Provenance variation of the leaf anatomical structures of Atractylodes chinensis and its response to the sandy environment in Horqin

Abstract

Abstract [Objective] To explore the response and adaptation of leaf functional traits of Atractylodes chinensis to Horqin sandy land. [Methods] Semi-wild A . chinensis. seeds from four seed sources were transplanted to the Chinese (Mongolian) medicinal herb research base in Naiman Banner through a homogeneous gardening experiment. The leaves of three-year-old A . chinensis were used as materials, to examine how A . chinensis's leaf structure and functional properties responded to and adapted to the sandy land of Horqin. [Results] The degree of leaf cleavage in the lower portion of the A . chinensis introduced from Zhalute Banner was evident. Additionally, the thickness of the upper and lower epidermal cells of the leaves of the A . chinensis introduced from Weichang County and Zhalute Banner were found to have significantly higher coefficients of variation and plasticity indices than those of the other seed source sites; additionally, their palisade/spongy ratios and the tightness of their tissues and structures were greater. The top layer of A . chinensis leaves from Arong Banner and Zhalute Banner sources had a greater number of stomata, whereas the upper layer of A . chinensis leaves from Harqin Banner had less stomata and a low stomatal density. A . chinensis leaves from the Zhalute Banner and Weichang County sources had a robust photosynthetic capacity, and the leaves from the Harqin Banner sources had a notably greater number of stomata in the lower epidermis than the leaves from the other three sources. [Conclusion] The results show that A . chinensis from Weichang County and Zhalute Banner are highly adaptable to the Horqin Sandy land.

Keywords

• atractylodes chinensis
• leaf morphology
• anatomical structure
• adaptation
• photosynthetic characteristics