Effect of soil temperature on stem sap flow,shoot gas exchange and water potential of Picea engelmannii (Parry) during snowmelt

Summary The effect of cold soils on stem sap flow, shoot gas exchange and water potential of Picea engelmannii (Parry) was investigated during the snowmelt period in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, USA. Shoot net photosynthetic rates were higher in young trees (1.5–1.8 m in height) growing in cold soils (<3.5° C) associated with snowpack, than trees in warm soils until about 1500 h. Higher shoot photosynthetic rates of trees in cold soils continued after snow was removed and could not be completely explained by higher visible irradiance over highly reflective snow. Following soil warming higher photosynthetic rates were evident in these trees for five days. High nutrient availability associated with snowmelt may improve shoot nutrient status leading to higher gas-exchange rates during snowmelt. Shoot conductance to water vapor was higher in trees in cold soil until midday, when declining shoot conductance led to lower intercellular CO₂ concentrations. Midday through afternoon shoot water potentials of trees in cold soils were similar or higher than those of trees in warm soils and the lower afternoon shoot conductances in cold soils were not the result of lower bulk shoot water potentials. Decline in net photosynthesis of trees in cold soils at 1500 h paralleled increases in intercellular CO₂ concentrations, implying a nonstomatal limitation of photosynthesis. This scenario occurred consistently in mid-afternoon following higher morning and midday photosynthesis in cold soils, suggesting a carbohydrate feedback inhibition of photosynthesis. Diurnal patterns in stem sap flow of all trees (cold and warm soils) reflected patterns of shoot conductance, although changes in stem sap flow lagged 1–3 h behind shoot conductance apparently due to stem water storage. Total daily stem sap flow was similar in trees in cold and warm soils, although diel patterns differed. The morning surge and night-time drop in sap flow commenced 1–2 h earlier in trees in cold soils. Overnight stem sap flow was lower in trees in cold soils, possibly due to higher resistance to root water uptake in cold soils, which may explain lower predawn shoot water potentials. However, midday shoot water potentials of trees in cold soils equalled or exceeded those of trees in warm soils. Higher resistance to root water uptake in P. engelmannii in cold soils was apparently overshadowed by transpirational forces and significant shoot water deficits did not develop.     

Growth, water relations and photosynthesis of seedlings and resprouts after fire

Seasonal patterns of growth, water relations, photosynthesis and leaf characteristics were compared between obligate seeders (Cistus monspeliensis and Cistus ladanifer) and resprouters (Arbutus unedo and Pistacia lentiscus) from the first to the second year after fire. We hypothesized that seedlings would be more water-limited than resprouts due to their shallower root systems. Regarding water use strategies, Cistus species are drought semi-deciduous and A. unedo and P. lentiscus are evergreen sclerophylls, therefore, comparisons were based on the relative deviation from mature conspecific plants. Seedlings and resprouts had higher shoot elongation and leaf production than mature plants, and over an extended period. Differences from mature plants were larger in resprouts, with two-fold transpiration, leaf conductance and photosynthesis in late spring/early summer. Seedlings of C. monspeliensis exhibited higher transpiration and leaf conductance than mature plants, while those of C. ladanifer only exhibited higher water potential. Growth increments and ameliorated water relations and photosynthesis after fire were attributed to an increase in water and nutrient availability. The small differences in water relations and photosynthesis between seedlings and mature conspecifics are in accordance with the prediction of seedlings experiencing higher water limitation than resprouts. We attribute these results to differences in root systems: resprouters benefited from an increase in root/shoot ratios and the presence of deep roots whereas Cistus seedlings relied on very shallow roots, which cannot provide assess to deep water during summer. Nevertheless, seedlings did not show evidence of experiencing a more severe water limitation than mature conspecifics, which we attributed to the presence of efficient mechanisms of avoiding and tolerating water stress. The results are discussed in relation to post-fire demography of seeders and resprouters in Mediterranean communities.     

The importance of nutritional regulation of plant water flux

Transpiration is generally considered a wasteful but unavoidable consequence of photosynthesis, occurring because water is lost when stomata open for CO₂ uptake. Additionally, transpiration has been ascribed the functions of cooling leaves, driving root to shoot xylem transport and mass flow of nutrients through the soil to the rhizosphere. As a consequence of the link between nutrient mass flow and transpiration, nutrient availability, particularly that of NO₃ ⁻, partially regulates plant water flux. Nutrient regulation of transpiration may function through the concerted regulation of: (1) root hydraulic conductance through control of aquaporins by NO₃ ⁻, (2) shoot stomatal conductance (g _s) through NO production, and (3) pH and phytohormone regulation of g _s. These mechanisms result in biphasic responses of water flux to NO₃ ⁻ availability. The consequent trade-off between water and nutrient flux has important implications for understanding plant distributions, for production of water use-efficient crops and for understanding the consequences of global-change-linked CO₂ suppression of transpiration for plant nutrient acquisition.     

Evidence that abscisic acid does not regulate a centralized whole-plant response to low soil-resource availability

It has been suggested that abscisic acid (ABA) regulates a centralized response of plants to low soil resource availability that is characterized by decreased shoot growth relative to root growth, decreased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and decreased plant growth rate. The hypothesis was tested that an ABA-deficient mutant of tomato (flacca; flc) would not exhibit the same pattern of down-regulation of photosynthesis, conductance, leaf area and growth, as well as increased root/shoot partitioning, as its near isogenic wild-type in response to nitrogen or water deficiency, or at least not exhibit these responses to the same degree. Plants were grown from seed in acid-washed sand and exposed to control, nutrient stress, or water stress treatments. Additionally, exogenous ABA was sprayed onto the leaves of a separate group of flc individuals in each treatment. Growth analysis, based on data from frequent harvests of a few individuals, was used to assess the growth and partitioning responses of plants, and gas exchange characteristics were measured on plants throughout the experiment to examine the response of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Differences in growth, partitioning and gas exchange variables were found between flc and wild-type individuals, and both nutrient and water treatments caused significant reductions in relative growth rate (RGR) and changes in biomass partitioning. Only the nutrient treatment caused significant reductions in photosynthetic rates. However, flc and wild-type plants responded identically to nutrient and water stress for all but one of the variables measured. The exception was that flc showed a greater decrease in the relative change in leaf area per unit increase of plant biomass (an estimate of the dynamics of leaf area ratio) in response to nutrient stress—a result that is opposite to that predicted by the centralized stress response model. Furthermore, addition of exogenous ABA to flc did not significantly alter any of the responses to nutrient and water stress that we examined. Although it was clear that ABA regulated short-term stomatal responses, we found no evidence to support a pivotal role for ABA, at least absolute amounts of ABA, in regulating a centralized whole-plant response to low soil resource availability.     

Water relations and hydraulic control of stomatal behaviour in bell pepper plant in partial soil drying

Two experiments, a split-root experiment and a root pressurizing experiment, were performed to test whether hydraulic signalling of soil drying plays a dominant role in controlling stomatal closure in herbaceous bell pepper plants. In the split-root experiment, when both root parts were dried, synchronous decreases in stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf water potential (LWP) and stem sap flow (SF_stem) were observed. The value of g_s was found to be closely related to soil water potential (SWP) in both compartments. Tight relationships were observed between g_s and stem sap flow under all conditions of water stress, indicating a complete stomatal adjustment of transpiration. When the half-root system has been dried to the extent that its water uptake dropped to almost zero, declines in g_s of less than 20% were observed without obvious changes in LWP. The reduced plant hydraulic conductance resulting from decreased sap flow and unchanged LWP may be a hydraulic signal controlling stomatal closure; the results of root pressurizing supported this hypothesis. Both LWP and g_s in water-stressed plants recovered completely within 25 min of the application of root pressurizing, and decreased significantly within 40 min after pressure release, indicating the hydraulic control of stomatal closure. Our results are in contrast to those of other studies on other herbaceous species, which suggested that chemical messengers from the roots bring about stomatal closure when plants are in water stress.     

Growth response of barley and tomato to nitrogen stress and its control by abscisic acid,water relations and photosynthesis

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown hydroponically and examined 2, 5, and 10 d after being deprived of nitrogen (N) supply. Leaf elongation rate declined in both species in response to N stress before there was any reduction in rate of dryweight accumulation. Changes in water transport to the shoot could not explain reduced leaf elongation in tomato because leaf water content and water potential were unaffected by N stress at the time leaf elongation began to decline. Tomato maintained its shoot water status in N-stressed plants, despite reduced water absorption per gram root, because the decline in root hydraulic conductance with N stress was matched by a decline in stomatal conductance. In barley the decline in leaf elongation coincided with a small (8%) decline in water content per unit area of young leaves; this decline occurred because root hydraulic conductance was reduced more strongly by N stress than was stomatal conductance. Nitrogen stress caused a rapid decline in tissue NO ₃ ^- pools and in NO ₃ ^- flux to the xylem, particularly in tomato which had smaller tissue NO ₃ ^- reserves. Even in barley, tissue NO ₃ ^- reserves were too small and were mobilized too slowly (60% in 2 d) to support maximal growth for more than a few hours. Organic N mobilized from old leaves provided an additional N source to support continued growth of N-stressed plants. Abscisic acid (ABA) levels increased in leaves of both species within 2 d in response to N stress. Addition of ABA to roots caused an increase in volume of xylem exudate but had no effect upon NO ₃ ^- flux to the xylem. After leaf-elongation rate had been reduced by N stress, photosynthesis declined in both barley and tomato. This decline was associated with increased leaf ABA content, reduced stomatal conductance and a decrease in organic N content. We suggest that N stress reduces growth by several mechanisms operating on different time scales: (1) increased leaf ABA content causing reduced cell-wall extensibility and leaf elongation and (2) a more gradual decline in photosynthesis caused by ABA-induced stomatal closure and by a decrease in leaf organic N.Abbreviation and symbols ABA abscisic acid - c_i leaf internal CO₂ concentration - L_p root hydraulic conductance     

Differences in gas exchange contribute to habitat differentiation in Iberian columbines from contrasting light and water environments

During photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration, gas exchange occurs via the stomata and so plants face a trade‐off between maximising photosynthesis while minimising transpiration (expressed as water use efficiency, WUE). The ability to cope with this trade‐off and regulate photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance may be related to niche differentiation between closely related species. The present study explored this as a possible mechanism for habitat differentiation in Iberian columbines. The roles of irradiance and water stress were assessed to determine niche differentiation among Iberian columbines via distinct gas exchange processes. Photosynthesis–irradiance curves (P–I curves) were obtained for four taxa, and common garden experiments were conducted to examine plant responses to water and irradiance stress, by measuring instantaneous gas exchange and plant performance. Gas exchange was also measured in ten individuals using two to four field populations per taxon. The taxa had different P–I curves and gas exchange in the field. At the species level, water stress and irradiance explained habitat differentiation. Within each species, a combination of irradiance and water stress explained the between‐subspecies habitat differentiation. Despite differences in stomatal conductance and CO₂ assimilation, taxa did not have different WUE under field conditions, which suggests that the environment equally modifies photosynthesis and transpiration. The P–I curves, gas exchange in the field and plant responses to experimental water and irradiance stresses support the hypothesis that habitat differentiation is associated with differences among taxa in tolerance to abiotic stress mediated by distinct gas exchange responses.     

Water relations of crok-oak (Quercus suber L.) under natural conditions

Daily and annual courses of leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance and shoot water potential of four Quercus suber individuals were compared in a semi-natural stand in southwest Portugal, from spring 1989 to early summer 1990.The trees investigated showed annual patterns typical of evergreen sclerophyllous species but varied in their range of stomatal operation. This appeared to be related to differences in hydraulic conductivity in the root-to-leaf pathway.Maximum stomatal conductance and transpiration rates occurred from March to June.Water stress was found to be moderate and winter cold stress due to low air and soil temperatures appeared to have an influence on plant water balance through their effects on flow resistances.Abbreviations g_sw stomatal conductance - g_max maximum stomatal conductance - PAR photosynthetically active radiation - RH relative humidity of the air - T leaf transpiration - Ta air temperature - TL leaf temperature - T_max maximum leaf transpiration - W air-to-leaf vapor pressure difference - shoot water potential - PD predawn shoot water potential - MIN minimum shoot water potential     

Alleviation of salt stress by arbuscular-mycorrhizal Glomus species in Lactuca sativa plants

Improved salt tolerance of mycorrhizal plants is commonly attributed to their better mineral nutrition, particularly phosphorus. However, the effect of arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on salt tolerance may not be limited to this mechanism. We investigated the possibility that non-nutritional effects of AM fungi, based on proline accumulation or increased photosynthesis and related parameters, can influence the tolerance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to salinity. Three levels of salt (3, 4 and 5 g NaCl kg^-1 dry soil) were applied and plants were maintained under these conditions for 7 weeks. The salt-treated AM plants produced greater root and shoot dry weights than unfertilized or P-fertilized non-AM controls. With increasing salinity, both shoot and root dry weights were reduced, but this decrease was greater in uninoculated plants. In particular, shoot dry weight was not reduced in G. fasciculatum-colonized plants as a consequence of salt, whereas in uninoculated plants it was reduced by about 35% at the highest salt level. Proline accumulation was considerably lower for P-amended non-AM and for AM plants except for G. mosseae-colonized plants than was the case for unamended plants. Transpiration, carbon dioxide exchange rate (CER), stomatal conductance and water use efficiency (WUE) were higher in mycorrhizal plants. At 5 g NaCl kg^-1, both photosynthesis and WUE increased by more than 100% in mycorrhizal treatment relative to uninoculated plants. The contents of phosphorus of P-fertilized non-AM plants was similar to or higher than those of G. mosseae- and G. fasciculatum-colonized plants. Plants colonized by G. deserticola had the highest P-content regardless of salt level. Hence, the effect of G. mosseae and G. fasciculatum on salt tolerance in this experiment could not be attributed to a difference in the P content. The mechanisms by which these two fungi alleviated salt stress appeared to be based on physiological processes (increased CER, transpiration, stomatal conductance and WUE) rather than on nutrient uptake (N or P).     

Comparative physiology of burned and unburned Rhus laurina after chaparral wildfire

Summary Laurel Sumac (Rhus laurina) is a dominant member of the coastal chaparral community of southern California that survives periodic burning by wildfires by resprouting from a lignotuber (root crown). We investigated the physiological basis for resprouting by comparing shoot elongation, leaf nitrogen content, tissue water status, leaf conductance to water vapor diffusion, and photosynthetic rates of post-fire R. laurina to those of adjacent unburned shrubs. Resprouts had higher rates of shoot elongation, leaf conductance, and photosynthesis than mature, unburned shrubs. Leaf nitrogen contents were elevated in burned shrubs even though their leaves developed interveinal chlorosis. A comparison of soil water potential to predawn water potential indicated that roots of R. laurina remain active below 2 m during the first summer drought after wildfire. Our results support the hypothesis that lignotubers not only contain dormant buds that develop into aerial shoots after wildfire but they also supply nutrient resources that enhance shoot elongation. Because R. laurina is relatively sensitive to drought, yet very successful in its rapid recovery after fire, maintaining an active root system after shoot removal may be the primary function of the massive lignotuber formed by this species.     

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.     

Stomatal response to drying soil in relation to changes in the xylem sap composition of Helianthus annuus. II. Stomatal sensitivity to abscisic acid imported from the xylem sap

Sunflower plants [Helianthus annuus L.) were subjected to soil drought. Leaf conductance declined with soil water content even when the shoot was kept turgid throughout the drying period. The concentration of abscisic acid in the xylem sap increased with decreasing soil water content. No general relation could be established between abscisic acid concentration in the xylem sap and leaf conductance due to marked differences in the sensitivity of leaf conductance of individual plants to abscisic acid from the xylem sap. The combination of these results with data from Gollan, Schurr & Schulze (1992, see pp. 551–559, this issue) reveals close connection of the effectiveness of abscisic acid as a root to shoot signal to the nutritional status of the plant.     

Long‐term effect of salinity on plant quality,water relations,photosynthetic parameters and ion distribution in Callistemon citrinus

The effect of saline stress on physiological and morphological parameters in Callistemon citrinus plants was studied to evaluate their adaptability to irrigation with saline water. C. citrinus plants, grown under greenhouse conditions, were subjected to two irrigation treatments lasting 56 weeks: control (0.8 dS·m^?1) and saline (4 dS·m^?1). The use of saline water in C. citrinus plants decreased aerial growth, increased the root/shoot ratio and improved the root system (increased root diameter and root density), but flowering and leaf colour were not affected. Salinity caused a decrease in stomatal conductance and evapotranspiration, which may prevent toxic levels being reached in the shoot. Net photosynthesis was reduced in plants subjected to salinity, although this response was evident much later than the decrease in stomatal conductance. Stem water potential was a good indicator of salt stress in C. citrinus. The relative salt tolerance of Callistemon was related to storage of higher levels of Na⁺ and Cl^? in the roots compared with the leaves, especially in the case of Na⁺, which could have helped to maintain the quality of plants. The results show that saline water (around 4 dS·m^?1) could be used for growing C. citrinus commercially. However, the cumulative effect of irrigating with saline water for 11 months was a decrease in photosynthesis and intrinsic water use efficiency, meaning that the interaction of the salinity level and the time of exposure to the salt stress should be considered important in this species.     

Translocation of nitrogen in osmotically stressed wheat seedlings

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Drabant) seedlings were grown in a ‘split root’ system where either the whole root system or one root half was subjected to osmotic stress for 24 h, using 200 g polyethylene glycol (PEG, molecular weight 4000) dm^?3 nutrient solution. ¹⁵N-Labelled nitrate was fed to one of the root compartments and total N and ¹⁵N-labelling were measured in plant material and xylem sap. Untreated plants translocated 87% of the N taken up to the shoot, and 10% of this was then retranslocated back to the root. Recalculated on a root nitrogen basis, 36% of the label recovered in the root after 24 h had passed through the shoot. Significant labelling of xylem sap collected from non-labelled roots indicated cycling of organic N through the roots. PEG-treatment of the whole root system caused significant water loss in both roots and shoots. Uptake of nitrate and retranslocation of N to roots were inhibited, whereas cycling of organic nitrogen through the root was still measurable. Treatment of half the root system with PEG had minor effects on shoot water content, but reduced the water content of the treated root part. The total uptake of nitrate by the root system was unaffected, and the effect on the treated root half was comparatively small. Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) declined in PEG-treated roots even if high nitrate uptake rates were maintained. Shoot NRA was unaffected by osmotic stress. The data indicate that the reduction in water content of the root per se has only small effects on nitrate uptake. Major inhibition of nitrate uptake was observed only after treatment of a sufficiently large portion of the root system to given an effect on shoot water content.     

Transpiration directly regulates the emissions of water‐soluble short‐chained OVOCs

Most plant‐based emissions of volatile organic compounds are considered mainly temperature dependent. However, certain oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) have high water solubility; thus, also stomatal conductance could regulate their emissions from shoots. Due to their water solubility and sources in stem and roots, it has also been suggested that their emissions could be affected by transport in the xylem sap. Yet further understanding on the role of transport has been lacking until present. We used shoot‐scale long‐term dynamic flux data from Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) to analyse the effects of transpiration and transport in xylem sap flow on emissions of 3 water‐soluble OVOCs: methanol, acetone, and acetaldehyde. We found a direct effect of transpiration on the shoot emissions of the 3 OVOCs. The emissions were best explained by a regression model that combined linear transpiration and exponential temperature effects. In addition, a structural equation model indicated that stomatal conductance affects emissions mainly indirectly, by regulating transpiration. A part of the temperature's effect is also indirect. The tight coupling of shoot emissions to transpiration clearly evidences that these OVOCs are transported in the xylem sap from their sources in roots and stem to leaves and to ambient air.     

Root-To-Shoot Signalling: Assessing The Roles of ‘Up’ In the Up and Down World of Long-Distance Signalling In Planta

An important mediator of shoot physiological processes can be the supply of signal molecules (other than water and nutrients) from the root system. Root-to-shoot signalling is often considered to be important in regulating shoot growth and water use when soil conditions change without any demonstrable change in shoot water or nutrient status. Changes in xylem sap composition are often thought to be synonymous with changes in root-to-shoot signalling, even though there is considerable re-cycling of compounds between xylem and phloem. Techniques used to collect xylem sap are reviewed. Elucidating the roles of putative root signal molecules in planta has usually taken priority over identifying the sources of signal molecules in xylem sap. The roles of several signal molecules are considered. This choice is selective, and the failure of known signals to account for observed physiological changes in some systems has lead to the conclusions that other novel signals can be important. The efficacy of a given signal molecule can depend on the shoot water and nutrient status, as demonstrated by variation in stomatal responses to abscisic acid. If such variation is widespread in crop species, this may have implications for the increasing intentional use of root-to-shoot signals to modify crop water use and shoot architecture. Research into root-to-shoot signalling may become increasingly reductionist, in trying to evaluate the contribution of root signals versus local processes to observed physiological changes. However, future challenges are to successfully integrate this basic research into improved crop production systems.     

Peach Water Relations,Gas Exchange,Growth and Shoot Mortality under Water Deficit in Semi-Arid Weather Conditions

In this study the sensitivity of peach tree (Prunus persica L.) to three water stress levels from mid-pit hardening until harvest was assessed. Seasonal patterns of shoot and fruit growth, gas exchange (leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration) as well as carbon (C) storage/mobilization were evaluated in relation to plant water status. A simple C balance model was also developed to investigate sink-source relationship in relation to plant water status at the tree level. The C source was estimated through the leaf area dynamics and leaf photosynthesis rate along the season. The C sink was estimated for maintenance respiration and growth of shoots and fruits. Water stress significantly reduced gas exchange, and fruit, and shoot growth, but increased fruit dry matter concentration. Growth was more affected by water deficit than photosynthesis, and shoot growth was more sensitive to water deficit than fruit growth. Reduction of shoot growth was associated with a decrease of shoot elongation, emergence, and high shoot mortality. Water scarcity affected tree C assimilation due to two interacting factors: (i) reduction in leaf photosynthesis (-23% and -50% under moderate (MS) and severe (SS) water stress compared to low (LS) stress during growth season) and (ii) reduction in total leaf area (-57% and -79% under MS and SS compared to LS at harvest). Our field data analysis suggested a Ψ_stem threshold of -1.5 MPa below which daily net C gain became negative, i.e. C assimilation became lower than C needed for respiration and growth. Negative C balance under MS and SS associated with decline of trunk carbohydrate reserves – may have led to drought-induced vegetative mortality.     

Changes in the Water Balance and Photosynthesis of Onion, Bean and Cotton Plants under Saline Conditions

The osmotic concentration (osmotic potential) of onion leaf sap did not adjust to chloride salinity, and consequently water potential, turgor, stomatal aperture and transpiration were reduced. Although osmotic concentration of bean and cotton leaf sap did adjust to a saline root medium and turgor was no less in the salinized plants than in the controls, stomata of the salinized plants remained only partly open and transpiration was reduced. Net photosynthesis of onion plants was reduced by salinity (this effect being much enhanced in a hot dry atmosphere) but it could be rapidly raised to the level of the controls by inducing elevated leaf turgor. Stomatal closure was initially responsible for most of the ～30 % reduction in photosynthesis of salinized beans. This was due to interference with CO₂ diffusion and could be overcome by raising the CO₂ concentration in the air. At a later stage of growth, salinity affected the light reaction of bean photosynthesis, and elevation of the air CO₂ had little effect. Closure of stomata of salinized cotton plants had only a relatively small effect on net photosynthesis. Light intensity and CO₂ concentration experiments showed that salinity was reducing the photosynthesis of cotton leaves mainly by affecting the light reaction of photosynthesis. It is concluded that chloride salinity does affect the water balance and rate of photosynthesis of plants and that the nature and degree of the effects will depend upon climatic conditions and may be very different between plant species and in the same species at different periods of growth.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the acclimatization of micropropagated banana plantlets

 The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on micropropagated banana plantlets was evaluated during the acclimatization period. Plants were inoculated with Acaulospora scrobiculata, Glomus clarum or Glomus etunicatum. After cultivation in a greenhouse for 3 months, height, leaf area, fresh weight and dry matter of root and shoots, level of AMF colonization, nutrient level, photosynthesis and transpiration rate, water potential and stomatal conductance were measured. The number of AMF spores produced in each treatment was also determined. Plantlets inoculated with AMF had greater height, leaf area and fresh weight of shoots and roots, as well as higher rates of photosynthesis and transpiration than controls. Plants inoculated with Glomus were superior in most of the evaluated parameters. Accepted: 24 May 1999     

Physiological markers of stress susceptibility in maize and triticale under different soil compactions and/or soil water contents

Differences between two maize and two triticale genotypes grown in low soil compaction (LSC), moderate soil compaction (MSC) and severe soil compaction (SSC) and with a limited (D) or excess (W) soil water content were observed as a decrease in shoot (S) and root (R) biomass, leaf greening (SPAD) and increase in membrane injury (LI), root and leaf water potential (ψ), photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration (E) and stomata conductance (g_S). Close correlations between ψ_L and ψ_R, and between differences ψ_L and ψ_R (Δψ) were found. Drought or waterlogging with LSC conditions in both maize genotypes resulted in higher WUE than in control plants (LSC C), but under the SSC WUE declined. However, for triticale differences in WUE, between treatments were small and insignificant. In general, changes in markers were greater for genotypes sensitive to the soil compaction (Ankora, CHD-12) than in resistant ones (Tina, CHD-247) and were higher in seedlings grown under SSC conditions.

Abbreviations: ψ_R, ψ_L: root and leaf water potential; C: control; D: drought; E: transpiration rate; FWC: field water capacity; g_S: stomatal conductance; LSC, MSC, SSC: low, moderate and severe soil compaction; P_n: photosynthesis rate; W: waterlogging