Physiological response of cidró to different water replacement levels in two seasons of the year

Abstract

We aimed to determine the response of cidró (Aloysia triphylla) submitted to different water replacement levels in summer and winter, in order to understand and relate the plant physiological performance under adverse weather conditions. The research was developed in a protected environment, in the city of Frederico Westphalen, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, arranged in a 2x4x2 factorial scheme, two seasons of the year (summer and winter), four water availability (50, 75, 100, 125% of ETo) and two faces of leaf (abaxial and adaxial), with four replications. There were evaluated stomatal vapor diffusion resistance (s/cm), transpiration (µg/cm2/s) and leaf temperature (°C), on both faces of the leaf from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., 45 days after the beginning of the season. We concluded that the physiological response of cidró plants was influenced by water replacement levels, in a different way according to the seasons of the year. The summer season was responsible for the highest values of incident photosynthetically active radiation, leaf temperature, transpiration and stomatal vapor diffusion resistance. The reduction in water availability promoted the increase in values for stomatal resistance to vapor flow, reducing leaf transpiration rate. The incident photosynthetically active radiation, leaf temperature and transpiration showed highest values on the abaxial face of the studied species.

Water availability and seasonality affect phytomass production and photosynthetic pigments of Aloysia citrodora Paláu

“…In a study with the same species, Prochnow et al (2016) found greater results of fresh and dry mass of branches and leaf dry mass during summer, followed by autumn, spring and winter, regardless water stress. In addition, Schmidt et al (2017) evaluating the physiological response of Aloysia triphylla (synonymy of Aloysia citrodora) in two seasons of the year observed that during summer there were better conditions of radiation, foliar temperature and transpiration when compared to the winter. These results corroborate with the present study in which the summer season presented superiority for most of all the growth variables when compared to wi nter, but with variations in different irrigation levels.…”

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Aloysia triphylla under seasonal influence and its anaesthetic activity in fish

“…Variables that affect the climate, for example temperature, radiation, & Paulus, 2013). Schmidt et al (2017) reported that physiological alterations are commonly found in the plant material of A. triphylla in times of extreme seasonal variation. When water availability is low, such as in winter, there is a decrease in transpiration so that soil water can be spared, and thus the metabolism is reduced.…”

Gas exchange and growth of zucchini crop subjected to salt and water stress

“…Associated with the problem of salts in the irrigation water, the semi-arid regions are also affected by the occurrence of long periods of drought (inducing water stress), and during the non-rainy period, the use of brackish water sources intensifies the decrease in morphophysiology and water availability for plants (Schmidt et al, 2017). Studies involving water and salinity stress already show satisfactory results.…”