Irrigation in the final years of a cork production cycle increased cork cell wall thickness, but had no effect on overall cork caliper

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ana Poeiras - , University of Évora (Author)
  • Constança Camilo-Alves - , University of Évora (Author)
  • Björn Gunther - , Chair of Forest Utilization, Core Facility Environmental Analytics (Author)
  • Cordula Vogel - , Chair of Soil Resources and Land Use (Author)
  • João Mota Barroso - , University of Évora (Author)
  • João Ribeiro - , University of Évora (Author)
  • José Nunes - , University of Évora (Author)
  • Margarida Vaz - , University of Évora (Author)
  • Maria Emília Silva - , Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Author)
  • Nuno de Almeida Ribeiro - , University of Évora (Author)

Abstract

This article presents an image-based analysis of cork cells from two cork rings within the same cork profile using a scanning electron microscope. The study also examines cork characteristics in relation to cork ring width and ring density. During the cork growth cycle, forest management practices were altered due to the additional irrigation applied to the plot. The objective of this study is to assess changes in cork cell walls and lumens’ response to the additional irrigation by following their previously documented growth pattern or by deviations as a consequence of the altered forest management approach. Cellular analyses showed that both the year of the growth ring and the treatment influenced the measurements. In particular, thicker cell walls were observed in the 2022 ring under irrigation conditions. However, the results showed no statistically significant differences in overall cork growth between treatments.

Details

Original languageEnglish
JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change
Volume9
Publication statusPublished - 9 Apr 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

unpaywall 10.3389/ffgc.2026.1755168

Keywords