This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Web of Science (15) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Michel, B. E. Articles by Elsharkawi, H. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Michel, B. E. Articles by Elsharkawi, H. M. Agricola Articles by Michel, B. E. Articles by Elsharkawi, H. M.

Articles

Investigation of Plant Water Relations with Divided Root Systems of Soybean ¹

^a Department of Botany, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30601

Soybean (Glycine max) was grown with root systems divided between adjacent cartons containing nutrient solution or soil. By adding polyethylene glycol (Carbowax 6000) to reduce solute potential or withholding water to reduce soil matric potential until water absorption from that side stopped, the root xylem water potential could be ascertained. Carbowax appeared to increase root resistance. An imbalance technique is described with which soil moisture contents of adjacent containers were followed individually. The patterns of water absorption obtained following repeated additions of water or addition of CaCl₂ solutions to one side indicated soil hydraulic conductivity became limiting at a soil water potential of –2 bars. A high concentration of CaCl₂ added to one side greatly reduced transpiration and produced severe plant injury. With part of the root system developing in nutrient solution, growth of roots into and water absorption from soil were slow; however, reduction of solute potential in the solution side greatly increased water absorption from the soil side.

¹ This research was supported in part by National Science Foundation Science Development Grant GU 2590.