Abstract
This study examines water status regulation in plants of the Oleaceae family and in some other co-occurring species that are exposed to high solar radiation, in the same habitat. Fraxinus excelsior L., one of the most studied Oleaceae in this field exhibited, during the growing season, a close relationship between diurnal variations in leaf water potential and changes in malate, mannitol and K+ levels, depending on the weather conditions. On sunny days, similar variations can be observed in leaves of the other Oleaceae, with a concomitant decrease in the osmotic potential between predawn and solar noon. Malate, mannitol and the well-known osmoticum K+, contribute greatly to the osmotic potential decrease. This mechanism, which can be related to the osmotic adjustment described for both drought and salt-affected plants, appears as a general response in plants of the Oleaceae family. Among the other co-occurring species investigated, only Quercus robur L. displayed a similar mechanism under the same environmental conditions, but two other organic compounds, quinic and shikimic acids, are presumably involved. Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and Robinia pseudacacia L. responded to a vapor deficit by partial stomatal closure, as transpiration progressed through the morning.
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Received: 19 December 1996 / Accepted: 17 February 1997
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Peltier, J., Marigo, D. & Marigo, G. Involvement of malate and mannitol in the diurnal regulation of the water status in members of Oleaceae. Trees 12, 27–34 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004680050118
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004680050118