Tensile testing of primary plant cells and tissues

Abstract

The primary cell wall controls plant growth and morphogenesis but also determines the structural resilience of nonwoody plant organs. The predominant mechanical role of the primary cell wall lies in its ability to resist or conform to tensile forces. Assessing the tensile properties of the cell wall, therefore, is fundamental for both biomechanics and mechanobiology. Tensile testing is a classic approach used for the mechanical characterization of materials. Various loading strategies such as monotonic or cyclic loading or creep or relaxation allow for analysis of the material response in terms of elastic, viscoelastic, and failure properties. Here, we discuss tensile testing strategies for plant samples with primary cell walls with the aim to provide a practical guide that highlights challenges and offers solutions for the design, execution, and interpretation of such tests.