Changes in cell wall yielding and stored growth in begonia Argenteo-guttata L. leaves during the development of water deficits

Marcelo D. Serpe, Mark A. Matthews

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Turgor and elongation responses to changes in plant water status were investigated in leaves of Begonia plants from which irrigation was withheld. Withholding irrigation for several days caused decreases in epidermal cell turgor (P) by ca. 0.25 MPa and leaf elongation rates by 66% compared to well watered controls. Rewatering caused a large and transient increase in the rate of elongation, "stored growth," indicating that during periods at low P there was an increase in the potential for wall expansion. Subsequently, the ratio of elongation rate/P decreased until both elongation rate and P reached values similar to those observed in leaves of well watered control plants. Tests for significant elastic contributions or water transport limitations to the elongation responses were negative: most of the elongation upon rewatering was caused by irreversible extension and the estimated increase in the water potential gradient between the xylem and the growing cells caused by rewatering was less than 0.02 MPa. Results are discussed in relation to factors that may contribute to increase the growth potential at low P.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)619-626
Number of pages8
JournalPlant and Cell Physiology
Volume35
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

Keywords

  • Begonia
  • Elasticity
  • Stored growth
  • Wall yielding properties
  • Water potential

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