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Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Published on: October 12, 2015

Internal coordination between hydraulics and stomatal control in leaves.

Tim J Brodribb¹, Gregory J Jordan

¹School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, Bag 55, Hobart 7001, Australia. timothyb@utas.edu.au

Plant, Cell & Environment

|August 8, 2008

Summary

Leaf hydraulic efficiency, not just water transport, dictates stomatal sensitivity to atmospheric vapor pressure deficits. The ratio of maximum gas conductance to leaf hydraulic conductivity (g(max)/K(leaf)) predicts how strongly stomata respond to drying conditions.

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Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Ecology
Biophysics

Background:

Stomatal response to leaf-atmospheric vapor pressure gradient (D(l)) is vital for daily gas exchange.
This response is influenced by epidermal cell hydration, transpiration, and leaf hydraulic conductance (K(leaf)).

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if species-specific stomatal sensitivity to D(l) variations correlates with leaf hydraulic conductivity (K(leaf)).
To determine the relationship between water transport efficiency and stomatal responsiveness to D(l).

Main Methods:

Examined eight diverse plant species.
Measured leaf hydraulic conductivity (K(leaf)) and maximum gas phase conductance (g(max)).
Assessed stomatal sensitivity to perturbations in D(l).

Main Results:

A strong correlation exists between maximum liquid (K(leaf)) and gas phase conductances (g(max)).
No direct correlation was found between D(l) sensitivity and K(leaf) alone.
The ratio g(max)/K(leaf) strongly correlated with stomatal sensitivity to D(l), indicating its role in hydraulic buffering.

Conclusions:

The ratio of maximum gas conductance to leaf hydraulic conductivity (g(max)/K(leaf)) is a key determinant of stomatal sensitivity to D(l).
Species with higher g(max) relative to K(leaf) exhibit greater sensitivity to D(l) changes.
No significant phylogenetic or ecological trends were observed in this sensitivity across the studied species.