Effects of changing stomatal width in a red pine forest on soil water content, leaf water potential, bole diameter, and growth

Abstract

Spraying a 16 meter tall stand of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) with 10(-3)m phenylmercuric acetate in early June and again in mid-July resulted in the water use between June 1 and October 25 being reduced by almost 10%. It was demonstrated that this was caused by an increase in the leaf resistance with partial stomatal closure, which reduced absolute water potential in the needles by 1 to 3 bars in the middle of the day. Smaller demands were made upon the reserves of water in the bole of the tree as shown by the smaller bole contraction in the treated trees. Although needle length and dry weight were unaffected by the spray, radial growth was reduced by approximately 32%. The dependence of leaf resistance on light intensity is shown, and its independence from leaf water potential discussed.