Xylem vessel anatomy and hydraulic function scale in concert along the tip-to-base axis of an angiosperm tree.

ABSTRACT: Vessel scaling from tip to base in angiosperms has largely been studied based on vessel diameter. Here, we test if vessel anatomy and transport efficiency in a Fagus sylvatica L. sapling show axial scaling by maintaining a largely proportional ratio of lumen to end-wall resistivity to sap flow with tree height. Vessel diameter (D) of more than 50 000 vessels was measured based on wood sections, while mean vessel length (L_V ) was measured semi-automatically with a Pneumatron for 58 stem segments. Based on tip-to-base variation in D and L_V , we estimated vessel lumen conductivity (K_H ) at the individual vessel level. We also estimated end-wall conductivity (K_W ) based on Darcy's law, integrating pit

SUBMITTER: Kreinert S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12741662 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature