Changes In Stomatal Conductance Research Articles

Growth, biomass allocation, and water use efficiency of 31 apple cultivars grown under two water regimes

Plant growth, biomass allocation, carbon isotope composition (δ13C), and water use efficiency (WUE) of 31 cultivars of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown under two water regimes were measured. Drought-stressed plants showed significant declines in tree height, trunk diameter, biomass production, and total leaf area, the extent to which depended upon cultivar. Also, gas exchange rates, instantaneous and long-term efficiencies (WUEI and WUEL, respectively), and values for δ13C differed among cultivars and watering regimes. Variations in WUEI were mainly due to changes in stomatal conductance (gs) under drought condition. ‘Qinguan’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ had greater trunk diameter, tree height, and had higher biomass production and WUEL under drought stress, implying that they are more suitable for arid and semi-arid regions. Moreover, WUEL was significantly and positively correlated with δ13C under two watering regimes, which suggests a potential for evaluating water use efficiency of Malus by measuring carbon isotope composition.

Responses of stomatal conductance to simultaneous changes in two environmental factors

To clarify interactions between stomatal responses to two simultaneous environmental changes, the rates of change in stomatal conductance were measured after simultaneously changing two environmental factors from the set of air humidity, leaf water potential (hydraulic environmental factors), air CO(2) concentration and light intensity (photosynthetic environmental factors). The stomatal responses to changes in leaf water potential were not significantly modified by any other simultaneous environmental change. A decrease in air humidity was followed by a decrease in stomatal conductance, and an increase in air humidity was followed by an increase in the conductance, irrespective of the character of the simultaneous change in the photosynthetic environmental factor. If the simultaneous change had an opposite effect on stomatal conductance, the rate of change in stomatal conductance was higher than the theoretical summed rate-the sum of the rate following one environmental change and the rate following another environmental change, measured separately. That is, the stomatal response to air humidity dominated over the responses to photosynthetic environmental factors. Yet, if the simultaneous change in photosynthetic factors had a codirectional effect on stomatal conductance, the rate of stomatal conductance change was lower than the theoretical summed rate. After a simultaneous change of two photosynthetic environmental factors, the rate of stomatal conductance change was very similar to the theoretical rate, if both the environmental changes had a codirectional effect on stomatal conductance. If the changes in the photosynthetic factors had opposite effects on stomatal conductance, the conductance increased, irrespective of the character of the increasing environmental factor. In drought-stressed trees, the rates of change in stomatal conductance tended to differ from the theoretical summed rates more than in well-watered trees. Stomatal closure following an increase in CO(2) concentration was the stomatal response that was most strongly suppressed by the response to another simultaneous environmental change. Six species of temperate deciduous trees were shown to be similar in their relations between the stomatal responses to two simultaneous environmental changes. The mechanism and ecological significance of the interactions between the two signal response pathways of stomata are discussed.

Species differences in seedling growth and leaf water response to light quality

For the majority of forest species slight canopy opening reduces light limitations suggesting that light quality often measured as red:far red ratio (R:FR) plays a significant role in the development of seedlings. The effect of different levels of R:FR was studied on seedlings of four Ghanaian timber species of different ecological guilds to assess their growth and leaf water response to changes in R:FR. The experiment was conducted in shade houses of varying light qualities (0.30, 0.46 and 0.76 R:FR) achieved with the use of bamboo slats, green filter and white cotton cloth. Relative height growth of all species declined in high R:FR with Guarea cedrata and Celtis mildbraedii, shade bearers, having a slower decline of height growth with increasing R:FR than Terminalia ivorensis, pioneer, and Albizia zygia non-pioneer light demander. Relative diameter growth on the other hand increased in higher R:FR treatments except for G. cedreta. Relative biomass growth was not significantly affected by R:FR. Leaf area ratio did not vary in different R:FRs for G. odorata but for the other species it was lower in higher R:FRs. Specific leaf area was also not affected by R:FR except in G. cedreta where it dropped with increase in R:FR. The diurnal pattern of change in stomatal conductance and leaf water potential of T. ivorensis and G. cedrata were similar in lower R:FR ratio but opposite in higher R:FR. This results show that the response of seedlings to changes in R:FR is different for different species and is more of morphological change rather than growth (biomass accumulation). Pioneers are more sensitive to these changes than non-pioneers.Keywords: Red:far-red ratio, light quality, seedlings growth response, leaf water status, morphological change

Effects of lateral hydrological processes on photosynthesis and evapotranspiration in a boreal ecosystem

AbstractLandscape‐scale hydrological processes can greatly alter the local‐scale water balance and many ecological processes linked to it. We hypothesized that in humid forest ecosystems, topographically driven lateral subsurface flow (SSF) has significant influence on ecophysiological processes such as gross primary productivity (GPP) and evapotranspiration (ET). To investigate how simplified hydrological conceptualizations influence the simulated ET and GPP in space and time, we conducted a numerical experiment using a spatially explicit hydroecological model, BEPS‐TerrainLab V2.0. We constructed three modelling scenarios: (1) Explicit, where a realistic calculation of SSF was employed considering topographic controls, (2) Implict, where the SSF calculations were based on a bucket‐modelling approach and (3) NoFlow, where the SSF was turned‐off in the model. Statistical analyses of model outputs showed considerable differences among the three scenarios for the simulated GPP and ET. The NoFlow scenario generally underestimated GPP and ET, while the Implicit scenario overestimated them relative to the Explicit scenario, both in time and space. GPP was more sensitive to SSF than ET because of the presence of unique compensatory mechanisms associated with the subcomponents of the total ET. The key mechanisms controlling GPP and ET were manifested through nonlinear changes in stomatal conductance, unique contributions from GPP and ET subcomponents, alterations in rhizosphere wetting patterns and their impacts on upscaling mechanisms and variability in nitrogen dynamics (for GPP). Feedback and interactive relationships between hydrological and ecophysiological processes also exacerbated the biases. Thus, we conclude that ecological models that have simplified hydrological representations could have significant errors in the estimation of GPP and ET. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Critical water stress levels in Pinus patula seedlings and their relation to measures of seedling morphology

A pot trial was implemented to determine the effect of soil water stress following transplanting on shoot water potential and stomatal conductance of Pinus patula seedlings. The relationship of seedling morphology to measures of water stress was also investigated. The trial consisted of two watering treatments: a control (no water stress) and a severe water stress (no further water after planting). The treatments were applied to recently transplanted seedlings selected to reflect a range of sizes typical in an operational environment. Measures of shoot water potential and stomatal conductance, root and shoot growth and environmental variables were made. The results indicated that P. patula seedlings tolerated high air and soil temperatures (above 35°C) and low soil water availability (−1.5 MPa). The water potential threshold for changes in stomatal conductance was in the region of −0.8 to −0.9 MPa and stomatal closure had occurred at a shoot water potential of between −1.8 and −2.1 MPa. Mortality occurred when shoot water potential declined to below −3.0 MPa. There was variability between seedlings in their potential for survival and growth. Inherently bigger seedlings had a greater capacity for new root growth following planting. Mass of new roots was significantly and positively related to higher rates of transpiration under conditions of low soil moisture.

Carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen isotope ratios in creekside trees in western Kansas

Three species of creekside trees were monitored weekly during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. The 2007 growing season was wet early, but became drier as the season progressed. In contrast, the 2008 growing season was dry early, but became wetter as the season progressed. Creekside trees were measured to determine effects of changing water regimes on leaf-level processes. Lonicera tatarica plants were compared to Morus alba and Celtis occidentalis trees. Leaves were monitored for changes in stomatal conductance, transpiration, δ13C, δ15N, δD, leaf temperature, and heat losses via latent, sensible, and radiative pathways. δD of creek water was more similar to ground water than to rain water, but the creek was partially influenced by summer rains. δD of bulk leaf material was significantly higher in individuals of C. occidentalis compared to the other species, consistent with source water coming from shallower soil layers. Despite decreasing water levels, none of these tree species showed signs of water stress. There were no significant differences between species in stomatal conductance or transpiration. Leaf δ13C was significantly lower in individuals of L. tatarica compared to the other species. Differences in δ13C were attributed to a lower carboxylation capacity, consistent with lower leaf nitrogen content in L. tatarica plants. Leaf δ15N was significantly lower in individuals of L. tatarica compared to the other species, consistent with uptake of a different N source. Two of the three sites appeared to be affected by inorganic N from fertilizer run-off. Evidence is presented that these species acquired water and nitrogen from different sources, resulting from differences in root uptake patterns.

Biomass accumulation, allocation, and water-use efficiency in 10 Malus rootstocks under two watering regimes

Variations in biomass productivity, plant water-use efficiency (WUEp), and carbon isotope composition (δ13C) were investigated among 10 Malus rootstocks. In the semi-controlled environmental of a greenhouse, plants were watered to either 75% or 50% of field capacity. For each treatment, significant differences were found in dry matter accumulation and allocation, δ13C, and WUEp. Relative growth rate (RGR) was correlated with WUEp but not with allocation pattern. Variations in whole-plant transpiration were a result of fluctuations in the rate of transpiration per unit leaf area rather than from differences in leaf area or root weight per plant. Values for transpiration per unit leaf area or root weight were lower when the proportion of either leaf area or root weight per unit plant weight was larger. Rootstock differences in δ13C were related to changes in stomatal conductance rather than in net photosynthesis. Finally, δ13C was significantly correlated with WUEp and rootstock rankings based on both of those parameters were maintained regardless of watering treatment.

Rubisco activities, properties, and regulation in three different C4 grasses under drought.

In C4 plants, water deficit may decrease photosynthetic CO2 assimilation independently of changes in stomatal conductance, suggesting decreased turnover by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). The activity and biochemistry of Rubisco was studied in three different C4 grasses: Paspalum dilatatum, Cynodon dactylon, and Zoysia japonica. The objectives were to characterize the C4 Rubisco in these species and to identify factors associated with decreased photosynthetic rates caused by drought. Rubisco isolated from each of the three C4 grasses was characterized by smaller specificity factors (SC/O), larger Michaelis–Menten constants for CO2 (Kc) and O2 (Ko), and larger maximum carboxylation velocities (Vc) than Rubisco from wheat, which can be rationalized in terms of the CO2-rich environment of C4 Rubisco in the bundle sheath. During leaf dehydration the quantity and maximum activity of Rubisco remained unchanged but the initial and total activities declined slightly, possibly due to increased inhibition. Tight-binding inhibitors were present in the light but were more abundant in the dark, especially in Z. japonica, and increased in quantity with drought stress. The inhibitor from darkened leaves of Z. japonica was identified as 2-carboxyarabinitol-1-phosphate (CA1P). Consistent with the presence of CA1P, the total activity of Rubisco was decreased after 12 h darkness in Z. japonica. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) in the leaves decreased with drought stress, to quantities approximating those of Rubisco catalytic sites. The magnitude of the decrease in RuBP suggested that, at least in C. dactylon and Z. japonica, it could contribute to the drought-induced decrease in photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis and water use efficiency of Populus euphratica in response to changing groundwater depth and CO2 concentration

Changes of stomatal conductance (g s), net photosynthetic rates (P N) and water use efficiency (WUE) were investigated in Populus euphratica grown on sites with different groundwater depths (GDs) under two CO2 concentrations in the lower reaches of Tarim River, Xinjiang, northwestern China. P N in P. euphratica only slightly decreased when the groundwater depth increased from 4.12 to 7.74 m below the ground surface. P N values significantly increased in response to an elevated CO2 concentration at all GDs except at GD of 4.12 m for its good availability of groundwater. WUE values decreased with an initial increase in the groundwater depth, but increased when the groundwater depth reached 7.74 m especially under the elevated CO2 concentration. The g s values measured at 4.12 and 4.74 m both decreased indistinctively by only 3% due to CO2 enrichment; however, when GDs increased to 5.54 and 7.74 m, the g s values decreased significantly by about 10%. It shows that the response of g s in P. euphratica to elevated CO2 is weaker under lower groundwater depth (mild drought stress) but stronger under deeper groundwater depth (moderate drought stress). Results from this study suggest that groundwater depth could determine the response of photosynthesis to future CO2 enrichment in P. euphratica in arid desert areas.

Modeling the impact of drought on canopy carbon and water fluxes for a subtropical evergreen coniferous plantation in southern China through parameter optimization using an ensemble Kalman filter

Abstract. Soil and atmospheric water deficits have significant influences on CO2 and energy exchanges between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems. Model parameterization significantly affects the ability of a model to simulate carbon, water, and energy fluxes. In this study, an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and observations of gross primary productivity (GPP) and latent heat (LE) fluxes were used to optimize model parameters significantly affecting the calculation of these fluxes for a subtropical coniferous plantation in southeastern China. The optimized parameters include the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), the slope in the modified Ball-Berry model (M) and the coefficient determining the sensitivity of stomatal conductance to atmospheric water vapor deficit (D0). Optimized Vcmax and M showed larger variations than D0. Seasonal variations of Vcmax and M were more pronounced than the variations between the two years. Vcmax and M were associated with soil water content (SWC). During dry periods, SWC at the 20 cm depth explained 61% and 64% of variations of Vcmax and M, respectively. EnKF parameter optimization improved the simulations of GPP, LE and SH, mainly during dry periods. After parameter optimization using EnKF, the variations of GPP, LE and SH explained by the model increased by 1% to 4% at half-hourly steps and by 3% to 5% at daily time steps. Further efforts are needed to differentiate the real causes of parameter variations and improve the ability of models to describe the change of stomatal conductance with net photosynthesis rate and the sensitivity of photosynthesis capacity to soil water stress under different environmental conditions.

Stomatal conductance as a screen for osmotic stress tolerance in durum wheat growing in saline soil

The change in stomatal conductance measured soon after durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum Desf.) was exposed to salinity was verified as an indicator of osmotic stress tolerance. It was a reliable and useful screening technique for identifying genotypic variation. The minimum NaCl treatment needed to obtain a significant stomatal response was 50 mM, but 150 mM was needed to obtain significant differences between genotypes. The response to the NaCl was osmotic rather than Na+-specific. Stomatal conductance responded similarly to iso-osmotic concentrations of KCl and NaCl, both in the speed and extent of closure, and in the difference between genotypes. The new reduced rate of stomatal conductance in response to addition of 50 mM NaCl or KCl occurred within 45 min, and was independent of the concentration of Na+ in leaves. The difference between genotypes was long-lasting, translating into differences in shoot biomass and tiller number after a month. These results indicate that the relative size of the change in stomatal conductance when the salinity is introduced could be a means of screening for osmotic stress tolerance in wheat and other cereals.

Diurnal and seasonal variations in stomatal conductance of rice at elevated atmospheric CO2under fully open-air conditions

Understanding of leaf stomatal responses to the atmospheric CO(2) concentration, [CO(2)], is essential for accurate prediction of plant water use under future climates. However, limited information is available for the diurnal and seasonal changes in stomatal conductance (g(s)) under elevated [CO(2)]. We examined the factors responsible for variations in g(s) under elevated [CO(2)] with three rice cultivars grown in an open-field environment under flooded conditions during two growing seasons (a total of 2140 individual measurements). Conductance of all cultivars was generally higher in the morning and around noon than in the afternoon, and elevated [CO(2)] decreased g(s) by up to 64% over the 2 years (significantly on 26 out of 38 measurement days), with a mean g(s) decrease of 23%. We plotted the g(s) variations against three parameters from the Ball-Berry model and two revised versions of the model, and all parameters explained the g(s) variations well at each [CO(2)] in the morning and around noon (R(2) > 0.68), but could not explain these variations in the afternoon (R(2) < 0.33). The present results provide an important basis for modelling future water use in rice production.

Production, localisation and possible roles of nitric oxide in drought-stressed grapevines

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to monitor nitric oxide (NO) production in response to progressive soil drying as well as to evaluate its possible role as an intermolecular signalling molecule mediating drought-stress responses in grapevines. Methods and Results: NO production in response to water stress was examined in potted grapevine plants (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Mavrodafni). The cellular sites of NO production and localisation in stressed plants were monitored by fluorometric techniques. Results indicated that both abscisic acid and NO concentrations increased significantly in leaves of stressed plants. The stomatal guard cells seemed to be the sites of earlier NO accumulation. The changes in stomatal conductance seemed to be closely related to both abscisic acid and NO increase, while there was no significant correlation between stomatal conductance and hydrogen peroxide concentration. Conclusions: The close relationships between stomatal conductance and NO concentrations indicate a potential role of this molecule in drought-signalling pathway in grapevines. Significance of the Study: Results suggest a contribution of hydrogen peroxide to triggering NO production as well as a possible role of NO on both stomatal closure and antioxidant defence in drought-stressed grapevines.

The beneficial endophyte Trichoderma hamatum isolate DIS 219b promotes growth and delays the onset of the drought response in Theobroma cacao.

Theobroma cacao (cacao) is cultivated in tropical climates and is exposed to drought stress. The impact of the endophytic fungus Trichoderma hamatum isolate DIS 219b on cacao's response to drought was studied. Colonization by DIS 219b delayed drought-induced changes in stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, and green fluorescence emissions. The altered expression of 19 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (seven in leaves and 17 in roots with some overlap) by drought was detected using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. Roots tended to respond earlier to drought than leaves, with the drought-induced changes in expression of seven ESTs being observed after 7 d of withholding water. Changes in gene expression in leaves were not observed until after 10 d of withholding water. DIS 219b colonization delayed the drought-altered expression of all seven ESTs responsive to drought in leaves by ≥3 d, but had less influence on the expression pattern of the drought-responsive ESTs in roots. DIS 219b colonization had minimal direct influence on the expression of drought-responsive ESTs in 32-d-old seedlings. By contrast, DIS 219b colonization of 9-d-old seedlings altered expression of drought-responsive ESTs, sometimes in patterns opposite of that observed in response to drought. Drought induced an increase in the concentration of many amino acids in cacao leaves, while DIS 219b colonization caused a decrease in aspartic acid and glutamic acid concentrations and an increase in alanine and γ-aminobutyric acid concentrations. With or without exposure to drought conditions, colonization by DIS 219b promoted seedling growth, the most consistent effects being an increase in root fresh weight, root dry weight, and root water content. Colonized seedlings were slower to wilt in response to drought as measured by a decrease in the leaf angle drop. The primary direct effect of DIS 219b colonization was promotion of root growth, regardless of water status, and an increase in water content which it is proposed caused a delay in many aspects of the drought response of cacao.

Role of mesophyll diffusion conductance in constraining potential photosynthetic productivity in the field

Limited mesophyll diffusion conductance to CO(2) (g(m)) can significantly constrain plant photosynthesis, but the extent of g(m)-limitation is still imperfectly known. As g(m) scales positively with foliage photosynthetic capacity (A), the CO(2) drawdown from substomatal cavities (C(i)) to chloroplasts (C(C), C(i)-C(C)=A/g(m)) rather than g(m) alone characterizes the mesophyll diffusion limitations of photosynthesis. The dependencies of g(m) on A, foliage structure (leaf dry mass per unit area, M(A)), and the resulting drawdowns across a dataset of 81 species of contrasting foliage structure and photosynthetic potentials measured under non-stressed conditions were analysed to describe the structure-driven potential photosynthetic limitations due to g(m). Further the effects of key environmental stress factors and leaf and plant developmental alterations on g(m) and CO(2) drawdown were evaluated and the implications of varying g(m) on foliage photosynthesis in the field were simulated. The meta-analysis demonstrated that g(m) of non-stressed leaves was negatively correlated with M(A), and despite the positive relationship between g(m) and A, the CO(2) drawdown was larger in leaves with more robust structure. The correlations were stronger with mass-based g(m) and A, probably reflecting the circumstance that mesophyll diffusion is a complex three-dimensional process that scales better with mesophyll volume-weighted than with leaf area-weighted traits. The analysis of key environmental stress effects on g(m) and CO(2) drawdowns demonstrated that the effect of individual stresses on CO(2) drawdowns varies depending on the stress effects on foliage structure and assimilation rates. Leaf diffusion limitations are larger in non-senescent older leaves and also in senescent leaves, again reflecting more robust leaf structure and/or non-co-ordinated alterations in leaf photosynthesis and g(m). According to simulation analyses, in plants with a larger part of the overall diffusion conductance from the ambient atmosphere to the chloroplasts in the mesophyll, photosynthesis is less sensitive to changes in stomatal conductance. Accordingly, in harsher environments that support vegetation with tougher long-living stress-tolerant leaves with lower g(m), reductions in stomatal conductance that are common during stress periods are expected to alter photosynthesis less than in species where a larger part of the total diffusion limitation is determined by stomata. While structural robustness improves plant performance under environmental stress, low g(m) and inherently large CO(2) drawdown in robust leaves limits the photosynthesis of these plants more severely under favourable conditions when stomatal conductance is high. The differences in overall responsiveness to environmental modifications of plants with varying g(m) need consideration in current large-scale ecosystem productivity models.

Spatially explicit simulation of hydrologically controlled carbon and nitrogen cycles and associated feedback mechanisms in a boreal ecosystem

Ecosystem models that simulate biogeochemical processes usually ignore hydrological controls that govern them. It is quite possible that topographically driven water fluxes significantly influence the spatial distribution of C sources and sinks because of their large contribution to the local water balance. To investigate this, we simulated biogeochemical processes along with the associated feedback mechanisms in a boreal ecosystem using a spatially explicit hydroecological model, boreal ecosystem productivity simulator (BEPS)–TerrainLab V2.0, that has a tight coupling of ecophysiological, hydrological, and biogeochemical processes. First, the simulated dynamics of snowpack, soil temperature, net ecosystem productivity (NEP), and total ecosystem respiration (TER) were validated with high‐frequency measurements for 2 years. The model was able to explain 80% of the variability in NEP and 84% of the variability in TER. Further, we investigated the influence of topographically driven subsurface base flow on soil C and N cycling and on the spatiotemporal patterns of C sources and sinks using three hydrological modeling scenarios that differed in hydrological conceptualizations. In general, the scenarios that had nonexplicit hydrological representation overestimated NEP, as opposed to the scenario that had an explicit (realistic) representation. The key processes controlling the NEP differences were attributed to the combined effects of variations in photosynthesis (due to changes in stomatal conductance and nitrogen (N) availability), heterotrophic respiration, and autotrophic respiration, all of which occur simultaneously affecting NEP. Feedback relationships were also found to exacerbate the differences. We identified six types of NEP differences (biases), of which the most commonly found was due to an underestimation of the existing C sources, highlighting the vulnerability of regional‐scale ecosystem models that ignore hydrological processes.

Ethylene modifies architecture of root system in response to stomatal opening and water allocation changes between root and shoot

Ethylene plays a key role in the elongation of exploratory and root hair systems in plants, as demonstrated by pharmacological modulation of the activity of ethylene biosynthesis enzymes: ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO). Thus, treatments with high concentrations (10 μM) of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, inhibitor of ACS) and 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC, ethylene precursor, ACO activator) severely decrease the elongation of the exploratory root system but induce opposite effects on the root hair system: root hair length and numbers were increased in seedlings treated with ACC, whereas they were reduced in seedlings treated with AVG. Until now, such elongation changes of root architecture had not been questioned in terms of nitrate uptake. In the march issue of Plant Physiology we report that N uptake and nitrate transporter BnNrt2.1 transcript level were markedly reduced in ACC treated seedlings, but were increased in AVG treated seedlings compared to the control.1 Because recent studies have revealed that ethylene can also modulate stomatal opening as well as root hair cell elongation, we have examined whether pharmacological modulation of ethylene biosynthesis could affect, in an integrated manner, and at a whole-plant level, the exploratory and root hair systems, through changes of stomatal conductance and water allocation between the root and shoot.

Lack of genetic variation in tree ring 13C suggests a uniform, stomatally-driven response to drought stress across Pinus radiata genotypes

We assessed the variation in delta(13)C signatures of Pinus radiata D. Don stemwood taken from three genetic trials in southern Australia. We sought to determine the potential of using delta(13)C signatures as selection criteria for drought tolerance. Increment cores were taken from P. radiata and were used to determine the basal area increment and the delta(13)C signature of extracted cellulose. Both growth increment and cellulose delta(13)C were affected by water availability. Growth increment and delta(13)C were negatively correlated suggesting that growth was water-limited. While there was significant genetic variation in growth, there was no significant genetic variation in cellulose delta(13)C of tree rings. This suggests that different genotypes of P. radiata display significant differences in growth and yet respond similarly to drought stress. The delta(13)C response to drought stress was more due to changes in stomatal conductance than to the variation in photosynthetic capacity, and this may explain the lack of genetic variation in delta(13)C. The lack of genetic variation in cellulose delta(13)C of tree rings precludes its use as a selection criterion for drought tolerance among P. radiata genotypes.

Detoxification and repair process of ozone injury: From O 3 uptake to gene expression adjustment

Plants react to O 3 threat by setting up a variety of defensive strategies involving the co-ordinated modulation of stress perception, signalling and metabolic responses. Although stomata largely controls O 3 uptake, differences in O 3 tolerance cannot always be ascribed to changes in stomatal conductance but cell protective and repair processes should be taken into account. O 3-driven ROS production in the apoplast induces a secondary, active, self-propagating generation of ROS, whose levels must be finely tuned, by many enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, to induce gene activation without determining uncontrolled cell death. Additional signalling molecules, as ethylene, jasmonic and salicylic acid are also crucial to determine the spreading and the containment of leaf lesions. The main recent results obtained on O 3 sensing, signal transduction, ROS formation and detoxification mechanisms are here discussed.

Stomatal and non‐stomatal limitations of photosynthesis in trees of a tropical seasonally flooded forest

Trees in the flooded forest of the Mapire River in Venezuela suffer a decrease in photosynthetic rate (A) when flood begins, which is reverted at maximum flood. Changes in A are accompanied by similar changes in stomatal conductance (g(s)), and the possibility of changes in photosynthetic capacity is not ruled out. In order to understand how relative stomatal and non-stomatal limitations of photosynthesis are affected by flooding, we studied the seasonal changes in A and its response to intercellular CO(2) concentration in trees of Campsiandra laurifolia, Symmeria paniculata, Acosmium nitens and Eschweilera tenuifolia. Flooding caused in trees of C. laurifolia and S. paniculata a reduction in A, g(s), carboxylation efficiency and total soluble protein (TSP), whereas gas exchange in A. nitens and E. tenuifolia was more sensitive to drought. Under flooding, relative stomatal limitation (L(s)) was on average half the highest, and relative non-stomatal limitation (L(ns)) increased from the dry season to flooding. Under full flood, A, g(s) and TSP regained high values. A was positively correlated to light-saturated electron transport rate, suggesting that part of the decrease in A under flooding was due to impairment of photosynthetic capacity. Under flooding, not only stomatal closure but also increased L(ns) causes a reduction in photosynthesis of all four species, and a process of acclimation as flooding progresses allows gas exchange and related variables to regain high values.