Characterization of photosynthesis of Populus euphratica grown in the arid region

Net photosynthetic rate (P N), stomatal conductance (g s), intercellular CO2 concentration (C i), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal limitation (Ls) of Populus euphratica grown at different groundwater depths in the arid region were measured. g s of the trees with groundwater depth at 4.74 m (D4) and 5.82 m (D5) were lower and a little higher than that at 3.82 m (D3), respectively. Compared with C i and Ls of the D3 trees, C i decreased and Ls increased at 4.74 m, however, Ci increased and Ls decreased at D5. Hence photosynthetic reduction of P. euphratica was attributed to either stomatal closure or non-stomatal factors depending on the groundwater depths in the plant locations. P N of the D3 trees was significantly higher than those at D4 or D5. The trees of D4 and D5 did not show a significant difference in their P N, indicating that there are mechanisms of P. euphratica tolerance to mild and moderate drought stress.