Turgor Differences and Water Stress in Maize and Sorghum Leaves During Drought and Recovery

The pressure potentials (turgor pressure) in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) and grain sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) plants subjected to water stress in a controlled environment were estimated from measurements of water and osmotic potentials. Changes in turgor pressure were larger in sorghum than in maize during the development of water stress and after re-watering. It is suggested that this indicates a lower cell wall elasticity in sorghum than in maize. This fact may affect some of the physiological activities of sorghum