Woody tissue photosynthesis delays drought stress in Populus tremula trees and maintains starch reserves in branch xylem tissues

Abstract

Photosynthesis in woody tissues (Pwt) is less sensitive to water shortage than in leaves, hence, Pwt might be a crucial carbon source to alleviate drought stress. To evaluate the impact of Pwt on tree drought tolerance, woody tissues of 4-m-tall drought-stressed Populus tremula trees were subjected to a light-exclusion treatment across the entire plant to inhibit Pwt. Xylem water potential (Ψxylem), sap flow ((Formula presented.) ), leaf net photosynthesis (Pn,l), stem diameter variations (ΔD), in vivo acoustic emissions in stems (AEs) and nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations ([NSC]) were monitored to comprehensively assess water and carbon relations at whole-tree level. Under well-watered conditions, Pwt kept Ψxylem at a higher level, lowered (Formula presented.) and had no effect on [NSC]. Under drought, Ψxylem, (Formula presented.) and Pn,l in light-excluded trees rapidly decreased in concert with reductions in branch xylem starch concentration. Moreover, sub-daily patterns of ΔD, (Formula presented.) and AEs were strongly related, suggesting that in vivo AEs may inform not only about embolism events, but also about capacitive release and replenishment of stem water pools. Results highlight the importance of Pwt in maintaining xylem hydraulic integrity under drought conditions and in sustaining NSC pools to potentially limit increases in xylem tension.