Proline contents, chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoids contents, water relations, leaf water potential, photosynthetic light response, gas exchange, stomatal conductance, growth and biomass allocation were assessed in one-year-old seedlings of Quercus liaotungensis, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Spiraea pubescens and Lepsedeza bicolor which were subjected to soil drying(s). The results are as follows.
(1) Proline contents were related to leaf age and species. Proline contents were higher in old le...