Capturing the Plant-Water Dynamics of Corn

A study on the stomatal conductance and the leaf water potential of corn during the growing season

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

K.S. Bremer Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

S.C. Steele-Dunne Water Resources - CEG (supervisor 1)
N.C. van de Giesen Water Resources - CEG (supervisor 1)
W.N.J. Ursem BT/Botanical Garden Delft - AS (supervisor 1)
H. Hajibeygi Reservoir Engineering - CEG (supervisor 1)
P.C. Vermunt Water Resources - CEG (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Copyright: © 2019 Karin Bremer
Vegetation Plant Water Dynamics
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Published Date

21-02-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the variation in stomatal conductance and leaf water potential of corn plant in height over time on a diurnal time-scale and on a seasonal time-scale, under well-watered and water stressed conditions.
An additional objective was the development of a protocol for plant-water relation measurements in radar experiments.
Field experiments were done to measure the leaf water potential by conducting pre-dawn measurements three times a week, evening measurements once a week and a mid-day measurement in the beginning and at the end of the growing season. The stomatal conductance was measured multiple times per day for three days a week, given that there was no precipitation. As the research is part of a larger project, additional hydrological data, soilmoisture data and sap flow data were collected.
For the stomatal conductance a clear variation over height was observed. This variation was caused by limited solar radiation for the lower leaves. The leaves that received full solar radiation had clear diurnal cycle in stomatal conductance and a high variation in stomatal conductance. In water-stressed conditions, it is expected to see a change in stomatal behaviour in these leaves.
For the leaf water potential, no values were reached that have been connected to water stress in the literature. Also, no water stress coping mechanisms were observed in the corn. From this it can be concluded that no water stress took place during this experiment for the days on which data was collected. In the leaf water potential data a clear influence of the soil water potential was observed. For the leaf water potential, no values were reached that have been connected to water stress in the literature. Also, no water stress coping mechanisms were observed in the corn. From this it can be concluded that no water stress took place during this experiment for the days on which data was collected. In the leaf water potential data a clear influence of the soil water potential was observed.