Abstract
The apple tree has evolved several mechanisms, both morphological and physiological, to ameliorate the effects of water stress on photosynthesis. Drought escape or avoidance occurs by rapid leaf area development in the spring. Drought tolerance at high water potentials is accomplished by good water use efficiency through tight coupling of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. Stomatal responses to humidity in field trees appears to be modified by the stomatal sensitivity to photosynthetic activity. In addition to stomatal behavior, the reduction in leaf area and the folding of exposed leaves reduce radiation interception and increase water use efficiency. Increases in the root hydraulic conductivity in response to evaporative demand also helps maintain high water potentials. Drought tolerance at low water potentials is mediated by marked osmotic adjustment in mature leaves although shoot tips show little osmotic adjustment. These mechanisms are effective primarily due to the slow physiological aging of apple leaves.
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© 1983 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague
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Lakso, A.N. (1983). Morphological and Physiological Adaptations for Maintaining Photosynthesis under Water Stress in Apple Trees. In: Marcelle, R., Clijsters, H., van Poucke, M. (eds) Effects of Stress on Photosynthesis. Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6813-4_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6813-4_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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