N. A. Miller, W. C. Ashby
Jun 1, 1978
Citations
0
Influential Citations
6
Citations
Journal
Botanical Gazette
Abstract
We investigated the effect of a foliar application of 10-3 M phenylmercuric acetate on factors influencing the water balance of leaves of field corn (Zea mays L.). Stomatal movement, leaf surface temperature, water potential, osmotic potential, turgor pressure, and transpiration rate were measured in corn leaves growing in the field and in the greenhouse. Leaves sprayed with phenylmercuric acetate had 3% of their stomates open, and the water potentials of the treated leaves exceeded those of the control plants by 4 bars. The turgor pressures of the treated leaves exceeded those of the untreated by 2.5 bars during the day, and transpiration was reduced by 54%. Diurnal leaf surface temperature of the treated plants exceeded that of the untreated by 5.5 C. The entire water balance of the leaves was affected by the foliar application of the antitranspirant.