Effect of potassium fertilization on the hydraulic conductance of laurel plants

The effect of potassium fertilization on hydraulic conductance was tested in 2-year-old potted laurel seedlings, grown in a greenhouse at the Botanical Garden of Palermo. Plants were divided into a control group (+K) and a potassium starved group (-K). A set of randomly chosen -K plants received irrigation with 25 mM KCl (KCl plants) 24 hours before measurements, to test the short term effect of potassium fertilization. Measurements were carried out in July and October 2008. Whole-plant hydraulic conductance was measured by the evaporative flux method; root and shoot hydraulic conductance were measured by the vacuum chamber. Potassium availability or season did not significantly affect leaf…