Abstract: Carex schmidtii tussocks, as a unique landscape in the Momoge National Nature Reserve, are governed by hydrological variations. In the present work, effects of alternative dry-wet shifting on height, biomass and chlorophyll content of  C. schmidtii were investigated based on laboratory simulation experiments so as to provide techniques and strategies for wetland restoration of C. schmidtiitussocks. Results showed that plant height, stem diameter and leaf width ofC. schmidtii under 30-day alternative dry-wet shifting had higher values than under other experimental scenarios in early growth period. At late growth stage, the growth of C. schmidtii was affected by the treatments implemented in different seasons. The-early group (group A, treated in May) had higher stem diameter and leaf width than the late group (group B, treated in June). Chlorophyll content of C. schmidtii from the group A was higher than that from the group B, but the chlorophyll a/b had an opposite trend. Overall, dry-wet alternation is conducive to improving morphology and chlorophyll content ofC. schmidtiiin early growth period. At late growth stage, rational irrigation and shortened dry-wet alternation are expected to increase biomass. Our results provide a scientific basis for wetland restoration and protection ofC. schmidtii tussocks.

Key words: long-term fertilization, double rice cropping, basic soil productivity, soil organic matter., Poyang Lake region