Ke-Yan Zhang, Da Yang, Yun-Bing Zhang, Xun-Ru Ai, Lan Yao, Zhi-Jun Deng, Jiao-Lin Zhang
PREMISE: Stem xylem transports water and nutrients, mechanically supports aboveground tissues, and stores water and nonstructural carbohydrates. These three functions are associated with three types of cells-vessel, fiber, and parenchyma, respectively. METHODS: We measured stem theoretical hydraulic conductivity (Kt ), modulus of elasticity (MOE), tissue water content, starch, soluble sugars, cellulose, and xylem anatomical traits in 15 liana and 16 tree species across three contrasting sites in Southwest China...
February 21, 2024: American Journal of Botany