Vulnerability to drought‐induced cavitation in poplars: synthesis and future opportunities |
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Authors: | RÉGIS FICHOT FRANCK BRIGNOLAS HERVÉ COCHARD REINHART CEULEMANS |
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Institution: | 1. INRA, LBLGC, EA 1207, University of Orléans, Orléans, France;2. UMR547 PIAF, INRA, Clermont‐Ferrand, France;3. UMR547 PIAF, Clermont Université, Université Blaise‐Pascal, Clermont‐Ferrand, France;4. Department of Biology, Centre of Excellence, Plant and Vegetation Ecology (PLECO), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Vulnerability to drought‐induced cavitation is a key trait of plant water relations. Here, we summarize the available literature on vulnerability to drought‐induced cavitation in poplars (Populus spp.), a genus of agronomic, ecological and scientific importance. Vulnerability curves and vulnerability parameters (including the water potential inducing 50% loss in hydraulic conductivity, P50) were collected from 37 studies published between 1991 and 2014, covering a range of 10 species and 12 interspecific hybrid crosses. Results of our meta‐analysis confirm that poplars are among the most vulnerable woody species to drought‐induced cavitation (mean P50 = ?1.44 and ?1.55 MPa across pure species and hybrids, respectively). Yet, significant variation occurs among species (P50 range: 1.43 MPa) and among hybrid crosses (P50 range: 1.12 MPa), within species and hybrid crosses (max. P50 range reported: 0.8 MPa) as well as in response to environmental factors including nitrogen fertilization, irradiance, temperature and drought (max. P50 range reported: 0.75 MPa). Potential implications and gaps in knowledge are discussed in the context of poplar cultivation, species adaptation and climate modifications. We suggest that poplars represent a valuable model for studies on drought‐induced cavitation, especially to elucidate the genetic and molecular basis of cavitation resistance in Angiosperms. |
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Keywords: | Populus genetic variation interspecific hybrids phenotypic plasticity pure species trade‐offs water deficit xylem anatomy |
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