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Beating cold by being tough: impact of elevation on leaf characteristics in Phleum himalaicum Mez. endemic to Himalaya

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Abstract

Effect of altitude on leaf responses in Phleum himalaicum populations was evaluated at three different elevation levels, viz. (Low 1200 m.a.s.l.), middle (1600 m a.s.l.) and high (1900 m a.s.l.) in western part of Himalaya. We hypothesized that physico-chemical properties of soil varied along elevation and Phleum populations located at high elevation would adapt more distinct morphological and physiological traits than those originating from middle and low elevation sites. Our study revealed that soil pH, Ec Mg, Ca, and P decreased at high elevation however, significant increase was recorded in soil K, organic matter, and total nitrogen along the elevation gradient. A significant correlation between leaf characteristics and elevation sites was recorded along the gradient. The outcomes of this study showed that highland population had better adjustments under low temperature and exhibited adaptive traits. These were, decreased number of leaves and leaf area, increased leaf blade thickness, intensive sclerification, and greater stomatal and trichome density. Apart from these, high elevation population had more physiological adjustment in terms of low stomatal conductance, low transpiration rate, high water use efficiency, and synthesis of more osmolytes in leaf. We argued that certain level of sugar and protein must be attained by high population to dodge the aggressive climatic forces in order to grow successfully at the highest elevation. Furthermore, altitude between 1600 and 1900 m was more likely an optimum zone for vigorous growth of P. himalaicum at the highest level of elevation.

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Acknowledgements

The project is not funded by any organization. We are thankful to editor of the Acta Physiologiae Plantarum and anonymous reviewers who spare their precious time to make our work more comprehensive and valuable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, 12350, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

    Khawaja Shafique Ahmad

  2. Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

    Mansoor Hameed, Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad & Sana Fatima

  3. Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, 12350, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

    Abdul Hamid

  4. Department of Agronomy, MNS, University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

    Fahim Nawaz

  5. Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    Bushra Hafeez Kiani

  6. School of Geography and Tourism, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, 550018, China

    Jiabin Deng

  7. Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, 12350, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

    Imtiaz Hussain

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  1. Khawaja Shafique Ahmad
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Ahmad, K.S., Hameed, M., Hamid, A. et al. Beating cold by being tough: impact of elevation on leaf characteristics in Phleum himalaicum Mez. endemic to Himalaya. Acta Physiol Plant 40, 56 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-018-2637-4

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