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Leaf hydraulics.

Lawren Sack¹, N Michele Holbrook

¹Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA. LSack@hawaii.edu

Annual Review of Plant Biology

|May 4, 2006

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Leaf hydraulic conductance (K(leaf)) is crucial for plant water transport, influencing transpiration and photosynthesis. This review explores how leaf structure and physiology impact K(leaf) dynamics and plant function.

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Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Plant Anatomy
Ecology

Background:

Leaf structure and function are highly diverse, impacting water transport.
Water transport pathways in leaves significantly influence transpiration and photosynthesis.
Leaf hydraulic conductance (K(leaf)) shows extensive interspecific variation (65-fold).

Purpose of the Study:

To review how leaf structure and physiology influence K(leaf).
To explore the mechanisms of K(leaf) in dynamic plant responses.
To understand K(leaf)'s role at individual leaf and whole-plant levels.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on leaf hydraulics.
Analysis of anatomical and physiological factors affecting K(leaf).
Synthesis of research on K(leaf) dynamics and regulation.

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Main Results:

Leaf hydraulic resistance is a major component of plant water flow resistance (>30%).
K(leaf) is influenced by petiole anatomy, venation, and extra-xylem pathways.
K(leaf) exhibits dynamic responses to environmental factors and developmental changes.

Conclusions:

Leaf structure and physiology are key determinants of K(leaf).
Dynamic regulation of K(leaf) is vital for plant adaptation and function.
Understanding K(leaf) is essential for predicting plant responses to environmental change.