Premium
Hydraulic design of pine needles: one‐dimensional optimization for single‐vein leaves
Author(s) -
ZWIENIECKI MACIEJ A.,
STONE HOWARD A.,
LEIGH ANDREA,
BOYCE C. KEVIN,
HOLBROOK N. MICHELE
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01448.x
Subject(s) - pinus <genus> , xylem , pressure drop , permeability (electromagnetism) , petiole (insect anatomy) , hydraulic conductivity , horticulture , botany , materials science , mathematics , environmental science , soil science , chemistry , mechanics , biology , soil water , physics , hymenoptera , biochemistry , membrane
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.