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Methods of studying plant—Water relations
294
management practices based on our improved understanding of the competition between the meristem tissues of foliage and of fruit, and we must plan our orchards and govern our pruning in the knowledge that the volume of the canopy which can produce fruit of the necessarily high quality is substantially less than that at which total dry matter production and vegetative growth is likely to be maximized. Economy in the use of spray chemicals may be achieved by timing sprays according to infection pressure, which is predictable from weather data." This Research Review, which fills a gap in the literature, is highly recommended to all who are concerned with fruit growing, whether in research or in extension work. One word of criticism may be added. Chapter 1 seems to suggest that climate makes the pome-fruit industry in England marginal as compared to regions situated further to the south. This may be true for the potential level of production, but not necessarily for the eating quality. It should not be forgotten that the ultimate results of fruit growing are determined by both. S.J. WERTHEIM
( Wilhelminadorp, The Netherlands) PLANT--WATER RELATIONS
Methods of Studying Plant--Water Relations° B. Slav~ with contributions .V
from B. Slavfk, J. ~atsk~, J. Hrbacek, P.G. Jarvis, M.S. Jarvis, V. Kozinka, H.R. Oppenheimer, J. Slav~ov~, J. Sol~rov~ and J. l~llehla. Vol. 9 in Ecological Studies (Analysis and Synthesis), Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1974. 449 + xviii pp., 181 figures, price (cloth) DM 76; U.S.A.,$ 31.10.
This handbook of methods for studying water relations within the soil-plant--atmosphere context is a well documented and authoritative account which will meet the probable needs of both specialist physiologists and more general biologists who have only a peripheral interest in plant--water relations. This book is cloth bound and comprises five major subject areas plus an extensive appendix listing pertinent physical constants and many general properties of water vapour and liquid. The subject matter is well structured, effectively indexed and adequately illustrated with a detailed bibliography and author index -- citations from the world literature exceed 1100! As explained by the authors in their own preface, there is a continuing need for methodological manuals in all fields of science, and the present treatise goes a long way towards providing a totally comprehensive review of methods and equipment related to soil-plant--atmosphere relationships.
295
The text is far more than a list of methods, and the authors have undertaken a critical evaluation of all facets of each m e t h o d outlined. The respective merits and shortcomings o f different techniques are then summarised as Tables which greatly facilitate comprehension and should prove particularly useful to non-specialist readers. Considering the major subject areas in turn, the first section deals with "water in cells and tissues". It defines tissue water potential in thermodynamic concepts and outlines the significance of matric, turgor and osmotic components that are embodied in this term. Measurement techniques are then discussed in great detail and often include words of advice based upon the authors' own experience -- their comments on psychrometric methods are especially valuable. The second section covers "water c o n t e n t " and ranges from direct gravimetric measurement to methods which rely upon attenuation of ionising radiation at both micro (single leaf) and macro (whole c o m m u n i t y ) levels. Relative water c o n t e n t has become widely adopted as a m e t h o d for indicating plant moisture status, but can be subject to substantial errors unless certain precautions are observed during sample preparation, hydration and weighing. In view of its wide applicability, this particular technique also receives the detailed treatment it deserves -- complete with practical hints for the uninitiated. Sections 3, 4 and 5 are devoted to water acquisition from the soft, and subsequent m o v e m e n t within the soil--plant--atmosphere continuum. These sections offer a comprehensive treatment of subjects ranging from soil water availability and determination of water absorption by roots, to the hydraulic conductivity of b o t h vascular systems and bulk tissues. Water exchange between plant and atmosphere (section 5) emphasises the physical processes underlying transpirational flux together with a lucid discussion of ecological and physical constraints that influence transpiration. A well developed account of stomatal physiology, and the use of p o r o m e t r y (both diffusion, mass flow, and pressure-drop types) for measuring stomatal resistance, provides the text with a well r o u n d e d conclusion. In summary, "Methods of Studying Plant--Water Relations" represents a substantial b u t sound investment for the libraries of biological/agricultural research establishments as well as for the advanced reader.
P.E. KRIEDEMANN
(Merbein, Australia)
management practices based on our improved understanding of the competition between the meristem tissues of foliage and of fruit, and we must plan our orchards and govern our pruning in the knowledge that the volume of the canopy which can produce fruit of the necessarily high quality is substantially less than that at which total dry matter production and vegetative growth is likely to be maximized. Economy in the use of spray chemicals may be achieved by timing sprays according to infection pressure, which is predictable from weather data." This Research Review, which fills a gap in the literature, is highly recommended to all who are concerned with fruit growing, whether in research or in extension work. One word of criticism may be added. Chapter 1 seems to suggest that climate makes the pome-fruit industry in England marginal as compared to regions situated further to the south. This may be true for the potential level of production, but not necessarily for the eating quality. It should not be forgotten that the ultimate results of fruit growing are determined by both. S.J. WERTHEIM
( Wilhelminadorp, The Netherlands) PLANT--WATER RELATIONS
Methods of Studying Plant--Water Relations° B. Slav~ with contributions .V
from B. Slavfk, J. ~atsk~, J. Hrbacek, P.G. Jarvis, M.S. Jarvis, V. Kozinka, H.R. Oppenheimer, J. Slav~ov~, J. Sol~rov~ and J. l~llehla. Vol. 9 in Ecological Studies (Analysis and Synthesis), Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1974. 449 + xviii pp., 181 figures, price (cloth) DM 76; U.S.A.,$ 31.10.
This handbook of methods for studying water relations within the soil-plant--atmosphere context is a well documented and authoritative account which will meet the probable needs of both specialist physiologists and more general biologists who have only a peripheral interest in plant--water relations. This book is cloth bound and comprises five major subject areas plus an extensive appendix listing pertinent physical constants and many general properties of water vapour and liquid. The subject matter is well structured, effectively indexed and adequately illustrated with a detailed bibliography and author index -- citations from the world literature exceed 1100! As explained by the authors in their own preface, there is a continuing need for methodological manuals in all fields of science, and the present treatise goes a long way towards providing a totally comprehensive review of methods and equipment related to soil-plant--atmosphere relationships.
295
The text is far more than a list of methods, and the authors have undertaken a critical evaluation of all facets of each m e t h o d outlined. The respective merits and shortcomings o f different techniques are then summarised as Tables which greatly facilitate comprehension and should prove particularly useful to non-specialist readers. Considering the major subject areas in turn, the first section deals with "water in cells and tissues". It defines tissue water potential in thermodynamic concepts and outlines the significance of matric, turgor and osmotic components that are embodied in this term. Measurement techniques are then discussed in great detail and often include words of advice based upon the authors' own experience -- their comments on psychrometric methods are especially valuable. The second section covers "water c o n t e n t " and ranges from direct gravimetric measurement to methods which rely upon attenuation of ionising radiation at both micro (single leaf) and macro (whole c o m m u n i t y ) levels. Relative water c o n t e n t has become widely adopted as a m e t h o d for indicating plant moisture status, but can be subject to substantial errors unless certain precautions are observed during sample preparation, hydration and weighing. In view of its wide applicability, this particular technique also receives the detailed treatment it deserves -- complete with practical hints for the uninitiated. Sections 3, 4 and 5 are devoted to water acquisition from the soft, and subsequent m o v e m e n t within the soil--plant--atmosphere continuum. These sections offer a comprehensive treatment of subjects ranging from soil water availability and determination of water absorption by roots, to the hydraulic conductivity of b o t h vascular systems and bulk tissues. Water exchange between plant and atmosphere (section 5) emphasises the physical processes underlying transpirational flux together with a lucid discussion of ecological and physical constraints that influence transpiration. A well developed account of stomatal physiology, and the use of p o r o m e t r y (both diffusion, mass flow, and pressure-drop types) for measuring stomatal resistance, provides the text with a well r o u n d e d conclusion. In summary, "Methods of Studying Plant--Water Relations" represents a substantial b u t sound investment for the libraries of biological/agricultural research establishments as well as for the advanced reader.
P.E. KRIEDEMANN
(Merbein, Australia)