Natl Acad Sci USA 94(25):13730–13734

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz JM, López-Cantarero I, Rivero RM, Romero L (2003) Sulphur phytoaccumulation in plant species characteristics of gypsiferous soils. Int J Phytoremediat 5:203–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan MG, Hubbard RM, Pongracic S, Raison RJ, McMurtrie RE (1996) Foliage, fine-root, woody-tissue and stand respiration in Pinus radiata in relation to nitrogen status. Tree Physiol 16:333–343

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Villas J, Retuerto R (2007) Quercus ilex. shows significant among-population variability in functional and growth traits but maintains invariant scaling relations in biomass allocation. Int J Plant Sci 168:973–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semikhatova OA, Ivanova TI, Kirpichnikova OV (2009) Respiration rate of artic plants as related to the production process. Russ J Plant Physiol 3:306–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh BR, Taneja SN (1977) Effects of gypsum on mineral nitrogen status in alkaline soils. Plant Soil 48:315–321

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun W, Van Montagu M, Verbruggen N (2002) Small heat shock proteins and stress tolerance in plants. Biochem Biophys Acta 1577:1–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun KL, Cui YH, Hanser BA (2005) Environmental stress alters genes expression induces ovules abortion: reactive oxygen species appear as ovules commit to abort. Planta 222:632–645

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tausz M, Landmesser H, Posch S, Monschein S, Grill D, Wienhaus O (2007) Multivariate patterns of antioxidative and photoprotective defence compounds in spruce needles at two central european forest sites of different elevation. Environ Monit Assess 128:75–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjoelker MG, Oleksyn J, Reich PB (1999) Acclimation of respiration to temperature and CO2 in seedlings of boreal tree species in relation to plant size and relative growth rate. Glob Change Biol 49:679–691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villar R, Merino J (2001) Comparison of leaf construction costs in woody species with differing leaf life-spans in contrasting ecosystems. New Phytol 151:213–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vose JM, Ryan MG (2002) Seasonal respiration of foliage, fine roots, and woody tissues in relation to growth, tissue N, and photosynthesis. Glob Change Biol 8:182–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams K, Field CB, Mooney HA (1989) Relationships among leaf construction cost, leaf longevity, and light environment in rain-forest plants of the genus Piper. Amer Nat 133:198–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Westoby M (1999) Differences in seedling growth behaviour among species: Trait correlations across species, and trait shifts along nutrient compared to rainfall gradients. J Ecol 87(1):85–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Peter BR, Atkin OK, Lusk CH, Tjoelker MG, Westoby M (2006) Irradiance, temperature and rainfall influence leaf dark respiration in woody plants: evidence from comparisons across 20 sites. New Phytol 169:309–319

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu CY, Griffin KL (2006) Seasonal variation in the temperature response of leaf respiration in Quercus rubra: foliage respiration and leaf properties. Funct Ecol 20:778–789

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zar JH (1999) Biostatistical analysis, 4th edn. Prentice- Hall Inc., New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaragoza-Castells J, Sánchez-Gómez D, Valladares F, Hurry V, Atkin OK (2007) Does growth irradiance affect temperature dependence and thermal acclimation of leaf respiration? Insights from a Mediterranean tree with long-lived leaves. Plant Cell Environ 30:820–833

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Drs. V. Ochoa and X. Niell for their help with nitrogen analysis, to Dr. M. Coca for his help with site selection, to Dr. Calvo for her help in acorn collection, and to Dr. Villar for a critical examination of the manuscript. We also thank to the Laboratorio de la Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (Trigueros, Huelva) for the soil analysis.

Funding

Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (REN2003-09509-CO2-O2, CGL2010-19824); Junta de Andalucía (project P06-RNM02183).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, University Pablo Olavide, Carretera de Utrera, Km 1, 41013, Seville, Spain

    Raquel G. Laureano, Ana García-Nogales, José I. Seco, Jesús G. P. Rodríguez, Juan C. Linares, Feliciano Martínez & José Merino

Authors
  1. Raquel G. Laureano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ana García-Nogales
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. José I. Seco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jesús G. P. Rodríguez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Juan C. Linares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Feliciano Martínez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. José Merino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José Merino.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Laureano, R.G., García-Nogales, A., Seco, J.I. et al. Growth and maintenance costs of leaves and roots in two populations of Quercus ilex native to distinct substrates. Plant Soil 363, 87–99 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1296-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1296-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation