An Analysis of the Effects of Repeated Short-Term Soil Water Deficits on Stomatal Conductance to Carbon Dioxide and Leaf Photosynthesis by the Legume Macroptilium atropurpureum Cv. Siratro

Abstract

The response was measured of stomatal conductance and leaf photosynthesis to changing leaf water potential in the legume siratro subjected to a sequence of I-week cycles of increasing soil water deficit followed by watering. The response of stomatal conductance was described using a continuous mathematical function, which is more robust and accurate than the usual discontinuous linear function used to analyse such data. After seven successive cycles of water deficit, there was no apparent adjustment of the short-term response of leaf conductance to leaf water potential.