Transpiration and visual appearance of warm season turfgrasses during soil drying

Warm-season turfgrasses may be subjected to increasing drought as future urban irrigation regulations become more restrictive. Species differences in water use and transpiration response to drying soil may be exploited in the future to increase survival and maintain green color under drying soil conditions. This study was undertaken to provide background documentation on the sensitivity to soil–water deficit of three warm-season grasses: ‘Argentine’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum); ‘Floratam’ St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), and ‘Empire’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica). Each of these turfgrasses demonstrated a two-phased linear transpiration response to gradually drying soil as expressed by a normalized ratio between the transpiration rates of drought stressed to well-watered plants (NTR). In this study, well-watered bahiagrass used 30% more water on a daily basis than did well-watered St. Augustinegrass or zoysiagrass. However, under drought, the three grass species transpired the same amount of water during the soil drying period up until NTR to 0.1. Since bahiagrass reached an NTR of 0.1 at 10.3 days versus 12.7 and 13.0 days for St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass, respectively, bahiagrass demonstrated a more rapid water loss rate during the drying period. The fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) remaining in the soil at the breakpoints for bahiagrass, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass were 0.13, 0.16, and 0.19, respectively, in 2010, but were 0.18, 0.30, and 0.22, respectively, under slightly warmer conditions in 2011. The consistently low FTSW breakpoint for bahiagrass means that compared to the other species, bahiagrass continues to use water at a high rate late into the soil drying cycle before conserving soil water by decreasing stomatal conductance. That is, bahiagrass is likely to be subjected to greater soil–water deficits in lengthy droughts and needs mechanisms to better survive these droughts. The differences in breakpoints by year may be due to a combination of soil factors and temperature differences in the greenhouse.     

Developmental changes in the diurnal water budget of the grape berry exposed to water deficits

The diurnal water budget of developing grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berries was evaluated before and after the onset of fruit ripening (veraison). The diameter of individual berries of potted ‘Zinfandel’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevines was measured continuously with electronic displacement transducers over 24 h periods under controlled environmental conditions, and leaf water status was determined by the pressure chamber technique. For well-watered vines, daytime contraction was much less during ripening (after veraison) than before ripening. Daytime contraction was reduced by restricting berry or shoot transpiration, with the larger effect being shoot transpiration pre-veraison and berry transpiration post-veraison. The contributions of the pedicel xylem and phloem as well as berry transpiration to the net diurnal water budget of the fruit were estimated by eliminating phloem or phloem and xylem pathways. Berry transpiration was significant and comprised the bulk of water outflow for the berry both before and after veraison. A nearly exclusive role for the xylem in water transport into the berry was evident during pre-veraison development, but the phloem was clearly dominant in the post-veraison water budget. Daytime contraction was very sensitive to plant water status before veraison but was remarkably insensitive to changes in plant water status after veraison. This transition is attributed to an increased phloem inflow and a partial discontinuity in berry xylem during ripening.     

Hydraulic conductance and vulnerability to cavitation in corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids of differing drought resistance

Water transport through the xylem is essential for replacing water loss during transpiration, thus preventing desiccation and permitting photosynthesis. The occurrence of cavitation and embolism due to drought impairs transport to the transpiring leaves. Most research in this discipline has been conducted on woody plants. Less attention has been given to cavitation of crops and its physiological significance for understanding crop water relations. In this paper, hydraulic conductance and vulnerability of xylem to cavitation were studied in corn hybrids with different drought resistances. The results indicated that stems of drought-resistant ‘Pioneer 3902’ not only had a higher conductivity on both a stem area and leaf area basis but also had a greater resistance to cavitation. The estimated xylem pressure at 63.2% loss of conductivity (Weibull fitting parameter b) and at 50% loss of conductivity (P₅₀) in ‘Pioneer 3902’ were about 0.2 MPa lower than in ‘Pride 5’. Higher conductivity in ‘Pioneer 3902’ was mainly attributed to more vascular bundles per stem area rather than greater vessel diameter. The central bundles and peripheral vascular bundles showed the same degree of cavitation although the vessels of central bundles were generally larger than in peripheral bundles.     

Evaluation of wild Solanum species for drought resistance: 1. Solanum gandarillasii Cardenas

Since drought is a major factor limiting global potato production, identification of Solanum germplasm with drought resistance features is essential. The current study compared responses of Solanum tuberosum L. ‘Kennebec’ to those of the wild tuber bearing species, Solanum gandarillasii Cardenas, with respect to drought and heat stress. The cultivar Kennebec exhibited more leaf water loss as well as increased osmotic adjustment compared to S. gandarillasii during the imposition of progressively severe drought. In Kennebec, this stress led to severe leaf wilting and eventual canopy loss. However, S. gandarillasii was less sensitive to prolonged drought in terms of reduced loss of above ground biomass. The conservative “water saving” responses of S. gandarillasii included drought sensitive stomata resulting in low transpiration rates. Coupled with this apparent loss of an effective cooling mechanism, S. gandarillasii demonstrated superior thermal tolerance. Decreased intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE) at the leaf level was evident in Kennebec compared to S. gandarillasii when exposed to increasing levels of soil moisture stress and regardless of radiation level. This difference in WUE could be attributed to differences in transpiration rate and not to photosynthetic rate. S. gandarillasii may be appropriate for growth areas exhibiting drought conditions where reduced desiccation and thermal damage to leaf tissues are assets. Kennebec, however, was a ‘water spender’ that would be more appropriately grown under temperate growing conditions with an adequate water supply.     

依据野外实测的蒸腾速率对几种沙地灌木水分平衡的初步研究（英文）

 本文旨在将毛乌素沙地植被建设的水分平衡与半固定沙丘持续发展原则应用于治沙造林的实践中。毛乌素沙地是一个灌木“王国”,然而沙地灌丛植被的发育常常受到水分亏缺的严重制约。为此,根据水分平衡的原则与方法确立适宜的植物种植密度,对沙地植被的经营管理具有重要的指导意义。在水分平衡研究中,蒸散是最难估计的一项。本文提供了一种根据叶面积指数的季节变化与蒸腾速率的观测资料计算蒸腾耗水量的方法,并根据沙地水分平衡的要求估算丁几种优势灌木的适宜种植密度。结果表明,毛乌素沙地灌丛生态系统的蒸发散主要来自植物蒸腾作用;在所研究的植物当中,除沙地柏(Sabina vulgaris)可以形成很大的密度外(因其强的蒸腾控制能力),其它灌木的适宜种植密度应控制在使沙丘处于半固定状态的水平上。     

Nitrogen fixation, stomatal response and transpiration in Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens and T. subterraneum under water stress and recovery

Stomatal behaviour, transpiration and nitrogen fixation were investigated in Medicago sativa L. (cvs. Tierra de Campos and Aragon, Hidalgo-Maynar 1966), Trifolium repens L. (cv. Aberystwyth S-184) and Trifolium subterraneum L. (cv. Clare) subjected to drought by withholding water and then to three days’ recovery after rewatering. Dawn leaf water potential was measured with pressure chamber, stomatal response with a diffusion porometer and nitrogen fixation by using acetylene reduction technique. At low water potentials, the leaf resistance was higher in Medicago than in Trifolium. As water stress developed all species decreased their transpiration, T. subterraneum being the one most affected by moderate deficits. During water stress ‘Tierra de Campos’ always maintained higher acetylene reduction levels than ‘Aragon’ and the Trifolium species, except for the lowest water potentials. During recovery from water stress only ‘Tierra de Campos’ reached predeficit transpiration rates. In ‘Tierra de Campos’ acetylene reduction recovery after rewatering was more rapid and intense than in ‘Aragon’. It is concluded that, of the plants investigated, ‘Tierra de Campos’ was best adapted to water deficits.     

Effects of Kinetin on Transpiration Rate and Abscisic Acid Content of Water Stressed Young Wheat Plants

Effects of kinetin on transpiration rate and abscisic acid content were determined. Leaves from 9-day-old wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Weibull's Starke II) were used. —Transpiration rate decreased in excised leaves put in water, but it was maintained at a higher rate when kinetin was supplied. When excised leaves were water stressed by air-drying for 1 h, addition of kinetin resulted in a considerable stimulation of transpiration rate. The effect reached its maximum after 15 h and this level remained relatively unchanged for at least 10 h. Intact seedlings which were stressed before leaf excision, showed only a slight stimulation of kinetin on transpiration rate. — Abscisic acid content slowly increased up to three-fold in 2 days in excised leaves put in water. In excised and water-stressed leaves the abscisic acid content was reduced during the first 24 h and then increased. As the leaves were fully turgid, the increase could not have been caused by water stress. However, both in stressed and unstressed leaves kinetin addition reduced the increase in abscisic acid content. — It is suggested that the stimulation by kinetin on transpiration rate in excised and water stressed leaves was mainly due to the combined effect of (1) a reduction in the activity of endogenous cytokinins, (2) kinetin acting as a ‘substitute’ for the inactivated cytokinins but exerting a stronger effect on transpiration than the endogenous cytokinins, and (3) the ‘extra’ reduction in abscisic acid content caused by the kinetin treatment. Furthermore, the results indicate that changes in cytokinins might be partly responsible for the aftereffect on transpiration.     

Form,development and function of grass stomata

Stomata are cellular breathing pores on leaves that open and close to absorb photosynthetic carbon dioxide and to restrict water loss through transpiration, respectively. Grasses (Poaceae) form morphologically innovative stomata, which consist of two dumbbell‐shaped guard cells flanked by two lateral subsidiary cells (SCs). This ‘graminoid’ morphology is associated with faster stomatal movements leading to more water‐efficient gas exchange in changing environments. Here, we offer a genetic and mechanistic perspective on the unique graminoid form of grass stomata and the developmental innovations during stomatal cell lineage initiation, recruitment of SCs and stomatal morphogenesis. Furthermore, the functional consequences of the four‐celled, graminoid stomatal morphology are summarized. We compile the identified players relevant for stomatal opening and closing in grasses, and discuss possible mechanisms leading to cell‐type‐specific regulation of osmotic potential and turgor. In conclusion, we propose that the investigation of functionally superior grass stomata might reveal routes to improve water‐stress resilience of agriculturally relevant plants in a changing climate.     

Estimation of Mediterranean forest transpiration and photosynthesis through the use of an ecosystem simulation model driven by remotely sensed data

Aim This paper investigates the use of an ecosystem simulation model, FOREST‐BGC, to estimate the main ecophysiological processes (transpiration and photosynthesis) of Mediterranean coastal forest areas using remotely sensed data. Location Model testing was carried out at two protected forest sites in central Italy, one of which was covered by Turkey oak (Circeo National Park) and the other by holm‐oak (Castelporziano Estate). Methods At both sites, transpiration and photosynthesis measurements were collected in the field during the growing seasons over a four‐year period (1999 and 2001 for the Turkey oak; 1997, 1999 and 2000 for the holm‐oak). Calibration of the model was obtained through combining information derived from ground measurements and remotely sensed data. In particular, remote sensing estimates of the Leaf Area Index derived from 1 × 1‐km NOAA AVHRR Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data were used to improve the adaptation of the model to local forest conditions. Results The results indicated different strategies regarding water use efficiency, ‘water spending’ for Turkey oak and ‘water saving’ for holm‐oak. The water use efficiency for the holm‐oak was consistently higher than that for the Turkey oak and the relationship between VPD and WUE for the holm‐oak showed a higher coefficient of determination (R² = 0.9238). Comparisons made between the field measurements of transpiration and photosynthesis and the model estimates showed that the integration procedure used for the deciduous oak forest was effective, but that there is a need for further studies regarding the sclerophyllous evergreen forest. In particular, for Turkey oak the simulations of transpiration yielded very good results, with errors lower than 0.3 mm H₂O/day, while the simulation accuracy for photosynthesis was lower. In the case of holm‐oak, transpiration was markedly overestimated for all days considered, while the simulations of photosynthesis were very accurate. Main conclusions Overall, the approach offers interesting operational possibilities for the monitoring of Mediterranean forest ecosystems, particularly in view of the availability of new satellite sensors with a higher spatial and temporal resolution, which have been launched in recent years.     

Multiple traumatic insemination events reduce the ability of bed bug females to maintain water balance

To examine how traumatic insemination, a wounding process to females inflicted by males during copulation, reduces the longevity of females of the bedbug, Cimex lectularius, we assessed if multiple bouts of mating impact water relations of females by measuring net transpiration water loss rates. Our studies show that net transpiration rate of females correlates with frequency of mating (small increase after exposure to low numbers of males; large increase after exposure to large numbers of males), and this is reflected by reduced female survivorship for as much as 22 days at 75% RH, 25°C. Water loss occurs up to 28% more rapidly in females after being held with large groups of males. Females that were exposed to males having their paramere removed, females exposed only to other females, and females kept in isolation (unmated) exhibited no reduction in ability to retain water, indicating that traumatic insemination was responsible for the net transpiration rate increase. Mechanical piercing of the female’s abdominal wall leads to increased net transpiration rates for longer periods than puncturing the ectospermalege (regular mating site), implying that inaccurate copulation by males is extremely detrimental to the water balance of females and that the ectospermalege is uniquely modified to seal off more quickly to prevent excess water loss. Mating frequency and the associated increased water loss is considerably reduced by the addition of bed bug alarm pheromone components. Thus, females experience elevated water stress due to traumatic insemination, especially at high levels and when males fail to pierce the ectospermalege, and water loss prevention, likely by more rapid sealing of the wound, is a novel function of the ectopsermalege.     

Vase life of cut rose cultivars ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Fiesta’ as affected by Nano-Silver and S-carvone treatments

Rosa hybrida L. is an important commercial cut flower. The vase life of this flower is usually short due to vascular occlusion. We assessed the effect of Nano-Silver (NS) and S-carvone in prolonging the vase life of R. hybrida L. cv. ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Fiesta’. Hence, an experiment involving the treatment with NS at 0, 50, 100, and 200 mgL^− 1 and S-carvone at 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mgL^− 1 with 10 replicates was conducted. Applying NS pulse treatments increased vase life, water uptake rate, and fresh weight and reduced the number of bacteria, water loss, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. However, S-carvone treatments did not have a positive effect on the vase-life parameters of cut rose flowers. NS pulse treatments increased relative fresh weight (RFW), and water uptake rate (WUR) and decreased water loss (WL) (%) by 10, 89 and 31% for cultivar ‘Avalanche’, compared to the controls, respectively. Application of 200 mgL^− 1 NS led to the highest vase life (18 days) for roses. The results show that NS increased vase life by suppressing stomatal opening, decreasing transpiration from leaves and inhibiting bacterial proliferation.     

Winter peridermal conductance of apple trees: lammas shoots and spring shoots compared

Lammas shoots are flushes formed by some woody species later in the growing season. Having less time to develop, tissue formation is suggested to be incomplete leading to a higher peridermal water loss during consecutive months. In this study, we analysed morphological and anatomical parameters, peridermal conductance to water vapour and the level of native embolism in mid-winter and late-winter of lammas shoots and normal spring shoots of the apple varieties Malus domestica ‘Gala’ and ‘Nicoter’. Lammas shoots showed a significantly higher shoot cross-sectional area due to larger pith and corticular parenchyma areas. In contrast, phloem was significantly thicker in spring shoots. No pronounced differences were observed in xylem and collenchyma thickness or mean hydraulic conduit diameter. The phellem of spring shoots was composed of more suberinised cells compared to lammas shoots, which led to a significantly higher peridermal conductance in the latter. The amount of native embolism in mid-winter did not differ between shoot types, but in late-winter lammas shoots were more embolised than spring shoots. Data show that the restricted vegetation period of lammas shoots affects their development and, in consequence, their transpiration shield. This may also pose a risk for winter desiccation.     

Field evaluation of water transport in grape berries during water deficits

The net flow in vascular and transpirational components of the grape berry water budget was evaluated during water deficits imposed at different stages of fruit development. Diurnal fluctuations in berry diameter were measured on field-grown grapevines ( Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) by using electronic displacement transducers. Water deficits were imposed by withholding irrigation, and water potentials of mid-shoot leaves, basal stem xylem and clusters were determined with a pressure chamber. The relative net flows through pedicel xylem and phloem and through berry transpiration were estimated pre-veraison and post-veraison. The xylem functioned nearly exclusively in providing net inflow pre-veraison, while the phloem was clearly dominant post-veraison. Accordingly, the amplitude of diurnal contraction was markedly smaller post-veraison than pre-veraison. The amplitude of diurnal contraction increased dramatically with decreasing plant water status pre-veraison, yet exhibited little sensitivity to low vine water status post-veraison. Measurements of the difference in water potential between clusters and source stems did not provide evidence of a gradient that would elicit significant water movement from the cluster to the stem at any time of the day. This was true for both irrigated and non-irrigated vines, although the non-irrigated vines exhibited a smaller gradient favoring inflow throughout much of the day. The gradient for xylem water transport to the cluster was considerably smaller post-veraison than pre-veraison. The results showed that berry transpiration functioned as the primary pathway for water loss both pre- and post-veraison.     

Vascular functioning and the water balance of ripening kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) berries

Indirect evidence suggests that water supply to fleshy fruits during the final stages of development occurs through the phloem, with the xylem providing little water, or acting as a pathway for water loss back to the plant. This inference was tested by examining the water balance and vascular functioning of ripening kiwifruit berries (Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis 'Hort16A') exhibiting a pre-harvest 'shrivel' disorder in California, and normal development in New Zealand. Dye labelling and mass balance experiments indicated that the xylem and phloem were both functional and contributed approximately equally to the fruit water supply during this stage of development. The modelled fruit water balance was dominated by transpiration, with net water loss under high vapour pressure deficit (D(a)) conditions in California, but a net gain under cooler New Zealand conditions. Direct measurement of pedicel sap flow under controlled conditions confirmed inward flows in both the phloem and xylem under conditions of both low and high D(a). Phloem flows were required for growth, with gradual recovery after a step increase in D(a). Xylem flows alone were unable to support growth, but did supply transpiration and were responsive to D(a)-induced pressure fluctuations. The results suggest that the shrivel disorder was a consequence of a high fruit transpiration rate, and that the perception of complete loss or reversal of inward xylem flows in ripening fruits should be re-examined.     

Water uptake regulation in peach trees with split-root systems

The water uptake of 3- to 4-year-old peach trees ‘May-crest/Prunus Damas’ grown in an aerated nutrient solution was studied using a split-root system. Each container and the whole tree were weighed independently to measure water absorption by both parts of the root system and tree transpiration. Water potential of leaves was measured with a pressure chamber. Water potential of roots was estimated using root suckers sealed in plastic bags before the measurement. The nutrient solution was removed from one container so that half the root system was left in humid air for 48 h. Water potential of roots left in solution decreased, which (partly) maintained water absorption and thus transpiration. No modification of root hydraulic resistance was required to simulate the experimental results. Nevertheless, enhancement of absorption by the roots supplied with solution cannot compensate for the water loss by transpiration. Depletion of water from the plant essentially came from the non-absorbing roots. This was demonstrated by substituting vegetable oil for nutrient solution around one half of the split-root system, and by following the changes in root volume on the basis of Archimedes principle. Conflicting results in the literature about apparent changes in hydraulic resistance are discussed.     

Water balance in the arborescent palm, Sabal palmetto. II. Transpiration and stem water storage

The contribution of stem water storage to the water balance of the arborescent palm, Sabal palmetto, was investigated using greenhouse studies, field measurements and a tree-cutting experiment. Water balance studies of greenhouse trees (1.5 to 3 m tall) were conducted in which transpiration was measured by weight loss, and changes in soil and stem water content by time-domain reflectometry. When the greenhouse plants were well-watered (soil moisture near saturation), water was withdrawn from the stem during periods of high transpiration and then replenished during the night so that the net transpirational water loss came primarily from the soil. As water was withheld, however, an increasing percentage of daily net transpirational water loss came from water stored in the stem. However, studies on palms growing in their natural environment indicated that during periods of high transpiration leaf water status was somewhat uncoupled from stem water stores. In a tree-cutting experiment, the maintenance of high relative water content of attached leaves was significantly correlated with stem volume/leaf area. Leaves of a 3-m tree remained green and fully hydrated for approximately 100d after it had been cut down, whereas those of a 1-m-tall plant turned brown within one week. The significance of stem water storage may be in buffering stem xylem potentials during periods of high transpiration and in contributing to leaf survival during extended period of low soil water availability.     

Early stomatal closure in waterlogged pea plants is mediated by abscisic acid in the absence of foliar water deficits

Abstract Soil waterlogging decreased leaf conductance (interpreted as stomatal closure) of vegetative pea plants (Pisuin sativum L. cv. ‘Sprite’) approximately 24 h after the start of flooding, i.e. from the beginning of the second 16 h-long photo-period. Both adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaves of various ages and the stipules were affected. Stomatal closure was sustained for at least 3 d with no decrease in foliar hydration measured as water content per unit area, leaf water potential or leaf water saturation deficit. Instead, leaves became increasingly hydrated in association with slower transpiration. These changes in the waterlogged plants over 3 d were accompanied by up to 10-fold increases in the concentration of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA). Waterlogging also increased foliar hydration and ABA concentrations in the dark. Leaves detached from non-waterlogged plants and maintained in vials of water for up to 3 d behaved in a similar way to leaves on flooded plants, i.e. stomata closed in the absence of a water deficit but in association with increased ABA content. Applying ABA through the transpiration stream to freshly detached leaflets partially closed stomata within 15 min. The extractable concentrations of ABA associated with this closure were similar to those found in flooded plants. When an ABA-deficient ‘wilty’ mutant of pea was waterlogged, the extent of stomatal closure was less pronounced than that in ordinary non-mutant plants, and the associated increase in foliar ABA was correspondingly smaller. Similarly, waterlogging closed stomata of tomato plants within 24 h, but no such closure was seen in ‘flacca’, a corresponding ABA-deficient mutant. The results provide an example of stomatal closure brought about by stress in the root environment in the absence of water deficiency. The correlative factor operating between the roots and shoots appeared to be an inhibition of ABA transport out of the shoots of flooded plants, causing the hormone to accumulate in the leaves.     

Physiology of Rice Tungro Virus Disease: Involvement of Abscisic Acid-Like Substance in Susceptible Host-Virus Interactions

Stunting was severe in susceptible rice (Oryza saliva L.) cultivar ‘Taichung Native 1’ infected with tungro virus (RTV) compared to less-susceptible cultivar ‘IR 20’. The senescence of detached leaves of RTV-infected susceptible cultivar incubated in water in dark was accelerated compared to the healthy leaves as measured by the loss of total chlorophyll content. The transpiration rate of RTV-infected leaves of the susceptible cultivar was much lower than the healthy and RTV-infected leaves of the less-susceptible cultivar. Partially purified extracts obtained from RTV-infected leaves effectively inhibited GA-induced α-amylase synthesis in barley endosperms, and rice seedling growth, and they accelerated senescence of detached rice leaves. In all the three bibassays the ABA-like activity was significantly greater in the extracts from the RTV-infected susceptible cultivar than in extracts from the less-susceptible cultivar.     

Water balance during vitellogenesis by the American cockroach:distribution of water during the six day cycle.

Haemolymph volume, total body water, and total tissue water fluctuate during the vitellogenic cycle in the American cockroach. The observed patterns indicate that the tissues store water for oöthecal production rather than the haemolymph. The carcass water (which consists of the integument and adhering tissue) cycles in direct contrast to the water ingestion pattern, suggesting that these tissues supply ovariole water incorporation during days 3 and 5. Both fat body and gut release large volumes of water during day 6 to the haemolymph for use in the formation of the oötheca.