Steady state resistance to water flow in corn under well watered conditions

Determinations of plant resistance to water flow from measurements of leaf water potential at steady transpiration rates were made on different lines of corn (Zea mays L.). Two inbreds, Q188, a wilting mutant, and DR1, an inbred line shown to have at least some heat and drought tolerance under field conditions, were compared to a commercial single-cross hybrid, United 106. The purpose of the experiment was to isolate the cause of the wilting characteristic of Q188. A linear relationship was found between leaf water potential and transpiration rate for all lines. No water potential gradients were found at zero transpiration. Low total plant resistances were observed in United 106 and DR1, with the major resistance being in the root system in both genotypes. Although the resistance to water movement through the roots and lower stalk in Q188 did not appear to differ from those of the other lines, a much larger resistance was found in the upper stalk of Q188; resistance to water movement through the lower stalk (up to node 5) decreased as the plants matured from 55 to 70 days of age but no comparable changes occurred in the upper portions of the stem. In vivo detection of the xylem vessels with staining techniques confirmed the observed differences in resistances.