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(American Journal of Botany. 2004;91:1949-1959.)
© 2004 Botanical Society of America, Inc.


Ecology

The criteria for biomass partitioning of the current shoot: water transport versus mechanical support1

Haruhiko Taneda2 and Masaki Tateno

Nikko Botanical Garden, Graduated School of Science, University of Tokyo. Nikko Botanical Garden, Graduated School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Nikko, Tochigi, 321-1435

Received for publication December 16, 2003. Accepted for publication August 26, 2004.


    ABSTRACT
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
In this study, we determine the theoretical criteria for biomass partitioning into the leaf and stem of the current shoot, using two quantitative models. The water transport model, based on the biochemical model of CO2 assimilation, predicts the relationship between the water transport capacity per biomass investment in the stem (stem mass specific conductivity) and the partitioning of biomass that maximizes shoot productivity. The mechanical support model, based on Euler's buckling formula, predicts the relationship between the mechanical strength per biomass investment in the stem (the inverse relationship of stem mass density) and the partitioning of biomass to avoid mechanical failures such as lodging. These models predict the stem properties of mass specific conductivity and stem mass density that result in optimum partitioning just sufficient to provide adequate water transport and static mechanical support. In reality, the stem properties of plants differ from those predicted for optimum partitioning: the partitioning of biomass in the current shoot of both angiosperms and gymnosperms is mainly governed by the mechanical support criterion, although gymnosperms are probably more affected by the water transport criterion. This tendency is supported by actual measurements of biomass partitioning in plants.

Key Words: Angiosperms • gymnosperms • hydraulic conductivity • mechanical stability • tree architecture


    INTRODUCTION
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
Shoot biomass partitioning into leaves and stems is one of the pivotal problems in ecological and evolutionary theory because biomass partitioning into leaves and stems has a great effect on biomass production and the physiological properties of the individuals (Shinozaki et al., 1964 ; Rogers and Hinkley, 1979 ; White, 1983 ; Cornelissen et al., 1996 ; Poorter and Nagel, 2000 ; Niklas and Enquist, 2002 ). Leaf mass is proportional to the leaf area, which governs the extent of carbon gain by photosynthesis and water loss through transpiration; the stem mass contributes to the stem length and diameter, which determine the capacity for the two primary stem functions, water transport and mechanical stability.

The pipe model theory of Shinozaki et al. (1964) proposes that shoot biomass partitioning patterns are constrained by those primary stem functions. To maintain a high stomatal conductance and a high CO2 assimilation rate, the water transport function of a stem must compensate for the transpiration demand of the leaves (Jarvis, 1975 ; Whitehead et al., 1984 ; Givnish, 1986 ; Cannell and Dewar, 1994 ; Magnani et al., 2000 ; McDowell et al., 2002 ; Mencuccini, 2003 ). To preserve spatial positioning and maximize light capture, the mechanical strength of a stem must be sufficient to support the plant's weight and the physical load due to wind, rain, and snow, but not so high as to risk mechanical failure due to stem breakage, buckling, or lodging (McMahon, 1973 ; Tateno and Bae, 1990 ; Niklas, 1992 ; Spatz and Bruechert, 2000 ; Niklas and Enquist, 2002 ). Many studies have described the impacts of the water transport process and mechanical support on shoot morphology, but only a few studies have addressed the most plausible shoot biomass partitioning criteria attributable to the two functions in actual plants (however, see Farnsworth and van Gardingen, 1995 ; Domec and Gartner, 2002 ).

Shoot biomass partitioning patterns should depend on stem properties that are related to the primary stem functions. For example, in a shoot that is constrained by water transport criterion, the greater the conductive capacity of the stem, the greater leaf area that can be fed, which should result in the partitioning of more biomass into the leaves than into the stem (Whitehead et al., 1984 ; Givnish, 1986 ; Magnani et al., 2000 ). This result should also be seen in the case of a shoot with a stem that exhibits high mechanical strength, which can support more leaves (Tateno, 1991 ; Givnish, 1995 ). The stem properties are attributable to the form and anatomical features of the stem. The number of conduits and their diameter determine the conductive capacity of a stem, as the flow rate through a capillary (e.g., xylem conduits) is proportional to the fourth power of the capillary diameter (Hagen-Poiseuille's law; Tyree et al., 1994 ). The mechanical strength of a stem increases with increasing stem diameter and rigidity, according to the mechanical properties of the materials (Niklas, 1992 ). These stem features vary among plants of different sizes, species, and environments (Carlquist, 1975 ; Niklas, 1992 ; Gartner, 1995 ; Mencuccini et al., 1997 ; Niklas, 1997 ) and should result in intraspecific and interspecific variation of shoot biomass partitioning patterns.

In this study, we determined the criteria for shoot biomass partitioning patterns, which result from the stem properties of the current shoot. Important in tree architecture and biomass production, current shoots are new plant units that provide more sunlit leaves than do many older shoots. The stems of current shoots have the lowest conductive capacity (Zimmermann, 1978 ; Tyree and Sperry, 1988 ; Gartner, 1995 ; Zotz et al., 1998 ) and the weakest mechanical strength (Bertram, 1989 ; Mencuccini et al., 1997 ; Niklas, 1997 ) of any part of a woody plant. Therefore, we have proposed that the growth of current shoots is tightly governed by specific criteria for biomass partitioning.

We developed two different quantitative models, a water transport model and a mechanical support model. The water transport model predicts shoot biomass partitioning values into stem tissue to ensure water transport sufficient for the vigorous transpiration that maximizes the productivity of the shoot on the basis of the biochemical model of CO2 assimilation (Farquhar et al., 1980 ; von Caemmerer and Farquhar, 1981 ). The mechanical support model predicts the shoot biomass partitioning values into the stem to ensure the mechanical stability of the shoot on the basis of Euler's buckling formula (Tateno, 1993 ). Both models predict a relationship between the biomass partitioning and the stem properties related to a stem function. To determine the carbon economy of a current shoot, we used the mass-specific hydraulic conductivity and the stem mass density as surrogates for the degree of water transport and the strength of mechanical support, respectively.

Next, we determined the theoretical criteria for biomass partitioning in shoots with given stem properties. When the biomass partitioning values based on each of the two models was in agreement, the partitioning was designated as optimum biomass partitioning. Optimum biomass partitioning provides both static mechanical support and adequate water transport without functional redundancy. In contrast, when the biomass partitioning values predicted by the models are different, one of the two criteria, mechanical support or water transport, must govern current shoot biomass partitioning. Because both criteria are essential for survival and carbon gain, biomass must be partitioned to allow both functions, even if this results in excess capacity for one of the functions. For example, if the biomass partitioning in the current shoot is governed by the water transport criterion, sufficient biomass must be allocated to the stem to provide the required water transport capacity, even if this results in a stem with greater mechanical support than is necessary. Alternatively, if biomass partitioning is governed by the mechanical support criterion, biomass sufficient for the required mechanical strength must be partitioned to the stem despite the excess water transport capacity that may result. Following the above logic, theoretical criteria were determined for varying stem properties.

Finally, we compared the stem properties predicted for optimum partitioning with the stem properties observed in a wide range of actual plants. We present the most plausible criteria for biomass partitioning in the current shoot for these plants.


    MODEL DESCRIPTION
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
The water transport model
The present models assume that a shoot consists of a perpendicular stem with a uniform diameter and a leaf attached at its tip, and that the shoot dry mass (M) is partitioned into a stem of a certain length (ls) and a leaf in a static state.

The shoot dry mass is expressed as

(1)
where Ms is the stem dry mass and Ml is the leaf dry mass. The fraction of the shoot dry mass partitioned into the stem (p) is written as

{abot-91-12-14-e2}

The object of this model is to predict the optimal p, which maximizes shoot productivity (SP) (Givnish, 1986 ; Mencuccini, 2003 ). SP is factored into the leaf area per shoot (LA) and the CO2 assimilation rate per leaf area (A) such that

(3)
To analyze the effects of p on SP, A and LA must be expressed as a function of p.

LA is written using p:

(4)
where SLA is the specific leaf area (i.e., LA/Ml). According to Eq. 4, LA is negatively proportional to p.

A depends on the stomatal conductance to water vapor (gs) at a constant leaf nitrogen content, because a high gs leads to a high intercellular partial pressure of CO2. The relationship between A and gs is presented based on previous models of the biochemistry of CO2 assimilation (Farquhar et al., 1980 ; von Caemmerer and Farquhar, 1981 , and see Appendix for details). By definition, gs is expressed as

{abot-91-12-14-e5}

where Esh is the transpiration rate per shoot (mmol H2O/s) and VPD is the vapor pressure difference between a leaf and the air. At steady state, Esh is equal to the mass flow rate of water through the stem (Js):

(6)
Following Darcy's law, Js is proportional to the whole-plant conductance (KW) and the water potential difference between the leaf and the soil ({Delta}{Psi}):

(7)
KW consists of the hydraulic conductance of the current shoot (KC) and of other organs such as leaves, trunks, and roots (KRL):

{abot-91-12-14-e8}

KC represents the hydraulic conductivity of the current shoot (kh) divided by the stem length. kh, which is the mass flow rate of water divided by the unit water potential gradient, depends on the stem quantity and quality. In this model, we use mass-specific conductivity (ksm) as a surrogate of the stem quality. ksm is defined as hydraulic conductivity divided by unit of stem mass per stem length (i.e., ksm = kh·ls/Ms), and represents the stem conductive capacity per stem biomass investment. Thus, KC is expressed as

{abot-91-12-14-e9}

Eqs. 7–9 indicate that species with low ksm require a greater p than those with high ksm to achieve the same Js. From Eqs. 4– 9, we obtain gs using ksm and p:

{abot-91-12-14-e10}

According to Eq. 10 and the equations in Appendix, A can be expressed as a function of p. Using these relationships, we determined the value of p that maximizes SP, and analyzed the effect of ksm on the optimal p value.

The mechanical support model
In the mechanical support model, the same shoot form is assumed as in the water transport model. To estimate the shoot biomass partitioning necessary for adequate mechanical support, we used the model reported by Tateno (1993) . Tateno and Bae (1990) focused on the safety factor against lodging (SF), which is expressed as

{abot-91-12-14-e11}

where the critical load against lodging is the maximum load that does not produce lodging, when loads weighted relative to the distribution of fresh mass of leaves as leaves distribute along the axis. Lodging is defined as a vertical stem that is curved into a right angle. Based on Euler's buckling formula and the assumption that the stem is cylindrical with a uniform diameter, Tateno (1993) expressed SF as

{abot-91-12-14-e12}

where a is a constant related to the mechanical strength of the stem. This factor represents the mechanical support capacity per biomass investment in the stem, because SF is proportional to the value of a at certain values of shoot-related parameters (Ms, Ml, and ls). c is a constant that represents the ratio of the fresh to dry leaf mass, i.e., the water content of a leaf. By the definition of p, SF is expressed as a function of p:

{abot-91-12-14-e13}

By solving this quadratic equation about p, Tateno (1993) obtained

{abot-91-12-14-e14}

a includes the elastic modulus of the stem (E) and the stem mass density ({rho}), and is written as

{abot-91-12-14-e15}

where {rho} is defined as the ratio of Ms to the fresh stem volume. As E is proportional to {rho} (Niklas, 1992 ), a can be expressed as a function of only {rho} (i.e., a {propto} {rho}). Although a should be used as the surrogate of mechanical strength per biomass investment into the stem, we use {rho} in the present study because {rho} can be easily measured and directly reflects the features of the xylem. Using Eqs. 14 and 15, we determine the value of p necessary to obtain a given SF, and analyze the effect of {rho} on p.

The units and abbreviations of all parameters are shown in Table 1.


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Table 1. Abbreviations used in the present paper

 

    MATERIALS AND METHODS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
Study sites
Current shoots that were growing in full sun were collected in and around Nikko Botanical Garden (Nikko, 36°45' N, 139°36' E; altitude, 647 m; annual average temperature, 12.0°C; annual precipitation, 2131 mm) and Koishikawa Botanical Garden (Tokyo, 35°43' N, 139°45' E; altitude, 20 m; annual average temperature,15.6°C; annual precipitation, 1560 mm).

A-gs relationship
The A-gs relationship was obtained in September 2000 for the following five species, all of which have broad leaves amenable to measurement of the CO2 assimilation rate: Helianthus annuus L., an angiosperm herb; Prunus sargentii Rehder, a deciduous angiosperm tree; Quercus myrsinaefolia Blume, an evergreen angiosperm tree; Ginkgo biloba L., a deciduous gymnosperm tree; and Podocarpus nagi (Thunb.) Zollinger et Moritzi, an evergreen gymnosperm tree. A and gs were measured using a CIRAS 1 system (PP Systems, Hitching, UK) on sunny days at intervals of 1 hr from 0800 to 1500, with shoots set in water and exposed to sunlight. The shoots experienced various VPDs, and so the gs varied to some extent. To measure A at very small gs levels, the shoots were removed from the water. The measurement conditions were as follows: leaf temperature, 30°C; CO2 concentration, 355 ppm; relative humidity, 70%; and photon flux density, 2000 µmol photons · m–2 · s–1. The predicted A is dependent on the maximum CO2-supply-limited rate of RuBP carboxylation, Vmax (see Appendix). To fit the predicted A to the measured A, the values of Vmax for the theoretical A-gs relationship were determined by the least square regression. The immediate values of Vmax obtained were used as parameter values in this study.

a-{rho} relationship
a and {rho} were measured in September 2001. To obtain a broad range of a and {rho}, 10 species were used. The angiosperm herbs examined were Achyranthes fauriei Lev. et Van., Bidens frondosa L., Chenopodium album L., Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc., and Solidago altissima L. The deciduous angiosperm trees used were Fagus japonica Maxim., Hamamelis japonica var. obtusata (Matsumura) Sugimoto, Hypericum chinense L. var. salicifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.), Quercus serrata Murray, and Rhododendron obtusum (Lindley) Planchon var. kaempferi (Planchon) Wilson. Stem segments of 20–40 cm long located near the base of the current shoot were collected, in order to use the almost constant diameter and elasticity through a stem axis. The critical load against lodging was measured according to Tateno and Bae (1990) . Unlike Tateno and Bae (1990) , the point load was weighted at the free end of the stem to obtain the mechanical property of stem. This is because the stem segments used in the measurement had been weighted mainly by the distal leaves and stems in the field condictions. a was calculated from Eqs. 11 and 12. The {rho} of the stem segments used in the critical load measurement was calculated as the ratio of Ms to the stem fresh volume. The stem fresh volume was determined by measuring the length and the diameters at both ends of a segment. Four or more shoots per species were used for measurements. The a-{rho} relationship, in which a is proportional to the–1 power of {rho} (see Eq. 15), was determined by least squares regression using the averaged values of a and {rho} for each species.

Measurements of ksm and {rho}
Measurements of ksm and {rho} were carried out from July to September 2001 using eight species of angiosperm herbs, 11 species of deciduous angiosperm trees, seven species of evergreen angiosperm trees, and 14 species of evergreen and deciduous gymnosperm trees. Details are summarized in Table 2. Most of these species are native to warm and cool temperate zones. ksm was measured according to Sperry et al. (1988) . The water used for the measurements had been distilled, adjusted to a pH of about 2 with HCl, and filtered through a 0.22 µm-filter. Segments of 4, 10, and 20 cm long located near the bases of current shoots were used for gymnosperm trees, angiosperm trees, and herbs, respectively. After refilling via a positive pressure of 175 kPa for at least 3 min, values for kh were obtained at a pressure of 8 kPa. Values for {rho} were determined as described in the previous section. Segments were then dried for 2 d at 80°C and their Ms values were determined. At least four shoots per species were examined to determine ksm and {rho}.


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Table 2. ksm and {rho} values for species in this study

 
Relationships of ls, M, and p
To obtain ls and M values from actual plants, sunlit current shoots with stems approximately 0.15–0.8 m long of the following species were collected from the field in August 2001: angiosperm herbs, Chenopodium album, Erigeron canadensis L., and Helianthus annuus; deciduous angiosperm trees, Acer mono Maxim. subsp. mayrii (Schwerin) Kitamura, Morus bombycis Koidzumi, Prunus sargentii, and Quercus serrata Murray; evergreen angiosperm trees, Quercus myrsinaefolia, and Camellia japonica L.; deciduous gymnosperm trees, Gingko biloba, and Larix kaempferi (Camb.) Carriere; an evergreen conifer, Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc. After measurement of ls, the shoots were dried for 2 d at 80°C, and then values for M were determined.

To determine M at ls = 0.4 m and the allometric relationships between M and ls, M vs. ls was regressed as the power function M = {alpha}·lsß, using least squares regression after the raw data were subjected to base 10 log transformation (LaBarbera, 1989 ). The following species were used: Helianthus annuus (M = 28.6 ls2.12, r2 = 0.97, P < 0.01), Prunus sargentii (M = 8.25 ls1.25, r2 = 0.84, P < 0.01), Quercus myrsinaefolia (M = 11.0 ls1.05, r2 = 0.56, P < 0.01), and Abies firma (M = 25.3 ls1.29, r2 = 0.90, P < 0.01).


    RESULTS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
The water transport model predicts optimal partitioning into stems
The optimal p value was determined for a given {Delta}{Psi} and favorable environmental conditions (summarized in Tables 3 and 4) because the water transport model predicts shoot biomass partitioning that is optimal for productivity rather than for persistence. ksm for a current shoot is assumed to be constant and peculiar to species.


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Table 3. The parameters used in the present model

 

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Table 4. Parameter values for Fig. 6

 
Figure 1 shows the relationship between the predicted and measured A-gs values for Prunus sargentii. The value for A was almost completely saturated at high gs values because of the difference between the partial pressures of CO2 in air and in the leaf intercellular space (Buckley et al., 1998 ). The measured A-gs relationships fit well to those predicted for the given values of Vmax for five woody and herbaceous species (r2 = 0.63–0.97 and P < 0.01).



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Fig. 1. The predicted and measured A-gs relationship of Prunus sargentii. The solid line represents the predicted relationship, and open circles represent the measured values

 
Figure 2a shows the predicted changes in the values of A, LA, and SP with changes in p. By definition, LA is negatively proportional to p. In contrast, A increases with p because a high p value allows a high gs value due to a sufficient supply of water to the leaves. The sharp change in A values at low p values reflects the steep slope of the A-gs relationship at low gs values caused by an insufficient supply of water to the leaves. Since SP is defined as A multiplied by LA, SP has a maximum value of SPmax. We designated the p value for SPmax as the optimal p value, p*. The water supply to the leaves is dependent not only on p (stem quantity) but also on ksm (stem quality). Figure 2b and 2c show the effects of ksm on p*, A, and SP. At a given p value, A increases with ksm (Fig. 2b) because a high ksm raises the CO2 influx through large stomatal conductance (see Eq. 10 and Fig. 1). As a result, the SP value for low ksm values is maximal at high p values (Fig. 2c), and conversely, the SP value for high ksm values is maximal at low p values. Note that SPmax increases with ksm.



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Fig. 2. (a) The effect of p on A, LA, and SP. ksm is fixed at 0.06. (b) The effect of ksm on A at three different ksm (0.015, 0.06, and 0.24). (c) The effect of ksm on SP at three different ksm (0.015, 0.06, and 0.24). The y-axis values are normalized by maximum value of each parameter in (a) and (b). The solid, broken, and dotted lines represent A, LA, and SP, respectively. Arrow heads on the x-axis values in (c) represent p* for ksm = 0.015, 0.06 and 0.24. Parameter values used here are KRL = 1.0, ls = 0.4, M = 2.61, Vmax = 55, and SLA = 0.02. Parameters related to CO2 assimilation and to environmental conditions are listed in Table 3

 
The values for A*, gs*, LA*, p*, and SPmax vs. ksm are shown in Fig. 3a. The parameters with asterisks are for SPmax. As ksm increases, A*, gs*, LA*, and SPmax increase and p* decreases. These parameters change markedly when ksm is less than 0.02, which is a value observed in gymnosperm trees (Table 3). A small KRL reduces A* but does not change p* (Fig. 3b). Therefore, note that KRL is assumed to be 1.0 for any species. This KRL results in the range of the whole-plant conductance per leaf area (= KW/LA) from 1 to 6 for any ksm, as previously reported (e.g., Nardini and Salleo, 2000 ; Mencuccini, 2003 ). We address the effect of this simplification in the Discussion section. To explore the effect of shoot size on the ksm-p* relationship, we altered the shoot size using the allometric equation derived from Prunus sargentii: M = 8.25 ls1.25 (Fig. 3c). The value of p* increases with ls, which reflects the inverse relationship between Js and ls (see Eqs. 7–9). At the same ls value, a high ksm value has a small p* value, indicating the generality of the above ksm-p* relationship.



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Fig. 3. (a) The effect of ksm on A*, LA*, p*, and SPmax. (b) The effect of KRL on A* and p*. (c) The predicted change in p* with ls at different ksm (0.015, 0.06, and 0.24). In (a), the values of the y-axis are normalized by the values at ksm =0.25 except p*,which is normalized by the values at ksm = 0.001. The solid line represents SPmax, the broken line A*, the dotted line LA*, and the short broken line p*. Parameter values used in (a) and (b) are the same as the Fig. 3. The allometric relationship used in (c) is as follow: M = 8.25 ls1.25

 
The mechanical support model predicts minimum partitioning into stems
The minimum biomass that must be partitioned into the stem for adequate mechanical support (pmin) is defined as p in order to obtain a certain value of SF, and the smallest SF that allows self-support is logically 1. The equation a = 249.1 {rho}–1 (r2 = 0.77, P < 0.01) is used as the relationship between a and {rho}. Here, we analyzed the effect of {rho} on pmin using Eq. 14 and the above relationship between a and {rho}.

Values of pmin vs. {rho} are shown in Fig. 4a. At a constant {rho} value, a high SF value requires a high p value. It is notable that pmin increases with {rho}, indicating that species with high {rho} values require greater p values to obtain a given SF than do those with low {rho} values. This is because species with high {rho} values have thinner stems that show less resistance to lodging than do those with low {rho} values, at the same values of Ms and ls (Givnish, 1995 ). This tendency is maintained when the shoot size is altered using the allometric relationship shown in Fig. 3b (Fig. 4b).



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Fig. 4. (a) The effects of {rho} on pmin at three different SF (1, 2, and 4), (b) the predicted changes in pmin with ls at three different {rho} (200, 400, and 800). Calculations use 3.0 of constant c in (a) and (b) and, 1.0 of SF in (b). The other parameter values are the same as Fig. 3

 
Determination of the combination of ksm and {rho} that produces optimal biomass partitioning, and the partitioning criteria of actual plants
Ideally, plants would possess stem properties with ksm and {rho} values that result in p* = pmin, which represents optimum partitioning because there is not excess capacity for either water transport or mechanical support. The solid line shown in Fig. 5a represents the combinations of ksm and {rho} for which p* corresponds to pmin to obtain an SF of 1. That is, a shoot with a high ksm value is predicted to have a low p*. To obtain an SF of 1, this small value for p* requires a low {rho} value, which represents a high mechanical support capacity per biomass investment in the stem. The converse is also true. Thus, combinations of high ksm/low {rho} and low ksm/ high {rho} are predicted to be the values required for optimum partitioning.



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Fig. 5. (a) The combination of ksm and {rho} for optimum partitioning. (b) Scheme for determining the partitioning criterion. The solid line in (a) represents combinations of ksm and {rho} for optimum partitioning that p* is correspondent with pmin for SF = 1. The solid and broken lines in (b) show the SP of species governed by the mechanical support criterion and by the water transport criterion, respectively. Open and closed circles represent p*, and pmin, respectively. The criterion governing shoot biomass partitioning is expressed on the tip of arrows. The vertical line represents minimum SF. Parameter values for calculation in (a) are the same ones used in Figs. 3a and 4a

 
The region above the solid line represents the combinations of ksm and {rho} that result in values for p* that are less than values for pmin (Fig. 5a). These stem properties can be represented by the solid line in Fig. 5b and have an SPmax at SF values lower than the minimum value. According to the water transport model, shoots continue to assimilate even if they are unable to stand on their own. However, in practice, mechanical failure results in a marked decrease in productivity because lodged plants are shaded by their neighbors. Therefore, the mechanical support criterion governs shoot biomass partitioning, and p must follow pmin.

In contrast, the region below the solid line represents the combinations of ksm and {rho} that result in values for p* that are greater than values for pmin. These stem properties can be represented by the broken line in Fig. 5b and have an SPmax at SF values higher than the minimum value. The shoot biomass partitioning for SPmax requires a value of p that is sufficient to achieve the minimum SF. In this case, the water transport criterion governs shoot biomass partitioning, and p should follow p*. Figure 5a indicates that water transport criterion is the most important under conditions of very low ksm or very low {rho} values, whereas mechanical support criterion is the most important under conditions of comparatively high ksm and high {rho} values.

To determine the most important factor in the partitioning of biomass in the current shoot, we compared the theoretical stem properties for optimal partitioning with those from actual plants (listed in Table 3 and Fig. 6a). The plants were classified into four functional groups based on their xylem properties and leaf phenologies: (1) angiosperm herbs, (2) deciduous angiosperm trees, (3) evergreen angiosperm trees, and (4) gymnosperm trees. To most closely represent the actual situation, the calculations were carried out with ls = 0.4 m and the values of Vmax, SLA, c, and M derived from Helianthus annuus, an angiosperm herb (Fig. 6b); Prunus sargentii, a deciduous angiosperm tree (Fig. 6c); Quercus myrsinaefolia, an evergreen angiosperm tree (Fig. 6d); and Abies firma, an evergreen conifer (Fig. 6e). The values for the parameters are summarized in Table 4. Although the present model assumes SF to be 1, these plants generally had SF values greater than 1. For example, mulberry trees (Morus bombycis) planted in low individual density conditions maintain SF values from 3 to 4 during vegetative growth (Tateno and Bae, 1990 ), and many studies have reported plants with a certain safety factor against mechanical failure such as buckling and stem breaking (McMahon, 1973 ; Mattheck et al., 1993 ; Niklas, 1994 ; Spatz and Bruechert, 2000 ). These observations suggest that a value for SF of 1 is insufficient for plant survival under natural conditions in which plants are exposed to mechanical stresses, such as strong winds, and that SF values of around 4 are the minimum required for survival in the field. Therefore, we examined the effects of SF values of 1 and 4 on the specific partitioning criteria.



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Fig. 6. The combination of ksm and {rho} of all functional group in (a). The effect of the combination of ksm and {rho} on the partitioning criterion of angiosperm herbs in (b), deciduous angiosperm trees in (c), evergreen angiosperm trees in (d), and gymnosperm trees in (e). The solid lines represent combinations of ksm and {rho} for p* = pmin at SF = 4. The broken line in (b) represents combinations for p* = pmin at SF = 1. The dotted lines represent the ±40% change in {Delta}{Psi}, when minimum SF is assumed to be 4. Each plot indicates one species. Symbols are as follows: closed triangles for gymnosperm trees; open triangles for evergreen angiosperm trees; closed circles for deciduous angiosperm trees; open circles for angiosperm herbs. Parameter values for calculation are listed in Tables 2 and 4

 
Combinations of ksm and {rho} values of actual plants are plotted in Figs. 6. We distinguished the most plausible criterion as follows: If the plots (±1 SD) for the majority of species in a given functional group fell within the region of pmin > p*, the group was considered to be constrained by the mechanical support criterion. If the plots (±1 SD) for the majority of species in a given functional group were within the region of p* > pmin, the group was considered to be constrained by the water transport criterion. If an equal number of plots (±1 SD) from a functional group belonged to each region, the group was designated as obeying the optimum criterion. It became evident that the partitioning of biomass in the current shoot in almost all of the species examined is governed by the mechanical support criterion rather than by the optimum values. This tendency is typical of angiosperm species. However, note the dashed and dotted lines in Fig. 6, which represent the stem properties at SF = 1 and at SF = 4 with a change of ±40 % in {Delta}{Psi}, respectively. These lines indicate that at low {Delta}{Psi} and SF values, water transport is the most important criterion for gymnosperms.

A comparison between the p values measured in the current shoots native to the field and those predicted from the two models revealed that the measured p values were near the pmin values for angiosperm species (Fig. 7), but were closer to the p* values for gymnosperm trees (Fig. 7d). The measured p values were determined under field conditions. This suggests that under field conditions, the biomass partitioning in the current shoots of angiosperm species is governed by the mechanical support criterion and that of gymnosperm trees is governed by the water transport criterion.



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Fig. 7. The relationship between the predicted p* and pmin and measured p of (a) herbs, (b) deciduous angiosperm trees, (c) evergreen angiosperm trees, and (d) gymnosperm trees. Open symbols represent p* and filled symbols represent pmin. The solid lines represent at predicted p equal to measured p. M and ls for each plot were obtained from the same shoot as p measured in both species. The other parameters for each functional group are listed in Tables 3 and 4 . Letters in boxes indicate species name: Ec, Erigeron canadensis; Ha, Helianthus annuus; Ca, Chenopdium album; Mb, Morus bombycis; Ps, Prunus sargentii; Qs, Quercus serrata; Am, Acer mono; Qm, Quercus myrsinaefolia; Cj, Camellia japonica; Af, Abies firma; Lk, Larix kaempferi; Gb, Ginkgo biloba

 

    DISCUSSION
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
The effects of environmental conditions on the criteria
The present models predict the quantitative relationship between the stem properties and the theoretical criteria for biomass partitioning in the current shoot (Fig. 5). A comparison between theoretical stem property values and those of actual plants showed that the mechanical support function is the most plausible criterion for most of the species examined (Fig. 6), suggesting that the maintenance of mechanical stability against physical loads is of primary importance in current shoot morphogenesis (Niklas and Enquist, 2002 ). However, some gymnosperms did not follow this pattern (Fig. 6e); comparisons of predicted and actual p values for gymnosperms indicated that the water transport function is the major criterion for these plants (Fig. 7d). This difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms would be due to the difference in conductive capacity. Extremely low ksm of gymnosperms causes high sensitivity of biomass partitioning to the environmental conditions in the water transport model. For example, assuming SF = 4, the present models predict that the criterion for gymnosperms shifts from mechanical support to water transport at {Delta}{Psi} = 0.9 (Fig. 6e), or VPD = 0.025 (data not shown), which is a condition usually experienced by plants in growing season of a temperate zone. In contrast, angiosperms remain constrained by the mechanical support criterion even under severe conditions of {Delta}{Psi} = 0.35, or VPD = 0.06 (data not shown), which seldom occur in temperate regions. These differences are probably attributable to differences in conductive capacities of angiosperms and gymnosperms (Fig. 6a and Table 3). The evolution of vessels may have provided angiosperms with high conductive efficiency, reducing the need for a greater biomass investment in the water transport function relative to the mechanical support function.

Using the present models, we can examine the criteria under extreme environmental conditions. Plants native to alpine or coastal regions are constantly exposed to strong winds and thus should have a current shoot SF value greater than 4 to prevent mechanical failure from these physical stresses. Tateno (1991) showed that mechanically stimulated Morus bombycis shoots have SF values of about 8 throughout their growing period. In this case, even shoots of gymnosperm trees should be governed predominantly by the mechanical support criterion. In contrast, herbs in dense stands often have SF values of near 1 (H. Nagashima, and M. Tateno, unpublished data), because they have highly elongated stems to facilitate competition for light. Figure 6b indicates that herb stem properties almost fall above the broken line representing p* = pmin for SF = 1 and that, even in this condition, the criterion for herbs is the mechanical support function. Climbing plants would have SF values of far less than 1 because they cannot support even their own weight. Although the stems of climbing plants may possess very high conductive capacities, the water transport criterion would govern biomass partitioning in the current shoots of these plants. The present models predict that angiosperms with comparatively high ksm values would continue to be constrained by the mechanical support criterion even under conditions of high evaporative demand (high VPD), as discussed above, and low soil water availability (low {Delta}{Psi}, Fig. 6). Even if a reversible embolism develops during the daytime in these angiosperms, reducing the water transport capacity of the stem (Canny, 1997 ; McCully, 1999 ; Zwieniecki et al., 2000 ), the mechanical support function should continue to govern the biomass partitioning of the current shoot. The water transport criterion may constrain the angiosperm xerophytes occurring in areas with xeric conditions, as observed in gymnosperms, because angiosperm xerophytes such as desert shrubs that are adapted to xeric environments possess narrow vessels (Carlquist, 1975 ; Baas, 1987 ), their conductive capacities may be lower than those of temperate angiosperms.

The ecological implications of diverse stem properties
The present models indicate that the ideal stem should have a low {rho} value and a high ksm value. However, this combination of stem properties is only observed in herbs; trees have high {rho} and low ksm values (see Table 3 and Fig. 6a). This can be explained by the difference in life span between herbs and trees. In terms of the water transport function, a high {rho} is correlated with a high degree of resistance to air embolism (Hacke et al., 2001 ), a condition in which conduits are blocked by air bubbles that are pulled into the conduits by excess negative pressure in the xylem. Tree leaves generally have longer life spans than herb leaves, and a higher {rho} value would give trees greater protection of the conduit integrity. Moreover, small vessels and tracheids, which lead to low ksm values, are resistant to freeze-thaw xylem embolism, a condition in which conduits are blocked by air bubbles that are emitted as freezing sap thaws. A high resistance to freeze-thaw embolism is important in evergreen species native to cool and cold temperate zones (Sperry et al., 1994 ; Feild and Brodribb, 2001 ). The mechanical support model in the present study assumes static and instantaneous loads. In the field, however, a stem must tolerate large local loads and small but frequent long-term loads, both of which induce fatigue in the xylem and decrease stem stiffness (Gardiner, 1995 ). Under these conditions, the tracheid elements must be narrow and have thick walls, which results in high values of E and {rho}. The production of excessively large and numerous vessels in order to maintain a high {rho} value, leading to a high ksm value, is unlikely. Furthermore, a high {rho} value is directly related to a long lifetime because it confers strong decay resistance (Loehile, 1988 ; Shain, 1995 ). Therefore, even though high {rho} and low ksm values cost more in stem mass, these properties should be favorable for woody species.

Remaining problems and future directions
Although the water transport model focuses on shoot productivity, the relative hydraulic safety of water transport and the prevention of xylem embolism are also important considerations in biomass partitioning. The hydraulic safety factor is defined as the ratio of the minimal water potential necessary to prevent catastrophic conduit dysfunction to the leaf (xylem) water potential observed in the field (Sperry, 1995 ; Domec and Gartner, 2002 ). Many studies have reported low hydraulic safety factors under normal growth conditions (Tyree and Sperry, 1988 ; Sperry, 1995 ; Salleo et al., 2000 ; Brodribb et al., 2003 ) Domec and Gartner (2002) showed that the hydraulic safety factor is far lower than the mechanical safety factor, suggesting the importance of the water transport function in shoot morphogenesis. However, severe xylem embolisms are not usually observed in plants because the leaf water status is tightly regulated by the stomata (Salleo et al., 2000 ; Brodribb et al., 2003 ). Thus, hydraulic failure can be prevented through stomatal regulation rather than through the partitioning of biomass into the leaf and stem. In contrast, mechanical stability must be maintained through biomass partitioning because no other physiological processes can rapidly regulate mechanical stability. Therefore, it is reasonable that biomass partitioning in the current shoot is determined by the mechanical support criterion, as shown with the models presented in this report.

The hydraulic limitation hypothesis predicts that the whole-plant hydraulic conductance, the CO2 assimilation rate per leaf area, and the ratio of foliage to sapwood area decrease with increasing in tree height (Ryan and Yoder, 1997 ; Magnani et al., 2000 ; Ryan et al., 2000 ; McDowell et al., 2002 ; Mencuccini, 2003 ). The water transport model, however, assumes a constant KRL of 1 for all species regardless of stem height, because KRL is predicted to have little effect on p* at the current shoot level, even if KRL varies between 0.01 and 10 (Fig. 3b). The extension of our model to mature trees would be useful in understanding the form developed and the biomass production of trees, because it can be used to evaluate the effects of KRL.


    APPENDIX
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MODEL DESCRIPTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 APPENDIX
 LITERATURE CITED
 
A-gs relationship
The biochemical model of CO2 assimilation in leaves of C3 plants is presented by Farquhar et al. (1980) . When the carboxylation reaction is limited by the supply of CO2, then the assimilation rate (Ac) is expressed by

{abot-91-12-14-ea1}

where Vmax is the maximum CO2-supply-limited rate of RuBP carboxylation, the Ci is the intercellular partial pressure of CO2, {Gamma}* is the CO2 compensation point, Km is the Michaelis-Menten constant for the carboxylation reaction, and Rd is day respiration rate. Rd is derived from Rd = 0.0089 Vmax (Watanabe et al., 1994 ).When the carboxylation reaction is limited by the regeneration of RuBP, then the assimilation rate (Aj) is expressed by

{abot-91-12-14-ea2}

where J is the electron-transport-limited rate of the RuBP carboxylation. Using the photon flux density (I) and the maximum electron-transport-limited rate of the RuBP carboxylation (Jmax), J is written as (Farquhar et al., 1980 )

{abot-91-12-14-ea3}

In the present study, Jmax is obtained from Jmax = 29.1 + 1.64 Vmax (Wullschleger, 1993 ). Ci is given by (von Caemmerer and Farquhar, 1981 )

{abot-91-12-14-ea4}

where g is the stomatal conductance to CO2, and El is the transpiration rate per leaf area (mmol H2O · m–2 · s–1) Assuming that the boundary layer conductance is ignored, we express g as

(A5)
where Ca is the ambient partial pressure of CO2, gs is the stomatal conductance to water vapor. This indicates the lower diffusivity of CO2 than that of water vapor. By the definition, El is given by

(A6)
After we substitute Eqs. A5 and A6 into Eq. A4, Ci is expressed as a function of gs:

{abot-91-12-14-ea7}

Eliminating the Ci of Eqs. A1 and A2 by Eq. A7, we express Ac and Aj as a function of gs. Substituting Eq. 9 in the water transport model into these equations, we obtain the relationships between A (Ac, Aj) and p.

The units and abbreviations are listed in Table 1 and parameter values are listed in Table 2.


    FOOTNOTES
 
1 The authors thank Dr. T. Ikeda for teaching a method of measuring hydraulic conductivity, Dr. Tanenaka, Dr. H. Nagashima, and Dr. Y. Osone for useful comments and encouragements, and H. Takahashi for his technical assistance. The present study was supported by the Japan Science Society (JSS). Back

101 2 Corresponding author. Current address: Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043 Japan (taneda{at}bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp ) Back


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