Water stress conditioning of corn (Zea mays) in the field and the greenhouse

Abstract

Leaf water potential, osmotic potential, and leaf conductance were measured on corn (Zea mays L.) under water stress in the field and the greenhouse. Field-grown plants were subjected to several cycles of moderate water stress during vegetative growth, while greenhouse plants were well watered until just before the measurement period began following tasselling. In both the field and the greenhouse, leaf water potential declined at midday. Comparison of leaf water potential and osmotic potential measurements indicated that in both environments, the midday decline in leaf water potential was accompanied by a decline in osmotic potential. Since the decline in osmotic potential was greater than that accounted for by predicted volume changes resulting from normal daily dehydration, it was assumed to indicate osmotic adjustment. Despite these similarities, field-grown plants showed a greater response to water stress. Field plants underwent larger daily changes in leaf water potential and these were accompanied by larger changes in osmotic potential. As a result of this greater osmotic adjustment in the field, conductivity was higher at equivalent leaf water potentials and the critical leaf water potential was lower than in greenhouse-grown plants. In both environments, osmotic adjustment maintained leaf turgor (or pressure potential) in a narrow positive range. Although there was no direct relation between turgor potential and leaf conductivity, we hypothesize that the maintenance of a positive turgor potential during daylight hours is significant for growth since it may allow the moisture- and temperature-sensitive process of leaf expansion to proceed during the warmer daylight hours, even under moderate water stress.