The hydraulic architecture of roses (Rosa hybrida)

Abstract

The presence of an abscission zone in the stem of greenhouse roses (Rosa hybrida) between the vegetative and reproductive components was verified. This led to a description of the hydraulic architecture of the rose stem. The structural aspects of the xylem conducting system in stem, abscission zone and peduncle were examined to define their relative roles in the delivery of water via the stem to the transpiring plant surfaces and the extent to which their functional capacity may be influenced by environmental variables such as humidity. The stem exhibited a highly developed xylem with many large-diameter tracheary elements. Contrary to this the distal segment of the peduncle was poorly vascularized. The remainder of the peduncle, which included the abscission zone, was a transition between these two extremes. The abscission zone was a site of reduced hydraulic conductance that was not due to a reduction in the number or size of xylem conduits but to changes in the alignment of the elements. The variable conductances across the abscission zone and peduncle regions may play an important role in floral development and the response of the plant to water stress. Rose plants grown at constantly high humidity (77% RH) did not exhibit significantly different internal anatomical features of the xylem conducting system relative to roses grown in ambient, uncontrolled humidity (30 to 60% RH). Key words: abscission zone, hydraulic conductance, humidity.