Plant-water, balance relationship

Phenolic acids interfere with many major physiological processes of higher plants (35). These disruptions of function include an alteration of plant water balance. We found depression of leaf water potential to be an early indicator of allelochemical stress from ferulic and p-coumaric acids (42). Likewise one mechanism of allelopathic action by cultivated sunflower, velvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), Koahia [Koahia saoparia (L.) Schrad.], and several other weeds was water stress (43-45). Since some allelochemicals interfere with plant-water relationships, it seemed logical that their action might be most critical at times when plants are under water stress from other causes. 

Ting, I. P., and W. M. Dugger. Ozone resistance in tobacco plants A possible relationship to water balance. Atmos. Environ. 5 147-150, 1971. 

Subsequent tests with velvetleaf, Kodkia, Jerusalem artichoke, and cocklebur showed that their allelopathic action altered water balance (55,94,95). Growth reductions in sorghum and soybean seedlings in nutrient solution amended with extracts from these weeds correlated with high diffusive resistances and low leaf water potentials. Stomatal closure occurred in plants treated with the more concentrated extracts. Depressions in water potential were due to a reduction in both turgor pressure and osmotic potential. A lower relative water content was also found in velvetleaf-treated plants. These impacts on water balance were not from osmotic factors. Allelochemicals from these weeds have not been thoroughly ascertained, but the present evidence shows that some contain phenolic inhibitors. Lodhi (96) reported that Kodkia contains ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, and quercetin. As noted earlier, an effect on plant-water relationships is one mechanism associated with the action of ferulic acid. 

Of the 19 LAII projects 3 are part of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX), which looks at the response of plant communities to climate change. Three others are concerned with atmosphere processes, including weather patterns affecting snowmelt, Arctic-wide temperature trends, and water vapor over the Arctic and its relationship with atmospheric circulation and surface conditions. Another project deals with the response of birds to climate and sea level change at river deltas, and yet another studies the balance and recent volume changes of McCall Glacier in the Brooks Range. 

---