DIVERSE STRATEGIES OF RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron sp.) GENOTYPES IN THE WATER SHORTAGE MANAGEMENT

Peter Ferus

Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia

Dominika Bošiaková

Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia; Department of Botany and Genetics, University of Constantine the Philosopher, Nábrežie mládeže 91, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia

Jana Konôpková

Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia

Peter Hoťka

Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia


Abstract

Rhododendrons in numerous gardens in Central Europe are frequently endangered by adverse summer drought periods associated with the climate change. Therefore, in this work drought-resistance strategies in recent genotypes of these highly aesthetic shrubs were investigated. Dehydrated Rhododendron groenlandicum ‘Helma’, R. obtusum ‘Michiko’ and R. hybridum ‘Polarnacht’ showed high initial stomatal conductances (gS), after few days steeply falling to the stable minimum at ca. 20, 85 and 70% leaf relative water content (RWC), respectively. Except of ‘Polarnacht’, they had relatively large specific leaf area and ‘Michiko’ also free proline accumulation. On the other hand, R. repens ‘Scarlet Wonder’ and R. hybridum ‘Red Jack’ started with half gS values, continuously declining 1.5–2 fold longer compared to the first group of genotypes (RWC of ca. 60 and 75%, respectively). Both produced relatively thick leaves but did not show any osmotic adjustment. Among observed drought-resistance strategies, lower and longer period active transpiration with stomata sensitive to the water loss, as found in R. repens ‘Scarlet Wonder’ and R. × hybridum ‘Red Jack’, were accepted as the most effective for drought-affected rhododendron plantations.

Keywords:

rhododendron, cultivars, stomatal conductivity, specific leaf area, osmotic adjustment

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Published
2020-06-29



Peter Ferus 
Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia
Dominika Bošiaková 
Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia; Department of Botany and Genetics, University of Constantine the Philosopher, Nábrežie mládeže 91, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia
Jana Konôpková 
Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia
Peter Hoťka 
Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vieska nad Žitavou 178, 95152 Slepčany, Slovakia



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