Supplementary Irrigation of Young Clonal Tea in Kenya. II. Internal Water Status

Abstract

SUMMARY: Measurements of the stomatal apertures of young clonal tea plants (Camellia sinensis) showed that stomata of plants irrigated during the dry seasons only were wider open than those not irrigated during both wet and dry seasons. Similarly, xylem water potential values (ψx) were always higher (less negative) in irrigated than non-irrigated plants, during both wet and dry seasons. The results suggest that more drought-susceptible clones have a greater demand for water than those less susceptible to drought.