罗汉松科3种植物茎和根木质部水分运输、解剖结构与机械强度之间的关系

水力失效是植物干旱死亡的主要机制。量化分析水力性状的种间和器官间差异是预测树木在气候变化下的响应甚至生存能力的基础。该研究对比分析了罗汉松科3种植物器官(茎和根)水平上水力功能性状的差异, 并探讨其与解剖结构和机械强度之间的关系。在湿生同质园内选择罗汉松科3种植物, 测定了茎和根木质部水力功能性状(最大比导率(K_s)和栓塞抗性(P₅₀))、解剖结构性状(管胞直径(D_t)、水力直径(D_h)、管胞密度(N_t)、管胞壁厚(T_w)、纹孔膜直径(D_p)和纹孔密度(N_p))和机械强度(木材密度(WD)和管胞厚度跨度比((t/b)²))。结果发现: (1)罗汉松科3种植物茎木质部不存在效率-安全权衡, 而根木质部存在权衡。(2)茎K_s与D_p显著正相关, 与(t/b)²和WD无关; 茎P₅₀与D_p极显著负相关, 与(t/b)²和WD无关。(3)根K_s与D_h显著正相关, 与T_w和(t/b)²极显著负相关; 根P₅₀与T_w、(t/b)²和WD均极显著正相关。在罗汉松科植物中, 根木质部性状与输水效率和栓塞抗性的密切关系是解释其存在效率-安全权衡的基础, 而茎木质部的过度建造是茎不存在效率-安全权衡的原因, 木质部的过度建造仍需要更多的实验证据。     

棉铃虫在变温环境中发育起点温度的研究

本文提出一个估计在变温环境中昆虫发育起点温度的新方法.该法能充分利用生物学资料中的信息.它通过运用优选法来减少搜索过程中发育起点温度T₀的变化次数, 而它的目标函数是方差.该法还通过引入如下一个当T₀变化时累计日度的变换方法来减少计算工作量.(1)当T_s≥T_max时, K_s=0;(2)当T_s≤T_min时, K_s=K₀-(T_s-T₀)·N;(3)当T_minsmax时, K_s=[K₀-(T_min-T₀)·N)(1-N·Q), 其中Q=0.00669024+1.70477P-0.701654P², P=(T_s-Tmin)/(T_max-T_min).这里T_s和K_s是变换后相应的发育起点温度和累计日度, T_max和T_min是最高和最低温度, N是发育阶段的平均历期. 我们用该法估计了棉铃虫的发育起点温度.结果表明卵期的发育起点温度是9.42674℃幼虫期是12.2702℃, 蛹期为14.2365℃.相应的累计积温是31.5416, 200.782和129.61日度.     

八个树种叶水力性状对水分条件的响应及其驱动因素

树木叶片的水力效率和安全性会对水分条件的改变做出一定的响应, 进而影响树木的生长和分布, 然而叶导水率(K_leaf)和叶水力脆弱性(P₅₀)对不同水分条件的响应模式及其影响因素尚不清楚。该研究选取了晋西北关帝山和黑茶山两种水分条件下的8种树种, 测量其水力性状、叶片导管和形态性状, 比较两地不同树种的K_leaf和P₅₀的变化, 分析叶片水力效率和安全性之间的权衡关系, 并探讨叶片水力性状在不同树种及水分条件下的响应模式及其驱动因素。结果表明: 对同一树种而言, 湿润的关帝山叶最大导水率(K_max)和P₅₀均高于干旱的黑茶山; 对同一地区而言, 从在高水分条件下生长的树种到在易干旱环境生长的树种, K_max和P₅₀均逐渐下降。K_max、P₅₀、膨压丧失点水势(TLP)之间均存在显著相关关系。两地叶片P₅₀与导管密度、导管塌陷预测值((t/b)³)、叶片厚度、比叶质量显著正相关, 与导管直径、叶面积显著负相关, 不同树种的K_leaf和P₅₀与叶导管性状的关系大于叶形态性状。同一树种的关帝山到黑茶山P₅₀变化量(δP₅₀)与比叶质量和叶干物质含量在两地的变化量显著正相关, 同一树种δP₅₀与叶形态性状变化量的关系大于与叶导管性状的。以上结果表明: 随着水分条件变差, 叶片水力效率降低, 水力安全性提高, 不同树种叶片水力效率与安全性之间存在一定的权衡关系, 不同树种叶水力性状的差别受叶导管性状影响的程度大于受叶形态性状的影响, 同一树种叶水力安全性对水分条件变化的响应主要依靠叶形态性状的驱动, 树木在提高自身叶水力安全的同时增加了叶构建的碳投资。     

九种不同材性的温带树种叶水力性状及其权衡关系

不同材性树种的解剖、叶脉分布等结构性状差异会影响树木的水分运输效率和水分利用策略, 进而限制树木的生存、生长和分布。然而, 材性对叶导水率、水力脆弱性及其潜在的权衡关系的影响尚不清楚。该研究选择东北温带森林中不同材性的9种树种(散孔材: 山杨(Populus davidiana)、紫椴(Tilia amurensis)、白桦(Betula platyphylla); 环孔材: 蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)、水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)、胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica); 无孔材: 红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)、红松(Pinus koraiensis), 测量其基于叶面积和叶质量的叶导水率(K_area和K_mass)、水力脆弱性(P₅₀)、膨压丧失点水势(TLP)及叶结构性状, 以比较不同材性树种叶水力性状的差异, 并探索叶水力效率与安全的权衡关系。结果表明: 3种材性树种的K_area、K_mass和P₅₀均差异显著(p < 0.05)。无孔材树种的K_area和K_mass最低, 而散孔材和环孔材树种差异不显著; 环孔材树种P₅₀最高, 而散孔材和无孔材树种差异不显著。K_area和K_mass均与P₅₀显著负相关(p < 0.05), 但散孔材、环孔材和无孔材树种的相关关系分别呈线性、幂函数和指数函数关系。这表明叶水力效率与安全之间存在一定的权衡关系, 但该关系受树木材性的影响。K_mass与TLP显著负相关(p < 0.01), 其中散孔材和环孔材树种呈线性负相关, 无孔材树种呈负指数函数关系; P₅₀随TLP的增加而增加, 这表明树木在面临水分胁迫时, 其质外体和共质体抗旱阻力共同协调保护叶片活细胞, 防止其水分状况到达临界阈值。K_mass与叶干物质含量、叶密度、比叶重均显著负相关, 而P₅₀与之显著正相关(p < 0.01, P₅₀与比叶重的关系除外), 表明树木叶水力特性的变化受相同叶结构特性驱动, 树木增加对水力失调的容忍需要在叶水力系统构建上增加碳投资。     

水蚀风蚀交错区不同土地利用方式的土壤水气传输特性

研究水蚀风蚀交错区土地利用方式转变对土壤水气传输的影响,可为黄土高原生态恢复过程中有限水土资源的高效利用提供参考.为了分析不同土地利用方式下的土壤水气传输特性,探究饱和导水率(K_s)、导气率(K_a)和相对气体扩散率(D_P/D₀)间的关系,对柠条地、撂荒地、苜蓿地、农地和裸地样地0~5 cm深度土层原状土,采用定水头法测定K_s,气室法测定D_P/D₀,土壤导气率测定仪测定田间持水量(FC)下的K_a.结果表明: 土壤0~5 cm容重(ρ_b)的大小顺序为苜蓿地>裸地>撂荒地>柠条地>农地,撂荒地、裸地和苜蓿地ρ_b与农地差异显著.土壤总孔隙度(Φ)的大小顺序为农地>柠条地>撂荒地>裸地>苜蓿地,相比农地,苜蓿地、裸地和撂荒地土壤Φ分别低7.5%、4.7%和3.1%.充气孔隙度(ε₁₀₀)的大小顺序为农地>撂荒地>柠条地>裸地>苜蓿地,苜蓿地、裸地、柠条地和撂荒地ε₁₀₀分别较农地低38.3%、33.6%、12.8%和10.1%.土壤K_s的大小顺序为撂荒地>柠条地>苜蓿地>裸地>农地,其中,撂荒地K_s显著高于其他4种土地利用方式;土壤K_a的大小顺序为撂荒地>苜蓿地>柠条地>裸地>农地,撂荒地与农地之间差异显著;土壤D_P/D₀的大小顺序为撂荒地>柠条地>苜蓿地>农地>裸地,其中,柠条地和撂荒地土壤D_P/D₀显著大于农地,分别较农地高36.8%和61.6%.土壤K_s和FC条件下的K_a、D_P/D₀之间呈显著相关.土地利用方式转变显著改变了土壤的通透性,耕地撂荒或者种植柠条及苜蓿改善了表层土壤导水和导气性能,农地和裸地土壤水气传输能力较差.     

CO2储存通量估算方法对森林生态系统碳收支估测的影响

准确测定森林生态系统中CO₂储存通量(F_s)对于以涡动协方差(EC)法估算生态系统碳收支具有重要意义,而F_s不同算法引起的森林碳收支估测误差还未被全面评估。本研究利用2018年帽儿山落叶阔叶林的开路EC系统和8层CO₂/H₂O廓线系统(AP100, Campbell Scientific Inc., USA)数据,比较了2-min平均廓线(P_{2 min})、30-min平均廓线(P_{30 min})和30-min平均EC单点法(P_s)3种不同方法估算的F_s对净生态系统交换(NEE)、生态系统呼吸(R_e)和总初级生产力(GPP)估算结果的影响。结果表明: F_s估算方法对森林碳通量的影响总体上随时间尺度增大而不断增大,表明通量数据插补和拆分会进一步放大F_s估算方法的影响。在年尺度上,P_{2 min}法和P_s法的NEE分别比P_{30 min}法的低36.3%和29.4%;P_{2 min}法的R_e比P_{30 min}法和P_s法高8.7%;而P_{2 min}法的GPP比P_{30 min}法的高5.4%,P_s法则比P_{30 min}法的低2.1%。传统的P_{30 min}法忽略了CO₂浓度的瞬时变化,P_s法缺少林冠层内部CO₂浓度变化,因此两者低估了真实R_e。近似瞬时廓线的方法(2-min平均)具有更高的时间与空间分辨率,能够更加准确地估算非平坦地形和复杂冠层结构的森林碳收支,这对解决EC法在复杂条件下森林R_e和GPP低估、净碳汇高估具有重要启示。     

毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律及其对环境因子的响应

明确毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律及其对环境因子的响应, 可以为以叶片膨压作为水分亏缺指标指导灌溉提供理论依据。该研究以滴灌条件下的二年生毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)人工林为研究对象, 对充分灌溉(FI)和控水灌溉(CK)的叶片磁力探针压力输出值(P_p)进行了连续监测, 并同步监测了土壤温度(T_s)、土壤水势(Ψ_s)、液流速率(V_SF)和气象因子, 探讨了不同水分处理下毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明: 1)不同天气条件下的P_p均呈明显的“昼高夜低”变化规律, 且晴天的峰值宽度最大; 2)标准化相对叶片膨压(ΔP_p)与V_SF在不同天气条件下均呈正相关关系, 都可用二项式函数描述, 决定系数(R ²)从大到小依次是: 晴天(R ² = 0.87) >阴天(R ² = 0.72) >雨天(R ² = 0.31); 3)影响P_p变化的环境因子主要是光合有效辐射(PAR)、空气温度(T_a)、空气相对湿度(RH)以及饱和水汽压差(VPD), 其中PAR与P_p协同变化最一致; 4) ΔP_p对不同环境因子均存在时滞效应, 且不同水分处理的时滞圈大小不同; 5)不同水分处理的P_p曲线形状有明显差异。综上所述, 毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律与环境因子关系密切, 且与晴天液流速率存在高度的协同变化, 有作为水分亏缺诊断指标的潜力。     

Patterns of variations in leaf turgor pressure and responses to environmental factors in Populus tomentosa

明确毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律及其对环境因子的响应, 可以为以叶片膨压作为水分亏缺指标指导灌溉提供理论依据。该研究以滴灌条件下的二年生毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)人工林为研究对象, 对充分灌溉(FI)和控水灌溉(CK)的叶片磁力探针压力输出值(P_p)进行了连续监测, 并同步监测了土壤温度(T_s)、土壤水势(Ψ_s)、液流速率(V_SF)和气象因子, 探讨了不同水分处理下毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明: 1)不同天气条件下的P_p均呈明显的“昼高夜低”变化规律, 且晴天的峰值宽度最大; 2)标准化相对叶片膨压(ΔP_p)与V_SF在不同天气条件下均呈正相关关系, 都可用二项式函数描述, 决定系数(R ²)从大到小依次是: 晴天(R ² = 0.87) >阴天(R ² = 0.72) >雨天(R ² = 0.31); 3)影响P_p变化的环境因子主要是光合有效辐射(PAR)、空气温度(T_a)、空气相对湿度(RH)以及饱和水汽压差(VPD), 其中PAR与P_p协同变化最一致; 4) ΔP_p对不同环境因子均存在时滞效应, 且不同水分处理的时滞圈大小不同; 5)不同水分处理的P_p曲线形状有明显差异。综上所述, 毛白杨叶片膨压变化规律与环境因子关系密切, 且与晴天液流速率存在高度的协同变化, 有作为水分亏缺诊断指标的潜力。     

极端干旱区多枝柽柳叶片气孔导度的环境响应模拟

气孔通过调节植物体水分散失和CO₂吸收在植物适应环境变化和环境胁迫中发挥重要作用。该文在对极端干旱区多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissma)叶片气体交换参数观测的基础上, 引入诊断函数f(H)对BWB模型和BBL模型提出的气孔导度(g_s)模型中的空气湿度(h_s或D_s)进行了评价, 并将评价结果引入叶子飘和于强推导出的g_s机理模型。结果表明: (1) BWB和BBL模型对h_s (或D_s)的模拟效果存在很大差异: BWB模型拟合效果较好(R² = 0.5354), BBL模型的结果显著但效果较差(R² = 0.1103)。试验结果显示: 随h_s(或D_s)的增大, g_s呈先增大后减小的趋势, 可用Gauss模型进行拟合, R²分别为0.593和0.258, 说明g_s与h_s的关系要比D_s更密切; (2)叶子飘和于强给出的简化模型(Simple模型)和该文给出的指数模型(Gauss-h模型)均具有较好的模拟效果(R²分别为0.8707和0.8286), η值分别为0.1245和0.0171, 其值均介于0-1之间; (3)模型验证中Gauss-h模型较Simple模型明显低估了观测值, 当观测条件无限趋近于Simple模型的假设时, Simple模型的拟合效果可得到显著提高(R² = 0.9606)。     

水分对苜蓿叶片光合特性的影响

采用田间试验, 对每茬灌水3次(W₃)、2次(W₂)、1次(W₁)和不灌水(W₀)四种条件下的土壤水分, 苜蓿(Medicago sativa)叶片的叶绿素荧光参数、气孔导度(G_s)、净光合速率(P_n)和蒸腾速率(T_r)进行测定。结果表明, 灌水提高了苜蓿叶片的原初光能转换效率(F_v/F_m)、P_n和T_r, 并随着灌水量的增加而增加。苜蓿叶片的F_v/F_m、P_n和T_r的日均值与土壤含水量均呈极显著正相关关系。苜蓿叶片的P_n与F_v/F_m和光合有效辐射(PAR)的乘积呈正相关关系。灌水还改变了苜蓿叶片P_n的日变化格局。灌水较多的处理(W₃和W₂), 苜蓿叶片没有出现光合“午休”现象,P_n的日变化趋势呈现“单峰”型。而灌水较少和不灌水的处理(W₁和W₀), 苜蓿叶片出现了明显的光合“午休”现象, 其P_n的日变化进程呈现“双峰”型。在相同的水分条件下, 初花期苜蓿叶片的P_n高于再生期的, T_r则相反。     

三种裸子植物木质部结构与功能对不同生境的适应

生境异质性是影响植物生长发育的重要因素。植物木质部水力系统是土壤-植物-大气连续体的主要通路, 直接影响植物的基本行为和功能, 同时也反映了植物对环境变化的适应性。为对比天目山3种裸子植物枝条木质部水力功能、机械和解剖结构性状在不同生境(自然生境与人工生境)的差异, 揭示裸子植物对不同生境的适应机制, 该研究以金钱松(Pseudolarix amabilis)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)和雪松(Cedrus deodara)为研究对象, 测定枝木质部导水率、栓塞抗性(导水率损失50%时的水势)、机械以及解剖结构性状。结果发现: 1)人工生境植株比自然生境植株水力效率弱, 但栓塞抗性强。2)自然生境雪松木质部导水系统存在效率-安全权衡; 不论自然还是人工生境杉木、金钱松木质部导水系统均无效率-安全权衡。3)人工生境雪松和金钱松木质部存在机械-安全权衡。相比人工生境, 土壤水分有效性低的自然生境中, 植物采用增大纹孔膜直径来提高水力效率, 此外, 还可通过增加木材密度、扩大管胞直径来避免栓塞带来的威胁。     

Physiological acclimation to drought stress in Solidago canadensis

Solidago canadensis is an invasive species from North America that is spreading across Europe, Australia and temperate Asia. We hypothesized that the species' wide ecological amplitude is also based on its potential in hydraulic acclimation, and analyzed hydraulic and anatomical properties along a transect with decreasing soil humidity. Stem hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability to drought‐induced embolism, stomatal closure during dehydration and xylem‐anatomical parameters were quantified at three sites. At the humid site, specific hydraulic conductivity of stems (1.0 ± 0.2 kg m^–1 MPa^–1 s^–1) was about twofold higher, and leaf‐specific conductivity about 1.5 times higher (3.1 ± 0.5 kg m^–1 MPa^–1 s^–1) than at the dry site. Water potential (Ψ) at 50% loss of conductivity was ?3.7 ± 0.1 MPa at the dry site and ?3.1 ± 0.2 MPa at the humid site (September). Vulnerability to drought‐induced embolism decreased along the transect and over the vegetation period. At drier sites, stomata started closing at lower Ψ while complete stomatal closure was reached at less negative Ψ (12% of maximum stomatal conductance: –2.5 ± 0.0 and ?3.0 ± 0.2 MPa at the dry and humid site). The safety margin between stomatal closure and 50% loss of conductivity was 1.2 and 0.2 MPa at the dry and humid sites. The observed variability indicated an efficient acclimation in hydraulic conductivity and safety: plants at dry sites exhibited lower specific hydraulic conductivity, higher embolism resistance and broader safety margins, signifying a trade‐off between the hydraulic safety and efficiency. The observed intraspecific plasticity in hydraulic and anatomical traits may help to explain the invasive potential of this species.     

Structural determinants of increased susceptibility to dehydration‐induced cavitation in post‐fire resprouting chaparral shrubs

It is well established that transpiration and photosynthetic rates generally increase in resprouting shoots after fire in chaparral shrublands. By contrast, little is known about how plant hydraulic function varies during this same recovery period. We hypothesized that vascular traits, both functional and structural, would also shift in order to support this heightened level of gas exchange and growth. We examined stem xylem‐specific hydraulic conductivity (K_s) and resistance to cavitation (P₅₀) for eight chaparral shrub species as well as several potential xylem structural determinants of hydraulic function and compared established unburned plants and co‐occurring post‐fire resprouting plants. Unburned plants were generally more resistant to cavitation than resprouting plants, but the two groups did not differ in K_s. Resprouting plants had altered vessel structure compared with unburned plants, with resprouting plants having both wider diameter vessels and higher inter‐vessel pit density. For biomechanics, unburned plants had both stronger and denser stem xylem tissue than resprouting plants. Shifts in hydraulic structure and function resulted in resprouting plants being more vulnerable to dehydration. The interaction between time since disturbance (i.e. resprouting versus established stands) and drought may complicate attempts to predict mortality risk of resprouting plants.     

木本植物水力学结构之导管长度研究进展

导管作为多数被子植物木质部水分运输的主要通道, 了解其结构及功能对研究被子植物水力学特性及植物对环境的适应性有着重要的作用。导管长度作为导管解剖特征之一, 对水分运输的安全性及有效性有着重要的影响。该文概述了导管长度测量及计算的方法, 导管长度在种内及种间的分布, 导管长度与导管直径的关系, 导管长度与导水率的关系及导管长度对建立栓塞脆弱曲线的影响, 并对未来导管长度的研究工作重点提出了建议: 1)改进灌注物质, 使灌注更加充分且更利于观察、提高计算精度、发展活体动态测量技术; 2)建立导管在植物不同器官及整体的分布网络以及不同生活型、不同地区的导管长度数据库; 3)对导管直径在导管方向的变化, 导管长度与其他导管特性之间的关系进行研究; 4)光学测量建立栓塞脆弱曲线技术的兴起, 可为解决离心机法建立栓塞脆弱曲线的真实与准确与否的争议提供新的方向。更深入地了解导管长度在植物水力功能中担负的角色, 可以为耐旱、抗旱品种选育提供理论基础。     

Intact plant MRI for the study of cell water relations, membrane permeability, cell-to-cell and long distance water transport

Water content and hydraulic conductivity, including transport within cells, over membranes, cell-to-cell, and long-distance xylem and phloem transport, are strongly affected by plant water stress. By being able to measure these transport processes non-invasely in the intact plant situation in relation to the plant (cell) water balance, it will be possible explicitly or implicitly to examine many aspects of plant function, plant performance, and stress responses. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are now available that allow studying plant hydraulics on different length scales within intact plants. The information within MRI images can be manipulated in such a way that cell compartment size, water membrane permeability, water cell-to-cell transport, and xylem and phloem flow hydraulics are obtained in addition to anatomical information. These techniques are non-destructive and non-invasive and can be used to study the dynamics of plant water relations and water transport, for example, as a function of environmental (stress) conditions. An overview of NMR and MRI methods to measure such information is presented and hardware solutions for minimal invasive intact plant MRI are discussed.     

Vessel length as a key hydraulic structure in woody plants: A review

导管作为多数被子植物木质部水分运输的主要通道, 了解其结构及功能对研究被子植物水力学特性及植物对环境的适应性有着重要的作用。导管长度作为导管解剖特征之一, 对水分运输的安全性及有效性有着重要的影响。该文概述了导管长度测量及计算的方法, 导管长度在种内及种间的分布, 导管长度与导管直径的关系, 导管长度与导水率的关系及导管长度对建立栓塞脆弱曲线的影响, 并对未来导管长度的研究工作重点提出了建议: 1)改进灌注物质, 使灌注更加充分且更利于观察、提高计算精度、发展活体动态测量技术; 2)建立导管在植物不同器官及整体的分布网络以及不同生活型、不同地区的导管长度数据库; 3)对导管直径在导管方向的变化, 导管长度与其他导管特性之间的关系进行研究; 4)光学测量建立栓塞脆弱曲线技术的兴起, 可为解决离心机法建立栓塞脆弱曲线的真实与准确与否的争议提供新的方向。更深入地了解导管长度在植物水力功能中担负的角色, 可以为耐旱、抗旱品种选育提供理论基础。     

A model relating root permeability to flux and potentials: application to existing data from soybean and other plants

A model that relates hydraulic permeability to water flux and to gradients in pressure potential and solute potential was tested using soybean (Glycine max) plants. Water flux was varied by additions of polyethylene glycol 6,000 around one portion of a divided root system and by changing the light intensity and CO₂ concentration around the plants. The data are compatible with the model only if the hydraulic permeability varies with flux; however, the data were insufficient for rigorous testing. Three sets of published data fit the model only if hydraulic permeability varies. Evidence originally presented as involving constant hydraulic permeability is shown, rather, to require variable hydraulic permeability.     

Plant growth, leaf water potential, nitrogenase activity and nodule anatomy in Leucaena leucocephala as affected by water stress and nitrogen availability

 The effects of water stress and nitrogen availability on leaf water potential, nitrogenase activity, and growth was studied in a pot experiment with Leucaena leucocephala seedlings. Water stress was imposed on fertilized and unfertilized plants after inoculation with Rhizobium. Non-inoculated seedlings were used as control plants. Water stress lowered leaf water potential in all seedlings after 14 days of treatment. In inoculated seedlings, fertilized plants were more sensitive to water stress than unfertilized plants, as shown by a higher leaf water potential in plants of the latter treatment. Uninoculated and fertilized seedlings were most affected by water stress. This indicates that Rhizobium might increase stress tolerance in unfertilized seedlings at moderate water stress levels. The combined effects of water stress and applied fertilizers resulted in cessation of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation came to a complete stop after 22 days of water stress in fertilized seedlings. The different treatments were accompanied by anatomical changes of nodule structure. It is hypothesised that the leaf water potential may be used as an indicator to predict changes in nitrogen fixation in legume tree/shrub species during periods of water stress. Received: 21 October 1996 / Accepted: 12 May 1997     

Functional lifespans of xylem vessels: Development,hydraulic function,and post‐function of vessels in several species of woody plants

Premise of the Study

Xylem vessels transition through different stages during their functional lifespan, including expansion and development of vessel elements, transition to vessel hydraulic functionality, and eventual transition to post‐functionality. We used information on vessel development and function to develop a model of vessel lifespan for woody plants.

Methods

We examined vessel functional lifespan using repeated anatomical sampling throughout the growing season, combined with active‐xylem staining to evaluate vessel hydraulic transport functionality. These data were combined with a literature review. The transitions between vessel functional lifespans for several species are illustrated, including grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., Vitaceae), English oak (Quercus robur L., Fagaceae), American chestnut [Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh.; Fagaceae], and several arid and semi‐arid shrub species.

Key Results

In intact woody plants, development and maturation of vessel elements may be gradual. Once hydraulically functional, vessel elements connect to form a vessel network that is responsible for bulk hydraulic flow through the xylem. Vessels become nonfunctional due to the formation of gas emboli. In some species and under some conditions, vessel functionality of embolized conduits may be restored through refilling. Blockages, such as tyloses, gels, or gums, indicate permanent losses in hydraulic functional capacity; however, there may be some interesting exceptions to permanent loss of functionality for gel‐based blockages.

Conclusions

The gradual development and maturation of vessel elements in woody plants, variation in the onset of functionality between different populations of vessels throughout the growing season, and differences in the timing of vessel transitions to post‐functionality are important aspects of plant hydraulic function.