TY - JOUR
T1 - Hydraulic design of pine needles
T2 - One-dimensional optimization for single-vein leaves
AU - Zwieniecki, Maciej A.
AU - Stone, Howard A.
AU - Leigh, Andrea
AU - Boyce, C. Kevin
AU - Holbrook, N. Michele
PY - 2006/5
Y1 - 2006/5
N2 - Single-vein leaves have the simplest hydraulic design possible, yet even this linear water delivery system can be modulated to improve physiological performance. We determined the optimal distribution of transport capacity that minimizes pressure drop per given investment in xylem permeability along the needle for a given length without a change in total water delivery, or maximizes needle length for a given pressure difference between petiole and needle tip. This theory was tested by comparative analysis of the hydraulic design of three pine species that differ in the length of their needles [Pinus palustris (Engl.) Miller, ∼50 cm; Pinus ponderosa Lawson & Lawson, ∼20 cm and Pinus rigida Miller, ∼5 cm]. In all three species, the distribution of hydraulic permeability was similar to that predicted by the optimum solution. The needles of P. palustris showed an almost perfect match between predicted and actual hydraulic optimum solution, providing evidence that vein design is a significant factor in the hydraulic design of pine leaves.
AB - Single-vein leaves have the simplest hydraulic design possible, yet even this linear water delivery system can be modulated to improve physiological performance. We determined the optimal distribution of transport capacity that minimizes pressure drop per given investment in xylem permeability along the needle for a given length without a change in total water delivery, or maximizes needle length for a given pressure difference between petiole and needle tip. This theory was tested by comparative analysis of the hydraulic design of three pine species that differ in the length of their needles [Pinus palustris (Engl.) Miller, ∼50 cm; Pinus ponderosa Lawson & Lawson, ∼20 cm and Pinus rigida Miller, ∼5 cm]. In all three species, the distribution of hydraulic permeability was similar to that predicted by the optimum solution. The needles of P. palustris showed an almost perfect match between predicted and actual hydraulic optimum solution, providing evidence that vein design is a significant factor in the hydraulic design of pine leaves.
KW - Model
KW - Tracheids
KW - Xylem
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645701413&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01448.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01448.x
M3 - Article
SN - 0140-7791
VL - 29
SP - 803
EP - 809
JO - Plant, Cell and Environment
JF - Plant, Cell and Environment
IS - 5
ER -