Stress Resistance of Rubber Trees: From Genetics to Ecosystem
A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 8 July 2024 | Viewed by 8177
Special Issue Editors
Interests: environmental science; agricultural plant science; woody plant; genetics; molecular biology; biotechnology
Interests: plant physiology and ecology; rubber tree cultivation physiology; abiotic stress
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Natural rubber is an indispensable and irreplaceable commodity used in approximately 50,000 industrial products. Among the more than 2000 plant species which can produce natural rubber, 98% of natural rubber is produced from the rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell-Arg.]. The rubber tree is native to the Amazon rainforest. Although the Amazon basin offers an optimal climate for rubber tree production, the occurrence of South American leaf blight limits its cultivation in South America (2%). At present, 92%, or approximately 141 million hectares, of rubber plantations are located in Southeast Asia where the conditions are sub-optimal for rubber tree growth. Environmental drawbacks such as drought, cold, high solar radiation, poor soil fertility, high levels of salts or toxic metals (aluminium, arsenate, manganese, cadmium, etc.) and biotic stresses (powdery mildew, anthracnose, leaf mite, leaf blight disease, and root disease, etc.) can significantly influence the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, photosynthetic capacity, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, and antioxidant enzyme activities of rubber trees, causing loss in latex yield and rubber plantation income. Therefore, genetically breeding rubber trees and implementing eco-friendly practices for environmental constraints have been long-term strategies for all the rubber-producing countries, since rubber trees play a crucial role in local afforestation, economy and sustainable development.
To integrate the research progress on rubber trees’ stress resistance with agronomy practice and build a bridge of communication for relevant researchers, this Special Issue will focus on the stress resistance studies of rubber trees from genetics, physiology, population, and agronomy to the ecosystem scale.
We welcome research papers, reviews, and opinions on cutting-edge research, including, for example, molecular and physiological mechanisms, breakthrough technologies and well-defined agriculture practices for the abiotic and biotic stress resistance of Hevea brasiliensis.
Prof. Dr. Jiaming Zhang
Prof. Dr. Feng An
Prof. Dr. Han Cheng
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- stress response
- Hevea brasiliensis
- adaptation
- good agriculture practice
- biotic and abiotic stresses
Planned Papers
The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.
Title: Determining suitable sampling times for soil CO2 and N2O emissions helps to accurately evaluate the ability of rubber-based agroforestry system to cope with climate stress
Authors: Yuanran Xian; Junlin Li; Yan Zhang; Yanyan Shen; Xiuquan Wang; Jianxiong Huang; Peng Sui
Affiliation: Rubber Research Institute
Abstract: Agroforestry is known to significantly improve long-term land productivity and potentially enhancing the ability to cope with climate stress, however, there is limited information regarding their accurate monitoring of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in rubber-based agroforestry system. Before GHGs can be accurately estimated, the diurnal variations and suitable sampling times must be studied to reduce the uncertainty of the manual static-chamber method. In this study, the soil GHGs emitted from conventional single-row (SR) and improved double-row (DR) rubber plantations were compared across the dry and wet seasons in Hainan, China. A total of 1728 GHG samples from a field trial were collected, analyzed, and related to environmental factors. The results demonstrated that the diurnal fluxes of CO2 in rubber plantations were likely to remain fluctuating, with the maximum typically occurring during the night-time and daytime hours of the dry and wet seasons, respectively. A clearer double-peak (around 2:00 and 14:00) during the dry season and a daytime peak (14:00) during the wet season of the N2O were recorded. In addition to the commonalities, different seasons and different types of GHGs and rubber plantations also differed in their detailed fluctuation times and ranges, and therefore the determination of suitable sampling times should not ignore these factors in a certain case. Based on this study, it was determined that the late afternoon (16:00-18:00) was the suitable sampling time of soil GHGs in rubber plantations, instead of the most common morning times (with an underestimation of 25% on average). In addition, the air humidity during the dry season and the soil temperature during the wet season were both positively correlated with GHGs (p<0.05). This study highlights the significance of accurately monitoring soil GHGs in rubber-based agroforestry system, providing a basic reference for the development and management of climate-smart land use practices in rubber plantation.