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Differential Response in the Water Status of Immature and Mature Fronds of the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris [L.] Todaro) to a Mild Water Stress ¹

Department of Biology, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Box 550, Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5E3 Canada, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 Canada

Experiments were conducted in growth chambers to examine the effect of a mild water stress (–200 kilopascals polyethylene glycol) on frond elongation and water status of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris [L.] Todaro). Measurements were taken for two days, starting one day after the application of polyethylene glycol. Total water potential in control (well-watered) plants was always significantly higher in immature fronds than in mature fronds. The osmotic potential in mature fronds was always significantly lower (about 800 kilopascals) than in immature fronds in both control and stressed plants. In immature fronds, the stress decreased elongation and total water and pressure potentials, while in mature fronds it increased total water and pressure potentials. The decreases in total and pressure potentials in immature fronds were approximately equal to the increases in mature fronds.