Evaporation rate, leaf water potential and stomatal conductance in Lolium, Trifolium and Lysimachia in drying soil.

Published online
01 Jan 1976
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2401809

Author(s)
Lawlor, D. W. & Lake, J. V.

Publication language
English
Location
UK

Abstract

Swards of perennial ryegrass and white clover were grown in controlled-environment cabinets in soil that was allowed to dry. The evaporation rate during drying was varied by changing the humidity or the illumination; the fastest rates of evaporation were similar to those reported for field crops. Leaf water potential depended on soil water potential and was independent of the evaporation rate. Stomatal conductance depended on both the leaf water potential and the leaf-air vapour pressure difference, i.e. on both the soil water potential and the potential evaporation rate.

Key words