RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE LEAF WATER STATUS OF BARLEY AND SOIL WATER

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Abstract
Total water potential of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves from plants grown under greenhouse and growth chamber conditions was divided into pressure and osmotic potential components, and their relationship to leaf relative water content was determined. Pressure potential approached zero at a water potential of about −32 bars, and a relative water content of about 65%. A change in the elasticity of leaves occurred at about 2 bars pressure potential and about −12 bars water potential. First visible wilting was observed between 75 and 80% relative water content. Transpiration decreased as leaf relative water content decreased but transpiration was independent of soil water content until about 16% (0.6 bar soil suction). First visible wilting of barley leaves was observed at soil water content between 9 and 13% (1–5 bars soil suction). Water potential and leaf relative water content decreased as the soil matric potential decreased. There was a shift to lower relative water content and water potential values as plants became older when the soil matric potential decreased.