Effect of transpiration on the physiological vitality of Zelkova serrata

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of suppressing transpiration on the physiological characteristics of trees and identify suitable indicators to assess tree vitality. Three seedlings of Zelkova serrata were used: a control, a unit treated on the upper sides of the leaves (TU), and a unit treated on double sides of the leaves (TD). Changes in photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, sap velocity, and bark temperature following the suppression of transpiration were measured. The transpiration rate and other physiological characteristics of TU were not significantly different from those of the control except for photosynthetic rate. However, TD showed a significantly lower photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and sap velocity compared to the control. The bark temperature of TD was not significantly higher than that of the control and TU. Our findings indicate that photosynthetic rate and sap velocity were positively correlated with transpiration rate, whereas bark temperature was negatively correlated. Furthermore, photosynthetic rate showed the most significant linear relationship with transpiration rate, suggesting the photosynthetic rate is a suitable physiological indicator to evaluate the vitality of Z. serrata.