Mineral content of leaves and the ratio of water loss to carbon gain: environmental and genetic controls and comparison with stable isotopic measures

    Project: Research

    Project Details

    Description

    The mineral content of leaves, m, measured as individual ions or as ash content, correlates positively with transpiration ratio, R (water loss/carbon gain), when the source of variation is genetic. The correlation is also positive with C isotope discrimination in C3 species and negative in C4 species. It does not reflect passive ion uptake as the proportional changes in m are much smaller than those in R when the source of variation in R is environmental ([CO2] or humidity). The project will explore the mechanistic bases for the phenomena. It will take advantage of the deuterium and 18O depletion in leaf water and organic matter that should occur as stomata open, in RILs. The outcome could have practical benefit as a screen of C4 genotypes.
    StatusFinished
    Effective start/end date1/04/1331/12/16

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