Net photosynthesis (Pn)> transpiration (£) and water use efficiency (WUE) responses to prolonged drought and subsequent recovery after rewatering were investigated in sun and shade leaves of two maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3839 SC) stands with different plant density (6.2 and 10.8 plants per m^). Drought stress was induced by the very smáli amount of precipitation (60 mm) during the 57 d of the study period. was higher in both sun and shade leaves in the low density stand through the study period, presumably owing to higher degree of intraspecific competition in the denser stand. did not decrease under severe drought stress in the sun leaves of the two stands. WUE decreased in sun leaves in both stands. decreased most in the shade leaves of the high density stand, due to less available radiation in this stand. The higher degree of intraspecific competition might also contribute to this. The short- and long-term responses by the stands to irrigation differed greatly, as WUE decreased in the high density stand and increased in the low density stand. Thus was more strongly affected in the high density stand because of the higher degree of interactive drought stress and intraspecific competition concurrently with considerable loss of stomatal control of E.
Our experiment was conducted in order to find out effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ; 30 μl l-1) on morphology, photosynthetic process, and stress markers under water surplus and deficit conditions in several wheat genotypes. Study revealed that relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic rate, and maximal quantum yield of PSII (FV/FM) was improved after a PBZ application both under irrigation and water deficit across the genotypes, while the stomatal conductance was reduced. Further, the application of PBZ led to reduced leaf area in wheat genotypes. Moreover, a proline content was higher in the wheat genotypes under water stress as compared to the irrigated plants. The application of PBZ led to downregulation of the proline content under water deficit, while there was no significant change in the content and activity under irrigation with or without the PBZ treatment. These findings indicated that due to the application of PBZ the wheat genotypes might sense a lower stress level (indicated by the proline content) and better drought tolerance (according to RWC and photosynthetic characteristics)., S. K. Dwivedi, Ajay Arora, S. Kumar., and Obsahuje bibliografii