Alternating Perturbation Response of the Water Regulatory System in Arena Leaves

The transpiration response of excised primary Avena leaves was studied when pulse perturbations were given to the water regulatory system. Repeated light pulses given to the leaf caused regularly alternating transpiration responses, i.e. the magnitude alternated regularly between a high and a low value. This effect, denoted alternating pulse response, could be recorded under quite different light pulse conditions but was not found when the pulse interval was too long or too short (longer than about 60 min. shorter than about 15 min). Sodium chloride given to the transpiration stream induced and increased the effect. Alternating pulse response could also be recorded when mannitol pulses were given to the root system of intact plants.