Shade-induced reduction of stem nonstructural carbohydrates increases xylem vulnerability to embolism and impedes hydraulic recovery in Populus nigra.

ABSTRACT: Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) have been suggested to affect xylem transport under fluctuating water availability, but conclusive evidence is still lacking. We tested the effect of shade-induced NSC depletion on xylem vulnerability to embolism and hydraulic recovery on Populus nigra saplings. Vulnerability was assessed in light-exposed (L) and shaded (S) plants with the hydraulic method, and in vivo with the optical method and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Plants were stressed to 80% loss of hydraulic conductance (PLC) and re-irrigated to check for possible recovery. We measured PLC, bark and wood NSC content, as well as xylem sap pH, surface tension (γ_sap ) and sugar concentration, before, during and after drought. Shading induced depletion of stem NSC (mainly starch) re

SUBMITTER: Tomasella M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9290559 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature