scholarly journals Xylem Parenchyma—Role and Relevance in Wood Functioning in Trees

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1247
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Słupianek ◽  
Alicja Dolzblasz ◽  
Katarzyna Sokołowska

Woody plants are characterised by a highly complex vascular system, wherein the secondary xylem (wood) is responsible for the axial transport of water and various substances. Previous studies have focused on the dead conductive elements in this heterogeneous tissue. However, the living xylem parenchyma cells, which constitute a significant functional fraction of the wood tissue, have been strongly neglected in studies on tree biology. Although there has recently been increased research interest in xylem parenchyma cells, the mechanisms that operate in these cells are poorly understood. Therefore, the present review focuses on selected roles of xylem parenchyma and its relevance in wood functioning. In addition, to elucidate the importance of xylem parenchyma, we have compiled evidence supporting the hypothesis on the significance of parenchyma cells in tree functioning and identified the key unaddressed questions in the field.

IAWA Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo A. Cabanillas ◽  
Marcelo R. Pace ◽  
Veronica Angyalossy

Stem ontogeny and structure of two neotropical twining vines of the genus Callaeum are described. Secondary growth in Callaeum begins with a typical regular cambium that gradually becomes lobed as a result of variation in xylem and phloem production rates in certain portions of the stem aligned with stem orthostichies. As development progresses, lignified ray cells of the initially formed secondary xylem detach on one side from the adjacent tissues, forming a natural fracture that induces the proliferation of both ray and axial nonlignified parenchyma. At the same time, parenchyma proliferation takes place around the pith margin and generates a ring of radially arranged parenchyma cells. The parenchyma generated in this process (here termed disruptive parenchyma) keeps dividing throughout stem development. As growth continues, the parenchyma finally cleaves the lignified axial parts of the vascular system into several isolated fragments of different sizes. Each fragment consists of xylem, phloem and vascular cambium and is immersed in a ground matrix of disruptive parenchyma. The cambium present in each fragment divides anticlinally to almost encircle each entire fragment and maintains its regular activity by producing xylem to the centre of the fragment and phloem to the periphery. Additionally, new cambia arise within the disruptive parenchyma and produce xylem and phloem in various polarities, such as xylem to the inside and phloem to the outside of the stem, or perpendicularly to the original cambium. Unlike the very distinctive stem anatomical architecture resulting from this cambial variant in Callaeum, its secondary xylem and phloem exhibit features typical of lianas. These features include very wide conducting cells, abundant axial parenchyma, high and heterocellular rays and gelatinous fibres.


IAWA Journal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Seung Gon Wi ◽  
Kwang Ho Lee ◽  
Hyeun Jong Bae ◽  
Byung Dae Park ◽  
Adya P. Singh

Lignin in the middle lamella of the secondary xylem of angiosperms appears to be inhomogeneously distributed, based on studies where the focus is on a close examinantion of the middle lamella region of fibre cell walls by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This is in contrast to the secondary xylem of gymnosperms which often display a more uniform distribution of lignin in the middle lamella of secondary xylem elements. The aim of our study was to undertake TEM examination of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), an angiosperm plant mainly cultivated for its high quality secondary phloem fibres, to investigate lignin distribution in the middle lamella of secondary vascular tissues, including secondary phloem fibres. The middle lamella displayed considerable heterogeneity in the distribution of lignin in all lignified secondary vascular tissues, including xylem and phloem fibres, vessels and axial xylem parenchyma cells. The results provided evidence of lignin inhomogeneity in the secondary phloem fibres as well as in other lignified elements of kenaf vascular tissues, extending previous observations which were confined only to fibre cells.


1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 3153-3163 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Jordan ◽  
L. S. Jordan ◽  
R. M. Endo

Electron-opaque (EO) structures were studied, using light and electron microscopy, in the xylem parenchyma cells and vessels of both incompatible and compatible Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum (celeriac) and compatible Apium graveolens L. var. dulce (celery) roots 24 h after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. apii race 2. Few small EO bodies were observed in the noninoculated hosts. Histological, cytochemical, and chemical tests indicated the presence of phenolic substances and polysaccharides in the EO materials. These EO structures increased both in number and size as infection progressed. The incompatible host produced three and five times more of the EO materials than the compatible celeriac and celery, respectively. The amount of the EO materials and host compatibility were related to the absence and presence of fungal hyphae in the vascular system. Hyphae either associated with or enveloped by the EO structures were vacuolated; their cytoplasm was restricted to the cell periphery. Occlusion of the xylem vessel pores of the incompatible host with the EO structures likely prevented upward spread of the pathogen throughout the entire plant.


1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Scurfield ◽  
CA Anderson ◽  
ER Segnit

Scanning electron microscopy has been used to examine silica isolated by chemical means from the wood of 32 species of woody perennial. The silica consists of aggregate grains lying free in the lumina or in ray and xylem parenchyma cells in 24 of the species. It occurs as dense silica in the other species, filling the lumina or lining the internal surfaces of vessels (and fibres) in all cases except Gynotroches axillaris where it is deposited in ray parenchyma cells. Infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction diagrams, obtained for specimens of both sorts of silica, are indistinguishable from those for amorphous silica. Aggregate grain and dense silicas are also alike in that their differential thermal analysis curves show a rather broad endothermic peak between 175° and 205°C. The results are discussed in relation to possible modes of deposition of the two sorts of silica and the tendency for silica in ray parenchyma cells to be associated with polyphenols.


2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey E. Burrows ◽  
Razia S. Shaik

The genus Citrullus (Cucurbitaceae) consists of four species of desert vines. Two species (Citrullus colocynthis and Citrullus lanatus) are widespread weeds on several continents. Above ground, they can be relatively difficult to distinguish apart. However, Citrullus colocynthis is a perennial with a tuberous taproot, whereas Citrullus lanatus is an annual with a slender taproot. We studied the morphology and anatomy of taproot development to better understand their structural and ecological differences. The annual Citrullus lanatus reached close to its maximum taproot diameter (~3 mm) soon after germination. The vascular cambium formed four relatively broad triangular sectors of fibres in which were embedded relatively large diameter vessels. These sectors were separated by narrower triangular areas of secondary ray parenchyma. In contrast, the taproot diameter of the perennial Citrullus colocynthis continued to increase during the study, reaching ~20 mm after 14 weeks. Most of this substantial root consisted of secondary xylem parenchyma, with a low density of relatively small diameter vessels and few fibres. The remarkable differences in root morphology and anatomy of the studied species of Citrullus are related to differences in their annual and perennial lifecycles. Interestingly, the slender taproots of Citrullus lanatus were calculated to have a similar theoretical hydraulic conductance to that of Citrullus colocynthis (large diameter taproot).


Planta ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 235 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghui Wang ◽  
Jun Kasuga ◽  
Chikako Kuwabara ◽  
Keita Endoh ◽  
Yukiharu Fukushi ◽  
...  

IAWA Journal ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. den Outer ◽  
W. L. H. van Veenendaal

The development of diffuse included phloem strands in Combretum nigricans sterns is described, During a short period of time, a small phloem strand is cut off locally in an inward direction by an otherwise normal bidirectional vascular cambium. This contrasts with previous descriptions and interpretations because these strands are not formed after redifferentiation of secondary xylem parenchyma. A complementary cambium formed at the inner border of the young strand somewhat enlarges the strand and, during a relatively long period, produces secondary phloem outwards. Finally this complementary cambium stops functioning as a cambium and merges with the secondary phloem it has produced. Radial rows of cells are present within the included phloem strands which continue into the later-formed secondary xylem; rays transverse the strands. Crushing of the phloem takes place near the outer border of the strand, forming cap-like tissues of disorganized cells.


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