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Related Experiment Videos

Bordered pit structure and vessel wall surface properties. Implications for embolism repair.

M A Zwieniecki1, N M Holbrook

  • 1Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. mzwienie@oeb.harvard.edu

Plant Physiology
|July 13, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Xylem embolism can be reversed if cavitated vessels are hydraulically isolated. This isolation is possible due to bordered pit geometry and contact angles, preventing air-water interface collapse.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant Physiology
  • Xylem Hydraulics
  • Water Transport in Plants

Background:

  • Xylem embolism, or air bubble formation in water transport tissues, hinders plant water transport.
  • The mechanism of refilling embolized xylem vessels while adjacent ones remain under tension is debated.
  • Hydraulic isolation of cavitated conduits is crucial for understanding refilling processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physical mechanism enabling hydraulic isolation of embolized xylem conduits.
  • To determine if bordered pit geometry and contact angles facilitate the formation of a stable air-water interface.
  • To quantify the pressure difference that can be stabilized by such an interface.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of contact angles within the vessel lumen of six plant species.

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  • Analysis of bordered pit chamber geometry, specifically the opening angle.
  • Calculation of the maximum pressure difference sustainable by the air-water interface at the pit entrance.

    • Main Results:

    • Contact angles in the vessel lumen ranged from 42 to 55 degrees.
    • The opening into the pit chamber ranged from 144 to 157 degrees.
    • A convex air-water interface, stabilizing a pressure difference of 0.07 to 0.30 MPa, can form at the pit entrance.

    Conclusions:

    • The flaring geometry of bordered pit openings and measured contact angles support the formation of a convex meniscus.
    • This meniscus can hydraulically isolate embolized xylem conduits from adjacent, water-filled vessels.
    • The findings provide a physical basis for the refilling of embolized xylem under tension.