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The Responses of Plant Leaf CO 2 /H 2 O Exchange and Water Use Efficiency to Drought: A Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jinmeng Zhang

    (International Institutes for Earth System Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
    Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Hong Jiang

    (International Institutes for Earth System Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
    Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
    Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, Zhejiang 311300, China)

  • Xinzhang Song

    (Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, Zhejiang 311300, China)

  • Jiaxin Jin

    (School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, No. 8 Fo cheng xi Road, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Xiuying Zhang

    (International Institutes for Earth System Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
    Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

Abstract

Persistent drought severely inhibits plant growth and productivity, which negatively affects terrestrial primary productivity worldwide. Therefore, it is important to investigate the impacts of drought on plant leaf CO 2 /H 2 O exchange and water use efficiency. This study assessed the responses of net photosynthesis ( Pn ), stomatal conductance ( Gs ), transpiration ( Tr ), and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) to drought based on a worldwide meta-analysis of 112 published studies. The results demonstrated that drought decreased Pn , Tr , and Gs significantly and differently among different moderators. C 4 plants had smaller Pn reduction than C 3 plants, which gives C 4 plants an advantage in Pn . But their WUE decreased under drought conditions, indicating a great flexibility in C 4 WUE. Annual herbs sacrificed WUE (−6.2%) to maintain efficient Pn . Perennial herbs took a different strategy in response to drought with an increased WUE (25.1%). Deciduous tree species displayed a greater increase in WUE than conifers and evergreen species. Additionally, Gs had a significant correlation with Pn and Tr , but an insignificant correlation with WUE, which could be because WUE is affected by other factors (e.g., air flow, CO 2 concentration, and relative humidity). These findings have significant implications for understanding the worldwide effects of drought on plant leaf CO 2 /H 2 O exchange and water use efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinmeng Zhang & Hong Jiang & Xinzhang Song & Jiaxin Jin & Xiuying Zhang, 2018. "The Responses of Plant Leaf CO 2 /H 2 O Exchange and Water Use Efficiency to Drought: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:2:p:551-:d:132617
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yu, Liuyang & Gao, Xiaodong & Zhao, Xining, 2020. "Global synthesis of the impact of droughts on crops’ water-use efficiency (WUE): Towards both high WUE and productivity," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    2. Agnieszka Ostrowska & Tomasz Hura, 2022. "Physiological Comparison of Wheat and Maize Seedlings Responses to Water Stresses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Chen, Die & Wei, Wei & Chen, Liding, 2020. "How can terracing impact on soil moisture variation in China? A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    4. Liangang Xiao & Minglei Ding & Chong Wei & Ruiming Zhu & Rongqin Zhao, 2020. "The Impacts of Conservation Agriculture on Water Use and Crop Production on the Loess Plateau: From Know-What to Know-Why," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-18, September.

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