The influence of a severe drought on net photosynthesis of white oak (Quercus alba)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip M. Dougherty ◽  
Thomas M. Hinckley

A prolonged and intense drought during the summer of 1976 caused soil water potential in the upper 45 cm of the soil profile to decrease below −2.5 MPa. Predawn xylem pressure potential (P) frequently was less than −1.8 MPa. Under conditions of high soil moisture, net photosynthesis averaged more than 8.0 mg CO2∙dm−2∙h−1 between 0500 and 1800 hours, and maximum rates of net photosynthesis were above 14.0 mg CO2∙dm−2∙h−1. Average and daily maximum net photosynthesis decreased to less than 1.0 and 8.0 mg CO2∙dm−2∙h−1, respectively, during the peak of the drought. Maximum rates of net photosynthesis observed under controlled light and temperature conditions remained above or near 14.0 mg CO2∙dm−2∙h−1 even when predawn P equalled −1.83 MPa. Net photosynthesis seldom decreased below zero if quantum flux densities were greater than the compensation point during this period of record low soil moisture. Environmental conditions, such as fog and clouds, which reduced leaf temperatures and atmospheric evaporative demand, increased net photosynthesis although predawn P was less than −1.8 MPa. During cloudy days, rates of net photosynthesis were within 80% of those observed under ideal soil moisture conditions. The photosynthetic characteristics of white oak noted during this drought are coupled with other physiological traits of white oak to explain its relative success in the oak–hickory forest type.


1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Thompson ◽  
T. M. Hinckley

A model was described which simulated xylem pressure potential and leaf surface resistance for a white oak (Quercusalba L.) tree and several saplings in central Missouri. The simulation was accomplished using a deterministic approach and was applicable from after leaf maturation in the spring to leaf senescence in the fall. Soil moisture content, vapor pressure deficit, and solar radiation were the required driving variables. The Ohm's law analogy describing water potentials and fluxes in the soil–plant–atmospheric continuum served as the basis for the model. The model was tested with data not used in the original parameter estimation, and very close agreement between observed and predicted values was found. The patterns of xylem pressure potential and leaf surface resistance obtained from simulation runs imply that white oak has a significant amount of stress tolerance and an ability to avoid severe dehydration.



1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Dixon ◽  
G. M. Wright ◽  
G. T. Behrns ◽  
R. O. Teskey ◽  
T. M. Hinckley

White oak (Quercusalba L.) seedlings grown in a silt loam soil inoculated with Pisolithustinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch exhibited 80% ectomycorrhizal development after a 6-month establishment period whereas the noninoculated controls exhibited less than 5%.When water was withheld and soil water potential decreased as the soil dried, xylem pressure potential and leaf conductance of both the inoculated and noninoculated seedlings declined gradually. At the peak of the drying cycle, the inoculated seedlings exhibited mean prelight and midlight xylem pressure potential values which were 0.2 MPa and 0.15 MPa, respectively, more negative than the noninoculated seedlings. Although the inoculated seedlings had a mean leaf surface area 1.5 times larger than that of the noninoculated seedlings, there were no significant differences in leaf conductance at the peak of the dehydration cycle. Mean rates of root elongation were greater among the inoculated seedlings during the drying cycle. Following reirrigation of the soil, the inoculated seedlings yielded significantly less negative values of prelight and midlight xylem pressure potential and greater leaf conductance when compared to the noninoculated seedlings.



1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrill R. Kaufmann

The effects of soil drying on water relations of Engelmann spruce (Piceaengelmannii Engelm.) were studied by withholding water from 4-year-old potted seedlings in full sunlight and under a shade screen transmitting 55–60% light. During a period of 2 months, xylem pressure potential, water vapor conductance, and transpirational flux density gradually declined compared with well watered controls, with drying being more rapid in full sunlight. As drying progressed, xylem pressure potential at 0 transpiration (predawn potential) decreased and the slope of the relationship between xylem pressure potential and transpirational flux density became more negative. Hysteresis in the relationship occurred when predawn xylem pressure potential was −6 bars (1 bar = 105 Pa) or lower. Needle conductance during daylight hours decreased as the absolute humidity difference from leaf to air increased but conductances were lower in September than in August for given humidity differences. Xylem pressure potentials between −15 and −19 bars had no clear effect on conductance in August but apparently caused significant stomatal closure in September. Because of humidity-induced stomatal closure, evaporative demand had little effect on transpirational flux density over a broad range of humidity gradient. Thus increased leaf-to-air vapor gradients for transpiration are not always accompanied by increased transpiration.



1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1508-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert M. Cregg ◽  
Thomas C. Hennessey ◽  
Philip M. Dougherty

Xylem pressure potential, leaf conductance, transpiration, and soil moisture were measured during three summers following precommercial thinning of a 10-year-old stand of loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) in southeastern Oklahoma. The stand was thinned to three target basal-area levels: 5.8, 11.5, and 23 m2•ha−1 (control). Soil water potential increased significantly in response to thinning during the summer of each year studied. However, plant water relations were relatively unaffected by the treatments. Significant thinning effects on diurnal xylem pressure potential were observed on only 7 of 55 measurement periods. Treatment differences in conductance and transpiration observed during the first year of the study appeared to be related to differences in light interception and crown exposure. Regression analysis indicated response of leaf conductance and transpiration to predawn xylem pressure potential and vapor pressure deficit was not affected by the thinning treatments. Overall, the results of this study are consistent with a hypothesis in which transpiration, leaf area, and water potential interact to form a homeostatic relationship.



1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1387-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Maier ◽  
R.O. Teskey

Leaf gas exchange and water relations were monitored in the upper canopy of two 25 m tall eastern white pine (Pinusstrobus L.) trees over two consecutive growing seasons (1986 and 1987). Examination of the seasonal and diurnal patterns of net photosynthesis and leaf conductance showed that both internal and external (environmental) factors were controlling net photosynthesis and leaf conductance. Internal control was indicated by a rapid increase and then decrease in the photosynthetic capacity of 1-year-old foliage during the development and maturation of current-year foliage, which was independent of environmental conditions. Large differences in net photosynthesis were observed between growing seasons due to seasonal differences in soil water availability, as indexed by predawn xylem pressure potential. Water stress reduced the maximum rate of net photosynthesis and altered the response of net photosynthesis and leaf conductance to absolute humidity deficit.



1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Hinckley ◽  
David N. Bruckerhoff

Stem circumference, xylem pressure potential (P), and leaf surface resistance were measured in a dominant forest-grown white oak (Quercus alba L.) tree from the beginning of, through the development of, and to recovery from a major drought in mid-Missouri. Continuous recording of several environmental variables and periodic measurements of soil moisture were made in coordination with the above plant variables. As base P(P measured just before sunrise) and soil moisture decreased, net day-to-day and even week-to-week stem shrinkage was observed. Periodic thunderstorms alleviated soil and plant water deficits and stem circumference recovered. Excellent relationships were noted between soil moisture in the upper 30 cm of a 107-cm profile and either base P or stem circumference.Four clear and 2 cloudy days with rain are presented to illustrate diurnal patterns in the aforementioned variables. The generalized pattern of diurnal fluctuations in stem circumference consisted of early morning shrinkage, which continued to a 1500- to 1700-h. (true solar time) minimum, and subsequent recovery. Hysteresis loops resulted when stem circumference was plotted against P. Maximum diurnal fluctuations in stem circumference were greatest when soil moisture had been depleted slightly below field capacity. Further depletion led to lower values of P, stomatal closure, restricted plant water loss, and reduced stem shrinkage. The relationship between flux (vapor pressure deficit – leaf surface resistance) and P is also described and it provided a possible means of modeling P in plants. The possible role of the stem reservoir in augmenting foliar water deficits is presented and discussed.



2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lada R. Rajasekaran ◽  
Terence J. Blake

The possibility that AMBIOL, a derivative of 5-hydroxybenzimidazole, may promote drought acclimation of carrot seedlings was studied. Carrot seeds were pre-treated by soaking in AMBIOL solutions of 0, 0.1, 1 or 10 mg L–1 for 24 h and germinated. Fifteen-day-old seedlings were exposed to a 7-d drought by withholding water until soil moisture content declined to one-third of the initial values. Drought caused a significant reduction in xylem pressure potential, elongation growth, leaf area expansion, root growth and dry matter production. Membrane capacitance, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water use efficiency all declined in all plants under drought. However, seed pre-treatment using AMBIOL 0.1 and 10 mg L–1 completely alleviated the drought-induced reduction in shoot dry matter production. Seed preconditioning using AMBIOL 10 mg L–1 promoted dry matter production, which was 214% higher than in the untreated droughted plants and was even 26% higher than that of the untreated, unstressed controls. AMBIOL appeared to have induced drought acclimation through root adjustments that enhanced root growth, possibly supplying root-derived essential factors. Key words: Acclimation, antioxidant, carrot, drought, dry matter production, 5-hydroxybenzimidazole, growth, membrane capacitance



1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt H. Johnsen

Two controlled-environment studies examined growth and ecophysiological responses of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) seedlings to elevated CO2 under varied water and nutrient additions. Growth analyses were conducted followed by measurements of gas exchange, xylem pressure potential and foliar N concentrations. Growth under elevated CO2 (700 ppm) increased final seedling dry weights by 20–48% compared with seedling growth under ambient CO2 (350 ppm). Percent increases in seedling dry weight were greater under drought versus well-watered conditions and higher versus lower nutrient additions. Seedlings grown under elevated CO2 displayed higher water use efficiency than seedlings grown under ambient CO2. This was apparent based upon instantaneous gas exchange as well as xylem potential pressure measurements. Elevated CO2-induced stimulation of relative growth rate was greatest shortly after seedling emergence and decreased with increased seedling size. Acclimation of net photosynthesis was observed and was reversible. Analyses using allometric principles indicate net photosynthetic acclimation resulted from: (i) growth-induced nutrient dilution; (ii) a decrease in foliar N levels not owing to dilution; and (iii) a decrease in net photosynthetic activity.



1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Foster ◽  
William K. Smith

High-elevation (2305 m) phreatophytes (cottonwood, Populus angustifolia James, and willows, Salix monticola Nutt. and Salix exigua Bebb) in southeastern Wyoming commonly showed a pattern of increasing stomatal conductance (g1) throughout the day, despite minimum leaf water potentials (ψ1) as low as −2.7 MPa. Diurnally, light and leaf temperature were the most important variables influencing g1, but there were also threshold values of ψ1 and leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit for stomatal closure. Seasonally, maximum daily g1 (gmax) was similar between species, was positively related to minimum air temperature the previous night, and showed a threshold response to soil temperature. Two types of evidence existed for large soil-to-leaf conductances (gs–l) and for liquid water being available to the roots. The first was no change in ψ1 despite increasing transpiration during the afternoon. The second was rapid evening recovery of ψ1 often to values higher than mean soil water potential to 60-cm depth. The combination of low atmospheric pressures at high elevation, large gs–l, and access to a water table may explain how these phreatophytes attained gmax of 0.8–0.9 mol m−2 s−1, much higher than gmax of low-elevation phreatophytes or high-elevation nonphreatophytes. Key words: Populus, Salix, phreatophyte, stomatal conductance, xylem pressure potential.



1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Pezeshki ◽  
J. L. Chambers

Effects of short-term flooding on stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, and water status of sweet gum (Liquidambarstyraciflua L.) seedlings were studied under controlled environment conditions. Flooding for 9 days induced partial stomatal closure, resulting in significant declines in transpiration and net photosynthesis. The response to flooding was rapid with an average daily stomatal conductance declining from a preflood level of 0.43 cm•s−1 to 0.26 cm•s−1 by 24 h after flooding began (40% reduction). The average preflooding daily net photosynthesis was reduced from 13.7 to 10.2 mg CO2•dm−2•h−1 (25% reduction) during the same period and the average daily stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis for the 9th day of flooding were reduced by 70 and 77%, respectively, compared with preflood levels. The leaf xylem pressure potential measurements, however, indicated that water deficits did not develop as a result of flooding. Partial stomatal reopening 3 days after termination of flooding was noted with an average daily stomatal conductance approaching 63% of the preflood levels and an average daily net photosynthesis reaching 46% of its preflood levels. Maintenance of positive net photosynthesis throughout flooding, and partial stomatal and photosynthetic recovery following drainage may account for the tolerance of sweet gum seedlings to short-term flooding.



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