Stomatal changes induced by intermittent drought in four umbu tree genotypes

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Abstract

Transpiration (E), diffusive resistance (rs) and anatomical parameters were measured in plants of four grafted umbu tree genotypes (GBUs 44, 48, 50 and 68) in order to evaluate alterations induced by intermittent drought and possible genotypic variations. Transpiration measurements were taken daily until stomatal closure by withholding water. Measurements were also taken, when the plants were re-watered and the watering was interrupted again. This cycle was repeated for a period of 31 days (stress period). The control plants were also irrigated daily. A regular pattern in the stomatal opening/closing mechanism was observed throughout the watering period, exhibiting intra-specific differences. Stomatal behavior of GBU 44 and GBU 68 had correlation with air temperature (Tar), relative humidity (RH) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), whereas GBU 50 had correlation with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). GBU 48 had no correlation with these environmental factors. Anatomical alterations in response to drought were observed in stomatal density (SD), reductions in the stomatal index (SI) and stomatal aperture size (SA). The anatomical features of the GBU 48 genotype remained unaltered. There was an inversion in tissue proportion in GBU 44 under stress conditions, reducing the spongy parenchyma and increasing palisade parenchyma thickness. The inverse occurred with GBU 68, while the remaining genotypes were unaltered. The results found in this study suggest that GBU 68 is the most drought-sensitive genotype and anatomical changes induced by intermittent drought are not enough to explain the physiological differences between genotypes.

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APA

Silva, E. C., Nogueira, R. J. M. C., Vale, F. H. A., de Araújo, F. P., & Pimento, M. A. (2009). Stomatal changes induced by intermittent drought in four umbu tree genotypes. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, 21(1), 33–42. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1677-04202009000100005

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