Parenchyma Abundance in Wood of Evergreen Trees Varies Independently of Nutrients.

ABSTRACT: The abundance of living cells in wood-mainly as interconnected axial and ray parenchyma networks-varies widely between species. However, the functional significance of this variation and its role in plant ecological strategies is poorly understood, as is the extent to which different parenchyma fractions are favored in relation to soil nutrients and hydraulic functions. We analyzed wood tissue fractions of 16 Australian angiosperm species sampled from two nearby areas with similar climate but very different soil nutrient profiles and investigated structure-function links with soil and tissue nutrient concentrations and other plant traits. We expected the variation in parenchyma fractions to influence nutrient concentrations in wood xylem, and to find species with lower parenchyma fractions

SUBMITTER: Kotowska MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7045414 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature