Simulation of the Xylematic Embolism Effect on the Hydraulic Conductance in Plants

Abstract

A hypothesis to obtain a mathematical expression to define the water flow through conductor tissues, regarding the water potential difference between top and bottom sites of the plant, was proposed from physic characteristics of xylem elements. The xylematic embolism incidence on the hydraulic conductance was kept in mind in the theoretical development. A simulation of water current by xylem way and the Percent Loss Conductivity (PLC) was made with values from bibliography. The results of the model were analyzed from biophysical and physiological point of view as well as the incidence of this phenomenon at water stress situations.