Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Xylem sap chemistry: seasonal changes in timberline conifers Pinus cembra, Picea abies, and Larix decidua

  • Original papers
  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

The seasonal course of xylem sap parameters (electrical conductivity EC, potassium concentration [K+], and pH) of three conifers (Pinus cembra, Picea abies, and Larix decidua) growing at the alpine timberline was monitored. We also looked into possible effects of [K+] and pH on the difference in hydraulic conductivity (Δks). In all studied species, EC, [K+], and pH varied considerably over the year, with pH ranging between 7.3 (February) and 5.8 (June) and [K+] changing between 0.4 (January) and 2.5 mM (June). The Δks was overall low with positive values during winter (up to +20 %) and negative values in summer (-15 % in August). Samples perfused with alkaline solutions showed higher Δks. Xylem sap parameters in all conifers under study were surprisingly variable over the year thus indicating either effects upon seasonal changes in environmental factors or active adjustments, or both. Although Δks values over the year were minor, observed induction of Δks by high pH might indicate a role for hydraulic adjustment in harsh winter periods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

EC:

electrical conductivity

[K+]:

potassium concentration

WC:

water content

Δks :

difference in hydraulic conductivity

Ψ:

water potential

References

  • Aasamaa, K., Sober, A.: Sensitivity of stem and periole hydraulic conductance of deciduous trees to xylem sap ion concentration. — Biol. Plant. 54: 299–307, 2010.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrés, Z., Pérez-Hormaeche, J., Leidi, E.O., Schlücking, K., Steinhorst, L., McLachlan, D.H., Schumaker, K., Hetherington, A.M., Kudla, J., Cubero, B., Pardo, J.M.: Control of vacuolar dynamics and regulation of stomatal aperture by tonoplast potassium uptake. — Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. USA 111: E1806–E1814, 2014.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Anschütz, U., Becker, D., Shabala, S.: Going beyond nutrition: regulation of potassium homoeostasis as a common denominator of plant adaptive responses to environment. — J. Plant Physiol. 171: 670–687, 2014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bahrun, A., Jensen, C.R., Asch, F., Mogensen, V.O.: Droughtinduced changes in xylem pH, ionic composition, and ABA concentration act as early signals in field-grown maize (Zea mays L.). — J. exp. Bot. 53: 251–263, 2002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brodersen, C.R., McElrone, A.J.: Maintenance of xylem network transport capacity: a review of embolism repair in vascular plants. — Front. Plant Sci. 4: 108, 2013.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, M.C., Larsen, H.S.: Soil nutrients and loblolly pine xylem sap composition. — Forest. Sci. 11: 216–220, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casolo, V., Tomasella, M., De Col, V., Braidot, E., Savi, T., Nardini, A.: Water relations of an invasive halophyte (Spartina patens): osmoregulation and ionic effects on xylem hydraulics. — Funct. Plant Biol. 42: 264–273, 2015.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu, S.-T., Ewers, F.W.: The effect of segment length on conductance measurements in Lonicera fragrantissima. — J. exp. Bot. 44: 175–181, 1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christman, M.A., Sperry, J.S., Smith, D.D.: Rare pits, large vessels and extreme vulnerability to cavitation in a ringporous tree species. — New Phytol. 193: 713–720, 2012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cochard, H., Herbette, S., Hernández, E., Hölttä, T., Mencuccini, M.: The effects of sap ionic composition on xylem vulnerability to cavitation. — J. exp. Bot. 61: 275–285, 2010.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Earles, J.M., Sperling, O., Silva, L.C.R., McElrone, A.J., Brodersen, C.R., North, M.P., Zwieniecki, M.A.: Bark water uptake promotes localized hydraulic recovery in coastal redwood crown. — Plant Cell Environ. 39: 320–328, 2016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egilla, J.N., Davies, F.T., Boutton, T.W.: Drought stress influences leaf water content, photosynthesis, and water-use efficiency of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis at three potassium concentrations. — Photosynthetica 43: 135–140, 2005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fromard, L., Babin, V., Fleurat-Lessard, P., Fromont, J.C., Serrano, R., Bonnemain, J.L.: Control of vascular sap pH by the vessel-associated cells in woody species. — Plant Physiol. 108: 913–918, 1995.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gascó, A., Gortan, E., Salleo, S., Nardini, A.: Changes of pH of solutions during perfusion through stem segments: Further evidence for hydrogel regulation of xylem hydraulic properties? — Biol. Plant. 52: 502–506, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gascó, A., Salleo, S., Gortan, E., Nardini, A.: Seasonal changes in the ion-mediated increase of xylem hydraulic conductivity in stems of three evergreens: any functional role? — Physiol. Plant. 129: 597–606, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, G., Brubaker, L., Hinckley, T.: Water relations of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) at tree line in north central Alaska. — Can. J. Forest. Res. 15: 1080–1087, 1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodger, J.Q.D., Sharp, R.E., Marsh, E.L., Schachtman, D.P.: Relationships between xylem sap constituents and leaf conductance of well-watered and water-stressed maize across three xylem sap sampling techniques. — J. exp. Bot. 56: 2389–2400, 2005.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klepsch, M.M., Schmitt, M., Knox, J.P., Jansen, S.: The chemical identity of intervessel pit membranes in Acer challenges hydrogel control of xylem hydraulic conductivity. — AoB Plants 8: plw052, 2016.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Körner, C.: Alpine Plant Life. - Springer, Berlin - Heidelberg 2003.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lambers, H., Chapin, F.S.I., Pons, T.L.: Plant Physiological Ecology. - Springer, New York 2008.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Laur, J., Hacke, U.G.: Exploring Picea glauca aquaporins in the context of needle water uptake and xylem refilling. — New Phytol. 203: 388–400, 2014.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J., Holbrook, N.M., Zwieniecki, M.A.: Ion induced changes in the structure of bordered pit membranes. — Front. Plant Sci. 3: 55, 2012.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • López-Portillo, J., Ewers, F.W., Méndez-Alonzo, R., López, C.L.P., Angeles, G., Jiménez, A.L.A., Lara-Domínguez, A.L., Barrera, M.C.T.: Dynamic control of osmolality and ionic composition of the xylem sap in two mangrove species. — Amer. J. Bot. 101: 1013–1022, 2014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S.: Limits in water relations. - In: Wieser, G., Tausz, M. (ed): Trees at Their Upper Limit. Treelife Limitation at the Alpine Timberline. Pp. 145–162. Springer, Berlin - Heidelberg 2007.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S., Charra-Vaskou, K.: Winter at the alpine timberline causes complex within-tree patterns of water potential and embolism in Picea abies. — Physiol. Plant. 131: 131–139, 2007.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S., Gruber, A., Bauer, H.: Repeated freeze-thaw cycles induce embolism in drought stressed conifers (Norway spruce, stone pine). — Planta 217: 436–441, 2003a.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S., Schmid, P., Laur, J., Rosner, S., Charra-Vaskou, K., Dämon, B., Hacke, U.G..: Uptake of water via branches helps timberline conifers refill embolized xylem in late winter. — Plant Physiol. 164: 1731–1740, 2014.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S., Schwienbacher, F., Bauer, H.: Winter at the alpine timberline. Why does embolism occur in Norway spruce but not in stone pine? — Plant Physiol. 131: 780–792, 2003b.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S., Wolfschwenger, M., Bauer, H.: Winter-drought induced embolism in Norway spruce (Picea abies) at the Alpine timberline. — Physiol. Plant. 115: 74–80, 2002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S., Zublasing, V.: Ultrasonic emissions from conifer xylem exposed to repeated freezing. — J. Plant Physiol. 167: 34–40, 2010.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCulloh, K.A., Johnson, D.M., Meinzer, F.C., Lachenbruch, B.: An annual pattern of native embolism in upper branches of four tall conifer species. — Amer. J. Bot. 98: 1007–1015, 2011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nardini, A., Dimasi, F., Klepsch, M., Jansen, S.: Ion-mediated enhancement of xylem hydraulic conductivity in four Acer species: relationships with ecological and anatomical features. — Tree Physiol. 32: 1434–1441, 2012.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nardini, A., Gascó, A., Trifilò, P., Lo Gullo, M.A., Salleo, S.: Ion-mediated enhancement of xylem hydraulic conductivity is not always suppressed by the presence of Ca2+ in the sap. — J. exp. Bot. 58: 2609–15, 2007.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nardini, A., Lo Gullo, M.A., Salleo, S.: Refilling embolized xylem conduits: is it a matter of phloem unloading? — Plant Sci. 180: 604–611, 2011a.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nardini, A., Salleo, S., Jansen, S.: More than just a vulnerable pipeline: xylem physiology in the light of ion-mediated regulation of plant water transport. — J. exp. Bot. 62: 4701–4718, 2011b.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oddo, E., Inzerillo, S., La Bella, F., Grisafi, F., Salleo, S., Nardini, A.: Short-term effects of potassium fertilization on the hydraulic conductance of Laurus nobilis L. — Tree Physiol. 31: 131–138, 2011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oddo, E., Inzerillo, S., Grisafi, F., Sajeva, M., Salleo, S., Nardini, A.: Does short-term potassium fertilization improve recovery from drought stress in laurel? — Tree Physiol. 34: 906–913, 2014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai, A., Larcher, W.: Frost survival of plants: responses and adaptations of freezing stress. - Springer-Verlag, Berlin - Heidelberg 1987.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Salleo, S., Lo Gullo, M.A., De Paoli, D., Zippo, M.: Xylem recovery from cavitation-induced embolism in young plants of Laurus nobilis a possible mechanism. — New Phytol. 132: 47–56, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santiago, M., Pagay, V., Stroock, A.D.: Impact of electroviscosity on the hydraulic conductance of the bordered pit membrane: a theoretical investigation. — Plant Physiol. 163: 999–1011, 2013.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sauter, J.J.: Seasonal changes in the efflux of sugars from parenchyma cells into the apoplast in poplar stems (Populus x canadensis “robusta”). — Trees 2: 242–249, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Secchi, F., Zwieniecki, M.A.: Analysis of xylem sap from functional (nonembolized) and nonfunctional (embolized) vessels of Populus nigra: chemistry of refilling. — Plant Physiol. 160: 955–964, 2012.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Secchi, F., Zwieniecki, M.A.: Accumulation of sugars in the xylem apoplast observed under water stress conditions is controlled by xylem pH. — Plant Cell Environ. 39: 2350–2360, 2016.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin, A., Kupper, P.: Temperature, light and leaf hydraulic conductance of little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) in a mixed forest canopy. — Tree Physiol. 27: 679–688, 2007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, R.G., Davies, W.J.: Variability among species in the apoplastic pH signalling response to drying soils. — J. exp. Bot. 60: 4363–4370, 2009.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siebrecht, S., Herdel, K., Schurr, U., Tischner, R.: Nutrient translocation in the xylem of poplar - diurnal variations and spatial distribution along the shoot axis. — Planta 217: 783–793, 2003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sobeih, W.Y., Dodd, I.C., Bacon, M.A., Grierson, D., Davies, W.J.: Long-distance signals regulating stomatal conductance and leaf growth in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants subjected to partial root-zone drying. — J. exp. Bot. 55: 2353–2363, 2004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, J.P., Black, R.A.: Winter hydraulic conductivity end xylem cavitation in coniferous trees from upper and lower treeline. — Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res. 32: 397–403, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, J.P., Campbell, G.S., Black, A.R.: Water content, hydraulic conductivity, and ice formation in winter stems of Pinus contorta: A TDR case study. — Oecologia 127: 468–475, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry, J.S., Donnelly, J.R., Tyree, M.T.: A method for measuring hydraulic conductivity and embolism in xylem. — Plant Cell Environ. 11: 35–40, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry, J.S., Sullivan, J.E.M.: Xylem embolism in response to freeze-thaw cycles and water stress in ring-porous, diffuseporous, and conifer species. — Plant Physiol. 100: 605–613, 1992.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Teskey, R.O., Saveyn, A., Steppe, K., McGuire, M.A.: Origin, fate and significance of CO2 in tree stems. — New Phytol. 177: 17–32, 2008.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini, W.: [Climate, water balance and CO2-gas exchange of young pine trees (Pinus cembra L.) at the alpine forest border]. — Planta 49: 612–661, 1957.[In German]

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trifilò, P., Barbera, P.M., Raimondo, F., Nardini, A., Lo Gullo, M.A.: Coping with drought-induced xylem cavitation: Coordination of embolism repair and ionic effects in three Mediterranean evergreens. — Tree Physiol. 34: 109–122, 2014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trifilò, P., Lo Gullo, M.A., Salleo, S., Callea, K., Nardini, A.: Xylem embolism alleviated by ion-mediated increase in hydraulic conductivity of functional xylem: insights from field measurements. — Tree Physiol. 28: 1505–1512, 2008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tyree, M.T., Zimmermann, M.H.: Plant structures: xylem structure and the ascent of sap. - Springer, Berlin 2002.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, U.K.: Hydraulic vulnerability, vessel refilling, and seasonal courses of stem water potential of Sorbus aucuparia L. and Sambucus nigra L. — J. exp. Bot. 52: 1527–1536, 2001.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Geng, S., Ma, Y., Shi, D., Yang, C., Wang, H.: Growth, photosynthesis, solute accumulation, and ion balance of tomato plant under sodium-or potassium-salt stress and alkali stress. — Agron. J. 107: 651–661, 2015.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, J.K., Huggett, B.A., Tofte, A.N., Rockwell, F.E., Holbrook, N.M.: Cutting xylem under tension or supersaturated with gas can generate PLC and the appearance of rapid recovery from embolism. — Plant. Cell Environ. 36: 1938–1949, 2013.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann, M.H.: Hydraulic architecture of some diffuseporous trees. — Can. J. Bot. 56: 2286–2295, 1978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zwieniecki, M.A., Melcher, P.J., Holbrook, N.M.: Hydrogel control of xylem hydraulic resistance in plants. — Science 291: 1059–1062, 2001.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    A. Losso, B. Dämon & S. Mayr

  2. Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, I-34127, Trieste, Italy

    A. Nardini

Authors
  1. A. Losso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Nardini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. Dämon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Mayr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Losso.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: The study was financed by a Sparkling Science Project funded by the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy, Austria. We thank Peter Schmid for helping with the sample collection.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Losso, A., Nardini, A., Dämon, B. et al. Xylem sap chemistry: seasonal changes in timberline conifers Pinus cembra, Picea abies, and Larix decidua. Biol Plant 62, 157–165 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-017-0755-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-017-0755-2

Additional key words

Search

Navigation