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。     

Long term water stress inactivates Rubisco in subterranean clover

In long-term field experiments, during consecutive years, microswards of subterranean clover were irrigated to minimise water deficits or subjected to progressively increasing drought over 30 days. Both leaf water potential and relative water content steadily decreased during the experiments. Plants affected by drought grew more slowly and photosynthesis was decreased. Photosynthetic rate (A) and Rubisco were analysed in relation to midday water potentials and relative water contents. The difference in A between draughted and irrigated plants increased progressively, in part as a result of decreased stomatal conductance and CO₂ concentration within leaf (Ci). However, A-Ci curves suggest that the photosynthetic capacity in plants experiencing long-term stress was reduced by 50% when compared with irrigated plants. Drought decreased both the initial and the total Rubisco activity per unit area in a similar way but did not reduce the amount of Rubisco protein per unit leaf area. Thus, the specific activity of Rubisco, rather than its activation state, decreased suggesting that under water stress the active sites were blocked by inhibitors.     

Photosynthetic responses and proline content of mature and young leaves of sunflower plants under water deficit

In mature and young leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Catissol-01) plants grown in the greenhouse, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate declined during water stress independently of leaf age and recovered after 24-h rehydration. The intercellular CO₂ concentration, chlorophyll (Chl) content, and photochemical activity were not affected by water stress. However, non-photochemical quenching increased in mature stressed leaves. Rehydration recovered the levels of non-photochemical quenching and increased the F_v/F_m in young leaves. Drought did not alter the total Chl content. However, the accumulation of proline under drought was dependent on leaf age: higher content of proline was found in young leaves. After 24 h of rehydration the content of proline returned to the same contents as in control plants.     

Effects of drought stress on photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and stem diameter of soybean plants

Changes in plant growth, photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and stem diameter of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants under drought stress were studied. Total plant dry mass was reduced by 30 % compared to well-watered control plants. Leaf water potential was slightly decreased by water stress. Water stress induced daytime shrinkage and reduced night-time expansion of stem. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were significantly declined by water stress, while the intercellular CO₂ concentration was changed only slightly at the initiation of stress treatment. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 and apparent photosynthetic electron transport rate were not changed by water stress.     

干旱胁迫对降香黄檀幼苗光合生理特性的影响

采用温室盆栽方法,设置对照(CK)、轻度(LS)、中度(MS)和重度(HS)干旱胁迫4个水分条件,研究不同水分条件对降香黄檀幼苗光合和生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)随着干旱胁迫程度增加,降香黄檀幼苗叶片叶绿素总含量总体呈现出下降趋势。(2)降香黄檀幼苗叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率随着干旱胁迫强度增加均呈现出先增加后降低趋势,且MS和HS处理下的气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度同时降低,此时幼苗光合能力的下降主要受气孔因素限制。(3)随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,降香黄檀幼苗叶片细胞膜相对透性、丙二醛含量、游离脯氨酸含量和POD活性均呈现出增加趋势,而同期SOD和CAT活性呈现出先升高后降低趋势。可见,降香黄檀幼苗在轻度干旱胁迫下可通过增加叶片保护酶活性来清除活性氧对其组织造成的伤害,但胁迫超过一定程度后保护酶活性下降,表明降香黄檀幼苗的耐旱能力有限。     

Diffusion limitations and metabolic factors associated with inhibition and recovery of photosynthesis from drought stress in a C3 perennial grass species

Stomatal closure and metabolic impairment under drought stress limits photosynthesis. The objective of this study was to determine major stomatal and metabolic factors involved in photosynthetic responses to drought and recovery upon re‐watering in a C₃ perennial grass species, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Two genotypes differing in drought resistance, ‘Midnight’ (tolerant) and ‘Brilliant’ (sensitive), were subjected to drought stress for 15 days and then re‐watered for 10 days in growth chambers. Single‐leaf net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased during drought, with a less rapid decline in ‘Midnight’ than in ‘Brilliant’. Photochemical efficiency, Rubisco activity and activation state declined during drought, but were significantly higher in ‘Midnight’ than in ‘Brilliant’. The relationship between A and internal leaf CO₂ concentration (A/Ci curve) during drought and re‐watering was analyzed to estimate the relative influence of stomatal and non‐stomatal components on photosynthesis. Stomatal limitation (Ls %), non‐stomatal limitation (Lns %), CO₂ compensation point (CP) and dark respiration (Rd) increased with stress duration in both genotypes, but to a lesser extent in ‘Midnight’. Maximum CO₂ assimilation rate (A_max), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and mesophyll conductance (g_m) declined, but ‘Midnight’ had significantly higher levels of A_max, CE and g_m than ‘Brilliant’. Maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (V_cmax) and ribulose‐1,5‐bisphospate (RuBP) regeneration capacity mediated by maximum electron transport rate (J_max) decreased from moderate to severe drought stress in both genotypes, but to a greater extent in ‘Brilliant’ than in ‘Midnight’. After re‐watering, RWC restored to about 90% of the control levels in both genotypes, whereas A, g_s, Tr and Fv/Fm was only partially recovered, with a higher recovery level in ‘Midnight’ than in ‘Brilliant’. Rubisco activity and activation state restored to the control level after re‐watering, with more rapid increase in ‘Midnight’ than in ‘Brilliant’. The values of Ls, Lns, CP and Rd declined, and A_max, CE, V_cmax, J_max and g_m increased after re‐watering, with more rapid change in all parameters in ‘Midnight’ than in ‘Brilliant’. These results indicated that the maintenance of higher A and A_max under drought stress in drought‐tolerant Kentucky bluegrass could be attributed to higher Rubico activation state, higher CE and less stomatal limitation. The ability to resume metabolic activity (A_max, CE, Fv/Fm and Rubisco) was observed in the drought‐tolerant genotype and is the most likely cause for the increased recuperative ability of photosynthesis. Incomplete recovery of photosynthesis upon re‐watering could be attributable to lasting stomatal limitations caused by severe drought damage in both genotypes. Promoting rapid stomatal recovery from drought stress may be critical for plants to resume full photosynthetic capacity in C₃ perennial grass species.     

Risk-taking plants: Anisohydric behavior as a stress-resistance trait

Water scarcity is a critical limitation for agricultural systems. Two different water management strategies have evolved in plants: an isohydric strategy and an anisohydric strategy. Isohydric plants maintain a constant midday leaf water potential (Ψ_leaf) when water is abundant, as well as under drought conditions, by reducing stomatal conductance as necessary to limit transpiration. Anisohydric plants have more variable Ψ_leaf and keep their stomata open and photosynthetic rates high for longer periods, even in the presence of decreasing leaf water potential. This risk-taking behavior of anisohydric plants might be beneficial when water is abundant, as well as under moderately stressful conditions. However, under conditions of intense drought, this behavior might endanger the plant. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these two water-usage strategies and their effects on the plant’s ability to tolerate abiotic and biotic stress. The involvement of plant tonoplast AQPs in this process will also be discussed.     

Effects of dew on eco-physiological traits and leaf structures of Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum grown under drought stress北大核心CSCD

Aims: To investigate the effects of dew on plants, we conducted the experiment to determine the physiological characteristics and leaf structures of Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum in response to increasing dew under drought stress. Methods: Four treatments (no dew, three times dew and five times dew per week under drought stress, and well-watering) were designed to examine leaf relative water content, water potential, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, biomass, and leaf structures of L. chinensis and A. cristatum. Important findings: There was a significant increase in the relative water content and water potential by simulated dew increase for two plants species under drought stress (p < 0.05). For A. cristatum, simulated dew increase significantly enhanced the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of plants under drought stress (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate for L. chinensis among treatments. Simulated dew increase improved the aboveground biomass and root biomass of two species. The ratio of yellow leaves to the total leaves was decreased by simulated dew increase for two species. Dew increase also protected leaf structures against the drought stress, suggesting that the dew increase can slow down the death process of leaves resulted from drought stress. Therefore, the study demonstrated that dew increased the available water for the leaves of L. chinensis and A. cristatum grown in the drought stress and thus had positive effects on the photosynthesis, water physiology and plant development.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alter Fractal Dimension Characteristics of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Seedlings Through Regulating Plant Growth,Leaf Water Status,Photosynthesis, and Nutrient Concentration Under Drought Stress

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus intraradices, on plant growth, leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, nutrient concentration, and fractal dimension (FD) characteristics of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seedlings was studied in pot culture under well-watered, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress treatments. Mycorrhizal seedlings had higher dry biomass, leaf relative water content (RWC), and water use efficiency (WUE) compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Under all treatments, AMF colonization notably enhanced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, but decreased intercellular CO₂ concentration. Leaf chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll concentrations were higher in AM seedlings than those in non-AM seedlings although there was no significant difference between AMF species. AMF colonization improved leaf C, N, and P concentrations, but decreased C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Mycorrhizal seedlings had a larger FD value than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The FD value was positively and significantly correlated to the plant growth parameters, photosynthesis, RWC, WUE, and nutrient concentration but negatively correlated to leaf/stem ratio, C:N and C:P ratios, and intercellular CO₂ concentration. We conclude that AMF lead to an improvement of growth performance of black locust seedlings under all growth conditions, including drought stress via improving leaf water status, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. Moreover, FD technology proved to be a powerful non-destructive method to characterize the effect of AMF on the physiology of host plants during drought stress.     

Growth and Gas Exchange of Three Sorghum Cultivars Under Drought Stress

A field study was conducted to evaluate the drought tolerance of three sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars, Gadambalia, Arous elRimal and Tabat, and quantify the physiological bases for differences in their drought tolerance. Water stress reduced shoot dry mass of Gadambalia, Arous elRimal and Tabat by 43, 46 and 58 %, respectively. The respective reduction in leaf area of the three cultivars was 28, 54 and 63 %. The reduction in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate due to water stress was lowest in Gadambalia and highest in Tabat. The leaf water potentials and relative water contents of Gadambalia under wet and dry treatments were similar, while those of Tabat were significantly reduced by water stress. The lowest and highest liquid water flow conductance was displayed by Tabat and Gadambalia, respectively. Drought tolerance in Gadambalia is associated with its smaller leaf area, higher liquid water flow conductance, and ability to maintain high leaf water potential, relative water content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and photosynthetic rate under drought stress. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

羊草叶片气体交换参数对温度和土壤水分的响应

 采用生长箱控制的方法研究了羊草(Leymus chinensis)幼苗叶片光合参数对5个温度和5个水分梯度的响应和适应。结果表明：轻度、中度土壤干旱并没有限制羊草叶片的生长,对气体交换参数亦无显著影响,反映了羊草幼苗对土壤水分胁迫的较高耐性。叶片生物量以26 ℃时最大,其它依次为23 ℃、20 ℃、29 ℃和32 ℃。温度升高使气孔导度和蒸腾速率增加, 却使光合速率和水分利用效率降低。水分和温度对叶片生物量、光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率存在显著的交互作用,表明高温加强了干旱对叶片生长和气体交换的影响, 降低了羊草对土壤干旱的适应能力。高温和干旱的交互作用将显著减少我国半干旱地区草原的羊草生产力。     

土壤水分变化对长白山主要树种蒙古栎幼树生长的影响

选择长白山红松阔叶林主要优势树种蒙古栎为研究对象,人工控制3种施水量研究蒙古栎幼树形态、生物量效应和光合生理特征对土壤含水量变化的响应．结果表明,不同土壤含水量变化显著影响蒙古栎叶片、枝、根的生物量及其分配格局和叶片光合气体交换特征．水分胁迫改变幼树树冠结构,抑制幼树树高、地径、叶片大小、地上和地下生物量;同时,蒙古栎幼树根冠生物量比随着土壤水分含量的减少显著提高;供水量减少对幼树净光合速率、CO2利用率和碳利用率等特征有显著的负向影响;而叶片气孔导度、蒸腾速率和水分利用率对不同土壤含水量反应较复杂,只在土壤含水量较低时,幼树气孔导度、蒸腾速率明显降低,叶片水分利用率升高,表现出蒙古栎树种是干旱可变植物,长期水分胁迫可提高树种的耐旱能力．     

Gas exchange and water‐use efficiency in plant canopies

In this review, I first address the basics of gas exchange, water‐use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination in C₃ plant canopies. I then present a case study of water‐use efficiency in northern Australian tree species. In general, C₃ plants face a trade‐off whereby increasing stomatal conductance for a given set of conditions will result in a higher CO₂ assimilation rate, but a lower photosynthetic water‐use efficiency. A common garden experiment suggested that tree species which are able to establish and grow in drier parts of northern Australia have a capacity to use water rapidly when it is available through high stomatal conductance, but that they do so at the expense of low water‐use efficiency. This may explain why community‐level carbon isotope discrimination does not decrease as steeply with decreasing rainfall on the North Australian Tropical Transect as has been observed on some other precipitation gradients. Next, I discuss changes in water‐use efficiency that take place during leaf expansion in C₃ plant leaves. Leaf phenology has recently been recognised as a significant driver of canopy gas exchange in evergreen forest canopies, and leaf expansion involves changes in both photosynthetic capacity and water‐use efficiency. Following this, I discuss the role of woody tissue respiration in canopy gas exchange and how photosynthetic refixation of respired CO₂ can increase whole‐plant water‐use efficiency. Finally, I discuss the role of water‐use efficiency in driving terrestrial plant responses to global change, especially the rising concentration of atmospheric CO₂. In coming decades, increases in plant water‐use efficiency caused by rising CO₂ are likely to partially mitigate impacts on plants of drought stress caused by global warming.     

Elevated CO2 alleviates the impact of drought on barley improving water status by lowering stomatal conductance and delaying its effects on photosynthesis

We analysed the impact of elevated CO₂ on water relations, water use efficiency and photosynthetic gas exchange in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under wet and drying soil conditions. Soil moisture was less depleted under elevated compared to ambient [CO₂]. Elevated CO₂ had no significant effect on the water relations of irrigated plants, except on whole plant hydraulic conductance, which was markedly decreased at elevated compared to ambient CO₂ concentrations. The values of relative water content, water potential and osmotic potential were higher under elevated CO₂ during the entire drought period. The better water status of water-limited plants grown at elevated CO₂ was the result of stomatal control rather than of osmotic adjustment. Despite the low stomatal conductance produced by elevated CO₂, net photosynthesis was higher under elevated than ambient CO₂ concentrations. With water shortage, photosynthesis was maintained for longer at higher rates under elevated CO₂. The reduction of stomatal conductance and therefore transpiration, and the enhancement of carbon assimilation by elevated CO₂, increased instantaneous and whole plant water use efficiency in both irrigated and droughted plants. Thus, the metabolism of barley plants grown under elevated CO₂ and moderate or mild water deficit conditions is benefited by increased photosynthesis and lower transpiration. The reduction in plant water use results in a marked increase in soil water content which delays the onset and severity of water deficit.     

Photosynthesis in Encelia farinosa Gray in Response to Decreasing Leaf Water Potential

Photosynthetic responses of intact leaves of the desert shrub Encelia farinosa were measured during a long term drought cycle in order to understand the responses of stomatal and nonstomatal components to water stress. Photosynthetic rate at high irradiance and leaf conductance to water vapor both decreased linearly with declining leaf water potential. The intercellular CO₂ concentration (c_i) remained fairly constant as a function of leaf water potential in plants subjected to a slow drought cycle of 25 days, but decreased in plants exposed to a 12-day drought cycle. With increasing water stress, the slope of the dependence of photosynthesis on c_i (carboxylation efficiency) decreased, the maximum photosynthetic rates at high c_i became saturated at lower values, and water use efficiency increased. Both the carboxylation efficiency and photosynthetic rates were positively correlated with leaf nitrogen content. Associated with lower leaf conductances, the calculated stomatal limitation to photosynthesis increased with water stress. However, because of simultaneous changes in the dependence of photosynthesis on c_i with water stress, increased leaf conductance alone in water-stressed leaves would not result in an increase in photosynthetic rates to prestressed levels. Both active osmotic adjustment and changes in specific leaf mass occurred during the drought cycle. In response to increased water stress, leaf specific mass increased. However, the increases in specific leaf mass were associated with the production of a reflective pubescence and there were no changes in specific mass of the photosynthetic tissues. The significance of these responses for carbon gain and water loss under arid conditions are discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lotus corniculatus</Emphasis> L. response to carbon dioxide concentration and radiation level variations

Carbon dioxide concentration and light conditions may greatly vary between mountainous and lowland areas determining the photosynthetic performance of plants species. This paper aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic responses of Lotus corniculatus, growing in a mountain and a lowland grassland, under low and high radiation and CO₂ concentration. Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO₂ concentration were measured while the water-use efficiency and the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence were calculated. Photosynthetic response curves to different levels of radiation and intercellular CO₂ partial pressure were estimated. Our results showed that high radiation and CO₂ concentration enhanced water-use efficiency of plants at both sites, enabling them to use more efficiently the available water reserves under drought conditions. The increase of radiation and CO₂ concentration would enhance the photosynthetic performance of the mountainous population of L. corniculatus, which overall seems to express higher phenotypic plasticity.     

Effects of dew on eco-physiological traits and leaf structures of Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum grown under drought stress

Aims To investigate the effects of dew on plants, we conducted the experiment to determine the physiological characteristics and leaf structures of Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum in response to increasing dew under drought stress.Methods Four treatments (no dew, three times dew and five times dew per week under drought stress, and well-watering) were designed to examine leaf relative water content, water potential, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, biomass, and leaf structures of L. chinensis and A. cristatum. Important findings There was a significant increase in the relative water content and water potential by simulated dew increase for two plants species under drought stress (p < 0.05). For A. cristatum, simulated dew increase significantly enhanced the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of plants under drought stress (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate for L. chinensis among treatments. Simulated dew increase improved the aboveground biomass and root biomass of two species. The ratio of yellow leaves to the total leaves was decreased by simulated dew increase for two species. Dew increase also protected leaf structures against the drought stress, suggesting that the dew increase can slow down the death process of leaves resulted from drought stress. Therefore, the study demonstrated that dew increased the available water for the leaves of L. chinensis and A. cristatum grown in the drought stress and thus had positive effects on the photosynthesis, water physiology and plant development.     

干旱胁迫下杨树无性系苗期光合与气孔形态变异研究

为了解不同干旱胁迫处理下,杨树叶片光合特性和气孔形态的变化规律,本研究以4个杨树无性系为材料,对其干旱胁迫下光合指标与气孔形态指标进行测定分析,方差分析结果表明：除气孔器长在处理间差异不显著外,其他性状在无性系间、处理间和无性系与处理交互作用间均达极显著差异水平。随着土壤相对含水量的逐渐降低,无性系净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度都呈现出不同程度的下降;而胞间二氧化碳浓度呈现为先降后升趋势,表明当土壤相对含水量大于40%时,光合作用的主要限制因子是气孔因素,当土壤相对含水量低于40%时,光合作用的主要限制因子转换为非气孔因素。气孔形态研究结果表明,各指标均随土壤相对含水量的持续降低呈现出持续下降趋势。利用隶属函数法对不同干旱胁迫下4个杨树无性系的抗旱性进行综合评价,结果表明：白城小青黑杨的抗旱性优于其他三个无性系。     

Antitranspirant functions of stem periderms and their influence on corticular photosynthesis under drought stress

Transpiration and photosynthesis of current-year stems and adult leaves of different deciduous tree species were investigated to estimate their probable influence on carbon balance. Peridermal transpiration of young stems was found to be rather small as compared to the transpiration of leaves (stem/leaf like 1/5–1/20). A characteristic that was mainly attributable to the lower peridermal conductance to water and CO₂, which made up only 8–28% of stomatal conductance. Water vapour conductance was significantly lower in stems, but also non-responsive to PAR, which led to a comparatively higher water use efficiency (WUE, ratio assimilation/transpiration). Thus, although corticular photosynthesis reached only 11–37% of leaf photosynthesis, it may be a means of improving the carbon balance of stems under limited water availability. The influence of drought stress on primary photosynthetic reactions was also studied. Under simulated drought conditions the drying time needed to provoke a 50% reduction (t ₅₀) in dark- and light-adapted PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm, ΔF/Fm′) was up to ten times higher in stems than in leaves. Nevertheless, up to a relative water deficit (RWD) of around 40–50% dark-adapted PSII efficiency of leaves and stems was rather insensitive to dehydration, showing that the efficiency of open PS II reaction centres is not impaired. Thus, it may be concluded that in stems as well as in leaves the primary site of drought damage is at the level of dark enzyme reactions and not within PSII. However, enduring severe drought caused photoinhibitory damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of leaves and stems; thereby RWD₅₀ values (= RWD needed to provoke a 50% reduction in Fv/Fm ad ΔF/Fm′) were comparably lower in stems as compared to leaves, indicating a possibly higher drought sensitivity of the cortex chlorenchyma.     

Recovery responses of photosynthesis,transpiration, and stomatal conductance in kidney bean following drought stress

Photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics were examined in kidney bean plants, with developing gradually water stress for several days after watering and then permitted to recover by re-watering. The photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance decreased rapidly by withholding water for 2 days. The F_v/F_m of chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics slightly decreased when the water was withheld for 7 days. After re-watering the rate of recovery of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance decreased gradually as the days without watering became longer. The differences existed in rates of recovery of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance following drought stress. Among the fractional recoveries the highest was photosynthesis, and the lowest was stomatal conductance. Photosynthesis rate following drought stress was rapidly recovered until 2 days after re-watering, then recovered slowly. The critical time for the recovery of photosynthesis was recognized. The results show clearly a close correlation between the leaf water potential and the recovery level and speed of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance.