1. Cavitation and its discontents: opportunities for resolving current controversies.
- Author
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Rockwell FE, Wheeler JK, and Holbrook NM
- Subjects
- Air, Circadian Rhythm physiology, Membranes physiology, Models, Biological, Xylem anatomy & histology, Plant Physiological Phenomena, Xylem physiology
- Abstract
Cavitation has long been recognized as a key constraint on the structure and functional integrity of the xylem. Yet, recent results call into question how well we understand cavitation in plants. Here, we consider embolism formation in angiosperms at two scales. The first focuses on how air-seeding occurs at the level of pit membranes, raising the question of whether capillary failure is an appropriate physical model. The second addresses methodological uncertainties that affect our ability to infer the formation of embolism and its reversal in plant stems. Overall, our goal is to open up fresh perspectives on the structure-function relationships of xylem.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
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