Cryo-SEM/EDX study of the uptake and the radial movement of minerals in the tree trunk(Fostering Joint International Research)

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15KK0287
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Wood science
• Research Institution: Forest Research and Management Organization
• Principal Investigator: Kuroda Katsushi 国立研究開発法人森林研究・整備機構, 森林総合研究所, 主任研究員 (90399379)
• Research Collaborator: Jyske Tuula Natural Resources Institute Finland, Biomaterials and products qualities, Team leader
• Project Period (FY): 2016 – 2017
• Keywords: クライオ / SEM/EDX / ヨーロッパシンクロトロン / 蛍光X線 / スギ / 放射柔細胞 / セシウム / 凍結固定

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ray parenchyma cells are a proposed pathway for the radial movement of some elements from the sapwood to the heartwood in the tree trunk, which is one of the most important function for tree’s growth. However, this function has not been demonstrated. In this study, we analyzed the radial distribution of stable isotope cesium, which is injected in a standing tree trunk as a tracer, through the frozen-hydrated Cryptomeria japonica tree trunk using a synchrotron radiation-based cryo micro X-ray fluorescence in ESRF. We succeeded to obtain the elemental mappings using frozen-hydrated tree samples, showing that cesium distributed in the lumen and cell wall of ray parenchyma cells and tracheids.

Free Research Field

樹木細胞学