Wound Response in the Stem of the Royal Palm

Abstract

Mechanical damage of a palm stem endangers physiological functions, such as water transport, and induces quality reduction due to discolouration. The wound response of a 35-year-old Royal palm ( Roystonea regia ) has been investigated in order to understand the protective mechanisms and the origin of the staining. Wounds were induced in the basal and top regions 21, 14, 7 and 1 day(s) before the palm was felled. As initial reaction phenolic compounds are deposited in few of the smaller ground parenchyma cells. Subsequently slime fills up metaxylem vessels and protoxylem tracheids of both regions, whereas tyloses only develop in vessels at the top. Additionally, phenolic compounds originate also in phloem, vascular parenchyma, ground parenchyma and fibres.