Responses of photosynthesis-related physiological and biochemical characteristics in two herbaceous plants to cement content in vegetation concrete matrix

Authors Wang Ji; Chen Fangqing; Tang Biao; Xu Jianxin; Wei Xin

Journal Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology , AUG 10 2021,:276

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113991 PubMed 33675914

Abstract The cement content in vegetation concrete matrix is the most important factor influencing slope stability and plant growth.We tested photosynthesis-related physiological and biochemical characteristics in two herbaceous species (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn and Elymus nutans Griseb),in the alpine and subalpine permafrost regions of southwestern China with different vegetation concrete matrices to determine their utility in concrete biotechnical slope (CBS) technology.The results showed that photosynthesis-related physiological and biochemical characteristics were significantly affected by the cement content of the matrix.With increasing cement content,the P_n of A.cristatum and E.nutans firstly increased and then decreased.The highest values appeared in 6% and 8% cement treatment groups,which were 1.45 times and 2.39 times that of the control group,respectively.Similar trends were found for C_s and C_i.Light energy utilization efficiency (LUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) decreased first and then decreased with the increase in cement content.A.cristatum had the largest in the 6% cement treatment group,which were 2.13 times and 1.45 times that of the control group,respectively;whereas E.nutans had the largest in the 8% cement treatment group,which were 2.39 times and 2.34 times of the control group,respectively.Chlorophyll,proline,and soluble sugar content also firstly increased and then decreased with increasing cement content.The analysis and comparison between the two herbaceous plant species indicated that the highest tolerated cement content for E.nutans and A.cristatum was 6%-10% and 4%-8%,respectively.The adaptation of E.nutans to cement is better than that of A.cristatum.In conclusion,A.cristatum and E.nutans are suitable candidates in the application of CBS for the ecological restoration of slopes in the alpine and subalpine permafrost regions of southwestern China.The appropriate cement content should be selected according to slope stability requirements.