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11:09
Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
Published on: October 12, 2015
19.9K
Manipulating stomatal density enhances drought tolerance without deleterious effect on nutrient uptake.
Christopher Hepworth1, Timothy Doheny-Adams2, Lee Hunt1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
The New Phytologist
|August 14, 2015
Summary
Altering stomatal density in plants can improve drought tolerance by conserving soil moisture. This modification also allows for enhanced nutrient uptake when water is plentiful, without significant loss during drought.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Agricultural science
- Genetics
Background:
- Stomatal density influences plant water use and nutrient uptake.
- Understanding stomatal regulation is key for crop improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of manipulating stomatal density on drought tolerance and nutrient uptake.
- To determine if reduced transpiration can enhance drought resistance without compromising nutrient acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Arabidopsis epidermal patterning factor mutants with altered stomatal densities.
- Assessed drought tolerance and soil water retention.
- Monitored nitrogen-15 ((15)N) uptake via mass spectrometry under varying watering conditions.
Main Results:
- Plants with reduced stomatal density exhibited enhanced drought tolerance and conserved soil moisture.
- Low stomatal density plants showed minimal reduction in shoot nitrogen, even under water restriction.
- High stomatal density plants had increased nitrogen uptake when water was abundant.
- High stomatal density plants showed reduced nutrient uptake under water-restricted conditions.
Conclusions:
- Plant stomatal density can be manipulated to enhance drought tolerance.
- Reduced transpiration through lower stomatal density improves water conservation without significant nutrient loss.
- Increased transpiration can enhance nutrient uptake when water is not limiting.
Keywords:
Arabidopsis thalianadrought toleranceepidermal patterning factor (EPF)mass flownitratestomatatranspirationwater use efficiencyMore Related Videos
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