Dynamic changes in gas solubility of xylem sap reiterate the enigma of plant water transport under negative pressure

Abstract

AbstractDespite a long research history, we do not fully understand why plants are able to transport xylem sap under negative pressure without constant failure. Microbubble formation via direct gas entry is assumed to cause hydraulic failure, while the concentration of gas dissolved in xylem sap is traditionally supposed to be constant, following Henry’s law. Here, the concentration of soluble gas in xylem sap was estimated in vivo using well-watered Citrus plants under varying levels of air temperature and photoperiodic exposure, and compared to modelled data. The gas concentration in xylem sap showed non-equilibrium curves, with a minimum over- or undersaturation of 5% compared to gas solubility based on Henry’s law. A similar diurnal pattern was obtained from the gas concentration in the cut-open conduits and discharge tube, and oversolubility was strongly associated with decreasing xylem water potentials during transpiration. Although our model did not explain the daily changes in gas solubility for an anisobaric situation, oversolubility characterises nanoconfined liquids, such as sap inside cell walls. Thus, plants are able to transport sap under negative pressure with relatively high amounts of dissolved gas, providing them with a buffering capacity to prevent hydraulic failure, despite diurnal changes in pressure and temperature.