Yi. Molotkovskii et Kp. Rakhmanina, WATER RELATIONS IN THE RELICT SAVANNA EDIFICATORS OF SOUTH TAJIKISTAN, Russian journal of plant physiology, 42(3), 1995, pp. 391-397
Some water relation characteristics in the edificators [Imperata cylin
drica (L.) Beauv. and Erianthus ravennae (L.) Beauv.] of unique savann
a-like vegetation grown in the arid subtropical zone of South Tadzhiki
stan were studied. These characteristics include transpiration rate, w
ater content in the leaves, water-retaining capacity, osmotic pressure
, suction force, midday and residual water deficit, and the water expe
nditure rate. Due to the shallow bedding of groundwater and efficient
use of water by the plants, both species can maintain their water econ
omy. Their characteristics did not increase up to the critical values
even at the highest summer temperatures. Because of this, both plant s
pecies produce stable, highly productive savanna-like communities in t
he flood-plain ecosystems of the Central Asian arid zone.