Modelling stomatal conductance in response to environmental factors

Abstract

Stomata are an attractive system for modellers for many reasons, and the literature contains a large number of papers describing models that predict stomatal conductance as a function of environmental factors. The approaches and goals of these models vary considerably. This review summarizes these different approaches and discusses their strengths and weaknesses with a focus on mechanistically based models. The critical unresolved questions are highlighted and placed in the context of current research on stomatal physiology. Finally, directions for future research are considered. In this study, the ZmPIS gene with a maize ubiquitin promoter was introduced into maize (Zea mays L.) inbred line DH4866 by an Agrobacterium-mediated method to explore the function of the ZmPIS gene in the response of maize to drought stress. The overexpression of ZmPIS in maize resulted in significantly elevated levels of most phospholipids, galactolipids in leaves compared with those in WT and markedly up-regulated expression of some genes involved in the phospholipids metabolism pathway and the ABA biosynthesis pathway after drought stress. Consistent with these results, the drought stress tolerance of the ZmPIS sense transgenic plants were enhanced significantly compared to WT maize plants. These results imply that ZmPIS regulate the plant response to drought stress through altering membrane lipid composition and increasing ABA synthesis in maize. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.