黄耆属草本植物根部导管结构对环境因子的响应

干旱半干旱区植物的导水解剖结构对环境条件的适应性具有重要生态学意义。本研究采用石蜡切片法获取了中国干旱半干旱区4种黄耆属草本植物——斜茎黄耆(Astragalus adsurgens)、黄耆(Astragalus membranaceus)、乳白黄耆(Astragalus galactites)和草木樨状黄耆(Astragalus melilotoides)根部导管解剖结构的特征，分析了导管解剖性状对环境因子(温度和降水)的响应特征。结果发现，黄耆属草本物种的导管解剖性状(导管数量、导管分数、平均导管面积、平均水力传导率和水力直径)具有较大的变异特征。随着降水和温度的增加，导管数量显著下降，而导水效率相关的性状(水力直径、平均导管面积和平均水力传导率)则具有上升趋势。这表明在降水量和温度较低地区，较多的导管数量和较小的导管面积导致黄耆属草本采取导水安全优先策略；在降水量和温度较高的地区，较少的导管数量和较大的导管面积导致黄耆属草本采取导水效率优先策略。黄耆属草本根的解剖性状与温度的相关性均高于其与降水的相关性，表明温度可能是影响其导管解剖结构的主要气候因子。     

黄土高原多年生草本根部导水策略空间异质性特征

根据多年生草本根部导管解剖结构特征,分析了黄土高原两个气候区草本物种导水结构特征及导水策略对干旱气候条件的适应性特征。结果表明,黄土高原半干旱区(年降雨量小于400 mm)草本物种平均年龄较大(7年),理论导管直径(33μm)、导管面积(680μm²)和导水效率(1.56 kg m^-1 MPa^-1 s^-1)数值较高,而导管数量(65个)和导管分量(6.2%)数值较低;黄土高原半湿润区(年降雨量大于400 mm)草本物种平均年龄较小(5年),理论导管直径(27μm)、导管面积(550μm²)和导水效率(1.12 kg m^-1 MPa^-1 s^-1)数值较低,而导管数量(85个)和导管分量(7.5%)数值较高。黄土高原半干旱区草本物种的导管直径较大、单位面积内的导管数量较少,因而导水效率较高,在干旱胁迫条件下趋向于采取效率优先的导水策略;黄土高原半湿润区草本物种的导管直径较小、单位面积内的导管数量较多,因而导水效率较低...     

辽东山地老秃顶子石流坡地貌土壤-植物系统分异特征

基于17 块群落样地调查数据, 对辽东山地老秃顶子石流坡地貌土壤-植物系统基本特征及分异性进行研究。结果表明: (1)石流坡地貌分布有落叶阔叶林、针阔混交林、矮曲林和灌丛4 种植被类型, 针阔混交林占优势。(2)石流坡地貌落叶落叶林、针阔混交林、矮曲林、灌丛物种丰富度分别为(33.6±4.7)、(34.6±10.1)、(42.0±0)、(34.8±5.2)。(3)石流坡地貌土层厚度为38.18 cm, 土壤含盐率和电导率均属于中等变异性, 表土层温度为弱变异性, 氧化物含量比较均一。(4)石流坡地貌灌木层的Shannon-Wiener 指数与P₂O₅ 呈负相关(R= –0.549, P<0.05, N=17); 草本层物种丰富度与土壤中CO2 含量呈负相关(R= –0.580, P<0.05,N=17); Shannon-Wiener 与土壤中CO2 含量呈显著负相关(R= –0.726, P<0.01, N=17), 与土壤中P2O5 含量呈正相关(R=0.496,P<0.05, N=17)。乔木层物种丰富度与土壤氧化物CaO 含量呈正相关关系(R= –0.635, P<0.05, N=13), 乔木层的Shannon-Wiener指数与CaO 呈正相关(R= –0.597, P<0.05, N=13); 草本层Shannon-Wiener 指数与CaO 呈负相关(R=0.554, P<0.05, N=17)。     

黄土高原多年生草本物种根部导水结构及空间分异特征

植物茎干导水系统起着植株水分长距离输导功能,深入了解植物导水解剖结构和功能对于认识植物水分、养分输导和分配策略具有重要意义,然而相关研究还是主要集中在木本乔、灌木物种上,而对于多年生草本物种的相关研究还未引起人们的重视。以黄土高原多年生草本物种为研究对象,在黄土高原沿降雨梯度(250—530 mm)布设12个采样点,采集了30种多年生草本物种的主根解剖材料,并分析了该地区草本物种根部导管解剖结构及空间分异特征。研究结果表明1)多年生草本物种根部导管特征参量具有较大的变异性,在固定测量范围内导管数量、导管直径、导管分数、总水分传导效率的变化范围分别为25—295个、24.46—54.58μm、2.42%—33.16%、0.034—25.357 kg m~(-1) MPa~(-1) s~(-1)。2)多年生草本根部导管直径、导管分数和导水效率均沿降雨量的增加呈不断下降趋势,其中以导水效率下降趋势最为明显(R=-0.3—-0.362,P0.05),这表明水分条件是限制黄土高原草本物种根部导水特征空间变异的主要因素。3)多年生草本根部导管直径和导水效率以半荒漠分布为主的蒺藜科草本物种中数值最高,其次是人工种植为主的豆科草本物种,而以自然分布为主的菊科草本物种的导管参量数值最低,这表明黄土高原不同类群草本物种的导水特征和输水策略存在较大差异性。     

哈尔滨市主要城市绿地特征和耦合关系

采用样方法调查了哈尔滨市17块绿地的植物多样性,研究城市绿地生态系统中本土植物多样性对外来植物的影响规律。结果如下:哈尔滨市绿地有75种外来植物,外来栽培植物42种,外来非栽培植物33种。在哈尔滨市绿地植物群落中,外来栽培植物的平均盖度、平均重要值和平均出现频度均较高;外来非栽培种的平均盖度、平均重要值较低,而平均出现频度较高。绿地本土植物物种数与外来栽培种、外来非栽培种的物种数极显著正相关(P<0.01),与外来非栽培种的平均出现频度显著负相关(P<0.05)。绿地乔木层本土植物的香农威尔指数、物种丰富度与外来栽培种、外来非栽培种的物种数均显著负相关(P<0.05),乔木层本土植物的均匀度与外来非栽培种的平均出现频度极显著负相关(P<0.01);灌木层本土植物的物种丰富度与外来栽培种的平均重要值显著负相关(P<0.05);草本层本土植物的均匀度与外来非栽培种的平均相对盖度显著正相关(P<0.05)。随绿地总面积的增加,外来栽培种和外来非栽培种的物种数增加,平均出现频度均呈现显著降低的趋势。随建成时间增加,外来栽培种的平均出现频度呈非线形变化,外来非栽培种的平均出现频度呈现降低的趋势。应提高哈尔滨市绿地本土植物的多样性,严格控制新建成的、总面积较小的绿地中外来植物的引种栽培管理,以防止外来植物发展成为危害本地生态系统的入侵植物。     

不同年代梭梭同化枝解剖结构特征及其对土壤条件的响应

叶片是植物与外界环境进行能量、水气交换的主要器官,对环境变化较敏感且可塑性较大。该研究以民勤不同年代梭梭同化枝为研究对象,采用石蜡切片法,分析不同年代梭梭同化枝解剖结构变异特点及其与土壤条件的关系,旨在探讨梭梭同化枝在干旱环境的生态适应机制。结果表明:(1)除角质层和导管孔径,不同年代梭梭同化枝解剖结构指标差异显著(P<0.05),变异系数变化范围为5.19%~21.53%。(2)随着生长年限的增加,梭梭同化枝直径变小,其他解剖结构指标占半径比例呈先增加后降低趋势。(3)土壤养分含量随年代的增加表现为不断降低的趋势,土壤含水率则因地点不同表现出较大差异。(4)角质层、栅栏组织与速效磷含量呈显著负相关(P<0.05);维管柱直径与电导率呈显著负相关(P<0.05)。研究认为,梭梭同化枝解剖结构与土壤条件存在密切关系,通过改变叶片结构更好地适应干旱荒漠环境,以期为该区梭梭资源的保护与利用提供理论依据。     

黄土高原不同植被带内草地植物叶片解剖性状的变异规律

叶片作为植物与外界进行物质交换的桥梁,其解剖性状能够相互协调以应对外界环境对植物生长造成的不利影响,从而反映出植物对环境变化所采取的适应策略。通过对黄土高原不同植被带(森林草原带、典型草原带、荒漠草原带)草地群落中常见115种植物(包括单子叶植物,双子叶植物,木本植物和草本植物四种功能型植物)叶片进行取样,并运用石蜡制片技术和光学显微技术获得叶片解剖性状(包括表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、叶肉厚度和叶片厚度),旨在研究不同植被带内草地植物叶片解剖性状的变异规律及其与群落内物种相对优势度之间的关系,为黄土高原植被恢复和生态环境改善提供理论依据。结果表明：(1)沿着干旱梯度,从森林草原带、典型草原带到荒漠草原带,除叶肉厚度外,植物各叶片解剖性状值均呈现增大趋势,表明干旱地区叶片的旱生结构特征明显。(2)不同功能型植物叶片解剖性状与环境因子的关系各异。木本植物和草本植物的栅栏组织厚度和栅海比均与降水和土壤养分呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)。同时,木本植物的叶片厚度与水分呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05),而草本植物表皮厚度仅与土壤养分呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)...     

不同坡位水曲柳木质部解剖特征及其与气候关系

随着气候变暖,东北地区暖干化加剧。为了解干旱胁迫对小兴安岭地区不同坡位水曲柳径向生长的影响,采用木材解剖学方法,分析了水曲柳木质部解剖特征对不同坡位水分变化的响应。结果表明: 上、下坡位水曲柳木质部解剖参数整体上变化趋势一致,导管数量呈线性分布,最大导管面积和总导管面积总体上呈对数分布,平均导管面积总体上呈偏正态分布。不同坡位多个解剖参数均存在显著差异,下坡位导管数量、导管面积总体上大于上坡位。大部分解剖参数与日积温呈显著正相关,但存在一定差异,上坡位水曲柳总导管面积与日均温呈正相关,导管数量、总导管面积与相对湿度呈正相关,相关性均大于下坡位。上坡位最小导管面积与日积温和相对湿度呈显著负相关;而下坡位,总导管面积与相对湿度呈显著正相关。气候暖干化会导致水曲柳导管面积和导管数量相对减少,但基本上不影响导管分布状况,上、下坡位导管分布基本一致。目前,气候暖干化未限制而是促进了水曲柳的径向生长。     

不同径级油松径向生长对气候的响应

建立了黑里河自然保护区油松年轮宽度年表,通过不同径级油松径向生长对逐月气候因子的响应关系,研究了干旱对不同径级油松径向生长的影响。结果表明:两个径级油松的年轮宽度指数达到极显著相关(R=0.943,P<0.01),其中小径级(平均胸径20 cm)油松年表的平均敏感度显著高于大径级(平均胸径43 cm)油松年表(P<0.01)。不同径级油松均与上年9月、当年2月及当年5—6月的降水显著正相关(P<0.05),与当年6月的平均温度显著负相关(P<0.05),此外,小径级油松还与当年7月的降水显著正相关(P<0.05);降水是影响油松生长的主要气候因子。不同径级油松的径向生长量在干旱年份均显著降低(P<0.01)且小径级油松的生长降低量显著高于大径级油松(P<0.01);不同径级油松生长量在干旱发生后1年左右的时间内均恢复正常且小径级油松恢复速度更快。     

极端干旱环境下的胡杨木质部水力特征

胡杨作为我国西北干旱区重要的乔木树种,研究其木质部水力特征对了解此树种适应极端干旱环境的生物学背景具有较重要的意义。本研究以塔里木河下游的胡杨成株和2年生胡杨幼苗为研究材料,对其木质部最大导水能力（ks(max)）和自然栓塞程度（PLC）等木质部水力特征及其水力特征有关的木质部导管(或管饱)数量特征进行研究。结果表明,成株胡杨多年生枝条和侧根（2≤d<5 mm）木质部自然栓塞程度均较高,PLC均值高于50%,其中多年生枝条栓塞程度具有一定的日变化规律,清晨的PLC均值（58%）小于正午的（67%）;河道边上成株胡杨侧根的均ks(max)和PLC均值都小于距河道200 m处的。随着土壤干旱程度的加剧,幼苗胡杨侧根的自然栓塞程度随之增加,而叶片气孔导度随之降低,土壤含水率与侧根自然栓塞程度,叶片气孔导度之间分别存在显著负相关关系（R =-0.9、R =-0.811）。在统一直径范围内(2≤d<5 mm),成株胡杨侧根均导管直径（dmean）和水力直径均大于（d95%、dh）胡杨幼苗,而导管密度胡杨幼苗高于成株胡杨;胡杨侧根木质部最大导水能力与均导管直径、水力直径之间具有显著正相关关系（R>0.9）.     

Hydraulic architecture of Monstera acuminata: evolutionary consequences of the hemiepiphytic growth form

The hydraulic architecture of the secondary hemiepiphyte Monstera acuminata was examined in native plants from Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico, to determine how it compared to better-known growth forms such as trees, shrubs, lianas and primary hemiepiphytes. Monstera acuminata starts its life cycle as a prostrate herb. As it ascends a tree or other vertical support, the stem becomes thicker, produces larger leaves, and may die back from the base upwards until only aerial feeding roots serve to connect the stem to the soil. Unlike the pattern of vessel-size distribution along the stems of woody dicotyledons, M. acuminata has its wider vessels at the top of the stem, decreasing in diameter towards the base. Also peculiar is the fact that Huber values (axis area/distal leaf area) tend to increase exponentially at higher positions within the plant. Based on the hydraulic conductivity ( k _h) and leaf-specific conductivity (LSC, k _h/distal leaf area), the base of the stem potentially acts as a severe hydraulic constriction. This constriction is apparently not limiting, as aerial roots are produced further up the stem. The plants have remarkably strong root pressures, up to 225 kPa, which may contribute to the maintenance of functional vessels by refilling them at night or during periods of very high atmospheric humidity, as in foggy weather and rain. In common with dicotyledonous plants, vessel length, vessel diameter, k _h, specific conductivity ( k _s, k _h/axis area) and LSCs were all positively correlated with axis diameter. The features of the hydraulic architecture of M. acuminata may be an evolutionary consequence of an anatomical constraint (lack of vascular cambium and therefore of secondary growth) and the special requirements of the hemiepiphytic growth form.     

黄河三角洲滨海盐碱地11个造林树种细根解剖性状对土壤条件的响应

细根作为植物与土壤连接的重要部位,能够反映植物对生存环境的适应性。以黄河三角洲滨海盐碱地不同立地条件下11个造林树种为对象,基于细根分支等级划分1-4级根序并进行解剖特征测定,分析细根解剖性状对滨海盐碱地不同土壤条件的响应规律。结果表明：（1）不同根序的细根直径存在显著差异,细根直径随根序升高呈增大趋势,而同根序的细根直径在不同树种间表现出显著的种间差异（P < 0.05）。1-2级细根皮层厚度、3-4级细根导管密度在树种间的差异均达显著水平（P < 0.05）。（2）在较为严重盐渍化土壤条件下（立地1）,细根皮层厚度较其他立地显著增大,但细根导管密度较小;在轻度盐碱立地条件下（立地3）,细根导管密度较大;较为严重的盐碱立地具有更为发达的细根直径及维管柱直径。（3）树种1-2级细根解剖结构与土壤环境关系最为密切,其中1级根直径与土壤pH值显著正相关（P < 0.05）,与土壤硝态氮含量呈显著负相关（P < 0.05）。对土壤理化性质与细根解剖性状的冗余分析表明,前两个轴的特征值达0.640和0.196,土壤速效养分含量与轴一（RDA1）呈正相关,低级根解剖性状则与轴二（RDA2）呈显著负相关。低级根解剖结构以及土壤的pH值能解释较多树种的差异性,其中低级根直径与皮层厚度对盐碱环境表现出较强的响应。     

海桑次生木质部导管解剖特征与土壤理化因子年内动态变化的关系研究

为揭示海桑次生木质部导管解剖特征随土壤理化因子年内动态变动而变化的适应机制,该研究利用海桑具有生长轮的特点,通过显微技术界定了海桑采样枝条一年内10个不同连续时间段形成的新"生长层"(新形成的次生木质部),观测了10个不同连续时间段新"生长层"的导管解剖特征,并对10个新"生长层"形成阶段所对应的土壤理化因子数量特征进行了测定,用逐步回归法分析了10个不同连续时间段海桑新"生长层"管孔数量解剖特征与对应土壤理化因子数量特征之间的关系。结果显示:(1)10个不同连续时间段海桑形成新"生长层"管孔数量特征指标,除相邻管孔间接触壁长占比无显著差异外,其他8项指标包括管孔径向直径、管孔弦向直径、导管壁厚、导管长度、管孔密度、单孔率、导管聚合度和相邻管孔间接触壁长等均具有显著差异(P0.05);多重比较显示,10个不同连续时间段海桑形成新"生长层"管孔数量特征8项指标具不同程度的变动。(2)海桑新"生长层"形成阶段(10个不同连续时间段)土壤理化因子,包括土壤有机质含量、土壤全氮含量、土壤全磷含量、土壤pH值和土壤全盐量等5项指标均具有显著差异(P0.05);多重比较显示,海桑新"生长层"形成阶段(10个不同连续时间段)土壤理化因子指标均具有不同程度变动。(3)10个不同连续时间段海桑形成新"生长层"的管孔数量解剖特征,与所对应新"生长层"形成阶段土壤理化因子数量特征的逐步回归分析表明,随着土壤全盐含量的升高,海桑导管弦向直径和导管聚合度同时呈显著增大趋势(P0.05)。研究表明,海桑在一年内不同连续时间段,随土壤全盐量增加,土壤渗透势将增大,水分在次生木质部导管中输导的安全性将下降,而海桑导管分子随一年内不同连续时间段土壤全盐量的增加呈增大趋势,根据木材生态解剖学的观点,水分输导的安全性将进一步降低,但导管聚合度随一年内不同连续时间段土壤全盐量的增加而增大,具有增进水分输导安全性的作用,这可能是海桑对土壤盐含量变化的生态适应策略。     

Distribution of vessel size,vessel density and xylem conducting efficiency within a crown of silver birch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pendula</Emphasis>)

Spatial patterns in vessel diameter, vessel density and xylem conducting efficiency within a crown were examined in closed-canopy trees of silver birch (Betula pendula). The variation in anatomical and hydraulic characteristics of branches was considered from three perspectives: vertically within a crown (lower, middle and upper crown), radially along main branches (proximal, middle and distal part), and with respect to branch orders (first-, second- and third-order branches). Hydraulically weighted mean diameter of vessels (D _h) and theoretical specific conductivity of the xylem (k _t) exhibited no vertical trend within the tree crown, whereas leaf-specific conductivity of the xylem (LSC_t) decreased acropetally. Variation in LSC_t was governed by sapwood area to leaf area ratio (Huber value) rather than by changes in xylem anatomy. The acropetal increase in soil-to-leaf conductance (G _T) within the birch canopy is attributable to longer path length within the lower-crown branches and higher hydraulic resistance of the shade leaves. D _h, k _t and LSC_t decreased, while vessel density (VD) and relative area of vessel lumina (VA) increased distally along main branches. A strong negative relationship between vessel diameter and VD implies a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and mechanical stability of xylem. D _h and VD combined explained 85.4% of the total variation of k _t in the regression model applied to the whole data set. Xylem in fast-growing branches (primary branches) had greater area of vessel lumina per unit cross-sectional area of sapwood, resulting in a positive relationship between branch radial growth rate and k _t. D _h, k _t and LSC_t decreased, whereas VD increased with increasing branch order. This pattern promotes the hydraulic dominance of primary branches over the secondary branches and their dominance over tertiary branches. In this way crown architecture contributes to preferential water flow along the main axes, potentially providing better water supply for the branch apical bud and foliage located in the outer, better-insolated part of the crown.     

The impact of vessel size on vulnerability curves: data and models for within‐species variability in saplings of aspen,Populus tremuloides Michx

The objective of this study was to quantify the relationship between vulnerability to cavitation and vessel diameter within a species. We measured vulnerability curves (VCs: percentage loss hydraulic conductivity versus tension) in aspen stems and measured vessel‐size distributions. Measurements were done on seed‐grown, 4‐month‐old aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) grown in a greenhouse. VCs of stem segments were measured using a centrifuge technique and by a staining technique that allowed a VC to be constructed based on vessel diameter size‐classes (D). Vessel‐based VCs were also fitted to Weibull cumulative distribution functions (CDF), which provided best‐fit values of Weibull CDF constants (c and b) and P₅₀ = the tension causing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity. We show that P₅₀ = 6.166D^?0.3134 (R² = 0.995) and that b and 1/c are both linear functions of D with R² > 0.95. The results are discussed in terms of models of VCs based on vessel D size‐classes and in terms of concepts such as the ‘pit area hypothesis’ and vessel pathway redundancy.     

Xylem cavitation vulnerability influences tree species’ habitat preferences in miombo woodlands

Although precipitation plays a central role in structuring Africa’s miombo woodlands, remarkably little is known about plant-water relations in this seasonally dry tropical forest. Therefore, in this study, we investigated xylem vulnerability to cavitation for nine principal tree species of miombo woodlands, which differ in habitat preference and leaf phenology. We measured cavitation vulnerability (Ψ₅₀), stem-area specific hydraulic conductivity (K _S), leaf specific conductivity (K _L), seasonal variation in predawn water potential (Ψ_PD) and xylem anatomical properties [mean vessel diameter, mean hydraulic diameter, mean hydraulic diameter accounting for 95 % flow, and maximum vessel length (V _L)]. Results show that tree species with a narrow habitat range (mesic specialists) were more vulnerable to cavitation than species with a wide habitat range (generalists). Ψ₅₀ for mesic specialists ranged between ?1.5 and ?2.2 MPa and that for generalists between ?2.5 and ?3.6 MPa. While mesic specialists exhibited the lowest seasonal variation in Ψ_PD, generalists displayed significant seasonal variations in Ψ_PD suggesting that the two miombo habitat groups differ in their rooting depth. We observed a strong trade-off between K _S and Ψ₅₀ suggesting that tree hydraulic architecture is one of the decisive factors setting ecological boundaries for principal miombo species. While vessel diameters correlated weakly (P > 0.05) with Ψ₅₀, V _L was positively and significantly correlated with Ψ₅₀. Ψ_PD was significantly correlated with Ψ₅₀ further reinforcing the conclusion that tree hydraulic architecture plays a significant role in species’ habitat preference in miombo woodlands.     

Stem xylem features in three Quercus (Fagaceae) species along a climatic gradient in NE Spain

 Stem xylem features in two evergreen Quercus species (Q. coccifera and Q. ilex) and a deciduous one (Q. faginea) were analysed along an Atlantic-Mediterranean climatic gradient in which rainfall and winter cold experience strong variation. Mean maximum vessel diameter, vessel density, vessel element length, xylem transverse sectional area, Huber value (xylem transverse sectional area per leaf area unit), theoretical leaf specific conductivity (estimated hydraulic conductance per leaf area unit) and total leaf area were determined in 3-year-old branches. Q. faginea presented the widest vessels and the highest theoretical leaf specific conductivity while Q. coccifera showed the lowest total leaf area and the highest Huber value. Studied features did not exhibit significant correlations with mean minimum January temperature in any species but did show significant relationships with rainfall. In Q. coccifera, mean maximum vessel diameter, vessel element length and theoretical leaf specific conductivity increased with higher rainfall while vessel density decreased. Mean maximum vessel diameter and total leaf area in Q. ilex increased with precipitation whereas variables of Q. faginea did not show any significant trend. Results suggest that aridity, rather than minimum winter temperature, controls stem xylem responses in the studied evergreen species. Q. faginea traits did not show any response to precipitation, probably because this species develops deep roots, which in turn makes edaphic and topographic factors more important in the control of soil water availability. In response to aridity Q. coccifera only exhibits adjustment at a xylem level by reducing its water transport capacity through a reduction of vessel diameter without changing the amount of xylem tissue or foliage, whereas Q. ilex adjusts its water transport capacity in parallel to the foliage area. Received: 13 January 1997 / Accepted: 8 April 1997     

“Plastic” and “static” behavior of vessel-anatomical features in Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in view of xylem hydraulic conductivity

Key message

Xylem anatomical traits can be categorized into two groups: plastic properties which show a high inter-annual variability, and static characteristics which vary in a more conservative range.

Abstract

Water conduction in broad-leaved trees depends mainly on the size, number, and arrangement of vessels, which vary from year to year in response to varying exogenous factors, thus contributing to a safe and/or efficient water transport. However, the nature of such compensation is not clear; in particular, it is not obvious which traits act independently and which ones coincidentally. To better understand these inter-relations, tree-ring width (TRW), vessel-related anatomical traits, and the theoretical hydraulic conductivity were measured or modeled in the last 50 growth rings of mature Oriental beech trees growing at different altitudes in northern Iran. The study trees followed similar strategies compensating the effects of external factors by modifying their vessel-anatomical features. TRW and the number of vessels per unit of area were highly but negatively correlated and both were affected by exogenous factors. However, a decrease in vessel frequency (VF) is not a mirror effect of wider tree rings, but trees actively control the number of vessels produced. Principal component analysis revealed that the features VF, TRW and relative total conductivity were more plastic, whereas average vessel-lumen area, tree-ring porosity, and relative specific conductivity behaved more static. Moreover, we suggest that in theoretical approaches, total hydraulic conductivity rather than the specific hydraulic conductivity is a better indicator of a tree’s hydraulic behavior in a given growing season.     

Does acclimation in cavitation resistance due to mechanical perturbation support the pit area or conduit reinforcement hypotheses in Phaseolus vulgaris?

Two Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivars were exposed to reduced water and stem mechanical perturbation treatments (flexing) to determine if acclimation to these treatments induced hydraulic changes, altered cavitation resistance and changed stem mechanical properties. Additionally, this study sought to determine if changes in cavitation resistance would support the pit area or conduit reinforcement hypotheses. Flexing reduced biomass, leaf area, xylem vessel area and hydraulic conductivity. One cultivar had greater measures of stem strength and cavitation resistance. Flexing increased cavitation resistance (P₅₀) but did not increase Young's modulus, rigidity or flexural strength on dried stems. Stem rigidity and basal diameter were correlated with leaf mass. The ratio of conduit wall thickness to span [(t/b)_h²] increased under high water and flexing treatments while rigidity decreased for one cultivar exposed to both flexing and lower water suggesting an inability to compensate for two simultaneous stresses. Although P₅₀ was not correlated with measures of mechanical strength, P₅₀ was correlated with vessel diameter, consistent with the pit area hypothesis. This study confirmed that mechanical perturbation can impact xylem structural properties and result in altered plant water flow characteristics and cavitation resistance. Long‐term hydraulic acclimation in these herbaceous annuals was constrained by similar tradeoffs that constrain hydraulic properties across species.     

Anatomical Characteristics of Cherry Rootstocks as Possible Preselecting Tools for Prediction of Tree Vigor

An anatomical study of roots and stems of five self-rooted cherry rootstocks with different growth control potentials was performed to compare their structure and xylem anatomy. The aim was to correlate anatomical parameters with rootstock dwarfing potential and theoretical hydraulic conductance (k _h), and to evaluate the potential application of anatomical characteristics in the preselection process for prediction of ultimate tree vigor. One of the mechanisms of water transport efficiency reduction in dwarfing rootstock stems is from the rootstock xylem anatomy. Anatomical parameters of ??Gisela 5?? and ??Mazzard?? were typical for dwarfing and vigorous rootstocks, respectively, and were thus suggested as reference rootstocks. Significantly greater vessel diameter and frequency were found in invigorating and dwarfing rootstocks, respectively. Higher k _h was obtained in roots, compared to stems, due to significantly larger vascular elements. Dwarfing rootstocks had lower k _h due to small vessel lumens and percentage and, to a lesser extent, because of low wood/cortex ratios or percentage of wood. A higher percentage of wood or xylem in cherry roots and stems was not always positively correlated with their conductivity and vigor. Thus, these parameters cannot be reliably used in prediction of the ultimate vigor, although this method was previously suggested for some other fruit tree species. The most reliable anatomical parameters for that purpose proved to be vessel frequency, vessel lumen area, and percentage of vessels on wood cross section. These characteristics could thus be an effective way to estimate dwarfing capacity and could be applied in rootstock selection and breeding programs.