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Intervessel connectivity and relationship with patterns of lateral water exchange within and between xylem sectors in seven xeric shrubs from the great Sahara desert

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Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of intervessel contacts in determining the patterns of hydraulic integration both within and between xylem sectors. The degree of intervessel contacts and the lateral exchange capability within and between sectors were examined and correlated in different xeric shrubs. A dye injection method was used to detect the connections between vessels; an apoplastic dye was sucked through a known number of vessels and its distribution in the xylem network was followed. Hydraulic techniques were used to measure axial and tangential conductivity both within and between xylem sectors. The intra- and inter-sector integration indexes were then determined as the ratio of tangential to axial conductance. Species differed significantly in the degree of intervessel contacts, intra- and inter-sector integration index. In all cases, hydraulic integration was observed to be higher within sector than between sectors. From the correlation analyses, the intervessel contacts showed a very weak relationship with inter-sector integration index and a strong positive relationship with intra-sector integration index. Results suggested that (1) the factors affecting patterns of lateral flow within xylem sectors might be relatively different from those between sectors. (2) The degree of intervessel contacts was a major determinant of hydraulic integration within the same xylem sector. (3) Intervessel connectivity alone was a poor predictor of hydraulic integration between different sectors, implying a significant contribution of other anatomical, physiological and environmental factors in determining the patterns of integrated–sectored transport within woody stems.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Abdelaziz Labidi and Belgacem Hadid for their support and assistance. Special thanks are extended to Drs. Mohamed Hocine Benaissa and Nouar Boulghabra for helpful comments and the anonymous referees for helpful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript. We are also grateful to Sofiane Amira, Ali Lahcini, Abdessalem Bougafla, Rachid Benhamed and Youcef Yacoubi for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Bioresources, Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Arid Areas (CRSTRA), Biophysical Station, Nezla, 3240, Touggourt, Algeria

    Youcef Halis, Rabah Mayouf, Mohamed Lamine Benhaddya & Mohamed Belhamra

  2. Laboratory of Biomolecules and Plant Amelioration, Larbi Benmhidi University of Oum El Bouaghi, BP 358, Constantine Road, 04000, Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria

    Youcef Halis

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  1. Youcef Halis
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  2. Rabah Mayouf
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  3. Mohamed Lamine Benhaddya
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  4. Mohamed Belhamra
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Correspondence to Youcef Halis.

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Halis, Y., Mayouf, R., Benhaddya, M.L. et al. Intervessel connectivity and relationship with patterns of lateral water exchange within and between xylem sectors in seven xeric shrubs from the great Sahara desert. J Plant Res 126, 223–231 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-012-0514-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-012-0514-6

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