Abstract
Cavitation in rose stems (Rosa hybrida L.) was assessed in both intact plants and excised flowers, by measurement of ultrasonic acoustic emissions at the stem surface and determination of the air-conductivity of 2.5-cm segments that were attached at one end to air at low pressure (0.01 MPa). On sunny days the stems of intact rose plants showed acoustic emissions and conductivity to air, starting early in the morning. In Cara Mia and Sonia rose plants the cavitations were repaired during the late afternoon; in Madelon plants this repair only occurred overnight. Water flow was seriously impaired in stems of Cara Mia roses cut around midday, on sunny days. During dehydration of cut roses in air the onset of a high rate of acoustic emissions coincided with a low rate of water uptake when stems were subsequently placed in water. High emission frequency occurred after 2.4 ± 0.7 h, 6.8 ± 4.3 h and 19.8 ± 9.0 h of exposure to air in Cara Mia, Madelon and Sonia roses, respectively. A low rate of water uptake in excised stems placed in water was found after 3-4, 9-12 and 24-36 h of desiccation in air, respectively. The onset of the high emission frequency corresponded with a water potential of -1.7, -2.9 and -3.8 MPa in the three cultivars, respectively. It is concluded that a high number of cavitations may occur in noncut stems of rose plants, leading to low water uptake immediately after excision, depending on the weather and the cultivar, and that the low rate of water uptake after a period of dry storage, among the three rose cultivars investigated, is correlated with the presence of a high number of cavitated xylem elements.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 305-311 |
Journal | Physiologia Plantarum |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Cut rose flowers
- Dehydration
- Intact plants
- Rosa hybrida
- Water potential
- Water uptake
- Xylem cavitation