Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits
Published on: February 10, 2023
The importance of nutritional regulation of plant water flux
Michael D Cramer1, Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, G Anthony Verboom
1Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa. michael.cramer@uct.ac.za
Abstract:
Transpiration is generally considered a wasteful but unavoidable consequence of photosynthesis, occurring because water is lost when stomata open for CO(2) uptake. Additionally, transpiration has been ascribed the functions of cooling leaves, driving root to shoot xylem transport and mass flow of nutrients through the soil to the rhizosphere. As a consequence of the link between nutrient mass flow and transpiration, nutrient availability, particularly that of NO(3)(-), partially regulates plant water flux. Nutrient regulation of transpiration may function through the concerted regulation of: (1) root hydraulic conductance through control of aquaporins by NO(3)(-), (2) shoot stomatal conductance (g(s)) through NO production, and (3) pH and phytohormone regulation of g(s). These mechanisms result in biphasic responses of water flux to NO(3)(-) availability. The consequent trade-off between water and nutrient flux has important implications for understanding plant distributions, for production of water use-efficient crops and for understanding the consequences of global-change-linked CO(2) suppression of transpiration for plant nutrient acquisition.
Related Concept Videos
Water and Mineral Acquisition
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Short-distance Transport of Resources

