Abstract
Vessels and tracheids represent the most important xylem cells with respect to long distance water transport in plants. Wood anatomical studies frequently provide several quantitative details of these cells, such as vessel diameter, vessel density, vessel element length, and tracheid length, while important information on the three dimensional structure of the hydraulic network is not considered. This paper aims to provide an overview of various techniques, although there is no standard protocol to quantify conduits due to high anatomical variation and a wide range of techniques available. Despite recent progress in image analysis programs and automated methods for measuring cell dimensions, density, and spatial distribution, various characters remain time-consuming and tedious. Quantification of vessels and tracheids is not only important to better understand functional adaptations of tracheary elements to environment parameters, but will also be essential for linking wood anatomy with other fields such as wood development, xylem physiology, palaeobotany, and dendrochronology.
Highlights
This paper aims to provide an overview of various techniques, there is no standard protocol to quantify conduits due to high anatomical variation and a wide range of techniques available
Vessel elements and tracheids play a crucial role in the transport of water from roots to leaves
Tracheary elements have been studied by plant anatomists for many years and provide valuable information to a wide range of wood related study fields, ranging from wood identification and palaeobotany to plant ecology and physiology (Carlquist, 2001; Tyree and Zimmermann, 2002; Fonti et al, 2010; Pittermann, 2010; Gasson, 2011; Choat et al, 2012)
Summary
Reviewed by: Patrick Fonti, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Switzerland Rachel Spicer, Connecticut College, USA Jose M. Torres-Ruiz, Institute for Natural Resources and Agrobiology (IRNAS), Spain. Vessels and tracheids represent the most important xylem cells with respect to long distance water transport in plants. Wood anatomical studies frequently provide several quantitative details of these cells, such as vessel diameter, vessel density, vessel element length, and tracheid length, while important information on the three dimensional structure of the hydraulic network is not considered. Quantification of vessels and tracheids is important to better understand functional adaptations of tracheary elements to environment parameters, but will be essential for linking wood anatomy with other fields such as wood development, xylem physiology, palaeobotany, and dendrochronology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
