Date of Award:

5-1970

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Plants, Soils, and Climate

Department name when degree awarded

Plant Physiology

Committee Chair(s)

Herman H. Wiebe

Committee

Herman H. Wiebe

Committee

Martin M. Caldwell

Committee

Eugene H. Cronin

Abstract

Matric potentials of leaves or photosynthetic stem tissues from sixty species, including hydrophytes, xerophytes, and halophytes, were measured by the pressure membrane apparatus. The matric potentials of different families and other plant groupings were compared; the correlation between matric potentials and other properties, such as estimated drought and salt tolerance, tissue moisture content, and mineral ion composition were also determined.

High matrix potential values and tissue moisture content were measured in species of Chenopodiaceae, considered more salt and drought tolerant than species in other families.

Low matric potential values were found in the coniferous tree leaves, which also have low tissue moisture content. The coniferous trees were considered low in salt and drought tolerance, with the exception of Juniperus.

A positive correlation between salt and drought tolerance, was found.

The tissue moisture content was negatively correlated with the drought tolerance in all groups.

No correlation could be found between matric potential values and either salt or drought tolerance, both for all species groups together, or within groups.

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Botany Commons

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