The leaf water potential, gas-exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence were evaluated in five common oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) tenera hybrids 913X1988, 1425X2277, 748X1988, 7418X1988, and 690X1988 under water deficit with an aim to identify hybrids which can cope up better under such conditions and understand possible differences among hybrids in relation to the physiological mechanisms triggered by water deficit. Our findings indicate oil palm hybrids 913X1988, 1425X2277, and 7418X1988 maintained higher leaf water potentials than the other hybrids. Hybrids 7418X1988 and 1425X2277 recorded lower stomatal conductance after water deficit, which resulted in higher intrinsic water-use efficiency. The excess light energy produced due to decreased photosynthesis in 7418X1988 and 690X1988 hybrids under water deficit was dissipated as heat by higher nonphotochemical quenching. The maximum efficiency of photosystem II was not affected, even after withholding water for 24 days, suggesting an increased efficiency of photoprotection mechanisms in all these oil palm hybrids., K. Suresh ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The gas-exchange characteristics, leaf water potential and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings subjected to water stress and recovery were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. At 24 days after imposition of stress, leaf water potential in water-stressed seedlings was doubled compared to that of control and there was a drastic decline in gas-exchange parameters viz. photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance. Water stress did not irreversibly affect gas-exchange parameters and quantum efficiency of photosystem II, as seedlings exhibited total recovery of photosynthetic apparatus by 12th day of rehydration. These findings indicate that oil palm exhibits physiological plasticity to water stress during the seedling stage. and K. Suresh ... [et al.].
Net photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (gs) in an adult oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) canopy were highest in the 9th leaf and progressively declined with leaf age. Larger leaf area (LA) and leaf dry mass (LDM) were recorded in middle leaves. PN showed a significant positive correlation with gs and a negative relationship with leaf mass per area (ALM). The oil palm leaf remains photosynthetically active for a longer time in the canopy which contributes significantly to larger dry matter production in general and greater fresh fruit bunch yields in particular. and K. Suresh, C. Nagamani.