No evidence of isotopic fractionation in olive trees (Olea europaea): a stable isotope tracing experiment

Plant transpiration is the dominant water flux in the global terrestrial water balance and a key process in the hydrological sciences. Stable isotopes have contributed greatly to this understanding but one difficult assumption for plant water source quantification using hydrogen and oxygen isotopes is that no isotopic fractionation occurs during water uptake and transport within the plant. Here we present a simple glasshouse experiment with two potted olive trees to test isotopic fractionation. We irrigated the trees with labelled water and cryogenically extracted water from twigs, cores and roots. We found no significant differences in the isotopic composition of water extracted from wood cores and twigs in distinct parts of the trees as they reflected the signature of labelled water. However, significant differences were obtained between plant water and deep soil water. Our results suggest no isotopic fractionation in olive trees, under the specific experimental conditions, validating the traditional isotope-tracing approach.

Automated summary

In a simple glasshouse experiment, researchers found no isotopic fractionation in olive trees under specific experimental conditions, validating the traditional isotope-tracing approach. Water extracted from wood cores and twigs showed no significant differences, reflecting the signature of labelled water, while significant differences were found between plant water and deep soil water.