scholarly journals Grazing winter wheat relieves plant water stress and transiently enhances photosynthesis

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Harrison ◽  
Walter M. Kelman ◽  
Andrew D. Moore ◽  
John R. Evans

To model the impact of grazing on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), we measured photosynthesis in the field. Grazing may affect photosynthesis as a consequence of changes to leaf water status, nitrogen content per unit leaf area (Na) or photosynthetic enzyme activity. While light-saturated CO2 assimilation rates (Asat) of field-grown wheat were unchanged during grazing, Asat transiently increased by 33–68% compared with ungrazed leaves over a 2- to 4-week period after grazing ended. Grazing reduced leaf mass per unit area, increased stomatal conductance and increased intercellular CO2 concentrations (Ci) by 36–38%, 88–169% and 17–20%, respectively. Grazing did not alter Na. Using a photosynthesis model, we demonstrated that the increase in Asat after grazing required an increase in Rubisco activity of up to 53%, whereas the increase in Ci could only increase Asat by up to 13%. Increased Rubisco activity was associated with a partial alleviation of leaf water stress. We observed a 68% increase in leaf water potential of grazed plants that could be attributed to reduced leaf area index and canopy evaporative demand, as well as to increased rainfall infiltration into soil. The grazing of rain-fed grain cereals may be tailored to relieve plant water stress and enhance leaf photosynthesis.

1974 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Jackson

SUMMARYSimulated swards of Dactylis glomerata (var. S.37) and Lolium perenne (var. S.23) were grown in large lysimeters or vertical pipes of 15 cm diameter, both sufficiently deep to allow largely unrestricted root development.Rainfall was excluded, and the effect of a drying cycle on the plant water balance was compared with irrigated controls in a sequence of sampling harvests at increasing soil water deficits.Leaf water potential (ΨL) fell during the day, both in treatments and controls, to levels which might be expected to reduce extension growth and, frequently, stomatal diffusion. Rapid recovery occurred in the evening to levels which might allow normal functioning of growth processes not dependent on sunlight. Defoliation reduced plant stress and stomatal restriction.The amelioration of plant water stress appeared to require a reduction in atmospheric evaporative demand, and irrigation had relatively little effect. The possibility is discussed that the major benefits of irrigation are other than through the relief of water stress within the plant. The significance of this is considered in relation to conventional irrigation techniques.The leaf water status was more sensitive to drought, transpiration was reduced more, and the root system extended more slowly in Dactylis than in Lolium. Consequently, the onset of permanent wilting due to exhaustion of water from the profile was delayed compared with Lolium. It is deduced that this characteristic might enhance the survival of Dactylis in prolonged drought, but prove disadvantageous in terms of growth during short droughts, when reduced stomatal opening might limit CO2 uptake. This would not be an impediment, however, if investigations suggesting that partial closure has a minor effect on CO2 uptake compared with that on transpiration were to be confirmed.


1979 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. Jones

SummaryThe potential offered for plant breeding programmes by visual scoring techniques for plant water status was investigated in rice and spring wheat. It was found that differing plant morphology could seriously bias visual estimates of leaf water potential, particularly in spring wheat. In spite of this problem, it was found that at least for rice, this type of approach may have potential in future breeding programmes where an estimate of leaf water status is required, such as those for drought tolerance, so long as a high intensity of selection is not necessary.


1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Hennessey ◽  
E. M. Lorenzi ◽  
R. W. McNew

An experiment to quantify the response of unnodulated, fertilized European black alder (Alnusglutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) seedlings to progressive water stress showed contrasting drought tolerance among five clones, using stomatal conductance, leaf area, and height as indices of drought sensitivity. In particular, one rapidly growing clone (AG 8022-14) showed the ability to moderate changes in water stress more efficiently than the more slowly growing clones. After 30 days of moderate levels of water stress, clones that had higher stomatal conductance also had greater leaf area and height growth. Leaf area and height were both sensitive to plant water status, although no threshold of stress associated with a cessation of leaf area or height expansion was found even though stomatal conductance decreased to 0.05 cm s−1 under severe water stress.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-432
Author(s):  
Matthew Lanning ◽  
Lixin Wang ◽  
Kimberly A Novick

Abstract Accurate understanding of plant responses to water stress is increasingly important for quantification of ecosystem carbon and water cycling under future climates. Plant water-use strategies can be characterized across a spectrum of water stress responses, from tight stomatal control (isohydric) to distinctly less stomatal control (anisohydric). A recent and popular classification method of plant water-use strategies utilizes the regression slope of predawn and midday leaf water potentials, σ, to reflect the coupling of soil water availability (predawn leaf water potential) and stomatal dynamics (daily decline in leaf water potential). This type of classification is important in predicting ecosystem drought response and resiliency. However, it fails to explain the relative stomatal responses to drought of Acer sacharrum and Quercus alba, improperly ranking them on the spectrum of isohydricity. We argue this inconsistency may be in part due to the cuticular conductance of different species. We used empirical and modeling evidence to show that plants with more permeable cuticles are more often classified as anisohydric; the σ values of those species were very well correlated with measured cuticular permeance. Furthermore, we found that midday leaf water potential in species with more permeable cuticles would continue to decrease as soils become drier, but not in those with less permeable cuticles. We devised a diagnostic parameter, Γ, to identify circumstances where the impact of cuticular conductance could cause species misclassification. The results suggest that cuticular conductance needs to be considered to better understand plant water-use strategies and to accurately predict forest responses to water stress under future climate scenarios.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1445-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajveer S. Dhillon ◽  
Shrini K. Upadhaya ◽  
Francisco Rojo ◽  
Jed Roach ◽  
Robert W. Coates ◽  
...  

Abstract. There is increased demand for irrigation scheduling tools that support effective use of the limited supply of irrigation water. An efficient precision irrigation system requires water to be delivered based on crop needs by measuring or estimating plant water stress. Leaf temperature is a good indicator of water stress. In this study, a system was developed to monitor leaf temperature and microclimatic environmental variables to predict plant water stress. This system, called the leaf monitor, monitored plant water status by continuously measuring leaf temperature, air temperature, relative humidity, ambient light, and wind conditions in the vicinity of a shaded leaf. The system also included a leaf holder, a solar radiation diffuser dome, and a wind barrier for improved performance of the unit. Controlled wind speed and consistent light conditions were created around the leaf to reduce the effect of nuisance variables on leaf temperature. The leaf monitor was incorporated into a mesh network of wireless nodes for sensor data collection and remote valve control. The system was evaluated for remote data collection in commercial orchards. Experiments were conducted during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons in walnut () and almond () orchards. The system was found to be reliable and capable of providing real-time visualization of the data remotely, with minimal technical problems. Leaf monitor data were used to develop modified crop water stress index (MCWSI) values for quantifying plant water stress levels. Keywords: Almonds, CWSI, Infrared sensor, Irrigation scheduling, Leaf temperature, Nut crops, Plant water stress, Precision irrigation, Stem water potential, Walnuts, Wireless mesh network.


2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shusen Wang

Abstract The impact of water stress on plant stomatal conductance (g) has been widely studied but with little consensus as to the processes governing its responses. The photosynthesis-driven stomatal conductance models usually employ constant model parameters and attribute the decrease of g from water stress to the reduction of leaf photosynthesis. This has been challenged by studies showing that the model parameter values decrease when the plant is under water stress. In this study, the impact of plant water stress on the parameter values in stomatal conductance models is evaluated using the approach recently developed by S. Wang et al. and the tower flux measurements at a Canadian boreal aspen forest. Results show that the slope parameter (α) in the stomatal conductance models decreases substantially with the development of plant water stress. The magnitude of this reduction is dependent on how plant water stress is represented. Overall, the relative reduction of α from its maximum value is 28% when soil water content decreases from 0.38 to 0.18 m3 m−3, and is 38% when Bowen ratio increases from 0.25 to 3.5. Equations for α correction to account for water stress impacts are proposed. Further studies on different ecosystems are necessary to quantify the parameter variations with water stress among different climate regions and plant species.


1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 549 ◽  
Author(s):  
SL Steinberg ◽  
MJ Mcfarland ◽  
JC Miller

A gradation, that reflects the maturity of the leaves, exists in the leaf water, osmotic and turgor potential and stomatal conductance of leaves along current and 1-year-old branches of peach. Predawn leaf water potentials of immature folded leaves were approximately 0.24 MPa lower than mature leaves under both well-watered and dry conditions. During the daytime the leaf water potential of immature leaves reflected the water potential produced by water flux for transpiration. In well- watered trees, mature and immature unfolded leaves had a solute potential at least 0.5 MPa lower than immature folded leaves, resulting in a turgor potential that was approximately 0.8 MPa higher. The turgor requirement for growth appeared to be much less than that maintained in mature leaves. As water stress developed and leaf water potentials decreased, the osmotic potential of immature folded leaves declined to the level found in mature leaves, thus maintaining turgor. In contrast, mature leaves showed little evidence of turgor maintenance. Stomatal conductance was lower in immature leaves than in fully mature leaves. With the onset of water stress, conductance of mature leaves declined to a level near that of immature leaves. Loss of turgor in mature leaves may be a major factor in early stomatal closure. It was concluded that osmotic adjustment played a role in maintenance of a leaf water status favorable for some growth in water-stressed immature peach leaves.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael H. Nolan ◽  
Kendal A. Fairweather ◽  
Tonantzin Tarin ◽  
Nadia S. Santini ◽  
James Cleverly ◽  
...  

Partitioning of water resources amongst plant species within a single climate envelope is possible if the species differ in key hydraulic traits. We examined 11 bivariate trait relationships across nine woody species found in the Ti-Tree basin of central Australia. We found that species with limited access to soil moisture, evidenced by low pre-dawn leaf water potential, displayed anisohydric behaviour (e.g. large seasonal fluctuations in minimum leaf water potential), had greater sapwood density and lower osmotic potential at full turgor. Osmotic potential at full turgor was positively correlated with the leaf water potential at turgor loss, which was, in turn, positively correlated with the water potential at incipient stomatal closure. We also observed divergent behaviour in two species of Mulga, a complex of closely related Acacia species which range from tall shrubs to low trees and dominate large areas of arid and semiarid Australia. These Mulga species had much lower minimum leaf water potentials and lower specific leaf area compared with the other seven species. Finally, one species, Hakea macrocarpa A.Cunn ex.R.Br., had traits that may allow it to tolerate seasonal dryness (through possession of small specific leaf area and cavitation resistant xylem) despite exhibiting cellular water relations that were similar to groundwater-dependent species. We conclude that traits related to water transport and leaf water status differ across species that experience differences in soil water availability and that this enables a diversity of species to exist in this low rainfall environment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document