Genetic and hormonal regulation of cambial development

Physiol Plant. 2013 Jan;147(1):36-45. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01627.x. Epub 2012 May 3.

Abstract

The stems and roots of most dicot plants increase in diameter by radial growth, due to the activity of secondary meristems. Two types of meristems function in secondary plant body formation: the vascular cambium, which gives rise to secondary xylem and phloem, and the cork cambium, which produces a bark layer that replaces the epidermis and protects the plant stem from mechanical damage and pathogens. Cambial development, the initiation and activity of the vascular cambium, leads to an accumulation of wood, the secondary xylem tissue. The thick, cellulose-rich cell walls of wood provide a source of cellulose and have the potential to be used as a raw material for sustainable and renewable energy production. In this review, we will discuss what is known about the mechanisms regulating the cambium and secondary tissue development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cambium / genetics*
  • Cambium / growth & development*
  • Cell Wall
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genes, Plant
  • Magnoliopsida / genetics*
  • Magnoliopsida / growth & development*
  • Phloem / genetics
  • Phloem / growth & development
  • Plant Bark / growth & development
  • Plant Growth Regulators / metabolism*
  • Plant Roots / genetics
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Stems / genetics
  • Plant Stems / growth & development
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Trees / growth & development*
  • Trees / immunology
  • Wood / genetics
  • Wood / growth & development

Substances

  • Plant Growth Regulators