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Non-radioactive in situ Hybridization Protocol Applicable for Norway Spruce and a Range of Plant Species

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Published on: April 17, 2009

Torus-margo pits help conifers compete with angiosperms.

Jarmila Pittermann¹, John S Sperry, Uwe G Hacke

¹Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257S 1400E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|December 24, 2005

Summary

Conifer tracheids, unlike angiosperm vessels, possess unique torus-margo pits that significantly reduce water flow resistance. This adaptation is crucial for conifer survival in diverse ecosystems.

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Area of Science:

Plant anatomy
Xylem hydraulics
Evolutionary biology

Background:

Conifer tracheids are unicellular, while angiosperm vessels are multicellular.
Tracheids were expected to have higher flow resistance due to shorter lengths and closer end-walls.
Angiosperm vessels were thought to be hydraulically superior.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the hydraulic resistivity of conifer tracheids and angiosperm vessels.
To investigate the role of pit structure in xylem water transport.
To understand the evolutionary significance of conifer pit membranes.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of tracheid and vessel resistivity.
Hydraulic measurements of pit membrane resistance.
Modeling of water flow resistance in conifer and angiosperm xylem.

Main Results:

Tracheids and vessels exhibited comparable resistivities for similar diameters.
Conifer end-wall pits showed 59 times lower flow resistance per area than vessel pits.
The torus-margo structure of conifer pit membranes significantly reduces hydraulic resistance.

Conclusions:

The evolution of the torus-margo pit membrane was as hydraulically significant as the evolution of vessels.
Specialized conifer pits are essential for maintaining low flow resistance.
Without these pits, conifers would face prohibitive hydraulic resistance, impacting ecosystem viability.