Non-Structural Carbohydrates and Growth Adaptation Strategies of Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb. Seedlings under Drought Stress

Under drought stress, plants can change their morphology, physiological characteristics, and carbon allocation to maintain survival growth. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) are major substrates for plant metabolism play an important role in seedling growth under conditions. Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb.), a constructive species distributed northeast China, has high tolerance. However, studies on the NSC dynamics of different intensities durations limited. To investigate this, our study measured photosynthetic growth, biomass, concentrations seedlings 0, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th day experiment three soil moisture conditions [75% ± 5% (CK), 50% (W1), 23% (W2) field capacity (FC)]. Results showed that biomass gradually decreased as decreased, but root: shoot ratio root increased. In W1 treatment (moderate drought), content stems taproots was 7.42% 16.39% higher than those CK at 60 days. W2 (severe significantly during whole period (p < 0.05), they were 14.14% 26.69% We found that, had lower roots. Furthermore, system became vital sink stress beneficial survival.