Changes in photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Leymus chinensis community along the retrogression on the Songnen grassland in northeastern China

Abstract

Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, ratio of sub-stomatal to atmospheric CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency changed significantly and assimilation capacity dropped continuously along the salinization and alkalinization process in the afternoon. Assimilation capacity of L. chinensis leaf correlated negatively with the degree of salinization and alkalinization. The photosynthetic characteristics of L. chinensis determined its community formation. By changing the ratio of chlorophyll a/b in leaves and accumulating soluble saccharides in rhizome, L. chinensis could adapt to the saline-alkali condition. © 2006 Institute of Experimental Botany, ASCR.