Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The Australian cotton industry has developed high yielding and high quality fibre production systems and attributes a significant contribution of this achievement to highly innovative breeding programs, specifically focused on the production of premium quality lint for the export market. Breeding programs have recently shifted attention to the development of new germplasm with superior stress tolerance to minimise yield losses attributed to adverse environmental conditions and inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides. Various contributors to yield, such as physiology, biochemistry and gene expression have been implemented as screening tools for tolerance to high temperatures under growth cabinet and laboratory conditions but there has been little extension of these mechanisms to field based systems. This study evaluates tools for the identification of specific genotypic thermotolerance under field conditions using a multi-level ‘top down’ approach from crop to gene level. Field experiments were conducted in seasons 1 (2006) and 3 (2007) at Narrabri (Australia) and season 2 (2006) in Texas (The United States of America) and were supplemented by growth cabinet experiments to quantify cultivar differences in yield, physiology, biochemical function and gene expression under high temperatures. Whole plants were subjected to high temperatures in the field through the construction of Solarweave® tents and in the growth cabinet at a temperature of 42 oC. The effectiveness of these methods was then evaluated to establish a rapid and reliable screening tool for genotype specific thermotolerance that could potentially improve the efficiency of breeding programs and aid the development to high yielding cultivars for hot growing regions. Cotton cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 were evaluated for thermotolerance using crop level measurements (yield and fibre quality) and whole plant measurements (fruit retention) to determine the efficacy of these measurements as screening tools for thermotolerance under field conditions. Sicot 53 was selected as a relatively thermotolerant cultivar whereas Sicala 45 was selected as a cultivar with a lower relative thermotolerance and this assumption was made on the basis of yield in hot and cool environments under the CSIRO Australian cotton breeding program. Yield and fruit retention were lower under tents compared with ambient conditions in all 3 seasons. Yield and fruit retention were highly correlated in season 1 and were higher for Sicot 53 compared to Sicala 45 suggesting that fruit retention is a primary limitation to yield in a hot season. Thus yield and fruit retention are good indicators of thermotolerance in a hot season. Temperature treatment and cultivar differences were determined for fibre quality in seasons 1 and 3; however, quality exceeded the industry minimum thereby indicating that fibre quality is not a good determinant of thermotolerance. Physiological determinants of plant functionality such as photosynthesis, electron transport rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were determined for cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 under the tents and an index of these parameters was also analysed to determine overall plant physiological capacity in the field. Physiological capacity was also determined under high temperatures in the growth cabinet using a light response curve at various levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Photosynthesis and electron transport rate decreased, whilst stomatal conductance and transpiration rate increased under the tents as well as under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. Photosynthesis and electron transport rate were higher for Sicot 53 but stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were higher for Sicala 45 under the tents. No cultivar differentiation was evident for plants grown under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. Temperature treatment and cultivar differences in physiological function were greater in a hot year (season 1), thereby indicating the importance of cultivar selection for thermotolerance in the presence of stress. Electron transport rate was correlated with yield in season 1, thus suggesting the suitability of this method for broad genotypic screening for thermotolerance under field conditions. Biochemical processes such as membrane integrity and enzyme viability were used to determine cultivar specific thermotolerance under high temperature stress in the laboratory, field and growth cabinet. Electrolyte leakage is an indicator of decreased membrane integrity and may be estimated by the relative electrical conductivity or relative cellular injury assays. The heat sensitivity of dehydrogenase activity, a proxy for cytochrome functionality and capacity for mitochondrial electron transport, may be quantified spectrophotometrically. Cellular membrane integrity and enzyme viability decreased sigmoidally with exposure to increasing temperatures in a water bath. Membrane integrity was higher for Sicot 53 compared with Sicala 45 under the tents and under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. No temperature treatment or cultivar differences were found for enzyme viability under the tents; however, enzyme viability for Sicala 45 was higher in the growth cabinet compared with Sicot 53. Relative electrical conductivity was strongly correlated with yield under ambient field conditions and under the tents, suggesting impairment of electron flow through photosynthetic and/or respiratory pathways, thus contributing to lower potential for ATP production and energy generation for yield contribution. Thus, the membrane integrity assay was considered to be a rapid and reliable tool for thermotolerance screening in cotton cultivars. Gene expression was examined for cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 grown under high (42 oC) temperatures in the growth cabinet. Rubisco activase expression was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and was decreased under high temperatures and was lower for Sicala 45 than Sicot 53. Maximum cultivar differentiation was found after 1.0 h exposure to high temperatures and hence, leaf tissue sampled from this time point was further analysed for global gene profiling using cDNA microarrays. Genes involved in metabolism, heat shock protein generation, electron flow and ATP generation were down-regulated under high temperatures in the growth cabinet and a greater number of genes were differentially expressed for Sicala 45, thereby indicating a higher level of heat stress and a greater requirement for mobilisation of protective and compensatory mechanisms compared with Sicot 53. Cultivar specific thermotolerance determination using gene profiling may be a useful tool for understanding the underlying basis of physiological and biochemical responses to high temperature stress in the growth cabinet. There is future opportunity for profiling genes associated with heat stress and heat tolerance for identification of key genes associated with superior cultivar performance under high temperature stress and characterisation of these genes under field conditions. This research has identified cultivar differences in yield under field conditions and has identified multiple physiological and biochemical pathways that may contribute to these differences. Future characterisation of genes associated with heat stress and heat tolerance under growth cabinet conditions may be extended to field conditions, thus providing the underlying basis of the response of cotton to high temperature stress. Electron transport rate and relative electrical conductivity were found to be rapid and reliable determinants of cultivar specific thermotolerance and hence may be extended to broad-spectrum screening of a range of cotton cultivars and species and under a range of abiotic stress. This will enable the identification of superior cotton cultivars for incorporation into local breeding programs for Australian and American cotton production systems.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RomuloMOF_TESE.pdf: 1235930 bytes, checksum: d0668b69077e4b615b5b9b7e4cd858f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-07 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The cowpea crop has great importance for the Brazilian Northeast, especially for the poorest population. One of the major problems encountered for this crop is drought stress caused by erratic rainfall, coupled with the high temperatures common in this region. The no-tillage system has features, such as reduction of soil water evaporation, higher water retention and lower soil temperature fluctuations, and can be a way to minimize the water stress in a cowpea crop. Two experiments were carried out at the experimental garden in the Departamento de Ciências Vegetais of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), in Mossoró city, RN, with the aim of evaluating the use and use efficiency of water, and the ecophysiological traits of cowpea plants under water shortage in tillage and no-till cropping systems. The first experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with subsampling and four replications. The treatments were the two cropping systems (tillage and no-till), and the subsamples were the six periods of irrigation suspension (2; 6; 10; 14; 18 e 22 days), applied at the beginning of the flowering stage. The plants parts dry mass and the leaf area 64 days after sowing (DAS), and the grain production, water use and water use efficiency at that 70 DAS were evaluated. For the second experiment, it was used a randomized complete blocks design with subsampling and sub-subsampling, with four replications. The treatments were the cropping systems (tillage and no-till), and the subsamples were three water availability conditions (no shortage, moderate shortage and severe shortage), and the sub-subsampling were the evaluation periods. Plants dry mass, leaf areas, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, lowest leaf CO2 internal concentration and leaf water potential were evaluated. In the first experiment, it was observed that the no-till system is promising for the cowpea crop, with better grain production and better water use efficiency. In this system, the cowpea cultivation was possible even under a moderate water shortage. Prolonged water shortage periods did affect the dry mass accumulation, grain yield and water use efficiency. In the second experiment, the water shortage affected all the studied variables, with the exception of the leaves water potential. The cowpea fully recovered all physiological traits after moderate and severe water shortage. Stomatal closure was the main mechanism of resistance to water shortage, and the cowpea may be considered as a water-saving species. The cropping system did not affect the photosynthesis rates. The plants had more dry weight and leaf areas at the no-till system / A cultura do feijão-caupi possui grande importância para a região Nordeste, principalmente para a população mais carente. Um dos grandes problemas encontrados para essa cultura é o estresse hídrico, provocado pela irregularidade das chuvas, aliado a altas temperaturas, comuns a esta região. O sistema de plantio direto possui características como redução da evaporação da água do solo, maior retenção do solo e menores oscilações da temperatura, e pode ser uma forma de minimizar o efeito do estresse hídrico para a cultura do feijão-caupi. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos na horta didática do Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), no município de Mossoró-RN, com o objetivo de avaliar o consumo, e eficiência de uso da água, bem como as respostas ecofisiológicas de feijão-caupi sob estresse hídrico nos sistemas de plantio direto e convencional. O primeiro experimento foi realizado no delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados completos, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, foram avaliados dois sistemas de plantio (convencional e direto) e nas subparcelas, seis períodos de suspensão da irrigação (2; 6; 10; 14; 18 e 22 dias) aplicados no início do período reprodutivo. Foram avaliadas a biomassa das partes das plantas e a área foliar, aos 64 dias após a semeadura (DAS) e o rendimento de grãos, consumo de água e eficiência de uso da água, aos 70 DAS. No segundo experimento, utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados completos, no esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, foram avaliados dois sistemas de plantio (direto e convencional), nas subparcelas, três condições hídricas (sem estresse, estresse moderado e estresse severo) e nas subsubparcelas, períodos de avaliação. Foram determinados: área foliar, matéria seca total, fotossíntese, condutância estomática, transpiração, concentração interna de CO2 e potencial hídrico foliar. No primeiro experimento, constatou-se que o sistema de plantio direto foi promissor para cultura do feijão-caupi, apresentando maior rendimento de grãos e maior eficiência de uso da água. Nesse sistema de plantio, foi possível o cultivo de feijão-caupi, sem perdas, mesmo com períodos de veranico moderados. Veranicos prolongados afetaram negativamente o acúmulo de biomassa, rendimento de grãos e eficiência de uso da água. No segundo experimento, o estresse hídrico afetou todas as variáveis avaliadas, com exceção do potencial hídrico foliar. O feijão-caupi apresentou recuperação de todas as características fisiológicas após estresse hídrico moderado e severo. O fechamento estomático foi o principal mecanismo de resistência à seca, sendo o feijão-caupi uma espécie conservadora. Os sistemas de plantio não afetaram as taxas de fotossíntese. O sistema de plantio direto promoveu maior acúmulo de biomassa e de área foliar

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-31T10:53:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Alice Vasconcelos da Silva (1).pdf: 762537 bytes, checksum: c100c2c556639aa3d440082da1ef7bb5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-31T10:53:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Alice Vasconcelos da Silva (1).pdf: 762537 bytes, checksum: c100c2c556639aa3d440082da1ef7bb5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-08-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work aimed to study the effect of water deficit on gas exchange, leaf water potential, dry matter production, and some biochemical aspects of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. young plants. A research project was developed, under greenhouse conditions, at the Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal, Departamento of Biologia of Universidade Rural de Pernambuco between November, 2005 to February, 2006. Seedlings with 3 month-old and sexually propagated were cultivated in containers containing 5.5 kg of soil. The entirely randomized experimental design was used, with four water treatments (100%, 75%, 50% and 25% to field capacity-FC), with four replicates. Plants under 25% FC were re-watered to 100% FC once after stomatal closure. After 15 days of acclimation period have started the water treatments. The experimental period lasted for 74 days. Transpiration (E), diffusive resistance (Rs), leaf temperature (Tfol), air temperature (Tar), relative humidity of the air (UR), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were evaluated at midday each seven days. At the end of the experimental period, leaf water potential (Yf) was measured at midday. Leaves (LDM), stems (SDM), roots (RDM), and total dry masses (TDM), root to shoot ratio (R/Sh), and leaves (LBA), stems (SBA) and roots biomass allocation (RBA) were determined. In addition, carbohydrates, free proline, soluble protein and free amino acids contents were analyzed. In plants under 25% field capacity, stomatal closure was observed after 11 days of water treatments. At the time plants were re-watered to 100% FC. After 24 h plants re-watered recovered the stomatal aperture, which remained open until the end of the experimental period. Water deficit decreased the leaf water potential (Yf) in plants grown at 25% FC (-2.2 MPa) when compared with the 100% FC treatment (-1.1 MPa). Plants grown under 75% FC producted higher LDM, SDM and RDM than the other treatments. Differences among treatments to biomass allocation were not observed, but there was a tendency to plants grown under 25% of FC to increase more biomass allocation than the other treatments. The water stress reduced carbohydrates contents and increased soluble protein and amino acids. However, differences to proline content were not verified among water treatments. These results suggest that this species is tolerate to low humidity levels in the soil and that the level of 75% of FC is the best to cultivate it in the initial fase of development. / Com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos do déficit hídrico sobre as trocas gasosas, o potencial hídrico foliar, a produção de matéria seca e alguns aspectos bioquímicos de plantas jovens de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, foi desenvolvido um trabalho em casa de vegetação do Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal do Departamento de Biologia da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, no período de novembro de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006. Utilizaram-se mudas com três meses de idade, propagadas sexuadamente, as quais foram transferidas para vasos de polietileno contendo 5,5 kg de solo. Adotou-se um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, representado por quatro tratamentos hídricos (100% da Capacidade de pote; 75% CP; 50% CP; 25% CP) com quatro repetições. Após 15 dias sob aclimatação, procedeu-se o início dos tratamentos hídricos. Durante o período experimental foram efetuadas medições das trocas gasosas do vapor d’água às 12 horas em intervalos de 7 dias. Avaliou-se a transpiração (E), a resistência difusiva (Rs), a temperatura foliar (Tf), a temperatura do ar (Tar), a umidade relativa do ar (UR), a radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (RFA) e o déficit de pressão de vapor (DPV). No final do período experimental foi mensurado o potencial de água da folha (Yf) às 12 horas e determinado o peso da matéria seca das folhas (MSF), dos caules (MSC), das raízes (MSR), a matéria seca total (MST), a relação raiz/parte aérea (R/Pa) e a alocação de biomassa para as folhas (ABF), caules (ABC) e para as raízes (ABR). Além disso, foram analisados os teores de carboidratos, de prolina livre, proteínas solúveis e aminoácidos livres. O fechamento estomático ocorreu em plantas submetidas a 25% CP, aos 11 dias após a diferenciação dos tratamentos hídricos quando as plantas foram reirrigadas para 100% CP. Após 24 horas houve recuperação da abertura estomática mantendo-se até o final do experimento. O déficit hídrico reduziu o potencial hídrico foliar (Yf) nas plantas do tratamento estresse moderado (–2,2 MPa) quando comparado com o controle (-1,1 MPa). As plantas do tratamento 75% CP se destacaram em relação aos demais tratamentos, por produzirem mais matéria seca para as folhas (MSF), caule (MSC) e raízes (MSR). Com relação à alocação de biomassa, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos, porém houve uma tendência do tratamento 25% CP alocar mais biomassa para do que os demais tratamentos. Em relação aos solutos orgânicos, o déficit hídrico provocou reduções nos teores de carboidratos e aumento no teor de proteínas e aminoácidos, não havendo diferença entre os tratamentos para os teores de prolina. Os resultados sugerem que a aroeira é tolerante a baixos níveis de umidade no solo e que o nível de 75%CP é o mais indicado para o cultivo desta espécie na fase de muda.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-04-26T15:25:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 alineamaliadovale.pdf: 14261579 bytes, checksum: 2f07c357436da6480d7aa53e8394fa36 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-12T15:47:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 alineamaliadovale.pdf: 14261579 bytes, checksum: 2f07c357436da6480d7aa53e8394fa36 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T15:47:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 alineamaliadovale.pdf: 14261579 bytes, checksum: 2f07c357436da6480d7aa53e8394fa36 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-26 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Lippia alba (Verbenaceae), popularmente conhecida no Brasil como erva cidreira, é amplamente distribuída nas Américas, onde ocorre em praticamente todos os tipos de ambientes, sendo muito cultivada para uso medicinal. A espécie apresenta grande plasticidade fenotípica, sendo possível observar variações quanto ao hábito, filotaxia, forma e dimensão das folhas, o que dificulta sua classificação taxonômica e a sua utilização na farmacologia. Análises anteriores revelaram a existência de diferentes quimiotipos com diferentes atividades farmacológicas. A proposta deste trabalho foi entender a ampla variação fenotípica existente em L. alba, por meio de uma abordagem multidisciplinar, utilizando 32 acessos da espécie coletados em diferentes regiões do Brasil e mantidos sob as mesmas condições ambientais. Além disso objetivou-se contribuir para a caracterização dos acessos e entender melhor os padrões de especiação em Lippia. Dentre os acessos analisados foram encontradas variações morfológicas tanto em caracteres vegetativos quanto em caracteres reprodutivos. Por meio da estimativa da quantidade de DNA por citometria de fluxo foi possível dividir os acessos em sete grupos com quantidades significativamente diferentes de DNA. Os grupos variaram de 2,31 pg a 6,70 pg de DNA. Na contagem cromossômica realizada por análises em células meióticas e mitóticas foram observados seis números cromossômicos diferentes, 2n=30, 2n=34, 2n=51, 2n=58, 2n=60 e 2n=93, evidenciando níveis de ploidia diferentes na espécie. Na análise palinológica foram observados grãos de pólen com abertura di, tri ou tetracolporadas. Os grupos com acessos diplóides e com menores quantidades de DNA apresentaram apenas grãos tricolporados. Os grãos di e tetracolporados foram observados em acessos com maiores níveis de ploidia. Apesar dos resultados do presente estudo não terem auxiliado na divisão de grupos morfológicos bem definidos, eles demonstram que mesmo sob condições controladas os acessos apresentaram variações morfológicas evidenciando a existência de variação genética como um fator importante para explicar a grande plasticidade fenotípica observada. A existência de níveis de ploidias diferentes sugere que a espécie Lippia alba pode estar em processo de especiação. Além das variações morfológicas e citogenéticas, as variações estomáticas e palinológicas reforçam essa conclusão. / Lippia alba (Verbenaceae), commonly known as erva cidreira in Brazil, is largely widespread in the Americas, where it grows in almost all environments. It is frequently grown for medicinal use. The species presents a high phenotypic plasticity, varying in habit, phyllotaxy, leaf form and size, thus putting difficulties to its taxonomical classification and use in pharmacology. Past analyses revealed the existence of different chemotypes with different pharmacological activities. The proposal of this work was understanding the great phenotypic variation observed in L. alba by making use of a multidisciplinary approach, using 32 accessions of the species collected in different Brazilian regions, and maintained in the same environmental conditions. Furthermore, another goal was characterizing the acessions and to better understand the speciation patterns ocurring in Lippia. Were found morphological variations, among the analyzed accessions, in vegetative and reproductive characters. As a result of estimating DNA quantity by means of flow cytometry, it was possible to split the accessions in seven groups with significant different quantities of DNA. Groups varied between 2.31pg and 6.70pg of DNA. In the chromosomal counting made by means of analyses in meiotic and mitotic cells, were observed six distinct chromosomal numbers (2n=30, 2n=34, 2n=51, 2n=58, 2n=60 e 2n=93), showing different ploidal levels in the species. In the pollen grains analysis were observed di, tri or tetracolporate pollen aperture. Groups with diploid accessions and smaller amounts of DNA showed only tricolporate grains. Even though the results of this study have not contributed in the division of well-defined morphological groups, they demonstrate that even under controlled conditions the accessions present morphological variations showing the existence of genetic variation as an important factor for explaining the great phenotypic plasticity observed. The existence of different ploidal levels suggests that L. alba can be in progress of speciation. Besides morphological and cytogenetic variations, those stomatal and palynological reinforces this conclusion.

Dans un contexte de changements climatiques, le stress hydrique et la gestion de l'eau sont considérés comme une contrainte importante pour le secteur agricole. Ainsi la sélection pour la tolérance à la sécheresse est devenue un objectif majeur pour de nombreux programmes de sélection. La vulnérabilité à la cavitation est considérée comme un trait d'intérêt pour la sélection à une sécheresse extrême, en particulier pour les plantes ligneuses. Pourtant, l'étendue de sa variabilité et sa relation avec la tolérance à la sécheresse sont mal documentées à l’échelle intra-spécifique, et en particulier dans les espèces cultivées. Dans cette étude, la variabilité génétique de la vulnérabilité à la cavitation a été étudiée sur trois dispositifs expérimentaux différents avec trois arbres d’intérêt agronomique qui sont menacés par le risque de sécheresse: noyer, hévéa et pommier. Une faible ou aucune, variation de la vulnérabilité à la cavitation a été trouvée dans les espèces étudiées ainsi qu'entre deux espèces de noyers malgré les différences de traits précédemment rapportés. Ces résultats suggèrent une canalisation de la résistance à la cavitation dans les organes critiques (branches, tiges). Chez le pommier, le porte-greffe est soupçonné de provoquer de la plus étroite résistance à la cavitation sur le greffon. Par contre, des différences ont bien étés trouvées sur d’autres traits de réponse à la sécheresse comme la régulation stomatique, la chute des feuilles ou encore la vulnérabilité à la cavitation dans le pétiole. Ainsi, la vulnérabilité à la cavitation des organes critiques n’est pas un paramètre pertinent pour la sélection de la tolérance à la sécheresse, et les programmes de sélection sur les espèces étudiées ne semblent pas avoir affecté ce paramètre. / In a context of climatic changes, drought stress and water management are regarded as one of the most important constraints for agricultural sector. Thus the selection for drought tolerance became a main objective for many breeding programs. Vulnerability to cavitation is considered a trait of interest for the selection for extreme drought stress, especially for woody species. However, the extent of its variability and its relation to drought tolerance are poorly documented on intraspecific level, particularly for cultivated species. In this study the genetic variability of vulnerability to cavitation was studied on three different experimental devices with three trees of agronomic interest that are threatened by the risk of drought: walnut, rubber and apple trees. Low or no variation in xylem vulnerability to cavitation was found in the studied species and between two species of walnuts despite differences previously reported features. These results suggested a canalization of cavitation resistance on critical organs (branches and stems). In apple tree, the rootstock was suspected to cause the narrow resistance to cavitation on the scion. On the contrary, differences on other traits in response to drought stress such as stomatal regulation, leaf shedding or vulnerability to cavitation on petiole were found. Therefore, vulnerability to cavitation of critical organs was not a relevant parameter for the selection of drought tolerance and breeding programs on the species studied did not appear to affect this parameter.

Le potassium (K) est un élément majeur connu pour contribuer à la résistance des plantes à la sècheresse. L'étudede son influence sur la réponse physiologique du maïs (Zea mays L.) sous contrainte hydrique est essentiellepour prédire la future productivité dans un contexte de changements climatiques, en particulier de la diminutiondes précipitations. Des modalités d'apports en K et en eau ont été croisées et soumises à des plants de maïs,élevés en condition contrôlées ou cultivés au champ. La croissance (biomasses aériennes et racinaires,rendements en grain) ainsi que les mécanismes écophysiologiques du métabolisme carboné (photosynthèse,transport des sucres) et du statut hydrique (transpiration, conductance stomatique, potentiels hydriques) ont étéétudiés. L'apport de K a contribué à l'augmentation de la croissance, le développement et le rendement grain quelque soit le régime hydrique imposé au maïs et les conditions d'expérimentation. Les résultats attendus sur lameilleure régulation stomatique en cas de déficit hydrique sont moins évidents. L'effet du stress hydrique ou dela déficience en K tendent à diminuer la photosynthèse. Cependant, ces effets ressortent plus sur les feuillesâgées que sur les feuilles jeunes. Dans ces mêmes conditions, le transport des sucres ne semble pas être unélément limitant de la croissance. Plusieurs résultats convergent pour attribuer au K un rôle dans la maîtrise despertes en eau (par unité de surface foliaire) et sur la meilleure efficience d'utilisation de l'eau. Néanmoins, cetteefficience est imputée à des meilleurs rendements, liés à une surface foliaire plus importante, et non pas à unemoindre consommation de l'eau. / Potassium (K) is a major nutrient known to help plants resist drought. In the context of climate change,quantifying the role of K on maize physiological acclimation to reduced precipitations is essential to betterpredict future productivity. Maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown under controlled or field conditions weresubmitted to different K and water levels. Plant growth (shoot and root biomass, grain yield) as well as plantwater status (transpiration, stomatal conductance, water potential) and ecophysiological mechanisms of Carbonmetabolism (photosynthesis, sugar transport) were studied. Regardless of the water regime and experimentalconditions, K nutrition increased growth and whole-plant development and improved grain yield. The effect ofwater stress on stomatal regulation was not straightforward and depended on the level of K fertilization. Theeffects of water or K deficit tend to decrease photosynthesis. Drought or K nutrition affected more leafphotosynthesis in old than in young leaves, and sugar transport did not seem to be a growth limiting factor. Ourresults demonstrated a strong effect of K on biomass production and a higher water use efficiency with less of animpact on leaf-level physiology. This better water use was mainly the consequence of the positive effect of leafarea on yield, and not due to a reduce water use.

Introducing effective irrigation management in arid and semi-arid regions, like most areas of South Africa, is an indispensable way of maximising crop yield and enhancing productivity of scarce freshwater resources. Holistic improvements in agricultural water management could be realised through integrating the knowledge of crop-specific water requirements. In order to develop effective irrigation schedules for rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium capitatum x P. radens), greenhouse and field experiments were conducted at the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, from 28 October 2004 to 2006. Results from 20, 40, 60 and 80% maximum allowable depletion (MAD) levels of the plant available soil water (ASW) indicated that plant roots extracted most of the soil water from the top 40 cm soil layer, independent of the treatment. Both essential oil yield and fresh herbage mass responded positively to high soil water content. Increasing the MAD level to 60% and higher resulted in a significant reduction in herbage mass and essential oil yields. An increase in the degree of water stress apparently increased the essential oil concentration (percentage oil on fresh herbage mass basis), but its contribution to total essential oil yield (kg/ha oil) was limited. There was no significant relationship between MAD level and essential oil composition. For water saving without a significant reduction in essential oil yield of rose-scented geranium, a MAD of 40% of ASW is proposed. Response of rose-scented geranium to a one-month irrigation withholding period in the second or third month of regrowth cycles showed that herbage mass and oil yield were positively related. Herbage yield was significantly reduced when the water stress period was imposed during the third or fourth month of regrowth. A remarkable essential oil yield loss was observed only when the plants were stressed during the fourth month of regrowth. Essential oil content (% oil on fresh herbage mass basis) was higher in stressed plants, especially when stressed late, but oil yield dropped due to lower herbage mass. The relationship between essential oil composition and irrigation treatments was not consistent. Water-use efficiency was not significantly affected by withholding irrigation in the second or in the third month of regrowth. With a marginal oil yield loss, about 330 to 460 m3 of water per hectare per regrowth cycle could be saved by withholding irrigation during the third month of regrowth. The overall results highlighted that in water-scarce regions withholding irrigation during either the second or the third month of regrowth in rose-scented geranium could save water that could be used by other sectors of society. In greenhouse pot experiments, rose-scented geranium was grown under different irrigation frequencies, in two growth media. Irrigation was withheld on 50% of the plants (in each plot) for the week prior to harvesting. Herbage and essential oil yields were better in the sandy clay soil than in silica sand. Essential oil content (% oil on fresh herbage mass basis) apparently increased with a decrease in irrigation frequency. Both herbage and total essential oil yields positively responded to frequent irrigation. A one-week stress period prior to harvesting significantly increased essential oil content and total essential oil yield. Hence, the highest essential oil yield was obtained from a combination of high irrigation frequency and a one-week irrigation-withholding period. In the irrigation frequency treatments, citronellol and citronellyl formate contents tended to increase with an increase in the stress level, but the reverse was true for geraniol and geranyl formate. Leaf physiological data were recorded during the terminal one-week water stress in the glasshouse pot trial. Upon rewatering, stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Rt) were significantly lower in the less often irrigated than in the more often irrigated treatments, while leaf water potential (yw) and relative water content (RWC) were the same for all plants, indicating that water stress had an after-effect on Gs and Rt. At the end of the stress period, Gs, Rt, yw and RWC were lower in the plants from the more often irrigated than from the less often irrigated treatments. Irrespective of irrigation treatment, one type of non-glandular and two types (different in shape and size) of glandular trichomes were observed. In water stressed-conditions, stomata and trichome densities increased, while the total number of stomata and trichomes per leaf appeared to remain more or less the same. Water stress conditions resulted in stomatal closure. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

La réduction de la consommation de l’eau dans les serres agricoles représente un grand intérêt ne serait-ce que pour accroitre l’efficience d’utilisation de l’eau par les cultures et rendre les professionnelsdu secteur horticole plus compétitifs. La thèse vise à apporter des réponses concernant la gestion optimale de l’eau. Ceci passe par la mise en place d’un modèle capable de prédire les bilans demasse et d’énergie sur l’ensemble du continuum substrat-planteatmosphère en régimes de confort et de restriction hydrique. La plupart des modèles de transfert existants se focalisent soit surle système sol-plante, soit sur le système plante-atmosphère. Ils ont de plus été établis principalement pour les systèmes de grandes cultures, alors que les cultures en pot sous serre possèdent desspécifi cités liées au confi nement tant aérien que racinaire. L’enjeu est de bâtir une approche intégrée du continuum substrat-planteatmosphère pour modéliser le fonctionnement de plantes en pots sousserre. La thèse s’appuie sur une double approche expérimentale et numérique. Une campagne expérimentale a été lancée en 2014 puis en 2015 sous serre et une autre en chambre climatique en 2014,en utilisant l’Impatiens de Nouvelle Guinée comme plante modèle. Il s’agissait d’abord d’élaborer un modèle de la résistance stomatique, élément clef de la transpiration en s’appuyant sur le modèleméthode multiplicatif de Jarvis puis sur la méthode des plans d’expérience en confort et en restriction hydrique. Les données acquises ont permis de caler/valider ces modèles de résistance,qui ont pu êtr / In greenhouses, reducing water consumption is of high interest, not only to increase water effi ciency, but also to maintain competitiveness of the growers. The aim of this thesis is to provideanswers regarding the optimal water management. To reach this goal, predictive models water and energy transfers through the substrate-plant-atmosphere are implemented, considering wellwatered plants and plants under water restriction. Most existing models of water and energy transfers have benne established either on the soil-plants system, or on theplant-atmosphere system. Moreover, such models were mainly developed for open fi eld conditions, although plants grown in pots have specifi cities linked to the aerial and root confi nement.The challenge is therefore to develop an integrated soil-plantatmosphere model for greenhouse plants grown in pot. The thesis was based on a combined experimental and numerical approach.A field survey was conducted in 2014 and then in 2015 inside a greenhouse, and another one in a growth chamber in 2014. The New Guinea Impatiens was used as a plant model. The stomatal resistance was fi rst modeled, as a key factor impacting the transpiration, by using the multiplicative Jarvis model, andthen the design of experiments method for plants under wellwatered and water restriction conditions. The collected data was used to calibrate/validate the aforementioned stomatalresistance models; the obtained models could then be tested to evaluate transpiration with the Penman Monteith model and the direct method. Finally, these models were integrated in

Hydrological processes and dynamics in the changing climate and environment: Lessons learned from multiple temporal and spatial scales Ye Su ABSTRACT Climate change, along with the changes in land use and land cover (LULC), is the key factor driving the changes in hydrological processes and dynamics in a basin. This thesis emphasized on understanding the impact of both long-term climate change and abrupt anthropogenic driven agricultural intensification or natural driven insect-induced forest disturbance on hydrological processes and dynamics at varying spatial and temporal scales in two diverting terrestrial environment. Two pattern-based investigations, one case study in a forest region in Central Europe and another in a semi-arid region in Central Asia, were aimed to answer the main research question "what are the responses of hydrological dynamics and the related hydro-geochemical conditions to climate change and certain changes in LULC at a basin-scale?". The long-term hydro-climatic dataset was used for conducting statistical analyses and establishing hydro-climatic modelling at the basin scale. We further conducted process-based studies, attempting to understand how and why the specific hydrological dynamics were altered at smaller spatial and temporal scales: (i) a catchment-scale tracer-based...

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