Chemical and hydraulic influences on the stomata of flooded plants

Flooding the soil greatly reduced stomatal opening and leaf growth rate of pea (Pisum sativum L cv. Feltham First) seedlings. This was despite the fact that leaf water potential and turgor were not significantly affected by the treatment. Potassium uptake and transport to the leaves was reduced by flooding. Stomata of flooded plants could be reopened by incubating leaves in solutions containing KC1. These observations raise the possibility that nutrient deficiency may limit stomatal opening and growth in flooded plants. We also consider the possibility that potassium deficiency may interact with a modification in the balance of growth regulators in the leaves to modify stomatal behaviour and growth.