Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of water stress on leaf growth and photosynthetic and transpiration rates of Tectona grandis

  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Plants of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) growing after transplantation to fertile soil for 5 - 6 months were subjected to water stress by withholding watering continuously for 3 weeks. The growth rates of both plants in height and developing leaves in length were unaffected during the first week after withholding watering, but they were decreased by about 50 % during the second week and became negligible during the third week of water stress treatment. The rate of leaf production and internodal elongation were also decreased in plants experienced 2 weeks of water stress. However, after rewatering, these plants regained growth potential and exhibited high rates of leaf expansion and plant growth comparable to those of well-watered plants. Diurnal course of net photosynthetic rate (PN) of plants subjected to water stress for 2 weeks was similar as that of well-watered plants. However, PN of plants subjected to water stress for 3 weeks was reduced in the afternoon. Similarly, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) of plants experiencing 3-week water stress were decreased in the afternoon. Soon after rewatering, PN, gs and E reached similar values to those of well-watered plants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Attiwill, P.M., Clayton-Greene, K.A.: Studies of gas exchange and development in a subhumid woodland.-J. Ecol. 72: 285–294, 1984.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benecke, U., Schulze, E.-D., Matyssek, R., Havranek, W.M.: Environmental control of CO2 assimilation and leaf conductance in Larix decidua Mill. I. A comparison of contrasting natural environments.-Oecologia 50: 54–61, 1981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, J.S.: Cell-enlargement and growth-induced water potentials.-Physiol. Plant. 73: 311–316, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedegard, T.: Pollination of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.).-Silvae Genet. 22: 124–128, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinckley, T.M., Richter, H., Schulte, P.J.: Water relations.-In: Raghavendra, A.S. (ed.): Physiology of Stress. Pp. 137–162. Wiley, New York 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner, C.H., Schell, J.A., Bauer, H.: Maximum leaf diffusive conductance in vascular plants.-Photosynthetica 13: 45–82, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pereira, J.S., Kozlowski, T.T.: Diurnal and seasonal changes in water balance of Abies balsamea and Pinus resinosa.-Oecol. Plant. 11: 397–412, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pereira, J.S., Kozlowski, T.T.: Diurnal and seasonal changes in water balance of Acer sacharum and Betula papyrifera.-Physiol. Plant. 43: 19–30, 1978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Percira, J.S., Tenhunen, J.D., Lange, O.L., Beyschlag, W., Mayer, A., David, M.M.: Seasonal and diurnal patterns in leaf gas exchange of Eucalyptus globulus trees growing in Portugal.-Can. J. Forest Res. 16: 177–184, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pontailler, J.Y., Lerous, M. Sangier, B.: Evolution d'un taillis de chataigniers après coupe Photosynthèse et croissance des regets.-Acta oecol. — Oecol. Plant. 5: 89–99, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajendrudu, G., Naidu, C.V.: Leaf gas exchange capacity in relation to leaf position on the stem in field grown teak (Tectona grandis L.f.).-Photosynthetica 34 (in press), 1997.

  • Rawat, M.S.: Fruit/seed setting in teak (Tectona grandis L.f.): A point to ponder.-Indian Forest 120: 1076–1079, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawat, M.S., Uniyal, D.P., Vakshasya, R.H.: Variation in the model teak seed orchard at New Forest, Dehra Dun-Indian Forest 118: 60–65, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze, E.-D., Lange, O.L., Evenari, M., Kappen, L., Buschbom, U.: The role of air humidity and leaf temperature in controlling stomatal resistance of Prunus armeniaca L. under desert conditions. I. A simulation of the daily time course of stomatal resistance.-Oecologia 17: 159–170, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slatyer, R.O., Morrow, P.A.: Altitudinal variation in the photosynthetic characteristics of snow gum, Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng. I. Seasonal changes under field conditions in the Snowy mountains area of south eastern Australia.-Aust. J. Bot. 26: 1–20, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen, J.D., Lange, O.L., Harley, C.P., Beyschlag, W., Meyer, A.: Limitations due to water stress on leaf net photosythèsis of Quercus coccifera in the Portuguese evergreen shrub.-Oecologia 67: 23–30, 1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troup, R.S.: The Silviculture of Indian Trees. Volume II.-Oxford University Press, London 1921.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati -, 517 502, A.P., India

    G. Rajendrudu & C.V. Naidu

Authors
  1. G. Rajendrudu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C.V. Naidu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rajendrudu, G., Naidu, C. Effects of water stress on leaf growth and photosynthetic and transpiration rates of Tectona grandis. Biologia Plantarum 40, 229–234 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001016619707

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001016619707

Search

Navigation