WATER STRESS-INDUCED ALTERATIONS OF STOMATAL RESPONSE TO DECREASES IN LEAF WATER POTENTIAL

Young growth-chamber-grown cotton [Gossypium hirsutum] plants were subjected to a series of 8 periods of soil water stress, which served as a preconditioning treatment. After preconditioning, water was withheld and changes in the stomatal resistance and leaf water potential were determined and compared with similar well watered control plants. The stomatal response of stress preconditioned plants adjusted such that the diffusion resistance of the lower surface of the leaf did not reach a value greater than 20 s cm-1 until the leaf water potential dropped 14 bars below that required to reach the same resistance on previously unstressed plants. The resistance-leaf water potential relation for the adaxial surface was unaltered by the preconditioning treatment. Adjustment of the osmotic potential of the guard cells on the abaxial surface provided at least a partial explanation of this change in response. The lack of adjustment of stomatal response on the adaxial surface of the leaves was correlated with a lack of adjustment in osmotic potential of guard cells on that surface.