Cited by 487Plant Water Relations and Carbon DynamicsSoil and Unsaturated FlowPlant Stress Responses and Tolerance

Plant xylem hydraulics: What we understand, current research, and future challenges

Open access
Venturas, Martin D., Sperry, John S., Hacke, Uwe G.·2017·Journal of Integrative Plant Biology

Abstract

Herein we review the current state‐of‐the‐art of plant hydraulics in the context of plant physiology, ecology, and evolution, focusing on current and future research opportunities. We explain the physics of water transport in plants and the limits of this transport system, highlighting the relationships between xylem structure and function. We describe the great variety of techniques existing for evaluating xylem resistance to cavitation. We address several methodological issues and their connection with current debates on conduit refilling and exponentially shaped vulnerability curves. We analyze the trade‐offs existing between water transport safety and efficiency. We also stress how little information is available on molecular biology of cavitation and the potential role of aquaporins in conduit refilling. Finally, we draw attention to how plant hydraulic traits can be used for modeling stomatal responses to environmental variables and climate change, including drought mortality.

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Crossref · 10.1111/jipb.12534

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  • After crossing several barriers, such as the epidermis, cortex, endodermis, and Casparian strip via the apoplastic pathway, contaminants can be transported upward through the xylem into various tissues of the shoots and leaves.

    “After crossing several barriers, such as the epidermis, cortex, endodermis, and Casparian strip via the apoplastic pathway, the contaminants can be transported upward through the xylem into the various tissues of the shoots and leaves (Song et al. 2017;Venturas et al. 2017).”

    From Sustainable management of post-phytoremediation biomass (2025) · cites this paper as Venturas et al. 2017

    In “Physics and Anatomy of Water Transport in Plants” (page unavailable), the paper says the Casparian strip blocks apoplastic flow at the root endodermis and forces water across cell membranes—the opposite of crossing that barrier via the apoplastic pathway. It describes upward water transport, but the cited passages do not establish that contaminants reach shoots and leaves by this route. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Taiz L, Zeiger E (2010) Water balance of plants. In: Taiz L, Zeiger E, ed. Plant Physiology. Fifth. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA. pp. 85À105

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  • Sustainable management of post-phytoremediation biomass

    Mukherjee, S., Leri, A. C., Bandaranayaka, C., Vázquez-Núñez, E., Barros, R., Khan, A. H. A., Zhou, P., Zhang, T., Bernal, M. P., Clemente, R., et al. (2025) · Energy, Ecology and Environment · doi:10.1007/s40974-025-00364-w · Cited by 45 · see citing works

    “After crossing several barriers, such as the epidermis, cortex, endodermis, and Casparian strip via the apoplastic pathway, the contaminants can be transported upward through the xylem into the various tissues of the shoots and leaves (Song et al. 2017; Venturas et al. 2017).”

Authors
Venturas, M. D., Sperry, J. S., & Hacke, U. G.
Affiliations
  • University of Utah (US)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
Corresponding author
Venturas, Martin D.
Venue
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-06
Volume
59
Issue
6
Pages
356-389
ISSN
  • 0577-7496 (ISSN-L)
  • 1672-9072
  • 1744-7909
OpenAlex
W2597290300
Cited by
487
References
281
Citations by year
2026: 44 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 72 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 71 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 4
FWCI
3.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Integrative Plant Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Science Foundation (IOS‐1450560)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Soil and Unsaturated Flow
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
Keywords
plant water transport, xylem cavitation, vulnerability curves, aquaporins, stomatal response, drought mortality, climate change
MeSH terms
Models, Biological, Water, Xylem, Droughts

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