Increase in isoprene and monoterpene emissions after re-watering of droughted Quercus ilex seedlings

Abstract

We followed the diurnal cycles of isoprenoid emissions from Quercus ilex seedlings under drought and after re-watering. We found that Quercus ilex, generally considered a non-isoprene emitter, also emitted isoprene although at low rates. The emission rates of isoprene reached 0.37 ± 0.02 nmol m-2 s-1 in controls, 0.15 ± 0.03 nmol m-2 s-1 under drought and 0.35 ± 0.04 nmol m-2 s-1 after re-watering, while emission rates of monoterpenes reached 11.0 ± 3.0, 7.0 ± 1.0 and 23.0 ± 5.0 nmol m-2 s-1, respectively. Emission rates recovered faster after re-watering than photosynthetic rate and followed diurnal changes in irradiance in controls and under drought, but in leaf temperature after re-watering. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.