Search results for " ionic effect"
showing 2 items of 2 documents
Does short-term potassium fertilization improve recovery from drought stress in laurel?
2014
Xylem hydraulic conductance varies in response to changes in sap solute content, and in particular of potassium (K(+)) ion concentration. This phenomenon, known as the 'ionic effect', is enhanced in embolized stems, where it can compensate for cavitation-induced loss of hydraulic conductance. Previous studies have shown that in well-watered laurel plants (Laurus nobilis L.), potassium concentration of the xylem sap and plant hydraulic conductance increased 24 h after fertilization with KCl. The aim of this work was to test whether water-stressed laurel plants, grown under low potassium availability, could recover earlier from stress when irrigated with a KCl solution instead of potassium-fr…
Short-term effects of potassium fertilization on the hydraulic conductance of Laurus nobilis L.
2011
This study reports experimental evidence on the effect of short term potassium fertilization on potassium uptake, tissue concentration and hydraulic conductance of pot-grown laurel plants. Potassium uptake and loading into the xylem of laurel seedlings increased within 24 h from fertilization. Potassium was not accumulated in roots and leaves, but the [K+] of xylem sap was 80% higher in fertilized plants (+K) than in potassium starved plants (-K), likely as a result of recirculation between xylem and phloem. This increase in xylem sap [K+] resulted in a 45% increase in transpiration rate, a 30% increase in plant hydraulic conductance (Kplant) and a 120% increase in leaf specific conductivit…