Comparative wood anatomy of Ficus cestrifolia (Moraceae) in two distinct soil conditions

Abstract

Wood anatomical traits respond to environmental variables and among them, soil has a direct impact on secondary xylem. This study compares the wood anatomy of two populations of Ficus cestrifolia occurring in two lowland formations of Southern Brazil (MAQ and SJS) with similar climate but different soil conditions. Wood samples were collected at breast height and prepared according to standard wood anatomy techniques. Soil samples were collected and subjected to a nutrient analysis. Wood was described quali and quantitatively. The qualitative wood anatomical features of both populations were similar. Some quantitative differences were observed. In MAQ area, the levels of macro- and micronutrients were higher than in SJS. Its population presented higher vessel frequency, thicker-walled fibers, and lower vulnerability index. SJS's population had longer fibers, wider rays and a higher ray frequency, and higher vulnerability index. This suite of characters indicates that the MAQ population has a safer and more efficient xylem structure for water conduction. Under the influence of similar climate and soil type, differences regarding wood anatomical traits found between the two populations of Ficus cestrifolia can thus be regarded as an ecological response to the micro-environmental soils nutrients composition.

Sympatric and phenotypic variation between two representative species of the Atlantic Forest: an analysis of the hydraulic system

“…For example, Lens et al (2004) analyzed ecological trends in tropical forests and described the importance of the amount of precipitation in influencing the continuous traits of wood. Melo Júnior et al (2018) analyzed species under different climate and soil types and found differences in xylem structure favoring safety and water conduction efficiency, showing how hydraulic processes can influence plants.…”

“…They both also had higher vessel frequencies and smaller vessel diameters, shorter vessel lengths, lower vulnerability indices, and greater thickness of fibre-tracheids, which together represent a strategy that provides greater safety in water conduction. These differences in anatomical wood traits can be attributed to the structural adjustments of individuals in the different areas (Lens et al 2004;Melo Júnior et al 2018;Costa et al 2020).…”

The anatomical structure of the root, stem, and branch of Gyrinops versteegii trees from different growing sites

“…Within the tree, vessel frequency showed a different value in both sites; the highest value is in the branch part in Pacitan with 21.9 ± 9.4/mm 2 and in the root part in Klaten with 32.7 ± 19.6/mm 2 , while the lowest value was in the root part in Pacitan with 15.9 ± 2.0/mm 2 and in the stem part in Klaten with 18.3 ± 2.4/mm 2 . The higher value of vessel frequency in Klaten might be caused by the high availability of soil macro as well as a micronutrient and the organic matter content in the soil, as studied by Melo Junior et al (2018). This phenomenon is supported by Lima et al (2010) research, which showed that the increase in soil fertilizer dosage leads to a rise in the vessel frequency.…”

Soil Effects on Stem Growth and Wood Anatomy of Tamboril Are Mediated by Tree Age

“…Fibers with thicker walls (47%) were detected in eutrophic soil trees compared with oligotrophic soil. According to De Melo, Amorim, and Soffiatti [15], fertile soils affect the carbon allocation and, consequently, influence wood structure. The same authors also observed fibers with thicker walls in the xylem of Ficus cestrifolia growing in more fertile soil.…”

“…Soil fertility has induced xylem tissue modifications [6,10], including the size and arrangement of xylem cells. Such modifications have consequences for the efficiency and security of hydraulic transport in woody plants [13][14][15][16].…”