Root grafts matter for inter-tree water exchange - a quantification of water translocation between root grafted mangrove trees using field data and model-based indications

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F62156489%3A43410%2F22%3A43921742" target="_blank" >RIV/62156489:43410/22:43921742 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac074" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac074</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac074" target="_blank" >10.1093/aob/mcac074</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Root grafts matter for inter-tree water exchange - a quantification of water translocation between root grafted mangrove trees using field data and model-based indications

Original language description

Background and Aims Trees interconnected through functional root grafts can exchange resources, but the effect of exchange on trees remains under debate. A mechanistic understanding of resource exchange via functional root grafts will help understand their ecological implications for tree water exchange for individual trees, groups of trees and forest stands. Methods To identify the main patterns qualitatively describing the movement of sap between grafted trees, we reviewed the available literature on root grafting in woody plants that focus on tree allometry and resource translocation via root grafts. We then extended the BETTINA model, which simulates mangrove (Avicennia germinans) tree growth on the individual tree scale, to synthesize the available empirical information. Using allometric data from a field study in mangrove stands, we simulated potential water exchange and analysed movement patterns between grafted trees. Key Results In the simulations, relative water exchange ranged between -9.17 and 20.3 %, and was driven by gradients of water potential, i.e. differences in tree size and water availability. Moreover, the exchange of water through root grafts alters the water balance of trees and their feedback with the soil: grafted trees that receive water from their neighbours reduce their water uptake. Conclusions Our individual-tree modelling study is a first theoretical attempt to quantify root graft-mediated water exchange between trees. Our findings indicate that functional root grafts represent a vector of hydraulic redistribution, helping to maintain the water balance of grafted trees. This non-invasive approach can serve as a basis for designing empirical studies to better understand the role of grafted root interaction networks on a broader scale.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10611 - Plant sciences, botany

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2022

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Annals of Botany

ISSN

0305-7364

e-ISSN

1095-8290

Volume of the periodical

130

Issue of the periodical within the volume

3

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

317-330

UT code for WoS article

000822069000001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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