Abstract
Effects of sand burial on growth, osmotic adjustment and Fv/Fm ratio and δ13C in leaves were investigated in Simon poplar (Populus simonii Carr.) saplings planted in Kubuqi desert,Inner Mongolia, China, in August, 2013.Tree heights and annual ring widths in the saplings were rapidly increased as the increase in the depth of sand burial. In leaves of sand-buried saplings on dune slopes, high amounts of accumulated osmolytes including mannitol, a sugar alcohol, and three kinds of betainesas β-alanine betaine, glycine betaine and γ-butylobetaine were detected, suggesting water stress environment on the dune slopes. These results indicate that sand burial enhances growth and development of Simon poplar saplings planted in sand-moving deserts. This species has high ability to accumulate osmolytes to adapt to water stress environment on dune slopes.
