Hypothesis. Air embolisms exsolving in the transpiration water - the effect of constrictions in the xylem pipes

Functional Plant Biology : FPB
M CannyMichael L Roderick

Abstract

When water flows through a constriction, air can come out of solution (i.e. it can exsolve). This phenomenon is manifested in the transpiration stream of plants. Observations of gas in functioning xylem prompted a hypothesis predicting the daily balance between air and water in wood: a sudden fall in water content at sunrise, followed by an increase in water content during the day. An extended record by time domain reflectometry of volumetric water content (VWC) every 2 h throughout a summer shows the detailed pattern of change of VWC during 25 individual days, giving good agreement with the hypothesis. This hypothesis has wide-ranging consequences for experiments using cut plant parts. Perfusing aqueous solutions through excised xylem also can exsolve air from the water, causing declines in flow. The location of such air was investigated in cryo-fixed perfused vine stems by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Bubbles formed at residual walls of perforation plates in small vessels, and filled many large vessels. The input surface is revealed as a major source of exsolved air. Precautions to reduce this effect are outlined and discussed.

References

Aug 12, 2000·Journal of Experimental Botany·W van IeperenH van Gelder
Feb 13, 2001·Science·M A ZwienieckiN M Michele Holbrook
Sep 15, 2005·The New Phytologist·Sandra L Berry, Michael L Roderick
Dec 1, 2005·American Journal of Botany·Volker StillerRenee Lafitte
Aug 1, 2003·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·Laura J CrewsMartin J Canny
Feb 1, 1998·The New Phytologist·M E McCULLYL E C Ling

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Citations

Oct 3, 2014·Tree Physiology·Annelies BaertKathy Steppe
Feb 13, 2016·Plant, Cell & Environment·H Jochen SchenkBradley K Esser
Jun 1, 2008·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·Sebastiano SalleoMaria Assunta Lo Gullo
Dec 15, 2010·Journal of Experimental Botany·Susana Espino, H Jochen Schenk
May 4, 2018·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Felix J Meigel, Karen Alim

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