The Possible Role of Non-Structural Carbohydrates in the Regulation of Tree Hydraulics.

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

SUBMITTER: Tomasella M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6981889 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature