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To evaluate the impact of the amount and distribution of soil water on xylem anatomy and xylem hydraulics of current-year shoots, plant water status and stomatal conductance of mature ‘Manzanilla’ olive trees.

Measurements of water potential, stomatal conductance, hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability to embolism, vessel diameter distribution and vessel density were made in trees under full irrigation with non-limiting soil water conditions, localized irrigation, and rain-fed conditions.

All trees showed lower stomatal conductance values in the afternoon than in the morning. The irrigated trees showed water potential values around −1.4 and −1.6 MPa whereas the rain-fed trees reached lower values. All trees showed similar specific hydraulic conductivity (K _s) and loss of conductivity values …