1Laboratory for Conservation & Genetic Improvement of Forest Trees (Lab-CGIFT), Department of Forestry, School of Agricultural Sciences, Manipur University, Imphal-795 003, India
*Corresponding Author. Email: vivekvaishnaw@live.in
This study evaluated water-use efficiency (WUE) and drought-stress-related traits in two P. kesiya populations, the Eastern (Andro) and Western (Langol), from the valley region of Manipur. The populations were sampled from sites with bioclimatic and edaphic conditions that were significantly similar but in reproductive isolation. Five trees per population were sampled for needle and wood cores for measuring wood moisture content (WMC), stomatal number per length (SNL), relative water content (RWC), and proline concentration, along with growth traits viz. height, girth at breast height. Significant differences were observed in SNL, WMC, and proline content, but not in RWC. Andro showed higher SNL (67) than Langol (57.11), suggesting greater stomatal conductance and potentially lower WUE under drought conditions. Langol's slightly lower SNL and higher proline (0.19 mM, albeit Andro's 0.14 mM) indicate a water conservation strategy and stronger biochemical defenses against drought stress. Andro's higher WMC (46.18) than Langol’s 33.10 supports hydraulic resilience. Both populations maintained high RWC, indicating effective leaf hydration. These findings highlight P. kesiya's physiological plasticity, with Langol adapted to drier conditions and Andro suited to wetter environments, informing afforestation and forest management strategies in North-East India amid escalating climate change impacts.
Pinus kesiya, Water-use efficiency, Drought tolerance, Climate change, Forest resilience
