Does the turgor loss point characterize drought response in dryland plants?

Abstract

The water potential at turgor loss point (Ψtlp) has been suggested as a key functional trait for determining plant drought tolerance, because of its close relationship with stomatal closure. Ψtlp may indicate drought tolerance as plants, which maintain gas exchange at lower midday water potentials as soil water availability declines also have lower Ψtlp. We evaluated 17 species from seasonally dry habitats, representing a range of life-forms, under well-watered and drought conditions, to determine how Ψtlp relates to stomatal sensitivity (pre-dawn water potential at stomatal closure: Ψgs0) and drought strategy (degree of isohydry or anisohydry; ΔΨMD between well-watered conditions and stomat..