A Two-dimensional Model for Water Uptake by Desert Succulents: Implications of Root Distribution

Water uptake by Agave deserti and Ferocatus acanthodes was predictedusing a two-dimensional simulation model in which the soil arounda plant was divided into a series of layers and concentric cylindricalshells. Root lengths in 0.05 m thick soil layers were determinedfor both species in the field, where mean root depths were only0.11 m for A. deserti and 0.10 m for F. acanthodes. For a yearwith average precipitation (159 mm), 42 per cent of the annualprecipitation could be taken up by A. deserti and 25 per centby F. acanthodes. Predicted water uptake by both species wasgreater from the upper soil layers (above 0.15 m) for averageand dry years, but was greater from the deeper layers for awet year. The actual root distribution for both species ledto more water uptake than when all of the roots were in a singlelayer. The large number of days per year when the soil temperaturesexceeded 57 °C (the temperature for 50 per cent inhibitionof uptake of a vital stain by root cells) may exclude rootsfrom the 0.00–0.05 m soil layer, even though water uptakewhen all roots were located there was predicted to be maximal.Therefore, the observed root distribution of A. deserti andF. acanthodes may be limited near the soil surface by high temperaturesand at maximum depths by water availability for all but wetyears. Agave deserti, Ferocactus acanthodes, desert succulents, root system, root distribution, soil temperature, water uptake     

Water Movement and Storage in a Desert Succulent: Anatomy and Rehydration Kinetics for Leaves of Agave deserti

Smith, J. A. C. and Nobel, P. S. 1986. Water movement and storagein a desert succulent: anatomy and rehydration kinetics forleaves of Agave deserti.—J. exp. Bot. 37: 1044–1053. Anatomic and kinetic aspects of water storage were investigatedfor the succulent leaves of the desert CAM plant, Agave deserti.An approximately linear relationship was found between the numberof vascular bundles and leaf surface area, both for leaves ofdifferent sizes and also along the length of a single leaf.The bundles, which were distributed throughout the leaf cross-section,were separated from each other by about eight water-storagecells. Even though the cell walls of the water-storage groundtissue made up only 2?5% of the cell volume, they provided about10% of the total cross-sectional area available for water transportradial to the xylem because cell-cell contact in such a directionaveraged 25% of the cell surface area. The rehydration kineticsof partially dehydrated leaf segments were resolved into threephases: (1) a relatively rapid movement into the vascular tissue(half-time of 2 min); (2) water movement into storage in theground tissue (half-time of 59 min); and (3) water movementinto the intercellular air spaces (half-time of about 10 h).Using the observed kinetics for water movement into the storagetissue and standard diffusion theory, the bulk-averaged diffusivityof water in the relatively homogeneous ground tissue (D₁) was2?0 ? 10^–10 m² s^–1 Using this (D₁) and pathway analysis,most of the water moving from the xylem into storage in themassive leaves of A. deserti apparently occurred from cell tocell across the cell membranes rather than through the cellwalls. Key words: Agave deserti, capacitance, diffusivity, leaf anatomy, succulence, water storage     

The Relationship between Transpiration, Root Water Uptake, and Leaf Water Potential

The effect of changing the transpiration rate on leaf waterpotential and water balance has been examined to show if permeabilityof the plant (predominantly the roots) is constant or varieswith the transpiration rate. Measurements of leaf effectivethickness, water potential, transpiration, and uptake of waterby roots were made on sunflower, barley, and maize plants grownin solution culture and subjected to a range of atmosphericconditions and root treatments: cooling, low osmotic potential,and removal of part of the root system. Leaf water potential changed little under a wide range of atmosphericconditions and rates of water flux in the three species, sothat the root permeability to water increases as the rate oftranspiration, and therefore flow across the root surface, increases.Equality between uptake and loss of water and thereby maintenanceof constant leaf water potential is assisted by stomatal changes,which appear to be in response to conditions at or in the rootrather than a direct response to changes in bulk leaf waterpotential.     

Allometric Root/Shoot Relationships and Predicted Water Uptake for Desert Succulents

Root morphology, shoot morphology, and water uptake for Agavedeserti and Ferocactus acanthodes of various sizes were studiedusing allometric relationships (y = ax^b) and a previously developedwater uptake model. Shoot surface area increased with shootvolume with an exponent b of 0.75 for both species. Root lengthand the ground area explored by the roots increased with shootsurface area with b's of 0.72 for A. deserti and 0.92 for F.acanthodes. Various sized individuals had about the same ratioof root length to explored ground area, with higher values occurringfor A. deserti. Predicted water uptake averaged over the exploredground area was approximately constant over a 10⁴-fold rangein shoot surface area, suggesting that shoot size confers nointraspecific competitive advantage for water uptake. For theroot lengths per explored ground area observed in the field,water uptake was predicted to be 85 per cent of maximal; wateruptake could be increased by the production of more rain roots.When differences in shoot volume were accounted for by allometry,small plants had relatively less shoot surface area and relativelymore root length per shoot volume than did large plants, whichmay be important for the water relations of seedling establishment. Agave deserti, Ferocactus acanthodes, allometry, desert succulents, root distribution, root length, seedling growth, seedling establishment, shoot surface area, shoot volume, water uptake     

Accumulation of Oxygen Gas in Excised Maize Root on Aging in Water, and Water Uptake by the Root

Transfer of excised maize root from wet sawdust to water causeda considerable reduction in the exudation rate of the root.After 1-day aging in water, the exudation rate increased about8-fold and the exudation continued for 3 days. Osmotic pressureof the exudate from the root decreased with time after excisionreaching almost zero in 2 days in spite of a high exudationrate. Concentrations of sugars, acids, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in theexudate decreased with the decrease of osmotic pressure, whilethe decrease in K⁺ concentration delayed and P₁ concentrationincreased. The gas content of the root, especially of O₂, increased duringaging in water. The accumulated O₂ gas may promote water uptake,because degasification of the root by evacuation induced a decreaseof water uptake. Also, the longitudinal gradient of the O₂ contentin the root coincides with the gradient of water uptake intensity. (Received February 7, 1982; Accepted July 2, 1983)     

Root Osmotic Adjustment and Stomatal Control of Leaf Gas Exchange are Dependent on Citrus Rootstocks Under Water Deficit

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Drought tolerance is defined by several morpho-physiological mechanisms that together improve plant development under water-limiting conditions. Previously, we...     

Gas Exchange,Photochemical Efficiency,and Leaf Water Potential in Three Salix Species

Gas exchange, photochemical efficiency, and leaf water potential (_l) of Salix matsudana (non-indigenous species), S. microstachya and S. gordejevii (indigenous species) were studied in Hunshandak Sandland, China. _l of all the three species decreased from 06:00 to 12:00, and increased afterwards. S. matsudana showed higher values of _l than others. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) of S. matsudana were the lowest among all, with the maximum P _N at 10:00 being 75% of that of S. gordejevii. Compared with the indigenous species, the non-indigenous S. matsudana had also lower transpiration rate (E) and water use efficiency (WUE). The values of F_v/F_m in all the species were lower from 06:00 to 14:00 than those after 14:00, indicating an obvious depression in photochemical efficiency of photosystem 2 in both non-indigenous and native species. However, it was much more depressed in S. matsudana, the non-indigenous tree. P _N was positively correlated to g _s and negatively related to _l. The relationship between g _s and vapour pressure difference (VPD) was exponential, while negative linear correlation was found between g _s and _l.     

Variations in Root Water Potentials: Influence of Environmental Factors for Two Succulent Species

Average root water potential (     

Heterogeneity in Water Availability Alters Cellular Development and Hydraulic Conductivity along Roots of a Desert Succulent

Plants of the desert succulent Agave deserti were grown in partitionedcontainers to determine whether heterogeneity in soil moistureleads to differences in cellular development and hydraulic conductivityalong individual roots. Roots from containers with a dry distalcompartment (furthest from the shoot), a wet middle compartment,and a dry proximal compartment had distal regions (includingthe root tips) that were more suberized and lignified in theendodermis and adjacent cell layers than were root regions fromthe wet middle compartment. Proximal root regions about 40 mmfrom the succulent shoot base were also relatively unsuberized,suggesting that both external and internal supplies of waterdelayed tissue maturation. Root segments from wet middle compartmentsand from dry proximal compartments had higher hydraulic conductivitythan did the more suberized root segments from dry distal compartments.Unlike distal root segments from wet compartments, segmentsfrom dry compartments suffered no decrease in hydraulic conductivityafter immersion in mercuric chloride, suggesting that aquaporinactivity diminished for roots during drought. The possible closureof water channels could help limit root water loss to a dryingsoil. The delayed development of suberized cell layers may allowroot regions to maximize water uptake from wet soil patches(such as under rocks), and the relatively immature, absorptiveroot region near the base of the shoot may help A. deserti capturewater from a briefly wetted surface soil. Copyright 2000 Annalsof Botany Company Agave deserti, root plasticity, water uptake, aquaporins, suberization, endodermis, divided pots.     

Leaf Gas Exchange and Water Relations of Grapevines Grown in Three Different Conditions

Diurnal and seasonal changes in the leaf water potential (), stomatal conductance (g _s), net CO₂ assimilation rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), internal CO₂ concentration (C _i), and intrinsic water use efficiency (P _N/g _s) were studied in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Touriga Nacional) growing in low, moderate, and severe summer stress at Vila Real (VR), Pinhão (PI), and Almendra (AL) experimental sites, respectively. In VR and PI site the limitation to photosynthesis was caused more by stomatal limitations, while in AL mesophyll limitations were also responsible for the summer decline in P _N.     

Correlation of Water Uptake and Root Exudation

Water uptake in systems consisting of a potted plant and twoembedded reservoirs were monitored over test intervals thatlasted more than a year. One reservoir was fitted with a microporousbottom that allowed water uptake to occur only after permeationthrough the thin microporous barrier, whereas the other wasfitted with a microporous bottom that allowed water to reachthe roots directly. In each study the patterns for water uptake,F₁ and F₂, from the alternate sources fluctuated in synchrony,such that the ratio F₁/F₂ on any given day was essentially constant.It was concluded that the cyclic actions that control wateruptake and water permeation (i.e. root exudation of bio-surfactants)occur simultaneously or sequentially within a short time period.Both responses, therefore, are appropriate means for studyingplant-water relationships. water uptake, autonomic cycle, synchrony, root growth, root exudates, rhizosphere, artificial membranes, permeability     

The Distribution of Mineral Elements Following Leaf and Root Uptake

The initial and subsequent distribution of ²²Na, ⁴³K, ⁸⁶Rb, ¹³⁴Cs, ³²P, ³⁵S, ⁴⁵Ca, ⁶⁵Zn and ⁸⁵Sr in bean plants, following leaf and root uptake was studied under controlled environmental conditions. Autoradiographic and counting methods reveal vascular connections between leaves and roots and two patterns of distribution in the leaves following root uptake are reported. Distribution following treatment of specific parts of the leaves or roots points to a morphological unity in the bean plant. A possible circulation pattern for some ions is discussed.     

Leaf Gas Exchange of Pachyrhizus ahipa and P. erosus Under Water and Temperature Stress

Gas exchange, water relations, and leaf traits were studied in the tuberous-root producing legumes ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa) and yambean (P. erosus) under different environmental conditions. Differences in leaf traits (hairiness, leaf area, areal leaf mass, stomatal density) and paraheliotropism were found between ahipa and yambean. Under sufficient water supply, the increase in air temperature and decrease in air humidity increased stomatal conductance (g _s) and net photosynthetic rate (P _N) in yambean but reduced them in ahipa. In a drying soil (14 d after irrigation), inter-specific variation in gas exchange was only observed in the early morning, and yambean showed a greater sensitivity to water restriction than ahipa. High g _s at low humidity increased P _N of P. erosus but resulted in lower water-use efficiency (WUE). However, long-term WUE, estimated by leaf carbon isotope discrimination, showed little variation between species. Daily-irrigated ahipa and yambean grown in the greenhouse did not show significant differences in gas exchange. However, leaf temperature was significantly greater in yambean than in ahipa while a steepper relationship between E and P _N and g _s was observed in ahipa.     

In Situ Measurement of Epidermal Cell Turgor, Leaf Water Potential, and Gas Exchange in Tradescantia virginiana L

A combined system has been developed in which epidermal cell turgor, leaf water potential, and gas exchange were determined for transpiring leaves of Tradescantia virginiana L. Uniform and stable values of turgor were observed in epidermal cells (stomatal complex cells were not studied) under stable environmental conditions for both upper and lower epidermises. The changes in epidermal cell turgor that were associated with changes in leaf transpiration were larger than the changes in leaf water potential, indicating the presence of transpirationally induced within-leaf water potential gradients. Estimates of 3 to 5 millimoles per square meter per second per megapascal were obtained for the value of within-leaf hydraulic conductivity. Step changes in atmospheric humidity caused rapid changes in epidermal cell turgor with little or no initial change in stomatal conductance, indicating little direct relation between stomatal humidity response and epidermal water status. The significance of within-leaf water potential gradients to measurements of plant water potential and to current hypotheses regarding stomatal response to humidity is discussed.     

The Uptake of Potassium, Nitrate, Water, and Oxygen by a Maize Root System in Relation to its Size

Using a special apparatus, the uptake of nitrate, potassium,water, and oxygen by a maize plant was recorded at short intervals.After cutting most of the roots, the regrowth of the root systemwas measured in relation to the increase in nitrate, potassium,and water uptake, oxygen consumption of the root system, andleaf growth rate. It has been suggested that when the root surfaceis not limiting nitrate reduction is the rate-limiting processfor nitrate uptake. Differences between nitrate uptake in lightand dark are explained by the influence of light on nitratereduction. Differences in leaf growth rate have been discussedin relation to root resistance and leaf water content.     

Interspecific Differences of Leaf Gas Exchange and Water Relations of Three Evergreen Mediterranean Shrub Species

Leaf gas exchange and plant water relations of three co-occurring evergreen Mediterranean shrubs species, Quercus ilex L. and Phillyrea latifolia L. (typical evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs) and Cistus incanus L. (a drought semi-deciduous shrub), were investigated in order to evaluate possible differences in their adaptive strategies, in particular with respect to drought stress. C. incanus showed the highest annual rate of net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) decreasing by 67 and 69 %, respectively, in summer. P. latifolia and Q. ilex showed lower annual maximum P _N and g _s, although P _N was less lowered in summer (40 and 37 %, respectively). P. latifolia reached the lowest midday leaf water potential (₁) during the drought period (–3.54±0.36 MPa), 11 % lower than in C. incanus and 19 % lower than in Q. ilex. Leaf relative water content (RWC) showed the same trend as ₁. C. incanus showed the lowest RWC values during the drought period (60 %) while they were never below 76 % in P. latifolia and Q. ilex; moreover C. incanus showed the lowest recovery of ₁ at sunset. Hence the studied species are well adapted to the prevailing environment in Mediterranean climate areas, but they show different adaptive strategies that may be useful for their co-occurrence in the same habitat. However, Q. ilex and P. latifolia by their water use strategy seem to be less sensitive to drought stress than C. incanus.     

High-Temperature Preconditioning and Thermal Shock Imposition Affects Water Relations,Gas Exchange and Root Hydraulic Conductivity in Tomato

Potted tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Amalia) were submitted to three different treatments: control (C) plants were maintained at day/night temperature of 25/18 °C; preconditioned plants (PS) were submitted to two consecutive periods of 4 d each, of 30/23 and 35/28 °C before being exposed to a heat stress (40/33 °C lasting 4 d) and non-preconditioned (S) plants were maintained in the same conditions as the C plants and exposed to the heat stress. The inhibition of plant growth was observed only in PS plants. Heat stress decreased chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance in both PS and S plants. However, PS plants showed good osmotic adjustment, which enabled them to maintain leaf pressure potential higher than in S plants. Furthermore, at the end of the recovery period PS plants had higher pressure potential and stomatal conductance than in S plants. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Leaf Gas Exchange in Canopy Species of a Venezuelan Cloud Forest

Tropical cloud forests are considered humid ecosystems with frequent cloud cover down to the ground surface. However, seasonal variation in precipitation may induce short-term water stress. For canopy leaves, this water stress may also be a consequence of large atmospheric vapor pressure deficits. The objective of this work was to study five canopy cloud forest species to determine if there are restrictions to leaf gas exchange as a consequence of seasonality in precipitation and to daily water deficit due to air evaporative demand mainly during maximum incoming radiation hours. Seasonal daily courses of microclimatic variables (air temperature, relative humidity, photosynthetic photon flux density) and plant responses (leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, CO₂ assimilation rates, leaf nitrogen concentration) were measured at 2400 m asl in Monterrey, an intermontane valley of the Venezuelan Andes. A gradient in terms of responses to water stress conditions was observed between the species, with Clusia multiflora (a 46% reduction in stomatal conductance between seasons) as the most affected and Miconia resimoides (increased stomatal conductance) responding more favorably to slight water stress conditions. If we consider the limitations of water stress and/or light conditions on CO₂ assimilation we may arrange the species into those in which water stress conditions have a greater impact on leaf carbon gain, those where light conditions are determinant and one in which both water stress and light conditions may affect leaf carbon assimilation.     

Effects of Local Nitrogen Supply on Water Uptake of Bean Plants in a Split Root System

To study the effects of local nitrogen supply on water and nutrient absorption, French bean （Phaseolus vulgaris L.） plants were grown in a split root system. Five treatments supplied with different nitrogen forms were compared： homogeneous nitrate （NN） and homogenous ammonium （AA） supply, spatially separated supply of nitrate and ammonium （NA）, half of the root system supplied with N-free nutrient solution, the other half with either nitrate （NO） or ammonium （AO）. The results showed that 10 d after onset of treatments, root dry matter （DM） in the nitratesupplied vessels treated with NA was more than two times higher than that in the ammonium-supplied vessels. Water uptake from the nitrate-supplied vessels treated with NA was 281% higher than under ammonium supply. In treatments NO and AO, the local supply of N resulted in clearly higher root DM, and water uptake from the nitratesupplied vessels was 82% higher than in the -N vessels. However, in AO plants, water uptake from the -N nutrient solution was 129% higher than from the ammonium-supplied vessels. This indicates a compensatory effect, which resulted in almost identical rates of total water uptake of treatments AA and AO, which had comparable shoot DM and leaf area. Ammonium supply reduced potassium and magnesium absorption. Water uptake was positively correlated with N, Mg and K uptake.