Changes In Concentrations of Free Amino Acids and Nonstructural Carbohydrates of Ligustrum Japonicum as Plants Die From Water Stress

Ligustrum japonicum grown in 11.0 L containers were transplanted into elevated cross-shaped rhizotrons using a commercial container substrate.  After a short acclimatization phase, plants were subjected to constant moisture levels of 30% of drained saturated capacity. Substrate moisture levels were maintained using capacitance probes, which were relocated approximately every three weeks to the edge of the actively growing root tips.  Over the course of four months, half the plants died.  During this period, both roots and shoot tips were sampled and assayed for free amino acids and nonstructural carbohydrates.  Comparison of these compounds between surviving and dying plants will be discussed.