Abstract

Cambial activity and the formation of secondary xylem were investigated in the main stem of three arboreal leguminous species and one liana. To compare the seasonal vascular cambium behavior of these species, two methods were concurrently applied: induction of injury in the vascular cambium and anatomical analysis of the vascular cambium and adjacent zones (differentiation zone). One tree species, Pseudopiptadenia contorta (DC.) G.P.Lewis & M.P.Lima, was sampled in three forest formations: alluvial, submontane, and montane. Two more tree species, Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F.Macbr. and Pseudopiptadenia leptostachya (Benth.) Rauschert, were sampled in submontane and montane forest, respectively. Dalbergia frutescens (Vell.) Britton var. frutescens, a liana, was sampled in montane forest. All species investigated showed distinctive formation of annual growth rings. Reactivation of the vascular cambium was observed at the end of spring, and it remained active during the summer. Thereafter, cambial activity either ceased or declined dramatically at the end of autumn. Similar to the tree species studied, cambial activity in D. frutescens var. frutescens showed similar seasonal cambial activity throughout the year. Based on both direct and indirect methods, our results showed that cambial activity and wood formation only occurred during the rainy season, suggesting the potential of these species for use in dendrochronological studies.

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

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.