Effects of herbivory and defoliation on foliar phenolic compounds in Populus euphratica in the Ejina Oasis, InnerMongolia, China

摘要

Populus euphratica is the only tree species that survives and forms forests in the deserts of western China. It plays a major role in stabilizing the local ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the changes in levels of phenolic compounds in P. euphratica associated with herbivory, defoliation and soil moisture. The concentration of phenolic compounds in damaged leaves was significantly higher than in healthy leaves and was positively related to the extent of damage. Defoliation did not affect the concentration of phenolic compounds in regrowth leaves. The condensed tannin contents in healthy and damaged leaves were positively related to soil water content. These results suggested that P. euphratica uses the nutrients for regrowth and quickly induces the resistance in environment with scarce resources.