Water transfer in an alfalfa/maize association. [Medicago sativa; Zea mays]

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Plant Physiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6066103

Corak, S J; Blevins, D G; Pallardy, S G

The authors investigated the possibility of interspecific water transfer in an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) association. An alfalfa plant was grown through two vertically stacked plastic tubes. A 5 centimeter air gap between tubes was bridged by alfalfa roots. Five-week old maize plants with roots confined to the top tube were not watered, while associated alfalfa roots had free access to water in the bottom tube (the -/+ treatment). Additional treatments included: top and bottom tubes watered (+/+), top and bottom tubes droughted (-/-), and top tube droughted after removal of alfalfa root bridges and routine removal of alfalfa tillers (-*). Predawn leaf water potential of maize in the -/+ treatment fell to -1.5 megapascals 13 days after the start of drought; thereafter, predawn and midday potentials were maintained near -1.9 megapascals. Leaf water potentials of maize in the -/- and -* treatments declined steadily; all plants in these treatments were completely desiccated before day 50. High levels of tritium activity were detected in water extracted from both alfalfa and maize leaves after /sup 3/H/sub 2/O was injected into the bottom -/+ tube at day 70 or later. Maize in the -/+ treatment was able to survive an otherwise lethal period of drought by utilizing water lost by alfalfa roots.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Missouri, Columbia
• OSTI ID: 6066103
• Journal Information: Plant Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Plant Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 84:3; ISSN PLPHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551001* -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
553002 -- Agriculture & Food Technology-- Horticulture-- (1987-)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ALFALFA
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
CEREALS
DROUGHTS
ENERGY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUID FLOW
GRASS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRRIGATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LEAVES
LEGUMINOSAE
MAIZE
MASS TRANSFER
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POTENTIAL ENERGY
RHIZOBIUM
ROOTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
WATER