Nutrient availability constrains the hydraulic architecture and water relations of savannah trees.

S.J. Bucci; F.G. Scholz; G. Goldstein; F.C. Meinzer; A.C. Franco; P.I. Campanello; R. Villalobos-Vega; M. Bustamante; F. Miralles-Wilhelm

Treesearch

Nutrient availability constrains the hydraulic architecture and water relations of savannah trees.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

S.J. Bucci, F.G. Scholz, G. Goldstein, F.C. Meinzer, A.C. Franco, P.I. Campanello, R. Villalobos-Vega, M. Bustamante, F. Miralles-Wilhelm

Year:

2006

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

Plant, Cell and Environment. 29(12): 2153-2167

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Abstract

Several plant functional traits were studied in five dominant woody savanna species in a Brazilian savanna to determine whether removal of nutrient limitations has an effect on carbon allocation, water relations, and hydraulic architecture. Four treatments consisting of a control, and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N plus P additions were maintained for 5 years. Nitrogen fertilization significantly altered several components of hydraulic architecture. In addition, long-term N and N plus P fertilization caused midday leaf water potential to decline significantly by a mean of 0.6 MPa across all species. Decreases in leaf water potential appeared to be almost entirely compensated by increases in xylem resistance to embolism.

Keywords

Fertilization effects, hydraulic conductivity, xylem embolism

Citation

Bucci, S.J.; Scholz, F.G.; Goldstein, G.; Meinzer, F.C.; Franco, A.C.; Campanello, P.I.; Villalobos-Vega, R.; Bustamante, M.; Miralles-Wilhelm, F. 2006. Nutrient availability constrains the hydraulic architecture and water relations of savannah trees. Plant, Cell and Environment. 29(12): 2153-2167