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High irradiance and increased air temperature during extreme weather conditions affect tree crops and impact the yield and quality of fruits. Moreover, flowering and fruit set of Citrus are likely impaired by UV radiation and/or reduced carbon assimilation, which increase reactive oxygen species production and damage the leaf photosynthetic apparatus. Particle coating films sprayed on leaves have been offered as a way to minimize crop losses due to the climate change scenario, even though the extent of leaf protection is not characterized. We evaluated the use of two protective films on the oxidative stress and leaf photosynthesis of sweet orange trees exposed to varying daylight levels. Trees were maintained under full sun light, sprayed or not (control) with kaolin or calcium carbonate, and under reduced irradiance using either aluminum shade cloth 50% or anti‐UV transparent plastic. Kaolin or calcium carbonate reflected 20%–30% of the incident light on the leaf surface compared to leaves not sprayed and under full sunlight. Leaves with coating exhibited improved CO2 assimilation and photosystem II efficiency, and lower leaf temperatures over time. In addition, the coating protected leaves against excess irradiance due to dissipation of excess energy into the photosynthetic apparatus (NPQt). Nonenzymatic mechanisms for UV protection, such as carotenoids, were higher in full sun control plants than in leaf‐coated plants. Comparable responses were observed on trees maintained covered either by the cloth or the plastic film. Finally, we conclude that the use of suspension particles mitigates the harmful effects of excess UV irradiance and temperature in sweet orange trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought, heat and high irradiance are abiotic stresses that negatively affect plant development and reduce crop productivity. The confluence of these three factors is common in nature, causing extreme situations for plants that compromise their viability. Drought and heat stresses increase the saturation of the photosystem reaction centers, increasing sensitivity to high irradiance. In addition, these stress conditions affect photosystem II (PSII) integrity, alter redox balance of the electron transport chain and decrease the photosynthetic rate. Here, we studied the effect of the stress combinations on the photosynthetic apparatus of two citrus genotypes, Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata) and Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni). Results obtained showed that physiological responses, such as modulation of stomatal aperture and transpiration rate, aimed to reduce leaf temperature, are key to diminishing heat impact on photosynthetic apparatus and increasing tolerance to double and triple combinations of drought, high irradiance and high temperatures. By using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we have demonstrated that under these abiotic stress combinations, Carrizo plants were able to increase expression of genes and proteins related to the photosystem repairing machinery (which better maintained the integrity of PSII) and other components of the photosynthetic apparatus. Our findings reveal crucial physiological and genetic responses in citrus to increase tolerance to the combination of multiple abiotic stresses that could be the basis for breeding programs that ensure a sustainable citrus production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stress may greatly limit plant functionality and growth. Stomatal closure and consequently reduced transpiration are considered as early and sensitive plant responses to drought and salinity stress. An important consequence of stomatal closure under water stress is the rise of leaf temperature (Tleaf), yet Tleaf is not only fluctuating with stomatal closure. It is regulated by several plant parameters and environmental factors. Thermal imaging and different stress indices, incorporating actual leaf/crop temperature and reference temperatures, were developed in previous studies toward normalizing for effects unassociated to water stress on Tleaf, aiming at a more efficient water stress assessment. The concept of stress indices has not been extensively studied on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the different indices employed in previous studies in assessing rosette transpiration rate (E) in Arabidopsis plants grown under two different light environments and subjected to salinity. After salinity imposition, E was gravimetrically quantified, and thermal imaging was employed to quantify rosette (Trosette) and artificial reference temperature (Twet,Tdry). Trosette and several water stress indices were tested for their relation to E. Among the microclimatic growth conditions tested, RWSI1 ([Trosette − Twet]/[Tdry − Twet]) and RWSI2 ([Tdry − Trosette]/[Tdry − Twet]) were well linearly‐related to E, irrespective of the light environment, while the sole use of either Twet or Tdry in different combinations with Trosette returned less accurate results. This study provides evidence that selected combinations of Trosette, Tdry, and Twet can be utilized to assess E under water stress irrespective of the light environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) has increased by 49% since the pre‐industrial era, and this increase will continue. Photosynthesis has long been recognized as one of the most temperature‐sensitive processes, while far less is known about how elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]) affect crop photosynthesis response to short‐term temperature increase. To reveal the effect, we measured gas exchange of winter wheat and rice with various leaf temperatures (TL) under different [CO2] conditions (ambient, +120 μmol mol−1 in wheat, +160 μmol mol−1 in rice, and +200 μmol mol−1 in both) using open‐top chamber facility. Analysis of the measurements showed that e[CO2] generally increased net photosynthesis (Pn) by 10–40% across various TL at different developmental stages. The temperature sensitivity of Pn was negatively correlated with TL. Elevated [CO2] raised the temperature optimum (Topt) of Pn by 1.8–5.6°C for wheat and 2.2–4.8°C for rice, resulting in a wider range of TL that can promote Pn. The responses of stomatal conductance, the maximum rate of carboxylation and the ratio of intercellular to growth environment [CO2] to Topt are not only crop‐specific but also stage‐dependent. Furthermore, there is a divergence in the relationships between photosynthetic parameters for wheat and rice at Topt. We conclude that e[CO2] raises Topt of leaf photosynthesis and thus promotes Pn of winter wheat and rice in a humid subtropical climate. Further research on the coordination of leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic parameters in upland wheat and irrigated rice, as well as their response to e[CO2] should be made in the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased atmospheric CO2 and consequent increases in temperature are two prominent features of climate change, a major challenge to crops. Here, our objectives were to determine: (1) the responses of sugarcane during the first 90 days of elevated CO2 (ECO2) and elevated temperature (ETem), both individually and together, and (2) the genotypic variation of these responses. Eight varieties were grown both in open‐top chambers in a factorial combination of ambient/ECO2 concentrations (344–351/777–779 ppm) and ambient/ETem (34.9–35.6/36.6–38.4°C) and in open fields. Significant treatment × variety interaction effects were observed on leaf net photosynthetic rate (An), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (El), and instantaneous transpiration efficiency (TE). In most varieties, ECO2 alone did not affect An, but the combination of ECO2 and ETem decreased An. ECO2 decreased gs and El while increasing TE in all varieties. These effects were amplified when ETem was combined with ECO2. ETem alone had variable effects on An and gs depending on variety, while it increased El and did not affect TE in a majority of varieties. Germination, tillering and stem diameter were not affected by treatments and did not show varietal variation. Leaf water potential, chlorophyll (spad), leaf area, and aboveground dry weight per plant showed varietal variations but were not affected by treatments. The variable responses to ETem and the significant genotypic variation to ECO2 and elevated temperature (ETem) observed in this work, both individually and together, demonstrate a considerable scope to breed sugarcane varieties for a future high‐CO2 and warmer climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated that exogenous polyamines have protective effects under various stress condition. A broader understanding of the role of the polyamine pool fine regulation and the alterations of polyamine‐related physiological processes could be obtained by comparing the stress effects in different genotypes. In this study, the impact of pre‐treatment with putrescine in response to osmotic stress was investigated in the drought‐tolerant Katya and drought‐sensitive Zora wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars. Photosynthetic performance, in vivo thermoluminescence emission from leaves, leaf temperature, polyamine and salicylic acid levels, contents of osmoprotectants, and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the leaves were investigated not only to reveal differences in the physiological processes associated to drought tolerance, but to highlight the modulating strategies of polyamine metabolism between a drought‐tolerant and a drought‐sensitive wheat genotype. Results showed that the tolerance of Katya under osmotic stress conditions was characterized by higher photosynthetic ability, stable charge separation across the thylakoid membrane in photosystem II, higher proline accumulation and antioxidant activity. Thermoluminescence also revealed differences between the two varieties − a downshift of the B band and an increase of the afterglow band under osmotic stress in Zora, providing original complementary information to leaf photosynthesis. Katya variety exhibited higher constitutive levels of the signaling molecules putrescine and salicylic acid compared to the sensitive Zora. However, responses to exogenous putrescine were more advantageous for the sensitive variety under PEG treatment, which may be in relation with the decreased catabolism of polyamines, suggesting the increased need for polyamine under stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many defense mechanisms contribute to the plant immune system against pathogens, involving the regulation of different processes of the primary and secondary metabolism. At the same time, pathogens have evolved mechanisms to hijack the plant defense in order to establish the infection and proliferate. Localization and timing of the host response are essential to understand defense mechanisms and resistance to pathogens (Rico et al. 2011). Imaging techniques, such as fluorescence imaging and thermography, are a very valuable tool providing spatial and temporal information about a series of plant processes. In this study, bean plants challenged with two pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae have been investigated. Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A and P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 elicit a compatible and incompatible interaction in bean, respectively. Both types of host-pathogen interaction triggered different changes in the activity of photosynthesis and the secondary metabolism. We conclude that the combined analysis of leaf temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence and green fluorescence emitted by phenolics allows to discriminate compatible from incompatible P. syringae-Phaseolus vulgaris interactions in very early times of the infection, prior to the development of symptoms. These can constitute disease signatures that would allow an early identification of emerging plagues in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dwarf bamboo ( Fargesia rufa Yi), growing understory in subalpine dark coniferous forest, is one of the main foods for giant panda, and it influences the regeneration of subalpine coniferous forests in southwestern China. To investigate the effects of elevated CO2, temperature and their combination, the dwarf bamboo plantlets were exposed to two CO2 regimes (ambient and double ambient CO2 concentration) and two temperatures (ambient and +2.2°C) in growth chambers. Gas exchange, leaf traits and carbohydrates concentration were measured after the 150-day experiment. Elevated CO2 significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (Anet), intrinsic water-use efficiency ( WUEi) and carbon isotope composition ( δ13C) and decreased stomatal conductance (gs) and total chlorophyll concentration based on mass (Chlm) and area (Chla). On the other hand, elevated CO2 decreased specific leaf area ( SLA), which was increased by elevated temperature. Elevated CO2 also increased foliar carbon concentration based on mass (Cm) and area (Ca), nitrogen concentration based on area (Na), carbohydrates concentration (i.e. sucrose, sugar, starch and non-structural carbohydrates) and the slope of the Anet-Na relationship. However, elevated temperature decreased Cm, Ca and Na. The combination of elevated CO2 and temperature hardly affected SLA, Cm, Ca, Nm, Na, Chlm and Chla. Variables Anet and Na had positive linear relationships in all treatments. Our results showed that photosynthetic acclimation did not occur in dwarf bamboo at elevated CO2 and it could adjust physiology and morphology to enable the capture of more light, to increase WUE and improve nutritional conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress causes inhibition of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, affects light photosynthetic reactions and accelerates alternative pathways of plastoquinone pool reduction (APPR). We have studied all these heat-sensitive processes after preheating to a broad range of physiological temperatures (24–46°C) to explore a role of these alternative pathways during heat stress. Primarily, the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry was reduced (at 40°C). This PSII downregulation was accompanied by the stimulation of APPR and preceded reduction of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation by 2°; it occurred after preheating at 42°C because of inhibition in Rubisco (ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) activation process. Thus, we suggest that the heat-induced stimulation of APPR is not associated with the heat-induced inhibition of Calvin cycle as it was reported for other types of stresses. A possible role of APPR in the compensation of PSII downregulation is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaves produced in 2004 of 422 species of Eucalyptus whose natural habitat is southern Australia were sampled at the Currency Creek Arboretum in South Australia where the annual (mainly winter) rainfall is about 400 mm. Tree height, leaf area, leaf dry weight, leaf nitrogen (N) concentration and leaf carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) were measured and the specific leaf area (SLA) calculated. Among the 422 species, the SLA varied from 1.5 to 8.8 m2 kg−1 and N concentration varied from 0.6 to 2.1%, much greater than in 64 species collected along an aridity transect from southwestern Western Australia to central Australia in 2003. Also, the range of leaf δ13C values was similar in the common garden to that across the aridity transect. For the 45 species present in both studies, the SLA and leaf N concentration in the common garden were similar to those measured in leaves along the aridity transect, indicating that these characteristics are inherent in the species and vary little with environment. The variation in leaf δ13C in the common garden was just as great as along the transect, but the values measured in the one location were poorly correlated with those along the transect. This was not expected, as the variation in δ13C at one common site in South Australia was anticipated to be less than along the aridity gradient where annual rainfall varied from 250 to 1200 mm. Path analysis on the 45 species common to both studies indicated that rainfall did not have a direct effect on δ13C, but the differences in δ13C resulted from indirect effects of rainfall on SLA and N concentration. δ13C was negatively correlated with SLA but positively correlated with N. Thus, both effects may compensate for each other so that no significant relationship between δ13C and rainfall was observable. However, there is a large degree of variation of δ13C at any level of rainfall. The origin and ecological implications of this observation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoinactivation of photosystem II (PSII) and energy dissipation at low leaf temperatures were investigated in leaves of glasshouse-grown grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling). At low temperatures (< 15°C), photosynthetic rates of CO2 assimilation were reduced. However, despite a significant increase in the amount of light excessive to that required by photosynthesis, grapevine leaves maintained high intrinsic quantum efficiencies of PSII (Fv/ Fm) and were highly resistant to photoinactivation compared to other species. Non-photochemical energy dissipation involving xanthophylls and fast D1 repair were the main protective processes reducing the ‘gross’ rate of photoinactivation and the ‘net’ rate of photoinactivation, respectively. We developed an improved method of energy dissipation analysis that revealed up to 75% of absorbed light is dissipated thermally via pH- and xanthophyll-mediated non-photochemical quenching at low temperatures (5–15°C) and moderate (800 µmol quanta m−2 s−1) light. Up to 20% of the energy flux contributing to electron transport was dissipated via photorespiration when taking into account temperature-dependent mesophyll conductance; however, this flux used in photorespiration was only a relatively small amount of the total absorbed light energy. Photoreduction of O2 at photosystem I (PSI) and subsequent superoxide detoxification (water-water cycle) was more sensitive to inhibition by low temperature than photorespiration. Therefore the water-water cycle represents a negligibly small energy sink below 15°C, irrespective of mesophyll conductance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transpiration was measured in apple leaves (Malus sylvestris Mill.) which were enclosed in a leaf chamber and subjected to rapid changes in leaf temperature. Fluctuations in leaf temperature produced parallel fluctuations in transpiration. The change in transpiration rate with change in temperature was found to be less than the theoretical value calculated from the change in water vapour density gradient from leaf to air. The results suggest the presence of a small and rapidly varying resistance to water vapour loss from the leaf. The magnitude of this additional resistance increased to a maximum value of approximately 1.5 s cm-1 as the magnitude of the temperature change increased to a maximum of approximately 12°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of free proline in the first leaves of barley, Hordeum distichum L., and wheat, Triticum aestivum L., in response to a range of low temperatures was examined with 10-day- old plants. In barley (cv. Prior) no proline accumulated at 8°C or above, but in wheat (cv. Gabo) proline accumulated at 12°C and lower temperatures. In barley, the first leaf survived for 29 days following transfer to 5°C and continued to accumulate proline throughout this period. In contrast, the first leaves of plants maintained at 20°C survived for 13 days only and accumulated no proline. Proline accumulation at low temperature was shown to be light-dependent, both in intact plants and excised leaf sections, and the light requirement could not be replaced by supplying leaf segments with precursors of proline. Proline accumulation in response to water stress was not light-dependent at 20°C but was at 5°C. Inter-specific and intra-specific variation in the extent of accumulation in response to low temperature was also examined. Considerable variation was encountered but there was no clear relationship with geographical distribution or chilling sensitivity for the species and no correlation with accumulation in response to water stress in the cultivars of barley examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potted vegetable plants of Amaranthus lividus, Gynandropsis gynandra and Crotalaria brevidens were grown outside under normal tropical conditions and rate of photosynthesis and transpiration were determined simultaneously in attached leaves under a range of leaf temperatures and irradiances. Photosynthetic rates were consistently higher in G. gynandra than in A. lividus and C. brevidens. However, in C. brevidens and G. gynandra the leaf resistances were lower and transpiration rates were higher than those in A. lividus. The results on optimum temperature requirements for maximum rates of CO2 fixation, coupled with data on CO2 compensation points and leaf anatomy provided clear evidence that G. gynandra and A. lividus are C4 species, while C. brevidens is a C3 species. The differential effects of light intensity and temperature on stomata and mesophyll resistances in C3 and C4 species are discussed in relation to rates of photosynthesis and transpiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas exchange analysis was used to characterize photosynthetic and stomatal responses to key environmental stimuli in five commercial lines of Pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) which represent a gradient of selection for higher yields and heat resistance, and a primitive, uncultivated G. barbadense. At constant light and vapor pressure deficit, stomatal conductance increased linearly with air temperature in the 23 to 36°C range in all five commercial lines, and conductance at each temperature increased as a function of selection. In contrast, photosynthetic rates had a low sensitivity to temperature in the 23 to 36°C range, particularly in the advanced lines. In a segregating F2 population from a cross between the advanced line, Pima S-6, and the primitive cotton, B368, the slope of the stomatal response to temperature in each F2 plant was positively correlated with the stomatal conductance measured at 40°C. An analysis of the frequency distribution of stomatal conductance in F1 and F2 progeny of the cross showed that the differences in stomatal conductance between lines were genetically determined. These data indicate that selection for higher yield and heat resistance in Pima cotton has caused genetically determined changes in stomatal properties. Characterization of the relationship between the altered stomatal properties and the attained increases in heat resistance and yields could make it possible to use these physiological traits as selection criteria in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced lines of Pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) bred for higher yield potential and heat resistance have higher stomatal conductance and smaller leaf areas than those of obsolete lines. In controlled experiments, five commercial lines of Pima cotton having increasing lint yield and heat resistance showed a gradient of increasing stomatal conductance and decreasing leaf size. In field experiments, heat-sensitive, low yield Pima lines showed a lower stomatal conductance than high yielding, advanced lines. This indicates that selection for high yield potential and heat resistance has imposed a selection pressure for higher stomatal conductance and smaller leaf areas. The higher stomatal conductance and smaller leaf area in the advanced lines resulted in a lower leaf temperature in both controlled environments and in the field. The largest leaf temperature differences between obsolete and advanced lines were observed in the afternoon. These differences coincided with the largest differences in stomatal conductance and the highest air temperatures. Measurements of stomatal conductance and leaf temperature in field-grown progeny from a cross between the advanced line, Pima S-6, and the obsolete line, Pima 32, showed that genetically determined differences in stomatal conductance resulted in corresponding differences in leaf temperature. None of the altered physiological traits were selected for in the breeding program, indicating that selection for the desired agronomic traits imposed selection pressures on the altered physiological traits. The increases in stomatal conductance and decreases in leaf area could represent an integrated response to selection pressures on enhanced evaporative cooling, ensuing from selection for heat resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activities of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) were measured in leaf extracts of field grown Amaranthus paniculatus L. (C4) during a natural diurnal irradiance and temperature pattern. Enzyme assays were run at both fixed (30°C) and the corresponding leaf temperature at the time of harvest. Light activation of PEP carboxylase (PEPCase) at fixed assay temperatures was expressed as a decrease in S0–5 (PEP) after a threshold (> 330 μmol m–2 s–1) photon fluence rate was surpassed at noon. Earlier in the morning, increase in apparent enzyme affinity for PEP was observed when the assay was run at leaf temperature, indicating a physiologically meaningfull effect of temperature on S0.5 (PEP). The 3.3‐fold increase in PEPCase activity at low PEP and fixed assay temperature between the minimal and maximal irradiance and temperature hours of the day, became 12.8‐, 11.5‐ and 7.4‐fold when assays were run at the corresponding leaf temperature during three diurnal cycles with respective temperature differences (max minus min) of 9.0, 8.3 and 7.4°C. The extent of malate inhibition was the same for both day and night forms of PEPCase assayed at 35°C, but increased considerably with night enzyme at 25°C. The results indicate that light increases the apparent affinity of PEPCase for PEP and that at lower temperatures malate becomes more inhibitory. Pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase activity started to increase immediately after sunrise and the 10‐fold increase at fixed temperature became 14.8‐, 14.2‐ and 13.1‐fold when assays were run at the above leaf temperatures. This indicates that the light effect predominates with pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase, while with phosphoenolpyravate carboxylase, light and temperature co‐operate to increase the day enzyme activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of visible to infrared radiation varies in different growth chambers. Whether this might affect leaf temperature and plant growth was investigated in chambers with equal visible radiation. In one chamber infrared energy was half the total, while in two chambers it was 75% of the total. Photoperiods were 14 hours and day and night temperatures 25° and 20°C, respectively. Warm weather species tested were Zea mays, Phaseolus vulgaris, Gossypium hirsutum, Glycine max, and Sorghum vulgare. High infrared did not increase the leaf temperatures of Sorghum vulgare, but growth was better than under low infrared. In the other 4 species, slightly higher leaf temperatures were observed, but growth was not significantly increased by high infrared. Of the cool weather species, Pisum sativum L. (Alaska and Wando) and Vicia faba L., grew less; Avena saliva L. grew equally; and Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata grew better in high infrared. Leaf temperatures of these cool weather species were generally below ambient and were not appreciably affected by the proportion of infrared. The CO2 was uncontrolled in one high infrared chamber and was 400 μl CO2 liter or more. Except for G. max and P. vulgaris, the growth of the warm weather species was not significantly affected; however, all cool weather species grew best in this chamber. A sparing effect from infrared damage is induced by high CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transpiration rate and leaf transfer resistance to water vapor loss were determined under a range of leaf temperatures for Quercus macrocarpa, Q. velutina, Q. alba, Q. rubra, and Acer saccharum. Transfer resistance increased with rising leaf temperatures between 20 and 40°C in all species, but the rate of increase in resistance was greatest in species which normally occupy xeric sites. Increased transfer resistance with rising leaf temperature may be significant in preventing rapid desiccation of leaves under the large evaporative stress posed by high leaf temperature.

The CO2, and H2O vapour exchange of single attached orange, Citrus sinensis (L), leaves was measured under laboratory conditions using infrared gas analysis Gaseous diffusive resistances were derived from measurements at a saturating irradiance and at a leaf temperature optimum for photosynthesis. Variation in leaf resistance (within the range 1.6 to 60 s cm-1) induced by moisture status, or by cyclic oscillations in stomatal aperture, was associated with changes in both photosynthesis and transpiration. At low leaf resistance (r1 less than 10 s cm-1) the ratio of transpiration to photosynthesis declined with reduced stomatal aperture, indicating a tighter stomatal control over H2O vapour loss than over CO2 assimilation. At higher leaf resistance (r1 greater than 10 s cm-1) changes in transpiration and photosynthesis were linearly related, but leaf resistance and mesophyll resistance were also positively correlated, so that strictly stomatal control of photosynthesis became more apparent than real. This evidence, combined with direct measurements of CO2 diffusive resistances (in a -O2 gas stream) emphasised the presence of a significant mesophyll resistance, i.e., an additional and late limiting resistance to CO2 assimilation over and above that encountered by H2O vapour escaping from the leaf.

Experiments in which transpiration and leaf temperature were measured simultaneously at different light intensities showed that: 1) with closed or no stomata the epidermis protects the leaf from temperature-induced changes in transpiration, 2) with open stomata transpiration depends to a large extent on leaf temperature. i.e., on the differences in vapour pressure deficit between the leaf and the ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]