Effects of water stress and differential hardening treatments on photosynthetic characteristics of a xeromorphic shrub,Eucalyptus socialis, F. Muell.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The influence of water stress on photosynthesis of drought hardened, and non-hardened,Eucalyptus socialis plants was examined. Particular attention was given to the effects of low leaf water potential on stomatal and intracellular resistance to CO2 transport and on the CO2 compensation point. Though the hardening treatment had a pronounced influence on leaf morphology, there was no apparent difference in the photosynthetic response to drought stress between hardened and non-hardened treatments, or with repeated drought cycles. These results suggest a high degree of genetic preconditioning to drought in this species.