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Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata02:04

Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata

During photosynthesis, plants acquire the necessary carbon dioxide and release the produced oxygen back into the atmosphere. Openings in the epidermis of plant leaves is the site of this exchange of gasses. A single opening is called a stoma—derived from the Greek word for “mouth.” Stomata open and close in response to a variety of environmental cues.
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss01:57

Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
Responses to Salt Stress02:02

Responses to Salt Stress

Salt stress—which can be triggered by high salt concentrations in a plant’s environment—can significantly affect plant growth and crop production by influencing photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients.
Water and Mineral Acquisition02:34

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
C4 Pathway and CAM01:27

C4 Pathway and CAM

Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources02:03

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
08:16

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Published on: March 13, 2014

Separating intrinsic from extrinsic stomatal control in different soils.

Ibrahim Bourbia1, Luke Yates1, Andrea Carminati2

  • 1School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tas, 7001, Australia.

The New Phytologist
|June 16, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Plant stomatal regulation is driven by leaf water potential, not soil type. This finding reconciles theories on stomatal control and aids comparisons of water use across species and environments.

Keywords:
plant water potentialsoil hydraulicssoil moisture/droughtsoil texturesoil typestomatal behaviorvapour pressure deficit (VPD)

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Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
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Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
08:16

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Published on: March 13, 2014

An Induction System for Clustered Stomata by Sugar Solution Immersion Treatment in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings
04:32

An Induction System for Clustered Stomata by Sugar Solution Immersion Treatment in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings

Published on: February 15, 2019

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
11:09

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits

Published on: October 12, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Plant Physiology
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Stomatal regulation is crucial for plant gas exchange and drought survival.
  • The interplay between species physiology and soil hydraulics in stomatal control is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether stomatal regulation in Callitris rhomboidea is primarily determined by intrinsic physiology or soil hydraulic properties.
  • To reconcile competing theories on stomatal control mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Long-term dataset of needle water potential (Ψneedle) measurements.
  • Comparison of stomatal regulation in Callitris rhomboidea across contrasting soil types (sand and clay-loam).
  • Application of an optimal soil water extraction model.

Main Results:

  • Stomatal sensitivity to water potential varied with soil type when referenced to soil water potential.
  • A universal relationship was observed between stomatal conductance and needle water potential (Ψneedle) across soil types.
  • Optimal soil water extraction can be achieved via a common stomatal response to Ψneedle.

Conclusions:

  • Leaf water potential, rather than soil properties, is the primary driver of stomatal response to environmental dryness.
  • Apparent soil-specific stomatal behavior is a consequence of a single, optimal physiological response across different soil types.
  • Characterizing species-specific stomatal responses to leaf water potential is key for comparing water extraction across diverse environments.