Publications by authors named "Kevin J Patterson"
Article Synopsis
- Researchers typically use β(-) particle detection to measure (14)C tracer distribution in plant tissue, but this method is limited to thin materials due to the short detection range.
- The study introduced X-ray detectors to monitor Bremsstrahlung radiation, which can penetrate deeper into plant tissues, allowing for more comprehensive in vivo measurements.
- Experiments on small kiwifruit plants revealed that root pruning increased carbohydrate supply to fruits over roots, indicating the fruit's stronger competitive ability for photosynthate, with diurnal variations and tracer export patterns also observed.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how kiwifruit vines respond hydraulically after cutting off a portion of their roots, measuring both plant and root hydraulic conductance.
- Techniques like heat dissipation and compensation heat pulse were used to monitor sap flow, revealing that transpiration and root conductance decreased significantly after severing 80% of the roots, and did not recover over six weeks.
- Interestingly, while photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were reduced, the intact roots' sap flux increased without a change in root conductance, indicating that the roots were adequately supplying water to support shoot growth and fruit development despite the root pruning.
