Variability of mesophyll conductance in grapevine cultivars under water stress conditions in relation to leaf anatomy and water use efficiency. (12th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tomás, M.; Medrano, H.; Brugnoli, E.; Escalona, J.M.; Martorell, S.; Pou, A.; Ribas‐Carbó, M.; Flexas, J.
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of grape and wine research. Volume 20:Number 2(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12
• Subjects: Viticulture -- Australia -- Periodicals; Wine and wine making -- Australia -- Periodicals; Viticulture -- Periodicals; Wine and wine making -- Periodicals; 634.80994
• DOI: 10.1111/ajgw.12069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-7130

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ajgw12069-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aims</title> <p>Stomatal (g<sub>s</sub>) and mesophyll conductance (g<sub>m</sub>) limit photosynthesis significantly and consequently, apart from g<sub>s</sub>, g<sub>m</sub> is also a physiological process that could affect leaf water use efficiency (WUE). The aims of the present study were to analyse the genetic variability of g<sub>m</sub> in the grapevine, to relate the variability of leaf WUE with relative changes in g<sub>s</sub> and g<sub>m</sub> and to analyse the importance of leaf structural parameters in the variability of g<sub>m</sub>.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajgw12069-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods and Results</title> <p>The g<sub>m</sub> in seven potted grapevine cultivars (<italic>V</italic><italic>itis vinifera</italic> L.) were compared in three experiments under irrigation and moderate water stress treatments. Significant variability of g<sub>m</sub> was observed among cultivars associated with change in intrinsic WUE. No clear relationship with anatomical traits was found.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajgw12069-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Variability of g<sub>m</sub> was associated with leaf WUE, although it could not be explained by anatomical variability. It is likely that biochemical mechanisms play an additional important role in the diffusion of CO<sub>2</sub> in grapevines.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajgw12069-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Significance of the Study</title> <p>This study shows that the variability of g<sub>m</sub> in different grapevine cultivars offers a potential target for improving leaf WUE by increasing net photosynthesis (A<sub>N</sub>) without increasing plant water losses.</p> </sec> </abstract>