Self‐sustained oscillations in plant water regulation: Induction of bifurcations and anomalous rhythmicity

Abstract

Summary• The complex dynamics of the water regulatory system was explored by studying the induction of period doublings (period-1 to period-2 to period-4) and other complicated oscillatory patterns (period-3 and period-5) in the transpiration of young oat plants.• A gas exchange system was used to record the transpiration of primary leaves of Avena sativa cv. Seger after exposure to various stimuli.• Period-1 oscillations were induced from steady-state transpiration by a light pulse, by increasing the xylem resistance to water flow or by temporarily lowering the root medium temperature. Similarly, period doubling (period-1 to period-2) was induced by lowering the root medium temperature temporarily or by increasing the xylem resistance. The more complicated oscillatory patterns (period-3, period-4, period-5) were induced by including different concentrations of KCl or KNO 3 in the root medium of root excised, xylem-compressed plants.• The range of oscillatory curve forms resembles those displayed by mildly chaotic nonlinear systems. The water regulatory system is discussed in relation to these nonlinear systems. Few studies of such complicated dynamics in plant systems exist.

Ultradian rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves in microgravity

“…The coherence between the yeast cells in a population can be mediated via H 2 S (coupled to the mitochondrial metabolism) and has been demonstrated to show concentration spikes in synchrony with the respiration rhythms (Sohn & Kuriyama, 2001). Furthermore, in multicellular plants 40–50 min periods can be found in oscillatory water transpiration (Prytz et al ., 2003). The presence of these periods indicates a basic and fundamental role in cells and organisms.…”

Explorative Frequency Analysis of Leaf Temperature Behavior of Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) at Water Deficit

“…Water and water vapor ‘flow’ from areas of high water potential to areas of low water potential. The detailed interaction between the variables determining plant water balance are complex and still subject of scientific studies [15,16,17].…”

Stomatal Oscillations in Orange Trees under Natural Climatic Conditions

“…Stomatal oscillations, described as water-based by Barrs (1971), have been reported in at least 30 plant species. However, most of these oscillations occurred when plants were grown in a constant environment that was suddenly changed (Barrs, 1971;Cowan, 1972;Farquhar and Cowan, 1974;Herppich and von Willert, 1995;Kaiser and Kappen, 2001;Prytz et al, 2003;West et al, 2005). Although there is no a priori reason why stomatal oscillations may not occur under field conditions, there is little evidence for their occurrence in plants grown under field conditions (Levy and Kaufmann, 1976;Hirose et al, 1994).…”