Days Of Rewatering Research Articles

Photosynthetic limitations in leaves of young Brazilian Green Dwarf coconut ( Cocos nucifera L. ‘ nana’) palm under well-watered conditions or recovering from drought stress

Young plants of two Brazilian Green Dwarf coconut ecotypes from contrasting regions in relation to climate (UGD, from a hot and humid climate and JGD, from a hot and dry climate) were submitted to three consecutive drying/recovery cycles, under greenhouse conditions to determine the photosynthetic limitations encountered during the recovery phase of water deficiency. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) non-stomatal factors contribute to the incomplete recovery of net photosynthesis rate ( A), (2) photochemical impairment is an important component of the non-stomatal limitations to A and (3) the two coconut ecotypes respond differently to the drought recovery. In each drying/recovery cycle, irrigation was suppressed until A reached zero. Then the plants were rewatered and the recovery was accompanied for 8 days. After 4 days of rewatering, CO 2 and light response curve parameters were used to discriminate the stomatal and non-stomatal factors contributing to the incomplete recovery of A. Upon rewatering for 4 days, the pre-dawn leaf water potential of the stressed plants increased from −1.20 to −0.15 MPa on average. Only small differences were detected in the intercellular to atmospheric CO 2 concentration ratio but A did not recover completely to the control values. In both ecotypes, light and CO 2-saturated A, carboxylation efficiency, maximum quantum yield of PSII and maximum electron transport rate were significantly lower in stressed plants in comparison with the well-watered ones. Relative stomatal limitation ( L S) ranged from 16 to 20% without significant differences between treatments and between ecotypes. The relative mesophyll limitation ( L m) was significantly higher in JGD in cycle 1 but this changed after repeated drought stress, decreasing to values significantly lower than those in UGD in the other two cycles. The results showed that after 4 days of rewatering stressed plant stomatal limitations were comparable to that of well-watered control plants (∼20%). However A did not recover completely after drought stress due to non-stomatal factors. Important differences between the ecotypes were identified. The ecotype JGD presented smaller L m, faster recovery of the apparent quantum efficiency of CO 2 assimilation, adjustment of some carbon balance components and signs of photosynthetic capacity acclimation after repeated drying/recovery cycles.

Interactions between leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and abscisic acid content of orange trees submitted to drought stress

Thirty-month-old 'Pêra' orange trees grafted on 'Rangpur' lemon trees grown in 100 L pots were submitted to water stress by the suspension of irrigation. CO2 assimilation (A), transpiration (E) and stomatal conductance (g s) values declined from the seventh day of stress, although the leaf water potential at 6:00 a.m. (psipd) and at 2:00 p.m. (psi2) began to decline from the fifth day of water deficiency. The CO2 intercellular concentration (Ci) of water-stressed plants increased from the seventh day, reaching a maximum concentration on the day of most severe stress. The carboxylation efficiency, as revealed by the ratio A/Ci was low on this day and did not show the same values of non-stressed plants even after ten days of rewatering. After five days of rewatering only psi pd and psi2 were similar to control plants while A, E and g s were still different. When psi2 decreases, there was a trend for increasing abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in the leaves. Similarly, stomatal conductance was found to decrease as a function of decreasing psi2. ABA accumulation and stomatal closure occurred when psi2 was lower than -1.0 MPa. Water stress in 'Pera´ orange trees increased abscisic acid content with consequent stomatal closure and decreased psi2 values.

The Recovery of Benthic Invertebrate Communities Following Dewateringin Two Braided Rivers

The recovery of benthic invertebrates was investigated in the braided Tukituki and Waipawa Rivers (North Island, New Zealand) following extended channel dewatering of sites for 6, 10 or 14 weeks during summer 1997/1998. After rewatering, invertebrates rapidly colonised each denuded site and, although some invertebrates were numerically dominant at different times, 95+% of the taxa list were present after 7 days of rewatering. The number of individuals also increased over time, but significantly greater numbers were collected in reference sites and those dry for 6 weeks compared to sites dewatered for longer periods. Taxa such as Tanytarsus spp., Maoridiamesa spp. (Diptera: Chironomidae) and the riffle beetle Elmidae (Coleoptera) were abundant early, while Deleatidium spp. (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) dominated communities later. The greater abundance of Deleatidium in sites dewatered for a short time may be because desiccation was less significant at determining taxa present at these sites, or that reference sites provided a closer source of colonists and periphyton propagules to allow a more rapid numerical recovery of this taxon. In contrast, Elmidae dominated communities at sites dewatered for longer periods because Elmidae may be more resilient to desiccation than Deleatidium. These data suggest that the duration of dewatering may regulate taxonomic composition in the short term by subjecting taxa to desiccation and/or food resource restrictions, but not in the long term because food resources recovered over time and sites with similar physicochemical conditions should have similar communities.

Leaf water characteristics and drought acclimation in sunflower genotypes.

The responses of leaf water parameters to drought were examined using three sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes. Osmotic potential at full water saturation (π100), apoplastic water fraction (AWF) and bulk elastic modulus (BEM) were determined by pressure-volume curve analysis on well watered or on water-stressed plants (−1.0 MPa Ψ1 < −1.5 MPa) previously drought-pretreated or not. The drought-pretreated plants were subjected to a 7-day drought period (predawn leaf water potential reached −0.9 MPa) followed by 8 days of rewatering. In well watered plants, all genotypes in response to drought acclimation displayed a significantly decreased π100 associated with a decrease in the leaf water potential at the turgor-loss point (decrease in Ψtlp was between 0.15 and 0.21 MPa, depending on the genotype). In two genotypes, drought acclimation affected the partitioning of water between the apoplastic and symplastic fractions without any effect on the total amount of water in the leaves. As a third genotype displayed no modification of AWF and BEM after drought acclimation, the decreased π100 was only due to the net accumulation of solutes and was consistent with the adjustment of the photochemical efficiency observed previously in this genotype in response to drought acclimation. In water-stressed plants, the osmotic adjustment (OA) can increase further beyond that observed in response to the drought pretreatment. However, the maintenance of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at low leaf water potentials not only depends on the extent of osmotic adjustment, but also on the interaction between OA and AWF or BEM. Adaptative responses of leaf water parameters to drought are thus quite contrasted in sunflower genotypes.

CAN STOMATAL CLOSURE CAUSED BY XYLEM ABA EXPLAIN THE INHIBITION OF LEAF PHOTOSYNTHESIS UNDER SOIL DRYING

Effects of leaf water deficit and increase in endogenous ABA on photosynthesis of two tropical trees, t Acacia confusa and t Leucaena leucocephala, were investigated with two soil-drying methods, i.e. half or whole root system was subjected to soil drying. Half-root drying was achieved by allowing upper layer of soil column to dry and lower layer of soil column to remain watered. Half-root drying had little effect on leaf water potential, but when compared to the well-watered control, both methods of soil drying substantially increased the ABA concentration in xylem and reduced leaf conductance in both species. There was a significant relationship between leaf conductance and xylem ABA concentrations in both species, which was comparable to the same relationship that was generated by feeding ABA to excised twigs. The rate of photosynthesis was inhibited substantially in both soil-drying treatments and in both species, but photochchemical efficiency, measured as a ratio of variable fluorescence to a peak fluorescence emission of a dark-adapted leaf (Fv/Fm), was not reduced except in the whole root-dried t L. leucocephala plants where leaf water potential was reduced to –2.5 MPa. In all the cases where photosynthesis was inhibited, there was a concomitant reduction in both leaf conductance and calculated internal CO2 concentration. After two days of rewatering, leaf water potential and xylem ABA concentration rapidly returned to pre-treatment levels, but leaf conductance and photosynthesis of both whole-root and half root dried t L. leucocephala remained inhibited substantially. Rewatering led to a full recovery of both stomatal conductance and photosynthesis in soil-dried t A. confusa, although its photosynthesis of whole-root dried plants did not recover fully but such difference was not significant statistically. These results suggest that drought-induced decline of photosynthesis was mainly a result of the stomatal factor caused by the increase of ABA concentration in the xylem sap. Non-stomatal factors, e.g. reduced photochemical activity and/or carbon metabolic activity, were species-specific and were brought about only at very low water potential.

The response of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings from two Italian populations to drought and recovery

The response of gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, relative fluorescence to decreasing water potential and recovery was followed in European beech seedlings from two Italian populations, differing in their native precipitation amounts. A population from Sicily (southern Italy) was selected as representative of a xeric population while a population from central Italy, Abetone, represented a mesic one. Dry-matter partitioning, leaf area, hydraulic sufficiency and xylem embolism were evaluated in both well-watered control plants as well as in plants subjected to drought. With the onset of water stress, values of water potential, leaf relative water content, net photosynthesis, leaf conductance and leaf chlorophyll concentration decreased concurrently while relative fluorescence remained unchanged. The population from Sicily showed a delay in effects of the imposed drought. Within 5 days of rewatering, leaf conductance was not fully recovered while all of the other parameters recovered to control levels, in both populations. Total, shoot, stem and root dry weight tended to be higher in seedlings from Abetone, even though both populations had similar photosynthetic rates. The population from Sicily exhibited about 3% greater (even if not significant) allocation to roots than the population from Abetone. Seedlings from Abetone had higher, but not significant, leaf specific conductivity and per cent loss in hydraulic conductivity than seedlings from Sicily. Drought resulted in a reduction of hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic sufficiency in seedlings from both populations. Photosynthesis of water stressed plants from both populations appeared to be reduced primarily by carbon dioxide diffusion through stomata and perhaps secondarily by changes in chlorophyll concentration rather than by efficiency of photosystem II. The effect of hydraulic factors on gas exchange during drought and recovery was not clearly evident.

Proline accumulation and nitrate reductase activity in contrasting sorghum lines during mid‐season drought stress

Six lines of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) with differing drought resistance (IS 22380, ICSV 213, IS 13441 and SPH 263, resistant and IS 12739 and IS 12744, susceptible) were grown under field conditions in the semi‐arid tropics and analysed for proline and nitrate reductase activity (NRA; EC 1.6.6.1) during a mid‐season drought. The resistant lines accumulated high levels of proline, while the susceptible lines showed no significant proline accumulation. Most of the proline was accumulated after growth of the plants had ceased. In a separate greenhouse experiment, most of the proline was found in the green rather than the fired portions of leaves. The levels returned to that of irrigated controls within 5 days of rewatering. Proline levels increased as leaf water potential and relative water content fell, and there was no apparent difference among the different sorghum lines with change in plant water status. Susceptible lines accumulated less proline than resistant lines as leaf death occurred at higher water potentials. Proline accumulation may, however, contribute to the immediate recovery of plants from drought. Leaf NRA reached high levels at about 35 days after sowing in both the stressed and irrigated plants, after which it declined. The decline in NRA was more pronounced in the stressed than in the irrigated plants and closely followed changes in the growth rate. Upon rewatering, NRA increased several‐fold in all the lines and, in contrast to proline accumulation, genotypic differences in NRA were small, both during stress and upon rewatering. The high sensitivity of NRA to mild drought stress was reflected in the rapid decline of activity with small changes in leaf water potential and relative water content. The results are discussed in the light of a possible role for proline during recovery from drought, and the maintenance of NRA during stress and its recovery upon rewatering.

Effects of severity and repetition of water stress on seed production of Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro

Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro was grown in large soil beds in a glasshouse with a water table at constant height below. Water stresses of dawn leaf water potential of - 1.0 MPa (medium stress) or of - 1.5 MPa (severe stress) were developed over 14 or 28 days, either singly or repeated after 42 days of rewatering. These stresses caused some death of terminal shoots and abscission of old leaves, but rapid rates of leaf differentiation restored leaf density to the levels of the control plants upon rewatering. A subsidiary experiment showed lower levels of leaf water potential in young leaves near the apex than in leaves subtending inflorescences.Persistent increases in the rate of floral bud appearance occurred upon rewatering, but the ratio of floral buds surviving to form an inflorescence with flowers was reduced both during and after the imposition of stress. A single cycle of medium stress increased seed yield 36% relative to the control plants, due to increased inflorescence and flower density. Repetition of water stress after 42 days was disadvantageous, and the effects of longer intervals between stress merit investigation. Severe stress of - 1.5 MPa was not beneficial to seed production.

Adaptation to Water Stress of the Leaf Water Relations of Four Tropical Forage Species

Three tropical grasses, green panic (Panicum maximum var, trichoglume), spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and the tropical legume siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), were grown in plots in a semi-arid field environment. The water relations characteristics of leaves from plants subjected to a soil drying cycle were compared with those of unstressed leaves from plants in irrigated plots. Minimum water potentials attained in the stressed leaves were c. -44, - 38, - 33 and - 13 bar for the four species, respectively. The grass leaves adjusted osmotically to water stress, apparently through accumulation of solutes, so that there was a decrease in osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ100) of 5.5, 3.9 and 7.1 bar, and in water potential at zero turgor (Ψ0) of 8.6, 6.5 and 8.6 bar for green panic, spear grass and buffel respectively. Water stress appeared to increase slightly the proportion of bound water (B) and the bulk modulus of elasticity (ε) of the grass leaves, but it did not alter the relative water content at zero turgor (RWC0) or the ratio of turgid water content to dry weight of the tissue. The Ψπ100 and Ψ0 of stressed siratro leaves decreased by 2.5-4 bar and 3-5 bar respectively when subjected to soil drying cycles. These changes could be explained by the marked decrease in the ratio of turgid water content to dry weight of the leaf tissue rather than by accumulation of solutes. The values of RWC0 and ε for siratro leaves were not altered by stress but, in contrast to the grasses, B was apparently decreased although the data exhibited high variability. Adjustments in Ψπ100 and Ψ0 of stressed leaves of buffel grass and siratro were largely lost within 10 days of rewatering.

Recovery Growth Following Water Deficits of Different Duration in Prairie Grass

Recovery of rates of leaf emergence, leaf extension, tiller number, leaf number, leaf area and shoot dry weight per plant following water deficits lasting for between 10 and 28 days was measured in Bromus catharticus in a controlled environment. The rate of leaf extension recovered to the rate of control plants within 4-6 days of rewatering and then exceeded the control rate for up to 28 days. During this time, four or five new leaves emerged. The maximum rate of leaf extension for individual leaves during recovery was up to 20% higher than rates typical for leaves of the same insertion on well watered control plants. During an initial recovery phase which followed the 28-day water deficit, and which lasted 20 days from rewatering, the rates of increase in tiller number, leaf number, and leaf area per plant were greater than control rates by 38, 48 and 51%, respectively. Rates for these components of yield then normalized. Relatively small differences among treatments were measured for rate of shoot dry matter accumulation. Final shoot dry weight was approximately proportional to the number of 'non- drought' days, which were defined as those days on which the leaves showed no sign of wilting. This also corresponded to day-time leaf water potentials higher (less negative) than - 1400 kPa.