Moisture stress and its effect on photosynthesis in Dicranum polysetum

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Abstract
The effect of water stress on the moss Dicranum polysetum Sw. was studied in the growth chamber, and water potential (ψ) was found to vary as much as 15 atm between the tip of the plant and areas 2 to 4 cm within the cushion, which suggests that very little water is transported from the base of the stem to its tip. With an infrared gas analyzer it was determined that photosynthesis ceases at −21 to −23 atm and the moss remains dormant until it is rewetted. Upon rewetting, there is a sharp burst of respiration that doubles the normal CO2 output. This burst reached its maximum level of 4 mg CO2 g−1 h−1 within 15 min and was of short duration. Full photosynthetic rate was restored in 8 h.

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