Abstract:In order to understand the water use ability of Lauraceae species, the water physiological characteristics and ground diameter (D), tree height (H) of three five-year-old saplings, including Machilus pauhoi, Cinnamomum camphora and Phoebe bournei grown in common garden were compared in growth season. The results showed that the water content (RWC), water potential (Ψ) and branch specific conductivity (Ks) in C. camphora were significantly higher than those of M. pauhoi and P. bournei, while the loss rate of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) were significantly lower (P<0.05). It indicated that C. camphora had high water retention capacity, water use efficiency and water loss resistance among the three species. Therefore, three saplings reduced efficiency of water transportation due to strengthening of cavitation. Machilus pauhoi saplings increased water use efficiency to cope with reduction of water transfer efficiency. The leaves of C. camphora saplings had high water content, which kept stomata inflate to achieve high transpiration rate. Phoebe bournei saplings could maintain relative water content of leaves by increasing efficiency and safety of water transport.
