Tradeoff between storage capacity and embolism resistance in the xylem of temperate broadleaf tree species

Zhicheng Chen; Shidan Zhu; Yongtao Zhang; Junwei Luan; Shan Li; Pengsen Sun; Xianchong Wan; Shirong Liu

doi:10.1093/treephys/tpaa046

Tradeoff between storage capacity and embolism resistance in the xylem of temperate broadleaf tree species

Tree Physiol. 2020 Jul 30;40(8):1029-1042. doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpaa046.

Authors

Zhicheng Chen¹, Shidan Zhu², Yongtao Zhang³, Junwei Luan⁴, Shan Li⁵, Pengsen Sun⁶, Xianchong Wan¹, Shirong Liu⁶

Affiliations

¹ Research Institute of Forestry New Technology, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
² Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
³ Mountain Tai Forest Ecosystem Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Forestry College of Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Bamboo and Rattan Science and Technology, Institute for Resources and Environment, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100102, China.
⁵ Department of Wood Anatomy and Utilization, Research Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.

PMID: 32310276
DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpaa046

Abstract

Xylem traits are critical plant functional traits associated with water transport, mechanical support, and carbohydrate and water storage. Studies on the xylem hydraulic efficiency-safety tradeoff are numerous; however, the storage function of xylem parenchyma is rarely considered. The effects of a substantial number of xylem traits on water transport, embolism resistance, mechanical support, storage capacity and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content were investigated in 19 temperate broadleaf species planted in an arid limestone habitat in northern China. There was no xylem hydraulic efficiency-safety tradeoff in the 19 broadleaf species. The total parenchyma fraction was negatively correlated with the fiber fraction. Embolism resistance was positively correlated with indicators of xylem mechanical strength such as vessel wall reinforcement, vessel wall thickness and fiber wall thickness, and was negatively related to the axial parenchyma fraction, especially the paratracheal parenchyma fraction. The paratracheal parenchyma fraction was positively correlated with the ratio of the paratracheal parenchyma fraction to the vessel fraction. In addition, the xylem NSC concentration was positively related to the total parenchyma fraction and axial parenchyma fraction. There was a storage capacity-embolism resistance tradeoff in the xylem of 19 broadleaf species in arid limestone habitats. We speculate that the temperate broadleaf species may show a spectrum of xylem hydraulic strategies, from the embolism resistance strategy related to a more negative P50 (the water potential corresponding to 50% loss of xylem conductivity) to the embolization repair strategy based on more paratracheal parenchyma.

Keywords: drought; efficiency–safety tradeoff; embolism resistance; parenchyma; storage carbohydrates; xylem anatomy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

China
Embolism*
Humans
Trees*
Water
Xylem

Substances

Water