XYLEM CHARACTERISTICS IN SOME CULTIVARS OF CORYLUS AVELLANA L.

Xylematic tissues are at the base of some water and nutrient transport processes.
The aim of this study was to investigate xylem characteristics such as vessel density and vessel dimension in order to provide preliminary data for future physiological studies.
In other species it was demonstrated that xylem was at the base of hydraulic equilibrium and tree vigour.
In this study the three most important Italian cultivars were investigated: ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ (TGL), ‘Tonda Romana’ (TR) and ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ (TG). Number of vessels per mm2 and vessel diameter were measured.
TGL had larger vessels than TG and TR. Differences were found also in vessel number per mm2 of xylem tissue.
The three more important Italian hazelnut cultivars showed significant differ-ences in xylem vessel characteristics.
These three cultivars had different agricultural characteristics such as tree vigour.
It is possible that xylem anatomy could be correlated to some different vegetative and productive behaviour of these three cultivars.

XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on the Challenge for a Sustainable Production, Protection and Consumption of Mediterranean Fruits and Nuts

S. Tombesi, D. Farinelli

hazelnut, xylem vessels, hydraulic conductance, embolism

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.940.32