EFFECT OF POTASSIUM-DEFICIENCY ON STOMATAL AND CUTICULAR RESISTANCE IN TEA (CAMELLIA-SINENSIS)

The plants were grown in sand and K deficiency was induced by withholding the supply of K. During the day K-deficient leaves had a higher stomatal diffusive resistance than control leaves. When solar radiation was reduced by clouds the stomatal diffusive resistance in both control and K-deficient leaves was not significantly different. Night opening of stomata was observed in both control and K-deficient leaves, but noticeably lower in the latter. K-deficient leaves had a lower cuticular resistance than control leaves.