Influence of leaf vein density and thickness on hydraulic conductance and photosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) during water stress.

Muhammad Adnan Tabassum,Abdul Hafeez,Muhammad Shaban,Muhammad Atif Wahid,Guanglong Zhu,Yong Li

doi:10.1038/srep36894

Muhammad Adnan Tabassum, Abdul Hafeez + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36894

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Journal: Scientific reports	Publication Date: Nov 16, 2016
Citations: 20	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Huazhong Agricultural University

Abstract

The leaf venation architecture is an ideal, highly structured and efficient irrigation system in plant leaves. Leaf vein density (LVD) and vein thickness are the two major properties of this system. Leaf laminae carry out photosynthesis to harvest the maximum biological yield. It is still unknown whether the LVD and/or leaf vein thickness determines the plant hydraulic conductance (Kplant) and leaf photosynthetic rate (A). To investigate this topic, the current study was conducted with two varieties under three PEG-induced water deficit stress (PEG-IWDS) levels. The results showed that PEG-IWDS significantly decreased A, stomatal conductance (gs), and Kplant in both cultivars, though the IR-64 strain showed more severe decreases than the Hanyou-3 strain. PEG-IWDS significantly decreased the major vein thickness, while it had no significant effect on LVD. A, gs and Kplant were positively correlated with each other, and they were negatively correlated with LVD. A, gs and Kplant were positively correlated with the inter-vein distance and major vein thickness. Therefore, the decreased photosynthesis and hydraulic conductance in rice plants under water deficit conditions are related to the decrease in the major vein thickness.

Highlights

Ns ns PEG6000 to the nutrient solution
A significant positive correlation between Kleaf, Kplant and leaf vein density (LVD) was observed in rice plants under well watered condition, but no relationship was observed between Kleaf and Kplant under drought stress, Kleaf showed a positive correlation with LVD44
The current study had the following objectives: (i) to elaborate the effects of PEG-induced water deficit stress (PEG-IWDS) on gas exchange parameters; (ii) to elaborate weather the LVD or leaf vein thickness is related to Kplant; and (iii) to elaborate whether the LVD or leaf vein thickness is related to gas exchange parameters under PEG-IWDS

Summary

Introduction

A significant positive correlation between Kleaf, Kplant and LVD was observed in rice plants under well watered condition, but no relationship was observed between Kleaf and Kplant under drought stress, Kleaf showed a positive correlation with LVD44. It is still unknown which vein property in rice crops is more closely related to the leaf photosynthetic rate and Kplant under drought conditions. The current study had the following objectives: (i) to elaborate the effects of PEG-induced water deficit stress (PEG-IWDS) on gas exchange parameters; (ii) to elaborate weather the LVD or leaf vein thickness is related to Kplant; and (iii) to elaborate whether the LVD or leaf vein thickness is related to gas exchange parameters under PEG-IWDS

Methods

Results

Conclusion