Influence of soil characteristics on physiological and growth responses of Cytharexyllum myrianthum Cham. (Verbenaceae) to flooding

The success of watershed riparian forest restoration programs can be affected by the selection of plant species tolerant to flooding and soil types that occur along water courses. We evaluated physiological and growth responses of Cytharexyllum myrianthum seedlings to flooding in three different soil types representative of the Almada River Watershed (ARW), southern Bahia, Brazil. The soils selected, based on the relative abundance and importance in the ARW, were: Luvisol, Argisol, and Spodosol. After 35 days of flooding, the Argisol had the lowest and the Spodosol had the highest reduction–oxidation (redox) potential ( E h ). After 35 days of flooding, the Luvisol had higher pH and electrical conductivity ( E c ) than the other soils. Stomatal conductance ( g s ) and net photosynthesis ( A ) significantly declined in all soil types after 7 days of flooding. After that period, morphological changes characteristic of flood-tolerant plants, such as lenticel hypertrophy and adventitious root formation, were observed in all flooded plants. Following the morphological changes, g s and A in flooded plants increased to values close to those of the non-flooded plants. The highest relative growth rates based on mass (RGRm) and net assimilation rates (NAR) for the non-flooded plants were observed in the Argisol. After 35 days of flooding, no significant differences in RGRm or NAR were observed between non-flooded and flooded plants in the Luvisol, but large significant decreases in RGRm and NAR were observed for the flooded plants in the Spodosol. Our results demonstrated that the ability of seedlings of the same species to acclimate to flooded soil conditions differs among soil types. Therefore, the characteristics of soils present in a watershed should be considered when selecting tree species for the reforestation of riparian forests.