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The growth of vegetative and reproductive structures (leaves and silks) respond similarly to hydraulic cues in maize
Author(s) -
Turc Olivier,
Bouteillé Marie,
FuadHassan Avan,
Welcker Claude,
Tardieu François
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.14053
Subject(s) - elongation , xylem , transpiration , biology , botany , agronomy , expansive , horticulture , photosynthesis , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , metallurgy , compressive strength , composite material
Summary The elongation of styles and stigma (silks) of maize ( Zea mays ) flowers is rapid (1–3 mm h −1 ), occurs over a short period and plays a pivotal role in reproductive success in adverse environments. Silk elongation rate was measured using displacement transducers in 350 plants of eight genotypes during eight experiments with varying evaporative demand and soil water status. Measured time courses revealed that silk elongation rate closely followed changes in soil water status and evaporative demand, with day–night alternations similar to those in leaves. Day–night alternations were steeper with high than with low plant transpiration rate, manipulated via evaporative demand or by covering part of the leaf area. Half times of changes in silk elongation rate upon changes in evaporative demand or soil water status were 10–30 min, similar to those in leaves. The sensitivity of silk elongation rate to xylem water potential was genetically linked to that of leaf elongation rate. Lines greatly differed for these sensitivities. These results are consistent with a common hydraulic control of expansive growth in vegetative and reproductive structures upon changes in environmental conditions via a close connection with the xylem water potential. They have important implications for breeding, modelling and phenotyping.