Light Limitation and Foliar Pathogenic Infection Impact Phloem Anatomy and Function in Pinus radiata D. Don.

ABSTRACT: Phloem plays a major role in plant physiology, health and growth. However, little research has addressed the impact of biotic and abiotic stressors on phloem structure and development. This study extends recent interest on stress impact on phloem to further understand its physiological limits by exploring a common combination of stressors within forest systems: reduced light availability and concomitant foliar pathogenic infection. We compared juvenile Pinus radiata D. Don. plants growing under optimal light conditions to plants growing under reduced light availability and exposure to pathogenic infection. We monitored foliar gas exchange and took destructive samples for nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) analysis and phloem anatomy in spring and early summer. We used software-assisted image

SUBMITTER: Gomez-Gallego M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12223716 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature