Abstract
Night-time leaf wetting process was analyzed in relation to micrometeorological conditions in a semi-arid cornfield and its effect was examined in the following morning with reference to the leaf-to-air humidity gradient which is a driving force in transpiration. Leaf wetness occurred due to dew formation under clear and calm night conditions which decreased canopy surface temperature to the air dew-point temperature. The amount of dew on leaves collected around sunrise (06:00) was 26.4–104.3 g m-2 · leaf area, which corresponded to 0.07–0.27 mm water. Leaf wetness remained until around 10:00 and significantly decreased leaf temperature. As a result, the leaf-to-air humidity gradient also decreased in the wetted leaf compared to the non-wetted leaf. These results suggest that night-time leaf wetting induces lower transpiration rate and may play a role in diminishing plant water stress due to excess transpirational water loss in the morning in semi-arid environments. Further studies are needed in order to demonstrate this possible effect.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 25850173, 26660200 and 15K07668) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors would like to thank Prof. X. Li (the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, CAS) for his cooperation.
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Yasutake, D., Mori, M., Kitano, M. et al. Night-time leaf wetting process and its effect on the morning humidity gradient as a driving force of transpirational water loss in a semi-arid cornfield. Biologia 70, 1485–1489 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2015-0175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2015-0175