Deep soil water use can compensate drought effect on gas exchange in dry years than in wet years for dryland tree plantations

Analyzing deep soil water use (DSWU) response to precipitation change and its impact on tree physiology is necessary to disentangle tree mortality mechanisms, especially in drylands. In this study, a process-based model parameterized with in-situ measured fine root distribution data for 0-2000 cm and a root-cutting (below 200 cm) numerical experiment were used to explore DSWU strategies across different precipitation years and its contribution to total water consumption, as well as its relationship to tree gas exchange traits in mature apple (Malus pumila Mill) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) plantations in both a wetter (Changwu, 583 mm) and a drier (Yan’an, 534 mm) sites on China’s Loess Plateau. Results showed that DSWU at 200-2000 cm depth in different precipitation years of both species mainly occurred during the early growing seasons. On average, DSWU contributed 22.9% and 25.1% to the total water consumption of apple trees and black locust, respectively, and its contribution increased to 26.0% and 36.7% in extremely dry years. Moreover, the lack of DSWU significantly decreased (p<0.05) stomatal conductance (by 16.9%, 16.9%, 47.4% and 11.4%, respectively) and photosynthetic rates (by 37.1%, 20.1%, 28.5% and 16.4%, respectively) of Changwu apple trees, Yan’an apple trees, Changwu black locust and Yan’an black locust in extremely dry years. Similar reductions occurred only in Yan’an for both tree species in normal years. In contrast, no significant differences were found in gas exchange traits in extremely wet years. Our results highlight that DSWU is an important strategy for plantations in deep vadose zone region to resist extreme drought.