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Flow similarity model predicts the allometry and allometric covariation of petiole dimensions.

ABSTRACT: Allometric relationships for plants, plant organs and plant parts, have long generated interest among biologists. Several prominent theoretical models based on biomechanical and/or hydraulic arguments have been introduced with mixed support. Here, I test a more recent offering, flow similarity, which is based on the conservation of volumetric flow rate and velocity. Using dimensional data for 935 petioles from 43 angiosperm species, I show that both the intraspecific and interspecific petiole allometries are more closely aligned with the predictions of the flow similarity model than that of elastic or geometric similarity. Further, allometric covariation among empirical scaling exponents falls along predicted functions with clustering around the flow similarity predictions. This work adds to the body of literature highlighting the importance of hydraulics in understanding the physiological basis of plant allometries, identifies previously unknown central tendencies in petiole allometry, and helps to delineate the scope within which the flow similarity model may be applicable.

SUBMITTER: Price CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10323609 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Flow similarity model predicts the allometry and allometric covariation of petiole dimensions.

Price Charles A CA

Plant direct 20230706 7

Allometric relationships for plants, plant organs and plant parts, have long generated interest among biologists. Several prominent theoretical models based on biomechanical and/or hydraulic arguments have been introduced with mixed support. Here, I test a more recent offering, flow similarity, which is based on the conservation of volumetric flow rate and velocity. Using dimensional data for 935 petioles from 43 angiosperm species, I show that both the intraspecific and interspecific petiole al ...[more]

PMID: 37426892

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Project description:Background and aimsAllometric scaling between stomata and xylem for terrestrial woody plants is a widely observed pattern that may be constrained by water transport. Floating-leaved plants, a particular life form of aquatic plants, have leaves in direct contact with both air and water and a poorly developed xylem that may not be limited by water supply as for terrestrial plants. However, whether such an allometric scaling relationship still exists in floating-leaved plants has not been explored.MethodsWe analysed 31 floating-leaved species/varieties with a range in leaf area covering six orders of magnitude. For all 31 floating-leaved plants, we studied the allometric relationships between leaf area and petiole transverse area, and between total stomatal area and petiole vascular area.Key resultsThe slopes of both relationships were similar to the slope of the allometric relationship (1.23) between total stomatal area and xylem area of 53 terrestrial plants. However, for ten of them with xylem that can be clearly defined, the strong positive relationship between total stomatal area and petiole xylem area had a significantly smaller slope than that of terrestrial plants (0.64 vs. 1.23). Furthermore, after considering phylogeny, the scaling relationships between total stomatal area and petiole traits in floating-leaved plants remained significant.ConclusionsWe speculated that for floating-leaved plants, the hyperallometric relationship (slope >1) between the construction of leaf/stoma and petiole was promoted by the high demand for photosynthesis and thus more leaves/stomata. While the hypoallometric relationship (slope <1) between stomatal and xylem area was related more to hydraulic processes, the selection pressure on stomata was lower than xylem of floating-leaved plants. Allometric relationships among the hydraulic traits on water transport of aquatic plants are the result of natural selection to achieve maximum carbon gain, which is similar to terrestrial plants.

Dataset Information

Flow similarity model predicts the allometry and allometric covariation of petiole dimensions.

Publications

Flow similarity model predicts the allometry and allometric covariation of petiole dimensions.

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