Plant Water Relation and Drought: Relationship Between Plant Water Potential and Relative Leaf Water Content in Different Tropical Plants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney Kerman ◽  
Kinzie Bailey ◽  
Joost van Haren ◽  
Angelika Kübert ◽  
Kathrin Kühnhammer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Tropical Plants ◽  
Plant Water Potential

<p>As global average temperature continues to increase and precipitation events become less predictable, understanding the long-term effects of drought on ecosystems is of increasing importance. However, it is difficult to study phenomena such as drought due to their unpredictable nature and the fact that it is difficult to tag and track the movement of water and carbon through an entire ecosystem. Within the framework of the controlled ecosystem manipulation experiment (WALD- Water, Atmosphere and Life Dynamics) at Biosphere 2, a deliberate drought in the enclosed tropical rainforest biome presented a unique opportunity to study responses in carbon and water cycling due to water stress. Within the scope of this study, the goal of this project was to examine the effect of prolonged water stress on different species within the rainforest and understand how the plants coped with the stress on an ecosystem level. This was accomplished by weekly plant water potential measurements (WP) before, during, and after the drought, as well as leaf sampling for relative leaf water content (RWC) and xylem sampling for water isotope measurements. For both predawn and midday WP, we found significantly different species responses; for <em>Ceiba pentandra</em> and <em>Pachira aquatica</em>, WP did not decrease during the drought, while for<em> Hibiscus tiliaceus</em> and <em>Hibiscus rosa sinensis</em>, WP decreased dramatically during the drought. After the additional of moisture from deeper depths, both <em>C. pentandra</em> and <em>Hura crepitans</em> (largest trees) responded the fastest by increasing in WP, while <em>H. tiliaceus</em> and <em>H. rosa sinensis</em> had the slowest recovery in WP, and only after rewetting from above had occurred. RWC also revealed different responses by different plant species, with <em>Phytolacca dioica</em> and <em>H. rosa sinensis</em> showing the highest RWC values throughout the experiment. The relationship between RWC and WP was also not consistent among species, with half of the species exhibiting a positive relationship, while the other half exhibiting a negative relationship. Other factors such as trunk capacitance and or leaf shedding during the drought might explain some of these contrasting relationships. Establishing such associations could lead to the development of tools that remotely assess average leaf water content of an area of forest via spectral reflectance and use those data to approximate the water stress of plants in that area, a very valuable asset when dealing with such geographically extensive phenomena as drought. </p>

WATER EXTRACTION PATTERNS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PLANT WATER DEFICITS IN CORN

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 921-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. DWYER ◽  
D. W. STEWART
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Plant Water

Water extraction patterns and plant water deficits for corn (Zea mays L.) were measured and related to development of aboveground biomass, leaf area and root density under different irrigation schedules in controlled chambers. A multi-layer transpiration model, based on an Ohm’s Law analogy, simulated the water uptake processes and predicted leaf water potential and soil water content through time. Comparison of measurements and model predictions of plant and soil water status tested our understanding of the principles involved in plant water use which resulted in growth differences. The experiment involved 48 planted cylinders plus controls; half were well-watered and maintained at or above field capacity and half were allowed to dry to near the wilting point. Over 6 wk, water stress reduced above-ground biomass and leaf area, but enhanced root growth over that of well-watered plants. This reflected the preferential allocation of photosynthate to the root when soil water became limiting. Measured leaf water potentials fell below the level for stomatal closure of the chamber population. The model also predicted a degree of water stress (midday leaf water potential of −1.48 MPa) that would increase stomatal resistance and restrict transpiration and photosynthesis. Measurements and predictions of soil water content over time were generally in good agreement. The model is therefore considered useful in describing water use patterns under controlled conditions.Key words: Zea mays L., transpiration, water use modelling, plant water stress, dry matter partitioning

scholarly journals Respons tanaman kelapa sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) terhadap cekaman kekeringan Respons of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) to water stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurita TORUAN-MATHIUS ◽  
Gede WIJANA ◽  
Edi GUHARJA ◽  
Hajrial ASWIDINNOOR ◽  
Sudirman YAHYA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Glycine Betaine ◽  
Elaeis Guineensis ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Aba Content

SummaryWater stress affect many physiological andbiochemical processes of oil palm. A series ofexperiments were conducted to characterize thewater stress-induced changes in physiologicalrespons of oil palm to water stress, in glass housecondition. The experiment consisted of (1)permanent leaf wilting point measured based onsoil water content, leaf water content, specificleaf area and leaf water potential . Plants wereconducted by termination of watering to theplants, and control plants were maintained wellwatered during 0,3,6,9,12,15,18 and 21 days ofMK356 and MK365 clones. Experiment (2)effect of water stress on changes of leaf waterpotential, protein bands pattern, proline,glycine-betaine, osmotical sugar, and abcisicacid (ABA) of MK356 and MK365 clones.Water stress was induced by termination ofwatering to the plants and maintained wellwatered during 0, 7,14, and 18 days.Experiment (3) changes of protein bands patternby total protein and electrophoresis SDS-PAGEand SDS-PAGE 2D protein. of H2(D10DxD8D)x(L9TxL2T); H12 (D8D Self) x(L9T x L2T). H3 and H9 (BJ028D x BJ2117P)hybrids. H2 and H12, H3 and H9 potentiallytolerant and untolerant to water stress,respectively. The results showed that permanentwilting point reached in 18 days of water stress.Water stress caused the decreased soil watercontent, leaf water potential, leaf water content,relative leaf water content , and relative leafarea of two clones. Water potential, leaf watecontent dan relative leaf water content ofMK365 decrease faster compare with MK356.Soil water content sharply decrease after 6 hoursand in 18 days of water stress leaf waterpotential value < - 2.55 Mpa. Proline, glycine-betaine and glucose content were affect by waterstress. Interaction among water stress and cloneswere significantly appear in stachiose content.Leaf water potential values decrease, whereasproline, ABA and glycine-betaine contentsincrease during water stress especially inMK356. Generally showed that ABA content inMK356 higher than MK 365. The differencesresponses of MK356 with MK 365 obtained fromprolin,xylose and ABA content. Induction of newprotein pI 4.7-36 kDa, pI5.3-34 kDa, pI 4.6-32kDa and pI 5.3-36 kDa obtained from hybridspotentially tolerant to water strees, none inuntolerant hybrids.RingkasanCekaman kekeringan mempengaruhiproses fisiologis dan biokimia tanaman kelapasawit. Serangkaian percobaan bertujuan untukmengkarakterisasi perubahan fisiologis tanamankelapa sawit terhadap cekaman kekeringan,dalam kondisi rumah kaca telah dilakukan.Percobaan terdiri atas (1) penetapan titik layupermanen, berdasarkan perubahan potensial airdaun, kadar air daun, kadar air daun relatif, danluas daun relatif dengan perlakuan tanpa dandengan penyiraman selama 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18dan 21 hari. Percobaan (2) penetapan perubahankadar prolin, glisin-betain, gula-gula osmotikaldan asam absisik (ABA), terhadap cekamankekeringan. Perlakuan adalah tanpa dan denganpenyiraman selama 0, 7, 14, dan 18 hari.Percobaan (3) analisis perubahan pola pita proteindaun hibrida H2 (D10DxD8D)x(L9TxL2T); H12(D8D Self) x (L9T x L2T). H3 dan H9 (BJ028Dx BJ2117P) terhadap cekaman kekeringan dengantotal protein, dan pola pita protein dengan SDSPAGE dan SDS-PAGE 2D. H2 dan H12 serta H3dan H9 masing-masing berpotensi toleran danpeka terhadap cekaman kekeringan. Hasil yangdiperoleh menunjukkan bahwa titik layupermanen dicapai pada hari ke 18 setelah dibericekaman kekeringan. Cekaman kekeringanmenurunkan kadar air tanah media tumbuh,potensial air daun, kadar air daun, kadar air daunrelatif, dan luas daun relatif untuk kedua klon.Potensial air daun, kadar air daun dan kadar airdaun relatif klon MK365 menurun lebih cepatdibandingkan dengan klon MK356. Kadar airtanah menurun tajam setelah 6 hari dibericekaman air dan potensial air daun mencapai<-2.55 MPa pada 18 hari setelah diberi cekaman.Cekaman kekeringan nyata berpengaruh terhadapkadar prolin, glisin betain dan glukosa. Interaksiantar lama cekaman kekeringan dan perbedaanklon diperoleh pada perubahan gula stahiosa.Tampak bahwa semakin menurun nilai potensialair daun menyebabkan kadar prolin semakinmeningkat. Hal yang sebaliknya terjadi terhadapkadar glisin-betain yang mengalami penurunanterutama untuk klon MK356. Kadar ABAMK356 dan MK365 meningkat sejalan dengansemakin lama diberi cekaman. Secara umumtampak bahwa kadar ABA pada MK356 lebihtinggi dibandingkan dengan MK 365. Perbedaanrespons klon MK356 dengan MK 365 terjadipada kadar prolin, gula silosa dan ABA.Hibridaberpotensi toleran memberikan respon terhadapcekaman kekeringan dengan menginduksi proteinbaru pI 4,7-36 kDa, pI5,3-34 kDa, pI 4,6-32 kDadan pI 5,3- 36 kDa, sedangkan pada hibridayang berpotensi peka protein tersebut tidakditemukan

scholarly journals Respons tanaman kelapa sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) terhadap cekaman kekeringan Respons of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) to water stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurita TORUAN-MATHIUS ◽  
Gede WIJANA ◽  
Edi GUHARJA ◽  
Hajrial ASWIDINNOOR ◽  
Sudirman YAHYA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Glycine Betaine ◽  
Elaeis Guineensis ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Aba Content

SummaryWater stress affect many physiological andbiochemical processes of oil palm. A series ofexperiments were conducted to characterize thewater stress-induced changes in physiologicalrespons of oil palm to water stress, in glass housecondition. The experiment consisted of (1)permanent leaf wilting point measured based onsoil water content, leaf water content, specificleaf area and leaf water potential . Plants wereconducted by termination of watering to theplants, and control plants were maintained wellwatered during 0,3,6,9,12,15,18 and 21 days ofMK356 and MK365 clones. Experiment (2)effect of water stress on changes of leaf waterpotential, protein bands pattern, proline,glycine-betaine, osmotical sugar, and abcisicacid (ABA) of MK356 and MK365 clones.Water stress was induced by termination ofwatering to the plants and maintained wellwatered during 0, 7,14, and 18 days.Experiment (3) changes of protein bands patternby total protein and electrophoresis SDS-PAGEand SDS-PAGE 2D protein. of H2(D10DxD8D)x(L9TxL2T); H12 (D8D Self) x(L9T x L2T). H3 and H9 (BJ028D x BJ2117P)hybrids. H2 and H12, H3 and H9 potentiallytolerant and untolerant to water stress,respectively. The results showed that permanentwilting point reached in 18 days of water stress.Water stress caused the decreased soil watercontent, leaf water potential, leaf water content,relative leaf water content , and relative leafarea of two clones. Water potential, leaf watecontent dan relative leaf water content ofMK365 decrease faster compare with MK356.Soil water content sharply decrease after 6 hoursand in 18 days of water stress leaf waterpotential value < - 2.55 Mpa. Proline, glycine-betaine and glucose content were affect by waterstress. Interaction among water stress and cloneswere significantly appear in stachiose content.Leaf water potential values decrease, whereasproline, ABA and glycine-betaine contentsincrease during water stress especially inMK356. Generally showed that ABA content inMK356 higher than MK 365. The differencesresponses of MK356 with MK 365 obtained fromprolin,xylose and ABA content. Induction of newprotein pI 4.7-36 kDa, pI5.3-34 kDa, pI 4.6-32kDa and pI 5.3-36 kDa obtained from hybridspotentially tolerant to water strees, none inuntolerant hybrids.RingkasanCekaman kekeringan mempengaruhiproses fisiologis dan biokimia tanaman kelapasawit. Serangkaian percobaan bertujuan untukmengkarakterisasi perubahan fisiologis tanamankelapa sawit terhadap cekaman kekeringan,dalam kondisi rumah kaca telah dilakukan.Percobaan terdiri atas (1) penetapan titik layupermanen, berdasarkan perubahan potensial airdaun, kadar air daun, kadar air daun relatif, danluas daun relatif dengan perlakuan tanpa dandengan penyiraman selama 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18dan 21 hari. Percobaan (2) penetapan perubahankadar prolin, glisin-betain, gula-gula osmotikaldan asam absisik (ABA), terhadap cekamankekeringan. Perlakuan adalah tanpa dan denganpenyiraman selama 0, 7, 14, dan 18 hari.Percobaan (3) analisis perubahan pola pita proteindaun hibrida H2 (D10DxD8D)x(L9TxL2T); H12(D8D Self) x (L9T x L2T). H3 dan H9 (BJ028Dx BJ2117P) terhadap cekaman kekeringan dengantotal protein, dan pola pita protein dengan SDSPAGE dan SDS-PAGE 2D. H2 dan H12 serta H3dan H9 masing-masing berpotensi toleran danpeka terhadap cekaman kekeringan. Hasil yangdiperoleh menunjukkan bahwa titik layupermanen dicapai pada hari ke 18 setelah dibericekaman kekeringan. Cekaman kekeringanmenurunkan kadar air tanah media tumbuh,potensial air daun, kadar air daun, kadar air daunrelatif, dan luas daun relatif untuk kedua klon.Potensial air daun, kadar air daun dan kadar airdaun relatif klon MK365 menurun lebih cepatdibandingkan dengan klon MK356. Kadar airtanah menurun tajam setelah 6 hari dibericekaman air dan potensial air daun mencapai<-2.55 MPa pada 18 hari setelah diberi cekaman.Cekaman kekeringan nyata berpengaruh terhadapkadar prolin, glisin betain dan glukosa. Interaksiantar lama cekaman kekeringan dan perbedaanklon diperoleh pada perubahan gula stahiosa.Tampak bahwa semakin menurun nilai potensialair daun menyebabkan kadar prolin semakinmeningkat. Hal yang sebaliknya terjadi terhadapkadar glisin-betain yang mengalami penurunanterutama untuk klon MK356. Kadar ABAMK356 dan MK365 meningkat sejalan dengansemakin lama diberi cekaman. Secara umumtampak bahwa kadar ABA pada MK356 lebihtinggi dibandingkan dengan MK 365. Perbedaanrespons klon MK356 dengan MK 365 terjadipada kadar prolin, gula silosa dan ABA.Hibridaberpotensi toleran memberikan respon terhadapcekaman kekeringan dengan menginduksi proteinbaru pI 4,7-36 kDa, pI5,3-34 kDa, pI 4,6-32 kDadan pI 5,3- 36 kDa, sedangkan pada hibridayang berpotensi peka protein tersebut tidakditemukan

Spectral assessments of wheat plants grown in pots and containers under saline conditions

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Hackl ◽  
Bodo Mistele ◽  
Yuncai Hu ◽  
Urs Schmidhalter
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Spectral Indices ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Spectral Sensing ◽  
Reflectance Ratio

Spectral measurements allow fast nondestructive assessment of plant traits under controlled greenhouse and close-to-field conditions. Field crop stands differ from pot-grown plants, which may affect the ability to assess stress-related traits by nondestructive high-throughput measurements. This study analysed the potential to detect salt stress-related traits of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars grown in pots or in a close-to-field container platform. In two experiments, selected spectral indices assessed by active and passive spectral sensing were related to the fresh weight of the aboveground biomass, the water content of the aboveground biomass, the leaf water potential and the relative leaf water content of two cultivars with different salt tolerance. The traits were better ascertained by spectral sensing of container-grown plants compared with pot-grown plants. This may be due to a decreased match between the sensors’ footprint and the plant area of the pot-grown plants, which was further characterised by enhanced senescence of lower leaves. The reflectance ratio R760 : R670, the normalised difference vegetation index and the reflectance ratio R780 : R550 spectral indices were the best indices and were significantly related to the fresh weight, the water content of the aboveground biomass and the water potential of the youngest fully developed leaf. Passive sensors delivered similar relationships to active sensors. Across all treatments, both cultivars were successfully differentiated using either destructively or nondestructively assessed parameters. Although spectral sensors provide fast and qualitatively good assessments of the traits of salt-stressed plants, further research is required to describe the potential and limitations of spectral sensing.

scholarly journals The importance of cuticular permeance in assessing plant water–use strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-432
Author(s):  
Matthew Lanning ◽  
Lixin Wang ◽  
Kimberly A Novick
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Leaf Water Potential ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Stomatal Control ◽  
Plant Water Use ◽  
The Impact

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.

Water Relations and Leaf Structure of the Evergreen Shrubs Eurya emarginata (Theaceae) and E. japonica in Coastal and Inland Habitats

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Mishio ◽  
Naoki Kachi
Keyword(s):  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Leaf Water Potential ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Eurya Emarginata

Stomatal conductance and leaf water potential at around noon, pre-dawn leaf water potential, pressure–volume parameters, and leaf structural characteristics including leaf thickness, leaf dry mass per unit area and turgid leaf water content per unit area were compared between a coastal shrub species, Eurya emarginata (Thunb.) Makino and an inland shrub species, E. japonica Thunb. The pre-dawn leaf water potential was only slightly lower in E. emarginata than in E. japonica, and the environmental conditions such as the photosynthetic photon flux density and the vapour pressure deficit did not differ obviously between the two habitats. No apparent differences were observed in the pressure–volume parameters between the two species. On the other hand, E. emarginata had much higher stomatal conductance and significantly thicker leaves with higher turgid leaf water content per unit area than E. japonica. The thicker leaf with higher water content on an area basis in E. emarginata maintains adequate leaf turgor pressure against a higher rate of transpiration.

Methodological aspects and experimental conditions in the use of fluorescence as an index of water stress in cut leaves from genus Vitis

OENO One ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Francesco Iacono ◽  
Massimo Bertamini ◽  
Tardáguila Javier
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Variable Fluorescence ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Methodological Aspects ◽  
Cut Leaves

<p style="text-align: justify;">Fluorescence emission is linked to leaf physiological conditions. In particular water stress modifies emission curves strongly. But fluorescence is also influenced by some factors which usually arise in experimental vine breeding programmes. The present research studies some variables that usually characterize the trials on genus <em>Vitis</em>: rootstocks and graftings.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time of measurement is very important and the fluorescence variables (absolute value) are not correlated with leaf water content. It needs a standardisation by time. The gross relation between fluorescence (after standardisation) and RWC is significant but it is modified by the rootstock behaviour. The Variable Fluorescence is strongly linked to leaf water content, even though the Maximum rate of Fluorescence Quenching shows a variable correlation with decreasing RWC. The genotype controls that variable better than Variable Fluorescence.</p>

scholarly journals Comparison of Strawberry F. chilocnsis and F. ×ananassa in Response to Water Stress: I. Leaf Water Potential, Relative Water Content, and Gas Exchange Characteristics

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 601c-601
Author(s):  
Chuhe Chen ◽  
J. Scott Cameron ◽  
Stephen F. Klauer
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Leaf Water Potential ◽  
Relative Water Content ◽  
Leaf Water ◽  
Severe Water Stress ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Gas Exchange Characteristics

Leaf water potential (LWP), relative water content (RWC), gas exchange characteristics, and specific leaf weight (SLW) were measured six hours before, during, and after water stress treatment in F. chiloensis and F. ×ananassa grown in growth chambers. The leaves of both species showed significantly lower LWP and RWC as water stress developed. F. ×ananassa had consistency lower LWP under stressed and nonstressed conditions than F. chiloensis. F. ×ananassa had higher RWC under nonstressed conditions, and its RWC decreased more rapidly under water stress than F. chiloensis. In comparison to F. ×ananassa, F. chiloensis had significantly higher CO2 assimilation rate (A), leaf conductance (LC), and SLW, but not transpiration rate (Tr), under stressed and nonstressed conditions. LC was the most sensitive gas exchange characteristic to water stress and decreased first. Later, A and stomatal conductance were reduced under more severe water stress. A very high level of Tr was detected in F. ×ananassa under the most severe water stress and did not regain after stress recovery, suggesting a permanent damage to leaf. The Tr of F. chiloensis was affected less by water stress. Severe water stress resulted in higher SLW of both species.

scholarly journals Restricting Overhead Irrigation to Dawn Limits Growth in Container-grown Woody Ornamentals

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 996-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Beeson
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Potential ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Woody Ornamentals ◽  
Overhead Irrigation ◽  
Ligustrum Japonicum ◽  
Plant Water Potential

Elaeagnus pungens Thunb., Ligustrum japonicum Thunb., Photinia ×fraseri `Red Top', and Rhododendron sp. `Fashion' (azalea) growing in 10.4-liter containers were irrigated only at dawn with overhead impact sprinklers or pulse-irrigated three or four times each day with a drip system. Plant water potential was measured diurnally each week for 24 weeks, and growth was measured at the end of the growing season in December. Overhead irrigation resulted in less growth of all species than plants maintained near 100% container moisture with pulse irrigation. With the exception of photinia, more growth was associated with significantly lower daily accumulated water stress. Water stress of overhead-irrigated plants was generally not severe enough to cause stomata1 closure.

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