This paper presents new results indicating that Physcomitrella patens (the model organism for bryophytes) is desiccation tolerant. We provide a method to induce desiccation tolerance with supporting evidence for tolerance. This work provides an outline for future studies on desiccation using an organism both amenable to cultivation and in possession of a fully sequenced genome.

Understanding the interactive effects of temperature and water availability on plant carbon exchange is essential to predict the impact of environmental changes on plant productivity. Here, soil drying was used to determine the short-term temperature response of photosynthesis and respiration under varying soil water contents, and to resolve their combined effects. Water availability influenced the temperature sensitivity of photosynthesis and respiration, and altered the balance between carbon gain and loss.

Carob tree is a crop well adapted to calcareous soils that does not develop iron (Fe) chlorosis. The lack of Fe triggers an increase of organic acids and activity of the root ferric chelate-reductase as response mechanisms. Understanding physiological mechanisms of this species could improve the strategy to cope with nutritional imbalances and avoid excessive application of fertilisers.

Soil water extraction by perennial grasses under drought conditions is not well understood but has important implications for agricultural productivity as the climate changes. We studied the variation among 18 bermudagrasses for soil water extraction and drought resistance in a drying soil profile. We found that drought resistance was associated with rhizome production rather than rooting depth and root distribution.

Tree stems shrink and expand in radius with transpiration-induced negative pressures. So far, these fluctuations have mainly been related to shrinkage in living cells of the bark which act as a buffer for water potential peaks in the rigid water transport system of the wood. Here we propose that Eucalyptus globulus as a fast-growing species maintains immature, non- or partially lignified xylem which acts as an additional water storage in the sapwood and, thus, alters the performance of the water supply system of the entire tree.

Canopy temperature has been identified as a real-time, plant-based tool which may provide gains in irrigation efficiency. However, canopy temperature response to water stress is confounded by environmental conditions. In order to better use canopy temperature for irrigation scheduling, the relationship between environmental conditions and plant water stress physiology was explored. From this research we conclude that point-in-time measures of canopy temperature for water stress detection are better understood with the inclusion of atmospheric vapour pressure deficit.

Leaf initiation rate (LIR) is strongly modulated by temperature and commonly predicted solely based on thermal time. We investigated the effects of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on LIR in cucumber and tomato plants. LIR and photosynthate availability in the apical bud substantially decreased at low PPFD in both species suggesting that PPFD is limiting for LIR most likely via photosynthate availability in the apical bud.