Self-Repair in Cacti Branches: Comparative Analyses of Their Morphology, Anatomy, and Biomechanics.

ABSTRACT: Damage-repair is particularly important for the maintenance of the water-storing abilities of succulent plants such as cacti. Comparative morphological, anatomical, and biomechanical analyses of self-repair were performed on artificially wounded branches of Opuntiaficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii. Macroscopic observations, contrast staining, and lignin-proof staining were used to investigate morphological and anatomical responses after wounding at various time intervals. Two-point bending tests were repeatedly performed on the same branches under unwounded, freshly wounded, and healed conditions by using customized 3D-printed clamping jaws. Morphologically, both species showed a rolling-in of the wound edges, but no mucilage discharge. Anatomically, ligno-suberized peridermal laye

SUBMITTER: Mylo MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7370035 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature