Salix myrtillacea Female Cuttings Performed Better Than Males under Nitrogen Deposition on Leaves and Drought Conditions

Drought and nitrogen (N) deposition are major threats to global forests under climate change. However, investigation into how dioecious woody species acclimate drought N this is influenced by gender has, so far, been unexplored. We examined the phenotypic physiological changes in Salix myrtillacea females males 60 d drought, wet on leaves’ treatments. inhibited their growth limiting water acquisition, photosynthesis, increasing oxidative stress, especially males. exhibited greater resistance than due better acquisition ability instantaneous use efficiency (WUEleaf), higher foliar abscisic acid (ABA) auxin (IAA) levels antioxidase activities. increased ABA, H2O2 accumulation, reduced distribution leaves, causing restricted photosynthesis aerial Interestingly, improved biomass accumulation both genders with positive effects drought-stressed radial IAA stress. Regardless, S. still showed deposition. The females’ superior performance indicated that they more appropriate for forestation, thus supporting dominant gender’s selection afforestation of unisexual severe regions.