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Physiological adaptation and plasticity to water stress of coastal and desert populations of Heliotropium curassavicum L.

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Summary

In spite of the ten times higher evaporative demand in a desert versus a coastal habitat, plants of populations of Heliotropium curassavicum from both show similar stomatal conductances in the field as well as under controlled conditions. The desert plants however have a plastic stomatal response to dry air growing conditions which results in a greater photosynthetic performance at negative water potentials. The root and stem resistance to water flow is lower in the desert plants resulting in the maintenance of a high transpiration rate without a large reduction in water potential.

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Roy, J., Mooney, H.A. Physiological adaptation and plasticity to water stress of coastal and desert populations of Heliotropium curassavicum L.. Oecologia 52, 370–375 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367961

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