Photosynthesis, water and nitrogen use efficiencies of four paper birch (Betula papyrifera) populations grown under different soil moisture and nutrient regimes

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine how four populations of paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), adapted to particular temperature, water and photoperiod regimes responded physiologically to different soil water and nutrient regimes. Seedlings of each of the four populations (Eaglet, LeeCreek, Porcupine and Skeena) from British Columbia were planted in pots and subjected to high and low water and nitrogen regimes for 4 months. Net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (g(s)), water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were measured and compared among treatments. Trade-offs between WUE and NUE were examined. Soil moisture was the major factor affecting A for all the populations. All populations showed relatively high A in the high-water and high-nitrogen (HWHN) treatment, ranging from 8.5 to 9.9 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1). Photosynthesis of trees in the low-water and high-nitrogen (LWHN) treatment was about 45% of that in the HWHN treatment. There was a linear increase in A as g(s) increased in all populations. A decreased with increasing vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The populations demonstrated significantly different relationships between A and g(s), and VPD, with the LeeCreek population being the most conservative. This may provide a physiological basis for provenance selection and seed transfer. Eaglet and LeeCreek populations had lower WUE at the same level of NUE compared with Porcupine and Skeena populations. Porcupine and Skeena populations may be more suitable for moist sites due to their greater capacity to sequester water quickly, while the LeeCreek and Eaglet populations may be more suitable for drier interior sites where long drought periods can occur. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.