Improved tree-ring visualization using autofluorescence

Autor(es)

Godoy-Veiga, Milena ^[1] ; Slotta, Franziska ^[2] ; Alecio, Paula Christiani ^[1] ; Ceccantini, Gregorio ^[1] ; Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira ^[1] ; Locosselli, Giuliano Maselli ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biosci, Dept Bot, Rua Matao 277, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Free Univ Berlin, Inst Geol Sci, Dept Earth Sci, Malteserstr 74-100, D-12249 Berlin - Germany

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: DENDROCHRONOLOGIA; v. 55, p. 33-42, JUN 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

The great diversity of wood anatomical features found in trees worldwide results in a broad variety of growthring boundary types that are not always easy to recognize, especially in tropical woods. However, the presence of clearly visible limits between tree rings is essential for any tree-ring studies. Here, we propose the use of autofluorescence of wood in order to enhance tree-ring visualization. The multispectral light emitted from the fluorescence stereomicroscope can be filtered in specific wavelengths to improve the visualization of wood anatomical features. To evaluate the effectiveness of this technique, we compared visualization under natural light, GFP (green fluorescent protein) filter, RFP (red fluorescent protein) filter and UV filter. We tested this technique with a set of 38 tree species with different types of growth-ring boundaries. Although results are species-specific, fluorescence has been shown to improve the visualization of growth-ring boundaries by enhancing the contrast among cell types. It may highlight fibrous zones (e.g. Cavanillesia arborea, Aspidosperma polyneuron), different porosity patterns (e.g. Myracrodruon urundeuva), secretory canals (e.g. Copaifera langsdorffu), and parenchyma bands (e.g. Tipuana tipu). Fluorescence allows the visualization of growth-ring boundaries in species that were previously described as having indistinct growth rings under natural light. For species with clear tree-ring boundaries such as Cedrela fissilis and Hymenaea courbaril, this approach aids the identification of false rings. In addition to the visualization of growth-ring boundaries, autofluorescence may be useful for other qualitative and quantitative analyses of wood anatomy, such as wood identification and automated measurements of anatomical features. Scientists struggling with tree-ring counting and cross-dating due to difficult tree-ring visualization may find fluorescence useful. It may also aid to identify new species suitable for tree-ring studies. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/21728-2 - Uso de modernas técnicas de autópsia na investigação de doenças humanas (MODAU)
• Beneficiário: Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 15/25511-3 - Reconstrução do clima e da poluição baseada nos registros de anéis de crescimento de árvores urbanas
• Beneficiário: Giuliano Maselli Locosselli
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 17/50085-3 - PIRE: educação e pesquisa em clima das Américas usando os exemplos de anéis de árvores e espeleotemas (PIRE-CREATE)
• Beneficiário: Francisco William da Cruz Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 08/57908-6 - Instituto Nacional de Biotecnologia para o Bioetanol
• Beneficiário: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOEN - Temático