Growth of provenances of Cryptocarya alba during water stress and after re–watering in the nursery

ABSTRACT: Intensification of drought in Mediterranean–type climates has limited seedling establishment. The knowledge the ecology selected species and its intraspecific variation to water stress at stage should be considered order overcome limitations. We investigated variations growth, survival, leaf–level physiology four provenances endemic Cryptocarya alba (Mol.) during after re–watering. Seedlings were cultured nursery 23 months then subjected two watering treatments based on soil content (well–watered restriction, 0.38 0.17 cm3 cm−3, respectively) for 45 days. At end treatments, above– belowground biomass, leaf gas exchange measured. Right surviving seedlings submitted a recovery period 21 days, which all re–watered cm−3 measured exchange. Provenances differed growth biomass allocation. Unlike interaction between provenance was found photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, use efficiency northern provenances, exhibiting highest performance under restriction. However, most observed occurred before re–watering only few this period. study exhibited similar photosynthesis conductance Our demonstrated phenotypic C. capability withstand recover from stress.