Development of water stress and stomatal closure in juvenile mango (Mangifera indica L.) stress.
Pongsomboon W., Whiley A. W., Stephenson R. A., Subhadrabandhu S.
Author Affiliation: Maroochy Horticultural Research Station, PO Box 5063, Sunshine Coast Mail Centre, Nambour, Qld 4560, Australia.
: 496-503
Abstract : Potted mango cv. Kensington trees grown in a greenhouse were slowly subjected to water stress over 44 days, and the leaf water potential (L), latex osmotic potential (slatex) and osmotic potential (?) were measured. Wilting initially occurred when L reached -1.20 to -1.51 MPa and developed basipetally. When L was -2.45 MPa all mature leaves became dull and flaccid, and necrosis occurred on the oldest leaves at -3.2 MPa. Irreversible damage occurred at -3.45 MPa which corresponded to 77% relative water content (RWC). The patterns of decline in L, slatex and RWC were similar and linear during the 44 days of withholding water. It is suggested that measuring slatex gives a better estimate than using the pressure chamber technique of L since it is easier and faster.