Pit Membrane Thickness Determines Differences in Embolism Resistance Among Brassica oleracea Genotypes
Physiologia Plantarum, vol. 178, pp. e70952
Abstract
ABSTRACT As drought events become more severe, understanding drought‐tolerance traits in crops is vital for food security. Brassica oleracea L., a widely consumed vegetable (including cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli), has seen a rise in cultivation, but the response of different genotypes to drought remains poorly studied. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying drought resistance in seven genotypes of B. oleracea (two grandparental lines and five F2 genotypes) by examining stem anatomical and hydraulic traits, as well as stomatal characteristics, leaf dimensions, and stomatal regulation under drought conditions. Detailed measurements of stem anatomical traits were obtained using light and electron microscopy, while stem hydraulic vulnerability was assessed using the Optical Vulnerability method. The seven genotypes displayed contrasting water‐use and hydraulic strategies. Under well‐watered conditions, initial stomatal conductance ( g sΨ0 ) showed considerable variation independent of their leaf and stomata size and density, while the leaf water potential at 90% stomatal closure ( Ψg s90 ) was similar among genotypes. Stomatal safety margins (SSM) were positive across genotypes, confirming coordination between stomatal regulation and xylem hydraulics, and mainly driven by stem P 50 , which was approximately 1 MPa lower in the most tolerant genotype. Embolism resistance was best explained by the thickness of the intervessel pit membrane, highlighting the importance of including anatomical traits in plant drought tolerance studies. To conclude, the intraspecific variation observed in anatomical, hydraulic and stomatal traits among our B. oleracea genotypes indicates potential adaptability to drought and suggests that more drought‐tolerant genotypes could be identified within this crop species through targeted, human‐mediated crosses.
Authors 10
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Narcy Anai Pereira-Zaldívar corresponding Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) Leiden the Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Plant Sciences Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) Leiden the Netherlands
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Giovanni Bortolami Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center · École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering ENAC, EPFL Lausanne Switzerland
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Université de Bordeaux · Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement · UMR BIOdiversity, GEnes & Communities
Affiliation as printed
BIOGECO INRAE Université de Bordeaux Pessac France
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Université de Bordeaux · Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement · UMR BIOdiversity, GEnes & Communities
Affiliation as printed
BIOGECO INRAE Université de Bordeaux Pessac France
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Université de Bordeaux · Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement · UMR BIOdiversity, GEnes & Communities
Affiliation as printed
BIOGECO INRAE Université de Bordeaux Pessac France
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Jesse van Haasteren Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
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Manon van Unen Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
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Kevin Wiegant Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Molecular Plant Stress Biology Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden the Netherlands
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Frederic Lens corresponding Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) Leiden the Netherlands
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits Leiden the Netherlands
Plant Sciences Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) Leiden the Netherlands
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