F. IACONO* et LUCIA MARTINELLI**
*Dipartimento Produzione Agricola
**Dipartimento Laboratorio Analisi e Ricerca
Istituto Agrario di S. Michele all'Adige, Via E. Mach,
38010 S. Michele all'Adige, Trento (Italy)
Abstract : The influence of genotype on leaf gas exchange was investigated for Vitis riparia and Vitis rupestris plants cultured in vivo and in vitro. Gas exchange was measured at constant temperature and photosynthetic photon flux density and at varying relative humidity from 75 p. cent to 65 p. cent.
Differences of transpiration and CO2 assimilation rates between genotypes were observed that did not depend upon conditions. Water use efficiency was strongly controlled by the genotype.
Linear correlations between assimilation, transpiration and relative humidity were used to estimate extra stomatal (cuticular) and stomatal transpiration of in vitro plants. Cuticular transpiration of in vitro plants was also measured directly during the darkness. Our results confirmed the indirect estimates of cuticular transpiration elaborated with a linear regression model. Results also show that cuticular transpiration of in vitro grown plants may be relevant and is strongly influenced by the genotype. Similarly, the sensitivity of plantlets to transplantation from in vitro to in vivo conditions may be strongly related by the genotype.
Key words : in vitro and in vivo culture, stomatal and cuticular transpiration, Vitis riparia, Vitis rupestris