Rapid hydraulic recovery in Eucalyptus pauciflora after drought: linkages between stem hydraulics and leaf gas exchange |
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| Authors: | SEBASTIÀ MARTORELL ANTONIO DIAZ‐ESPEJO HIPÓLITO MEDRANO MARILYN C BALL BRENDAN CHOAT |
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| Institution: | 1. Grup de Biologia de les Plantes en Condicions Mediterrànees, Universitat de les Illes Balears, , Palma de Mallorca, 07122 Spain;2. Plant Science Division, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, , Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 0200 Australia;3. Irrigation and Crop Ecophysiology Group, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología, IRNAS‐CSIC, , Sevilla, 41080 Spain;4. Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, , Richmond, New South Wales, 2753 Australia |
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| Abstract: | In woody plants, photosynthetic capacity is closely linked to rates at which the plant hydraulic system can supply water to the leaf surface. Drought‐induced embolism can cause sharp declines in xylem hydraulic conductivity that coincide with stomatal closure and reduced photosynthesis. Recovery of photosynthetic capacity after drought is dependent on restored xylem function, although few data exist to elucidate this coordination. We examined the dynamics of leaf gas exchange and xylem function in Eucalyptus pauciflora seedlings exposed to a cycle of severe water stress and recovery after re‐watering. Stomatal closure and leaf turgor loss occurred at water potentials that delayed the extensive spread of embolism through the stem xylem. Stem hydraulic conductance recovered to control levels within 6 h after re‐watering despite a severe drought treatment, suggesting an active mechanism embolism repair. However, stomatal conductance did not recover after 10 d of re‐watering, effecting tighter control of transpiration post drought. The dynamics of recovery suggest that a combination of hydraulic and non‐hydraulic factors influenced stomatal behaviour post drought. |
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| Keywords: | cavitation embolism refilling water stress xylem |
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