Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

The Calibration and Use of Capacitance Sensors to Monitor Stem Water Content in Trees
Published on: December 27, 2017
Total soil water content accounts for augmented ABA leaf concentration and stomatal regulation of split-rooted apple
Todd C Einhorn1, Horst W Caspari, Steve Green
1Department of Horticulture and L.A., Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Center, Grand Junction, CO 81503, USA. todd.einhorn@oregonstate.edu
Abstract:
A split-rooted containerized system was developed by approach grafting two, 1-year-old apple (Malus×domestica Borkh. cv 'Gala') trees to investigate the effect of soil moisture heterogeneity and total soil moisture content (θ(v)) on tree water relations, gas exchange, and leaf abscisic acid (ABA) concentration [ABA(leaf)]. Four irrigation treatments comprising a 2×2 factorial experiment of irrigation volume and placement were imposed over a 30-day period: control (C) [>100% of crop evapotranspiration (ET(c))] applied to both containers; PRD100 (>100% ET(c)) applied to one container only; and two treatments receiving 50% ET(c) applied to either one (PRD50) or both containers (DI50). Irrigation between PRD (partial rootzone drying) root compartments was alternated when θ(v) reached ~35% of field capacity. Maximum daily sap flow of the irrigated roots of PRD100 exceeded that of C roots throughout the experimental period. Pre-dawn water potential (Ψ(pd)) was similar between C and PRD100; however, daily water use and mid-day gas exchange of PRD100 was 30% lower. Slightly higher [ABA(leaf)] was observed in PRD100, but the effect was not significant and could not explain the observed reductions in leaf gas exchange. Both 50% ET(c) treatments had similar, but lower θ(v), Ψ(pd), and gas exchange, and higher [ABA(leaf)] than C and PRD100. Regardless of treatment, the container having the lower θ(v) of a split-rooted system correlated poorly with [ABA(leaf)], but when θ(v) of both containers or θ(v) of the container possessing the higher soil moisture was used, the relationship markedly improved. These results imply that apple canopy gas exchange and [ABA(leaf)] are responsive to the total soil water environment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Water and Mineral Acquisition
Tonicity in Plants
Tonicity in Plants
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...

