Sap flow and growth response of Norway spruce under long-term partial rainfall exclusion at low altitude

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1089706
• Publication Date: 2023-02-14T18:17:45Z
• Authors: Ina Zavadilová; Justyna Szatniewska; Peter Petrík; Oldřich Mauer; Radek Pokorný; Marko Stojanović
• Keywords: Growing season

Under ongoing climate change, more frequent and severe drought periods accompanied by heat waves are expected in the future. these conditions, tree's survival is conditioned fast recovery of functions after release. Therefore, presented study, we evaluated effect long-term water reduction soil on tree use growth dynamics Norway spruce.The experiment was conducted two young spruce plots located suboptimal sites at a low altitude 440 m a.s.l. In first plot (PE), 25% precipitation throughfall excluded since 2007, second one represented control treatment with ambient conditions (PC). Tree sap flow, stem radial increment, deficit were monitored consecutive growing seasons: 2015-2016, contrasting hydro-climatic conditions.Trees both treatments showed relatively isohydric behavior reflected strong flow under exceptional 2015. Nevertheless, trees from PE reduced faster than PC decreasing potential, exhibiting stomatal response. This led to significantly lower PE, compared The maximal rates also for treatment, PC. Both experienced minimal during 2015 subsequent humid year 2016. However, did not differ increments within respective years.Precipitation exclusion therefore, loss adjustment, but affect response intense drought.