The benefits of recycling: how photosynthetic bark can increase drought tolerance

Cernusak, Lucas A., and Cheesman, Alex W. (2015) The benefits of recycling: how photosynthetic bark can increase drought tolerance. New Phytologist, 208 (4). pp. 995-997.

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Abstract

[Extract] Understanding the drought physiology of woody plants has become an increasingly important focus of plant science research in recent years, spurred on by concern about the potential for widespread tree mortality in response to drought stress caused by global warming (McDowell et al., 2008; Allen et al., 2010). However, there is one aspect of how woody plants cope with water deficits that has received very little attention: the role of carbon fixation by photosynthetic bark. This process may become especially important for maintaining physiological activity in woody tissues of drought-stressed trees as the supply of photosynthate from leaves dwindles, due to stomatal closure and impaired phloem translocation. In this issue of New Phytologist, Vandegehuchte et al. (pp. 998–1002) bring this process into the spotlight, and provide a compelling argument for why we should take more notice of that often-hidden, green layer of tissue that is ubiquitous beneath the smooth-bark surfaces of woody plants (Scott, 1907; Pfanz et al., 2002; Dima et al., 2006; Rosell et al., 2015).

Item ID: 49597
Item Type: Article (Commentary)
ISSN: 1469-8137
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants: ARC Discovery Project DP120102965
Date Deposited: 21 Jul 2017 05:20
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0607 Plant Biology > 060705 Plant Physiology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960806 Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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