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 1
and
Fig. 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 towaterstress,K
+
uptake bythe root and its
discharge intothexylemwas 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