Stomatal Movement in Response to Root Zone Temperature in Purple Heart (<i>Tradescantia pallida</i>)

Abstract

The effects of root temperatures (25, 35 and 45°C) and temperature duration (30, 60 and 90 min) on net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate in <em>Tradescantia</em> <em>pallida</em> were investigated. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions with factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design (CRD) and four replications. Result showed that, net photosynthesis rate was not significantly different between plants treated with 25 and 35°C. However, aperture area and width increased at 35°C and declined sharply at 45 °C as compared with that at 25 °C. Net photosynthesis rate and stomata1 conductance of plants treated with 45°C decreased to 76 and 68%, respectively, as compared with those at 35°C. Stomatal aperture area of plants treated with 35°C was 27% and 320% higher than those treated with 25 and 45°C, respectively. Stomatal resistance of plants treated with high temperature (45°C) were higher (174%) than those treated with 35°C. In 35 °C, aperture area of plants after 30 min was 61% and 45% higher than those after 60 and 90 min exposure, respectively. The results revealed that, a heat shock of roots at 45°C could lead to a significant decrease in stomatal conductance (by 81%) and transpiration rate (by 60%) as compared with those at 35°C. Overall, the results suggest that the root temperature affects leaf gas exchange and stomatal behavior and has to be taken into account in plant production system, in particular, hydroponics.