biostudies-literatureUnknown9(11)Genard-Zielinski ACIncreases in the production of terpene- and phenolic-like compounds in plant species under abiotic stress conditions have been interpreted in physiological studies as a supplementary defense system due to their capacity to limit cell oxidation. From an ecological perspective however, these increases are only expected to confer competitive advantages if they do not imply a significant cost for the plant, that is, growth reduction. We investigated shifts of isoprene emissions, and to a lesser extent phenolic compound concentration, of Quercus pubescens Willd. from early leaf development to leaf senescence under optimal watering (control: C), mild and severe water stress (MS, SS). The impact of water stress was concomitantly assessed on plant physiological (chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal PloS onee112418https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4226567biostudies-literatureIsoprene emissions from downy oak under water limitation during an entire growing season: what cost for growth?PMC4226567Genard-Zielinski ACBoissard COrmeno EFernandez CfalseIsoprene emissions from downy oak under water limitation during an entire growing season: what cost for growth?Increases in the production of terpene- and phenolic-like compounds in plant species under abiotic stress conditions have been interpreted in physiological studies as a supplementary defense system due to their capacity to limit cell oxidation. From an ecological perspective however, these increases are only expected to confer competitive advantages if they do not imply a significant cost for the plant, that is, growth reduction. We investigated shifts of isoprene emissions, and to a lesser extent phenolic compound concentration, of Quercus pubescens Willd. from early leaf development to leaf senescence under optimal watering (control: C), mild and severe water stress (MS, SS). The impact of water stress was concomitantly assessed on plant physiological (chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z20142025-05-31T22:59:00.902Z2025-05-31T22:59:00.902ZS-EPMC42265672538355410.1371/journal.pone.0112418