Variation of leaf water potential and leaf gas exchange parameters of seven Silver linden (Tilia tomentosa Moench) genotypes in urban environment

Differences between genotypes are considered to be the most important requisite for a resilient urban forest. Analyses of physiological traits, such as leaf water potential and leaf gas exchange could provide useful insight into the capacity of different species and genotypes to grow in harsh urban environments. In the present study, a variation of midday (Psmd) and predawn (Pspd) leaf water potential, net photosynthesis (A), rate of transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of seven Silver linden genotypes (Tilia tomentosa Moench), planted in the urban environment in Novi Sad, were examined. Analysis of variance and LSD tests were used to show differences between studied silver linden genotypes. The results showed significant differences for all observed leaf gas exchange parameters (A, E, gs, Ci, Pspd and Psmd) between genotypes. The results indicate better physiological performances of genotypes T3, in comparison to other observed genotypes under the prevailing environmental condition of the studied site in the urban environment.