Response of transpiration to root pressure of hydroponic Dracaena sanderiana under different stress factors

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2024.0472

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Root water absorption and leaf transpiration work together to maintain the dynamic balance of water in plants. Long distance water transport in the xylem mainly relies on transpiration pull, whereas root pressure functions only at night or under conditions of low transpiration. Some rattan and herbaceous plants have high root pressure. However, given that transpiration pull simultaneously occurs, it remains unclear whether the root pressure changes affect transpiration rate, as well as the speed and manner in which transpiration responds to root pressure variations.

Methods In this paper, the effects of low temperature (0 °C), high temperature (35 °C), salt stress (200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl), drought (20% PEG 6000), fibrous root removal and in vitro conditions on root pressure and transpiration of Dracaena sanderiana were studied to explore the feedback of transpiration on root pressure.

Important findings (1) The root pressure of D. sanderiana was relatively high. Under non-stress conditions, it could maintain positive throughout the day and could independently drive water to the top of the stem. The maximum transpiration rate of D. sanderiana was only 0.37 mmol·m^-2·s^-1, which might explain why the root pressure can remain positive throughout the day. (2) After low temperature treatment, both root pressure and transpiration decreased, while increased under high temperature treatment, indicating that the root system was affected by temperature. This suggests that temperature directly impacts the root system, altering root pressure production, which in turn rapidly affects transpiration. (3) After salt, drought, fibrous root removal and in vitro treatments, root pressure dropped to a negative value in one day and then gradually recovered to near 0. The transpiration rate showed a slight initial decrease after several hours of short-term treatment, followed by a reduction to 18%-72% of the pre-treatment level the next day, and eventually dropped to zero after 4-12 d of long-term treatment, which indicated that the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of D. sanderiana responded rapidly to the change of root pressure. In conclusion, after the root pressure disappeared, the transpiration pull failed to maintain the previous transpiration rate, suggesting that, unlike most plants, the long-distance water transport in the xylem of D. sanderiana is root pressure-driven. This study provides theoretical support and guidance for water management in D. sanderiana cultivation.

Key words: hydroponic, Dracaena sanderiana, root pressure, transpiration, xylem, water transport

ZHENG Jia-Qi, SONG Jin-Feng, SANG Ying, SUN Hui-Zhen, ZHANG Wei-Zhi, ZHANG Min, QUAN Xian-Kui, JIN Guang-Ze. Response of transpiration to root pressure of hydroponic Dracaena sanderiana under different stress factors[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2026, 50(1): 213-221.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2024.0472

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2026/V50/I1/213

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Apparatus for root pressure measurement.

Fig. 2 Effects of low and high temperature on root pressure, transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) of hydroponic Dracaena sanderiana (mean ± SE). CK represents control, 0 min represents the value before treatment, and 15 min to 4 d represents the value of 15 minutes to 4 d after treatment.

Fig. 3 Effects of salt, drought, fibrous root removal and in vitro on root pressure, transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) of hydroponic Dracaena sanderiana (mean ± SE). 0 min represents the value before treatment, and 15 min to 4 d represents the value of 15 minutes to 12 d after treatment.

Table 1 Correlation coefficient between root pressure and transpiration rate of hydroponic Dracaena sanderiana under short- and long-time stress conditions

胁迫条件 Stress condition	短时间 short time treatment	长时间 long time treatment
0 ℃	0.464	0.173
35 ℃	0.883^**	0.516
NaCl	0.964^**	0.922^**
PEG 6000	0.107	-0.027
去须根 Fibrous root removal	0.357	0.827^*
离体 in vitro	0.180	0.855^**

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