No carbon shortage in declining trees of the isohydric species Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch under drought

Abstract

Abstract Key message At the sixth and seventh years of a drought event in south of Chile, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations were similar between healthy and unhealthy trees of Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch, and growth did not decrease, suggesting that leaf loss prevented C shortage in unhealthy trees. Context Tree drought resistance and resilience may be impaired by decreasing growth and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). During a 7-year drought, the isohydric species Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) evidenced decline (foliage loss and browning). Aims To determine whether tree decline was related to an impaired carbon status and reduced growth. Methods In two sites of southern Chile, we selected healthy- and unhealthy-looking trees to study drought effects on NSC and growth. We measured the basal area increment (BAI) and NSC concentrations of needles and roots after 6 years of drought (2016) and following one less severe year in terms of drought (2017). Results At both years, healthy and unhealthy trees had similar NSC and sugar concentrations in needle and roots, and furthermore, they maintained their growth rates. In 2017, NSC, starch, and sugar concentrations of needles (but not roots) increased in both healthy and unhealthy trees at one of the study sites, while growth did not vary. Conclusion Unhealthy trees likely prevented C shortage through an acclimation mechanism such as foliage loss. The remarkable similar NSC concentrations found between healthy and unhealthy trees indicates the absence of C starvation in trees that lost a substantial fraction of their foliage under drought.