Figure 3.

The water potential in inflorescences rapidly equilibrates after roots are stressed. Using a pressure chamber, inflorescence water potential was measured before, during, and after salt stress. In healthy plants grown under hydroponic conditions, the water potential in flowers averaged −0.5 MPa. These plants were moved for 12 h to a hydroponic medium supplemented with 200 mm NaCl. The water potential in inflorescences dropped then equilibrated following the salt-stress treatment. Once salt stress was discontinued, plants rapidly returned to the previous, normal water potential. Points are the means ± sd of five plants.