Photosynthesis, transpiration, and water use efficiency in two divergentLeymus chinensis populations from Northeast China

摘要

The net photosynthetic rate (P-N), transpiration rate (E), and water use efficiency (WUE) of two divergent Leymus chinensis populations from the grassland region of Northeast China were compared. The two populations experienced the similar habitats, but differed in leaf colour, stomata numbers, and chlorophyll contents. The leaf P-N for the grey-green (GG) population was greater than that for the yellow-green (YG) population, while the leaf E for GG population was lower than that for the YG population. The greater WUE for the GG population suggests that this type is more able to maintain higher P-N under drought and is more fit for the rangeland use in this climate region.