共查询到20条相似文献，搜索用时 751 毫秒
1.
From January 1999 to May 2001, we investigated seasonal variations in the photosynthetic capacity of Taiwan spruce (Picea morrisonicola Hay.) growing in the subalpine region of subtropical Taiwan (23 degrees 29' N, 120 degrees 53' E, 2600 m a.s.l.). Photosynthetic capacity (near light-saturated net photosynthetic rate, Pnsat, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and soluble protein concentration of needles all increased from mid or late spring to early winter. Even when minimum air temperature of the measuring day dropped to near 0 degrees C, Pnsat remained at about 20% of the highest value observed in winter. There was a curvilinear relationship between Fv/Fm and the minimum or mean air temperature of the measuring day. The increase in Fv/Fm with temperature was slowed when the daily mean air temperature was above 7 degrees C, or the minimum air temperature was above 3 degrees C; however, when air temperatures dropped below these values, Fv/Fm varied sharply. Seasonal variations in Pnsat paralleled those in Fv/Fm and needle soluble protein concentration. In early or mid spring when air temperature and Fv/Fm increased, Pnsat and soluble protein concentration remained low. Multiple regression analysis showed that seasonal variations in Pnsat were affected by Fv/Fm, air temperature and needle soluble protein concentration, and the multiple regression equation could be used to estimate Pnsat in different seasons. We conclude that the decrease in photosynthetic capacity of Taiwan spruce in winter and its subsequent recovery in spring were mainly caused by photoinhibition and its reversal, and changes in needle soluble protein concentration. Another possible explanation for the delayed recovery of photosynthetic capacity in spring may be associated with the slow increase in needle soluble protein concentration. 相似文献
2.
Susceptibility to low-temperature photoinhibition in three conifers differing in successional status 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
Robakowski P 《Tree physiology》2005,25(9):1151-1160
Susceptibility to photoinhibition of the evergreen conifers Abies alba Mill., Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Pinus mugo Turra was investigated in an unheated greenhouse during winter and spring 2003. Photosynthetic performance of the seedlings was assessed by chlorophyll a fluorescence and analyses of chlorophyll and total carotenoid concentrations in needles. During winter months, maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence, Fv/Fm) was significantly greater in A. alba than in P. abies and P. mugo. Abies alba also sustained higher maximum apparent electron transport rate (ETRmax) than P. abies and P. mugo. Total concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoids in needles decreased during the winter in P. mugo and P. abies, but remained stable in A. alba. For all species, Fv/Fm decreased from December until February and then increased to a maximum in April. Photoinhibition was greatest (Fv/Fm < 0.80) in all seedlings in February, the month with the lowest mean temperature. Saturating photosynthetic photon flux (PPFsat) and ETRmax were positively related to air temperature. All species had lower values of ETRmax and PPFsat in winter than in spring. Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) was highest at low air temperatures. Differences among species in susceptibility to winter photoinhibition resulted from their specific light preferences and led to different mechanisms to cope with photoinhibitory stress. The more shade-tolerant A. alba sustained a higher photosynthetic capacity in winter than P. abies and P. mugo. Winter photoinhibition in P. abies, P. mugo and, to a lesser extent, in A. alba may reflect adaptive photoprotection of the photosynthetic apparatus in winter. 相似文献
3.
Sveshnikov D Ensminger I Ivanov AG Campbell D Lloyd J Funk C Hüner NP Oquist G 《Tree physiology》2006,26(3):325-336
We studied the influence of two irradiances on cold acclimation and recovery of photosynthesis in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings to assess mechanisms for quenching the excess energy captured by the photosynthetic apparatus. A shift in temperature from 20 to 5 degrees C caused a greater decrease in photosynthetic activity, measured by chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen evolution, in plants exposed to moderate light (350 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) than in shaded plants (50 micromol m(-2) s(-1)). In response to the temperature shift, maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII), measured as the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of dark-adapted samples, decreased to 70% in exposed seedlings, whereas shaded seedlings maintained Fv/Fm close to initial values. After a further temperature decrease to -5 degrees C, only 8% of initial Fv/Fm remained in exposed plants, whereas shaded plants retained 40% of initial Fv/Fm. Seven days after transfer from -5 to 20 degrees C, recovery of photochemical efficiency was more complete in the shaded plants than in the exposed plants (87 and 65% of the initial Fv/Fm value, respectively). In response to cold stress, the estimated functional absorption cross section per remaining PSII reaction center increased at both irradiances, but the increase was more pronounced in exposed seedlings. Estimates of energy partitioning in the needles showed a much higher dissipative component in the exposed seedlings at low temperatures, pointing to stronger development of non-photochemical quenching at moderate irradiances. The de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pigments increased in exposed seedlings at 5 degrees C, contributing to the quenching capacity, whereas significant de-epoxidation in the shaded plants was observed only when temperatures decreased to -5 degrees C. Thermoluminescence (TL) measurements of PSII revealed that charge recombinations between the second oxidation state of Mn-cluster S2 and the semireduced secondary electron acceptor quinone Q(B)- (S2Q(B)-) were shifted to lower temperatures in cold-acclimated seedlings compared with control seedlings and this effect depended on irradiance. Concomitant with this, cold-acclimated seedlings demonstrated a significant shift in the S2 recombination with primary acceptor Q(A)- (S2Q(A)-) characteristic TL emission peak to higher temperatures, thus narrowing the redox potential gap between S2Q(B)- and S2Q(A)-, which might result in increased probability for non-radiative radical pair recombination between the PSII reaction center chlorophyll a (P680+) and Q(A)- (P680+)Q(A)-) (reaction center quenching) in cold-acclimated seedlings. In Scots pine seedlings, mechanisms of quenching excess light energy in winter therefore involve light-dependent regulation of reaction center content and both reaction center-based and antenna-based quenching of excess light energy, enabling them to withstand high excitation pressure under northern winter conditions. 相似文献
4.
We examined the adjustment of leaf angle (L theta) and foliar chlorophyll and xanthophyll chemistry in Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden seedlings maintained in various nitrogen (N)-supply treatments over a 6-month period. Adjustment of L theta toward the vertical was greatest under conditions of foliar N deficiency and became incrementally more horizontal with increasing foliar N concentration. Photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and quantum yield were lower in seedlings with low foliar N (low-N seedlings) in winter, but not in autumn. Low-N seedlings generally had low area-based chlorophyll concentrations and high xanthophyll-cycle conversion ratios, particularly during months of low temperature. Under mild temperature conditions, high concentrations of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin were associated with lower electron transport rates (ETR). Incident light, Fv/Fm, ETR and total chlorophyll concentration were negatively correlated with L theta, with horizontal leaf orientation measured as 0 degrees and vertical leaf orientation as 90 degrees . Xanthophyll conversion ratio was positively correlated with L theta. Adjustments in L theta may play a role in photoprotection of E. nitens seedlings by assisting the leaf to balance its utilization and dissipation of energy. 相似文献
5.
Photoinhibition was examined in four co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen tree species during two consecutive winters. In response to low temperatures and saturating light, Juniperus phoenicea L., Pinus halepensis Mill., Quercus coccifera L. and Q. ilex ssp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. exhibited marked chronic photoinhibition, indicated by low predawn maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm). Low Fv/Fm values were correlated with high concentrations of xanthophyll cycle components (VAZ) and with the maintenance of high concentrations of zeaxanthin overnight (DPSpd). In all species, however, chronic photoinhibition was enhanced as the winter progressed in the absence of changes in DPSpd, suggesting cumulative damage toward the end of winter. Photoinhibition differed among species: P. halepensis always displayed significantly higher Fv/Fm values; and Q. coccifera had the lowest Fv/Fm values, showing a high sensitivity to the combination of high light and low temperatures. Differences among species were not fully explained by differences in the xanthophyll pool or its de-epoxidation state. Chronic photoinhibition overlapped with a dynamic photoinhibition as shown by the low values of photochemical efficiency of the open reaction centers of PSII at midday. Winter photoprotective strategies differed among species and may involve photoprotective mechanisms in addition to those associated with xanthophylls. The observed species-specific differences matched results obtained for the same species in summer; however, comparison of the two seasons suggests that the higher VAZ concentration observed in winter has an additional structural photoprotective role. 相似文献
6.
Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) are genetically and morphologically similar but ecologically distinct species. We determined intraspecific seed-source and interspecific variation of red spruce and black spruce, from across the near-northern margins of their ranges, for several light-energy processing and freezing-tolerance adaptive traits. Before exposure to low temperature, red spruce had variable fluorescence (Fv) similar to black spruce, but higher photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), lower quantum yield, lower chlorophyll fluorescence (%), and higher thermal dissipation efficiency (qN), although the seed-source effect and the seed-source x species interaction were significant only for Fv/Fm. After low-temperature exposure (-40 degrees C), red spruce had significantly lower Fv/Fm, quantum yield and qN than black spruce, but higher chlorophyll fluorescence and relative fluorescence. Species, seed-source effect, and seed-source x species interaction were consistent with predictions based on genetic (e.g., geographic) origins. Multi-temperature exposures (5, -20 and -40 degrees C) often produced significant species and temperature effects, and species x temperature interactions as a result of species-specific responses to temperature exposures. The inherent physiological species-specific adaptations of red spruce and black spruce were largely consistent with a shade-tolerant, late-successional species and an early successional species, respectively. Species differences in physiological adaptations conform to a biological trade-off, probably as a result of natural selection pressure in response to light availability and prevailing temperature gradients. 相似文献
7.
以巨尾桉(Eucalyptus grandis×Eucalyptus urophylla)为试验材料,研究不同浓度水杨酸(SA)诱导桉树对焦枯病抗性与叶绿素荧光参数的关系。结果表明,SA能降低Fo值,提高Fm、Fv值,表现为先上升后下降的变化趋势。SA处理的桉树叶片Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm值,第3天达到最大值,说明SA 1～3 mmol.L-1处理的抗焦枯病的持久期为3 d。SA 1 mmol.L-1处理的桉树叶片Fo值最小,Fm、Fv、Fv/Fo和Fv/Fm值最高;说明SA 1mmol.L-1处理的效果最好,能有效地减轻光合机构的损伤,一定程度上抑制焦枯病菌的侵害。 相似文献
8.
通过田间试验,以国内不同产区的9个种源的香椿1年生实生苗为试验材料,对芽菜品质进行了分析比较,测定了芽菜采摘后不同种源香椿苗木的光合特性指标。试验结果表明:(1)不同种源香椿芽菜的感官品质、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、Vc含量存在极显著差异,游离氨基酸含量存在显著差异,济南、成都和泰安种源的芽菜品质较佳。(2)不同种源香椿的净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间CO2浓度和Fv/Fm存在极显著差异,叶绿素相对浓度存在显著差异,泰安、济南、栾川、旬阳4个种源的香椿生长速度最快;(3)芽菜采摘时的一些品质指标与芽菜采摘后植株的光合特性指标存在一定的相关关系,不同种源香椿芽菜的感官品质与Vc含量、采摘后植株叶片的Fv/Fm存在显著的负相关关系,可溶性蛋白质含量与采摘后植株叶片的叶绿素浓度存在显著的正相关关系,游离氨基酸含量与采摘后植株叶片的Ci存在显著的负相关关系。 相似文献
9.
Effects of chilling-dependent photoinhibition on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, growth and nutrition of Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden seedlings were assessed for 70 weeks after transplanting 9-month-old seedlings in early winter. One month before transplanting, the seedlings were assigned to fertilized or nutrient-deprived treatments. Immediately after transplanting, half the seedlings in each nutrient treatment were placed in shadecloth tree shelters. The experimental site was at an altitude of 700 m, which is considered marginal for the establishment of E. nitens plantations in Tasmania because of low mean annual minimum temperatures. Overnight frosts followed by sunny morning conditions in the first 20 weeks after transplanting (early June to early October) caused severe photoinhibition. Predawn maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and maximum net photosynthesis (Amax) were depressed in nutrient-deprived seedlings compared with fertilized seedlings, although shading partially alleviated this difference. Neither Fv/Fm nor Amax recovered to values observed before transplanting until > 20 weeks after transplanting. During this period, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was high in seedlings in all treatments, although NPQ was lower in shaded, fertilized seedlings than in seedlings in the other treatments. Total foliar nitrogen (N) concentration increased up to 42 weeks after transplanting in the nutrient-deprived seedlings in parallel with increasing relative growth rate (RGR). Fractionation of N- and phosphorus (P)-containing compounds indicated that differences in protein N accounted for the treatment differences in total seedling N. Nucleic acid P increased and inorganic P decreased during growth periods, although total seedling P remained constant. Among treated seedlings, height growth was greatest in shaded seedlings: this was probably a result of apical dominance effects because RGR was higher in unshaded seedlings than in shaded seedlings. Thus, the shade treatment alleviated chilling-dependent photoinhibition and maximized growth during winter, but limited growth during warmer periods and therefore overall growth. 相似文献
10.
To assess the role of solar warming and associated temperature fluctuations in the winter injury of sun-exposed red spruce foliage, we used fine wire thermocouples to monitor midwinter needle temperature in the upper canopy of mature red spruce trees over two winters. In 1989-1990, 15-min mean temperatures were recorded for six needles in a single tree. In 1990-1991, 10-min mean temperatures of six needles in one tree, and 1-min mean temperatures of seven needles in a second tree were recorded during rapid temperature changes. Warming was more frequent and greatest on terminal shoots of branches with a south to southwest aspect. The maximum rise above ambient air temperature exceeded 20 degrees C, and the maximum one minute decrease in temperature was 9 degrees C, with maximum rates of 0.8 and 0.6 degrees C min(-1) sustained over 10- and 15-min intervals, respectively. These data demonstrate that red spruce is subject to rapid temperature fluctuations similar to those known to produce visible injury in American aborvitae, a much hardier species. We concluded that solar warming to temperatures above the freezing point was unlikely to result in dehardening and subsequent freezing injury, because warming was infrequent, of short duration, and did not always raise needle temperature above the freezing point. Parts of branches and some individual shoots were frequently covered by snow or rime that may have prevented injury by reducing the frequency or intensity of needle temperature fluctuations. Radiation load on exposed shoots may have been increased by reflection of short wave radiation from snow and rime deposits on surrounding surfaces, which would exacerbate temperature fluctuations. 相似文献
11.
水分和热胁迫处理对三个针叶树种苗木叶绿素荧光的影响 总被引：7，自引：0，他引：7
本文测定了三个周期水分和热胁迫处理对杉木、马尾松和北美乔柏苗木叶绿素荧光的影响。结果表明：三个树种的可变荧光与最大荧光之比值(Fv／Fm)对水分胁迫的反应不同。水分胁迫处理后北美乔柏的(Fv／Fm)值大大降低，而杉木的(Fv／Fm)值只有轻微下降，马尾松的(Fv／Fm)值则没有显著变化。实验结果还表明：热胁迫处理对三个树种的(Fv，Fm)值都有显著影响。就三个水分和热胁迫周期而言，研究发现：在每个水分和热胁迫周期结束时测定的杉木和马尾松(Fv／Fm)值没有显著差异。但随着胁迫时间的延长，北美乔柏的(Fv／Fm)值显著下降。图4表4参20。 相似文献
12.
Repo T Kalliokoski T Domisch T Lehto T Mannerkoski H Sutinen S Finér L 《Tree physiology》2005,25(8):1053-1062
Effects of the timing of soil thawing in the spring on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Sixteen 6-year-old saplings were lifted from the field, replanted in containers and placed in four treatments in controlled environment (CE) chambers with four replicate saplings per chamber. The saplings were held in the CE chambers during one simulated winter and one simulated growing season. The soil was frozen to -2 degrees C during a second simulated winter in the CE chambers, and the soil thawing treatments began at the end of the second simulated winter. Soil thawing began at various times before (no delay in thawing) and after (delay in thawing) chamber air conditions were changed from simulated winter to simulated summer. Delayed soil thawing subjected saplings to stress, with the severity of stress depending on the length of the delay in thawing. If there was no delay or only a short delay in soil thawing, stress was minor and reversible. A 2-week delay in soil thawing led to death of the saplings. Stress was apparent as decreases in the variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll a/b ratio and needle water potential. In needles of stressed saplings, apoplastic electrical resistance first decreased and then increased and there were anomalies in the electrical impedance spectra of the stems. Stress from the soil thawing treatments affected both root and shoot growth. 相似文献
13.
We explored environmental and genetic factors affecting seasonal dynamics of starch and soluble nonstructural carbohydrates in needle and twig cohorts and roots of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees of six populations originating between 49 degrees and 60 degrees N, and grown under common garden conditions in western Poland. Trees of each population were sampled once or twice per month over a 3-year period from age 15 to 17 years. Based on similarity in starch concentration patterns in needles, two distinct groups of populations were identified; one comprised northern populations from Sweden and Russia (59-60 degrees N), and another comprised central European populations from Latvia, Poland, Germany and France (49-56 degrees N). Needle starch concentrations of northern populations started to decline in late spring and reached minimum values earlier than those of central populations. For all populations, starch accumulation in spring started when minimum air temperature permanently exceeded 0 degrees C. Starch accumulation peaked before bud break and was highest in 1-year-old needles, averaging 9-13% of dry mass. Soluble carbohydrate concentrations were lowest in spring and summer and highest in autumn and winter. There were no differences among populations in seasonal pattern of soluble carbohydrate concentrations. Averaged across all populations, needle soluble carbohydrate concentrations increased from about 4% of needle dry mass in developing current-year needles, to about 9% in 1- and 2-year-old needles. Root carbohydrate concentration exhibited a bimodal pattern with peaks in spring and autumn. Northern populations had higher concentrations of fine-root starch in spring and autumn than central populations. Late-summer carbohydrate accumulation in roots started only after depletion of starch in needles and woody shoots. We conclude that Scots pine carbohydrate dynamics depend partially on inherited properties that are probably related to phenology of root and shoot growth. 相似文献
14.
Carbon exchange of an old-growth eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) forest in central New England 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
Carbon (C) exchange of an approximately 200-year-old eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis L.) forest in central Massachusetts, USA, was estimated from mid-October 2000 through October 2001 based on eddy covariance measurements and statistical modeling from microclimatic data. Measurements were made in 68% of the hours during the year of study, with > 50% coverage in all months except December and August. Data were filtered by wind direction and atmospheric turbulence to remove invalid measurements. Analysis of filtered data showed that photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was significant in predicting C exchange, except during the winter. Daily minimum air temperature affected C exchange in autumn and winter, whereas time of day, water vapor pressure deficit and air temperature had significant effects on C storage in spring, summer and fall. Most C storage in the stand occurred in April through July and in October 2001, with maximum rates in April and May. Persistent cold weather prevented C storage in December through March. In early spring 2001, C uptake was sensitive to nocturnal frost: daily minimum air temperatures below 0 degrees C reduced C fixation, and minima below -5 degrees C caused its virtual cessation. Soil temperature was a poor predictor of C balance during this period. In August, high soil and air temperatures (averaging 16.7 and 21.1 degrees C, respectively) drove high ecosystem respiration, which approximately balanced C uptake. These patterns show potential for stimulated C storage in hemlock forests in a warmer climate with fewer spring and autumn frosts, but reduced C storage during warmer summers. Estimated annual C storage was 3.0 Mg ha(-1), which is higher than for younger coniferous and deciduous forests during earlier years in the northeastern USA. Long-term data are needed to determine if the estimated high C storage in this hemlock forest is a result of interannual climate variation or an effect of forest composition. 相似文献
15.
16.
高温对曼地亚红豆杉叶绿素荧光参数的影响 总被引：3，自引：1，他引：2
以曼地亚红豆杉(Taxus mediacv.DGS)为材料,通过测定高温胁迫下曼地亚红豆杉叶绿素荧光参数的变化,探讨高温对曼地亚红豆杉光合作用的抑制机制。结果表明,高温胁迫下,Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm、Fv’/Fm’、qP以及ΦPSⅡ和ETR都有所下降,qN以及D和E都逐渐上升。高温抑制光合作用的原因之一是导致PSⅡ反应中心活性下降,光化学电子传递速率降低,另外,高温还影响了PSⅠ和PSⅡ的激发能分配平衡。 相似文献
17.
以加勒比松(Pinus caribaea)16个种源、湿地松(P.elliottii)4个种源2.5 a生营养袋苗木为材料,定期开展生长调查,于2016年7—8月、2017年2月开展叶绿素荧光参数的测定,分析加勒比松、湿地松针叶叶绿素荧光参数对树种、种源、不同测量时间的响应.结果表明,不同种源加勒比松/湿地松的株高、地径生长均存在显著差异(P<0.01);测量时间与树种对最大PSⅡ的光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)有显著影响(P<0.01),二者互作效应不显著,与7、8月相比,测量值均在第2年2月显著提高;两个树种的实际量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭(qP)与表观量子传递速率(ETR)对测量时间的响应模式相反;加勒比松与湿地松叶绿素荧光参数受种源影响不显著;相关性分析表明,加勒比松与湿地松的株高和地径生长与2月Fv/Fm、PSⅡ有效光化学效率(Fv′/Fm′)测量值呈一定的负相关关系;高光强抑制了湿地松、加勒比松的叶绿素荧光参数,但抑制效果与生长无明显相关关系;低温造成的胁迫主要抑制了加勒比松的光化学反应,并与其生长表现有一定的负相关关系.可考虑将2月份测量的叶绿素荧光参数作为加勒比松耐寒个体的筛选指标. 相似文献
18.
5种红山茶叶绿素荧光特性的比较研究 总被引：34，自引：3，他引：34
在大四条件下，通过对五种红山茶的叶绿素荧光特性研究，结果表明，不同亚组、同一亚组不同系之间的叶绿素荧光参数值存在差异．且亚组间大于亚组内。初始荧光(FO)、最大荧光(Fm)、RSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv／Fm)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Yield／ΦPSⅡ)、表观电子传递速率(ETR)的日变化与光强有关．其中，Fm、Fv／Fm、Yield随光强的变化呈相同的变化趋势，呈单谷曲线；而ETR则相反呈单峰曲线；FO呈双峰曲线。不同树种的荧光参数日变化幅度存在差异。 相似文献
19.
通过分析离体叶片保水力大小、荧光参数随胁迫程度加深的变化及荧光参数与水分参数的相关性，探讨了毛白杨、华山松等华北地区主要造林树种离体枝叶叶绿素荧光参数随不同干旱胁迫程度的变化，主要结论如下：（1）针叶树种保水力普遍较阔叶树种强，各树种保水机制具有较大差异；（2）失水时间对荧光参数的变化具有显著影响，失水过程中，5种针叶树种荧光参数Fv／Fm、Fm／Fo与失水率均呈明显的线性关系，不同的是，参数Fv／Fm的变化曲线呈“凸”状，Fm／Fo的变化曲线呈倒“S”状；（3）不同胁迫程度时，树种荧光参数与水分参数的相关性具有明显差异，程度愈深，相关性愈显著；（4）荧光参数能对树种抗旱性给予定性的描述，但作为定量度量指标则表现出一定的局限性。 相似文献
20.
It has been proposed that pollutants predispose Picea rubens Sarg. growing in the high Appalachians to frost damage. The pattern of autumn hardening of P. rubens growing at Whiteface Mountain, NY, and Newfound Gap, NC, was monitored by detaching shoots at 1-3 weekly intervals, air freighting them to Scotland, and freeze-testing them. The temperatures that produced freezing injury from August 1986 to January 1987 were compared with minimum air temperatures recorded in those months at nearby meteorological stations over 22 previous years. There was only weak evidence that the onset or degree of frost hardening was inadequate to protect the trees from direct freezing injury (as opposed to winter desiccation). Historically, minimum air temperatures occasionally fell below the lethal temperature for a 10% kill (LT(10)), but they rarely fell below the LT(50). The trees hardened rapidly in the autumn (max. 2.2 degrees C day(-1)) to between -30 degrees C and -40 degrees C by January (LT(50)), including trees showing visible decline on Clingman's Dome, TN. Individual trees differed in hardiness by up to 10 degrees C. It is concluded that any pollutant-induced susceptibility to freezing injury is insufficient, on its own, to account for forest decline in the Appalachians. 相似文献