蒜头果幼苗衰退过程中组织养分含量变化特征

Dynamics of tissue nutrient content in relation to declining seedling growth in Malania oleifera

关键词:  根部半寄生植物, 大量矿质元素, 淀粉, 组织切片染色, 幼苗活力, 珍稀特有植物研究

Key words:  root hemiparasitic plant, macromineral elements, starch, staining of tissue sections, growth vigor of seedlings, study of rare and endemic plants

摘要:

在没有寄主植物存在的情况下,蒜头果幼苗长势随独立生长时间延长而逐渐衰退是一种普遍现象。为解析蒜头果幼苗衰退过程中组织养分含量变化和分布特征,该研究比较了独立生长半年、两年和三年的蒜头果植株各部分组织中N、P、K元素浓度变化,并用组织切片染色法定性评估了这些不同衰退程度幼苗的根和茎杆中淀粉分布和含量变化。结果表明:(1)蒜头果幼苗在衰退过程中,除侧根中K浓度逐渐升高外,其余器官中组织N、P、K浓度逐渐降低,叶片N/P比逐渐失衡,衰退程度不同的幼苗所受的养分胁迫类型存在差异,其中独立生长半年的蒜头果幼苗主要受N供应不足的限制(平均N/P比11.33),两年后转为P限制(平均N/P比17.81),三年后蒜头果幼苗叶片N/P比严重失衡(均值52.46),活力极低,不适合用于造林。(2)植株淀粉含量水平逐渐降低,独立生长三年后蒜头果幼苗植株中淀粉消耗殆尽。幼苗茎根交界处、根顶膨大处、主根及侧根的淀粉含量水平在不同衰退程度的幼苗间差异均较显著,表明淀粉含量水平可以作为评估幼苗活力的重要参考,其中侧根可以作为微创法检测幼苗活力的理想取样部位。鉴于独立生长的蒜头果幼苗活力逐渐衰退与组织养分含量降低有关,在蒜头果育苗过程中应合理补给矿质元素、配植优良寄主植物并尽早移栽,以免因幼苗活力衰退而导致造林成活率降低。该研究结果为寻找评估蒜头果幼苗活力的方法提供了理论参考和技术借鉴,并为育苗过程中合理施肥提供了科学指导。

Abstract:

The decline in seedling growth of Malania oleifera as the age increases is often observed in the absence of host plants. A better knowledge of nutrient dynamics in terms of concentration and distribution patterns in different parts of the declining seedlings, the concentrations of N, P, and K were comparatively analyzed in various organs of unattached M. oleifera seedlings grown for half a year, two years, and three years. Additionally, the starch content and distribution patterns in the roots and stems of seedlings with different vigor levels were qualitatively assessed by staining cross-sections. The results were as follows:(1)As the growth vigor of M. oleifera seedlings declined, the concentrations of N, P, and K in most organs decreased, except for a significant increase in K concentration in lateral roots. The leaf N/P ratios of the declining seedlings became increasingly imbalanced, indicating different nutrient deficiency types among the seedlings with varying decline degrees. Unattached M. oleifera seedlings grown for half a year were primarily limited by insufficient N supply(with an average N/P ratio of 11.33)and subsequently by P limitation after two years(average N/P ratio 17.81). The leaf N/P ratio of unattached M. oleifera seedlings grown for three years was remarkably imbalanced(with an average value of 52.46). As the growth vigor of unattached three-year seedlings was considerably low, they are deemed unsuitable for afforestation.(2)A decrease in starch content was observed in declining seedlings, as evidenced by the reduced staining intensity of cross-sections. After three years, the starch content of unattached M. oleifera seedlings was found to have decreased to an extremely low level. Significant differences in starch content were observed at various locations, including the connecting point of the stems and roots, the basal swelling top of the root, the main root, and lateral roots, among seedlings with different degrees of decline. These findings suggested that starch content levels could serve as crucial criteria for evaluating the growth vigor of seedlings. Specifically, lateral roots were identified as optimal sampling materials for assessing seedling growth vigor through a minimally invasive method. Given the gradual decline in vitality and decreased nutrient content observed in M. oleifera seedlings grown in the absence of a host plant, it is recommended, during the propagation phase, to ensure adequate mineral nutrient supplementation, select appropriate host plants for cultivation, and facilitate early-stage transplantation. This proactive approach serves to mitigate a potential decline in survival rates during afforestation, attributed to the reduced vitality of the seedlings. The results of this study provide valuable information for evaluating seedling growth vigor and offer scientific guidance for rational fertilization in M. oleifera nurseries.