The Water Relations of Pinus sylvestris II. Comparative Field Studies of Water Potential and Relative Water Content

Comparative field studies of water potential and relative water content in needles of Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L., were carried out in September-October 1965, in June 1966 and in July-August 1968. The sample trees were grafts, planted in 1946 and belonging to two clones, growing in close proximity and under the same environmental conditions. The main subject of the investigation was to determine whether differences in water potential and/or relative water content existed between these two clones, and if these differences could be correlated to the growth differences and thus aid in the development of selection criteria. The results obtained demonstrate such differences in water potential but not in relative water content. The differences were not consistent through the experimental periods. The clone which had the highest water potentials in June 1966, had the lowest in September-October 1965 and in July-August 1968. The results revealed that the clone which showed the fastest total growth, normally had the lowest water potentials when irradiated. In 1968 the current and the previous season's needles were separately investigated. The water potential and relative water content were always higher in the current season's needles. Highly significant negative correlations between water potential or relative water content and irradiance, temperature, and vapour pressure deficit were found.