TY - JOUR AU - Pugliesi,, Claudio AB - Abstract The present study was conducted to evaluate phenotypic interaction in reciprocal grafts between wilty (w-1) sunflower mutant and normal (W-1) plants. The w-1 genotype is a ‘leaky’ ABA-deficient mutant, characterized by high stomatal conductance, in both light and dark conditions, and high transpiration rate. In well-watered conditions, mutant scions grafted on to normal rootstock (w-1/W-1) showed higher leaf relative water content, leaf water potential and ABA levels than those of control grafts (w-1/w-1). In addition, detached leaves of w-1/W-1 exhibited lower water loss than w-1/w-1 grafts, while mutant rootstock did not affect the transpiration rate of detached W-1 leaves. When drought stress was imposed to potted plants by withholding water, the mutant scions grafted on to normal roots showed a partial phenotypic reversion. A rapid stomatal closure and a rise in ABA levels in response to a small decrease in leaf water potential was observed. By contrast, in w-1/w-1 grafts significant reductions in stomatal conductance and ABA accumulation were detected only in conjunction with a severe water deficit. W-1 scions on mutant stocks (W-1/w-1) maintained the normal phenotype of control wild-type grafts (W1/W-1). ABA, grafting, Helianthus annuus, stomatal conductance, water relations, wilty mutant This content is only available as a PDF. © Oxford University Press TI - Characterization of a wilty sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) mutantIII. Phenotypic interaction in reciprocal grafts from wilty mutant and wild-type plants JF - Journal of Experimental Botany DO - 10.1093/jxb/46.5.525 DA - 1995-05-01 UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/oxford-university-press/characterization-of-a-wilty-sunflower-helianthus-annuus-l-mutantiii-olpsekxIvM SP - 525 EP - 530 VL - 46 IS - 5 DP - DeepDyve ER -