Genotypic variation in tissue water relations of leaves and roots of black walnut (Juglans nigra) seedlings

Genetic variation in the drought response of leaf and root tissue water relations of seedlings of eight sources of black walnut ( Juglans nigra L.) was investigated using the pressure-volume technique. Tissue water relations were characterized at three stages of a drying cycle during which well-watered plants were allowed to desiccate and then were reirrigated.
Sources varied both in the capacity for and degree of leaf and root osmotic adjustment, and in the mechanism by which it was achieved. A decrease in osmotic potential at the turgor loss point (ψ_πp) of 0.4 MPa was attributable to increased leaf tissue elasticity in seedlings of four sources, while seedlings of an Ontario source exhibited a 0.7–0.8 MPa decline in ψ_πp as a result of both increased solute content and increased leaf tissue elasticity. Seedlings of a New York source showed no detectable osmotic adjustment.
In roots, decreased ψ_πp (osmotic potential at full hydration) and ψ_πp were observed under drought. Sources that exhibited significant leaf osmotic adjustment also generally showed a similar response in roots. Tissue elasticity and ψ_πp of roots were higher than those of shoots, whereas ψ_πp of the two organs was similar for most sources. Because of greater elasticity, roots exhibited a more gradual decline in turgor and total water potential than did leaves as tissue relative water content decreased.     

Effect of the rol genes from Agrobacterium rhizogenes on polyamine metabolism in tobacco roots

Plants of the mangrove species Pelliciera rhizophoreae and Avicennia germinans, exhibit pronounced oscillations in stomatal aperture under certain climatic conditions. During these oscillations, changes in transpirational water loss were closely followed by those in leaf water potential (ψ1) as indicated by continuous monitoring with an in situ dewpoint hygrometer. With this instrument, it was possible to measure dynamic changes in ψ1 for several days under constant conditions. Subsequently, the leaf was detached from the shoot and a pressure-volume (PV) curve was established by repeatedly weighing the leaf, still attached to the hygrometer during short interruptions of the water potential recordings. The pressure-volume relationship was then used to derive other water relations parameters from these water potential data. Thus, the procedure described herein allows a continuous analysis of the relevant components of bulk leaf water relations. Oscillations in water potential were also measured with single leaves using a pressure chamber. Water relations data obtained with these two different methods were in good agreement. In addition, osmotic potentials derived from the PV-analysis were well within the range of those determined cryoscopically using extracted cell sap.     

Pressure-volume analyses on shoots of Picea abies and leaves of Coffea liberica at various temperatures

Shoots from two ecologically different evergreen tree species, Picea abies (L.) Karst and Coffea liberica Hiern, were used to carry out pressure volume (PV) measurements at 5–35°C. For this purpose a pressure chamber was equipped with thermoelectric temperature regulation. The non-linear sections of the resultant PV curves were sigmoidal for both species, with recognizable points of inflexion. These points, at around ψ= 1.12 MPa and relative water content (RWC) = 88.5% for Picea and at ψ= 0.92 MPa and RWC = 95.5% for Coffea , were characterised by a temporary increase in the resistance to water flow of the entire shoot (R₅).
The maximum value of the bulk modulus of elasticity (ɛ max) was also in the region of the point of inflexion. This value was considerably higher in Coffea than in Picea . The osmotic pressures at full water saturation (π₀) and at turgor loss point (π_p) showed a clear temperature dependence between 15 and 35°C differing only slightly from the theoretically expected situation. At 25°C these values were 1.72 and 2.48 MPa. respectively, for Picea and 1.58 and 1.87 MPa. respectively, for Coffea . The turgor loss point occurred at 76–77% RWC in Picea and at 86% RWC in Coffea , the proportion of apoplastic water varied between 22 and 25% in Picea but was only 9–10% in Coffea . The ecological differences between the two species are reflected in their temperature dependence for R₅, which was much steeper for Coffea than for Picea . The energy of activation for the water conductance of the whole shoots was 13.0–14.4 kJ mol⁻¹ in Picea and about 23 kJ mol⁻¹ in Coffea .     

An index of osmotic adjustment that allows comparison of its magnitude across species and experiments

It is difficult to compare the magnitude of osmotic adjustment (OA) between species and experiments. Currently, comparisons are made by determining the magnitude of OA (MPa) at predetermined values of leaf water content, e.g. a relative water content (RWC) of 70%. The relationship between the natural logarithms of leaf water content (RWC, dependent variable) and leaf osmotic potential (π, independent variable) has a slope of 1.0 for the concentration effect. For tissues that adjust osmotically, the slope will be less than 1.0 and the osmotic index will be 1.0 – slope. The index applies to all the patterns of ln(RWC) vs ln(π) observed in experiments and is independent of the amount of drying achieved. An index of 1.0 is full capacity for OA, and a value of 0.0 is no OA. Three examples of the application of the index are given for data published on sorghum, wheat and grape vines.     

Photosynthetic capacity and specific leaf mass in twenty woody species of Cerrado vegetation under field conditions

Photosynthetic capacity on area (P _Nmaxa ) and mass bases (P _Nmaxm ) and specific leaf mass (SLM) were determined in twenty adult woody species of Cerrado under field conditions. The mean values obtained for P _Nmaxa [11.4 μmol(CO2) m-2 s-1], P _Nmaxm [78 μmol(CO2) kg-1 s-1] and SLM (150 g m-2) were compared with mean values found for deciduous and evergreen sclerophyllous species growing also under field conditions. P _Nmaxm and SLM were statistically different among deciduous, Cerrado and evergreen sclerophyllous species. There was a gradual decrease of P _Nmaxm and an increase of SLM from deciduous to evergreen sclerophyllous species. Woody species of Cerrado showed mean values of P _Nmaxm and SLM between deciduous and evergreen species indicating its brevideciduousness. The comparison using mean values of P _Nmaxm and SLM belonging to deciduous, Cerrado and evergreen sclerophyllous species was suitable to confirm the interdependence among leaf life span, structure and physiological attributes of leaf. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Water relations of Picea abies. I. Comparison of water relations parameters of spruce shoots examined at the end of the vegetation period and in winter

Seasonal changes of some water relations parameters of Norway spruce shoots ( Picea abies [L.] Karst.) were studied during two experiments using the pressure-volume analysis. For each experiment only shoots of a single tree were used.
During the first study, the course of the turgor loss point (as bulk osmotic pressure when turgor first reaches zero, πp) of shoots developed in late 1986 vegetation period, were measured in 1987. The turgor loss point decreased temporarily from –2.5 MPa at the beginning of the year to –3.3 MPa at the end of March, but then increased to the original level for the rest of the year.
During the second study, water relations parameters were measured in late summer 1987 and in late winter 1988. Winter shoots at full water saturation contained up to 20% less water than in late summer. Accordingly, the bulk osmotic pressure at full water saturation (π_p) decreased from –1.7 MPa in late summer to –1.9 MPa in winter, π_p decreased also from –2.2 MPa to –2.8 MPa. However, the amount of osmotically active substances (mOsmol, N) remained unchanged. The relative amount of apoplastic water in the total shoot water content appeared to drop insignificantly from 17% to 15%.
The results show that the decrease in π_o and π_p in late winter is not due to an accumulation of osmotically active substances in the vacuoles but is due to a decrease in tissue water content. The temporary reduction of the symplastic volume by deposition of osmotically inert substances seems to be the most probable cause of this phenomenon.     

Apoplastic water fraction and rehydration techniques introduce significant errors in measurements of relative water content and osmotic potential in plant leaves

Relative water content (RWC) and the osmotic potential (π) of plant leaves are important plant traits that can be used to assess drought tolerance or adaptation of plants. We estimated the magnitude of errors that are introduced by dilution of π from apoplastic water in osmometry methods and the errors that occur during rehydration of leaves for RWC and π in 14 different plant species from trees, grasses and herbs. Our data indicate that rehydration technique and length of rehydration can introduce significant errors in both RWC and π. Leaves from all species were fully turgid after 1–3 h of rehydration and increasing the rehydration time resulted in a significant underprediction of RWC. Standing rehydration via the petiole introduced the least errors while rehydration via floating disks and submerging leaves for rehydration led to a greater underprediction of RWC. The same effect was also observed for π. The π values following standing rehydration could be corrected by applying a dilution factor from apoplastic water dilution using an osmometric method but not by using apoplastic water fraction (AWF) from pressure volume (PV) curves. The apoplastic water dilution error was between 5 and 18%, while the two other rehydration methods introduced much greater errors. We recommend the use of the standing rehydration method because (1) the correct rehydration time can be evaluated by measuring water potential, (2) overhydration effects were smallest, and (3) π can be accurately corrected by using osmometric methods to estimate apoplastic water dilution.     

Aspects of tissue water relations and seasonal changes of leaf water potential components of evergreen and deciduous species coexisting in tropical dry forests

Summary This study compared the tissue water relations and seasonal changes in leaf water potential components of an evergreen tree,Morisonia americana, and two evergreen shrubs,Capparis verrucosa andC. aristiquetae, with two deciduous trees,Humboltiella arborea andLonchocarpus dipteroneurus, and the deciduous vineMansoa verrucifera. All these species coexist in a tropical dry forest in Venezuela. Leaves of the evergreen species are sclerophyllous, while those of the deciduous species are mesophytic. Leaf area to leaf weight ratios of fully mature leaves were about 75 and 170 cm² g^–1 in evergreen and deciduous species, respectively. Seasonal fluctuations of leaf water content per unit of dry weight, water potential, and turgor pressure were smaller in evergreen than in deciduous species. The analysis of tissue water relations using pressurevolume curves showed that evergreen species could develop a higher leaf turgor and lose turgor at lower leaf water potentials than deciduous species. This was related to a lower osmotic potential at full turgor in evergreen (-3.0 MPa)_than in deciduous (-2.0 MPa) species, rather than to the elastic properties of leaf tissue. The volumetric modulus of elasticity was 14 MPa in evergreen compared with 7–10 MPa in deciduous species. Thus, leaf characteristics are important in determining the drought resistance of evergreen species of this tropical dry forest.     

pH and osmotic potential of pine ash as post-fire germination inhibitors

The dominant plant species in native pine forests in Israel ( Pinus halepensis. Cistus salviifolius and C. creticus ) regenerate from seeds after wildfires. The future structure of the regenerating forest is determined largely by the spatial distribution of the seedlings, which depends on the response of the seeds to conditions in the upper layer of the soil. The pH and osmotic potential (π) of the soil water in this layer is strongly affected by the ash which covers the burned forest floor. The effects of pH and π on the germination of the wild species noted above and the effect of pH on the germination of two crops, radish (Kaphanus sativus radicula) and oat (Avena sativa) were studied in a growth chamber. Bis-Tris propane and CAPS [3-(cyclohexylamino)-l-propanesulfonic acid] buffer solutions (pH 6–11), as well as mannitol solutions (down to –1.5 MPa) were used. The upper soil layer from a recently burned forest had pH 9 and π–0.08 MPa. Under this pH the germination of P. halepensis and C. creticus was reduced by ca half, and of C. salviifolius by 40%. Germination of radish and oats was reduced by ca 80%. Osmotic potential of –0.1 MPa did not have a significant effect on the germination of any of the species studied. We conclude that the high pH of the soil, caused by ash, is an important environmental factor that controls the regeneration of the forest plant community. Seed adaptation to the high pH may be decisive in determinig the plants' fate the fire-prone ecosystems.     

Transport constraints on water use by the Great Basin shrub, Artemisia tridentata

As soil and plant water status decline, decreases in hydraulic conductance can limit a plant's ability to maintain gas exchange. We investigated hydraulic limitations for Artemisia tridentata during summer drought. Water use was quantified by measurements of soil and plant water potential ( Ψ ), transpiration and leaf area. Hydraulic transport capacity was quantified by vulnerability to water stress-induced cavitation for root and stem xylem, and moisture release characteristics for soil. These data were used to predict the maximum possible steady-state transpiration rate ( E _crit) and minimum leaf xylem pressure ( Ψ _crit). Transpiration and leaf area declined by ~ 80 and 50%, respectively, as soil Ψ decreased to –2·6 MPa during drought. Leaf-specific hydraulic conductance also decreased by 70%, with most of the decline predicted in the rhizosphere and root system. Root conductance was projected to be the most limiting, decreasing to zero to cause hydraulic failure if E _crit was exceeded. The basis for this prediction was that roots were more vulnerable to xylem cavitation than stems (99% cavitation at –4·0 versus –7·8 MPa, respectively). The decline in water use during drought was necessary to maintain E and Ψ within the limits defined by E _crit and Ψ _crit.     

Comparative analysis of leaf angle and sclerophylly of Aspidosperma quebracho‐blanco on a water deficit gradient

Abstract Aspidosperma quebracho‐blanco is found throughout the Chaco (17°?33°S) in Argentina, and it is the dominant tree species in the arid Chaco. Under the hypothesis that morpho‐physiological features of A. quebracho‐blanco change as a function of its geographical position on a water deficit gradient, it was predicted that with increasing water stress, leaf angles (specifically horizontal) would be greater and mean values of the leaf mass per area would increase. These leaf characteristics were compared at three points on a water deficit gradient extending from the humid Chaco through semi‐arid Chaco to the arid Chaco of Argentina (south‐west to north‐east rainfall gradient, from 350 to 1200 mm annual mean precipitation). Twig and leaf positions were modified and water potentials were measured at the highest heating hour of the day at a site of the arid Chaco. Daily and seasonal water potential variations of untreated twigs were also observed. Leaf angle modification towards horizontal produced more negative twig water potentials with respect to those of leaves in non‐horizontal positions. The comparison of the three sites along the gradient showed contrasting patterns of leaf‐angle frequency distribution of adults. In Chancaní (mean annual temperature: 18–24°C, mean annual precipitation: 450 mm, arid) there was a higher frequency of angles near 90° for non‐pendulous and about 270° for pendulous trees. Leaf angles in Copo (semi‐arid) and Chaco National Park (mean annual temperature: 20–23°C, mean annual precipitation: 1300 mm humid) were widely distributed with higher frequency towards the angles near 0° and 180°. This sclerophyllous tree species showed plasticity in its leaf traits along the precipitation gradient. Plasticity in leaf mass per area and leaf position enables plants to develop efficiently in contrasting environmental conditions of humidity and aridity.     

The role of capacitance in the water balance of Andean giant rosette species

Abstract Pith water storage capacity and its role in plant-water relations were studied in seven giant rosette species of the genus Espeletia from the Venezuelan Andes. Readily available water from the pith was calculated to be capable of sustaining mean transpiration for up to 2.5 h. The relative importance of water stored in the pith, however, differed among species. The species that grow in the higher and colder environments tended to have a greater capacitance than the species that grow in the lower and less extreme environments. The pith volume per unit leaf area (PV/LA) was found to be a good indicator of the relative water storage capacity of the adult individuals of each species. Diurnal fluctuations in leaf water potential were not as pronounced in the species with higher PV/LA values. The species-specific PV/LA was highly correlated with the leaf turgor loss point and with the total resistance to water flow from soil to leaves. These results suggested that species-specific capacitance in the genus Espeletia is a response to temperature-limited soil water availability and that cold tropical environments with frequent subfreezing temperatures tend to select for high water storage capacity in giant rosette plants.     

Salinity effects on the leaf water relations components and ion accumulation patterns in Avicennia germinans (L.) L. seedlings

Physiological traits involved in leaf water relations were evaluated in Avicennia germinans (L.) L. seedlings growing at different salinities in the field. Analysis of pressure-volume (P-V) curves and sap osmometry were combined to evaluate osmotic adjustment and cell elasticity, and the contribution of accumulated inorganic ions to osmotic potential was estimated. Seedlings growing in soils with interstitial water salinity above that of normal sea water showed a modification of the relationship between water potential and relative water content. Thus, their leaf osmotic potential at maximum turgor (Ψ_{π( max )}) and at zero turgor (Ψ_π(0)) was 1.41 and 1.82 MPa lower respectively, than that of the seedlings from the low salinity site. Volumetric moduli of elasticity () were between 17 and 23 MPa. Thus, ɛ was about 6 MPa lower in high-salinity plants indicating that their cells were slightly more elastic. Ionic concentration analysis showed that Σ [anions] and Σ [cations] were higher in the high-salinity site (22–35%) while the water content per unit dry mass was only 12–17% lower. Reduction in water content was insufficient to explain the increase in ion concentration. Ion concentration explained 73 and 66% of the osmotic potential estimated by P-V curves for leaves from low- and high-salinity sites, respectively. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that leaves of A. germinans seedlings adapt to hypersaline soils by increasing solute concentration by 52% and cell elasticity by 26%. Both processes allow leaf water uptake and turgor maintenance over a large range of soil water potential. Received: 30 June 1997 / Accepted 26 November 1997     

Capillary electrophoresis of the major anions and cations in leaf extracts of woody species

Capillary electrophoresis methods are described for the analysis of the major inorganic anions (nitrite, nitrate, chloride, sulphate, phosphate), organic acids (oxalate, malate, citrate, succinate) and inorganic cations (ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium) in leaf extracts. Analytical performance was validated for extracts from leaves of four sclerophyllous species: Eucalyptus globulus, E. cladocalyx, E. nitens and Pinus radiata. Inorganic anions and organic acids were analysed in a single run within 5 min using a background electrolyte of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (20 mM) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (0.5 mM). Cations were analysed in a separate run also within 5 min using imidazole (10 mM) and 18-crown-6 (2 mM) as background electrolyte. Replicate injections were highly repeatable when the capillary was rinsed between runs with hydrochloric acid (0.25 M) and background electrolyte, but not when the acid rinse was omitted or replaced by a rinse with sodium hydroxide (0.25 M). Standard curves for all analytes were linear over the range of 0.05-1 mm. Standard curves constructed by serial dilution of a leaf extract were also highly linear, and this, combined with the excellent recovery of added solutes in a spike and recovery test, suggests quantification was unaffected by the complex matrix that is present in un-purified, hot water extracts of leaves. There were significant differences in concentrations of the major anions and cations between the species studied.     

The responses of stomata and leaf gas exchange to vapour pressure deficits and soil water content

Summary The responses of photosynthesis, transpiration and leaf conductance to changes in vapour pressure deficit were followed in well-watered plants of the herbaceous species, Helianthus annuus, Helianthus nuttallii, Pisum sativum and Vigna unguiculata, and in the woody species having either sclerophyllous leaves, Arbutus unedo, Nerium oleander and Pistacia vera, or mesomorphic leaves, Corylus avellana, Gossypium hirsutum and Prunus dulcis. When the vapour pressure deficit of the air around a single leaf in a cuvette was varied from 10 to 30 Pa kPa^-1 in 5 Pa kPa^-1 steps, while holding the remainder of the plant at a vapour presure deficit of 10 Pa kPa^-1, the leaf conductance and net photosynthetic rate of the leaf decreased in all species. The rate of transpiration increased initially with increase in vapour pressure deficit in all species, but in several species a maximum transpiration rate was observed at 20 to 25 Pa kPa^-1. Concurrent measurements of the leaf water potential by in situ psychrometry showed that an increase in the vapour pressure deficit decreased the leaf water potential in all species. The decrease was greatest in woody species, and least in herbaceous species. When the vapour pressure deficit around the remainder of the plant was increased while the leaf in the cuvette was exposed to a low and constant vapour pressure deficit, similar responses in both degree and magnitude in the rates of transpiration and leaf conductance were observed in the remainder of the plant as those occurring when the vapour pressure deficit around the single leaf was varied. Increasing the external vapour pressure deficit lowered the water potential of the leaf in the cuvette in the woody species and induced a decrease in leaf conductance in some, but not all, speies. The decrease in leaf conductance with decreasing water potential was greater in the woody species when the vapour pressure deficit was increased than when it remained low and constant, indicating that changing the leaf-to-air vapour pressure difference had a direct effect on the stomata in these species. The low hydraulic resistance and maintenance of a high leaf water potential precluded such an analysis in the herbaceous species. We conclude that at least in the woody species studied, an increase in the vapour pressure deficit around a leaf will decrease leaf gas exchange through a direct effect on the leaf epidermis and sometimes additionally through a lowering of the mesophyll water potential.     

Drought adaptations in two Californian evergreen sclerophylls

Summary A field study was initiated to determine the patterns of water stress imposition and stomatal resistance to gas exchange in representative species of 2 evergreen sclerophyllous communities. In concurrent experiments plant water potential, temperature and vapor pressure gradient were varied to determine the relative importance of morphological and physiological parameters in delaying onset of water stress during drought periods.In general, stomatal and photosynthetic responses to water stress were similiar in both species. Both were able to fix carbon even when leaf water potentials dropped as low as-25 bars. Stomatal movements were positively correlated with soil water potential rather than to leaf water potential. However, water stress developed much more rapidly in Arbutus menziesii, a plant of more northerly distribution, than in Heteromeles arbutifolia where they occur on adjacent sites. Morphological parameters were primarily responsible for the very different patterns of water stress imposition. Consequently, Arbutus is limited to areas of shorter drought duration than is Heteromeles and this is reflected in their differing distributions.     

Field measurement of leaf water potential with a temperature-corrected in situ thermocouple psychrometer

Abstract. The construction and evaluation of a temperature-corrected in situ thermocouple psychrometer for measurement of leaf water potential (Ψ) is described. The instrument utilized two chromel-constantan thermocouples which allowed for detection of both the psychrometric zero offset and the temperature differential between the sample and the Peltier measuring junction. The psychrometer was subjected to stable temperature gradients while in contact with reference solutions of sodium chloride, and the effects of thermal gradients were quantified. Regression analysis indicated that temperature differentials were responsible for errors in water potential determinations of approximately –7.73 MPa°C⁻¹. When installed on leaves of field-grown cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn ( Zea mays L.) and soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr) the instrument detected temperature differentials up to 0.1°C (–6.0 μV) which were associated with relatively small shifts in psychrometric zero offsets (–0.05––0.75 μV). Results indicated that substantial errors in apparent Ψ were caused by non-isothermal conditions between the leaf and the psychrometer measuring junction. The relative magnitude of these errors could be quantified and the corrected results showed good agreement with conventional psychrometric determination of Ψ on excised samples during a diurnal cycle.     

Daily and seasonal variation in water relations of macchia shrubs and trees in France (Montpellier) and Turkey (Antalya)

Based upon two different research studies in the mediterranean regions of France and Turkey, drought resistance strategies were investigated in a broad group of species. The diurnal and seasonal patterns of the water relations of different lifeforms from the thermo-mediterranean to submediterranean lifezones were compared. Three sites near Montpellier, in Southern France, and five sites near Antalya, Turkey were used for this comparison. Xylem pressure potential and relative stomatal aperture were the key water relations parameters collected in France while these parameters as well as osmotic potential and leaf conductance were studied in Turkey.From the 26 different study species investigated in France, 7 distinct types of stomatal control were observed, with the deciduous lifeforms showing the least control, the sclerophyllous and coniferous evergreens the greatest control and the malacophyllous shrublets intermediate levels of control. Predawn water potential values provided a means of classifying species according to their temporal and spatial utilization of site water reserves. The comparison of turgor potentials (difference between water and osmotic potentials) gave an insight into leaf adaptations to site moisture. Species with high predawn water potentials generally maintain positive turgor even at midday during the summer, whereas species with low predawn values were frequently at zero turgor even at predawn. Phlomis grandiflora was the most extreme species with mid-summer predawns and midday water potentials of –6 MPa and osmotic potentials never more negative than –2.4 MPa.     

立地条件和树龄对刺槐和小叶杨叶水力性状及抗旱性的影响

以形成黄土高原“小老树”的2种典型树种刺槐和小叶杨为对象,研究了立地条件(沟谷台地和沟间坡地)和树龄对两种树木叶水力学性质和抗旱性的影响,探讨“小老树”形成的水力生理机制.结果表明: 水分较好的沟谷台地上生长的两种树木的叶最大水力导度(K_max)明显大于水分较差的沟间坡地,叶水力脆弱性(P₅₀)也较高;随树龄增加,两种树木的K_max明显下降,但P₅₀差异不大.台地上生长的两种树木的叶表皮导度和PV曲线参数(膨压损失点时的相对含水量RWC_tlp、膨压损失点时的水势ψ_tlp、饱和含水量时的渗透势ψ_sat)均大于坡地;随树龄增加,两种树木的叶表皮导度显著下降,PV曲线参数出现不同程度的下降.两种树木K_max与ψ_tlp呈显著正相关,P₅₀与PV曲线参数之间存在一定的相关性,表明K_max与抗旱性之间存在一种权衡关系,P₅₀是反映两种树木的抗旱性特征之一.     

Comparison of pressure chamber and psychrometer estimates of leaf water potential in rice

Summary The need to compare pressure-chamber estimates of leaf water potential with a psychrometric method has been established for several crop species. We investigated this relationship for rice (Oryza sativa L.) as well as the need to protect leaves from water loss during sampling and measuring period in the pressure chamber. Two rice cultivars grown in containers on a clay-loam soil were stressed to varying degrees by withholding water. Fully expanded leaves were sampled for estimation of leaf water potential by the dew point hygrometer and pressure-chamber techniques. The same leaf was used in both methods allowing direct comparison. Additionally, two alternative methods of leaf handling for measurement by the pressure chamber technique were compared. Protection of leaf samples against water loss during excision, transport and handling was found to be more important at higher leaf water potentials (>−1.0 MPa). The two cultivars used appeared to differ in their response to protection of the leaf sample. These results serve to further caution pressure chamber users on extrapolating comparisons between the two measurement methods and between tissue handling techniques even within a crop species.