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Comparing model predictions and experimental data for the response of stomatal conductance and guard cell turgor to manipulations of cuticular conductance, leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure difference and temperature: feedback mechanisms are able to account for all observations
Author(s) -
EAMUS DEREK,
TAYLOR DANIEL T.,
MACINNISNG CATRIONA M. O.,
SHANAHAN STEVE,
DE SILVA LIONEL
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01771.x
Subject(s) - turgor pressure , guard cell , conductance , stomatal conductance , vapour pressure deficit , air temperature , botany , chemistry , environmental science , materials science , thermodynamics , biology , physics , atmospheric sciences , transpiration , condensed matter physics , photosynthesis
Stomata respond to increasing leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure difference (LAVPD) ( D ) by closing. The mechanism by which this occurs is debated. A role for feedback and peristomatal transpiration has been proposed. In this paper, we apply a recent mechanistic model of stomatal behaviour, and compare model and experimental data for the influence of increasing D on stomatal conductance. We manipulated cuticular conductance ( g c ) by three independent methods. First, we increased g c by using a solvent mixture applied to both leaf surfaces prior to determining stomatal responses to D ; second, we increased g c by increasing leaf temperature at constant D ; and third, we coated a small area of leaf with a light oil to decrease g c . In all three experiments, experimental data and model outputs showed very close agreement. We conclude, from the close agreement between model and experimental data and the fact that manipulations of g c , and hence cuticular transpiration, influenced g s in ways consistent with a feedback mechanism, that feedback is central in determining stomatal responses to D .