A Cold Temperature Error in the Pressure Chamber Technique

1974 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-416
Author(s):  
A. Kent Evans ◽  
C. P. P. Reid

Pressure chamber data for Engelmann spruce indicate that a cold temperature error causes artificially low (more negative) xylem pressure potential (Ψxp) values below −0.5 °C xylem temperature. Heat of compression in the chamber causes partial thawing of the frozen sample allowing some water to be forced from the twig at a reasonable, although artificially low, Ψxp value. It is important that the investigator know sample temperature in order not to misinterpret these low Ψxp values as indicative of severe water stress due to decreased absorption of water by root systems at low soil temperatures.

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.


1977 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Fischer ◽  
M. Sanchez ◽  
J.R. Syme

SUMMARYPlant water potential and leaf diffusive conductance, key features of plant responses to water stress in field experiments, can be estimated, respectively, by xylem pressure potential measured with the pressure chamber apparatus, and leaf permeability measured with the air flow porometer. This paper describes modifications to these two techniques in order to increase the rapidity of measurements in wheat to 60/h with the pressure chamber, and 200/h with the porometer. Rapid measurements are needed because of the large within-and between-plot errors encountered with daytime measurements in typical field experiments, examples of which are presented.


Weed Science ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Weaver ◽  
Chin S. Tan

The critical period of weed interference in transplanted tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentumMill. 'Springset’) was from 28 to 35 days after transplanting. A single weeding during this period was sufficient to prevent yield reductions. A growth analysis revealed that significant differences in plant dry weight and fruit number between tomatoes from weed-free and weed-infested plots were not apparent until 56 to 70 days after transplanting. The shorter the initial weed-free period, or the longer weeds were allowed to remain in the plots before removal, the earlier reductions in tomato dry weight and fruit number appeared. Weed interference was due primarily to shading rather than water stress. Tomatoes from weed-infested plots had significantly lower stomatal conductances than those from weed-free plots, but did not differ in xylem-pressure potential or in canopy temperature. If tomatoes were kept weed-free for more than 28 days, or when weeds were present for less than 28 days after transplanting, stomatal conductances were not significantly reduced.


1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Colquhoun ◽  
RW Ridge ◽  
DT Bell ◽  
WA Loneragan ◽  
J Kuo

Land use which reduces tree canopy density and the impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi are believed to be altering the hydrological balance of parts of the northern jarrah forest, Western Australia. In the drier eastern zones of the forest, replacement plant communities must maintain the soil-salt-water balance to prevent significant increases in salinization of streams in water supply catchments. Daily and seasonal patterns of the diffusive resistance of leaves and xylem pressure potential were determined for the major natural dominant of the region, Eucalyptus marginata, and five other species of Eucalyptus used in rehabilitation. Three types of daily and seasonal patterns were observed. E. marginata and E. calophylla exhibited little stomatal control of water loss, and leaf resistances remained low throughout the study period (type 1). E. maculata, E. resinifera and E. saligna exhibited marked stomatal regulation during summer days when xylem pressure potentials fell below -2.O MPa (type 2). E. wandoo (type 3) also controlled water loss but developed xylem pressure potentials far lower than all other species tested (<-3.0 MPa). Although none of the species tested replicated the summer stomatal resistance and xylem pressure potential patterns of E. marginata, it is suggested that total annual water use should be examined before selecting the most appropriate species to rehabilitate disturbed sites in the eastern zones of the northern jarrah forest region.


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.


HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 1328-1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason T. MacDonald ◽  
Rajasekaran R. Lada ◽  
Martine Dorais ◽  
Steeve Pepin

Ethylene accumulation increases after harvest and culminates in needle abscission in balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.]. We hypothesize that water deficit induces ethylene evolution, thus triggering abscission. The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of temperature and humidity on postharvest needle abscission in the presence and absence of exogenous ethylene and link vapor pressure deficit (VPD) to postharvest needle abscission in balsam fir. In the first experiment, branches were exposed to 30%, 60%, or 90% humidity while maintained at 19.7 °C (VPD of 1.59, 0.91, or 0.23 kPa, respectively); in the second experiment, branches were exposed to 5, 15, or 25 °C (VPD of 0.35, 0.68, or 1.26 kPa, respectively) while maintained at 60% relative humidity. Needle retention duration, average water use, xylem pressure potential relative water content, and ethylene evolution were response variables. Reducing water loss or xylem tension by changing temperature or humidity effectively delayed needle abscission, although the 90% humidity treatment had the most profound effects. In the absence of exogenous ethylene, branches placed in 90% humidity had a fivefold increase in needle retention, 67% decrease in average water use, and had a final xylem pressure potential of –0.09 MPa. There was a near perfect relationship between VPD and needle retention (R2 = 0.99). These findings suggest that increasing xylem tension or decreasing water status may trigger ethylene synthesis and needle abscission. In addition, these findings demonstrate an effective means of controlling postharvest needle abscission by modifying temperature and/or relative humidity.


1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 818-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Parker ◽  
Stephen G. Pallardy

Whole-plant drought tolerance and leaf abscission in response to drought of 5-month-old, half-sib black walnut (Juglansnigra L.) seedlings representing seven geographic origins were examined. Seedlings were subjected to six different levels of drought stress and then reirrigated. Mortality, leaf abscission, and refoliation responses were measured. Only one of 404 seedlings actually died. Survival of stem cambial tissues at predawn leaf xylem pressure potential values as low as −4.0 MPa was associated with the capacity for drought-induced leaf abscission. The percentage of seedlings exhibiting at least 80% leaf abscission increased linearly as predawn leaf xylem pressure potential decreased from −1.5 to −3.5 MPa. Although substantial differences in leaf abscission among families were observed, these differences were not statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Eighteen percent of all seedlings exhibited some degree of refoliation upon recovery of plant water status. However, the cumulative area of regrowth foliage was insignificant in terms of its adaptive value for resumption of photosynthetic activity following stress relief.


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