Effects of waterlogging with different water resources on plant growth and tolerance capacity of four herbaceous flowers in a bioretention Basin
Journal
Water (Switzerland)
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
6
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
Extreme weather events have increased due to climate change. Bioretention basins can effectively alleviate urban flooding by short-term water retention. Reclaimed water (RW) is considered an alternative water resource during water shortages. In this study, the abilities for waterlogging tolerance of four herbaceous flowers (angelonia, narrow-leaf zinnia, celosia, and medallion flower) are investigated to screen suitable ornamental plants for bioretention basins, and the influence of RWon the plants is also evaluated. All plants were treated with 10 days of waterlogging (electrical conductivity (EC) of tap water = 110.0 μScm-1) followed by a seven-day recovery. Angelonia (Angelonia salicariifolia Humb. & Bonpl) was not affected by waterlogging and showed the best performance, judged from the ornamental quality, photosynthesis rate, and leaf malondialdehyde (MDA) among the tested flowers. Photosynthesis of the narrow-leaf zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia Kunth) decreased during waterlogging but soon recovered after being drained. Celosia (Celosia argentea L.) and medallion flower (Melampodium paludosum Kunth) were significantly affected by waterlogging and did not recover after drainage, in terms of responses to both external and physiological reactions. Moreover, waterlogging by the simulated RW(EC = 542.4 μScm-1) did not have negative impacts on angelonia and narrow-leaf zinnia, due to the reduced leaf malondialdehyde concentration of angelonia and retarded the decline in the net photosynthesis rate of narrow-leaf zinnia. Thus, RW could be used as an alternative irrigation water resource for bioretention basins during the dry season to maintain plant growth. © 2020 by the authors.
Subjects
Bioretention basins; Malondialdehyde; Reclaimed water; Waterlogging tolerance
Other Subjects
Aldehydes; Climate change; Irrigation; Photosynthesis; Physiological models; Plants (botany); Recovery; Water supply; Alternative irrigations; Alternative water resource; Bioretention basins; Electrical conductivity; Extreme weather events; Net photosynthesis rate; Photosynthesis rate; Physiological reactions; Water resources; aldehyde; concentration (composition); dry season; flooding; flower; growth rate; herb; irrigation; photosynthesis; water resource; waterlogging; Angelonia; Angelonia salicariifolia; Celosia; Celosia argentea; Melampodium; Zinnia; Zinnia angustifolia
Type
journal article