1
|
Nardini A, Cochard H, Mayr S. Talk is cheap: rediscovering sounds made by plants. Trends Plant Sci 2024:S1360-1385(23)00382-5. [PMID: 38218649 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
A recent study and related commentaries have raised new interest in the phenomenon of ultrasonic sound production by plants exposed to stress, especially drought. While recent technological advancements have allowed the demonstration that these sounds can propagate in the air surrounding plants, we remind readers here that research on sound production by plants is more than 100 years old. The mechanisms and patterns of sound emission from plants subjected to different stress factors are also reasonably understood, thanks to the pioneering work of John Milburn and others. By contrast, experimental evidence for a role of these sounds in plant-animal or plant-plant communication remains lacking and, at present, these ideas remain highly speculative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Hervé Cochard
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tomasella M, Petruzzellis F, Natale S, Tromba G, Nardini A. Detecting and Quantifying Xylem Embolism by Synchrotron-Based X-Ray Micro-CT. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2722:51-63. [PMID: 37897599 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3477-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
The vulnerability to xylem embolism is a key trait underlying species-specific drought tolerance of plants, and hence is critical for screening climate-resilient crops and understanding vegetation responses to drought and heat waves. Yet, accurate determination of embolism in plant's xylem is challenging, because most traditional hydraulic techniques are destructive and prone to artefacts. Hence, direct and in vivo synchrotron-based X-ray micro-CT observation of xylem conduits has emerged as a key reference technique for accurate quantification of vulnerability to xylem embolism. Micro-CT is nowadays a fundamental tool for studies of plant hydraulic architecture, and this chapter describes the fundamentals of acquisition and processing of micro-CT images of plant xylem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Sara Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Petruzzellis F, Di Bonaventura A, Tordoni E, Tomasella M, Natale S, Trifilò P, Tromba G, Di Lillo F, D'Amico L, Bacaro G, Nardini A. The optical method based on gas injection overestimates leaf vulnerability to xylem embolism in three woody species. Tree Physiol 2023; 43:1784-1795. [PMID: 37427987 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpad088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant hydraulic traits related to leaf drought tolerance, like the water potential at turgor loss point (TLP) and the water potential inducing 50% loss of hydraulic conductance (P50), are extremely useful to predict the potential impacts of drought on plants. While novel techniques have allowed the inclusion of TLP in studies targeting a large group of species, fast and reliable protocols to measure leaf P50 are still lacking. Recently, the optical method coupled with the gas injection (GI) technique has been proposed as a possibility to speed up the P50 estimation. Here, we present a comparison of leaf optical vulnerability curves (OVcs) measured in three woody species, namely Acer campestre (Ac), Ostrya carpinifolia (Oc) and Populus nigra (Pn), based on bench dehydration (BD) or GI of detached branches. For Pn, we also compared optical data with direct micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging in both intact saplings and cut shoots subjected to BD. Based on the BD procedure, Ac, Oc and Pn had P50 values of -2.87, -2.47 and -2.11 MPa, respectively, while the GI procedure overestimated the leaf vulnerability (-2.68, -2.04 and -1.54 MPa for Ac, Oc and Pn, respectively). The overestimation was higher for Oc and Pn than for Ac, likely reflecting the species-specific vessel lengths. According to micro-CT observations performed on Pn, the leaf midrib showed none or very few embolized conduits at -1.2 MPa, consistent with the OVcs obtained with the BD procedure but at odds with that derived on the basis of GI. Overall, our data suggest that coupling the optical method with GI might not be a reliable technique to quantify leaf hydraulic vulnerability since it could be affected by the 'open-vessel' artifact. Accurate detection of xylem embolism in the leaf vein network should be based on BD, preferably of intact up-rooted plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petruzzellis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Azzurra Di Bonaventura
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Viale delle Scienze 206, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Enrico Tordoni
- Department of Botany, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, Tartu 50409, Estonia
| | - Martina Tomasella
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Sara Natale
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Lillo
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Amico
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vuerich M, Petrussa E, Boscutti F, Braidot E, Filippi A, Petruzzellis F, Tomasella M, Tromba G, Pizzuto M, Nardini A, Secchi F, Casolo V. Contrasting Responses of Two Grapevine Cultivars to Drought: The Role of Non-structural Carbohydrates in Xylem Hydraulic Recovery. Plant Cell Physiol 2023; 64:920-932. [PMID: 37384580 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Xylem embolism is one of the possible outcomes of decreasing xylem pressure when plants face drought. Recent studies have proposed a role for non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in osmotic pressure generation, required for refilling embolized conduits. Potted cuttings of grapevine Grenache and Barbera, selected for their adaptation to different climatic conditions, were subjected to a drought stress followed by re-irrigation. Stem embolism rate and its recovery were monitored in vivo by X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The same plants were further analyzed for xylem conduit dimension and NSC content. Both cultivars significantly decreased Ψpd in response to drought and recovered from xylem embolism after re-irrigation. However, although the mean vessel diameter was similar between the cultivars, Barbera was more prone to embolism. Surprisingly, vessel diameter was apparently reduced during recovery in this cultivar. Hydraulic recovery was linked to sugar content in both cultivars, showing a positive relationship between soluble NSCs and the degree of xylem embolism. However, when starch and sucrose concentrations were considered separately, the relationships showed cultivar-specific and contrasting trends. We showed that the two cultivars adopted different NSC-use strategies in response to drought, suggesting two possible scenarios driving conduit refilling. In Grenache, sucrose accumulation seems to be directly linked to embolism formation and possibly sustains refilling. In Barbera, maltose/maltodextrins could be involved in a conduit recovery strategy via the formation of cell-wall hydrogels, likely responsible for the reduction of conduit lumen detected by micro-CT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vuerich
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Elisa Petrussa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Enrico Braidot
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Antonio Filippi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine 33100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Università di Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Mauro Pizzuto
- Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, Via Udine, 39, Rauscedo (PN) 33095, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Francesca Secchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari (DISAFA), Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco (TO) 10095, Italy
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine 33100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tomasella M, Calderan A, Mihelčič A, Petruzzellis F, Braidotti R, Natale S, Lisjak K, Sivilotti P, Nardini A. Best Procedures for Leaf and Stem Water Potential Measurements in Grapevine: Cultivar and Water Status Matter. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:2412. [PMID: 37446973 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The pressure chamber is the most used tool for plant water status monitoring. However, species/cultivar and seasonal effects on protocols for reliable water potential determination have not been properly tested. In four grapevine cultivars and two times of the season (early season, Es; late season, Ls, under moderate drought), we assessed the maximum sample storage time before leaf water potential (Ψleaf) measurements and the minimum equilibration time for stem water potential (Ψstem) determination, taking 24 h leaf cover as control. In 'Pinot gris', Ψleaf already decreased after 1 h leaf storage in both campaigns, dropping by 0.4/0.5 MPa after 3 h, while in 'Refosk', it decreased by 0.1 MPa after 1 and 2 h in Es and Ls, respectively. In 'Merlot' and 'Merlot Kanthus', even 3 h storage did not affect Ψleaf. In Es, the minimum Ψstem equilibration was 1 h for 'Refošk' and 10 min for 'Pinot gris' and 'Merlot'. In Ls, 'Merlot Kanthus' required more than 2 h equilibration, while 1 h to 10 min was sufficient for the other cultivars. The observed cultivar and seasonal differences indicate that the proposed tests should be routinely performed prior to experiments to define ad hoc procedures for water status determination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Calderan
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Alenka Mihelčič
- Department of Fruit Growing, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Viticulture and Enology, Hacquetova Ulica 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Braidotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Sara Natale
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58B, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Klemen Lisjak
- Department of Fruit Growing, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Viticulture and Enology, Hacquetova Ulica 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Paolo Sivilotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Natale S, La Rocca N, Battistuzzi M, Morosinotto T, Nardini A, Alboresi A. Structure and function of bark and wood chloroplasts in a drought-tolerant tree (Fraxinus ornus L.). Tree Physiol 2023; 43:893-908. [PMID: 36738252 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Leaves are the most important photosynthetic organs in most woody plants, but chloroplasts are also found in organs optimized for other functions. However, the actual photosynthetic efficiency of these chloroplasts is still unclear. We analyzed bark and wood chloroplasts of Fraxinus ornus L. saplings. Optical and spectroscopic methods were applied to stem samples and compared with leaves. A sharp light gradient was detected along the stem radial direction, with blue light mainly absorbed by the outer bark, and far-red-enriched light reaching the underlying xylem and pith. Chlorophylls were evident in the xylem rays and the pith and showed an increasing concentration gradient toward the bark. The stem photosynthetic apparatus showed features typical of acclimation to a low-light environment, such as larger grana stacks, lower chlorophyll a/b and photosystem I/II ratios compared with leaves. Despite likely receiving very few photons, wood chloroplasts were photosynthetically active and fully capable of generating a light-dependent electron transport. Our data provide a comprehensive scenario of the functional features of bark and wood chloroplasts in a woody species and suggest that stem photosynthesis is coherently optimized to the prevailing micro-environmental conditions at the bark and wood level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Natale
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Nicoletta La Rocca
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58B, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Mariano Battistuzzi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58B, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Tomas Morosinotto
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58B, Padova 35121, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Alessandro Alboresi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58B, Padova 35121, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Trifilò P, Abate E, Petruzzellis F, Azzarà M, Nardini A. Critical water contents at leaf, stem and root level leading to irreversible drought-induced damage in two woody and one herbaceous species. Plant Cell Environ 2023; 46:119-132. [PMID: 36266962 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant water content is a simple and promising parameter for monitoring drought-driven plant mortality risk. However, critical water content thresholds leading to cell damage and plant failure are still unknown. Moreover, it is unclear whether whole-plant or a specific organ water content is the most reliable indicator of mortality risk. We assessed differences in dehydration thresholds in leaf, stem and root samples, hampering the organ-specific rehydration capacity and increasing the mortality risk. We also tested eventual differences between a fast experimental dehydration of uprooted plants, compared to long-term water stress induced by withholding irrigation in potted plants. We investigated three species with different growth forms and leaf habits i.e., Helianthus annuus (herbaceous), Populus nigra (deciduous tree) and Quercus ilex (evergreen tree). Results obtained by the two dehydration treatments largely overlapped, thus validating bench dehydration as a fast but reliable method to assess species-specific critical water content thresholds. Regardless of the organ considered, a relative water content value of 60% induced significant cell membrane damage and loss of rehydration capacity, thus leading to irreversible plant failure and death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elisa Abate
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Maria Azzarà
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Petruzzellis F, Tordoni E, Di Bonaventura A, Tomasella M, Natale S, Panepinto F, Bacaro G, Nardini A. Turgor loss point and vulnerability to xylem embolism predict species-specific risk of drought-induced decline of urban trees. Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2022; 24:1198-1207. [PMID: 34704333 PMCID: PMC10078640 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing frequency and severity of drought events is posing risks to trees' health, including those planted in urban settlements. Drought-induced decline of urban trees negatively affects ecosystem services of urban green spaces and implies cost for maintenance and removal of plants. We aimed at identifying physiological traits that can explain and predict the species-specific vulnerability to climate change in urban habitats. We assessed the relationships between long-term risk of decline of different tree species in a medium-sized town and their key indicators of drought stress tolerance, i.e. turgor loss point (TLP) and vulnerability to xylem embolism (P50 ). Starting from 2012, the study area experienced several summer seasons with positive anomalies of temperature and negative anomalies of precipitation. This trend was coupled with increasing percentages of urban trees showing signs of crown die-back and mortality. The species-specific risk of decline was higher for species with less negative TLP and P50 values. The relationship between species-specific risk of climate change-induced decline of urban trees and key physiological indicators of drought tolerance confirms findings obtained in natural forests and highlights that TLP and P50 are useful indicators for species selection for tree plantation in towns, to mitigate negative impacts of climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F. Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
- Dipartimento di Scienze agroalimentari, ambientali e animaliUniversità di UdineUdineItalia
| | - E. Tordoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
- Institute of Ecology and Earth ScienceUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | - A. Di Bonaventura
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
| | - M. Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
| | - S. Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
| | - F. Panepinto
- Unità Tecnica Alberature e ParchiServizio Strade e Verde PubblicoComune di TriesteTriesteItalia
| | - G. Bacaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
| | - A. Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteTriesteItalia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tordoni E, Petruzzellis F, Di Bonaventura A, Pavanetto N, Tomasella M, Nardini A, Boscutti F, Martini F, Bacaro G. Projections of leaf turgor loss point shifts under future climate change scenarios. Glob Chang Biol 2022; 28:6640-6652. [PMID: 36054311 PMCID: PMC9825879 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the consequences of climate change is of utmost importance to mitigate impacts on vulnerable ecosystems; plant hydraulic traits are particularly useful proxies for predicting functional disruptions potentially occurring in the near future. This study assessed the current and future regional patterns of leaf water potential at turgor loss point (Ψtlp ) by measuring and projecting the Ψtlp of 166 vascular plant species (159 angiosperms and 7 gymnosperms) across a large climatic range spanning from alpine to Mediterranean areas in NE Italy. For angiosperms, random forest models predicted a consistent shift toward more negative values in low-elevation areas, whereas for gymnosperms the pattern was more variable, particularly in the alpine sector (i.e., Alps and Prealps). Simulations were also developed to evaluate the number of threatened species under two Ψtlp plasticity scenarios (low vs. high plasticity), and it was found that in the worst-case scenario approximately 72% of the angiosperm species and 68% of gymnosperms within a location were at risk to exceed their physiological plasticity. The different responses to climate change by specific clades might produce reassembly in natural communities, undermining the resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Tordoni
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
- Institute of Ecology and Earth ScienceUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal SciencesUniversity of UdineUdineItaly
| | - Azzurra Di Bonaventura
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal SciencesUniversity of UdineUdineItaly
| | | | | | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal SciencesUniversity of UdineUdineItaly
| | | | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tomasella M, Natale S, Petruzzellis F, Di Bert S, D’Amico L, Tromba G, Nardini A. No Evidence for Light-Induced Embolism Repair in Cut Stems of Drought-Resistant Mediterranean Species under Soaking. Plants 2022; 11:plants11030307. [PMID: 35161287 PMCID: PMC8840644 DOI: 10.3390/plants11030307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Recent studies suggested that stem photosynthesis could favor bark water uptake and embolism recovery when stem segments are soaked in water under light conditions, but evidence for this phenomenon in drought-resistant Mediterranean species with photosynthetic stems is missing. (2) Embolism recovery upon immersion in water for 2 h–4 h under light was assessed (i) via a classical hydraulic method in leafless Fraxinus ornus and Olea europaea branch segments stressed to xylem water potentials (Yxyl) inducing ca. 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) and (ii) via X-ray micro-CT imaging of the stem segments of drought-stressed potted F. ornus saplings. Hydraulic recovery was also assessed in vivo in intact drought-stressed F. ornus saplings upon soil re-irrigation. (3) Intact F. ornus plants recovered hydraulic function through root water uptake. Conversely, the soaked stem segments of both species did not refill embolized conduits, although Yxyl recovered to pre-stress levels (between −0.5 MPa and −0.2 MPa). (4) We hypothesize that xylem embolism recovery through bark water uptake, even in light conditions, may not be a common phenomenon in woody plants and/or that wounds caused by cutting short stem segments might inhibit the refilling process upon soaking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.T.); (S.N.); (F.P.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Sara Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.T.); (S.N.); (F.P.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.T.); (S.N.); (F.P.); (S.D.B.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Sara Di Bert
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.T.); (S.N.); (F.P.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Lorenzo D’Amico
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy (G.T.)
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy (G.T.)
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.T.); (S.N.); (F.P.); (S.D.B.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ganthaler A, Bär A, Dämon B, Losso A, Nardini A, Dullin C, Tromba G, von Arx G, Mayr S. Alpine dwarf shrubs show high proportions of nonfunctional xylem: Visualization and quantification of species-specific patterns. Plant Cell Environ 2022; 45:55-68. [PMID: 34783044 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Xylem conductive capacity is a key determinant of plant hydraulic function and intimately linked to photosynthesis and productivity, but can be impeded by temporary or permanent conduit dysfunctions. Here we show that persistent xylem dysfunctions in unstressed plants are frequent in Alpine dwarf shrubs and occur in various but species-specific cross-sectional patterns. Combined synchrotron micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging, xylem staining, and flow measurements in saturated samples of six widespread Ericaceae species evidence a high proportion (19%-50%) of hydraulically nonfunctional xylem areas in the absence of drought stress, with regular distribution of dysfunctions between or within growth rings. Dysfunctions were only partly reversible and reduced the specific hydraulic conductivity to 1.38 to 3.57 ×10-4 m2 s-1 MPa-1 . Decommission of inner growth rings was clearly related to stem age and a higher vulnerability to cavitation of older rings, while the high proportion of nonfunctional conduits in each annual ring needs further investigations. The lower the xylem fraction contributing to the transport function, the higher was the hydraulic efficiency of conducting xylem areas. Improved understanding of the functional lifespan of xylem elements and the prevalence and nature of dysfunctions is critical to correctly assess structure-function relationships and whole-plant hydraulic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ganthaler
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Bär
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Dämon
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Adriano Losso
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Christian Dullin
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Basovizza, Italy
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Georg von Arx
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nardini A. Can trees harden up to survive global change-type droughts? Tree Physiol 2021; 41:2004-2007. [PMID: 34542153 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpab128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abate E, Nardini A, Petruzzellis F, Trifilò P. Too dry to survive: Leaf hydraulic failure in two Salvia species can be predicted on the basis of water content. Plant Physiol Biochem 2021; 166:215-224. [PMID: 34119871 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global warming is exposing plants to increased risks of drought-driven mortality. Recent advances suggest that hydraulic failure is a key process leading to plant death, and the identification of simple and reliable proxies of species-specific risk of irreversible hydraulic damage is urgently required. We assessed the predictive power of leaf water content and shrinkage for monitoring leaf hydraulic failure in two Mediterranean native species, Salvia ceratophylloides (Sc) and S. officinalis (So). The study species showed significant differences in relative water content (RWC) thresholds inducing loss of rehydration capacity, as well as leaf hydraulic conductance (KL) impairment. Sc turned out to be more resistant to drought than So. However, Sc and So showed different leaf saturated water content values, so that different RWC values actually corresponded to similar absolute leaf water content. Our findings suggest that absolute leaf water content and leaf water potential, but not RWC, are reliable parameters for predicting the risk of leaf hydraulic impairment of two Salvia species, and their potential risk of irreversible damage under severe drought. Moreover, the lack of any KL decline until the turgor loss point in Sc, coupled to consistent leaf shrinkage, rejects the hypothesis to use leaf shrinkage as a proxy to predict KL vulnerability, at least in species with high leaf capacitance. Robust linear correlations between KL decline and electrolyte leakage measurements suggested a role of membrane damage in driving leaf hydraulic collapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Abate
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kiorapostolou N, Da Sois L, Petruzzellis F, Savi T, Trifilò P, Nardini A, Petit G. Erratum to: Vulnerability to xylem embolism correlates to wood parenchyma fraction in angiosperms but not in gymnosperms. Tree Physiol 2021; 41:1321. [PMID: 34028519 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Kiorapostolou
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD 35020, Italy
| | - Luca Da Sois
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD 35020, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Institute for Viticulture and Pomology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Konrad Lorenz Straβe 24, Tulln, Vienna, 3430, Austria
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giai Petit
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD 35020, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tomasella M, Casolo V, Natale S, Petruzzellis F, Kofler W, Beikircher B, Mayr S, Nardini A. Shade-induced reduction of stem nonstructural carbohydrates increases xylem vulnerability to embolism and impedes hydraulic recovery in Populus nigra. New Phytol 2021; 231:108-121. [PMID: 33811346 PMCID: PMC9290559 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) have been suggested to affect xylem transport under fluctuating water availability, but conclusive evidence is still lacking. We tested the effect of shade-induced NSC depletion on xylem vulnerability to embolism and hydraulic recovery on Populus nigra saplings. Vulnerability was assessed in light-exposed (L) and shaded (S) plants with the hydraulic method, and in vivo with the optical method and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Plants were stressed to 80% loss of hydraulic conductance (PLC) and re-irrigated to check for possible recovery. We measured PLC, bark and wood NSC content, as well as xylem sap pH, surface tension (γsap ) and sugar concentration, before, during and after drought. Shading induced depletion of stem NSC (mainly starch) reserves. All methods converged in indicating higher xylem vulnerability in S than in L plants. This difference was not explained by xylem vessel and pit anatomy or by γsap . Shading impeded sap acidification and sugar accumulation during drought in S plants and prevented hydraulic recovery, which was observed in L plants. Our results highlight the importance of stem NSCs to sustain xylem hydraulic functioning during drought and suggest that light and/or adequate stem NSC thresholds are required to trigger xylem sap chemical changes involved in embolism recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 10Trieste34127Italy
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroalimentariAmbientali e AnimaliUniversità di UdineVia delle Scienze 91Udine33100Italy
| | - Sara Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 10Trieste34127Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 10Trieste34127Italy
| | - Werner Kofler
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwartestraße 15Innsbruck6020Austria
| | - Barbara Beikircher
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwartestraße 15Innsbruck6020Austria
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwartestraße 15Innsbruck6020Austria
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 10Trieste34127Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Trifilò P, Petruzzellis F, Abate E, Nardini A. The extra-vascular water pathway regulates dynamic leaf hydraulic decline and recovery in Populus nigra. Physiol Plant 2021; 172:29-40. [PMID: 33161600 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf ) is highly dynamic and typically responds to changes in water status and irradiance. However, the relative contribution of vascular (Kx ) and extra-vascular (Kox ) water pathways to Kleaf changes in response to water potential decline and recovery in function of light conditions remains poorly investigated. We investigated the dynamic responses of leaf hydraulics in Populus nigra L. by measuring Kleaf , Kx , and Kox changes under drought and upon recovery. Measurements were done at both low and high irradiance (LI and HI, respectively). Kleaf increased and became more vulnerable to dehydration under HI conditions than LI, due to marked changes of Kox . After re-watering, Kleaf recovered in parallel with Kox recovery, but Kleaf response to irradiance remained inhibited. Strong correlations between Kleaf and drought-induced membrane damage demonstrated the relevance of the cell-to-cell water pathway in driving the dynamic responses of Kleaf under drought and recovery. Our findings highlight the importance of coordination between water and light availability in modulating the overall Kleaf response to environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Abate
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nardini A, Petruzzellis F, Marusig D, Tomasella M, Natale S, Altobelli A, Calligaris C, Floriddia G, Cucchi F, Forte E, Zini L. Water 'on the rocks': a summer drink for thirsty trees? New Phytol 2021; 229:199-212. [PMID: 32772381 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Drought-induced tree mortality frequently occurs in patches with different spatial and temporal distributions, which is only partly explained by inter- and intraspecific variation in drought tolerance. We investigated whether bedrock properties, with special reference to rock water storage capacity, affects tree water status and drought response in a rock-dominated landscape. We measured primary porosity and available water content of breccia (B) and dolostone (D) rocks. Saplings of Fraxinus ornus were grown in pots filled with soil or soil mixed with B and D rocks, and subjected to an experimental drought. Finally, we measured seasonal changes in water status of trees in field sites overlying B or D bedrock. B rocks were more porous and stored more available water than D rocks. Potted saplings grown with D rocks had less biomass and suffered more severe water stress than those with B rocks. Trees in sites with B bedrock had more favourable water status than those on D bedrock which also suffered drought-induced canopy dieback. Bedrock represents an important water source for plants under drought. Different bedrock features translate into contrasting below-ground water availability, leading to landscape-level heterogeneity of the impact of drought on tree water status and dieback.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italia
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italia
| | - Daniel Marusig
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italia
- Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Vegetali Sostenibili, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via E. Parmense 84, Piacenza, 29122, Italia
| | - Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italia
| | - Sara Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italia
| | - Alfredo Altobelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italia
| | - Chiara Calligaris
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, 34128, Italia
| | - Gabriele Floriddia
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, 34128, Italia
| | - Franco Cucchi
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, 34128, Italia
| | - Emanuele Forte
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, 34128, Italia
| | - Luca Zini
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, Trieste, 34128, Italia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Secchi F, Pagliarani C, Cavalletto S, Petruzzellis F, Tonel G, Savi T, Tromba G, Obertino MM, Lovisolo C, Nardini A, Zwieniecki MA. Chemical inhibition of xylem cellular activity impedes the removal of drought-induced embolisms in poplar stems - new insights from micro-CT analysis. New Phytol 2021; 229:820-830. [PMID: 32890423 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In drought-stressed plants a coordinated cascade of chemical and transcriptional adjustments occurs at the same time as embolism formation. While these processes do not affect embolism formation during stress, they may prime stems for recovery during rehydration by modifying apoplast pH and increasing sugar concentration in the xylem sap. Here we show that in vivo treatments modifying apoplastic pH (stem infiltration with a pH buffer) or reducing stem metabolic activity (infiltration with sodium vanadate and sodium cyanide; plant exposure to carbon monoxide) can reduce sugar accumulation, thus disrupting or delaying the recovery process. Application of the vanadate treatment (NaVO3, an inhibitor of many ATPases) completely halted recovery from drought-induced embolism for up to 24 h after re-irrigation, while partial recovery was observed in vivo in control plants using X-ray microcomputed tomography. Our results suggest that stem hydraulic recovery in poplar is a biological, energy-dependent process that coincides with accumulation of sugars in the apoplast during stress. Recovery and damage are spatially coordinated, with embolism formation occurring from the inside out and refilling from the outside in. The outside-in pattern highlights the importance of xylem proximity to the sugars within the phloem to the embolism recovery process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Secchi
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Chiara Pagliarani
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Strada delle Cacce 73, Torino, 10135, Italy
| | - Silvia Cavalletto
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Giulia Tonel
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Institute of Botany, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, BOKU, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, 1180, Austria
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, 34149, Italy
| | - Maria Margherita Obertino
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Claudio Lovisolo
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 10, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Maciej A Zwieniecki
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Brunetti C, Savi T, Nardini A, Loreto F, Gori A, Centritto M. Changes in abscisic acid content during and after drought are related to carbohydrate mobilization and hydraulic recovery in poplar stems. Tree Physiol 2020; 40:1043-1057. [PMID: 32186735 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpaa032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Drought compromises plant's ability to replace transpired water vapor with water absorbed from the soil, leading to extensive xylem dysfunction and causing plant desiccation and death. Short-term plant responses to drought rely on stomatal closure, and on the plant's ability to recover hydraulic functioning after drought relief. We hypothesize a key role for abscisic acid (ABA) not only in the control of stomatal aperture, but also in hydraulic recovery. Young plants of Populus nigra L. were used to investigate possible relationships among ABA, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and xylem hydraulic function under drought and after re-watering. In Populus nigra L. plants subjected to drought, water transport efficiency and hydraulic recovery after re-watering were monitored by measuring the percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) and stem specific hydraulic conductivity (Kstem). In the same plants ABA and NSC were quantified in wood and bark. Drought severely reduced stomatal conductance (gL) and markedly increased the PLC. Leaf and stem water potential, and stem hydraulic efficiency fully recovered within 24 h after re-watering, but gL values remained low. After re-watering, we found significant correlations between changes in ABA content and hexoses concentration both in wood and bark. Our findings suggest a role for ABA in the regulation of stem carbohydrate metabolism and starch mobilization upon drought relief, possibly promoting the restoration of xylem transport capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Brunetti
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Botany, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, BOKU, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1190, Vienna, Austria Austria
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Loreto
- National Research Council of Italy, Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Piazzale Aldo Moro 7, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Antonella Gori
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Viale delle Idee 30, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Mauro Centritto
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Oddo E, Abbate L, Inzerillo S, Carimi F, Motisi A, Sajeva M, Nardini A. Water relations of two Sicilian grapevine cultivars in response to potassium availability and drought stress. Plant Physiol Biochem 2020; 148:282-290. [PMID: 31986482 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the response of two Sicilian grapevine cultivars, Catarratto and Nero d'Avola, to potassium deficiency and drought stress. Two-year-old plants grafted on 1103 Paulsen were grown in agriperlite, with or without potassium in the fertigation solution for six weeks, and subjected to moderate drought stress by suspending irrigation for one week. Potassium content of leaves, roots and xylem sap were measured with an ion-selective electrode. Changes in stomatal conductance, stem and leaf water potential and hydraulic conductance were compared between genotypes and treatments. Potassium deficiency led to significant decreases in leaf potassium content in both cultivars and under both well-watered and drought stress conditions. Potassium content in xylem sap showed no significant differences between cultivars and was correlated with stem hydraulic conductance, particularly in the drought stress treatments. Under drought stress conditions, potassium availability led to an increase in stomatal conductance, particularly in Nero d'Avola. Both cultivars showed a rather isohydric behavior under these experimental conditions, and the level of isohydry varied with potassium availability. These results can be useful for the development of optimal fertigation practices and the selection of drought tolerant varieties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Oddo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 20, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Loredana Abbate
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Corso Calatafimi 414, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Inzerillo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 20, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Carimi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Corso Calatafimi 414, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Motisi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council, Corso Calatafimi 414, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sajeva
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 20, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Falchi R, Petrussa E, Braidot E, Sivilotti P, Boscutti F, Vuerich M, Calligaro C, Filippi A, Herrera JC, Sabbatini P, Zancani M, Nardini A, Peterlunger E, Casolo V. Analysis of Non-Structural Carbohydrates and Xylem Anatomy of Leaf Petioles Offers New Insights in the Drought Response of Two Grapevine Cultivars. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1457. [PMID: 32093416 PMCID: PMC7073087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In grapevine, the anatomy of xylem conduits and the non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) content of the associated living parenchyma are expected to influence water transport under water limitation. In fact, both NSC and xylem features play a role in plant recovery from drought stress. We evaluated these traits in petioles of Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and Syrah (SY) cultivars during water stress (WS) and recovery. In CS, the stress response was associated to NSC consumption, supporting the hypothesis that starch mobilization is related to an increased supply of maltose and sucrose, putatively involved in drought stress responses at the xylem level. In contrast, in SY, the WS-induced increase in the latter soluble NSCs was maintained even 2 days after re-watering, suggesting a different pattern of utilization of NSC resources. Interestingly, the anatomical analysis revealed that conduits are constitutively wider in SY in well-watered (WW) plants, and that water stress led to the production of narrower conduits only in this cultivar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Falchi
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Elisa Petrussa
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Enrico Braidot
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Paolo Sivilotti
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Marco Vuerich
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Carla Calligaro
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Antonio Filippi
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - José Carlos Herrera
- Institute of Viticulture and Pomology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Konrad-Lorenz Straβe 24, 3430 Tulln, Austria;
| | - Paolo Sabbatini
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Marco Zancani
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Licio Giorgieri, 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Enrico Peterlunger
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Department of Agricultural Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (R.F.); (E.P.); (E.B.); (P.S.); (F.B.); (M.V.); (C.C.); (A.F.); (M.Z.); (E.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Petruzzellis F, Tomasella M, Miotto A, Natale S, Trifilò P, Nardini A. A Leaf Selfie: Using a Smartphone to Quantify Leaf Vulnerability to Hydraulic Dysfunction. Plants (Basel) 2020; 9:E234. [PMID: 32054113 PMCID: PMC7076359 DOI: 10.3390/plants9020234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Accurate predictions of species distribution under current and future climate conditions require modeling efforts based on clear mechanistic relationships between climate variables and plant physiological functions. Vulnerability of leaves to xylem embolism is a key mechanistic trait that might be included in these modeling efforts. Here, we propose a simple set-up to measure leaf vulnerability to embolism on the basis of the optical method using a smartphone, a light source, and a notebook. Our data show that this proposed set-up can adequately quantify the vulnerability to xylem embolism of leaf major veins in Populus nigra and Ostrya carpinifolia, producing values consistent with those obtained in temperate tree species with other methods, allowing virtually any laboratory to quantify species-specific drought tolerance on the basis of a sound mechanistic trait.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (M.T.); (A.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (M.T.); (A.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Andrea Miotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (M.T.); (A.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Sara Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (M.T.); (A.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze chimiche, biologiche, farmaceutiche e ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (M.T.); (A.M.); (S.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tomasella M, Petrussa E, Petruzzellis F, Nardini A, Casolo V. The Possible Role of Non-Structural Carbohydrates in the Regulation of Tree Hydraulics. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:E144. [PMID: 31878253 PMCID: PMC6981889 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The xylem is a complex system that includes a network of dead conduits ensuring long-distance water transport in plants. Under ongoing climate changes, xylem embolism is a major and recurrent cause of drought-induced tree mortality. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) play key roles in plant responses to drought and frost stress, and several studies putatively suggest their involvement in the regulation of xylem water transport. However, a clear picture on the roles of NSCs in plant hydraulics has not been drawn to date. We summarize the current knowledge on the involvement of NSCs during embolism formation and subsequent hydraulic recovery. Under drought, sugars are generally accumulated in xylem parenchyma and in xylem sap. At drought-relief, xylem functionality is putatively restored in an osmotically driven process involving wood parenchyma, xylem sap and phloem compartments. By analyzing the published data on stem hydraulics and NSC contents under drought/frost stress and subsequent stress relief, we found that embolism build-up positively correlated to stem NSC depletion, and that the magnitude of post-stress hydraulic recovery positively correlated to consumption of soluble sugars. These findings suggest a close relationship between hydraulics and carbohydrate dynamics. We call for more experiments on hydraulic and NSC dynamics in controlled and field conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (A.N.)
| | - Elisa Petrussa
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, 33100 Udine, Italy; (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (A.N.)
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (F.P.); (A.N.)
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, 33100 Udine, Italy; (E.P.); (V.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tomasella M, Casolo V, Aichner N, Petruzzellis F, Savi T, Trifilò P, Nardini A. Non-structural carbohydrate and hydraulic dynamics during drought and recovery in Fraxinus ornus and Ostrya carpinifolia saplings. Plant Physiol Biochem 2019; 145:1-9. [PMID: 31665662 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The maintenance of hydraulic function during and after a drought event is crucial for tree survival, but the importance of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in the recovery phase is still debated. We tested whether higher NSC availability facilitates post-drought hydraulic recovery, by applying a short-term drought (Sdr) and a long-term drought combined with shading (Ldr+sh) in Fraxinus ornus and Ostrya carpinifolia. Plants were then re-irrigated and recovery was checked 24 h later, by measuring water potential, stem percentage loss of hydraulic conductance (PLC) and NSC content. The relative magnitude of hydraulic and carbon constraints was also assessed in desiccated plants. During drought, PLC increased only in F. ornus, while it was maintained almost constant in O. carpinifolia due to tighter stomatal control of xylem pressure (i.e. more isohydric). In F. ornus, only Sdr plants maintained high NSC contents at the end of drought and, when re-irrigated, recovered PLC to control values. Whereas hydraulic failure was ubiquitous, only F. ornus depleted NSC reserves at mortality. Our results suggest that preserving higher NSC content at the end of a drought can be important for the hydraulic resilience of trees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste. Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine. Via delle Scienze 91, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Natalie Aichner
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste. Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste. Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Institute of Botany, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, BOKU, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste. Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Savi T, Petruzzellis F, Moretti E, Stenni B, Zini L, Martellos S, Lisjak K, Nardini A. Grapevine water relations and rooting depth in karstic soils. Sci Total Environ 2019; 692:669-675. [PMID: 31539975 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental sustainability of viticulture is negatively affected by prolonged droughts. In limestone dominated regions, there is limited knowledge on grapevine water status and on methods for accurate evaluation of actual water demand, necessary to appropriately manage irrigation. During a dry vintage, we monitored plant and soil water relations in old and young vines of Istrian Malvasia on Karst red soil. The vineyard with young vines was additionally subdivided into two areas, based on their soil type, 1) karst silty-clay loam, and 2) mixture of crushed rocks and karst silty-clay loam (stony soil). Seasonal changes in exploited water resources were estimated via analysis of oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) of rainfall, deep soil water, and xylem sap. We hypothesized that plants are able to thrive during drought thanks to the water stored in deep soil layers, while they rely less on superficial soil horizons. Our results show that vines growing on karstic substrates have deep roots securing the use of stable water sources during summer, with consequent favourable plant water status. In fact, both young and mature vines approached the threshold of severe water stress, but never surpassed it, as midday leaf water potentials were >-1.3MPa in all study sites. Vines roots showed flexible water uptake, i.e. the ability to absorb water from deep or shallow soil horizons during drought and after late-summer thunderstorms, which was particularly evident in vines growing on the stony soil. In fact, precipitations of 20mm were enough for plant water status recovery, due to fast infiltration. On the other hand, at least 50mm of rainfall were necessary to induce water status recovery in more compact soil (karst silty-clay loam). Our findings provide new knowledge on the rooting depth and water needs of vines growing on shallow soils overlying fractured limestone bedrock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadeja Savi
- Institute of Botany, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, BOKU, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, 1190, Austria.
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- University of Trieste, Dept. of Life Sciences, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Moretti
- University of Trieste, Dept. of Life Sciences, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Stenni
- University Ca' Foscari Venezia, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre 30170, Italy
| | - Luca Zini
- University of Trieste, Dept. of Mathematics and Geosciences, Via Weiss 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Martellos
- University of Trieste, Dept. of Life Sciences, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Klemen Lisjak
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Dept. of Fruit Growing, Viticulture and Oenology, Hacquetova ulica 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrea Nardini
- University of Trieste, Dept. of Life Sciences, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Brunetti C, Gori A, Marino G, Latini P, Sobolev AP, Nardini A, Haworth M, Giovannelli A, Capitani D, Loreto F, Taylor G, Mugnozza GS, Harfouche A, Centritto M. Dynamic changes in ABA content in water-stressed Populus nigra: effects on carbon fixation and soluble carbohydrates. Ann Bot 2019; 124:627-644. [PMID: 30715123 PMCID: PMC6821382 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hydraulic and chemical signals operate in tandem to regulate systemic plant responses to drought. Transport of abscisic acid (ABA) through the xylem and phloem from the root to shoot has been suggested to serve as the main signal of water deficit. There is evidence that ABA and its ABA-glycosyl-ester (ABA-GE) are also formed in leaves and stems through the chloroplastic 2-C-methylerythritol-5-phosphate (MEP) pathway. This study aimed to evaluate how hormonal and hydraulic signals contribute to optimize stomatal (gs), mesophyll (gm) and leaf hydraulic (Kleaf) conductance under well-watered and water-stressed conditions in Populus nigra (black poplar) plants. In addition, we assessed possible relationships between ABA and soluble carbohydrates within the leaf and stem. METHODS Plants were subjected to three water treatments: well-watered (WW), moderate stress (WS1) and severe stress (WS2). This experimental set-up enabled a time-course analysis of the response to water deficit at the physiological [leaf gas exchange, plant water relations, (Kleaf)], biochemical (ABA and its metabolite/catabolite quantification in xylem sap, leaves, wood, bark and roots) and molecular (gene expression of ABA biosynthesis) levels. KEY RESULTS Our results showed strong coordination between gs, gm and Kleaf under water stress, which reduced transpiration and increased intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEint). Analysis of gene expression of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) and ABA content in different tissues showed a general up-regulation of the biosynthesis of this hormone and its finely-tuned catabolism in response to water stress. Significant linear relationships were found between soluble carbohydrates and ABA contents in both leaves and stems, suggesting a putative function for this hormone in carbohydrate mobilization under severe water stress. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the tight regulation of the photosynthetic machinery by levels of ABA in different plants organs on a daily basis in both well-watered and water stress conditions to optimize WUEint and coordinate whole plant acclimation responses to drought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Brunetti
- Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Antonella Gori
- University of Florence, Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Sciences, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marino
- Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Paolo Latini
- Dipartimento per la Innovazione nei sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anatoly P Sobolev
- Istituto di Metodologie Chimiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matthew Haworth
- Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Alessio Giovannelli
- Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Donatella Capitani
- Istituto di Metodologie Chimiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Francesco Loreto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Bio-Agroalimentari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma, Italy
| | - Gail Taylor
- Centre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
| | - Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza
- Dipartimento per la Innovazione nei sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Antoine Harfouche
- Dipartimento per la Innovazione nei sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Mauro Centritto
- Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy J Brodribb
- School of Biological Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kiorapostolou N, Da Sois L, Petruzzellis F, Savi T, Trifilò P, Nardini A, Petit G. Vulnerability to xylem embolism correlates to wood parenchyma fraction in angiosperms but not in gymnosperms. Tree Physiol 2019; 39:1675-1684. [PMID: 31211372 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpz068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding which structural and functional traits are linked to species' vulnerability to embolism formation (P50) may provide fundamental knowledge on plant strategies to maintain an efficient water transport. We measured P50, wood density (WD), mean conduit area, conduit density, percentage areas occupied by vessels, parenchyma cells (PATOT) and fibers (FA) on branches of angiosperm and gymnosperm species. Moreover, we compiled a dataset of published hydraulic and anatomical data to be compared with our results. Species more vulnerable to embolism had lower WD. In angiosperms, the variability in WD was better explained by PATOT and FA, which were highly correlated. Angiosperms with a higher P50 (less negative) had a higher amount of PATOT and total amount of nonstructural carbohydrates. Instead, in gymnosperms, P50 vs PATOT was not significant. The correlation between PATOT and P50 might have a biological meaning and also suggests that the causality of the commonly observed relationship of WD vs P50 is indirect and dependent on the parenchyma fraction. Our study suggests that angiosperms have a potential active embolism reversal capacity in which parenchyma has an important role, while in gymnosperms this might not be the case.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Kiorapostolou
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD 35020, Italy
| | - Luca Da Sois
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD 35020, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Institute for Viticulture and Pomology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Konrad Lorenz Straße 24, Tulln, Vienna, 3430, Austria
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Giai Petit
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, PD 35020, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
de Oliveira AKB, Rezende OM, de Sousa MM, Nardini A, Miguez MG. An alternative flood model calibration strategy for urban watersheds: the case study of Riohacha, Colombia. Water Sci Technol 2019; 79:2095-2105. [PMID: 31318347 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2019.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The city of Riohacha (Colombia) has a complex urban setting that, under the pressure of recurring intense rains, experiences increasing flood damage. With the aim of identifying a systemic solution to flood problems, a hydrodynamic mathematical modelling exercise was conducted. Within the modelling process, calibration and validation are two fundamental actions that must precede the use of the model. However, most of the river basins around the world lack hydrometeorological information, which is indispensable for the calibration process. This paper presents an original approach to collecting such information for the calibration process, based on interviewing inhabitants. The results of this effort were surprisingly good, when considering the kind of approximations involved in using people's answers as hard data. This encouraged us to promote it as a working solution for many other similar cases, which all suffer from lack of suitable data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Osvaldo Moura Rezende
- Programa de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matheus Martins de Sousa
- Programa de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Centro Recuperación Ecosistemas Acuáticos (CREACUA), Riohacha, Colombia
| | - Marcelo Gomes Miguez
- Escola Politécnica and Programa de Engenharia Civil/COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Petruzzellis F, Savi T, Bacaro G, Nardini A. A simplified framework for fast and reliable measurement of leaf turgor loss point. Plant Physiol Biochem 2019; 139:395-399. [PMID: 30959448 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Drought tolerance shapes the distribution of plant species, and it is mainly determined by the osmotic potential at full turgor (π0) and the water potential at turgor loss point (Ψtlp). We provide a simplified framework for π0 and Ψtlp measurements based on osmometer determination of π0 (π0_osm). Specifically, we ran regression models to i) improve the predictive power of the estimation of π0 from π0_osm and morpho-anatomical traits; ii) obtain the most accurate model to predict Ψtlp on the basis of the global relationship between π0 and Ψtlp. The inclusion of the leaf dry matter content (LDMC), an easy-to-measure trait, in the regression model improved the predictive power of the estimation of π0 from π0_osm. When π0_osm was used as a simple predictor of Ψtlp, discrepancies arose in comparison with global relationship between π0 and Ψtlp. Ψtlp values calculated as a function of the π0 derived from π0_osm and LDMC (π0_fit) were consistent with the global relationship between π0 and Ψtlp. The simplified framework provided here could encourage the inclusion of mechanistically sound drought tolerance traits in ecological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Tadeja Savi
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Crop Sciences, Division of Viticulture and Pomology, Konrad Lorenz Straße 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Trifilò P, Kiorapostolou N, Petruzzellis F, Vitti S, Petit G, Lo Gullo MA, Nardini A, Casolo V. Hydraulic recovery from xylem embolism in excised branches of twelve woody species: Relationships with parenchyma cells and non-structural carbohydrates. Plant Physiol Biochem 2019; 139:513-520. [PMID: 31015090 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Embolism repair ability has been documented in numerous species. Although the actual mechanism driving this phenomenon is still debated, experimental findings suggest that non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) stored in wood parenchyma would provide the osmotic forces to drive the refilling of embolized conduits. We selected 12 broadleaved species differing in vulnerability to xylem embolism (P50) and amount of wood parenchyma in order to check direct evidence about the possible link(s) between parenchyma cells abundance, NSC availability and species-specific capacity to reverse xylem embolism. Branches were dehydrated until ∼50% loss of hydraulic conductivity was recorded (PLC ∼50%). Hydraulic recovery (ΔPLC) and NSC content was, then, assessed after 1h of rehydration. Species showed a different ability to recover their hydraulic conductivity from PLC∼50%. Removing the bark in the species showing hydraulic recovery inhibited the embolism reversal. Strong correlations between the ΔPLC and: a) the amount of parenchyma cells (mainly driven by the pith area), b) the consumption of soluble NSC have been recorded. Our results support the hypothesis that refilling of embolized vessels is mediated by the mobilization of soluble NSC and it is mainly recorded in species with a higher percentage of parenchyma cells that may be important in the hydraulic recovery mechanism as a source of carbohydrates and/or as a source of water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy.
| | - Natasa Kiorapostolou
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Vitti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Giai Petit
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Maria A Lo Gullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, 33100, Udine, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Savi T, Casolo V, Dal Borgo A, Rosner S, Torboli V, Stenni B, Bertoncin P, Martellos S, Pallavicini A, Nardini A. Drought-induced dieback of Pinus nigra: a tale of hydraulic failure and carbon starvation. Conserv Physiol 2019; 7:coz012. [PMID: 31198559 PMCID: PMC6541882 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing climate change is apparently increasing tree mortality rates, and understanding mechanisms of drought-induced tree decline can improve mortality projections. Differential drought impact on conspecific individuals within a population has been reported, but no clear mechanistic explanation for this pattern has emerged. Following a severe drought (summer 2012), we monitored over a 3-year period healthy (H) and declining (D) Pinus nigra trees co-occurring in a karstic woodland to highlight eventual individual-specific physiological differences underlying differential canopy dieback. We investigated differences in water and carbon metabolism, and xylem anatomy as a function of crown health status, as well as eventual genotypic basis of contrasting drought responses. H and D trees exploited the same water pools and relied on similar hydraulic strategies to cope with drought stress. Genetic analyses did not highlight differences between groups in terms of geographical provenance. Hydraulic and anatomical analyses showed conflicting results. The hydraulic tracheid diameter and theoretical hydraulic conductivity were similar, but D trees were characterized by lower water transport efficiency, greater vulnerability to xylem conduit implosion and reduced carbohydrate stores. Our results suggest that extreme drought events can have different impacts on conspecific individuals, with differential vulnerability to xylem embolism likely playing a major role in setting the fate of trees under climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadeja Savi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
- Division of Viticulture and Pomology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 24, Tulln, Austria
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Alimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, Via delle Scienze 91, Udine, Italia
| | - Anna Dal Borgo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
| | - Sabine Rosner
- Institute of Botany, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel Strasse 33, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valentina Torboli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
| | - Barbara Stenni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, Italia
| | - Paolo Bertoncin
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
| | - Stefano Martellos
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Tomasella M, Nardini A, Hesse BD, Machlet A, Matyssek R, Häberle KH. Close to the edge: effects of repeated severe drought on stem hydraulics and non-structural carbohydrates in European beech saplings. Tree Physiol 2019; 39:717-728. [PMID: 30668841 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpy142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Severe drought events threaten tree water transport system, productivity and survival. Woody angiosperms generally die when embolism-induced loss of hydraulic conductance (PLC) surpasses 80-90% under intense water shortage. However, the recovery capability and possible long-term carry-over effects of repeated drought events could dictate the fate of species' population under climate change scenarios. Potted saplings of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) were subjected to two drought cycles in two consecutive growing seasons, aiming to induce minimum leaf water potentials (Ψmd) of about -4 MPa, corresponding to hydraulic thresholds for survival of this species. In the first cycle, a well-irrigated (C) and a drought-stressed group (S) were formed, and, in the following summer, each group was divided in a well-irrigated and a drought-stressed one (four groups in total). The impact of the multiple drought events was assessed by measuring wood anatomical traits, biomass production, water relations, stem hydraulics and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content. We also investigated possible connections between stem hydraulics and carbon dynamics during the second drought event and following re-irrigation. S plants had lower Ψmd and maximum specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks) than C plants in the following growing season. Additionally, aboveground biomass production and leaf number were lower compared to C trees, resulting in lower water consumption. However, PLC was similar between groups, probably due to the production of new functional xylem in spring. The second drought event induced 85% PLC and promoted conversion of starch-to soluble sugars. Nevertheless, 1 week after re-irrigation, no embolism repair was observed and soluble sugars were reconverted to starch. The previous drought cycle did not influence the hydraulic performance during the second drought, and after re-irrigation S plants had 40% higher wood NSC content. Our data suggest that beech cannot recover from high embolism levels but multiple droughts might enhance stem NSC availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Department of Life Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management-Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, Freising, Germany
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
| | - Benjamin D Hesse
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management-Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, Freising, Germany
| | - Anna Machlet
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management-Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, Freising, Germany
| | - Rainer Matyssek
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management-Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, Freising, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Häberle
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management-Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, Freising, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Falchi R, Petrussa E, Zancani M, Casolo V, Beraldo P, Nardini A, Sivilotti P, Calderan A, Herrera JC, Peterlunger E, Braidot E. Summer drought stress: differential effects on cane anatomy and non-structural carbohydrate content in overwintering Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah vines. BIO Web Conf 2019. [DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20191303007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Grapevines store non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) during late summer to sustain plant development at the onset of the following spring’s growth. Starch is the main stored carbohydrate, found in the wood-ray parenchyma of roots and canes. Although the relationship between hydraulic and plant photosynthetic performance is well-recognized, little research has been done on the long-term effects of drought in grapevines adopting different strategies to cope with water stress (i.e. isohydric and anisohydric). We performed our study by exposing two different grape cultivars (Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) to a short but severe drought stress, at two stages of the growing season (July and September). No marked differences in the physiological and hydraulic responses of the two varieties were found, probably due to our experimental conditions. However, anatomical and biochemical characterization of overwintering canes pointed out several interesting outcomes. We found a significant and parallel increase of starch and medullar ray number in both cultivars exposed to early water stress. We hypothesize that stressed vines limited their carbon allocation to growth, while shifting it to starch accumulation, with a most evident effect in the period of intense photosynthetic activity. We also speculate that a different aptitude to osmotic adjustment may underlay variation in starch increase and the specific involvement of bark NSC in the two cultivars.
Collapse
|
35
|
Losso A, Bär A, Dämon B, Dullin C, Ganthaler A, Petruzzellis F, Savi T, Tromba G, Nardini A, Mayr S, Beikircher B. Insights from in vivo micro-CT analysis: testing the hydraulic vulnerability segmentation in Acer pseudoplatanus and Fagus sylvatica seedlings. New Phytol 2019; 221:1831-1842. [PMID: 30347122 PMCID: PMC6492020 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The seedling stage is the most susceptible one during a tree's life. Water relations may be crucial for seedlings due to their small roots, limited water buffers and the effects of drought on water transport. Despite obvious relevance, studies on seedling xylem hydraulics are scarce as respective methodical approaches are limited. Micro-CT scans of intact Acer pseudoplatanus and Fagus sylvatica seedlings dehydrated to different water potentials (Ψ) allowed the simultaneous observation of gas-filled versus water-filled conduits and the calculation of percentage loss of conductivity (PLC) in stems, roots and leaves (petioles or main veins). Additionally, anatomical analyses were performed and stem PLC measured with hydraulic techniques. In A. pseudoplatanus, petioles showed a higher Ψ at 50% PLC (Ψ50 -1.13MPa) than stems (-2.51 MPa) and roots (-1.78 MPa). The main leaf veins of F. sylvatica had similar Ψ50 values (-2.26 MPa) to stems (-2.74 MPa) and roots (-2.75 MPa). In both species, no difference between root and stems was observed. Hydraulic measurements on stems closely matched the micro-CT based PLC calculations. Micro-CT analyses indicated a species-specific hydraulic architecture. Vulnerability segmentation, enabling a disconnection of the hydraulic pathway upon drought, was observed in A. pseudoplatanus but not in the especially shade-tolerant F. sylvatica. Hydraulic patterns could partly be related to xylem anatomical traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Losso
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwarterstrasse 15InnsbruckA‐6020Austria
| | - Andreas Bär
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwarterstrasse 15InnsbruckA‐6020Austria
| | - Birgit Dämon
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwarterstrasse 15InnsbruckA‐6020Austria
| | - Christian Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional RadiologyUniversity Medical Center GoettingenRobert‐Koch‐Straße 40Göttingen37075Germany
- Max‐Plank‐Institute for Experimental MedicineHermann‐Rein‐Straße 3Göttingen37075Germany
- Elettra‐Sincrotrone TriesteArea Science ParkTriesteBasovizza34149Italy
| | - Andrea Ganthaler
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwarterstrasse 15InnsbruckA‐6020Austria
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 10Trieste34127Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Department of Crop SciencesDivision of Viticulture and PomologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaKonrad Lorenzstrasse 24TullnA‐3430Austria
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra‐Sincrotrone TriesteArea Science ParkTriesteBasovizza34149Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità di TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 10Trieste34127Italy
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwarterstrasse 15InnsbruckA‐6020Austria
| | - Barbara Beikircher
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwarterstrasse 15InnsbruckA‐6020Austria
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Petruzzellis F, Nardini A, Savi T, Tonet V, Castello M, Bacaro G. Less safety for more efficiency: water relations and hydraulics of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle compared with native Fraxinus ornus L. Tree Physiol 2019; 39:76-87. [PMID: 29982793 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpy076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Invasion of natural habitats by alien trees is a threat to forest conservation. Our understanding of fundamental ecophysiological mechanisms promoting plant invasions is still limited, and hydraulic and water relation traits have been only seldom included in studies comparing native and invasive trees. We compared several leaf and wood functional and mechanistic traits in co-occurring Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Aa) and Fraxinus ornus L. (Fo). Aa is one of the most invasive woody species in Europe and North America, currently outcompeting several native trees including Fo. We aimed at quantifying inter-specific differences in terms of: (i) performance in resource use and acquisition; (ii) hydraulic efficiency and safety; (iii) carbon costs associated to leaf and wood construction; and (iv) plasticity of functional and mechanistic traits in response to light availability. Traits related to leaf and wood construction and drought resistance significantly differed between the two species. Fo sustained higher structural costs than Aa, but was more resistant to drought. The lower resistance to drought stress of Aa was counterbalanced by higher water transport efficiency, but possibly required mechanisms of resilience to drought-induced hydraulic damage. Larger phenotypic plasticity of Aa in response to light availability could also promote the invasive potential of the species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Division of Viticulture and Pomology, Department of Crop Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Straße 24, Tulln, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa Tonet
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miris Castello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Petruzzellis F, Pagliarani C, Savi T, Losso A, Cavalletto S, Tromba G, Dullin C, Bär A, Ganthaler A, Miotto A, Mayr S, Zwieniecki MA, Nardini A, Secchi F. The pitfalls of in vivo imaging techniques: evidence for cellular damage caused by synchrotron X-ray computed micro-tomography. New Phytol 2018; 220:104-110. [PMID: 30040128 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Synchrotron X-ray computed micro-tomography (microCT) has emerged as a promising noninvasive technique for in vivo monitoring of xylem function, including embolism build-up under drought and hydraulic recovery following re-irrigation. Yet, the possible harmful effects of ionizing radiation on plant tissues have never been quantified. We specifically investigated the eventual damage suffered by stem living cells of three different species exposed to repeated microCT scans. Stem samples exposed to one, two or three scans were used to measure cell membrane and RNA integrity, and compared to controls never exposed to X-rays. Samples exposed to microCT scans suffered serious alterations to cell membranes, as revealed by marked increase in relative electrolyte leakage, and also underwent severe damage to RNA integrity. The negative effects of X-rays were apparent in all species tested, but the magnitude of damage and the minimum number of scans inducing negative effects were species-specific. Our data show that multiple microCT scans lead to disruption of fundamental cellular functions and processes. Hence, microCT investigation of phenomena that depend on physiological activity of living cells may produce erroneous results and lead to incorrect conclusions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Pagliarani
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- Division of Viticulture and Pomology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Straße 24, A-3430, Tulln, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adriano Losso
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Silvia Cavalletto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Christian Dullin
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Max-Plank-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Bär
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Ganthaler
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Miotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maciej A Zwieniecki
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Secchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Klein T, Zeppel MJB, Anderegg WRL, Bloemen J, De Kauwe MG, Hudson P, Ruehr NK, Powell TL, von Arx G, Nardini A. Xylem embolism refilling and resilience against drought-induced mortality in woody plants: processes and trade-offs. Ecol Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-018-1588-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
39
|
Petruzzellis F, Savi T, Bertuzzi S, Montagner A, Tretiach M, Nardini A. Relationships between water status and photosystem functionality in a chlorolichen and its isolated photobiont. Planta 2018; 247:705-714. [PMID: 29170912 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-017-2814-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Drought tolerance was greater in the whole lichen than in its isolated photobiont. Cell turgor state has an influence on the functionality of photosynthetic process in lichens. Irreversible thermodynamics is widely used to describe the water relations of vascular plants. However, poikilohydrous organisms like lichens and aeroterrestrial microalgae have seldom been studied using this approach. Water relations of lichens are generally addressed without separate analysis of the mycobiont and photobiont, and only few studies have correlated changes in photosynthetic efficiency of dehydrating lichens to accurate measurements of their water potential components. We measured water potential isotherms and chlorophyll a fluorescence in the lichen Flavoparmelia caperata harvested in different seasons, as well as in its isolated photobiont, the green alga Trebouxia gelatinosa, either exposed to water stress cycles or fully hydrated. No significant seasonal trends were observed in lichen water relations parameters. Turgor loss point and osmotic potential of the whole thallus were significantly lower than those measured in the photobiont, while differences between the water stressed photobiont and controls were not significant. Dehydration-induced drop of F v/F m was correlated with turgor loss, revealing that the photosynthetic activity of lichens partly depends on their turgor level. We provided one of the first quantitative evidences of the influence that turgor status could exert on the functionality of photosynthetic processes in lichens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petruzzellis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Bertuzzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Montagner
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Bär A, Nardini A, Mayr S. Post-fire effects in xylem hydraulics of Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica. New Phytol 2018; 217:1484-1493. [PMID: 29193122 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies on post-fire tree mortality suggest a role for heat-induced alterations of the hydraulic system. We analyzed heat effects on xylem hydraulics both in the laboratory and at a forest site hit by fire. Stem vulnerability to drought-induced embolism and hydraulic conductivity were measured in Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica. Control branches were compared with samples experimentally exposed to 90°C or damaged by a natural forest fire. In addition, xylem anatomical changes were examined microscopically. Experimental heating caused structural changes in the xylem and increased vulnerability in all species. The largest shifts in vulnerability thresholds (1.3 MPa) were observed in P. sylvestris. F. sylvatica also showed heat-induced reductions (49%) in hydraulic conductivity. At the field site, increased vulnerability was observed in damaged branches of P. sylvestris and F. sylvatica, and the xylem of F. sylvatica was 39% less conductive in damaged than in undamaged branches. These results provide evidence for heat-induced impairment of tree hydraulics after fire. The effects recorded at the forest fire site corresponded to those obtained in laboratory experiments, and revealed pronounced hydraulic risks in P. sylvestris and F. sylvatica. Knowledge of species-specific hydraulic impairments induced by fire and heat is a prerequisite for accurate estimation of post-fire mortality risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bär
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Losso A, Anfodillo T, Ganthaler A, Kofler W, Markl Y, Nardini A, Oberhuber W, Purin G, Mayr S. Robustness of xylem properties in conifers: analyses of tracheid and pit dimensions along elevational transects. Tree Physiol 2018; 38:212-222. [PMID: 29309674 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpx168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In alpine regions, tree hydraulics are limited by low temperatures that restrict xylem growth and induce winter frost drought and freezing stress. While several studies have dealt with functional limitations, data on elevational changes in functionally relevant xylem anatomical parameters are still scarce. In wood cores of Pinus cembra L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. trunks, harvested along five elevational transects, xylem anatomical parameters (tracheid hydraulic diameter dh, wall reinforcement (t/b)2), pit dimensions (pit aperture Da, pit membrane Dm and torus Dt diameters) and respective functional indices (torus overlap O, margo flexibility) were measured. In both species, tracheid diameters decreased and (t/b)2 increased with increasing elevation, while pit dimensions and functional indices remained rather constant (P. cembra: Dt 10.3 ± 0.2 μm, O 0.477 ± 0.005; P. abies: Dt 9.30 ± 0.18 μm, O 0.492 ± 0.005). However, dh increased with tree height following a power trajectory with an exponent of 0.21, and also pit dimensions increased with tree height (exponents: Dm 0.18; Dt 0.14; Da 0.11). Observed elevational trends in xylem structures were predominantly determined by changes in tree size. Tree height-related changes in anatomical traits showed a remarkable robustness, regardless of the distributional ranges of study species. Despite increasing stress intensities towards the timberline, no adjustment in hydraulic safety at the pit level was observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Losso
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tommaso Anfodillo
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro Forestali, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Andrea Ganthaler
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Kofler
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Yvonne Markl
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Walter Oberhuber
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Purin
- Sportgymnasium Dornbirn, Messestraße 4, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Petruzzellis F, Palandrani C, Savi T, Alberti R, Nardini A, Bacaro G. Sampling intraspecific variability in leaf functional traits: Practical suggestions to maximize collected information. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:11236-11245. [PMID: 29299296 PMCID: PMC5743657 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The choice of the best sampling strategy to capture mean values of functional traits for a species/population, while maintaining information about traits' variability and minimizing the sampling size and effort, is an open issue in functional trait ecology. Intraspecific variability (ITV) of functional traits strongly influences sampling size and effort. However, while adequate information is available about intraspecific variability between individuals (ITVBI) and among populations (ITVPOP), relatively few studies have analyzed intraspecific variability within individuals (ITVWI). Here, we provide an analysis of ITVWI of two foliar traits, namely specific leaf area (SLA) and osmotic potential (π), in a population of Quercus ilex L. We assessed the baseline ITVWI level of variation between the two traits and provided the minimum and optimal sampling size in order to take into account ITVWI, comparing sampling optimization outputs with those previously proposed in the literature. Different factors accounted for different amount of variance of the two traits. SLA variance was mostly spread within individuals (43.4% of the total variance), while π variance was mainly spread between individuals (43.2%). Strategies that did not account for all the canopy strata produced mean values not representative of the sampled population. The minimum size to adequately capture the studied functional traits corresponded to 5 leaves taken randomly from 5 individuals, while the most accurate and feasible sampling size was 4 leaves taken randomly from 10 individuals. We demonstrate that the spatial structure of the canopy could significantly affect traits variability. Moreover, different strategies for different traits could be implemented during sampling surveys. We partially confirm sampling sizes previously proposed in the recent literature and encourage future analysis involving different traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Palandrani
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal SciencesUniversity of UdineUdineItaly
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Roberto Alberti
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Savi T, Miotto A, Petruzzellis F, Losso A, Pacilè S, Tromba G, Mayr S, Nardini A. Drought-induced embolism in stems of sunflower: A comparison of in vivo micro-CT observations and destructive hydraulic measurements. Plant Physiol Biochem 2017; 120:24-29. [PMID: 28968592 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Vulnerability curves (VCs) are a useful tool to investigate the susceptibility of plants to drought-induced hydraulic failure, and several experimental techniques have been used for their measurement. The validity of the bench dehydration method coupled to hydraulic measurements, considered as a 'golden standard', has been recently questioned calling for its validation with non-destructive methods. We compared the VCs of a herbaceous crop plant (Helianthus annuus) obtained during whole-plant dehydration followed by i) hydraulic flow measurements in stem segments (classical destructive method) or by ii) in vivo micro-CT observations of stem xylem conduits in intact plants. The interpolated P50 values (xylem water potential inducing 50% loss of hydraulic conductance) were -1.74 MPa and -0.87 MPa for the hydraulic and the micro-CT VC, respectively. Interpolated P20 values were similar, while P50 and P80 were significantly different, as evidenced by non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals. Our results did not support the tension-cutting artefact, as no overestimation of vulnerability was observed when comparing the hydraulic VC to that obtained with in vivo imaging. After one scan, 25% of plants showed signs of x-ray induced damage, while three successive scans caused the formation of a circular brownish scar in all tested plants. Our results support the validity of hydraulic measurements of samples excised under tension provided standard sampling and handling protocols are followed, but also show that caution is needed when investigating vital plant processes with x-ray imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadeja Savi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Andrea Miotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Petruzzellis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Adriano Losso
- Institut für Botanik, Universität Innsbruck, Sternwarterstrasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Serena Pacilè
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Institut für Botanik, Universität Innsbruck, Sternwarterstrasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Trifilò P, Casolo V, Raimondo F, Petrussa E, Boscutti F, Lo Gullo MA, Nardini A. Effects of prolonged drought on stem non-structural carbohydrates content and post-drought hydraulic recovery in Laurus nobilis L.: The possible link between carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. Plant Physiol Biochem 2017; 120:232-241. [PMID: 29073538 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Drought-induced tree decline is a complex event, and recent hypotheses suggest that hydraulic failure and carbon starvation are co-responsible for this process. We tested the possible role of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) content on post-drought hydraulic recovery, to verify the hypothesis that embolism reversal represents a mechanistic link between carbon starvation and stem hydraulics. Measurements were performed in laurel plants subjected to similar water stress levels either over short or long term, to induce comparable embolism levels. Plants subjected to mild and prolonged water shortage (S) showed reduced growth, adjustment of turgor loss point driven by changes in both osmotic potential at full turgor and bulk modulus of elasticity, a lower content of soluble NSC and a higher content of starch with respect to control (C) plants. Moreover, S plants showed a lower ability to recover from xylem embolism than C plants, even after irrigation. Our data suggest that plant carbon status might indirectly influence plant performance during and after drought via effects on xylem hydraulic functioning, supporting the view of a possible mechanistic link between the two processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, salita F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Valentino Casolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, via delle Scienze 91, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Fabio Raimondo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, salita F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisa Petrussa
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, via delle Scienze 91, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università di Udine, via delle Scienze 91, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Lo Gullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, salita F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Tomasella M, Häberle KH, Nardini A, Hesse B, Machlet A, Matyssek R. Post-drought hydraulic recovery is accompanied by non-structural carbohydrate depletion in the stem wood of Norway spruce saplings. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14308. [PMID: 29085007 PMCID: PMC5662761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14645-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydraulic failure and carbon starvation are recognized as main causes of drought-induced forest decline. As water transport and carbon dynamics are strictly interdependent, it is necessary to clarify how dehydration-rehydration cycles are affecting the relations between stem embolism and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). This is particularly needed for conifers whose embolism repair capability is still controversial. Potted Norway spruce saplings underwent two drought-re-irrigation cycles of same intensity, but performed in two consecutive summers. During the second cycle, stem percent loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) and NSC content showed no carry-over effects from the previous drought, indicating complete long-term recovery. The second drought treatment induced moderate PLC (20%) and did not affect total NSCs content, while starch was converted to soluble sugars in the bark. After one week of re-irrigation, PLC recovered to pre-stress values (0%) and NSCs were depleted, only in the wood, by about 30%. Our data suggest that spruce can repair xylem embolism and that, when water is newly available, NSCs stored in xylem parenchyma can be mobilized over short term to sustain respiration and/or for processes involved in xylem transport restoration. This, however, might imply dependency on sapwood NSC reserves for survival, especially if frequent drought spells occur.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tomasella
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management- Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
| | - Karl-Heinz Häberle
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management- Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Life Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Benjamin Hesse
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management- Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Anna Machlet
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management- Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Rainer Matyssek
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management- Chair for Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mezi S, Chiappetta C, Carletti R, Nardini A, Cortesi E, Orsi E, Piesco G, Di Gioia C. Clinical significance of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in laryngeal carcinoma: Its role in the different subsites. Head Neck 2017; 39:1806-1818. [PMID: 28561907 DOI: 10.1002/hed.24838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer cells lose adhesion capacity gaining migratory properties. The role of the process on prognosis has been evaluated in 50 cases of laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS E-cadherin, N-cadherin, β-catenin, α-catenin, γ-catenin, caveolin-1, and vimentin immunohistochemical expression were evaluated using a double score based on staining intensity and cellular localization. RESULTS Cytoplasmic E-cadherin and α/γ catenin staining were associated with a decrease in survival, cytoplasmic β-catenin was associated with advanced stage, and N-cadherin and vimentin expression were associated with poor differentiation and tumor relapse. On the basis of cancer cells, epithelial or mesenchymal morphological and immunophenotypic similarity we identified 4 main subgroups correlated with a transition to a more undifferentiated phenotype, which have a different pattern of relapse and survival. CONCLUSION The negative prognostic role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been confirmed and a predictive role in glottic tumors has been suggested, leading us to propose epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as an additional adverse feature in laryngeal carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mezi
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Chiappetta
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Carletti
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Cortesi
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Errico Orsi
- Department of Surgical Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Piesco
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cira Di Gioia
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Petrucco L, Nardini A, von Arx G, Saurer M, Cherubini P. Isotope signals and anatomical features in tree rings suggest a role for hydraulic strategies in diffuse drought-induced die-back of Pinus nigra. Tree Physiol 2017; 37:523-535. [PMID: 28338978 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpx031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The 2003 and 2012 summer seasons were among the warmest and driest of the last 200 years over southeastern Europe, and in particular in the Karst region (northeastern Italy). Starting from winter-spring 2013, several black pines (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold) suffered crown die-back. Declining trees occurred nearby individuals with no signs of die-back, raising hypotheses about the occurrence of individual-specific hydraulic strategies underlying different responses to extreme drought. We investigated possible processes driving black pine decline by dendrochronological and wood anatomical measurements, coupled with analysis of tree-ring carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic composition in healthy trees (H) and trees suffering die-back (D). Die-back trees showed higher growth rates than H trees at the beginning of the last century, but suffered important growth reduction following the dry summers in 2003 and 2012. After the 2012 drought, D trees produced tracheids with larger diameter and greater vulnerability to implosion than H ones. Healthy trees had significantly higher wood δ13C than D trees, reflecting higher water-use efficiency for the surviving trees, i.e., less water transpired per unit carbon gain, which could be related to lower stomatal conductance and a more conservative use of water. Relatively high δ18O for D trees indicates that they were strongly dependent on shallow water sources, or that they sustained higher transpiration rates than H trees. Our results suggest that H trees adopted a more conservative water-use strategy under drought stress compared with D trees. We speculate that this diversity might have a genotypic basis, but other possible explanations, like different rooting depth, cannot be ruled out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Petrucco
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Georg von Arx
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Saurer
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Cherubini
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Nardini A, Savi T, Losso A, Petit G, Pacilè S, Tromba G, Mayr S, Trifilò P, Lo Gullo MA, Salleo S. X-ray microtomography observations of xylem embolism in stems of Laurus nobilis are consistent with hydraulic measurements of percentage loss of conductance. New Phytol 2017; 213:1068-1075. [PMID: 27735069 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Drought-induced xylem embolism is a serious threat to plant survival under future climate scenarios. Hence, accurate quantification of species-specific vulnerability to xylem embolism is a key to predict the impact of climate change on vegetation. Low-cost hydraulic measurements of embolism rate have been suggested to be prone to artefacts, thus requiring validation by direct visualization of the functional status of xylem conduits using nondestructive imaging techniques, such as X-ray microtomography (microCT). We measured the percentage loss of conductance (PLC) of excised stems of Laurus nobilis (laurel) dehydrated to different xylem pressures, and compared results with direct observation of gas-filled vs water-filled conduits at a synchrotron-based microCT facility using a phase contrast imaging modality. Theoretical PLC calculated on the basis of microCT observations in stems of laurel dehydrated to different xylem pressures overall were in agreement with hydraulic measurements, revealing that this species suffers a 50% loss of xylem hydraulic conductance at xylem pressures averaging -3.5 MPa. Our data support the validity of estimates of xylem vulnerability to embolism based on classical hydraulic techniques. We discuss possible causes of discrepancies between data gathered in this study and those of recent independent reports on laurel hydraulics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Adriano Losso
- Institut für Botanik, Universität Innsbruck, Sternwarterstrasse 15, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giai Petit
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-forestali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Serena Pacilè
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Institut für Botanik, Universität Innsbruck, Sternwarterstrasse 15, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patrizia Trifilò
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, Università di Messina, Salita F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria A Lo Gullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, Università di Messina, Salita F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Salleo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Nardini A, Savi T, Trifilò P, Lo Gullo MA. Drought Stress and the Recovery from Xylem Embolism in Woody Plants. Progress in Botany Vol. 79 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/124_2017_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
50
|
Petit G, Savi T, Consolini M, Anfodillo T, Nardini A. Interplay of growth rate and xylem plasticity for optimal coordination of carbon and hydraulic economies in Fraxinus ornus trees. Tree Physiol 2016; 36:1310-1319. [PMID: 27587483 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpw069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Efficient leaf water supply is fundamental for assimilation processes and tree growth. Renovating the architecture of the xylem transport system requires an increasing carbon investment while growing taller, and any deficiency of carbon availability may result in increasing hydraulic constraints to water flow. Therefore, plants need to coordinate carbon assimilation and biomass allocation to guarantee an efficient and safe long-distance transport system. We tested the hypothesis that reduced branch elongation rates together with carbon-saving adjustments of xylem anatomy hydraulically compensate for the reduction in biomass allocation to xylem. We measured leaf biomass, hydraulic and anatomical properties of wood segments along the main axis of branches in 10 slow growing (SG) and 10 fast growing (FG) Fraxinus ornus L. trees. Branches of SG trees had five times slower branch elongation rate (7 vs 35 cm year-1), and produced a higher leaf biomass (P < 0.0001) and thinner xylem rings with fewer but larger vessels (P < 0.0001). On the contrary, we found no differences between SG and FG trees in terms of leaf-specific conductivity (P > 0.05) and xylem safety (Ψ50 ≈ -3.2 MPa). Slower elongation rate coupled with thinner annual rings and larger vessels allows the reduction of carbon costs associated with growth, while maintaining similar leaf-specific conductivity and xylem safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giai Petit
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Tadeja Savi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Consolini
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Tommaso Anfodillo
- Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|