Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Mechanosensing of stem bending and its interspecific variability in five neotropical rainforest species

2009; Oxford University Press; Volume: 105; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/aob/mcp286

1095-8290

Catherine Coutand, Malia Chevolot, André Lacointe, Nicholas Rowe, I. Scotti,

Plant Surface Properties and Treatments

Background and AimsIn rain forests, sapling survival is highly dependent on the regulation of trunk slenderness (height/diameter ratio): shade-intolerant species have to grow in height as fast as possible to reach the canopy but also have to withstand mechanical loadings (wind and their own weight) to avoid buckling. Recent studies suggest that mechanosensing is essential to control tree dimensions and stability-related morphogenesis. Differences in species slenderness have been observed among rainforest trees; the present study thus investigates whether species with different slenderness and growth habits exhibit differences in mechanosensitivity.