Xylogenesis and Moisture Stress

Abstract Despite the crucial role of water on plant growth and the huge amount of literature on this topic, the effects of moisture stress on the timings and dynamics of xylem formation has been only partially investigated. This chapter presents a state of the art on xylem phenology and water stress. Recent works have shown that drought in spring could largely delay the onset of xylogenesis, and during the growing season lead to a smaller number of xylem cells and likely an early cessation of xylem differentiation in water-limited environments. In order to have a better understanding on xylogenesis and moisture stress, long-term xylogenesis monitoring and chamber experiments, together with a multidisciplinary approach of tree physiology, will present a further step toward quantitatively determining the influences of drought on xylogenesis.