Using the Pneumatic method to estimate embolism resistance in species with long vessels: A commentary on the article "A comparison of five methods to assess embolism resistance in trees"

Author(s)

Pereira, Luciano ; Bittencourt, Paulo R. L. ; Rowland, Lucy ; Brum, Mauro ; Miranda, Marcela T. ; Pacheco, Vinicius S. ; Oliveira, Rafael S. ; Machado, Eduardo C. ; Jansen, Steven ; Ribeiro, Rafael, V

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT; v. 479, p. 3-pg., 2021-01-01.

Abstract

Comparisons among methods are essential to validate plant traits measured across studies. However, a rigorous analysis is a complex task that needs to take into account not only the principle of the method and its correct use, but also inherent intraspecific trait variability, something we feel is not fully considered by Sergent et al. (2020). They compared the Bench dehydration, MicroCT, and Pneumatic methods using three long-vesseled species and found divergence among these methods. As a key finding, Sergent and colleagues reported unreliable estimates of Psi(50) for Olea europaea when using the Pneumatic method in a such long-vesseled species. Here, we tested this finding by measuring independently vulnerability curves for O. europaea. Our results reinforce the viability of the Pneumatic method to estimate embolism vulnerability in long-vesseled species, as already found by others. Briefly, we also discuss important procedures when using the Pneumatic method and encourage further experiments, as the only way to know better the limitations of available methods and improve our understanding about plant water relations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/09834-5 - Vulnerability to embolism in citrus species: hydraulic characteristics, seasonal variation and relationships between canopy and rootstock
• Grantee: Marcela Trevenzoli Miranda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/14075-3 - New methods to study xylem hydraulic properties and embolism in vivo in plants
• Grantee: Luciano Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral