HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (8) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Taneda, H. Articles by Tateno, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Taneda, H. Articles by Tateno, M. Agricola Articles by Taneda, H. Articles by Tateno, M.

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

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

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

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Jagels and G. E Visscher A synchronous increase in hydraulic conductive capacity and mechanical support in conifers with relatively uniform xylem structure Am. J. Botany, February 1, 2006; 93(2): 179 - 187. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]