The Absorption Lag, Epidermal Turgor and Stomata

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of the opening response of stomata to illumination, the development of the Absorption Lag and changes in leaf thickness, showed that the accelerated opening of stomata during part of the Motorphase coincided with the attainment of the peak of the Absorption Lag and the beginning of a decrease in leaf thickness. The latter could be attributed in part to a loss of epidermal turgor. These results are discussed in connection with attempts to correlate stomatal movements in leaves under stress with changes in bulk leaf water properties.