Water-use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination of Acacia ampliceps and Eucalyptus camaldulensis at different soil moisture regimes under semi-arid conditions

Abstract

Acacia ampliceps Maslin and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. were grown for one year in lysimeters at three soil moisture regimes: 100 % (well-watered), 75 % (medium-watered) and 50 % (low-watered) of total plant available water. Biomass yield of both species increased with increase in soil moisture. Water-use efficiency (WUE) of E. camaldulensis decreased and that of A. ampliceps increased markedly with decrease in available soil moisture. A. ampliceps showed 4 - 5 times more biomass yield than E. camaldulensis grown at similar soil moisture. A. ampliceps showed almost 5, 9 and 12 times higher WUE than E. camaldulensis under low-, medium- and well-watered treatments, respectively. Significant negative correlation of δ13C with WUE (r = -0.99) was observed in A. ampliceps. In contrast, δ13C of E. camaldulensis showed a significant positive correlation with WUE (r = 0.82).