About the talk
Physics of drying constrains the flow of water all along the soil-plant continuum. Soils, xylem, and outer-xylem tissues (in roots and leaves) have in common the dependency of their hydraulic conductances on water potential. The result is a fast drop in water potential beyond flux dependent thresholds. Plant adaptations to these constraints include the use of internal water and timely stomatal closure. The success of these adaptations depends on the tight coordination between soil and plant conductances, capacitances and stomatal regulation. Theory and observations equally contribute to support a simple model of plant water relations.