Hydraulic lift in woody & herbaceous plants
106160.3417@compuserve.com
Mon, 12 Aug 1996 17:12:07 -0500
I am looking for sources of information relating to hydraulic
lift in herbaceous and woody plants, particularly trees and
grasses. The area of interest is that of competition for
moisture between herbaceous plants and newly planted tree stock.
My hypothosis is along the lines that hydraulic lift in some
grass species, particularly food crops such as barley and wheat,
have the ability to abstract moisture at depth and deposit it in
the upper soil horizons where it it is available to the newly
planted tree. No I'm not suggesting altruistic charictaristics
in barley or any other grasses, but such a function would fly in
the face of current practices of eliminating all direct competition
for moisture.
If anyone has information on this subject I would appreciate
details, or have you observed this phenomenon yourself ?
Whilst I'm here, I have a small research project on the back burner.
I am looking for a like minded person with a background in plant
physiology and access to analytical facilities to progress it
further.
Mike Ellison