Important functions of water relations are considered to be related to
genome size diversity in gymnosperms. We investigated relationships a
mong genome size, dimensional characteristics of conductive cells, and
water relations parameters by using young seedlings of six Pinus spec
ies. Xylem hydraulic conductivity was not correlated with genome size
and dimensional characteristics of conductive cells, but the water pot
ential at the turgor loss point was. Pinus species with large genome s
izes had thick cell walls and small ratios of lumen radii to cell wall
thickness in their conductive cells, and those species lost their tur
gor to tissue dehydration at low water potentials. The characteristics
observed in the present study may contribute to pine drought toleranc
e.