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The maximum height of grasses is determined by roots
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 15:47 authored by Cao, KF, Yang, SJ, Zhang, YJ, Timothy BrodribbTimothy BrodribbGrasses such as bamboos can produce upright stems more than 30 m tall, yet the processes that constrain plant height in this important group have never been investigated. Air embolisms form commonly in the water transport system of grasses and we hypothesised that root pressure-dependent refilling these embolisms should limit the maximum height of grass species to the magnitude of their root pressure. Confirming this hypothesis, we show that in 59 species of bamboo grown in two common gardens, the maximum heights of culms of 67 clones are closely predicted by the maximum measured root pressure overnight. Furthermore, we demonstrate that water transport in these bamboo species is dependent on root pressure to repair hydraulic dysfunction sustained during normal diurnal gas exchange. Our results established the critical importance of root pressure in the tallest grass species and provide a new basis for understanding the limits for plant growth.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Ecology LettersVolume
15Issue
7Pagination
666-672ISSN
1461-023XDepartment/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing LtdPlace of publication
9600 Garsington Rd, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UKRights statement
Copyright 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRSRepository Status
- Restricted