Leaf Water Potentials of Perennial Grasses—Leaf Press and Pressure Chamber Evaluation

Abstract

The leaf water potentials of blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Griffiths] and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) transplants were measured using a pressure chamber and a leaf press. Combined water potentials for both species ranged from -5.34 to -26.05 bars for the pressure chamber and -5.52 to -16.24 bars for the leaf press. Trends between the to methods were more consistent for blue grama. Generally, large increases in leaf water potential measured with the pressure chamber were measured as small changes with the leaf press.