Ginkgo biloba L. is widely distributed from China for its industrial, ornamental and medicinal uses. This species is recently introduced to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ...
JOURNAL OF THE DRYLANDS 7(2): 652-663, 2017
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF NEWLY INTRODUCED MAIDENHAIR (Ginkgo biloba L.) AND COEXISTING INDIGENOUS WOODY PLANTS TO DRY SEASON IN THE HIGHLANDS OF EASTERN AFRICA Yemane G.Egziabher1* Yemane G.Egziabher (2017): Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Newly Introduced Maidenhair (Ginkgo Biloba L.) and Coexisting Indigenous Woody Plants to Dry Season in the Highlands of Eastern Africa . Journal of the Drlylands, 7(2): 652-663 Ginkgo biloba L. is widely distributed from China for its industrial, ornamental and medicinal uses. This species is recently introduced to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but no study was conducted on its responses to the area of destination. Hence, a study on physiological and biochemical responses of the species and coexisting indigenous woody plant species was conducted in Addis Ababa University in 2014. Physiological data was collected from young fully expanded leaves except for the exotic species that included youngest and senescing leaves. Diurnal dynamics was recorded averaging three measurements at a time for seven days. Chlorophyll a (chl a), chlorophyll b (chl b) and proline analyses were also done in three replications. The assimilation rate among the experimental plants was not significantly different (P>0.05) and attained its peak (3-5 µmolem-2s-1) with increasing transpiration in the early afternoon (8:00 PM), hence, photo-inhibition was not experienced. The senescing leaves of G. biloba were photosynthesizing and had attained higher in the fore-noon. O. welwitschii followed by G. biloba out-shined in water use efficiency (WUE). Chl a and b content was significantly (P
