INFIVE   05416
INSTITUTO DE FISIOLOGIA VEGETAL
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Functional relationships between wood structure and vulnerability to xylem cavitation in races of Eucalyptus globulus differing in wood density
Autor/es:
GYENGE, JAVIER; FERNANDEZ, MARÍA ELENA; MONTEOLIVA, SILVIA; FERNANDEZ, MARÍA ELENA; MONTEOLIVA, SILVIA; MARTINEZ-MEIER, ALEJANDRO; BAROTTO, ANTONIO JOSÉ; MARTINEZ-MEIER, ALEJANDRO; BAROTTO, ANTONIO JOSÉ; GYENGE, JAVIER
Revista:
TREE PHYSIOLOGY
Editorial:
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Referencias:
Año: 2018 vol. 38 p. 243 - 251
ISSN:
0829-318X
Resumen:
Wood density can beconsidered as a measure of the internal wood structure, and it is usually usedas a proxy measure of other mechanical and functional traits. Eucalyptus is one of the most importantcommercial forestry genera worldwide, but the relationship between wood densityand vulnerability to cavitation in this genus has been little studied. Theanalysis is hampered (among other things) by its anatomical complexity, so itbecomes necessary to address more complex techniques and analyses to elucidatethe way in which the different anatomical elements are functionally integrated.In this study, vulnerability to cavitation in two races of Eucalyptus globulus with different wood density was evaluatedthrough Path analysis, a multivariate method that allows evaluating models ofcausal relationship between variables. A model relating anatomical variableswith wood properties and functional parameters was proposed and tested. Wefound significant differences in wood basic density and vulnerability tocavitation between races. The main exogenous variablespredicting vulnerability to cavitation were vessel hydraulic diameter and fibrewall fraction.  Fibre wall fraction showed a direct impact on wood basicdensity and the slope of vulnerability curve, and an indirect and negativeeffect over P50 through them. Hydraulic diameter showed a directnegative effect on P50, but an indirect and positive influence overthis variable through wood density on the one hand, and through ks maxand slope on the other. Our results highlight the complexity of therelationship between xylem efficiency and safety in species with solitaryvessels such as Eucalyptus spp, withno evident compromise at the intraspecific level.