High-pressure Flow Meter Research Articles

Experimental Measurement and Numerical Validation of the Flow Ripple in Internal Gear Pumps

The flow ripple in an internal gear pump was measured by means of a new instantaneous high-pressure flowmeter. The flowmeter consists of two pressure sensors mounted on a piece of the straight steel pump delivery line, and a variable-diameter orifice was installed along such a line, downstream of the flowmeter, to generate a variable load. Three distinct configurations of the high-pressure flowmeter, characterized by a different distance between the pressure transducers, were analyzed. Furthermore, a comprehensive fluid dynamic 3D model of the pump and of its high-pressure delivery line was developed and validated in terms of both the delivery pressure and the flow ripple for different pump working conditions. For the three examined configurations of the flowmeter, the measured flowrate time histories matched the corresponding numerical distributions at the various operating points. Finally, the validated 3D model was applied to predict the incomplete filling working of the interteeth chambers, and the obtained numerical pressure time histories along the delivery line were used, as input data, to assess the reliability of the flowmeter algorithm even in these severe operating conditions.

The hydraulic architecture of an arborescent monocot: ontogeny-related adjustments in vessel size and leaf area compensate for increased resistance.

Bamboos are arborescent monocotyledons that have no secondary growth, but can continually produce conduits with diameters appropriate to the current size of the plant. Here, we studied bamboo hydraulic architecture to address the mechanisms involved in compensating for the increase in hydraulic resistance during ontogeny. We measured the hydraulic weighted vessel diameters (Dh ) at different distances from the apex along the stem of Bambusa textilis. The hydraulic resistance of different components and individuals of different heights were quantified using the high-pressure flowmeter method. The Dh showed tip-to-base widening with a scaling exponent in the range of those reported for trees. Although theoretical hydraulic conductivity decreased from base-to-tip, leaf-specific conductivity did not change. Leaves contributed the most to the whole-shoot hydraulic resistance, followed by the leaf-bearing branches. Roots contributed c. 13% to whole-plant resistance. Interestingly, taller individuals showed lower whole-shoot resistance owing to an increased number of resistances in parallel (side-branches), while leaf-specific resistance was independent of plant size. Tip-to-base vessel widening and height-independent constant leaf-specific conductance could be mechanisms for hydraulic optimization in B.textilis. Similar patterns have also been found in woody plants with secondary growth, but this bamboo exhibits them without secondary growth.

Normalization criteria determine the interpretation of nitrogen effects on the root hydraulics of pine seedlings.

Plant hydraulics is key for plant survival and growth because it is linked to gas exchange and drought resistance. Although the environment influences plant hydraulics, there is no clear consensus on the effect of nitrogen (N) supply, which may be, in part, due to different hydraulic conductance normalization criteria and studied species. The objective of this study was to compare the variation of root hydraulic properties using several normalization criteria in four pine species in response to three contrasting N fertilization regimes. We studied four closely related, yet ecologically distinct species: Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold, Pinus pinaster Ait., Pinus pinea L. and Pinus halepensis Mill. Root hydraulic conductance (Kh) was measured with a high-pressure flow meter, and values were normalized by total leaf area (leaf specific conductance, Kl), xylem cross-section area (xylem specific conductance, Ks), total root area (root specific conductance, Kr) and the area of fine roots (fine root specific conductance, Kfr). Controlling for organ size differences allowed comparison of the hydraulic efficiency of roots to supply or absorb water among fertilization treatments and species. The effect of N on the root hydraulic efficiency depended on the normalization criteria. Increasing N availability reduced Kl and Ks, but increased Kh, Kr and especially Kfr. The positive effect of N on Kr and Kfr was positively related to seedling relative growth rate and was also consistent with published results at the interspecific level, whereby plant hydraulics is positively linked to photosynthesis and transpiration rate and fast growth. In contrast, normalization by leaf area and xylem cross-sectional area (Kl and Ks) reflected opposite responses to Kr and Kfr. This indicates that the normalization criteria determine the interpretation of the effect of N on plant hydraulics, which can limit species and treatment comparisons.

Techniques to Determine the Effects of Jasmonates on Root Hydraulic Conductivity.

Plants subjected to drought and saline stress conditions suffer from tissue dehydration. Such dehydration is caused by the imbalance between root water uptake by roots and water loss by transpiration. Therefore, determination of root hydraulic properties is crucial to understand plant water balance. Root hydraulic conductivity (L) can be used to estimate root water transport capacity. L depends on root architecture (length and diameter of the root and proliferation of secondary roots), radial water transport pathway (root xylem vessels, plasmodesmata, apoplastic space, caspary bands), and on intrinsic membrane permeability to water (aquaporins, water membrane protein channels). Different methods have been developed to measure L, such as Pressure Chamber, Free Exudation, High-Pressure Flowmeter (HPFM), and Root Pressure Probe (RPP). In this chapter, we will focus on Pressure Chamber, Free Exudation, and HPFM methods which have been used to determine the effect of jasmonates (JA) on root hydraulic conductivity.

The Mechanism of Changes in Hydraulic Properties of Populus euphratica in Response to Drought Stress

Stable hydraulic conductivity in forest trees maintains the survival of trees which contribute to productivity in forest ecosystems. Drought conditions break down this relationship, but the mechanisms are poorly known. To increase the understanding of the mechanism of hydraulic characteristics during drought, we determined hydraulic parameters in Populus euphratica Oliv. (P. euphratica) in a time-series of drought using a high-pressure flow meter. We found that P. euphratica could enhance hydraulic transport in severe drought stress under a threshold of soil water content. Drought-induced loss of hydraulic conductance could seriously impair water transport capacity. The soil water content of about 4.5% in the rhizosphere could lead to canopy mortality yet maintain live roots. Hydraulic conductance could be changed under drought stress as a consequence of changes in the anatomical structure and physiology. Furthermore, there was also a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety. The consideration of hydraulic efficiency was first within the range of hydraulic safety limit. Once the hydraulic safety limit was reached, safety would be taken as the first consideration and hydraulic efficiency would be reduced. Research on the mechanism of hydraulic properties in riparian plants in arid areas provides a scientific basis for riparian forest restoration.

Hydraulic Characteristics of Populus euphratica in an Arid Environment

Stable hydraulic conductivity in forest trees maintains healthy tree crowns and contributes to productivity in forest ecosystems. Drought conditions break down this relationship, but the mechanisms are poorly known and may depend on drought severity. To increase the understanding of changes in hydraulic conductivity during drought, we determined hydraulic parameters in Populus euphratica Oliv. (P. euphratica) in naturally arid conditions and in a simulated severe drought using a high-pressure flow meter. The results showed that leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (LSC) of leaf blades was less variable in mild drought, and increased significantly in severe drought. Plants attempted to maintain stability in leaf blade LSC under moderate water stress. In extreme drought, LSC was enhanced by increasing hydraulic conductance in plant parts with less hydraulic limitation, decreasing it in other parts, and decreasing leaf area; this mechanism protected the integrity of water transport in portions of tree crowns, and induced scorched branches and partial mortality in other parts of crowns. We conclude that limitation in water supply and elastic regulation of hydraulic characteristics may drive the mortality of tree branches as a result of severe drought. Evaluation of adaptive water transport capacity in riparian plants in arid areas provides a scientific basis for riparian forest restoration.

Leaf structural and hydraulic adjustment with respect to air humidity and canopy position in silver birch (Betula pendula).

Climate change scenarios predict an increase in air temperature and precipitation in northern temperate regions of Europe by the end of the century. Increasing atmospheric humidity inevitably resulting from more frequent rainfall events reduces water flux through vegetation, influencing plants' structure and functioning. We investigated the extent to which artificially elevated air humidity affects the anatomical structure of the vascular system and hydraulic conductance of leaves in Betula pendula. A field experiment was carried out at the Free Air Humidity Manipulation (FAHM) site with a mean increase in relative air humidity (RH) by 7% over the ambient level across the growing period. Leaf hydraulic properties were determined with a high-pressure flow meter; changes in leaf anatomical structure were studied by means of conventional light microscopy and digital image processing techniques. Leaf development under elevated RH reduced leaf-blade hydraulic conductance and petiole conductivity and had a weak effect on leaf vascular traits (vessel diameters decreased), but had no significant influence on stomatal traits or tissue proportions in laminae. Both hydraulic traits and relevant anatomical characteristics demonstrated pronounced trends with respect to leaf location in the canopy-they increased from crown base to top. Stomatal traits were positively correlated with several petiole and leaf midrib vascular traits. The reduction in leaf hydraulic conductance in response to increasing air humidity is primarily attributable to reduced vessel size, while higher hydraulic efficiency of upper-crown foliage is associated with vertical trends in the size of vascular bundles, vessel number and vein density. Although we observed co-ordinated adjustment of vascular and hydraulic traits, the reduced leaf hydraulic efficiency could lead to an imbalance between hydraulic supply and transpiration demand under the extreme environmental conditions likely to become more frequent in light of global climate change.

Hydraulic Conductivity Characteristics of Desert Plant Organs: Coping with Drought Tolerance Strategy

Plant hydraulic conductivity (K) refers to the rate of water flow (kg s−1) per unit pressure drop (MPa), which drives flow through the plant organ system. It is an important eco-physiology index for measuring plant water absorption and transport capacity. A field study was conducted in the arid region of the Heihe River Basin in northwestern China, plant hydraulic conductivity was measured by high-pressure flowmeter (HPFM) to investigate the characteristics of hydraulic conductivity of typical dominant desert plants (Reaumuria soongarica M., Nitraria sphaerocarpa M., and Sympegma regelii B.) and their relationship with functional traits of leaves, stems, and roots, and explaining their adaptation strategies to desert environment from the perspective of plant organs hydraulic conductivity. The results showed that the hydraulic conductivity of the leaves and stems of R. soongarica and N. sphaerocarpa (KLA, leaf hydraulic conductivity per unit leaf area; KLW, leaf hydraulic conductivity per unit leaf weight; KSLA, stem hydraulic conductivity per unit leaf area; KSLW, stem hydraulic conductivity per unit leaf weight) were significantly lower than those of S. regelii, while their fine root (KRL, root hydraulic conductivity per unit leaf length; KRSA, root hydraulic conductivity per unit root surface area) and whole root (KTRW, whole root hydraulic conductivity per unit root weight) of hydraulic conductivity were significantly higher than those of S. regelii. In addition, KLA and KLW, KSLA and KSLW, and KRL and KRSA in three desert plants all exhibited consistent trends. Correlation analysis illustrated that the hydraulic conductivity of leaves and stems had a significantly positive correlation, but they had no significant negative correlation with the specific leaf weight (SLW, specific leaf weight). The hydraulic conductivity of fine root weight (KRW, root hydraulic conductivity per unit root weight) and specific root surface area (SRSA, specific root surface area) showed significantly positive correlation (r = 0.727, P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the R. soongarica and N. sphaerocarpa preserved their water content through the strong leaf absorption capacity of soil water and the low water dispersion rates of leaves to adapt to the harsher arid habitat, which is more drought tolerant than S. regelii.

Increasing air humidity influences hydraulic efficiency but not functional vulnerability of xylem in hybrid aspen

Climate models predict greater increases in the frequency than in the amount of precipitation and a consequent rise in atmospheric humidity at high latitudes by the end of the century. We investigated the responses of hydraulic and relevant anatomical traits of xylem to elevated relative humidity of air on a 1-yr-old coppice of hybrid aspen (Populus×wettsteinii) growing in the experimental stand at the Free Air Humidity Manipulation site in Eastern Estonia. The hydraulic conductivity of stems was measured with a high pressure flow meter; artificial cavitation in the stem segments was induced by the air injection method. Specific conductivity of xylem decreased from 4.42 in the control to 3.94kgm−1s−1MPa−1 in the humidification treatment, while the trend was well correlated with increasing wood density. Humidified trees exhibited smaller leaf area at the same xylem cross-sectional area, resulting in 34% higher average Huber values compared to the control. Control and humidity-treated trees differed by neither native embolism level nor susceptibility to dehydration-induced cavitation. Increasing atmospheric humidity reduces the hydraulic efficiency of hybrid aspen trees expressed on a xylem area basis and causes substantial changes in resource allocation between photosynthetic and water transport tissues. This climate trend does not influence stem vulnerability to cavitation.

Salinity-mediated transcriptional and post-translational regulation of the Arabidopsis aquaporin PIP2;7.

Salt stress triggers a simultaneous transcriptional repression and aquaporin internalization to modify root cell water conductivity. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are involved in the adjustment of plant water balance in response to changing environmental conditions. In this study, Arabidopsis wild-type (Col-0) and transgenic lines overexpressing PIP2;7 were used to investigate and compare their response to salt stress. Hydraulic conductivity measurements using a high-pressure flowmeter (HPFM) revealed that overexpression of PIP2;7 induced a sixfold increase in root hydraulic conductivity of four week-old Arabidopsis thaliana plants compared to WT. Exposure to a high salt stress (150mM NaCl) triggered a rapid repression of overall aquaporin activity in both genotypes. Response to salt stress was also investigated in 8day-old seedlings. Exposure to salt led to a repression of PIP2;7 promoter activity and a significant decrease in PIP2;7 mRNA abundance within 2h. Concomitantly, a rapid internalization of fluorescently-tagged PIP2;7 proteins was observed but removal from the cell membrane was not accompanied by further degradation of the protein within 4h of exposure to salinity stress. These data suggest that PIP transcriptional repression and channel internalization act in concert during salt stress conditions to modulate aquaporin activity, thereby significantly altering the plant hydraulic parameters in the short term.

Altitudinal changes in leaf hydraulic conductance across fiveRhododendronspecies in eastern Nepal

This study investigated altitudinal changes in leaf-lamina hydraulic conductance (KL) and leaf morphological traits related to KL using five Rhododendron species growing at different altitudes (2500-4500 m above sea level) in Jaljale Himal region in eastern Nepal. Sun leaves were collected from the highest and the lowest altitude populations of each species, and KL was measured with a high pressure flow meter method. Leaf-lamina hydraulic conductance ranged from 7.7 to 19.3 mmol m-2 s-1 MPa-1 and was significantly positively correlated with altitude. The systematic increase with altitude was also found in KL, leaf nitrogen content and stomatal pore index. These relationships suggest that plants from higher-altitude habitats had a large CO2 supply to the intercellular space in a leaf and high CO2 assimilation capacity, which enables efficient photosynthesis at high altitude. The variation in KL was associated with the variation in several leaf morphological traits. High KL was found in leaves with small leaf area and round shape, both of which result in shorter major veins. These results suggest that the short major veins were important for efficient water transport in unlobed leaves of Rhododendron species. The extent of lignification in bundle sheaths and bundle sheath extension was associated with KL Lignified compound primary walls inhibit water conduction along apoplastic routes. All species analyzed had heterobaric leaves, in which bundle sheath extensions developed from minor veins, but strongly lignified compound primary walls were found in Rhododendron species with low KL It is still unclear why cell walls in bundle sheath at minor veins were markedly lignified in Rhododendron species growing at lower altitude. The lignified cell wall provides a high pathogenic resistance to infection and increases the mechanical strength of cell wall. The data imply that lignified bundle sheath may provide a trade-off between leaf hydraulic efficiency and leaf mechanical toughness or longevity.

An ultra high-pressure test rig for measurements of small flow rates with different viscosities

Within the framework of a research project regarding investigations on a high-pressure Coriolis mass flow meter (CMF) a portable flow test rig for traceable calibration measurements of the flow rate (mass - and volume flow) in a range of 5gmin−1 to 500gmin−1 and in a pressure range of 0.1MPa to 85MPa was developed. The measurement principle of the flow test rig is based on the gravimetrical measuring procedure with flying-start-and-stop operating mode. Particular attention has been paid to the challenges of temperature stability during the measurements since the temperature has a direct influence on the viscosity and flow rate of the test medium. For that reason the pipes on the high-pressure side are double-walled and insulated and the device under test (DUT) has an enclosure with a separate temperature control. From the analysis of the first measurement with tap water at a temperature of 20°C and a pressure of 82.7MPa an extensive uncertainty analysis has been carried out. It was found that the diverter (mainly due to its asymmetric behaviour) is the largest influence factor on the total uncertainty budget. After a number of improvements, especially concerning the diverter, the flow test rig has currently an expanded measurement uncertainty of around 1.0% in the lower flow rate range (25gmin−1) and 0.25% in the higher flow rate range (400gmin−1) for the measurement of mass flow. Additional calibration measurements with the new, redesigned flow test rig and highly viscous base oils also indicated a good agreement with the theoretical behaviour of the flow meter according to the manufacturers׳ specifications with water as test medium. Further improvements are envisaged in the future in order to focus also on other areas of interest.

Effects of nitrogen content on growth and hydraulic characteristics of peach (Prunus persica L.) seedlings under different soil moisture conditions

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen content [N1 (no fertilizer), N2 (0.15 g·kg−1), and N3 (0.3 g·kg−1)] on the growth and the hydraulic characteristics of peach seedlings under different soil moisture conditions (W1, W2 and W3, in which the soil water content was 45% to 55%, 60% to 70%, and 75% to 80% of the field water capacity, respectively) by using a specialized high pressure flow meter with a root chamber and a coupling, which was connected to plant organs. Leaf area and leaf hydraulic conductivity (KL) increased significantly in the seedlings because of increased soil moisture and N content. KL increased with leaf area. A linear correlation was documented between KL and leaf area. KL was higher in the morning and began to decline sharply after 16:00, at which KL declined after an initial increase. Soil moisture and N content enhanced shoot (Ks) and root (Kr) hydraulic conductivities, thereby improving the low soil moisture condition to a large extent. Ks and Kr of the seedlings were reduced by 32% and 27% respectively in N1, and by 14.7% and 9.4%, respectively in N2, and both in W1, compared with the control treatment. N3 had no significant effect on Ks and Kr under similar conditions. Linear negative correlations were observed between Kr and the excised root diameter as well as between Ks and the shoot stem diameter. The shoot-to-root ratio increased with increase in N content. The shoot-to-root ratio in N3 was increased by 14.37%, compared with N1 in W1 as well as by 12% and 4.39% in W2 and W3, respectively. Knowledge of the effects of soil moisture and N fertilizer on hydraulic characteristics and growth is important. Our results provide basic guidelines for the implementation of water-saving irrigation and fertilization management of nursery stock.

Do ray cells provide a pathway for radial water movement in the stems of conifer trees?

The pathway of radial water movement in tree stems presents an unknown with respect to whole-tree hydraulics. Radial profiles have shown substantial axial sap flow in deeper layers of sapwood (that may lack direct connection to transpiring leaves), which suggests the existence of a radial pathway for water movement. Rays in tree stems include ray tracheids and/or ray parenchyma cells and may offer such a pathway for radial water transport. This study investigated relationships between radial hydraulic conductivity (k(s-rad)) and ray anatomical and stem morphological characteristics in the stems of three conifer species whose distributions span a natural aridity gradient across the Cascade Mountain range in Oregon, United States. The k(s-rad) was measured with a high-pressure flow meter. Ray tracheid and ray parenchyma characteristics and water transport properties were visualized using autofluorescence or confocal microscopy. The k(s-rad) did not vary predictably with sapwood depth among species and populations. Dye tracer did not infiltrate ray tracheids, and infiltration into ray parenchyma was limited. Regression analyses revealed inconsistent relationships between k(s-rad) and selected anatomical or growth characteristics when ecotypes were analyzed individually and weak relationships between k(s-rad) and these characteristics when data were pooled by tree species. The lack of significant relationships between k(s-rad) and the ray and stem morphologies we studied, combined with the absence of dye tracer in ray tracheid and limited movement of dye into ray parenchyma suggests that rays may not facilitate radial water transport in the three conifer species studied.

两种苹果砧木根系水力结构及其PV曲线水分参数对干旱胁迫的响应

研究干旱胁迫对平邑甜茶(<em>Malus hupehensis</em>)和楸子(<em>Malus prunifolia</em>)根系水力结构及其PV曲线水分参数的影响。设定正常与干旱2种水分处理,对2种苹果砧木进行氯化汞-巯基乙醇处理和压力室-容积(PV)曲线测定试验,并利用高压流速仪(HPFM),测定平邑甜茶和楸子根系水力结构。结果表明:随着水分胁迫的加重,平邑甜茶和楸子的根系导水率、根系叶比导水率、根系茎比导水率出现减少趋势。在适宜水分和重度干旱条件下,平邑甜茶根系叶比导水率分别为楸子根系叶比导水率的95%和92%,平邑甜茶根系茎比导水率分别为楸子根系茎比导水率的52%和62%,楸子与平邑甜茶相比在根系茎比导水率和根系叶比导水率上出现增加趋势。干旱胁迫可能会导致水通道蛋白的活性受到抑制,致使其根系导水率出现降低,继而导致了地上部分气体交换受到影响。严重干旱时,楸子与平邑甜茶相比可能具有更大的水孔蛋白表达量来抵御干旱胁迫。在2种水分条件下,楸子的初始质壁分离时的渗透势(<em>ψs</em>^tlp)、饱和含水时的渗透势(<em>ψs</em>^sat)、初始质壁分离时的相对水含量(RWC^tlp)、初始质壁分离时的相对渗透水含量(ROWC^tlp)、组织细胞总体弹性模量(ε')值与平邑甜茶相比较均处于较低水平,束缚水含量(<em>Va</em>)值处在较高水平。对PV曲线水分参数进行隶属函数综合评价得出的<em>Δ</em>值为楸子大于平邑甜茶,平邑甜茶和楸子之间<em>b</em>值差异不明显。在适宜水分和重度干旱条件下楸子所体现出的输水策略优于平邑甜茶。PV曲线水分参数同苹果砧木根系的水力结构一样能够随着植物所处的环境做出相应的调整。对于PV曲线水分参数研究发现,楸子在膨压保持方面与平邑甜茶相比,其抗旱性优于平邑甜茶。;Water deficit is a growing problem affecting the production of high quality apple fruit in many different parts of the world, including the northwestern region of the Loess Plateau of China. The use of genetically drought-resistant rootstocks is a promising water-saving practice in these apple-producing regions. To understand the mechanisms of water absorption and to better evaluate drought-resistant apple rootstocks, research on the relationship between hydraulic conductance, aquaporins, and osmosis adjustment in apple rootstocks during water stress is critical. In this study, we measured the effects of water deficit on hydraulic architecture and pressure-volume curve parameters of <em>Malus hupehensis</em> ‘Pingyitiancha' and <em>M. prunifolia</em> ‘Qiuzi'. Experiments were carried out on both rootstocks using two different treatment regimes; a suitable soil moisture treatment with soil water at 70%-75% of field capacity, and a drought stress treatment with soil water at 40%-45% of field capacity. Root hydraulic conductance was determined from mercuric chloride-mercaptoethanol immersion treatments, which trigger reversible inhibition of aquaporins, using a high-pressure flow meter (HPFM). Gas exchange was measured with a CIRAS-2 portable photosynthesis system. A pressure-volume curve was constructed from parameters obtained using a Model-1000 PMS pressure chamber. Hydraulic conductance, leaf area specific conductance, and sapwood area specific conductance in roots of <em>M. hupehensis</em> and <em>M. prunifolia</em> decreased when subjected to drought stress. Under conditions of suitable soil moisture, leaf area specific conductance and root sapwood area specific conductance for <em>M. hupehensis </em>were 95% and 52%, respectively, of those obtained for <em>M. prunifolia</em>; under severe drought conditions, these values were 92% and 62% of <em>M. prunifolia </em>measurements. <em>Malus prunifolia</em> had higher leaf area specific conductance and root sapwood area specific conductance than <em>M. hupehensis</em>. Drought stress can reduce aquaporin activity, thus decreasing root hydraulic conductance and subsequently affecting net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO₂ concentration of aerial parts. Therefore, to resist water stress under severe drought, <em>M. prunifolia</em> may be able to express higher levels of aquaporins than <em>M. hupehensis</em>. Under both treatment conditions, osmotic potential at turgor loss point (<em>ψs</em>^tlp), osmotic potential at saturated point (<em>ψs</em>^sat), relative water content at turgor loss point (RWC^tlp), relative osmotic water content at turgor loss point (ROWC^tlp) and maximum bulk elastic modulus (ε') were higher in <em>M. hupehensis</em> than in <em>M. prunifolia</em>, whereas bound water content (<em>Va</em>) was higher in <em>M. prunifolia</em>. Comprehensive evaluation of pressure-volume curve parameters using subordinate function analysis revealed that the average value of the subordinate function (<em>Δ</em>) of <em>M. prunifolia</em> was larger than that of <em>M. hupehensis</em>; however, the slope (<em>b</em>) of the linear regression line between turgor pressure and leaf water content did not significantly differ between <em>M. prunifolia </em>and <em>M. hupehensis</em>. These results show that under both conditions, <em>M. prunifolia</em> employed a better water-use strategy than <em>M. hupehensis. </em>Both rootstock varieties were able to respond to changing environmental conditions by adjusting pressure-volume curve parameters and hydraulic architecture. Investigation of pressure-volume curve parameters revealed that <em>M. prunifolia </em>had a greater ability to maintain turgor and was more drought resistant than <em>M. hupehensis</em>.

Hydraulic resistances in seedlings of Coffea arabica accessions under contrasting shade regimes in southwestern Ethiopia

SUMMARYThe study was carried out to determine the variations among different Coffea arabica germplasm lines in hydraulic resistances under controlled nursery settings at the Jimma Agricultural Research Center in southwest Ethiopia. The experimental treatments included contrasting shade conditions (moderate shading v. full sunlight) and seedlings of 12 arabica coffee accessions of varying geographical areas in Ethiopia. Root hydraulic conductance and hydraulic resistances in the whole-shoot and different shoot parts were measured using a high-pressure flow meter. The results depicted significantly lower hydraulic resistances in the whole-shoot and in various shoot segments from the full sunlight exposed seedlings. The contribution of root and shoot resistances varied significantly in response to shade treatments. Likewise, seedlings of coffee accessions exhibited significant variation in the resistance contribution of the main stem-cut to whole-shoot resistances. The maximum hydraulic resistances in main stem-cut were noted in the order of Bonga&gt;Berhane-Kontir&gt;Yayu&gt;Harenna coffee populations, suggesting a direct relationship between growth and hydraulic characteristics. The resistance contributions declined across seedling growth parts: roots&gt;leaf&gt;whole-shoot&gt;lateral branch&gt;petiole, which is consistent with hydraulic gradients and thus sensitivity to drought stress. Moreover, the findings indicate the possibility of predicating the latter stage performances of coffee genotypes at specific field locations. In support of the hypothesis, the effects of both environmental and genetic factors need to be considered in fully understanding drought tolerance strategies in coffee genotypes. In view of the continuous multifaceted threats on the untapped coffee genetic resources, due mainly to, among others, anthropogenic activities coupled with climate change, there is an urgent need for global collaborative actions for future development of the coffee sector in Ethiopia and worldwide.

Size-dependent variability of leaf and shoot hydraulic conductance in silver birch

Variation in leaf and shoot hydraulic conductance was examined on detached shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), cut from the lower third (shade leaves) and upper third of the crown (sun leaves) of large trees growing in a natural temperate forest stand. Hydraulic conductances of whole shoots (K S), leaf blades (K lb), petioles (K P) and branches (i.e. leafless stem; K B) were determined by water perfusion using a high-pressure flow meter in quasi-steady state mode. The shoots were exposed to irradiance of photosynthetic photon flux density of 200–250 μmol m−2 s−1, using different light sources. K lb depended significantly (P < 0.001) on light quality, canopy position and leaf blade area (A L). K lb increased from crown base to tree top, in parallel with vertical patterns of A L. However, the analysis of data on shade and sun leaves separately revealed an opposite trend: the bigger the A L the higher K lb. Leaf anatomical study of birch saplings revealed that this trend is attributable to enhanced vascular development with increasing leaf area. Hydraulic traits (K S, K B, K lb) of sun shoots were well co-ordinated and more strongly correlated with characteristics of shoot size than those of shade shoots, reflecting their greater evaporative load and need for stricter adjustment of hydraulic capacity with shoot size. K S increased with increasing xylem cross-sectional area to leaf area ratio (Huber value; P < 0.01), suggesting a preferential investment in water-conducting tissue (sapwood) relative to transpiring tissue (leaves), and most likely contributing to the functional stability of the hydraulic system, essential for fast-growing pioneer species.

English

&nbsp; Improving drought resistance of rubber trees has become a pressing issue with the extension of rubber plantations and the prevalence of seasonal drought. Root system is vital to water and nutrients uptake of all plants, therefore, rootstocks could play decisive roles in drought resistance of grafted rubber trees on a specific scion clone. To investigate the responses of different clone rootstocks and their grafted trees to water stress and find applicable methods for selecting drought resistant rootstocks, seven related parameters and root hydraulic properties of both seeds originated and grafted saplings of PB86, PR107, RRIM600 and GT1 were measured to assess their drought resistance. It was shown that the rootstock drought resistance and root hydraulic conductance may improve the drought resistance of the grafted rubber trees.&nbsp;Among the four clone rootstocks, GT1, which demonstrated more resistant to drought and higher root hydraulic conductance, was comparatively resistant to drought both for the seed propagation seedlings and grafted saplings.&nbsp;In addition, studies on the grafted saplings with different root hydraulic conductance further validated the possibility of selecting drought resistant rootstocks on the basis of rootstock hydraulic conductance using a high-pressure flow meter. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), rootstock, hydraulic conductance, drought resistance, high-pressure flow meter.

Impact of light quality on leaf and shoot hydraulic properties: a case study in silver birch (Betula pendula)

Responses of leaf and shoot hydraulic conductance to light quality were examined on shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula), cut from lower ('shade position') and upper thirds of the crowns ('sun position') of trees growing in a natural temperate forest stand. Hydraulic conductances of leaf blades (K(lb) ), petioles (K(P) ) and branches (i.e. leafless stem; K(B) ) were determined using a high pressure flow meter in steady state mode. The shoots were exposed to photosynthetic photon flux density of 200-250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ using white, blue or red light. K(lb) depended significantly on both light quality and canopy position (P<0.001), K(B) on canopy position (P<0.001) and exposure time (P=0.014), and none of the three factors had effect on K(P) . The highest values of K(lb) were recorded under the blue light (3.63 and 3.13×10⁻⁴ kg m⁻² MPa⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the sun and shade leaves, respectively), intermediate values under white light (3.37 and 2.46×10⁻⁴ kg m⁻² MPa⁻¹ s⁻¹ , respectively) and lowest values under red light (2.83 and 2.02×10⁻⁴ kg m⁻² MPa⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively). Light quality has an important impact on leaf hydraulic properties, independently of light intensity or of total light energy, and the specific light receptors involved in this response require identification. Given that natural canopy shade depletes blue and red light, K(lb) may be decreased both by reduced fluence and shifts in light spectra, indicating the need for studies of the natural heterogeneity of K(lb) within and under canopies, and its impacts on gas exchange.

Hydraulic conductivity of red oak (Quercus rubra L.) leaf tissue does not respond to light

The permeability of leaf tissue to water has been reported to increase under illumination, a response reputed to involve aquaporins. We studied this 'light response' in red oak (Quercus rubra L.), the species in which the phenomenon was first detected during measurements of leaf hydraulic conductance with the high-pressure flow meter (HPFM). In our HPFM measurements, we found that pre-conditioning leaves in darkness was not sufficient to bring them to their minimum conductance, which was attained only after an hour of submersion and pressurization. However, pre-conditioning leaves under anoxic conditions resulted in an immediate reduction in conductance. Leaves light- and dark-acclimated while on the tree showed no differences in the time course of HPFM measurement under illumination. We also studied the effect of light level and anoxia on rehydration kinetics, finding that anoxia slowed rehydration, but light had no effect either in the lab (rehydration under low light, high humidity) or on the tree (acclimation under high light, 10 min of dark prior to rehydration). We conclude that the declines in conductance observed in the HPFM must involve a resistance downstream of the extracellular air space, and that in red oak the hydraulic conductivity of leaf tissue is insensitive to light.