1. Plant Hydraulic Conductivity: The Aquaporins Contribution
- Author
-
María del Carmen Martínez-Ballesta, Beatriz Muries, César Mota-Cadenas, María del Carmen Rodríguez-Hernández, Carlos Alcaraz-López, and Micaela Carvajal
- Subjects
Abiotic component ,Plant development ,Hydraulic conductivity ,Hydraulics ,law ,Abiotic stress ,Environmental science ,Aquaporin ,Root system ,Biological system ,law.invention ,Transpiration - Abstract
In the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum the major resistance to water flux is the leafatmosphere interface which determine the rate of transpiration for a specific evaporative demand. In this scenario, the hydraulic resistance of the different plant tissues is minor; however, the hydraulic conductivity of the whole plant is subjected to a tight physiological regulation in which the aquaporins role may result fundamental. The expression of a large number of aquaporins occurs predominantly in roots and different experimental procedures have demonstrated that aquaporins activity is linked to the hydraulics of some species during abiotic stress. However, the plants roots hydraulic properties also depend on the morphology and anatomy of roots and the length of the absorbing region in addition to the influence of aquaporins. These features change during the plant development and in response to environmental stimuli by altering the hydraulic conductivity of the root. To fully understand root system hydraulics and the contribution of native aquaporins, comprehensive studies at different scales are required. In this chapter the definitions used to describe the plant hydraulic resistances are mentioned and the influence of the root anatomy and morphology on hydraulic conductivity is reviewed. Also, the variations in the hydraulic resistances under different abiotic stresses and distinct environmental conditions have been explored. Finally, the different properties and characteristics among various measuring methods are reviewed.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF