PJB-2024-67
Intraspecific leaf trait variations in Himalayan shrub Rubus ellipticus L. along soil gradient
KHAWAJA SHAFIQUE AHMAD
Abstract
Understanding the impact of edaphic factors on leaf functional traits is crucial to predict how plants will react to global climate change and still a wide gap of knowledge exist on how leaf traits respond to the soil factors in changing climate. In this study, we analyzed the response of leaf functional traits in Himalayan Rubus ellipticus to soil factors by using multiple linear mixed effect model and generalized additive mixed model for each response variable. Results showed that plant height increased with Ca. Leaf area increased with pH and TN but declined with K. Leaf fresh weight significantly decreased with K and EC. Leaf dry weights significantly decreased together with K. Leaf thickness significantly decline with TOC. Sclerenchyma thickness enhanced together with TOC and EC. Metaxylem vessel area significantly decrease with TN. Stomatal density declined with Ca but increased with TN. Trichome density was significantly enhanced together with TOC. Proline increased together by pH and EC. Total soluble sugars increased together with pH and Ca, and TN. Total chlorophyll enhanced together by pH, Ec and TOC declined together with K and TN Carotenoid content significantly declined with K while increased together with pH. Correlation between leaf traits was not consistent. Strong positive correlation was found between anatomical traits except stomatal density. In physiological traits, strong positive correlation was observed between proline and total soluble sugars. Principle component analysis showed 37.42% and 23.48% of total variation for economic traits, 41.23% and 29.83% total variation for anatomical traits and 36.96% and 25.92% total variation for physiological traits along both axes respectively. The study suggests that high variance in different sets of leaf functional traits in Rubus elipticus differ greatly in adaptability to soil conditions and decoupling of leaf functional traits suggests that plant traits can vary self-sufficiently for more possible plant trait assemblages.
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