Premium
Changes in leaf hydraulics and stomatal conductance following drought stress and irrigation in Ceratonia siliqua (Carob tree)
Author(s) -
Lo Gullo Maria A.,
Nardini Andrea,
Trifilò Patrizia,
Salleo Sebastiano
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3054.2003.00038.x
Subject(s) - ceratonia siliqua , turgor pressure , transpiration , dehydration , stomatal conductance , botany , horticulture , biology , chemistry , photosynthesis , biochemistry
Changes in leaf hydraulic conductance (K) were measured using the vacuum chamber technique during dehydration and rehydration of potted plants of Ceratonia siliqua . K of whole, compound leaves as well as that of rachides and leaflets decreased by 20–30% at leaf water potentials (Ψ L ) of −1.5 and −2.0 MPa, i.e. at Ψ L values commonly recorded in field‐growing plants of the species. Higher K losses (up to 50%) were measured for leaves at Ψ L of −2.5 and −3.0 MPa, i.e. near or beyond the leaf turgor loss point. Leaves of plants rehydrated while in the dark for 30 min, 90 min and 12 h recovered from K loss with characteristic times and to extents inversely proportional to the initial water stress applied. Leaf conductance to water vapour of plants dehydrated to decreasing Ψ L and rehydrated at low transpiration was inversely related to loss of K, thus suggesting that leaf vein embolism and refilling (and related changes in leaf hydraulics) may play a significant role in the stomatal response.