Compensation processes of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) to ozone exposure and drought stress

A long-term experiment was performed to study the effects of O3 and drought-stress (DS) on Aleppo pine seedlings (Pinus halepensis Mill.) exposed in open-top chambers. Ozone reduced gas exchange rates, ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity (Rubisco), aboveground C and needle N concentrations and C/N ratio and Ca concentrations of the twigs under 3 mm (twigs<3) and the aerial biomass. Also it increased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPc) and N and K concentrations of the twigs<3. Water stress decreased gas exchange rates, predawn needle water potential (ΨPd), C/N ratio, twigs<3 Ca, plant growth, aerial biomass and increased N, twigs with a diameter above 3 mm P and Mg concentrations. The combined exposure to both stresses increased N concentrations of twigs<3 and roots and aboveground biomass K content and decreased root C, maximum daily assimilation rate and instantaneous water use efficiency. The sensitivity of Aleppo pine to both stresses is determined by plant internal resource allocation and compensation mechanisms to cope with stress. Ozone and drought stress induce the activation of similar processes related to C and N metabolism.