干旱胁迫下4种常用植物幼苗的光合和荧光特性综合评价

老鸭嘴,山毛豆,假连翘和葛藤是常见的矿山植被恢复植物。采用盆栽控制土壤水分的方法,测定了这 4 种幼苗叶片的光合和荧光指标,以期为矿山植被的恢复植物筛选提供依据。结果表明（1）干旱胁迫处理期间,4 种幼苗叶片的净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、蒸腾速率（T_r）和胞间CO₂ 浓度（C_i）持续下降,复水8 d后P_n均显著增加,老鸭嘴和山毛豆的G_s和T_r恢复到对照水平,山毛豆和葛藤的C_i恢复到对照水平;假连翘幼苗叶片的气孔限制值（L_s）随干旱胁迫时间的延长而逐渐增加,其他3 种幼苗略降后增加,复水8 d后均恢复到对照水平。（2）干旱胁迫处理期间,4 种幼苗叶片的photosystemⅡ（PSⅡ）光能捕获效率（F_v’/F_m’）、实际光化学量子效率（Yield）和表观电子传递速率（ETR）持续降低,8 d时显著小于对照。复水8 d后,F_v’/F_m’小幅波动,Yield和ETR有所恢复,其中葛藤的Yield和山毛豆的ETR恢复到对照水平;4种幼苗叶片的非化学淬灭（NPQ）持续上升,在第8天显著大于对照,复水8 d后,均持续下降,其中葛藤恢复到对照水平。（3）对光合和荧光指标进行主成分分析表明,干旱胁迫下4 种幼苗的抗旱性能大小顺序为山毛豆 > 老鸭嘴 > 假连翘 > 葛藤。     

干旱胁迫对高山柳和沙棘幼苗光合生理特征的影响

为了解干旱河谷-山地森林交错带植物光合生理特征对干旱胁迫的响应。以交错带两种典型植物高山柳(Salix paraqplesia)和沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)为研究对象,研究其在不同程度的干旱胁迫条件下植株气体交换参数的日变化特征。干旱胁迫显著降低了两种植物叶片数、叶面积、叶片生物量、比叶面积、色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和气孔限制值(Ls)等与光合生理过程密切相关的叶片指标,但增大了胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)和内禀水分利用效率(WUEi)。植物叶片的气体交换参数(如:Pn和gs)日变化并未完全随着光合有效辐射的增强和温度的升高而增加,全天以11:00最大,"午休"现象明显。相对而言,沙棘在干旱胁迫条件下表现出相对较高的叶面积、Pn、gs和WUEi,具有相对更强的适应干旱环境的能力,而高山柳对干旱胁迫更为敏感。     

干旱胁迫对玉米苗期叶片光合作用和保护酶的影响

以玉米品种郑单958(抗旱性强)和陕单902(抗旱性弱)为材料,采用盆栽控水试验,设置3个干旱处理(轻度干旱,中度干旱,重度干旱)和正常灌水,研究了干旱胁迫对玉米苗期叶片光合速率、叶绿素荧光以及相关生理指标的影响。结果表明:(1)干旱胁迫下2个品种叶片净光合速率(P_n)和气孔导度(G_s)显著下降,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)出现了先下降后上升,而气孔限制值(L_s)上升后下降,说明中度干旱胁迫下叶片P_n下降是气孔因素引起的,重度干旱胁迫下P_n降低主要由非气孔因素引起的。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,2个品种叶片光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的实际量子产量(φPSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭(qP)一直下降,而非光化学猝灭(qN)上升后下降,说明中度干旱下热耗散仍是植株重要光保护机制,重度干旱时叶片光合电子传递受阻,PSⅡ受到损伤。(3)干旱胁迫下2个品种叶片的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性先升高后降低,而丙二醛(MDA)含量一直升高,说明干旱胁迫初期对保护系统酶活性升高有诱导作用,重度胁迫下活性氧清除酶的活性下降,导致细胞膜伤害。这些结果暗示,轻度和中度干旱胁迫下2个玉米品种通过减少光捕获、热耗散和酶活性调节协同作用稳定了光合机构功能,是P_n下降的气孔限制因素;而重度干旱胁迫下光系统Ⅱ和抗氧化酶系统损伤,是P_n下降的非气孔限制因素;郑单958的各生理参数比陕单902受旱影响小,干旱胁迫下仍具有较高的光合效率和较强的保护酶活性是郑单958抗旱的主要生理原因。     

干旱胁迫对高山柳和沙棘幼苗光合生理特征的影响

为了解干旱河谷-山地森林交错带植物光合生理特征对干旱胁迫的响应。以交错带两种典型植物高山柳(Salix paraqplesia)和沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)为研究对象,研究其在不同程度的干旱胁迫条件下植株气体交换参数的日变化特征。干旱胁迫显著降低了两种植物叶片数、叶面积、叶片生物量、比叶面积、色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和气孔限制值(Ls)等与光合生理过程密切相关的叶片指标,但增大了胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)和内禀水分利用效率(WUEi)。植物叶片的气体交换参数(如:Pn和gs)日变化并未完全随着光合有效辐射的增强和温度的升高而增加,全天以11:00最大,"午休"现象明显。相对而言,沙棘在干旱胁迫条件下表现出相对较高的叶面积、Pn、gs和WUEi,具有相对更强的适应干旱环境的能力,而高山柳对干旱胁迫更为敏感。     

施氮量对麻疯树幼苗生长及叶片光合特性的影响

采用盆栽土培的方法,研究了不同施氮量(对照N₀ 0 kg N/hm²、低氮N_L 96 kg N/hm²、中氮N_M 288 kg N/hm²、高氮N_H 480 kg N/hm²)对麻疯树幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,麻疯树幼苗叶片氮含量、可溶性蛋白含量、株高、地径、叶片数量、叶面积、根长、各组分生物量、叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和水分利用效率(WUE)均随施氮量的增加先升高后降低,N_M处理下麻疯树幼苗长势最好,各气体交换参数值最高;施氮对麻疯树地上部分的促进作用远大于地下部分,施氮后根冠比显著降低;此外,麻疯树叶绿素含量、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ有效量子产量(F'v/F'm)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)均随施氮量的增加而升高,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)随施氮量增加而降低。适量施氮可通过增强叶绿体光化学活性、气孔导度和羧化能力而提高麻疯树幼苗的光合能力,促进生长;过高施氮对麻疯树幼苗光合与生长的促进效应降低。试验条件下,当年生麻疯树幼苗的最适施氮量为288 kg N/hm²。     

不同生育期玉米叶片光合特性及水分利用效率对水分胁迫的响应

利用大型移动防雨棚开展了玉米水分胁迫及复水试验,通过分析玉米叶片光合数据,揭示了不同生育期水分胁迫及复水对玉米光合特性及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:水分胁迫导致玉米叶片整体光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度下降以及光合速率日变化的峰值提前;水分胁迫后的玉米叶片蒸腾速率、光合速率和气孔导度为适应干旱缺水均较对照显著下降,从而提高了水分利用效率,缩小了与水分充足条件下玉米叶片的水分利用效率差值;在中度和重度水分胁迫条件下,玉米叶片的水分利用效率降幅低于光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度的降幅, 有时甚至高于正常供水条件下的水分利用效率;适度的水分胁迫能提高玉米叶片的水分利用效率,从而增强叶片对水分的利用能力,抵御干旱的逆境;水分亏缺对玉米光合速率、蒸腾速率及水分利用效率的影响具有较明显滞后效应,干旱后复水,光合作用受抑制仍然持续;水分胁迫时间越长、胁迫程度越重,叶片的光合作用越呈不可逆性;拔节-吐丝期水分胁迫对玉米叶片光合作用的逆制比三叶-拔节期更难恢复。     

水分胁迫对极小种群东兴金花茶幼苗光合特性的影响

为了解东兴金花茶幼苗对水分胁迫的适应能力和响应机制,该文以东兴金花茶1年生实生苗为材料,采用盆栽控水试验,研究不同控水时间处理对东兴金花茶幼苗的生理生态特性的影响。结果表明:随着控水时间的延长,水分胁迫的程度不断加剧,东兴金花茶叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)呈现显著下降趋势; 胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)呈现先低后高的变化趋势,水分利用效率(WUE)呈现先高后低的变化趋势。土壤含水率和叶片相对含水量均呈现不断下降的趋势,丙二醛呈现先降后升的变化趋势; 东兴金花茶幼苗的荧光参数F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o呈现先增加后不断下降趋势,分别从0.806下降至0.754和4.17下降至3.08,表明水分胁迫降低了PS Ⅱ原初光能转化效率,光合作用原初反应过程受到抑制。基于水分胁迫的生理生态指标和叶片生物性状的变化表明,控水时间在4 d情况下东兴金花茶可以提高自身水分利用效率来抵抗干旱,说明东兴金花茶幼苗对水分胁迫具有一定的适应性和响应机制。控水8～12 d,东兴金花茶的光合指标下降显著,土壤含水率下降至14.157%～15.065%,其叶片萎蔫、打卷,低于此水平东兴金花茶幼苗会因过度干旱而死亡,表明东兴金花茶幼苗对水分胁迫的耐受极限土壤含水率为14.157%～15.065%。研究结果有助于营建适宜的环境以保证东兴金花茶的正常生长和繁殖,对东兴金花茶迁地保护、引种培育和回归自然具有重要的科学指导意义。     

黄龙山林区不同演替时期典型树种光诱导的气孔动力学研究

光诱导的气孔动力学响应快慢是影响植物叶水分利用效率的重要因素,为探索黄土高原不同演替阶段树种水分利用效率差异的生理机制,该研究以黄龙山林区典型树种(演替早期种山杨和白桦、演替后期种辽东栎)的幼龄实生苗为材料,采用盆栽试验,研究了叶片光诱导的气孔导度动力学参数差异及其与气孔特征、叶长期水分利用效率的关系。结果表明：(1)山杨和白桦气孔开放过程中气孔导度(g_s)增加的时间常数(K_i)小于辽东栎,但气孔关闭过程中气孔导度降低的时间常数(K_d)则大于辽东栎,表明山杨和白桦气孔开放更快,而辽东栎的气孔关闭更快。同时,气孔开放过程中山杨和白桦的g_s响应幅度均大于辽东栎,气孔关闭过程中山杨的g_s响应幅度亦大于辽东栎。(2)3种树种中,辽东栎的气孔密度最大,气孔最小,气孔指数最大,辽东栎气孔特征无法解释其慢速的气孔开放过程。 (3)山杨和白桦具有高的光合速率、最大羧化效率和最大电子传递速率,3种树种碳同位素比率(δ¹³C)表征的长期水分利用效率表现为山杨>白桦>辽东栎。研究认为,演替早期种山杨和白桦的高水分利用效率与其快速的气孔开放有关,而演替后期种辽东栎快速的气孔关闭并未增加其水分利用效率,且长期水分利用效率低于山杨和白桦,可能与辽东栎慢速的气孔开放限制了其光合速率有关。     

基于叶绿体基因组数据的芸香科属间系统发育初步分析（专题约稿）

该研究在人工控制水分条件下,设置3个干旱胁迫处理,选用3个主栽油菜品种‘陇油10号’、‘陇油2号’、‘青杂5号’幼苗进行盆栽试验,测定干旱胁迫条件下叶片相对含水量、叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数等指标,考察各指标在干旱胁迫过程中的变化特征,并通过主成分分析(PCA)和隶属函数法评价品种的抗旱性及其主要响应因子,以揭示西北地区油菜幼苗响应干旱胁迫的光合调控机制。结果表明：(1)各品种油菜幼苗的叶片相对含水量(RWC)均随干旱胁迫程度的递增而逐渐降低,最大水分亏缺(WSD)却逐渐上升。(2)各品种油菜幼苗叶片的叶绿素a含量、叶绿素总含量随着干旱胁迫程度的递增而先增加后递减,且同一种幼苗在不同处理间差异显著。(3)各品种油菜幼苗叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、水分利用效率(WUE)、单株生物量、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)均在受到干旱胁迫时迅速降低,且同一品种幼苗在不同处理间差异显著,而其叶片蒸腾速率(T_r)在干旱胁迫下无显著变化。(4)各品种油菜幼苗叶片光化学猝灭系数(qP)和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)随着干旱胁迫程度的递增先增加后递减,最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)和电子传递速率(ETR)在受到干旱胁迫时迅速降低,且同一品种幼苗在不同处理间差异显著。(5)主成分分析结果表明,在油菜幼苗受到干旱胁迫时RWC、C_i、G_s、P_n、WUE、叶绿素总含量、叶绿素a含量和NPQ起主要调控作用;隶属函数法综合评价表明,3个品种油菜幼苗耐旱能力由高到低依次为‘陇油10号’＞‘陇油2号’＞‘青杂5号’。     

昆仑山北坡不同海拔塔里木沙拐枣的光合生理生态特性

在2008年7月25日-8月6日的连续晴天中,选择昆仑山北坡塔里木沙拐枣自然分布区3个海拔高度(2100,2300,2500m),利用便携式光合测定仪LI-6400测定塔里木沙拐枣的光合生理生态特性。结果表明:2100m处塔里木沙拐枣的光补偿点(LCP)和光饱和点(LSP)与2300m,2500m处差异分别达到显著,而3者间的最大净光合速率(P_max)差异均达显著。表观量子效率(AQY)在3个海拔之间差异均不显著,但在2100m处的羧化效率(CE)分别与2300m和2500m处的差异显著。相同海拔下塔里木沙拐枣的暗呼吸速率值(R_day)要高于光呼吸速率值(R_p),且2500m处的暗呼吸速率分别与2100m和2300m处的有显著的差异,2100m处的光呼吸速率分别与2300m和2500m差异显著。3个海拔塔里木沙拐枣的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和气孔导度(G_s)的日变化均为单峰曲线。随着海拔的升高,塔里木沙拐枣P_n,T_r,G_s和L_s的日均值降低,但光能利用率(LUE)和水分利用效率(WUE)却显著增加。塔里木沙拐枣的P_n与叶温(T_l)、大气温度(T_a)和光照强度(PPFD)具有极显著的正相关关系,与海拔呈显著负相关,与空气相对湿度(RH)和大气CO₂浓度(C_a)之间均不具有显著相关性。T_r与T_a,T_l和PPFD具有极显著的正相关性,与RH之间存在显著的负相关。G_s只与C_a之间呈极显著的负相关。P_n与T_r,L_s,G_s,WUE和V_pdl分别具有极显著的正相关性,与C_i呈极显著的负相关。通过对不同海拔高度塔里木沙拐枣光合生理参数与光、温等生态因子关系的对比分析表明:塔里木沙拐枣对山地荒漠草地自然环境变化的温度和光照有很好的生态适应性。     

Do root hydraulic properties change during the early vegetative stage of plant development in barley (Hordeum vulgare)?

Background and Aims

As annual crops develop, transpirational water loss increases substantially. This increase has to be matched by an increase in water uptake through the root system. The aim of this study was to assess the contributions of changes in intrinsic root hydraulic conductivity (Lp, water uptake per unit root surface area, driving force and time), driving force and root surface area to developmental increases in root water uptake.

Methods

Hydroponically grown barley plants were analysed during four windows of their vegetative stage of development, when they were 9–13, 14–18, 19–23 and 24–28 d old. Hydraulic conductivity was determined for individual roots (Lp) and for entire root systems (Lp_r). Osmotic Lp of individual seminal and adventitious roots and osmotic Lp_r of the root system were determined in exudation experiments. Hydrostatic Lp of individual roots was determined by root pressure probe analyses, and hydrostatic Lp_r of the root system was derived from analyses of transpiring plants.

Key Results

Although osmotic and hydrostatic Lp and Lp_r values increased initially during development and were correlated positively with plant transpiration rate, their overall developmental increases (about 2-fold) were small compared with increases in transpirational water loss and root surface area (about 10- to 40-fold). The water potential gradient driving water uptake in transpiring plants more than doubled during development, and potentially contributed to the increases in plant water flow. Osmotic Lp_r of entire root systems and hydrostatic Lp_r of transpiring plants were similar, suggesting that the main radial transport path in roots was the cell-to-cell path at all developmental stages.

Conclusions

Increase in the surface area of root system, and not changes in intrinsic root hydraulic properties, is the main means through which barley plants grown hydroponically sustain an increase in transpirational water loss during their vegetative development.     

Mercurial-sensitive water transport in barley roots

An isolated barley root was partitioned into the apical and basal part across the partition wall of the double-chamber osmometer. Transroot water movement was induced by subjecting the apical part to a sorbitol solution, while the basal part with the cut end was in artificial pond water. The rate of transroot osmosis was first low but enhanced by two means, infilitration of roots by pressurization and repetition of osmosis. Both effects acted additively. The radial hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r) was calculated by dividing the initial flow rate with the surface area of the apical part of the root, to which sorbitol was applied, and the osmotic gradient between the apical and basal part of the root. Lp_r which was first 0.02–0.04 pm s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ increased up to 0.25–0.4 pm s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ after enhancement. Enhancement is assumed to be caused by an increase of the area of the plasma membrane which is avallable to osmotic water movement. The increased Lp_r is in the same order of magnitude as the hydraulic conductivity (Lp) of epidermal and cortical cells of barley roots obtained by Steudie and Jeschke (1983). HgCl₂, a potent inhibitor of water channels, suppressed Lp_r of non-infiltrated and infiltrated roots down to 17% and 8% of control values, respectively. A high sensitivity of Lp_r to HgCl₂ suggests that water channels constitute the most conductive pathway for osmotic radial water movement in barley roots.     

Root hydraulic conductivity and whole-plant water balance in tropical saplings following a shade-to-sun transfer

We hypothesized that pioneer and late successional species show different morphological and physiological responses in water use after gap formation. The magnitude of the responses was compared between two pioneer species (Macaranga gigantea and Trema orientalis) and four late successional species (Shorea sp.), in an experiment in which saplings were transferred from shade to sun. Although transpiration demand increased following the transfer, root hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r) decreased. Lp_r was sensitive to brief treatments with HgCl₂ (a specific inhibitor of aquaporins). This allows Lp_r to be divided into two components: cell-to-cell and apoplastic pathways. The Lp_r of cell-to-cell pathway decreased in all species following the transfer, relating to aquaporin depression in roots. Following the transfer, leaf osmotic potentials at full hydration decreased and both leaf mass per area [leaf mass/leaf area (LMA)] and fine-root surface area/leaf surface area (root SA/leaf SA) increased in almost all species, allowing saplings to compensate for the decrease in Lp_r. Physiologically, pioneer species showed larger decreases in Lp_r and more effective osmotic adjustment than late successional species, and morphologically, pioneer species showed larger increases in root SA/leaf SA and LMA. Water balance at the whole-plant level should be regulated by coupled responses between the aboveground and the belowground parts. Interspecific differences in responses after gap formation suggest niche differentiation in water use between pioneer and late successional species in accordance with canopy-gap size.     

Axial and Radial Hydraulic Resistance to Roots of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A root pressure probe was employed to measure hydraulic properties of primary roots of maize (Zea mays L.). The hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r) of intact root segments was determined by applying gradients of hydrostatic and osmotic pressure across the root cylinder. In hydrostatic experiments, Lp_r was constant along the segment except for an apical zone of approximately 20 millimeters in length which was hydraulically isolated due to a high axial resistance. In osmotic experiments, Lp_r decreased toward the base of the roots. Lp_r (osmotic) was significantly smaller than Lp_r (hydrostatic). At various distances from the root tip, the axial hydraulic resistance per unit root length (R_x) was measured either by perfusing excised root segments or was estimated according to Poiseuille's law from cross-sections. The calculated R_x was smaller than the measured R_x by a factor of 2 to 5. Axial resistance varied with the distance from the apex due to the differentiation of early metaxylem vessels. Except for the apical 20 millimeters, radial water movement was limiting water uptake into the root. This is important for the evaluation of Lp_r of roots from root pressure relaxations. Stationary water uptake into the roots was modeled using measured values of axial and radial hydraulic resistances in order to work out profiles of axial water flow and xylem water potentials.     

Stomatal behavior and water relations of waterlogged tomato plants

The effects of waterlogging the soil on leaf water potential, leaf epidermal conductance, transpiration, root conductance to water flow, and petiole epinasty have been examined in the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Stomatal conductance and transpiration are reduced by 30% to 40% after approximately 24 hours of soil flooding. This is not due to a transient water deficit, as leaf water potential is unchanged, even though root conductance is decreased by the stress. The stomatal response apparently prevents any reduction in leaf water potential. Experiments with varied time of flooding, root excision, and stem girdling provide indirect evidence for an influence of roots in maintaining stomatal opening potential. This root-effect cannot be entirely accounted for by alterations in source-sink relationships. Although 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, the immediate precursor of ethylene, is transported from the roots to the shoots of waterlogged tomato plants, it has no direct effect on stomatal conductance. Ethylene-induced petiole epinasty develops coincident with partial stomatal closure in waterlogged plants. Leaf epinasty may have beneficial effects on plant water balance by reducing light interception.     

Water transport in maize roots : measurement of hydraulic conductivity, solute permeability, and of reflection coefficients of excised roots using the root pressure probe

A root pressure probe has been used to measure the root pressure (P_r) exerted by excised main roots of young maize plants (Zea Mays L.). Defined gradients of hydrostatic and osmotic pressure could be set up between root xylem and medium to induce radial water flows across the root cylinder in both directions. The hydraulic conductivity of the root (Lp_r) was evaluated from root pressure relaxations. When permeating solutes were added to the medium, biphasic root pressure relaxations were observed with water and solute phases and root pressure minima (maxima) which allowed the estimation of permeability (P_Sr) and reflection coefficients (σ_sr) of roots. Reflection coefficients were: ethanol, 0.27; mannitol, 0.74; sucrose, 0.54; PEG 1000, 0.82; NaCl, 0.64; KNO₃, 0.67, and permeability coefficients (in 10⁻⁸ meters per second): ethanol, 4.7; sucrose, 1.6; and NaCl, 5.7. Lp_r was very different for osmotic and hydrostatic gradients. For hydrostatic gradients Lp_r was 1·10⁻⁷ meters per second per megapascal, whereas in osmotic experiments the hydraulic conductivity was found to be an order of magnitude lower. For hydrostatic gradients, the exosmotic Lp_r was about 15% larger than the endosmotic, whereas in osmotic experiments the polarity in the water movement was reversed. These results either suggest effects of unstirred layers at the osmotic barrier in the root, an asymmetrical barrier, and/or mechanical effects. Measurements of the hydraulic conductivity of individual root cortex cells revealed an Lp similar to Lp_r (hydrostatic). It is concluded that, in the presence of external hydrostatic gradients, water moves primarily in the apoplast, whereas in the presence of osmotic gradients this component is much smaller in relation to the cell-to-cell component (symplasmic plus transcellular transport).     

The Osmometer Model of the Root: Water and Solute Relations of Roots of Phaseolus coccineus

Water and solute relations of young roots of Phaseolus coccineus have been measured using the root pressure probe. Biphasic root pressure relaxations were obtained when roots were treated with solutions containing different osmotic test solutes. From the relaxations, the hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r), the permeability coefficient (P_sr), and the reflection coefficient (σ_sr) of the roots could be evaluated. Lp_r was 1.8 to 8.4 . 10^?8 m . s^?1 . MPa^?1 and P_sr (in 10^?10 m . s^?1): methanol, 27–62; ethanol, 44–73; urea, 5–11; mannitol, 1.5; KCl, 7.1–9.2; NaCl, 2.1; NaNO₃, 3.7. The hydraulic conductivity was similar when using osmotic and hydrostatic pressure gradients as driving forces. The hydraulic conductivity of individual root cortex cells (Lp) was by two orders of magnitude larger than Lp_r (Lp = 0.3 to 4.7 . 10^?6 m . s^?1 . MPa^?1) which indicated a predominant cell-to-cell rather than an apoplasmic transport of water in the Phaseolus root. Except for distances shorter than 20 mm from the root apex, the hydraulic resistance of the roots was limited by the radial movement of water across the root cylinder and not by the hydraulic resistance within the xylem. Reflection coefficients were low: methanol: 0.16–0.34; ethanol: 0.15–0.47; urea: 0.41–0.51; mannitol: 0.68; KCl: 0.43–0.54; NaCl: 0.59; NaNO₃: 0.54. The transport coefficients (Lp_r, P_sr, σ_sr) have been critically examined for influences of unstirred layers and active transport. The low σ_sr suggests that the common treatment of the root as a rather perfect osmometer (σ_sr = 1) analogous to plant cells should be treated cautiously. The reasons for the low σ_sr and the possible implications of the absolute values of the transport parameters for the absorption of water and nutrients are discussed.     

Differential responses of plasma membrane aquaporins in mediating water transport of cucumber seedlings under osmotic and salt stresses

It has long been recognized that inhibition of plant water transport by either osmotic stress or salinity is mediated by aquaporins (AQPs), but the function and regulation of AQPs are highly variable among distinct isoforms and across different species. In this study, cucumber seedlings were subjected to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or NaCl stress for duration of 2 h or 24 h. The 2 h treatment with PEG or NaCl had non‐significant effect on the expression of plasma membrane AQP (CsPIPs) in roots, indicating the decrease in hydraulic conductivity of roots (Lp_r) and root cells (Lp_rc) measured in these conditions were due to changes in AQP activity. After both 2 h and 24 h PEG or NaCl exposure, the decrease in hydraulic conductivity of leaves (K_leaf) and leaf cells (Lp_lc) could be attributed to a down‐regulation of the two most highly expressed isoforms, CsPIP1;2 and CsPIP2;4. In roots, both Lp_r and Lp_rc were further reduced after 24 h PEG exposure, but partially recovered after 24 h NaCl treatment, which were consistent with changes in the expression of CsPIP genes. Overall, the results demonstrated differential responses of CsPIPs in mediating water transport of cucumber seedlings, and the regulatory mechanisms differed according to applied stresses, stress durations and specific organs.     

Anthocyanin production in the hyperaccumulator plant Noccaea caerulescens in response to herbivory and zinc stress

Stomatal behavior in response to drought has been the focus of intensive research, but less attention has been paid to stomatal density. In this study, 5-week-old maize seedlings were exposed to different soil water contents. Stomatal density and size as well as leaf gas exchange were investigated after 2-, 4- and 6-week of treatment, which corresponded to the jointing, trumpeting, and filling stages of maize development. Results showed that new stomata were generated continually during leaf growth. Reduced soil water content significantly stimulated stomatal generation, resulting in a significant increase in stomatal density but a decrease in stomatal size and aperture. Independent of soil water conditions, stomatal density and length in the trumpeting and filling stages were greater than in the jointing stage. Irrespective of growth stage, severe water deficit significantly reduced stomatal conductance (G _s), decreasing the leaf transpiration rate (T _r) and net photosynthetic rate (P _n). Stomatal density was significantly negatively correlated with both P _n and T _r but more strongly with T _r, so the leaf instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE _i ) correlated positively with stomatal density. In conclusion, drought led to a significant increase in stomatal density and a reduction in stomatal size and aperture, resulting in decreased P _n and T _r. Because the negative correlation of stomatal density to T _r was stronger than that to P _n, leaf WUE _i tended to increase.