Vulnerability to xylem embolism correlates to wood parenchyma fraction in angiosperms but not in gymnosperms

Understanding which structural and functional traits are linked to species’ vulnerability to embolism formation (P50) may provide fundamental knowledge on plant strategies to maintain an efficient water transport. We measured P50, wood density (WD), mean conduit area, conduit density, percentage areas occupied by vessels, parenchyma cells (PATOT) and fibers (FA) on branches of angiosperm and gymnosperm species. Moreover, we compiled a dataset of published hydraulic and anatomical data to be compared with our results. Species more vulnerable to embolism had lower WD. In angiosperms, the variability in WD was better explained by PATOT and FA, which were highly correlated. Angiosperms with a higher P50 (less negative) had a higher amount of PATOT and total amount of nonstructural carbohydrates. Instead, in gymnosperms, P50 vs PATOT was not significant. The correlation between PATOT and P50 might have a biological meaning and also suggests that the causality of the commonly observed relationship of WD vs P50 is indirect and dependent on the parenchyma fraction. Our study suggests that angiosperms have a potential active embolism reversal capacity in which parenchyma has an important role, while in gymnosperms this might not be the case.