Resistant xylem from roots to peduncles sustains reproductive water supply after drought-induced cavitation of wheat leaves.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Many annual grasses exhibit drought-avoiding life cycles in which rapid reproduction must be completed before soil water is exhausted. This strategy would seem to require a hydraulic system capable of sustaining reproduction at all costs to the rest of the plant, yet little is known about the whole-plant structure of hydraulic vulnerability in grasses.

Methods

We examine vulnerability to water-stress-induced xylem cavitation in roots, flag leaves, and basal and apical regions of peduncles of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Krichauff') to understand the staged failure of xylem function in severe drought. The functionality of segmented vulnerabilities is tested by conducting rehydration experiments after acute dehydration.

Key results

We show that water

SUBMITTER: Harrison Day BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10184455 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature