Resolving the contrasting leaf hydraulic adaptation of C₃ and C₄ grasses.

ABSTRACT: Grasses are exceptionally productive, yet their hydraulic adaptation is paradoxical. Among C₃ grasses, a high photosynthetic rate (A_area) may depend on higher vein density (D_v) and hydraulic conductance (K_leaf). However, the higher D_v of C₄ grasses suggests a hydraulic surplus, given their reduced need for high K_leaf resulting from lower stomatal conductance (g_s). Combining hydraulic and photosynthetic physiological data for diverse common garden C₃ and C₄ species with data for 332 species from the published literature, and mechanistic modeling, we validated a framework for linkages of photosynthesis with hydraulic transport, anatomy, and adaptation to aridity. C₃ and C<

SUBMITTER: Baird AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11798900 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature