Question

In temperate regions, during spring season, cambium is very active and produces a large number of xylary elements having vessels with wider cavities, wood formed in this way is called as (s) spring wood (b) autum wood (c) early wood (d) both \((\mathrm{a})\) and \((\mathrm{c})\).

Short answer

Both (a) spring wood and (c) early wood.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Characteristics of Wood in Spring

First, understand the characteristics of wood produced by cambium during spring. In this season, cambium is highly active and produces xylary elements with vessels that have wider cavities, aiding in the efficient transport of water and nutrients, which is vital for the growth spurt observed during spring.

Determine the Correct Term

The wood produced in spring with these characteristics is referred to by a specific term. It is important to select the term that correctly describes this kind of wood produced in the spring season.

Review the Options Provided

Review each provided option and match it with the characteristics and terminology for wood produced by cambium activity in the spring. Match the correct term(s) which are commonly used to describe spring wood.

Key concepts

Cambium Activity

The cambium layer is a vital component of a plant's growth, playing a crucial role in the life cycle of trees, especially in temperate regions.

Cambium is a layer of actively dividing cells located between the wood (xylem) and the bark (phloem). In spring, when conditions are favorable with increasing temperatures and moisture, cambium activity intensifies, leading to the production of new plant tissues. It's during this time that cambium generates a significant number of xylary elements.

These new cells help increase the diameter of the tree trunk and contribute to the vegetative growth of the plant. The spring wood, also known as early wood, is characterized by its large vessels, designed to maximize the transport of water and nutrients to support the rapid growth associated with spring. This period of high cambium activity is essential for the cumulative development of the tree, as it sets the foundation for the rest of the year.

Xylary Elements

Xylary elements are the building blocks of wood, forming the xylem tissue that transports water and mineral nutrients from roots to leaves.

During the spring, the cambium produces xylary elements with notably wider vessels. This anatomical adaptation facilitates an increased flow of water, which is necessary for the plant's active period of vegetative growth.

The spring wood's larger vessels can be seen as a response to the plant's requirements, where the increased availability of water during the season is leveraged to support photosynthesis and new growth. The contrast between the densely packed xylary elements of late wood, which forms in the summer and fall, and the spacious arrangements of spring wood highlights the dynamism of tree growth and the adaptability of xylem tissues to seasonal changes.

Vegetative Growth

Vegetative growth refers to the increase in size of the non-reproductive parts of a plant, like stems, leaves, and roots.

In the context of trees in temperate regions, spring is a critical time for vegetative growth. With the active cambium producing wide-vessel xylary elements, trees are equipped to maximize the seasonal influx of resources like water and nutrients from the soil.

This growth phase not only expands the size of existing plant structures but is also characterized by the development of new leaves and lengthening of stems. The process is supported by spring wood, which offers the structural strength and fluid transport capacity needed during this time of intense metabolic activity. Vegetative growth is crucial for the health and sustainability of a tree, contributing to its ability to photosynthesize, reproduce, and survive seasonal changes.