Root hydraulic conductivity and adjustments in stomatal conductance: hydraulic strategy in response to salt stress in a halotolerant species

In plants, the total hydraulic resistance adjustment is a crucial trait in tolerance. We explored the link between root and shoot by means of simultaneously characterizing root hydraulic conductivity and stomatal conductance in a halotolerant model (Beta vulgaris). Under salt stress, B. vulgaris triggers a hydraulic strategy tuning the root and shoot in a coupled process. After halting the stress, the profile of root efficiency at transporting water differed from that of shoot adjustment, underlining the relevance of the root for the overall hydraulic response: root capability allows recovery of water flow before the aerial water demand is restored.