Hydraulic properties of a mangrove Avicennia germinans as affected by NaCl

Water transport was assessed in seedlings of the mangrove Avicennia germinans L. grown at 171 and 684 Mol m(-3) NaCl. Leaf specific conductivity declined by 25% at high salinity. This was related to low specific conductivity, because Huber values remained similar. Leaves of A. germinans featured low internal conductance to water transport. This was lowered further under high salinity. Water transport constrains imposed by whole shoot and leaf blade at high salinity were balanced by stomatal regulation of water loss, which possibly maintain stem water potentials above embolisms levels.