Kanahama T, Sato M. Plant strategies for greatest height: tapering or hollowing.
Sci Rep 2023;
13:18158. [PMID:
37875566 PMCID:
PMC10598055 DOI:
10.1038/s41598-023-45468-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The tapered form and hollow cross-section of the stem and trunk of wild plants are rational mechanical approaches because they facilitate the plant simultaneously growing taller for photosynthesis and supporting its own weight. The purpose of this study is to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of tapering and hollowing from the perspective of the greatest probable height before self-buckling. We modelled woody plants using tapering or hollow cantilevers, formulated the greatest height before self-buckling, and derived a theoretical formula for the greatest probable height considering tapering and hollowing. This formula theoretically explains why almost all plants exhibit a tapered form: it allows for a greater height at an earlier growth stage than a hollow cross-section.
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