Quasi-steady-state measurements of root hydraulic conductance (KR) of Olea oleaster Hoffmgg. et Link potted seedlings were performed using a pressure chamber with the aim of: (a) measuring the impact of different water-stress levels on a KR; (b) measuring the kinetics of KR recovery several days after soil rewetting; (c) relating changes in KR to changes in root anatomy and morphology. Increasing water-stress was applied in terms of ratio of leaf water potential (ΨL) measured at midday to that at zero turgor (ΨTLP), i.e. ΨL/ΨTLP=0·5, 1·0, 1·2, 1·6; KR was measured initially and at 24, 48, 72, 96 h after irrigation.

Values of KR in seedlings stressed to ΨL/ΨTLP=1·2 increased for 48 h after irrigation from 0·23 to 0·97×10−5 kg s−1 m−2 MPa−1 i.e. from 16% to 66% of that measured in unstressed seedlings. A marked shift of the x-axis intercept of the straight line relating flow to pressure (zero flow at non-zero pressure) was recorded initially after irrigation and persisted up to 48 h. Recovery of KR occurred within 24 h after irrigation in seedlings at ΨL/ΨTLP=0·5 and 48 h later in those at ΨL/ΨTLP=1·0.

Severe drought stress (ΨL/ΨTLP=1·6) caused anatomical changes to roots which formed a two-layered exodermis with thicker suberized walls and a three- to four-layered endodermis with completely suberized tangential walls. Recovery of KR in these roots required resumed growth of root tips and emergence of new lateral roots.