The Pneumatron: An automated pneumatic apparatus for estimating xylem vulnerability to embolism at high temporal resolution

• DOI: 10.1111/pce.13647
• Publication Date: 2019-08-28T22:24:21Z
• Authors: Luciano Pereira; Paulo R.L. Bitten...; Vinícius S. Pacheco; Marcela T. Miranda; Ya Zhang; Rafael S. Oliveira; Peter Groenendijk; Eduardo C. Machado; Melvin T. Tyree; Steven Jansen; Lucy Rowland; Rafael V. Ribeiro
• Keywords: Eucalyptus camaldulensis; Vulnerability

Abstract Xylem vulnerability to embolism represents an important trait determine species distribution patterns and drought resistance. However, estimating resistance frequently requires time‐consuming ambiguous hydraulic lab measurements. Based on a recently developed pneumatic method, we present test the “Pneumatron”, device that generates high time‐resolution fully automated curves. Embolism is estimated by applying partial vacuum extract air from excised xylem sample, while monitoring pressure change over time. Although amount of gas extracted strongly correlated with percentage loss conductivity, validation Pneumatron was performed comparison optical method for Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves. The improved precision considerably, facilitating detection small differences in (percentage discharged [PAD] < 0.47%). Hence, can directly measure 50% PAD without any fitting frequency based were ( r 2 = 0.93) E. . By providing open source platform, easy, low‐cost, powerful tool field measurements, which significantly improve our understanding plant–water relations mechanisms behind embolism.