Ammonium decreases muskmelon root system hydraulic conductivity

Abstract

The flow of water through plant roots is controlled by two driving forces, the transpiration rate (?P) and osmotic potential difference between the soil solution and inside the root (?π), and the root system hydraulic conductivity [L_root (L•m^‐2)]. Plant water status is affected by the source of nitrogen (N) supplied to the plant. This study was undertaken to isolate the effect of ammonium (NH₄)‐N on L_root from other factors affecting water transport through plants. The effect of NH₄‐N on muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) L_root was determined by estimating conductance at high water flux rates where osmotic effects are negligible. Ammonium decreased L_root by about 50%. At a given transpiration rate, the NH₄‐N‐induced decrease in L_root decreased leaf water potential [ψ_leaf (MPa)] which, in turn, may alter the behavior of the leaves as observed in other studies.