1. The effect of water economy on the plant growth was investigated in young tobacco plants with water level lowering of culture solutions. The 2cm.-, 4cm.-, 6cm.- and 8cm.-sets were prepared.
2. The plant growth in dry weight was decreased in proportion to the water level lowering, i. e., the relative values of 100: 87.5: 78.9: 68.6 were observed at the 2cm.-, 4cm.-, 6cm.- and 8cm.-sets, respectively. Also the lowest net assimilation rate (NAR) was obtained at the 8cm.-set.
3. The ratio of the dry weight of non-photosynthetic organs to the leaf area indicated no difference among the sets.
4. With. lowering the water level, heavy water deficit was induced in leaves, but no deficit was observed in stems and roots. A clear relationship was discovered between the leaf water deficit and the ratio of submerged roots to leaf area (active root/leaf area ratio), which was used here as an indicator of the grade of water level lowering.
5. The net assimilation decreased almost linearly with progress of the leaf water deficit, while no change was observed in respiratory activity of leaves as to water deficit and no special depression of nitrogen content in leaves was detected during the experimental period.
6. The growth in dry weight at the 2cm.- and 8cm.-sets was calculated theoretically with the net assimilation, which was affected by the leaf water deficit caused by water level lowering. The agreement between the calculated and the observed proves that the primary cause of the growth depression with water level lowering is the suppressed photosynthesis of leaves.
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