The direct and indirect effects of nitrogen shortage on photosynthesis and transpiration in maize and sunflower.

Abstract

Experiments with maize and sunflower in sol. culture were carried out to investigate the effect of N shortage in the leaf tissue on stomatal behaviour. In maize a linear relation existed between the rate of net CO2 assimilation and the conductance of water vapour, independently of the N status of the tissue. In sunflower a similar relation existed although the evidence was less conclusive. It was concluded that stomatal behaviour cannot explain differences in water-use efficiency between plants growing at different levels of N. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)