Angiosperms follow a convex trade-off to optimize hydraulic safety and efficiency

Pereira, Luciano1

Published Aug 24, 2023 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.31zcrjds6

Data files

Aug 24, 2023 version files 226.97 MB

acer1.csv

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acer2.csv

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acer3.csv

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acer4.csv

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acer6.csv

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alnus1.csv

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alnus2.csv

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alnus3.csv

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alnus4.csv

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alnus5.csv

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betula1.csv

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betula2.csv

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betula3.csv

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carpinus10.csv

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carpinus11.csv

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carpinus4.csv

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carpinus5.csv

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carpinus6.csv

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carpinus7.csv

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carpinus9.csv

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corylus3.csv

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corylus4.csv

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corylus5.csv

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corylus6.csv

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fagus1.csv

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fagus2.csv

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fagus3.csv

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fagus4.csv

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fagus5.csv

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fagus6.csv

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fagus7.csv

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fagus8.csv

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Kaack_tableS1.csv

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laurus10.csv

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laurus6.csv

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laurus7.csv

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laurus8.csv

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laurus9.csv

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liriodendron3.csv

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liriodendron4.csv

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liriodendron5.csv

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liriodendron6.csv

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Measured_Estimated_ka_Pereira_et_al_2023.R

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olea3.csv

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olea4.csv

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olea5.csv

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prunus1.csv

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prunus2.csv

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prunus3.csv

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prunus4.csv

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prunus5.csv

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quercus1.csv

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quercus2.csv

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quercus3.csv

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quercus4.csv

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quercus5.csv

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README.md

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sample_id_all.csv

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tilia10.csv

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tilia11.csv

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tilia7.csv

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tilia9.csv

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xinyi_database.csv

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Abstract

Intervessel pits are considered to function as valves that avoid embolism spreading and optimize efficient transport of xylem sap across neighbouring vessels. Hydraulic transport between vessels would therefore follow a safety-efficiency trade-off, which is directly related to the total intervessel pit area (A_p), inversely related to the pit membrane thickness (T_PM), and driven by a pressure difference.

To test this hypothesis, we modelled the relative transport rate of gas (k_a) and water (Q) at the intervessel pit level for 23 angiosperm species, and correlated these parameters with the water potential at which 50% of embolism occurs (Ψ₅₀). We also measured k_a for 10 species using pneumatic measurements.

The pressure difference across adjacent vessels, and estimated values of k_aand Q were related to Ψ₅₀, following a convex safety-efficiency trade-off based on modelled and experimental data. Minor changes in T_PM and A_pexponentially affected the pressure difference and flow, respectively.

Our results provide clear evidence that a xylem safety-efficiency trade-off is not linear, but convex due to flow across intervessel pit membranes, which represent mesoporous media within microporous conduits. Moreover, the convex nature of long-distance xylem transport may contribute to an adjustable fluid balance of plants, depending on environmental conditions.

Angiosperms follow a convex trade-off to optimize hydraulic safety and efficiency

Data files

Abstract

Usage notes