Articles
XYLEM FUNCTIONING AND WATER RELATIONS OF THE ELASTIC LIVING TISSUE OF THE BARK: NEW INSIGHTS ABOUT THEIR COORDINATION
Article number
991_20
Pages
163 – 169
Language
English
Abstract
The interesting species-specific relationship between maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) and stem water potential (Ψstem) was investigated in order to understand the mechanisms involved.
Vulnerability curves of Vitis, Citrus, Olea and Prunus were analysed and the air entry Ψstem in the xylem (Pe) was calculated.
The water relations parameters of the living tissue of the bark were also studied by building P-V curves.
A strong linear correlation was obtained between the Ψstem at which MDS occurs (ΨMDS) and Pe in the studied species.
Furthermore, P-V curves showed that, the species with the highest resistance to cavitation, i.e., Prunus, had the lowest osmotic pressure and the largest bulk elastic modulus.
The conclusions of this study reinforce the idea of a tight correlation among plant capacitance, transpiration and maintenance of water status of the plant.
These results illustrate the importance of studying the integration of long-distance transport systems in plants.
Vulnerability curves of Vitis, Citrus, Olea and Prunus were analysed and the air entry Ψstem in the xylem (Pe) was calculated.
The water relations parameters of the living tissue of the bark were also studied by building P-V curves.
A strong linear correlation was obtained between the Ψstem at which MDS occurs (ΨMDS) and Pe in the studied species.
Furthermore, P-V curves showed that, the species with the highest resistance to cavitation, i.e., Prunus, had the lowest osmotic pressure and the largest bulk elastic modulus.
The conclusions of this study reinforce the idea of a tight correlation among plant capacitance, transpiration and maintenance of water status of the plant.
These results illustrate the importance of studying the integration of long-distance transport systems in plants.
Publication
Authors
A. Díaz-Espejo, E. Nicolás, P. Nortes, C.M. Rodriguez-Dominguez, M.V. Cuevas, A. Perez-Martin, J.M. Torres-Ruiz
Keywords
stem water potential, dendrometers, vulnerability curve, osmotic pressure, turgor pressure, water use, water stress
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