Prolonged Infusion of Fluids into Tree Seedlings Using Ascorbic Acid

Abstract

A method was developed to infuse liquids into the stems of three-year-old Cercis canadensis L., Liriodendron tulipifera L., and Tilia cordata Mill. seedlings and to monitor the movement of fluid into the stems. Ascorbic acid (14.2 mM) added to the infusion liquid, could increase the initial rate of fluid uptake 2- to 3-fold compared with distilled water control treatments. The ascorbic acid treatment also prolonged fluid uptake about 4 d longer than distilled water treatments. The effect of ascorbic acid on fluid uptake could not be correlated to the solution pH, the antibiotic effect of high ascorbic acid concentrations, or to seedling height, trunk diameter or projected leaf area. Data did, however, suggest that the increased fluid uptake rate and the prolonged fluid uptake may be related to the anti-oxidant property of ascorbic acid. The accumulation of 1.0 g of ascorbic acid in 60 to 100 cm tall C. canadensis and L. tulipifera seedlings did induce defoliation and lateral bud break. The data presented may be useful in developing techniques for prolonged infusion of therapeutic compounds into trees and for studying, in vivo, wound response to xylem tissue.