• Corpus ID: 89512983

Xylem structure and annual rhythm of development in the twigs of Acacia nilotica (L.) DEL. growing in different forests of Gujarat State (India)

@inproceedings{Rao2001XylemSA,
  title={Xylem structure and annual rhythm of development in the twigs of Acacia nilotica (L.) DEL. growing in different forests of Gujarat State (India)},
  author={Karumanchi Sambasiva Rao and Kishore S. Rajput},
  year={2001}
}

• K. S. Rao, K. Rajput
• Published 2001
• Environmental Science

Periodicity of vascular cambium and development of secondary xylem was studied in the two-three year old branches of Acacia nilotica (L.) DEL. growing in moist deciduous (MDF), dry deciduous (DDF) and scrubland (SF) forests of Gujarat State. Xylem development was continued for ten months in MDF and SF and nine months in DDF. Cambial cells began to divide with the sprouting of new leaves in January and culminated in April and May during the drier part of the year in MDF and DDF respectively. The activity then declined gradually and ceased in October in MDF and September in DDF. Compared to other two forests, initiation of cambial cell division and xylem production was delayed by two months in SE Inception of cambial activity was seen in March with maximal radial growth in July. Xylem production was then ceased in December with the yellowing of leaves. Xylem was diffuse porous with indistinct growth rings in all the three forests. In MDF axial parenchyma cells were vasicentric and aliform to confluent but this pattern was not regularly maintained in other two forests. Considerable variations were also observed in the xylem structure of trees growing in SF. Cambial activity and xylem production in branch was correlated with local climatic conditions and phenology of the trees.