A synchronous increase in hydraulic conductive capacity and mechanical support in conifers with relatively uniform xylem structure

Jagels, Richard; Visscher, G. E.

doi:10.3732/ajb.93.2.179

Cited by 17 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…These results concur with earlier studies in which high values for the double cell wall (t) in relation to the tangential width (b) are associated with resistance to collapse due to bending stress (e.g., Young 1989) and implosion stress in the conduit (e.g., Sperry et al 2006). However, the greater mechanical requirements of the trees from the Inland Catalonia region did not result in longer tracheids, in contrast to what has been suggested in other studies (Mencuccini et al 1997;Ezquerra and Gil 2001;Jagels et al 2003;Jagels and Visscher 2006).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 58%

Adaptive anatomy of Pinus halepensis trees from different Mediterranean environments in Spain

Esteban

Martín

Palacios

et al. 2009

Trees

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A study was conducted on the variation in growth, biomass, juvenile wood anatomy, and needle morphology of Pinushalepensis Mill. from three Spanish regions of provenance characterized by environmental differences, without the influence of the site factor. Seeds collected from two progenies in each region were planted in a single plot, and the trees were felled at the age of 7 years. The results showed significant differences between provenances, as well as the genetic or environmental influence on the traits analyzed. Trees adapted to moderate summer drought conditions (Inland Catalonia region) are primarily characterized by higher average values for height, diameter, biomass, cell wall thickness, inter-tracheid wall strength, pit membrane diameter, torus diameter, bordered pit aperture diameter, and ray tracheid abundance in comparison with trees adapted to severe summer drought conditions (Southern region and Balearic Islands region). The greater structural requirements of trees from the Inland Catalonia region, subjected to higher weight and wind loads, resulted in thick cell walls. Moreover, the large pits and more abundant ray tracheids in trees from this provenance would allow more efficient water transport and greater water storage capacity, respectively. The differences found between provenances suggest the adaptive nature of the anatomy of this species, which demonstrates the importance of the region of provenance when choosing reproduction material for reforestation.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 58%

Adaptive anatomy of Pinus halepensis trees from different Mediterranean environments in Spain

Esteban

Martín

Palacios

et al. 2009

Trees

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“…The presence of secondary walls on tracheary elements is also cited as promoting mechanical support functions of the stem (Jagels & Visscher, 2006). The data of the present paper suggest that ray cells and, to a lesser extent, axial parenchyma cells also contribute to the mechanical strength of wood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bordered pits in ray cells and axial parenchyma: the histology of conduction, storage, and strength in living wood cells

Carlquist

2007

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

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Bordered pits occur in walls of living ray cells of numerous species of woody dicotyledons. The occurrence of this feature has been minimally reported because the pits are relatively small and not easily observed in face view. Bordered pits are illustrated in sectional view with light microscopy and with scanning electron microscopy in face view for dicotyledonous and gnetalean woods. Bordered pits are more numerous and often have prominent borders on tangential walls of procumbent ray cells, but also occur on radial walls; they are approximately equally abundant on tangential and horizontal walls of upright cells, suggesting parallels to cell shape in flow pathway design. Axial parenchyma typically has secondary walls thinner than those of ray cells, but bordered pits or large simple pit areas occur on some cross walls of parenchyma strands. There is no apparent correlation between the phylogenetic position of species and the presence of borders in ray cells or axial parenchyma. Bordered pits represent a compromise between maximal mechanical strength and maximal conductive capability. High rates of flow of sugar solutions may occur if starch in ray cells or axial parenchyma is mobilized for sudden osmotic enhancement of the conductive stream or for rapid development of foliage, flowers, or fruits. Measurement of the secondary wall thickness of ray cells may offer simple inferential information about the role that rays play in the mechanical strength of woods.

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“…One hypothesis is that the mature wood cambium produces earlywood with wide tracheids to optimize hydraulic function and also with thick latewood to optimize structural support or water storage (domec & Gartner 2002a;rosner et al 2007). Therefore, the xylem of the trunk appears to be constructed in response to both mechanical and hydraulic demands (Gartner 1995;Jagels & Visscher 2006).…”

Section: Structure-function Relationships In Juvenile Wood Versus Matmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safety Factors for Xylem Failure by Implosion and Air-Seeding Within Roots, Trunks and Branches of Young and Old Conifer Trees

Domec¹,

Warren²,

Meinzer³

et al. 2009

IAWA J

109

104

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The cohesion-tension theory of water transport states that hydrogen bonds hold water molecules together and that they are pulled through the xylem under tension. This tension could cause transport failure in at least two ways: collapse of the conduit walls (implosion), or rupture of the water column through air-seeding. The objective of this research was to elucidate the functional significance of variations in tracheid anatomical features, earlywood to latewood ratios and wood densities with position in young and old Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine trees in terms of their consequences for the safety factors for tracheid implosion and air-seeding. For both species, wood density increased linearly with percent latewood for root, trunk and branch samples. However, the relationships between anatomy and hydraulic function in trunks differed from those in roots and branches. In roots and branches increased hydraulic efficiency was achieved at the cost of increased vulnerability to air-seeding. Mature wood of trunks had earlywood with wide tracheids that optimized water transport and had a high percentage of latewood that optimized structural support. Juvenile wood had higher resistance to air-seeding and cell wall implosion. The two safety factors followed similar axial trends from roots to terminal branches and were similar for both species studied and between juvenile and mature wood.

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A synchronous increase in hydraulic conductive capacity and mechanical support in conifers with relatively uniform xylem structure

Cited by 17 publications

References 52 publications

Adaptive anatomy of Pinus halepensis trees from different Mediterranean environments in Spain

Adaptive anatomy of Pinus halepensis trees from different Mediterranean environments in Spain

Bordered pits in ray cells and axial parenchyma: the histology of conduction, storage, and strength in living wood cells

Safety Factors for Xylem Failure by Implosion and Air-Seeding Within Roots, Trunks and Branches of Young and Old Conifer Trees

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