Synergistic effect of heat and drought on leaf VOC emissions and root exudates in Norway spruce saplings

Compound droughts, i.e. the co-occurrences of heat and drought, represent a serious challenge for temperate forest trees leading to significant losses in forest biomass.

We studied the physiological response of Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) saplings to heat and drought individually, and in combination. Continuous measurements of leaf gas exchange and VOC emission allowed us to identify fast-response reactions, while discrete VOC and root exudate samplings added qualitative information on compositional changes. Additionally, we used ¹³ CO ₂ and ² H ₂ O label pulses to investigate C-allocation and root water uptake in response to stress.

Heat as well as drought reduced assimilation rates in the saplings, whereas transpiration, leaf VOC emission and root exudation rates increased in response to heat. Drought alone increased VOC emission but decreased exudation rates. Combined heat and drought triggered an amplified response in both processes despite negative net CO ₂ assimilation rates. Label incorporation showed compromised water uptake capacity of drought-stressed plants and illustrated de novo C-allocation to VOC emission and root exudates.

The results point at the high susceptibility of Norway spruce saplings to drought and heat. Combined stress resulted in synergistic responses in VOC emissions and root exudates, showing the detrimental effect of compound droughts on Norway spruce.

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In this study, we found synergistic effects of heat and drought on carbon losses from leaf VOC emission and root exudates despite negative assimilation rates in Norway spruce saplings.