Transcriptomic analysis of wound xylem formation in Pinus canariensis

Abstract

Woody plants, especially trees, usually must face several injuries caused by different agents during their lives. Healing of injuries in stem and branches, affecting the vascular cambium and xylem can take several years. In conifers, healing takes place mainly from the remaining vascular cambium in the margin of the wound. The woundwood formed in conifers during healing usually presents malformed and disordered tracheids as well as abundant traumatic resin ducts. These characteristics affect its functionality as water conductor and its technological properties.