Abstract
Four potato varieties were subjected to water stress under controlled conditions. Leaf relative water content, leaf diffusive resistance, and photosynthesis were measured on stressed and unstressed plants during a stress period and during the recovery period following stress relief. Subsequent to the stress, plants were grown to maturity with optimal water supply. Mature plants were harvested and tuber yield and haulm production measured. Stressed plants of all varieties exhibited an increase in leaf diffusive resistance and a decrease in relative water content, transpiration, and photosynthesis as soil moisture decreased. Significant varietal differences in leaf diffusive resistance of stressed plants are apparent and offer promise for development of a screening technique for varietal sensitivity to drought based on stomatal response to water deficits.
Resumen
Cuatro variedades de papa fueron sometidas a estrés de agua bajo condiciones controladas. El contenido relativo de agua en hoja, la resistencia a difusión en la hoja, y la fotosíntesis fueron medidas en plantas bajo estrés y sin ella durante el periodo de recuperation. Posterior a la estrés, las plantas fueron mentenidas hasta su madurez en condiciones de óptima suplementación e agua. Las plantas maduras fueron cosechadas midiéndose el rendimiento en tubérculos y parte aérea. Las plantas sometidas a estrés de todas las variedades exhibieron aumento en resistencia a difusión en la hoja y disminución en contenido relativo de agua, transpiración y fotosintesis al dismunuir la humedad del suelo. Diferencias varietales significativas en resistencia a difusión en la hoja de plantas bajo estrés son promisorias para utilizarlas como técnica de selectión en sensibilidad varietal a sequia basándose en la respuesta de los estomas a deficiencia de agua.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Ackerson, R.C., D.R. Kreig, T.D. Miller, and R.G. Stevens. 1977. Water relations and physiological activity of potatoes. Am Soc Hortic Sci. 102:572–575.
Barrs, H.D. and P.E. Wetherley. 1962. A re-examination of the relative turgidity technique for estimating water deficits in leaves. Australian J Biol Sci 15:413–428.
Brown, K.W., W.R. Jordan, and J.C. Thomas. 1976. Water stress induced alteration in the stomatal response to leaf water potential. Physiol Plant 37:1–5.
Chapman, H.W. and M.D. Clegg. 1961. Rooting of potato cuttings. Am Potato J 38: 158–162.
Cole, E.F. and N.S. Wright. 1967. Propagation of potato by stem cuttings. Am Potato J 44:301–304.
El-Sharkaway, M.S. and J.D. Hesketh. 1964. Effects of temperature and water deficit on leaf photosynthetic rates of different species. Crop Sci 4:514–518.
Epstein, E. and W.J. Grant. 1973. Water stress relations of potato plants under field conditions. Agron J 65:400–404.
Fry, K.E. and R.B. Walker. 1964. Relation of needle water stress and relative stomatal aperture to transpiration and net photosynthesis in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Plant Physiol 39 (Suppl) 39 xlii.
Lee, K.C., R.W. Campbell, and G.W. Paulsen. 1974. Effects of drought stress and succinic acid-2.2-dimethylhydrazide treatment on water relations and photosynthesis in pea seedlings. Crop Sci 41:279–282.
Mederski, H.J., L.H. Chen, and R.B. Curry. 1975. Effect of Leaf water deficit on stomatal and non-stomatal regulation of net carbon dioxide assimilation. Plant Physiol 55:589–593.
Plaut, Z. and B. Bravado. 1973. Response of carbon dioxide fixation to water stress. Plant Physiol 52:28–32.
Rutherford, R.J. and J.M. DeJager. 1975. Water status and stomatal behavior of BP1 potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) and their effect upon yield. Crop Sci IV: 125–128.
Sanchez-Diaz, M.F. and P.J. Kramer. 1974. Behavior of corn and sorghum under water stress and during recovery. Plant Physiol 48:613–616.
Singh, G. 1969. A review of the soil-moisture relationship in potatoes. Am Potato J 46: 398–403.
Sparks, W.C. 1958. A review of the abnormalities in the potato due to water uptake and translocation. Am Potato J 35:430–436.
Turner, Neil C. 1974. Stomatal behavior and water status of maize, sorghum, and tobacco under field conditions: at low soil water potential. Plant Physiol 53:360–365.
Turner, Neil C., F.C. Pedersen, and W.H. Wright. 1969. An aspirated diffusion porometer for field use. Conn Agric Exp Stn Special Bull, Soils xxx1x/200.
Umbreit, R., R.H. Burris, and J.F. Stauffer. 1945.Manometric Techniques. Burgess Publishing Co., Minneapolis, Minn.
Wilcox, D.A. and R.A. Ashley. 1980. Leaf Diffusive Resistance and Relative Water Content as indications of varietal sensitivity to drought in potatoes. Storrs Agric Exp Stn Res Rep 62.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Scientific Contribution No. 927, Storrs, Agri. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilcox, D.A., Ashley, R.A. The potential use of plant physiological responses to water stress as an indication of varietal sensitivity to drought in four potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties. American Potato Journal 59, 533–545 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852602
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02852602