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Krieger L, Schymanski SJ. A new experimental setup to measure hydraulic conductivity of plant segments. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plad024. [PMID: 37576875 PMCID: PMC10418303 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant hydraulic conductivity and its decline under water stress are the focal point of current plant hydraulic research. The common methods of measuring hydraulic conductivity control a pressure gradient to push water through plant samples, submitting them to conditions far away from those that are experienced in nature where flow is suction driven and determined by the leaf water demand. In this paper, we present two methods for measuring hydraulic conductivity under closer to natural conditions, an artificial plant setup and a horizontal syringe pump setup. Both approaches use suction to pull water through a plant sample while dynamically monitoring the flow rate and pressure gradients. The syringe setup presented here allows for controlling and rapidly changing flow and pressure conditions, enabling experimental assessment of rapid plant hydraulic responses to water stress. The setup also allows quantification of dynamic changes in water storage of plant samples. Our tests demonstrate that the syringe pump setup can reproduce hydraulic conductivity values measured using the current standard method based on pushing water under above-atmospheric pressure. Surprisingly, using both the traditional and our new syringe pump setup, we found a positive correlation between changes in flow rate and hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, when flow or pressure conditions were changed rapidly, we found substantial contributions to flow by dynamic and largely reversible changes in the water storage of plant samples. Although the measurements can be performed under sub-atmospheric pressures, it is not possible to subject the samples to negative pressures due to the presence of gas bubbles near the valves and pressure sensors. Regardless, this setup allows for unprecedented insights into the interplay between pressure, flow rate, hydraulic conductivity and water storage in plant segments. This work was performed using an Open Science approach with the original data and analysis to be found at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7322605.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Krieger
- Environmental Research and Innovation, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 41 Rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2 Av. de l’Universite, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Stanislaus J Schymanski
- Environmental Research and Innovation, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 41 Rue du Brill, 4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2 Av. de l’Universite, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Xu T, Li Z, Bao S, Su Y, Su Z, Zhi S, Zheng E. Xylem vessel type and structure influence the water transport characteristics of Panax notoginseng. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281080. [PMID: 36877678 PMCID: PMC9987790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Panax notoginseng plays a very important role in medicinal and economic value. The restriction imposed by the hydraulic pathway is considered to be the main limitation on the optimal growth state of Panax notoginseng. The flow resistance and water transport efficiency of vessel were affected by vessel type and secondary thickening structure. The vessel structure parameters of Panax notoginseng were obtained by experimental anatomy, and the flow resistance characteristics were analyzed by numerical simulation. The results showed that the xylem vessels had annular thickening and pit thickening walls. The flow resistance coefficient (ξ) of the pitted thickening vessel was significantly lower than that of annular thickening vessel in four cross-sectional types. The ξ of the circular cross-sectional vessel was the largest, followed by the hexagon, pentagon cross-sectional vessel and the lowest was the quadrilateral cross-sectional vessel, and the structure coefficient (S) was just the opposite. The ξ of the vessel model was positively correlated with the annular height, pitted width and pitted height, and negatively correlated with the annular inscribed circle diameter, annular width, annular spacing, pitted inscribed circle diameter and pitted spacing. Among them, annular (pitted) height and the annular (pitted) inscribed circle diameter had a great influence on the ξ. The increasing and decreasing trend of the S and ξ were opposite in the change of annular (pitted) inscribed circle diameter, and consistent in the change of in other structural parameters, indicating that the secondary wall thickening structure limited the inner diameter of the vessel to maintain a balance between flow resistance and transport efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Xu
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Zonglei Li
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Sanlin Bao
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanru Su
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhouming Su
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuteng Zhi
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
| | - Ennan Zheng
- School of Hydraulic and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
- * E-mail:
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Brum M, Pereira L, Ribeiro RV, Jansen S, Bittencourt PRL, Oliveira RS, Saleska SR. Reconciling discrepancies in measurements of vulnerability to xylem embolism with the pneumatic method: A comment on Chen et al. (2021) 'Quantifying vulnerability to embolism in tropical trees and lianas using five methods: can discrepancies be explained by xylem structural traits?': A comment on Chen et al. (2021) 'Quantifying vulnerability to embolism in tropical trees and lianas using five methods: can discrepancies be explained by xylem structural traits?'. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:374-383. [PMID: 36537303 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Brum
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0088, USA
| | - Luciano Pereira
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Crop Physiology, Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), PO Box 6109, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Steven Jansen
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Paulo R L Bittencourt
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4RJ, UK
| | - Rafael S Oliveira
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, UNICAMP, PO Box 6109, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Scott R Saleska
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0088, USA
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Thom D, Ammer C, Annighöfer P, Aszalós R, Dittrich S, Hagge J, Keeton WS, Kovacs B, Krautkrämer O, Müller J, von Oheimb G, Seidl R. Regeneration in European beech forests after drought: the effects of microclimate, deadwood and browsing. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2022; 142:259-273. [PMID: 37065509 PMCID: PMC10085954 DOI: 10.1007/s10342-022-01520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED With progressing climate change, increasing weather extremes will endanger tree regeneration. Canopy openings provide light for tree establishment, but also reduce the microclimatic buffering effect of forests. Thus, disturbances can have both positive and negative impacts on tree regeneration. In 2015, three years before an extreme drought episode hit Central Europe, we established a manipulation experiment with a factorial block design in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)-dominated forests. At five sites located in southeastern Germany, we conducted three censuses of tree regeneration after implementing two different canopy disturbances (aggregated and distributed canopy openings), and four deadwood treatments (retaining downed, standing, downed + standing deadwood and removing all deadwood), as well as in one untreated control plot. In addition, we measured understory light levels and recorded local air temperature and humidity over five years. We (i) tested the effects of experimental disturbance and deadwood treatments on regeneration and (ii) identified the drivers of regeneration density as well as seedling species and structural diversity. Regeneration density increased over time. Aggregated canopy openings supported species and structural diversity, but reduced regeneration density. Tree regeneration was positively associated with understory light levels, while maximum vapor pressure deficit influenced tree regeneration negatively. Deadwood and browsing impacts on regeneration varied and were inconclusive. Our study indicates that despite the drought episode regeneration in beech-dominated forests persisted under moderately disturbed canopies. However, the positive effect of increased light availability on tree regeneration might have been offset by harsher microclimate after canopies have been disturbed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10342-022-01520-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Thom
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, 617 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Christian Ammer
- Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Annighöfer
- Forestry and Agroforestry Systems Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Réka Aszalós
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány Út 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary
| | - Sebastian Dittrich
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Department of Forest Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
| | - Jonas Hagge
- Forest Nature Conservation, Northwest German Forest Research Institute, Prof.-Oelkers-Str. 6, 34346 Hann. Münden, Germany
- Forest Nature Conservation, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - William S. Keeton
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, 617 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Bence Kovacs
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány Út 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary
| | - Ole Krautkrämer
- Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Karl-Von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- LPV, Thüringer Wald E. V., Rennsteigstraße 18, 98673 Eisfeld, OT Friedrichshöhe Germany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Ecological Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Strasse 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Goddert von Oheimb
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Department of Forest Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
| | - Rupert Seidl
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Berchtesgaden National Park, Doktorberg 6, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany
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Hydraulic Function Analysis of Conifer Xylem Based on a Model Incorporating Tracheids, Bordered Pits, and Cross-Field Pits. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Wood has a highly complex and anisotropic structure. Its xylem characteristics are key in determining the hydraulic properties of plants to transport water efficiently and safely, as well as the permeability in the process of wood impregnation modification. Previous studies on the relationship between the xylem structure and hydraulic conductivity of conifer have mainly focused on tracheids and bordered pits, with only a few focusing on the conduction model of cross-field pits which connect tracheids and rays. This study takes the xylem structure of conifer as an example, drawing an analogy between water flow under tension and electric current, and extends the model to the tissue scale, including cross-field pits by establishing isometric scaling. The structure parameters were collected by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The improved model can quantify the important hydraulic functional characteristics of xylem only by measuring the more easily obtained tracheid section size. Then, this model was applied to quantify the relationship between the xylem anatomical structure and hydraulic properties in the pine (Pinus sylvestris L. var. mongholica Litv.) and the spruce (Picea koraiensis Nakai), and also to evaluate the effects of the number and size of cross-field pits on xylem conduction. The results showed that the growth ring conduction value of the pine was more than twice that of the spruce for the two tree species with similar growth widths in this study. The tracheid wall resistance of the pine reflected the result of the interaction of the size and number of cross-field pits, in comparison, the wall resistance of the spruce was more sensitive to the number of cross-field pits. Finally, the calculation output of the new model was cross-validated with the literature, which verified the accuracy and effectiveness of the model. This study provides an effective and complete solution for xylem conductivity measurement and the study of wood ecophysiological diversity and processing.
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Trabi CL, Pereira L, Guan X, Miranda MT, Bittencourt PRL, Oliveira RS, Ribeiro RV, Jansen S. A User Manual to Measure Gas Diffusion Kinetics in Plants: Pneumatron Construction, Operation, and Data Analysis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:633595. [PMID: 34163496 PMCID: PMC8216216 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.633595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The Pneumatron device measures gas diffusion kinetics in the xylem of plants. The device provides an easy, low-cost, and powerful tool for research on plant water relations and gas exchange. Here, we describe in detail how to construct and operate this device to estimate embolism resistance of angiosperm xylem, and how to analyse pneumatic data. Simple and more elaborated ways of constructing a Pneumatron are shown, either using wires, a breadboard, or a printed circuit board. The instrument is based on an open-source hardware and software system, which allows users to operate it in an automated or semi-automated way. A step-by-step manual and a troubleshooting section are provided. An excel spreadsheet and an R-script are also presented for fast and easy data analysis. This manual aims at helping users to avoid common mistakes, such as unstable measurements of the minimum and maximum amount of gas discharged from xylem tissue, which has major consequences for estimating embolism resistance. Major advantages of the Pneumatron device include its automated and accurate measurements of gas diffusion rates, including highly precise measurements of the gas volume in intact, embolised conduits. It is currently unclear if the method can also be applied to woody monocots, gymnosperm species that possess torus-margo pit membranes, or to herbaceous species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luciano Pereira
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Center R&D in Ecophysiology and Biophysics, Agronomic Institute (IAC), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Xinyi Guan
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marcela T. Miranda
- Center R&D in Ecophysiology and Biophysics, Agronomic Institute (IAC), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael S. Oliveira
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rafael V. Ribeiro
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Steven Jansen
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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