|
Plant Physiol, February 2001, Vol. 125, pp. 779-786
Cavitation Fatigue. Embolism and Refilling Cycles Can Weaken the
Cavitation Resistance of Xylem1
Uwe G.
Hacke,*
Volker
Stiller,
John S.
Sperry,
Jarmila
Pittermann, and
Katherine A.
McCulloh
Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
84112
Although cavitation and refilling cycles could be common in plants,
it is unknown whether these cycles weaken the cavitation resistance of
xylem. Stem or petiole segments were tested for cavitation resistance
before and after a controlled cavitation-refilling cycle. Cavitation
was induced by centrifugation, air drying of shoots, or soil drought.
Except for droughted plants, material was not significantly water
stressed prior to collection. Cavitation resistance was determined from
"vulnerability curves" showing the percentage loss of conductivity
versus xylem pressure. Two responses were observed. "Resilient"
xylem (Acer negundo and Alnus incana
stems) showed no change in cavitation resistance after a
cavitation-refilling cycle. In contrast, "weakened" xylem
(Populus angustifolia, P. tremuloides, Helianthus annuus
stems, and Aesculus hippocastanum petioles) showed
considerable reduction in cavitation resistance. Weakening was observed
whether cavitation was induced by centrifugation, air dehydration, or
soil drought. Observations from H. annuus showed that
weakening was proportional to the embolism induced by stress. Air
injection experiments indicated that the weakened response was a result
of an increase in the leakiness of the vascular system to air seeding.
The increased air permeability in weakened xylem could result from
rupture or loosening of the cellulosic mesh of interconduit pit
membranes during the water stress and cavitation treatment.
1
This work was supported by the National Science
Foundation (grant no. IBN-9723464), by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (grant no. 97-37100-2649 to J.S.S.), and by the Alexander
von Humboldt-Foundation, Germany (Feodor-Lynen fellowship to
U.G.H.).
*
Corresponding author; e-mail hacke{at}biology.utah.edu; fax
801-581-4668.
© 2001 American Society of Plant Physiologists
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
T. J. Brodribb and H. Cochard
Hydraulic Failure Defines the Recovery and Point of Death in Water-Stressed Conifers
Plant Physiology,
January 1, 2009;
149(1):
575 - 584.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Schmitz, S. Jansen, A. Verheyden, J. G. Kairo, H. Beeckman, and N. Koedam
Comparative Anatomy of Intervessel Pits in Two Mangrove Species Growing Along a Natural Salinity Gradient in Gazi Bay, Kenya
Ann. Bot.,
August 1, 2007;
100(2):
271 - 281.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-C. Domec, B. Lachenbruch, and F. C. Meinzer
Bordered pit structure and function determine spatial patterns of air-seeding thresholds in xylem of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii; Pinaceae) trees
Am. J. Botany,
November 1, 2006;
93(11):
1588 - 1600.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Jansen, P. Baas, P. Gasson, F. Lens, and E. Smets
Variation in xylem structure from tropics to tundra: Evidence from vestured pits
PNAS,
June 8, 2004;
101(23):
8833 - 8837.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. S. Sperry and U. G. Hacke
Analysis of circular bordered pit function I. Angiosperm vessels with homogenous pit membranes
Am. J. Botany,
March 1, 2004;
91(3):
369 - 385.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U. G. Hacke, J. S. Sperry, and J. Pittermann
Analysis of circular bordered pit function II. Gymnosperm tracheids with torus-margo pit membranes
Am. J. Botany,
March 1, 2004;
91(3):
386 - 400.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. S. Sperry, V. Stiller, and U. G. Hacke
Xylem Hydraulics and the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum: Opportunities and Unresolved Issues
Agron. J.,
November 1, 2003;
95(6):
1362 - 1370.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. J. Brodribb and N. M. Holbrook
Stomatal Closure during Leaf Dehydration, Correlation with Other Leaf Physiological Traits
Plant Physiology,
August 1, 2003;
132(4):
2166 - 2173.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. J. Melcher, M. A. Zwieniecki, and N. M. Holbrook
Vulnerability of Xylem Vessels to Cavitation in Sugar Maple. Scaling from Individual Vessels to Whole Branches
Plant Physiology,
April 1, 2003;
131(4):
1775 - 1780.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Choat, M. Ball, J. Luly, and J. Holtum
Pit Membrane Porosity and Water Stress-Induced Cavitation in Four Co-Existing Dry Rainforest Tree Species
Plant Physiology,
January 1, 2003;
131(1):
41 - 48.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Stiller and J. S. Sperry
Cavitation fatigue and its reversal in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
J. Exp. Bot.,
May 1, 2002;
53(371):
1155 - 1161.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
