Plasticity in variation of xylem and phloem cell characteristics of Norway spruce under different local conditions

Abstract

There is limited information on intra-annual plasticity of secondary tissues of tree species growing under different environmental conditions. To increase the knowledge about the plasticity of secondary growth, which allows trees to adapt to specific local climatic regimes, we examined climate–radial growth relationships of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.] from three contrasting locations in the temperate climatic zone by analyzing tree-ring widths for the period 1932–2010, and cell characteristics in xylem and phloem increments formed in the years 2009–2011. Variation in the structure of xylem and phloem increments clearly shows that plasticity in seasonal dynamics of cambial cell production and cell differentiation exists on xylem and phloem sides. Anatomical characteristics of xylem and phloem cells are predominantly site-specific characteristics, because they varied among sites but were fairly uniform among years in trees from the same site. Xylem and phloem tissues formed in the first part of the growing season seemed to be more stable in structure, indicating their priority over latewood and late phloem for tree performance. Long-term climate and radial growth analyses revealed that growth was in general less dependent on precipitation than on temperature; however, growth sensitivity to local conditions differed among the sites. Only partial dependence of radial growth of spruce on climatic factors on the selected sites confirms its strategy to adapt the structure of wood and phloem increments to function optimally in local conditions.

Moisture‐driven shift in the climate sensitivity of white spruce xylem anatomical traits is coupled to large‐scale oscillation patterns across northern treeline in northwest North America

“…Unexpectedly, sensitivity was highest in the last sectors in most cases also for LA, which is in contrast to investigations on Mediterranean conifers where sensitivity of LA to water availability of the growing season was highest in the earlywood sectors (Castagneri et al, ; Pacheco et al, ). On the other hand, higher sensitivity to growing season climate of LA in latewood compared to earlywood was also frequently reported (Carrer et al, ; Castagneri et al, ; Gričar et al, ), which was ascribed to the fact that dimensions of earlywood cells were not controlled by climate conditions of the growing season in temperate and boreal regions (Castagneri et al, ; Cuny & Rathgeber, ; Park & Spiecker, ). Instead, it was suggested that cell enlargement is driven by the photoperiod and hormones (Castagneri et al, ; Cuny & Rathgeber, ; Cuny et al, ; Rossi et al, ), by ontogenetic adaptation to height growth (Anfodillo et al, ; Carrer et al, ), and climate conditions of the previous year (Björklund et al, ; Castagneri et al, ).…”

“…Newly formed cells adapt to environmental conditions of the respective growing season in size, shape and number (e.g. Bryukhanova & Fonti, ; Gričar et al, , ; Treml, Kašpar, Kuželová, & Gryc, ) in order to achieve best possible functionality regarding hydraulic efficiency (cell lumen and number) and safety (cell wall; Petit, Anfodillo, Carraro, Grani, & Carrer, ; Prendin, Mayr, Beikircher, von Arx, & Petit, ). In this way, cells can depict environmental conditions under which they were formed.…”

Responses of sapwood ray parenchyma and non‐structural carbohydrates of Pinus sylvestris to drought and long‐term irrigation

“…; Gricar et al . ). Our interpretation is also supported by correlations between NSC levels and secondary growth (Desoto, Olano & Rozas ), as well as evidence found by Carbone et al .…”

Chronological Sequence of Leaf Phenology, Xylem and Phloem Formation and Sap Flow of Quercus pubescens from Abandoned Karst Grasslands

“…Due to their tight coupling, any changes in water-carbon relations (Zweifel et al, 2006) have an impact on xylem and phloem formation processes, affecting their ratios and specific structure (Hinckley and Lassoie, 1981; Gricar et al, 2015; Jyske and Hölttä, 2015; Sass-Klaassen et al, 2016). In this respect, intra-annual xylem and phloem formation analyses are crucial for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the environmental response of the xylem and phloem anatomy of different tree species.…”