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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241576
Title: Biology and physiology of vines

Author
item Vaughn, Kevin
item BOWLING, ANDREW - Dow Agrosciences

Submitted to: Horticultural Reviews
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2010
Publication Date: 6/20/2011
Citation: Vaughn, K.C., Bowling, A.J. 2011. Biology and physiology of vines. Horticultural Reviews. 38:1-21.

Interpretive Summary: Vines are one of the most aggressive groups of weedy species, but curiously little is known of the basic biology of these fascinating plants. These studies become more imperative as increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global warming really enhance the growth of vines. Scientists of the Southern Weed Science Research Unit, Stoneville MS here describe new results from their laboratory as well as others from other works to untangle some of these mysteries. These data show that a unique group of fiber cells, found before only in righting tree branches, causes tendrils to coil and stems to twine. Because these cells have such a unique composition, it might be possible in the future to develop vine-specific herbicides/ biocontrol agents.

Technical Abstract: Vines have interested botanists since Darwin but surprisingly little progress has been made at describing the mechanisms by which vines twine and tendrils coil. Anatomical, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations indicate that gelatinous (G) fibers, which were generally thought to occur in righting tree branches, occur ubiquitously throughout the tendrils and twining stems of vines, with the exception of those species that use adhesive roots (e.g. ivies). The G fibers cause the tissue to coil, and the position and amount of the fibers determine the size and shape of the coil. Many tendrils and adhesive roots produce adhesive molecules that aid the vine in adhering to the support. These adhesives are complex mixtures of mucilaginous pectins and arabinans. These unique properties of vines also indicate that there may be unique herbicidal or bio-control solutions to the control of the many weedy vines.