Prolonged Infusion of Fluids into Tree Seedlings Using Ascorbic Acid

A method was developed to infuse liquids into the stems of three-year-oldCercis canadensis L., Liriodendron tulipifera L., and Tiliacordata Mill. seedlings and to monitor the movement of fluidinto the stems. Ascorbic acid (14.2 mM) added to the infusionliquid, could increase the initial rate of fluid uptake 2- to3-fold compared with distilled water control treatments. Theascorbic acid treatment also prolonged fluid uptake about 4d longer than distilled water treatments. The effect of ascorbicacid on fluid uptake could not be correlated to the solutionpH, the antibiotic effect of high ascorbic acid concentrations,or to seedling height, trunk diameter or projected leaf area.Data did, however, suggest that the increased fluid uptake rateand the prolonged fluid uptake may be related to the anti-oxidantproperty of ascorbic acid. The accumulation of 1.0 g of ascorbicacid in 60 to 100 cm tall C. canadensis and L. tulipifera seedlingsdid induce defoliation and lateral bud break. The data presentedmay be useful in developing techniques for prolonged infusionof therapeutic compounds into trees and for studying, in vivo,wound response to xylem tissue. Key words: Ascorbic acid, liquid influsion, tree seedlings