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MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF TOLERANCE TO ATMOSPHERIC STRESS IN TWO SENSITIVE AND TWO TOLERANT TEA CLONES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2002

G. Olyslaegers ,
I. Nijs ,
J. Roebben ,
F. Kockelbergh ,
F. Vanassche ,
M. Lakers ,
J.-P. Verbelen ,
R. Samson ,
R. Lemeur  and
I. Impens
G. Olyslaegers
Affiliation:
Research Group Plant Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
I. Nijs
Affiliation:
Research Group Plant and Vegetation Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
J. Roebben
Affiliation:
Research Group Plant and Vegetation Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
F. Kockelbergh
Affiliation:
Research Group Plant and Vegetation Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
F. Vanassche
Affiliation:
University of Venda for Science and Technology, Private Bag X 5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa
M. Lakers
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, Republic of South-Africa
J.-P. Verbelen
Affiliation:
Research Group Plant Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
R. Samson
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Science, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
R. Lemeur
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Science, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
I. Impens
Affiliation:
Research Group Plant and Vegetation Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium
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Abstract

Tea (Camellia sinensis) clones (PC113 and SFS204) sensitive to very dry air and clones (PC114 and SFS150) that are tolerant, were studied at two tea estates (Tshivhase and Grenshoek) in the Northern Province of the Republic of South Africa. Among the morphological leaf traits studied, stomatal density, pore diameter and pore depth were not linked consistently to stress tolerance. Cuticle thickness was not a good indicator of stress tolerance because genetic differences between clones were confounded by the clonal response of wax production to stress. In contrast, measured leaf conductance to water vapour transport was larger and leaf water potential was lower in sensitive clones, but only with more severe atmospheric stress (Grenshoek). Also the ratio of the calculated maximum stomatal conductance in old and young leaves was higher in sensitive clones, suggesting that the loss of a larger fraction of the total stem flow by old leaves enhanced the stress experienced by the young leaves. However, this indicator was valid only under the more stressful microclimate of Grenshoek. The results indicate that even promising criteria for stress tolerance should be tested by exposure to stress during selection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 38 , Issue 4 , October 2002 , pp. 397 - 410
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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