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Size and function in conifer tracheids and angiosperm vessels.

John S Sperry1, Uwe G Hacke, Jarmila Pittermann

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

American Journal of Botany
|June 7, 2011
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Wider xylem conduits, like angiosperm vessels, improve water transport efficiency. However, vessel length and structure, unlike tracheids, can limit efficiency due to resistance and cavitation risks.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant anatomy
  • Xylem hydraulics
  • Wood evolution

Background:

  • Conifer tracheids and angiosperm vessels exhibit a wide size range impacting plant water transport.
  • Conduit size and shape are critical for hydraulic efficiency, balancing resistance and function.
  • Xylem structure is constrained by factors including unicellularity, wood strength, and cavitation resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the hydraulic efficiency of conifer tracheids and angiosperm vessels.
  • To investigate the functional consequences of varying conduit dimensions and structures.
  • To understand the evolutionary and ecological factors shaping xylem evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of tracheid and vessel dimensions and morphology.
  • Hydraulic resistance modeling based on conduit anatomy.
  • Examination of pit structures (e.g., torus-margo) and their impact on resistance.
  • Consideration of mechanical and cavitation-related constraints on conduit evolution.

Main Results:

  • Larger conduit diameter significantly increases hydraulic conductivity in both tracheids and vessels.
  • End-walls contribute substantially (56-64%) to total xylem resistance, highlighting length limitations.
  • Angiosperm vessels achieve higher efficiency through wider diameters, despite lacking tracheid's pit advantages.
  • Vessel evolution may be limited by intervessel pitting and air-seeding, while tracheid evolution is influenced by unicellularity and wood strength.

Conclusions:

  • Xylem conduit size is a primary determinant of hydraulic efficiency, with larger diameters being advantageous.
  • End-wall resistance, influenced by conduit length, is a major limiting factor for hydraulic efficiency.
  • The evolution of vessels in angiosperms provided hydraulic advantages but introduced new constraints related to cavitation and stability.
  • Habitat stress favoring narrow vessels may promote conifer-angiosperm coexistence, with vessel evolution potentially requiring an initial phase of instability.