Hydraulic Conductivity of Xylem Depending on Water Saturation Level in Norway Spruce (Picea Abies (L.) Karst.)

Summary The influence of xylem water content on the hydraulic conductivity of sapwood was measured on branch sections of Picea abies . Relative conductivity of the branchwood ranged from 0.03 x 10 -12 to 1.62 x 10 -12 m 2 depending on water saturation level. A reduction in relative water content from 100 to 75% caused permeability to fall curvilinearly by about one order of magnitude. The higher the relative conductivity at full saturation, the steeper the decline in permeability in the case of reduction of xylem water content. An empiric model was derived that relates actual values of relative conductivity to saturated conductivity and relative water content. It describes 94% of the total variation of relative conductivity.

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