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Iwanoff Effect in Leaves of Cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum )
Author(s) -
BRITTAIN E. G.,
NAGARAJAH S.
Publication year - 1971
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 - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1971.tb01471.x
Subject(s) - petiole (insect anatomy) , gossypium hirsutum , transpiration , water stress , photosynthesis , transpiration stream , malvaceae , horticulture , biology , botany , chemistry , hymenoptera
When a leaf is excised from a plant by cutting the petiole in air, the stomata sometimes exhibit an “Iwanoff effect” or temporary increase of aperture before entering the phase of hydroactive closure. Simultaneous and separate measurements of transpiration from upper and lower leaf surfaces, derived from thermocouple psychrometers, photosynthesis measurements from either or both surfaces obtained with an Infrared Gas Analyser and measurements with a nitrous oxide diffusion porometer have been made on leaves of Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) before and after severing the petiole. The effect of previous illumination of the plant on the occurrence of the Iwanoff effect has been studied. The results obtained are consistent with the suggestion that an Iwanoff effect is observed when there is little or no water stress, but fails to appear if water stress has developed, even though it may not yet have reached the level at which hydroactive stomatal closure would occur. Furthermore the Iwanoff effect appears to be limited to the stomata of the upper surface in cotton leaves. This seems to be due to the greater accessibility of the upper than the lower epidermal cells, to the water demand of the internal tissues which follows excision. Evidence is also presented to show that the adaxial stomates do not necessarily close completely in the dark.