Transpiration of Desert Plants Under Different Environmental Conditions

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Abstract
Transpiration was measured for the two dominant species, namely Zygophyllum coccineum and Zilla spinosa, in different microhabitats. The highest rates were recorded in the plateau in the case of Z. spinosa and in the first terrace in the case of Zygophyllum coccineum, while the lowest rates were those of the shaded spot in both plants. In the desert, plants are normally subjected to different environmental conditions: (1) humid atmospheric and edaphic conditions; (2) humid atmospheric conditions combined with soil drought; and (3) combined soil and atmospheric drought. The fourth combination, atmospheric drought and favorable soil moisture, does not prevail under natural conditions. It was brought about by raising the soil moisture to field capacity. Under the last combination the plants showed the highest transpiration rates. On the other hand, they exhibited the lowest rates under soil drought and humid atmospheric conditions.

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