Abstract

--- - The water relation strategy is a key issue in climate change. Given the difficulty of determining water relations strategy, there is a need for simple traits with a solid theoretical basis to estimate it. Traits associated with resource allocation patterns along a 'fast-slow' plant economics spectrum are particularly compelling, reflecting trade-offs between growth rate and carbon allocation. Avocado (Persea americana), fig tree (Ficus carica), mandarin (Citrus reticulata), olive (Olea europaea), pomegranate (Punica granatum), and grapevine (Vitis vinifera) were characterised in terms of iso-anisohydric strategy through stomatal behaviour, water potential at the turgor loss point (TLP), and hydroscape area. Additionally, the association of these metrics with leaf mass per area (LMA) and wood density (WDen) was explored. We observed high coordination between LMA and WDen, and both traits were related to metrics of water relation strategy. More anisohydric species tended to invest more carbon per unit leaf area or unit stem volume, which has implications for hydraulic efficiency and water stress tolerance. WDen and TLP were the most powerful traits in estimating the water relation strategy for six fruit species. These traits are easy to measure, time-cost efficient, and appear central to coordinating multiple traits and behaviours along the water relations strategies. - Water relations strategy of plants is a complex but important trait in selecting cultivars and design management for adaptation to climate change. Among the possible estimating traits, those associated with the 'fast-slow' plant economics spectrum are interesting, regarding this, we observed an association between the water deficit tolerance of six fruit tree species and their leaf and wood density. These traits are easy to measure, time-cost efficient, and appear central to coordinating traits and behaviours along the water relations strategies.