Unsaturation of vapour pressure inside leaves of two conifer species

Scientific Reports
Lucas A CernusakGraham D Farquhar

Abstract

Stomatal conductance (gs) impacts both photosynthesis and transpiration, and is therefore fundamental to the global carbon and water cycles, food production, and ecosystem services. Mathematical models provide the primary means of analysing this important leaf gas exchange parameter. A nearly universal assumption in such models is that the vapour pressure inside leaves (ei) remains saturated under all conditions. The validity of this assumption has not been well tested, because so far ei cannot be measured directly. Here, we test this assumption using a novel technique, based on coupled measurements of leaf gas exchange and the stable isotope compositions of CO2 and water vapour passing over the leaf. We applied this technique to mature individuals of two semiarid conifer species. In both species, ei routinely dropped below saturation when leaves were exposed to moderate to high air vapour pressure deficits. Typical values of relative humidity in the intercellular air spaces were as low 0.9 in Juniperus monosperma and 0.8 in Pinus edulis. These departures of ei from saturation caused significant biases in calculations of gs and the intercellular CO2 concentration. Our results refute the longstanding assumption of saturated vapo...Continue Reading

References

Oct 12, 2005·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·David D BreshearsClifton W Meyer
Mar 17, 2006·The New Phytologist·M J Canny, C X Huang
Jun 1, 1978·Plant Physiology·G D Farquhar, K Raschke
Jun 28, 2012·Plant, Cell & Environment·Florian A BuschRowan F Sage
Dec 1, 1970·Planta·P G Jarvis, R O Slatyer
Mar 26, 2014·Plant, Cell & Environment·Frederick C MeinzerSanna Sevanto
Mar 5, 2015·Journal of Experimental Botany·John S Boyer
Dec 31, 2015·Plant, Cell & Environment·Lucas A CernusakGraham D Farquhar
Feb 6, 2017·Plant Physiology·Thomas N BuckleyLawren Sack

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 6, 2019·Plant, Cell & Environment·Katherine A McCullohFrederick C Meinzer
Sep 24, 2019·The New Phytologist·Yong LiMargaret M Barbour
Nov 5, 2019·Plant, Cell & Environment·Oliver BinksPatrick Meir
Dec 29, 2019·Global Change Biology·Dushan P KumarathungeBelinda E Medlyn
Feb 18, 2020·The New Phytologist·Charlotte GrossiordNate G McDowell
Sep 9, 2018·Plant, Cell & Environment·Z Carter BerryGregory R Goldsmith
Mar 23, 2021·Reviews of Geophysics·Olivia E CliftonAmos P K Tai
May 4, 2021·Plant, Cell & Environment·Graham D FarquharMargaret M Barbour

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
equilibrium fractionation

Software Mentioned

SegReg
Systat
SUMO

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.