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Baird AS, Medeiros CD, Caringella MA, Bowers J, Hii M, Liang J, Matsuda J, Pisipati K, Pohl C, Simon B, Tagaryan S, Buckley TN, Sack L. How and why do species break a developmental trade-off? Elucidating the association of trichomes and stomata across species. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2024; 111:e16328. [PMID: 38727415 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
PREMISE Previous studies have suggested a trade-off between trichome density (Dt) and stomatal density (Ds) due to shared cell precursors. We clarified how, when, and why this developmental trade-off may be overcome across species. METHODS We derived equations to determine the developmental basis for Dt and Ds in trichome and stomatal indices (it and is) and the sizes of epidermal pavement cells (e), trichome bases (t), and stomata (s) and quantified the importance of these determinants of Dt and Ds for 78 California species. We compiled 17 previous studies of Dt-Ds relationships to determine the commonness of Dt-Ds associations. We modeled the consequences of different Dt-Ds associations for plant carbon balance. RESULTS Our analyses showed that higher Dt was determined by higher it and lower e, and higher Ds by higher is and lower e. Across California species, positive Dt-Ds coordination arose due to it-is coordination and impacts of the variation in e. A Dt-Ds trade-off was found in only 30% of studies. Heuristic modeling showed that species sets would have the highest carbon balance with a positive or negative relationship or decoupling of Dt and Ds, depending on environmental conditions. CONCLUSIONS Shared precursor cells of trichomes and stomata do not limit higher numbers of both cell types or drive a general Dt-Ds trade-off across species. This developmental flexibility across diverse species enables different Dt-Ds associations according to environmental pressures. Developmental trait analysis can clarify how contrasting trait associations would arise within and across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec S Baird
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern, 3013, Switzerland
| | - Camila D Medeiros
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Marissa A Caringella
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Julia Bowers
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Hii
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - John Liang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Matsuda
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Kirthana Pisipati
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Caroline Pohl
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Simon
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Silvard Tagaryan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Thomas N Buckley
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, 95616, CA, USA
| | - Lawren Sack
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
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Fradera-Soler M, Mravec J, Schulz A, Taboryski R, Jørgensen B, Grace OM. Revisiting an ecophysiological oddity: Hydathode-mediated foliar water uptake in Crassula species from southern Africa. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:460-481. [PMID: 37876364 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Hydathodes are usually associated with water exudation in plants. However, foliar water uptake (FWU) through the hydathodes has long been suspected in the leaf-succulent genus Crassula (Crassulaceae), a highly diverse group in southern Africa, and, to our knowledge, no empirical observations exist in the literature that unequivocally link FWU to hydathodes in this genus. FWU is expected to be particularly beneficial on the arid western side of southern Africa, where up to 50% of Crassula species occur and where periodically high air humidity leads to fog and/or dew formation. To investigate if hydathode-mediated FWU is operational in different Crassula species, we used the apoplastic fluorescent tracer Lucifer Yellow in combination with different imaging techniques. Our images of dye-treated leaves confirm that hydathode-mediated FWU does indeed occur in Crassula and that it might be widespread across the genus. Hydathodes in Crassula serve as moisture-harvesting structures, besides their more common purpose of guttation, an adaptation that has likely played an important role in the evolutionary history of the genus. Our observations suggest that ability for FWU is independent of geographical distribution and not restricted to arid environments under fog influence, as FWU is also operational in Crassula species from the rather humid eastern side of southern Africa. Our observations point towards no apparent link between FWU ability and overall leaf surface wettability in Crassula. Instead, the hierarchically sculptured leaf surfaces of several Crassula species may facilitate FWU due to hydrophilic leaf surface microdomains, even in seemingly hydrophobic species. Overall, these results confirm the ecophysiological relevance of hydathode-mediated FWU in Crassula and reassert the importance of atmospheric humidity for some arid-adapted plant groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Fradera-Soler
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - Jozef Mravec
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Plant Science and Biodiversity Center, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Alexander Schulz
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Rafael Taboryski
- National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization (DTU Nanolab), Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bodil Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Olwen M Grace
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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3
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Liu Y, Aray H, Lan H. Characterization of leaf trichomes and their influence on surface wettability of Salsola ferganica, an annual halophyte in the desert. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2023; 175:e13905. [PMID: 37005220 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Many organisms use functional surfaces to collect water from the atmosphere. Salsola ferganica Drob. is one of the most abundant plants in desert regions and thrives in extreme environments with multiple but limited water resources, including dew and fog; however, its mechanisms of water harvesting remain unclear. We investigated trichome structural characteristics and their influence on the surface wettability of S. ferganica leaves using a variety of approaches (scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, immunolabelling staining, X-ray diffractometry, and infrared spectroscopy). Microstructural observations revealed that the trichomes of S. ferganica presented a curved upper part, the 'spindle node'-like structure in the middle, and the micro-grooves structure in between; such unique structures may aid in capturing moisture from the air. The physicochemical characteristics of the trichome surface, including hydrophobic functional groups, hydrophilic pectins, and low crystallinity, may enhance the adhesion of water drops to trichomes. Furthermore, we discovered that the piliferous S. ferganica leaves were more effective in retaining water than the glabrous S. aralocaspica leaves, and the dense trichome layer exhibited a significantly unwettable surface (high contact angle with droplets), whereas the individual trichomes retained water effectively (more so under drought conditions). The combination of these two properties is consistent with the 'rose petal effect', which describes rough surfaces that are hydrophobic but exhibit high adhesion with water. These factors suggest that the evolutionary optimisation of water acquisition by coupling relevant microstructures with the physicochemical properties of trichomes enables S. ferganica to survive harsh conditions in the seedling stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Liu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Hanat Aray
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Haiyan Lan
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
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Ma J, Dong Z. Biomimetic directional transport for sustainable liquid usage. BIOSURFACE AND BIOTRIBOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1049/bsb2.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio‐inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- School of Future Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science Northwest University Xian China
| | - Zhichao Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio‐inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- School of Future Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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Ali Z, Merrium S, Habib-Ur-Rahman M, Hakeem S, Saddique MAB, Sher MA. Wetting mechanism and morphological adaptation; leaf rolling enhancing atmospheric water acquisition in wheat crop-a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:30967-30985. [PMID: 35102510 PMCID: PMC9054867 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18846-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Several plant species such as grasses are dominant in many habitats including arid and semi-arid areas. These species survive in these regions by developing exclusive structures, which helps in the collection of atmospheric water. Before the collected water evaporates, these structures have unique canopy structure for water transportation that plays an equivalent share in the fog-harvesting mechanism. In this review, the atmospheric gaseous water harvesting mechanisms and their affinity of measurements were discussed. Morphological adaptations and their role in the capturing of atmospheric gaseous water of various species were also discussed. The key factor for the water collection and its conduction in the wheat plant is the information of contact angle hysteresis. In wheat, leaf rolling and its association with wetting property help the plant in water retention. Morphological adaptations, i.e., leaf erectness, grooves, and prickle hairs, also help in the collection and acquisition of water droplets by stem flows in directional guide toward the base of the plant and allow its rapid uptake. Morphological adaptation strengthens the harvesting mechanism by preventing the loss of water through shattering. Thus, wheat canopy architecture can be modified to harvest the atmospheric water and directional movement of water towards the root zone for self-irrigation. Moreover, these morphological adaptations are also linked with drought avoidance and corresponding physiological processes to resist water stress. The combination of these traits together with water use efficiency in wheat contributes to a highly efficient atmospheric water harvesting system that enables the wheat plants to reduce the cost of production. It also increases the yielding potential of the crop in arid and semi-arid environments. Further investigating the ecophysiology and molecular pathways of these morphological adaptations in wheat may have significant applications in varying climatic scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulfiqar Ali
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan.
| | - Sabah Merrium
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rahman
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), Crop Science Group, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Agronomy, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan.
| | - Sadia Hakeem
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Ali Sher
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
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Wan Y, Xu J, Lian Z, Xu J. Superhydrophilic surfaces with hierarchical groove structure for efficient fog collection. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.127241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Waseem M, Nie ZF, Yao GQ, Hasan M, Xiang Y, Fang XW. Dew absorption by leaf trichomes in Caragana korshinskii: An alternative water acquisition strategy for withstanding drought in arid environments. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 172:528-539. [PMID: 33452683 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Investigating plant morphological traits can provide insights into plant drought tolerance. To date, many papers have focused on plant hydraulic responses to drought during dehydration, but atmospheric water absorption by trichomes to mitigate drought stress by influencing leaf hydraulics in plant species that inhabit arid environments has been largely ignored. The experiment in this study was designed to assess how dew absorbed by leaf trichomes helps Caragana korshinskii withstand drought. The results showed that under a drought stress and dew (DS & D) treatment, C. korshinskii displayed a strong capacity to absorb dew with trichomes; exhibited slow decreases in leaf water potential (Ψleaf ), leaf hydraulic conductivity (Kleaf ), and gas exchange; experienced 50% Kleaf and gas exchange losses at lower relative soil water content levels than plants treated with drought stress and no dew (DS & ND); and experienced 50% Kleaf loss (Kleaf P50 ) at similar Ψleaf levels as DS & ND plants. Its congener C. sinica, which does not have leaf trichomes, displayed little ability to absorb dew under drought stress and did not show any remarkable improvement in the above parameters under the DS & D treatment. Our results indicated that leaf trichomes are important epidermal dew-uptake structures that assist in partially sustaining the leaf hydraulic assimilation system, mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress and contribute to the distribution of C. korshinskii in arid environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waseem
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zheng-Fei Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guang-Qian Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mahadi Hasan
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yun Xiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Wen Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Fernández V, Gil-Pelegrín E, Eichert T. Foliar water and solute absorption: an update. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:870-883. [PMID: 33219553 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The absorption of water and solutes by plant leaves has been recognised since more than two centuries. Given the polar nature of water and solutes, the mechanisms of foliar uptake have been proposed to be similar for water and electrolytes, including nutrient solutions. Research efforts since the 19th century focussed on characterising the properties of cuticles and applying foliar sprays to crop plants as a tool for improving crop nutrition. This was accompanied by the development of hundreds of studies aimed at characterising the chemical and structural nature of plant cuticles from different species and the mechanisms of cuticular and, to a lower extent, stomatal penetration of water and solutes. The processes involved are complex and will be affected by multiple environmental, physico-chemical and physiological factors which are only partially clear to date. During the last decades, the body of evidence that water transport across leaf surfaces of native species may contribute to water balances (absorption and loss) at an ecosystem level has grown. Given the potential importance of foliar water absorption for many plant species and ecosystems as shown in recent studies, the aim of this review is to first integrate current knowledge on plant surface composition, structure, wettability and physico-chemical interactions with surface-deposited matter. The different mechanisms of foliar absorption of water and electrolytes and experimental procedures for tracing the uptake process are discussed before posing several outstanding questions which should be tackled in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Fernández
- Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology Research Group, School of Forest Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Eustaquio Gil-Pelegrín
- Unidad de Recursos Forestales, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Gobierno de Aragón, Zaragoza, 50059, Spain
| | - Thomas Eichert
- University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, Erfurt, 99051, Germany
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Dong X, Zhao H, Li J, Tian Y, Zeng H, Ramos MA, Hu TS, Xu Q. Progress in Bioinspired Dry and Wet Gradient Materials from Design Principles to Engineering Applications. iScience 2020; 23:101749. [PMID: 33241197 PMCID: PMC7672307 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nature does nothing in vain. Through millions of years of revolution, living organisms have evolved hierarchical and anisotropic structures to maximize their survival in complex and dynamic environments. Many of these structures are intrinsically heterogeneous and often with functional gradient distributions. Understanding the convergent and divergent gradient designs in the natural material systems may lead to a new paradigm shift in the development of next-generation high-performance bio-/nano-materials and devices that are critically needed in energy, environmental remediation, and biomedical fields. Herein, we review the basic design principles and highlight some of the prominent examples of gradient biological materials/structures discovered over the past few decades. Interestingly, despite the anisotropic features in one direction (i.e., in terms of gradient compositions and properties), these natural structures retain certain levels of symmetry, including point symmetry, axial symmetry, mirror symmetry, and 3D symmetry. We further demonstrate the state-of-the-art fabrication techniques and procedures in making the biomimetic counterparts. Some prototypes showcase optimized properties surpassing those seen in the biological model systems. Finally, we summarize the latest applications of these synthetic functional gradient materials and structures in robotics, biomedical, energy, and environmental fields, along with their future perspectives. This review may stimulate scientists, engineers, and inventors to explore this emerging and disruptive research methodology and endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Jiapeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Yu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hongbo Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Melvin A Ramos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Travis Shihao Hu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Quan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
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Human Resource Management Practices and Service Provider Commitment of Green Hotel Service Providers: Mediating Role of Resilience and Work Engagement. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12219187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although research on human resource management practices (HRMPs) has been ongoing for many years, studies have actually paid little attention to HRMPs and their contribution to the emotional side of the bottom line or commitment to the external environment, particularly the serial mediation of HRMPs. Hence, to fill this research void, this study extends social exchange theory, broaden-and-build theory and the conservation of resources (COR) theory in the context of green hospitality by proposing a novel conceptual model to test the mediating effects of resilience and commitment between HRMPs (training, empowerment, and rewards) and service providers’ environmental commitment. A quantitative study was performed involving 557 participants at green hotels. The findings show that the components of HRMPs (training, rewards, and empowerment) were found to be crucial tools in encouraging service providers to engage in environmental tasks while green training, empowerment and reward systems can unlock environmental commitment (EEC) for the setting. In addition, environmental commitment increased by the contribution of two mediators, resilience and engagement; and interestingly, rewards did not contribute to the environmental resilience of service providers, while all three HRMPs had a positive influence on work engagement of service providers in the research context.
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Kim H, Kim K, Lee SJ. Hydraulic Strategy of Cactus Root-Stem Junction for Effective Water Transport. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:799. [PMID: 29946335 PMCID: PMC6005991 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Cactus roots function as a hydraulic safety valve by conducting available water quickly and preventing water loss under drought condition. In particular, the root-stem (R-S) junction is responsible for effective water transport by direct coupling of the water absorptive thin roots and the moisture-filled bulky stem. In this study, the morphological features of the R-S junction were observed by using X-ray micro-imaging technique. Their structural and functional characteristics were also elucidated according to a hydrodynamic viewpoint. With regard to the axial water transport through xylem, the R-S junction prevents water leakage by embolizing large-scale vessels with relatively high hydraulic conductivity. In addition, the axial theoretical hydraulic conductivity of xylem vessels from the roots to the stem drastically increases to facilitate water absorption and prevent water loss. The cortex cell layer of a cactus is thinner than that of other plant species. In the viewpoint of radial conductivity, this property can be the hydraulic strategy of the cactus R-S junction to transport water quickly from the root surface into the xylem. These results suggest that the R-S junction functions as a hydraulic safety valve that can maximize water uptake in axial and radial directions at limited rainfall. This junction can also prevent the stem from leaking water under drought condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sang Joon Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
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Kim H, Kim J, Lee SJ. Fast and Efficient Water Absorption Material Inspired by Cactus Root. ACS Macro Lett 2018; 7:387-394. [PMID: 35632916 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Analogous to the morphological and functional features of cactus root, a novel cactus root-inspired material (CRIM) was fabricated by integrating cellulose fibers, microparticles, and agarose-based cryogels. Without undergoing sophisticated chemical synthesis or surface modification, the CRIM exhibited efficient water absorption and retention ability with high structural stability. 82% of the total water absorption capacity was recovered within 1 min, with a swelling rate nearly 930-fold faster than the evaporation rate, while only about 17% of the length extension occurred. Given that efficient water absorption and storage without physical change is crucial to the design and fabrication of water management devices, the CRIM is a promising material for various applications, including cosmetics or healthcare products, functional fabrics, and drug delivery devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyejeong Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Joon Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea
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