Contribution of leaf water uptake to transpiration and water status in arid ecosystems

CAVALLARO, AGUSTIN; BUCCI, SANDRA J; CARBONELL SILLETA, LUISINA; PEREYRA DANIEL; ARIAS, NADIA S; SCHOLZ, FABIÁN G

ACTA HORTICULTURAE

Acta horticulturae

Año: 2021

0567-7572

Foliar water uptake (FWU) could be relevant for plants, allowing them to use alternative water sources than the primary one that is soil water uptake and thus prevent dehydration especially during the dry season in arid/semiarid ecosystems characterized by small and erratic water pulses. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of FWU on leaf water status and its contribution to daily transpiration in an arid ecosystem in southern Argentina. Eight dominant species, including shrubs and grasses, with different rooting depth (