Study on the variation characteristics and influencing factors of stem water content of Acer truncatum during the overwintering period

Abstract

Stem water content is a pivotal parameter that characterizes the vitality of plants and maintains their internal water balance. Given the insufficient comprehension regarding the stem water content characteristics and its influencing factors during different stages of the overwintering period, the study, focusing on Acer truncatum., developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based ecological information monitoring system. The system incorporated a proprietary stem water content sensor, allowing non-invasive, in-situ and real time acquisition of stem water content while monitoring diverse environmental parameters. We conducted a detailed elucidation of stem water content variation characteristics and its responses to diverse environmental factors. The results shouwed: (1) During the overwintering period, stem water content exhibited diurnal variations characterized by " daytime ascent and nighttime descent" across the three stages, exhibiting differences in the moment when the stem water content reaching extremal values and daily fluctuations ranges. Stem water content exhibited minimal fluctuations during deciduous and bud-breaking stages but experienced significant freezing-thawing alternations during the dormant stage, leading to increased daily fluctuation range. (2) Pearson correlation coefficients between environmental parameters and stem water content varied dynamically across stages. Path analysis revealed: during the deciduous stage, stem temperature and saturation vapor pressure deficit were dominant factors influencing stem water content; during dormant stage, air temperature and saturation vapor pressure deficit directly impacted stem water content; during the bud-breaking stage, the primary parameters affecting stem water content were saturation vapor pressure deficit and stem temperature. The study provides valuable insights into unveiling the water transport patterns within tree stems tissue and their environmental adaptation mechanisms during the overwintering period, aiding in the scientific development of winter management strategies to protect trees from severe cold and freezing damage, while fostering healthy growth in the subsequent year.