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Plant Physiology 88:574-580 (1988)
© 1988 American Society of Plant Biologists

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Environmental and Stress Physiology

Do Woody Plants Operate Near the Point of Catastrophic Xylem Dysfunction Caused by Dynamic Water Stress? 1

Answers from a Model

Melvin T. Tyree and John S. Sperry

Department of Botany, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405

We discuss the relationship between the dynamically changing tension gradients required to move water rapidly through the xylem conduits of plants and the proportion of conduits lost through embolism as a result of water tension. We consider the implications of this relationship to the water relations of trees. We have compiled quantitative data on the water relations, hydraulic architecture and vulnerability of embolism of four widely different species: Rhizophora mangle, Cassipourea elliptica, Acer saccharum, and Thuja occidentalis. Using these data, we modeled the dynamics of water flow and xylem blockage for these species. The model is specifically focused on the conditions required to generate `runaway embolism,' whereby the blockage of xylem conduits through embolism leads to reduced hydraulic conductance causing increased tension in the remaining vessels and generating more tension in a vicious circle. The model predicted that all species operate near the point of catastrophic xylem failure due to dynamic water stress. The model supports Zimmermann's plant segmentation hypothesis. Zimmermann suggested that plants are designed hydraulically to sacrifice highly vulnerable minor branches and thus improve the water balance of remaining parts. The model results are discussed in terms of the morphology, hydraulic architecture, eco-physiology, and evolution of woody plants.

1 Various parts of this research were funded by: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, grant No. A6919, U.S. Department of Agriculture grant No. 86-FSTY-9-0226 and U.S. Department of Agriculture grant No. 85-CRSR-2-2564. Foreign travel costs were covered by Visiting Fellowships to both authors from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and by a grant from the Lintilhac Foundation.




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