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Hormonal dynamics contributes to divergence in seasonal stomatal behaviour in a monsoonal plant community
Author(s) -
MCADAM SCOTT A.M.,
BRODRIBB TIMOTHY J.
Publication year - 2015
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/pce.12398
Subject(s) - abscisic acid , transpiration , biology , stomatal conductance , ecology , fern , botany , adaptation (eye) , plant species , photosynthesis , biochemistry , neuroscience , gene
The plant hormone abscisic acid ( ABA ) is a primary regulator of plant transpiration, but its influence in determining seasonal stomatal behaviour in natural plant communities is poorly understood. We examined distantly related vascular plants growing together in a seasonally dry, monsoonal environment to determine whether ABA dynamics contributed to contrasting water use patterns in this natural setting. Regular sampling of angiosperm, cycad, conifer and fern species revealed characteristic seasonal patterns in ABA production, but these were highly distinct among species. Although no general relationship was observed between ABA levels, plant hydration or stomatal conductance among species, the seasonal dynamics in stomatal behaviour within species were predictable functions of either ABA or leaf water potential. Strong divergence in the seasonal role of ABA among species suggests that modification in ABA –stomatal interactions represents an important evolutionary pathway for adaptation in plant water use.