Variations in internal water distribution and leaf anatomical structure in maize under persistently reduced soil water content and growth recovery after re-watering

摘要: Episodes of regional drought are increasing and frequently associated with increased duration intensity. However, relatively little is known about effects long-lasting on leaf microscopic structure physiological metabolism plants. In this study, we investigated internal water re-distribution anatomical maize (Zea mays L.) grown under persistently reduced soil content. Meanwhile, the threshold content at which cannot recover growth vitality after re-watering was determined. Our results showed that during persistent reductions in field capacity from 75 to 25 %, plant declined, while decreased following order lower upper leaves their sheathes stem roots. At 20 % capacity, volume bulliform cells accompanied by an inward shrinkage cell walls. Under below 20 %, number chloroplasts bundle-sheath decreased, mesophyll deformed oval round, concomitant a near zero net photosynthetic rate. It demonstrated plants could be recovered even if 15 %, but not 10 %.