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Better safe than sorry: Non-stomatal mechanisms delay drought stress and hydraulic failure in Scots pine saplings

Nadal-Sala, Daniel; Grote, Rüdiger ORCID iD icon; Birami, Benjamin; Knüver, Timo; Lutzemberger, Martha; Rehschuh, Romy; Schwarz, Selina ORCID iD icon

Abstract:

Background/Question/Methods There is no more vital connection than the tight linkage between water and organic carbon, and there is no more paradigmatic example for that than plant photosynthesis. In plants, carbon uptake is done at elevated expenses in terms of water transport from soil to the atmosphere. Under limited water supply, transpiration increases the tension of the within-tree water column. This will eventually lead to emboli formation and loss of hydraulic conductivity, and may result in tree death. The main mechanism by which trees slow down such tension increases is by actively closing their stomata. However, even if stomata are fully closed, some water loss can still occur through cuticular evaporation. Therefore, non-stomatal mechanisms exist that additionally reduce water losses, and hence increase hydraulic safety. Among these, leaf shedding as well as non-stomatal limitations over photosynthesis (NSL, combining increases in mesophyll conductance and biochemical down-regulation on photosynthesis), are well-known but poorly quantified mechanisms that trees may trigger to save water under drought stress. In order to better describe such mechanisms quantitatively, we conducted a severe two-month-long dry-down experiment on potted Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) saplings (n = 6) and under controlled conditions. ... mehr


Volltext §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000141348
Veröffentlicht am 20.12.2021
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung – Atmosphärische Umweltforschung (IMK-IFU)
Publikationstyp Vortrag
Publikationsdatum 02.08.2021
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator KITopen-ID: 1000141348
HGF-Programm 12.11.24 (POF IV, LK 01) Adaptation of natural landscapes to climate change
Veranstaltung Vital Connections in Ecology (ESA 2021), Online, 02.08.2021 – 06.08.2021
Projektinformation DFG, DFG EIN, RU 1657/2-1_I
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