TEXBOT 1: Water Relations
TEXBOT 1 (Water Relations) deals with an area that is currently one of the most controversial in plant physiology. The development of new technology to directly quantify the tension in the xylem has raised very fundamental questions about the mechanism by which water moves through plants. In addition, the suitability of the widely-used pressure chamber for the assessment of plant water status has been questioned. In his article, Mel Tyree addresses these and other issues and provides a spirited defence of the cohesion-tension theory and the use of the pressure chamber. There is also much interest currently in how water gets into roots.
Ernst Steudle and Carol Peterson present some new ideas on different pathways and also consider the importance of water channels. These proteins may provide the best opportunity for genetically-modifying the water status of plants in drought-prone environments. To complete a fully-comprehensive volume, Lyn Jones considers the role of stomata in the control of water loss and carbon gain by plants and Jurgen Frensch presents new data on the effects of drought stress on the growth of plant cells.
- E Steudle and C Peterson
How does water get through roots?
J. Exp. Bot. 1998 49: 775-788; doi:10.1093/jexbot/49.322.775 - The cohesion-tension theory of sap ascent: current controversies
MT. Tyree
Vol. 48, No. 315, pp. 1753 - 1765, Oct 1997 - H Jones
Stomatal control of photosynthesis and transpiration
J. Exp. Bot. 1998 49: 387-398; doi:10.1093/jexbot/49.suppl_1.387 - Primary responses of root and leaf elongation to water deficits in the atmosphere and soil solution
J. Frensch
Vol. 48, No. 310, pp. 985 - 999, May 1997