In the present study, similar behaviour was observed in the transport of water
and K+ in the root in response to water stress and subsequent re-watering. When water stress negatively affected growth (Table 1andFig. 3), root re-watering after water stress favoured water transport in this organ in all of the cultivars. In those cultivars that were most susceptible to water stress,K+ uptake bythe root and its
discharge into the xylem was favoured in direct proportion totheir
susceptibility. K+accumulation is crucial for a rapid osmotic
adjustment to maintain cell turgor and to support the expansion
growth of the roots and shoots