Water relations and growth response to drought stress of Prosopis tamarugo Phil. A review

Abstract

Understanding the physiological mechanisms of response that allow plants to survive under suboptimal conditions such as drought stress is of particular interest, because of global climate change that threat the suitability of most terrestrial habitats for plant growth, as well as habitat disturbance of desert plants due to water extraction for human supply. Prosopis tamarugo Phil. of the Pampa del Tamarugal is frequently subjected to drought stress due to groundwater extraction for urban areas, mining industry and agriculture supply. The aim of this review is to analyze information concerning the plant growth response to drought stress and specifically P. tamarugo water relations and growth response to drought stress. P. tamarugo, being a desert plant, has physiological mechanisms that permit its adaptation to extreme environmental conditions like the Pampa del Tamarugal. It has mechanisms as osmotic adjustment, that allow some growth through osmoregulation; changes the angle of its leaflets to avoid high levels of radiation in the afternoon; partially closes its stomata to decrease water loss; maintains high stomata conductance to deal with increasing temperature and atmospheric demand.

Effects of Water Deficits on Prosopis tamarugo Growth, Water Status and Stomata Functioning

“…However, this depends on the plant’s stomatal behavior [ 11 ], as plants fall into two categories: isohydric and anisohydric. Under water stress, isohydric plants tend to close their stomata earlier than anisohydric plants, which delay their stomata closure, as well as enhance gas exchange and let the leaf water potential decrease as the soil water potential decreases [ 5 , 14 ]. Isohydric plants generally experience a negative carbon balance, while anisohydric plants experiment low water potential, which may provoke hydraulic failure by xylem cavitation and embolism.…”

Sodium Exclusion Affects Seed Yield and Physiological Traits of Wheat Genotypes Grown Under Salt Stress

“…2a) compared with high Na + accumulators TAM200/TUI, FRET2, and PUNJAB 85 under salt stress. Reduction in high Na + accumulator genotypes might be due to their lower root water potential and higher transport of plant hormone ABA from the root into the different organs of the plant, thereby inducing stomatal closure (Zheng et al 2001) which leads to less stomatal conductance as well as transpiration that is also detrimental as transpiration causes cooling effects in plants (Time et al 2018).…”

“…These water relations have been directly linked to plant ionic and gaseous relations (Adolf et al 2012). Less stomatal conductance is also helpful in reducing transpirational water losses (Time et al 2018). Furthermore, less transpiration, as occurred in all wheat genotypes at higher salinity levels, might be also helpful in regulating water relations.…”

Effects of Drip Irrigation with Plastic on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Biomass Distribution of Muskmelon

“…In this study, the three lower limits of irrigation had no significant difference on Pn in the flowering and mature period but had a significant effect on Pn during the fruit swelling period. Because the fruit swelling period is a key period for the synthesis of muskmelon photosynthetic products and because plants need considerable water to grow, larger drought stresses under 60%F caused the plants to close more stomata of their leaves, which reduced transpiration [37]. The measured values also showed that the Gs and the Tr of 60%F were the smallest during the fruit swelling period, yielding the lowest value of Pn for 60%F.…”